Warnock has stated that he wants 8 or 9 players from whom he knows what he's going to get every week. The two or three that leaves are presumably more match-winner types that are typically less consistent.
Seeing how Warnock sets up, and the fact that in his time here he's brought in players like Bolasie, Kebano and now Ameobi, it's pretty clear that he sees those match winner types as being wingers/wide players. The defence and centre midfield is much more restrained and we know he's long wanted a team player at centre-forward, which hopefully he's now got.
I think Marvin's problem for Warnock was that he was more of a steady-eddy: decent quality, fairly consistent, reasonable at everything he did really, but rarely - if ever - the difference between a draw and a win or a loss and a draw.
I doubt that MJ was on big wages (though you never know with us). I think it's more likely that Warnock was looking for a different type of player and thought he could get that elsewhere for similar money.
He could have been retained as back-up for a number of positions but I doubt that suited either party.
@original-fat-bob. All this talk of old boy recruitment makes me very uncomfortable and worried about this season and next. I hope it is just paper talk.😎
The players already signed plus rumours of other players likely to sign is giving a clear indication of the strength of the team.
It seems to me that the squad is going to be a bunch of players , many well known to NW , who’ve been around the Championship for a number of years - at best “ steady Eddie’s”.
Players who at their ages aren’t likely to improve and certainly not potential Premiership quality.
it all seems very ‘short termish’ which is probably inevitable given that this could be NW’s last season as a manager.
None of them , with the possible exception of Payero who may bring a bit of flair, fills me with excitement. Are these bunch of players likely to propel us into the Premiership or into the top 6.? I doubt it.
Afraid , I’m not optimistic for a top 6 finish but as always hope I’m wrong.
On a separate issue, the Championship deals are predominantly free transfers and no doubt players are having to take lower salaries with a knock on effect in the Premiership but I think the gap in salaries and transfer fees between the Premiership and the Championship is widening.
Philip of Huddersfield
ps Ken , keep battling on - whilst your body is not good , your brain and memory are excellent especially for your age.
Philip of Huddersfield
Taking a positive spin, NW has worked wonders with budget basement squads before. If as expected he does retire next Summer the Players we are stuck with are not £7M or £15M ones on £20/£30K or more per week. They should be easier to shift if required and if not can be accommodated (or absorbed) more easily due to relatively low (or at least comparatively much lower) wages. There is even the possibility of resale values on a few of them and who knows even a profit on one or two.
Worse case is that we don't go up but at least we are not left with a squad that we cannot afford albeit perhaps not particularly suited to what the next Manager may want. The interest in Payero for example to me indicates a tandem approach giving both short term and longer term needs consideration.
I suppose Warnock is looking for consistency from his players rather than occasional flair and seems to favour players he knows who previously did a job for him - age doesn't appear to be barrier in his eyes, which may explain why he's contemplating a contract for defender Sol Bamba, who will be 37 come January.
I also agree with your observation that the gap in wages between players in the PL and the Championship appears to be growing - that may prove difficult when the likes of Fry or Tav start causing interest as top-flight clubs look to bolster their squads. Our players are essentially a month in the shop window before the transfer window closes so we may need to hold our breath.
So far there's not been much talk of getting players in on loan, which was often a source of adding extra quality to Boro squads when money was tight - notably under Karanka.
Also interesting to read that Wing was the stand out player when he came on against Saltash - particularly with his forward passing to bring the wide players into play. I hope Warnock took note as not only did he score but still performed his all round midfield role too.
Not sure we'll get another player in with his quality but the midfield is looking a bit crowded with McNair operating there in the two friendlies - plus Morsy, Howson and potentially Crooks competing.
Interesting to see that Warnock's saying he didn't sign Bahamboula because he was too similar to Sivi. It's probably a cute way of saying he wasn't good enough to start in the 1st team but at least it implies that he is willing to give U23s a chance to step up.
I'm not convinced that Matt Crooks is better than Lewis Wing but it does look like he averages a goal every 4 games and I guess if we get him in and Wing only has 12 months left then it's hard to see where Wing will play. To be honest, it's hard to see where Crooks will play. With Morsy, McNair, Howson, Tav and Payero all being central midfielders (Tav can play wide up front and McNair in defence) you wonder where he fits in because, presumably, he's considered an upgrade on someone we already have. It seems unlikely that he's been signed to sit on the bench and the U23s are already stuffed full of good central midfielders who pretty much have to step up this season or leave. I suppose it would be interesting to ask Rotherham fans who they would rather keep out of Crooks and Wing.
