Squad thoughts before the winter break
GK - Robert Green, a god. Makes great saves, good distribution, etc. It would take someone like Joe Hart to unseat him now, but I do have to start looking towards the future
LB - Ivan Fatic came back, and he is already offering so much that I have been missing down the left flank. Great attacking, even better defending, it takes a special player to get past him. Jordan Spencer filled in great while he's been injured, and he can play all along the back line. A definite keeper. Herita Ilunga, uggh. He is tutoring my guys, but when I put him on the pitch, it seems like an accident waiting to happen. May be sold in January
CB - Winston Reid and Matty Upson have formed a rock solid partnership. My new corner and throw in tactics have also let the two of them chip in with some goals. James Tomkins has played well in spot duty, but don't know if I trust him to take over as Upson ages. A new CB will be examined, or perhaps Onuoha will move inside
RB - Onuoha has been great here. His attacking attributes are bad, but his pace has allowed him to chip in with some assists and score some headers. Faubert has been surprisingly effective here, mostly against weak opposition. His pace and crossing have been a real asset. If I do move Onuoha inside, a new RB will be needed.
MC(R) - my defensive position. Scotty Parker has this on lock right now, but he is almost 32 (or 33, can't remember). A replacement will be needed eventually, and I think I have two candidates. Aron Gunnarson has been mostly played as the MC(L), but I think his real position will be an all action play breaker upper. James Collison was a forgotten man last season as he came back from injury, even demanding a transfer. It's a good thing I didn't, as he has very similar attributes to Parker and could be a natural fit. Josue had this position last year, but his already low pace disappeared and he is limited to garbage time against crap teams
MC(L) - an all around position. Gunnarson has been playing here primarily during league games and doing well. Hitzelsperger plays in the cups and Europe and has also shown some good passing, if not some extremely wasteful long shots. However, when I really want the pedal to the metal, Tom Cairney slots in here and works his magic with Thiago ahead of him. I think this may be his best position, but I'd like the marking/tackling stats to go up
AML - set to wingers, but all my guys are right footed so they naturally cut inside. Fine with me. At the start of the season, Junior Stanislas had this on lock after taking over from Demba Ba. He got hurt, and I brought in Ignacio Stocco who has been a revelation. Wonder goals, carving runs, great passes. Love him. Once Stanislas returns, he will get some chances here, but primarily a backup for now.
AMC - Cairney is a leader in the assist charts, primarily from here. He's increased his goal scoring as well, so no complaints. Thiago has also been really good, though mostly in cups/weaker European teams. Think he has a goal and 8 assists in 14 apps.
AMR - Lautoro Acosta is my primary guy, a 23 year old Argentinian with blistering pace. He is on 8 assists, using his pace to get to the byline and then pulling it back. Prone to injury though, so he doesn't play as much as he should. Patrick Hermann is a loanee, and he has played solid if unspectacular. Gets in to good positions, only to blow the chances. Will probably pay the £3.1 mil stipulated in my deal to bring him on permanently. Pablo Barrera runs hot and cold. He probably has a future here, but with the people ahead of him, would not be surprised to sell him
Striker - Carlton Cole has been banging in them at a rate of 1.5:1. No real complains there. Robbie Keane is over paid, but his experience has let him chip in with some solid goals. Sergio Araujo has been growing in to the role, but his dangerous dribbling will make him key to the future.
Jan transfer targets
1. New CB/RB
2. New defensive mid
3. Prospects
