Dorrans.

[eatonparkboy]

I know very little than what I researched on the internet but have to say that any addition to the squad has a two fold effect. It will make the others just a little more ready to please AN and reinforces an area that suffers the most from too many games in too short a time.

I don't believe we could have reinforced the defence, as I also don't believe there are too many good defenders around and the good ones won't be moving until the summer. And I think we have a darn good strike force that when it comes to the run in, has players who have faced pressure at a higher level. 

 

[Baggie192]

Current theory, as total loan can only be 90 days ( I think) is that we will send him back to you for the international break, then have him back. That covers all the way to the play off final, should we get there.

makes sense, play him as a CAM and there's very few who can hang with him. Under both Mel and Irvine he was making comeback. Shame under Pulis he wouldn't get the game time. Always be a hero to us for the 18 goal season

 

[Din]

Happy with this. As people have said hopefully it'll be extended after the international break. Glad that in the end we didn't do a deal that would say Olsson go the other way.

 

[Yellow Fever]

Very pleased that this has finally been sorted as I've always felt that AM is where we needed to strengthen and now we've added two. Some have been worried about LW but I doubt that Neil intends to play with two wingers and Redmond prefers the right. Both Dorrans and Andreu can play effectively on the left of a 4-2-3-1 or the diamond, so that's a further advantage. Can't wait to see Dorrans in action.

 

[morty]

I think he looked classy when he came on today, lovely touch and movement.

 

[Salopian]

Perhaps incidently and unintendedly, we are are assembling a squad which could cope with the Premiership. Ruddy, Bassong, Olsson, Howson, O'Neill and Wes have all shown ability to operate there. Add to that number Redmond, Jerome, Hooper and even Grabban, under the right manager, and we would have a decent squad.Now there comes the possibility of Dorrans, and a stream of our best youngsters, plus Vidas, Johnson Andreu and Martin.

The manager seems to be producing the best from the players in the squad, so if we did manage to get promoted, my fears earlier in the season that our squad was not good enough despite reputation have been allayed.

Add possibly one striker, one winger and a couple of defenders of Premiership quality, and we could have a squad to survive. It might depend on keeping the manager out of the clutches of richer and bigger clubs, however.

 

[Yellow Fever]

Certainly we'd be going up with plenty of players experienced in the PL and/or SPL. Whittaker is another of those and Turner and Cuellar both have considerable PL experience as well, if they were to stay. Ryan Bennett could also be included but I'd like to see another left-sided CB to back up Bassong. Elliot Bennett is also a useful player, but I'd like to see him playing in a WB role opposite Olsson. Adomah has been doing that effectively for Boro. I'd say left sided player rather than winger as Neil doesn't seem to favour playing 2 wingers. We'd certainly have much more experience than we did when we went up under Lambert.

 

[Monty13]

I think he looked classy when he came on today, lovely touch and movement.

Great to hear, whatever happens hope he is made permanent in the summer, a quality addition to the squad.

 

[morty]

Great to hear, whatever happens hope he is made permanent in the summer, a quality addition to the squad.

Honestly, I don't want to get carried away, but he looked great on the ball, so aware and full of self confidence. The lad could be a complete bargain.

 

[Yellow Fever]

Good news indeed, Morty!

 

[KeiranShikari]

Wes will be 33 going into next season so we really do need to be thinking about filling the AM position, last week's press conference made me feel that this one is pretty likely. Wouldn't be too surprised if he joined even if we didn't return to the Premier League at the first time of asking tbh.

Am I right to believe that Dorrans is something like a more direct Wes Hoolahan? Less of that spinning around and trying to beat the same man over and over stuff?

 

[Beauseant]

I think Dorrans have several strings to his bow. He's got a good range of passing but he's also quite a big lad and can win tackles as well as score goals.  Certainly more direct than Wes, but perhaps not as tricky on the ball.

 

[Safri15]

Anybody go last night and can provide an insight into how Dorrans' first start went??

 

[Lake District Canary]

Anybody go last night and can provide an insight into how Dorrans' first start went??

For what its worth, I went and thought that he did ok without being particularly effective or influential in the game.  He is strong and can do the kinds of things Howson does well. He looks to me as if he is still feeling his way, getting to know the way the others play etc and  that there is plenty more to come from him.  I would describe his performance as steady - nothing really to criticise, but nothing particularly exciting.