Stratvillan

So happy that every player we are signing is a first team starter - the whole club last year were squad players at best. A settled defence, with squad backup (baker, Cissoko and Bacuna). A settled midfield with Westwood / Gardner to play a squad role. A mobile centre forward and we are away!

UTV

A definite improvement on what we have. Well done.

Plays too deep us effective higher up the pitch.

Wouldn't be surprised if a PL team came in for him (west ham as Caroll and A Ayew are both injured)?

I don't want to defend gabby in any respect but.........  Do we want to create another bomb squad? We need to judge players on wether they can offer more than we have on the pitch. Lescott - no, Richards -no, etc.

Gabby vs Kozak - who would have offered more yesterday - I'd probably say Gabby even though I quite like Kozak. You only have to look at Bacuna who is offering more this year because he is surrounded by men /leaders - perhaps that's what Gabby needs (he shouldn't) but perhaps he needs a Carew / McCormack to lead him. 

Thought he was excellent. The number of times he showed for the ball but it went sideways was frustrating. He is the spark posters are saying we need (Morrison), the defenders need to alter their thinking so that he is the first option to pass to unless there's a reason not to. The more he is on the ball the better. (Also stops all the silly back passes to Gollini).

We've played 4 games this year and conceded 2 unlucky /soft goals, I'd read into that the defence though not finished is well organised and effective -a step up from last year. The forwards are still square pegs in round holes, personally I don't think that Ayew is a wide midfield player, he's effective on the edge of their box, not ours. Grealish needs to be a no 10 not a winger, by signing a genuine wide player either Grealish or Ayew can move inside. The midfield has for the last 5 years and still is our weakest area, but in reality Gardner and Westwood are our second choice central midfielders.Tshibola and Jedinak will start next game.  We need more players but considering this is in all likelihood a 2 year project (I know we would  like it to be 1) I think we've started well. 

Think we're going for the Ossie Ardilles score more than them approach.

as an aside I quite like Kozak.

Hi all, first post.

going for a narrow win, IF we play an extra midfielder. Though I rate both McCormack and Ayew, at the moment I think Ayew is hot and cold, and McCormack isn't fit enough. I'd even be tempted to play Amavi as the midfielder (if Jedinak isn't available), and move Grealish behind Gestede and either Ayew or McCormack.

Hi all. Been reading the site for ages, felt it was time to join.

Live in Stratford, originally from North Brum.  Currently a North stand season ticket holder (with my 2 boys).  Started going just after our glory years of the early 80s, can't believe how far we've sunk, and it's not over yet!