I’m not sure why there is such a desire to have slater here, we have enough players in that position. He’s no better than our current options. I’d rather have a cb or another player to play in klp position and let him fight for the spot in the middle
You know what? I forgot about Moncur, though he can play on the wings too so I class him as more of a utility player. Slater would be a decent addition, but I don't know how he'd fit once Honeyman comes back, because you can't leave George out.
Suspect Moncur will largely play out wide. He'll compete with KLP for a spot. We all know Honeyman will start every game once he's back as will Doc, so Slater will compete with Tom for the deeper role. I really don't see why people think we don't need a defensive midfielder, you can't just include all midfielders as they're very different. We've got an abundance of box to box types but we didn't have any as back up last year so we've gone from one extreme to another. In all honesty I don't care if we have too many options, they all bring something different and everyone is on sensible wages. Fierce competition will keep standards high. Although I do think another forward is overkill, if someone like Marquis came in, who's having a tough spell at Pompey, I certainly wouldn't be complaining.
Slater isn’t a defensive midfielder either. With Honeyman and Docherty the ones nailed on for a starting place, that leaves Huddlestone, Smallwood, Smith, Cannon and now potentially Slater competing for the last spot. To me that’s overkill when other positions require more attention. I’d argue M. Smith is better than Slater and Smallwood in that position so Slater offers very little to the squad. The moment we signed Smith on loan, we didn’t need Slater.
I’d love a centre forward like Windass. Someone to play occasionally and help develop Tyler Smith and Hinds.
Slater isn't a DM? What? He most certainly is. It's the position he excelled in last season and according to his old man, the position he's played in most throughout his life
Nah, he was a willing runner and he contributed, in fact he could have scored. Wasn't that impressed by Jarvis, but I know he's done well in the U23s and he's only 18. Hopefully we get a decent cup draw against lower opposition so some of these lads can get a proper run out. Except it'll be a Championship team or some bullshit like Sunderland.
Slater himself said he’s box-to-box and ‘excelled’ is a stretch. He did okay at CDM when Smallwood was out and Alfie had to play centre-half because Burke was injured. That’s it. Some on here have seriously rose-tinted glasses regarding Slater’s performances and ability when he was here.
He's not a box to box. Anyone with eyes can see that. As did Carlisle & Scunny who both played him as a DM