Interesting to read this morning that Neil Warnock said he opted not to sign Dylan Bahamboula despite him impressing in his trial because: “I'm just looking for something different if I’m honest. I don’t think there is much difference between Dylan and Jeremy and I don’t want to bring someone in just for the sake of it."
Although the article didn't clarify the point, I'm presuming that the Jeremy in question is Jeremy Sivi, which seems to indicate that he may well be pencilled in as a full member of the squad this season.
Also from the Boro boss was a report on how he was pleased with Wing, particularly the way he scored his goal as he added: "I liked his goal because he stroked it in. He didn’t try and bust the net. Tav was doing that first half too. I’m trying to get them to just relax a little bit."
That's something I've mentioned previously about Wing in terms of why I thought his form had dipped - I've noticed he often tries to put too much on the ball, which often means it increases the difficulty level of the strike or pass and chance of executing it correctly. It would be great if Warnock could restore Wing back to the player he was when he first arrived as having a goal-scoring midfielder who can also act as a playmaker is very hard to find on our budget.
Funny, I've just written a post making almost the same points as you posted about Sivi and Wing - I think the midfield needs a shake-up as it hasn't been that creative or dynamic last season and I don't think Howson and Morsy should necessarily both play. McNair offers more and then we need more of an attacking midfielder who can score goals - Wing could be that player. Perhaps Crooks is an advanced midfield option if big Ikpeazu is not on the pitch and Warnock wants someone to play off.
It's being reported that Boro are in talks to sign the 31-year old winger and free-agent Junior Hoilett - it's not much of a surprise as he's been on Neil Warnock's radar for a few months now.
Swansea head coach, Steve Cooper has left the club by mutual agreement.
Come on Boro.
Boro 1 up at Tavistock- Watmore 14 mins.
Come on Boro.
Team news - how Boro line-up tonight
Lumley
Spence
McNair
Wood
Fry
Coulson
Morsy
Wing
Tavernier
Watmore
Ikpeazu
Subs: Brynn, Dijksteel, Hall, Robinson, Peltier, Hackney, Malley, Sivi, Jones, Akpom
Lots of players in their best positions tonight:
McNair in defence (in his time at Boro he’s certainly looked best there), Coulson and Spence at wingback (not fullback or on the wing), Morsy in and out-and-out holding role and Wing with freedom to attack from the centre.
Boro so often look better in recent years with three centre-backs and wingbacks.
Tav AND Wing in the same starting XI too - this Warnock chap is catching on…
2 nil Coulson 31 minutes
Come on BORO.
Ikpeazu 34 mins 3 nil.
Come on BORO.
37 mins 4 nil Watmore
Come on BORO.
41 mins 5 nil Coulson.
Come on BORO.
5 nil halftime, Tavistock will be hoping Warnock puts out a different eleven in the 2nd half. Watmore and Coulson two each and Ikpeazu has one but has also hit the crossbar and post, a diving header just past the post and a left footed effort whistling past.
Come on BORO.
We have got to bear in mind the opposition, which is why NW has played 5-2-3 but it doesn’t do any harm for the players confidence to be knocking in a few goals and it may increase clubs transfer offers for the likes of Coulson/Wing if they are to be sold. Let’s see what we are like in the games against Plymouth and Rotherham.
In the meantime enjoy the second half.
Come on BORO.
0-5
Of course, but we can also bear in mind the much more laboured performances in the previous two friendlies.
Friendlies are friendlies but I’d still rather win them handsomely and that was very encouraging. The evidence for wingbacks grows and grows in my opinion.
Double change
A keeper swap as Brynn replaces Lumley.
Hackney is on for Tavernier as well.
To give Warnock his due, he seems prepared to give Wing, Coulson and Spence a fair chance. He also seems prepared to have the team trained in 2-3 formations. Fortunate to have someone like McNair who can play anywhere from a 3rd central defender to attacking midfielder.
73 mins 6 nil Wing.
Come on BORO.
86 mins 7 nil Akpom.
Come on BORO.
Final score 7 nil, a good run out for Boro.
Come on BORO.
Maybe it was the famous BBQ.