Goalkeepers.
Boaz Myhill has a tremendous frame and great reflexes. These key ingredients are coming together to produce an exciting talent who could well make the number one slot at City his own for a very long time to come. There are even rumours that a good season in the Championship could result in a call from Toshack.
Matt Duke’s arrival from Burton Albion serves notice to Myhill that the keepers jersey may take some holding onto. He was Burton’s player of the year before signing for the tigers and at 27 years of age will look at this move as his last big chance to prove himself at a higher level.
I’m expecting another keeper to arrive, as most clubs at Championship level operate with three keepers, a first choice, cover on the bench and a third who usually goes out on loan. My tip is Ross Turnbull from Middlesbrough.
How about the department of defence ? I’ll start by compartmentalising the defence into 3 distinct disciplines, Centre Backs, Right Backs and Left Backs. Starting with Centre Backs;
To start we have Damien Delaney. Such a physique coupled with a good left foot make for an impressive player and one who, at the moment, looks as though he is going to get better and better. Another of Taylor’s utility signing’s, he is now established as the left sided centre back after another solid season.
Leon Cort has arrived from Southend United with Taylor suggesting he had the same potential as Delaney. After an indifferent start he has gone on to match, perhaps even surpass Delaney, with some quite outstanding displays of aerial dominance and positional sense. He will run Stuart Elliott very close for the player of the season.
Another centre back will probably be signed, my tip is Darren Purse from West Brom.
Next it’s the Right Back berth.
After a patchy start to his City career Marc Joseph has emerged as a solid, reliable player, with a turn of pace and is proving his worth at Right Back.
Robbie Stockdale also looks a dependable figure at Right Back. His attacking qualities are limited but he is a consistent performer.
Richard Hinds’ utility value is very useful, but only to a smaller squad than that of City’s. He started last season at centre back but has also proved his worth at Right Back. Performances in midfield have not proved quite as successful and it’s this versatility that may well prove his undoing. I expect Hinds to sign for Scunthorpe.
Alton Thelwell’s career with City has been dogged by injuries and the acquisition of Stockdale to compete with Joseph for his position, plus the likely signing of another full back, might spell the end of his brief City career. Taylor does like him though, so don’t be surprised if he gets another year to prove himself.
Scott Wiseman’s year on year improvement as he progressed through City’s youth ranks has resulted in a number of impressive performances for the Reserves. His potential has been duly rewarded with a new contract.
Another Right Back may well be acquired, as the current incumbents lack technical ability and attacking prowess. My tip is Adam Hinshelwood from Brighton.
Now for the Left Backs,
Andy Dawson is a very dependable performer with a liking for Beckham-esque free kicks. He epitomises steadiness, with consistent, reliable performances week in week out.
Roland Edge is a solid, no nonsense defender. What he lacks in attacking prowess, he more than makes up for with his defensive qualities.
Considering Nathan Peat’s lack of first team action over the last two years, some were surprised by a contract extension at the beginning of the season. His injury hit season long loan at Lincoln is unlikely to result in another contract.
With the defence sorted we move onto the midfield. In Centre Midfield we need plenty of options.
Ian Ashbee is a reliable player with a no-nonsense approach. He may not possess much in the creativity department, but his enthusiasm and drive have made him an influential captain. His vocal presence and organisational skills should not be underestimated.
Then we have the precocious talent of Stuart Green. I don’t think there’s any need for me to wax lyrical. Suffice to say that his undoubted ability has won the day, for the moment at least. He provides essential strength in depth for the ‘playmaker’ role.
Junior Lewis’ attributes are subtle but essential to a successful team. Though he is never going to uproot many trees with his relaxed approach, his awkward, athletic style and knack of disrupting the oppositions play make him a useful squad member. He offers experience and strength to the midfield.
Russell Fry is a young talent of whom much is expected. Being handed a three year contract at only 16 years of age was a firm signal of City’s belief and also a clear message of ‘hands off’ to would be suitors. So far injuries have blighted his progress, but the Manager is intimating he may well emerge from the shadows next season.
Andy Hessenthaler is a model pro and I’m sure his experience has been a real fillip to the squad in the final stages of the season. He is likely to find a manager’s job this summer, and the best of luck to him.
My tip for an addition to the centre of midfield is John Welsh from Liverpool.
Right Midfield,
Ryan France has now settled into the right side of midfield and has become a consistent performer. He possesses good feet, pace and a prodigious leap and most encouragingly a very good work ethic.
Jason Price not only gives the team attacking width, but also provides essential balance, with Elliott operating in a similar role on the left. He offers all you could want from a winger, pace, goals and a good work ethic.
The final midfield berth is Left Midfield.
Once again we have a very special talent in Stuart Elliott. Deceptively quick and good in the air, his potential; like so many of this team; will be truly recognised as City progress through the leagues. Like Price, pace and goals are his biggest assets and of late the defensive aspect of his game has also improved.
Kevin Ellison provides essential cover for Elliott and it is clear that he does possess more ability than perhaps his build implies.
Ellison’s obvious utility talents will probably persuade Taylor to acquire another winger, more in the mould of Elliott. My tip is Peter Whittingham from Aston Villa.
And so we arrive at the final, and some might say the most important area of the team, the Centre Forwards. After all, without goals you don’t win matches, regardless of your defensive and creative prowess.
If Nick Barmby can produce anything close to what he has achieved so far and can remain fairly injury free we could be on the fringe of something quite special. The ‘local lad come home’ tag carries it’s own pressures, but surely no more than cutting it with 5 different premiership clubs and turning out for England on 23 occasions.
Craig Fagan looks a real gem. He is quick, very adept at leading the line and holding up the ball, and has a definite eye for goal. He looks a snip at £125,000 and I can now see what Phil Parkinson (Colchester Manager) meant when he said he was capable of signing for a ‘top side’.
Aaron Wilbraham was not a name known to most tigers fans before his £100,000 capture from Stockport County. Bought as a direct replacement for Burgess, at 6ft 3in and 13st he appeared to fit the bill. The jury is still out. If Burgess returns to anything like the sort of form we know he is capable of things don’t look too great for Albi.
Jonathan Walters has pace and trickery but his goal taking skills seem to have deserted him. He will need to find them fast if he is to figure at all next season.
Clayton Donaldson’s performances, and more importantly, goals for the juniors and reserves, resulted in a two year contract, two years ago. Little progress seems to have been made during this time and I can only see him departing for pastures new.
Ben Burgess is the attacking lynchpin through which City can develop most of their attacks. At 6ft 3in and 14st you’d be forgiven for assuming his game is all about physical presence and aerial dominance, and to some extent it is, but he has good feet and links play extremely well. The horrific knee injury suffered a year ago, has effectively mended. Hopefully for Ben and City he makes a full recovery and returns to the fold in time for the Championship campaign.
Another forward may well join the squad and my tip is Leroy Lita from Bristol City.
In summary, City’s squad of 28 would look like;
Goalkeepers Myhill Duke Turnbull
Centre Backs Delaney Cort Purse
Right Backs Joseph Stockdale Wiseman Hinshelwood
Left Backs Dawson Edge
Central Midfielders Ashbee Green Lewis Fry Welsh
Right Midfielders France Price
Left Midfielders Elliott Ellison Whittingham
Centre Forwards Barmby Fagan Wilbraham Walters Burgess Lita