[LoxleyBaggie]

This is an interesting one as they are obviously trying to take advantage of the additional money to premiership clubs as much as clubs are potentially trying to take advantage of them. They have no doubt seen what our final payment will likely be for James Chester (who had one year remaining on his contract) and the potential final payment for David Marshall (should it take place) and be holding out to see what they can get from us or any other suitors.

[KnaveofAlbion]

I have a feeling we'll try and push this one to the wire and end up selling the squad short again. If we keep dithering on Sako, he'll get annoyed and walk away, and we'll end up with no-one.

Of course, I'd get Sako in, and still be in for Phillips - mostly because one plays left and one right.

So you'd have McManaman and McLean as Subs? Sess to be sold?

in theory we'd have two 1st choice capable people everywhere, but in practice I can't see us buying more than 1 winger now.

[Hull Baggie]

I have a feeling we'll try and push this one to the wire and end up selling the squad short again. If we keep dithering on Sako, he'll get annoyed and walk away, and we'll end up with no-one.

Of course, I'd get Sako in, and still be in for Phillips - mostly because one plays left and one right.

To who? he doesn't appear to be inundated with options at present.

[smethwickw]

So you'd have McManaman and McLean as Subs? Sess to be sold?

in theory we'd have two 1st choice capable people everywhere, but in practice I can't see us buying more than 1 winger now.

It wouldn't be as simple as that. They are not too far off each other ability wise therefore it would make great competition for the squad. Factor in injuries, loss of form and suspensions and you could easily carry 4 wingers. Sess to move on too if we can find a buyer as it's obvious he's not a Pulis player. If he is to stay then surely he should only be played through the middle and not out wide.

[FallOutBoy]

So you'd have McManaman and McLean as Subs? Sess to be sold?

in theory we'd have two 1st choice capable people everywhere, but in practice I can't see us buying more than 1 winger now.

Football is now a squad game, with the idea of having as strong a squad as you can. That means, in practice, two good players in each position (with three keepers).

Nobody would be first or second choice as a right, it should depend on factors including form and opposition, and of course, injuries. You need good cover.

And why would four wingers mean Sessegnon getting sold? His best position is just off a loan forward, an option that it would be good to have in our arsenal. You don't want to keep playing players out of position.

[smethwickw]

Football is now a squad game, with the idea of having as strong a squad as you can. That means, in practice, two good players in each position (with three keepers).

Nobody would be first or second choice as a right, it should depend on factors including form and opposition, and of course, injuries. You need good cover.

And why would four wingers mean Sessegnon getting sold? His best position is just off a loan forward, an option that it would be good to have in our arsenal. You don't want to keep playing players out of position.

I think that's been a big problem for us over the last year or two. The side has pretty much picked itself and still does now to a degree. Players are far too comfortable as the 'squad fillers' haven't been good enough to press for a starting role. As you say we need better players to improve the competition.

[Legend]

Gardner can play on the wing too, in fact I'd start him on the wing against City.

[we8seals]

Gardner can play on the wing too, in fact I'd start him on the wing against City.

no he cant play on the wing, we can shove him out wide right to fill a hole but that does not make him a winger

[Hunnington Baggie]

no he cant play on the wing, we can shove him out wide right to fill a hole but that does not make him a winger

Is it a bad time to also mention he's a full back too? 

[we8seals]

Is it a bad time to also mention he's a full back too? 

YES.......LOL

[WBArgo]

no he cant play on the wing, we can shove him out wide right to fill a hole but that does not make him a winger

Defensively, he is actually a very good winger for us. Last year against Palace away, his role was to completely defend and keep Zaha quiet, he barely crossed the half way line and was constantly tracking back, hence why he'd be fine against Man City.
In an attacking sense on the wing, I agree he is never a winger, but in certain situations he is very useful on the wing.

[AbDabs]

Defensively, he is actually a very good winger for us. Last year against Palace away, his role was to completely defend and keep Zaha quiet, he barely crossed the half way line and was constantly tracking back, hence why he'd be fine against Man City.
In an attacking sense on the wing, I agree he is never a winger, but in certain situations he is very useful on the wing.

Surely a winger who never goes on the wing, but stays in his own half all the game is a full back?!

[BobTaylor]

Surely a winger who never goes on the wing, but stays in his own half all the game is a full back?!

Not necessarily if when we win the ball they are then breaking forward.

