What Have We Learnt So Far?

Scott Wiseman - should be given a run (Photo © Corred)

As expected Myhill is City's number one and his performances have justified it. Leite's mobility and distribution are good, but he looks vulnerable under the high ball. Duke has moved to Stockport on loan and a permanent switch might well follow.

Should Dawson return to the line up on Saturday, it looks increasingly likely that we have witnessed the strategy for the whole campaign, with Dawson playing at home and Edge taking up the reigns on our travels.

Following Lynch's injury, the right back berth has once again become the focus of concern. Coles has done a solid job, for a centre half, but is not the long-term solution. With Stockdale and Thelwell unfit and Joseph in the same mould as Coles, it is surely time that Wiseman is given a run in the team.

Delaney has done City proud and I really like the player, but I have to admit that Cort is almost indispensable and Coles is so much more comfortable in possession. Now that we've hit the Championship, just hoofing the ball into touch doesn't seem good enough.

Though it has been a fairly quiet start to the campaign for Elliott, he offers so much more than Ellison in terms of a goal threat. On the right, I think France has the edge over Price, primarily because they are similar going forward, but France offers much more defensively.

Steve McPhee - The man to score the goals? (Photo © Corred)

Strange to think that before a ball was kicked many thought Ashbee would struggle to get a place on the bench, never mind the first team. He has been, by a street, the best player for City so far and has cemented his place in the centre. The other slot in the middle looks likely to be filled by one of Green, Andrews or Woodhouse dependent on whether we are home or away and if they are fit and available. I fully expect Taylor to give Woodhouse his chance to stake a claim against Brighton. Right now, you would have to say that Green looks the favourite for home games and Andrews, away, with Woodhouse providing the strength in depth. Should Woodhouse be given a chance on Saturday and play well, this situation may well change quickly. Such is the depth in the middle, I would have thought Fry would benefit from a spell out on loan.

Having only conceded two goals in three games (of which two were away), we look pretty good, especially when considering the number of changes forced upon us by injuries. At the other end things don’t look so rosy, having only a single Barmby strike to our name. I like all of our forwards, but Barmby, Fagan and Burgess have always, in my opinion, been what I would call, second strikers. Their attributes are more suited to provider rather than poacher. On this basis I think we all assumed that the 'poacher' would be McPhee. Worryingly he has already been moved out to the right wing and has now picked up a hamstring injury. If there is an area of concern, is it here?

If goals are in short supply on Saturday I would not be surprised if a new striker, perhaps on loan, arrived before the run of three games in six days (Blackpool, Plymouth, Leicester) and closure of the transfer window (September 1st).