THE CONCRETE ROUNDABOUT (TCR)

I *think* Tshibola will only be banned for one match, as the red card was for a professional foul rather than serious foul play.

Yep, defintely just the one game, but as pointed out elsewhere Robbie has stated he’ll “miss a few games”. Time served on the naughty step by the looks of it.

The thing is though, we’ll undoubtedly go with Gilbey, Upson & Cisse away at Pompey, and I’d say there’ll be a strong temptation to bring Tshibola back in the following Tuesday or Saturday just for the fresh legs. Robbie’s rotated those four players as much as he can this season and I don’t see that changing. Other than dropping Chucks back into the centre of the pitch (why do that? You want him where he’s causing most damage, surely?), we’re actually a central midfielder light in terms of the squad, given that we’re playing three most weeks.

Wouldn't panic, we've played well recently and just one individual error cost us yesterday. Let's not forget we hadn't conceded since Rochdale before kick-off.

Although do definitely agree another CM is vital in January if we're going to play 3, or for Pawlett to return (completely forgot he existed?).

I think Pawlett’s more of a wide player/no’10 from what I’ve (briefly) seen & heard. There’s a chance we go 4-4-2 for the two home games after Pompey which solves the problem to some extent, I guess.

OneManWentToSow wrote:

Totally agree.

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Gimme Gimme Shock Treatment

Just getting back the original theme of this thread...

There seems to be an underlying attitude amongst a fair few of our fans that “this isn’t the season”, “I’ll be happy with upper mid table, and prepare for a proper push next season” etc. I really don’t think that can be Robbie’s mindset here given the relatively short contracts we hold for key players and the number of loanes bought in. If we stumble to a mid table finish this season then certain players will be big targets for others and there’ll be very little we can do if the right offer comes along. The remaining players themselves will be questioning their future here and the ambitions of the club too if we do see those key departures.

Add to that the fact we haven’t yet secured the services of two of the best performers (Brittain & Nicholls*) beyond the end of this season, then I do fear a bit of an exodus if things don’t go to plan.

*- what’s happened with Nicollls? I defintely saw a couple of people (WellDon, maybe?) claiming he’d signed a new deal back in August!

I guess the point I’m trying to make is that at this level Rome pretty much has to be built in a day. The brevity of contract’s and the loaning of players from a higher level for their development ensures as much. You only get one chance with each squad you have before you’re building another.

Yes this echoes my thoughts perfectly. The problem for clubs like ours are we are always building a new team.

Agree with that Camdenite, we need to get Brittain and Nicholls sorted on longer term contracts asap.

I wouldn't mind us signing Golbourne permanently next summer on a 1 year deal if that interests him. His contract ends with Bristol City next summer and can't see him getting a new one there. Has been quite decent for us and wouldn't cost the world.

We're still missing that elusive 'creative midfielder' though. We really need someone who can turn those counter attacks into something more. Perhaps someone who plays where Cissé and Upson have been playing, but more positive. Basically Dele Alli when he was playing for us.