[we8seals]

Defensively, he is actually a very good winger for us. Last year against Palace away, his role was to completely defend and keep Zaha quiet, he barely crossed the half way line and was constantly tracking back, hence why he'd be fine against Man City.
In an attacking sense on the wing, I agree he is never a winger, but in certain situations he is very useful on the wing.

A defensive winger....really? Surely thats called a full back

[WBArgo]

A defensive winger....really? Surely thats called a full back

Are you being pedantic on purpose?
Re-watch the Palace away game if you want. It's common knowledge that under Pulis, against certain teams, certain players will have to defend a lot more which was Gardner's case against Palace. He defended and helped Dawson out. No he wasn't a wing-back as having two in the same position would be suicide. However, he wasn't bombing forward or doing many crosses either, he was extremely defensive in the midfield on the wing, it's not hard to understand.

[M666EYS]

Are you being pedantic on purpose?
Re-watch the Palace away game if you want. It's common knowledge that under Pulis, against certain teams, certain players will have to defend a lot more which was Gardner's case against Palace. He defended and helped Dawson out. No he wasn't a wing-back as having two in the same position would be suicide. However, he wasn't bombing forward or doing many crosses either, he was extremely defensive in the midfield on the wing, it's not hard to understand.

 i think its you whos being pedantic.

why would you have a right back then a right defensive winger, there isnt even a name for such a position.

certain teams, certain players.........you mean every feckin game under pulis.

the football is w4nk at best, pulis is going to ruin our club mark my words.

[jwilkes90]

i think its you whos being pedantic.

why would you have a right back then a right defensive winger, there isnt even a name for such a position.

certain teams, certain players.........you mean every feckin game under pulis.

the football is w4nk at best, pulis is going to ruin our club mark my words.

Like he ruined Stoke and Palace? To me both clubs have benefitted from the strong platform he put in place. His style of football can be defensive at times but so was Hodgson's. Unless we spend megabucks we will always have to double up against the best wingers in the league to get something out of games.

[smethwickw]

i think its you whos being pedantic.

why would you have a right back then a right defensive winger, there isnt even a name for such a position.

certain teams, certain players.........you mean every feckin game under pulis.

the football is w4nk at best, pulis is going to ruin our club mark my words.

I agree mate but I still think he'll keep us up. Sadly all entertainment will be sacrificed with the sole aim being survival. I certainly won't be paying to watch the dross served up regardless of results.

[M666EYS]

Like he ruined Stoke and Palace? To me both clubs have benefitted from the strong platform he put in place. His style of football can be defensive at times but so was Hodgson's. Unless we spend megabucks we will always have to double up against the best wingers in the league to get something out of games.

exactly like he ruined stoke, their football was terrible!

[smethwickw]

Like he ruined Stoke and Palace? To me both clubs have benefitted from the strong platform he put in place. His style of football can be defensive at times but so was Hodgson's. Unless we spend megabucks we will always have to double up against the best wingers in the league to get something out of games.

There is a balance to be found I think. Look at Swansea and Southampton. They play great football but still get results. Crystal Palace will be the same under Pardew.

[AshD]

exactly like he ruined stoke, their football was terrible!

Because the football played under Irvine was fantastic wasn't it!?! Oh, and it was free flowing and exciting under Hodgson too!

[stokelad84]

why would you have a right back then a right defensive winger, there isnt even a name for such a position.

There is. Most people call it wide right or right midfield.

Even Mourinho and Ferguson do it in Europe when they are playing against the better sides. Ferguson would put Rooney out wide and leave Ronaldo up front because he knew Rooney would track back and Ronaldo wouldn't. That's no different than Pulis preferring Gardner and Morrison over Sessegnon?

[leeiswba]

exactly like he ruined stoke, their football was terrible!

Ruined? He made them.

Went from finishing 13th in the Championship when he took over to an established Premierleague team, the FA cup final and knockout stages of Europa League at Valencia!

[M666EYS]

Because the football played under Irvine was fantastic wasn't it!?! Oh, and it was free flowing and exciting under Hodgson too!

where did i say that?

[Hunnington Baggie]

There is. Most people call it wide right or right midfield.

Even Mourinho and Ferguson do it in Europe when they are playing against the better sides. Ferguson would put Rooney out wide and leave Ronaldo up front because he knew Rooney would track back and Ronaldo wouldn't. That's no different than Pulis preferring Gardner and Morrison over Sessegnon?

exactly, we've been using one for 8 years now.. or would you call Brunt a winger?