Are we a left winger short? Scott Sinclair?

[Canaryboy]

I'm loath to start a topic which may be perceived as a negative, or pointing out a weakness, considering how many positives I could discuss, our great form, and the quality players that we still have to come into the team. 

But are we a left winger short? We let Pilkington and Snodgrass go, both good pieces of business in my opinion, we also let Surman go who is left footed and can play left midfield (although has always looked his best on the left side of a diamond rather than as an outright wide player).

Redmond was our main left winger last season of course, and has said that he prefers playing on the left, but most fans consider him more effective on the right where he can beat a player on the outside and get to the byeline for a cross. Instead of constantly cutting in for a shot like he does on the left (wouldn't be a bad thing if he could finish like Huckerby, but his shooting often leaves a lot to be desired).

With Redmond playing on the right recently it seems that Adams may agree that he is more effective on the right. That has pushed Elliott Bennett out of the frame, for now, but by playing Redmond on the right we've been left playing Lafferty on the left. 

Again, I'm loath to criticise anybody at the moment, but Lafferty just doesn't look comfortable playing out wide to me. I seriously doubt that he was purchased as a wide player, probably much more likely that Adams initially envisaged Redmond on the left and Bennett on the right - with the Murphy's providing competition to both. Or intended to bring in a new wide player. 

With Hoolahan being forced to play out wide against Brentford, and him being much more effective through the middle, I'm left wondering whether despite having a very big squad - we could actually do with another winger?

It also makes me wonder whether the Scott Sinclair rumours had some truth in them, because I would honestly struggle to believe that Adams had intended to play Lafferty out on the left.

Has got me thinking about possible targets, the obvious one remains.... Scott Sinclair! He was linked to several clubs but didn't get a move. So he has a choice between waiting until January or moving to a Championship club on loan, he had said that he is desperate for first team football.

So if he is coming to the Championship we'd want that to be with us rather than a rival like Forest wouldn't we? And if he is prepared to come to the Championship, then he may as well choose the best team in the Championship - which is us? 

 

[Din]

Both Jerome and Lafferty can play there. As well as Redmond, Josh Murphy, and possibly McGrandles. I think we have enough options there tbh but one more certainly wouldn't be a bad thing. 

Wouldn't want Scott Sinclair though. West Brom fans on another forum I'm on said that his attitude was appalling, and even when he did get a chance he looked awful.

Considering he's probably on a fair bit of money at Manchester City as well, I think there are certainly better options out there.

 

[Yellow Fever]

I'd be wary of discouraging our own players by bringing in a loan on the left side. Adams has several options, as Din points out. I may be wrong, but I had the impression that we were in a 4-2-3-1 with Wes in the hole. Adams describes it as the 'left side' rather than the 'left wing' and that allows the FBs to become WBs playing down the side lines. Jerome played up front, with Wes in the hole flanked by Redmond on the left and Grabban on the right. When Hooper is back, we could well see him up front with Jerome, Lafferty or Murphy on the left and Grabban, Redmond or Bennett on the right. 

 

[kirku]

Financial reasons aside, I'll never understand why the likes of Rodwell and Sinclair thought it was a good idea to go to Man City.

 

[eatonparkboy]

Although I am fairly well happy with our acquisitions, I was a wee bit disappointed that some of our home grown weren't given more of a chance to prove themselves. And to be honest, even allowing that we aren't going to be playing two wingers, I would give someone like Murphy a chance to establish himself.

And we a have a big squad who I am sure all think they should be starters so Neil has to keep them all happy without bringing in a player who wouldn't look at us a more than a stepping stone.

 

[LongStrattonCanary]

You can always push Olsson up to left wing and play Garrido at left back. We have options in that area.

 

[GJP]

Financial reasons aside, I'll never understand why the likes of Rodwell and Sinclair thought it was a good idea to go to Man City.

Well you can't really put the finances aside because that would have without doubt played a big part in it.

But it is still a chance to go to a massive club with realistic ambitions of winning the top prizes in the game. That chance might never have come along again.

 

[Salopian]

There are other options:

• Josh, who has looked very good, with a good shot on him - fits in with NA's attacking philosophy. If he continues to develop than it may become difficult to deny him a place later in the season.
• Olsson, with Garrido or Iggy behind him, has played wide left at times in the recent past, and certainly has the pace.
• Redders, although I think that he is much better on the right, and VVO has played on the right wing in Hollland. 
• McGlandles may be more like Snodgrass - I don't know how much pace the youngster has, but he seems genuinely two-footed, and is rumoured to be able to play anywhere across the midfield.

Sinclair was very lively in his Swansea days, but doesn't seem to have done much since, and if reports of an attitude problem have anything in them, we don't want to upset what is a very good dressing room.

 

[wcorkcanary]

Maybe i'm naive but i'd happily take £20k a week and play regularly  than take twice or three times that to be a low end squad player at a 'big' club. What pride could you take in a League winners medal when the physio spent more time on the pitch that season than you did.

 We pay our players well, and if what we offer them isnt enough then we shouldnt want them. Good luck to them who wish to while away their best playing years on the bench.....or, as with above mentioned sinclair, sitting in the stands as they havent even made the match squad.

 

[mustard gas]

No. We do not need another winger now. Our squad totals 30, so NA will have trouble keeping them all match fit and happy. Pushing Josh down to third choice is a negative strategy for the future. He has to play at our level now to progress his development so that must be with us with substitute appearances.