Last season saw the emergence of some talented younger players, partly due to injuries, partly due to the poor attitude of some senior pros, but they came in and did well for the most part. This coming season will show whether they are capable of progressing further and making the first 11 regularly.
Defenders
CIARAN CLARK: Youth and Reserve Captain, played in a variety of positions last season, including central midfield, left back and centre back, which will help his development. Very determined, he can be a bit rash in challenges, picking up 10 yellow cards from 25 appearances, so will need to address his discipline. In my opinion he had the best season of the younger players, and could be a possible future captain. If indeed we are to look to youth, it might be wise to show our intentions, and give the youth a voice and influence over the side, by appointing Clark captain; it could also help his discipline having the added responsibility.
ERIC LICHAJ: Was strong against Gareth Bale at Villa Park, kept him very quiet, forced Harry to move Bale onto the opposite flank. He is very athletic with a monster throw. Can get caught out positionally, but the six months spent at Leeds will have done him the world of good. He was initially taken up north as cover for their injured right back, but impressed and kept his place, linking up well and overlapping the left-footed Snodgrass who was playing in front of him. He was played at left back in the final few games and was just as effective. Willing to get forward in support, he can continue to improve with an experienced centre back playing inside him, helping him positionally.
NATHAN BAKER: Lightly used, he suffered a few knocks, head injuries and a sending off, but was very committed when he played. Mostly used at left back, his best position will arguably be at centre back in time. Next season he may continue to be on the fringes, as we have plenty of centre backs who may be given a second chance under McLeish.
Midfielders
BARRY BANNAN: Superb eye for a pass, highlighted by his pass to Albrighton away to Fulham: it doesn’t get any better, Albrighton didn’t have to break stride. He was also very good against Man United at Villa Park, although they did underperform, but he showed willingness to get on the ball and play, looking for forward passes. Has a tendency to play too quickly and rush things. I think he needs to sometimes slow the tempo down and control the game more. He has the talent to pick up the pace whenever he wants, but his teammates need to be getting into space and supporting him. He has said that Scholes is a player he admires, and if he can control the tempo of games as well as Scholes then he will be doing very well.
FABIAN DELPH: He is the player I am most looking forward to seeing develop. He is strong on the ball, as Cuellar has testified by saying Delph is the hardest player to get the ball off. He has tight control and a few tricks, is determined without the ball, and not afraid of putting in crunching challenges. He suffered a horrific injury and at times this season it was worrying as he had to hobble off. He needs a good pre-season and to use it as a spring board; he should have more opportunities this coming season. He wants to get forward, and if given the opportunity he can unleash vicious left-footed shots. Scored some great goals for Leeds. JONATHON HOGG: Old-school midfielder, he showed no fear when thrown in to face Man United. Put in some very strong challenges, he does the graft and is a strong team player, spent the last six months at Pompey where he was a regular. He does look a little lost when in the final third, but he offers good cover, an honest midfielder. He will be a good squad player.
MARC ALBRIGHTON: Last season he had some very promising moments. He can get frustrated and give himself a hard time, but he has the talent to succeed, and will need to be told regularly. I think it was wise that he was used sparingly in the second half of the season, he will benefit from that. He contributed plenty in an attacking sense, scoring 6 and assisting 5 in 32 appearances. He was very willing to get in at the back post, this is where most of his goals came from, and Downing complemented him on the opposite flank, the pair getting on the end of each others’ crosses. Can be very rash in defence, needs to improve his tackling as he gave away some very cheap free kicks: one that sticks in my mind is Fulham away in the 94th minute. I also think he needs to improve his passing. He is terrific at skipping past a man and whipping the ball in, but a wide man needs to do more now; he will have to come inside and link up with Bent, and the midfield. He is very talented, and he can only continue to improve. Like Bannan, sometimes needs to be a little calmer in possession.
CHRIS HERD: Flexible player, whose best position isn’t yet known. He looks strong in the air, and scored a headed hat-trick against Arsenal reserves. He will be on the fringes, but like Hogg, he shows good work rate and is determined. He faced a difficult task away at Man City in the FA Cup, but his head didn’t drop and he can continue to develop. He should be a good squad player, capable of covering at fullback if needed.
GARY GARDNER, DANIEL JOHNSON and SAMIR CARRUTHERS: I expect these three to be on the fringes this year: not given many starts but will be substitutes and given a small taste of first team life if the opportunities arise, like Bannan and Delph were this season. Obviously Gary Gardner is creating excitement, and like Delph is returning from a terrible injury. I think his first game back, he scored. I’ve seen him take a few penalties, and he puts them in the same spot every time, a sign of a classy player, confident of what he wants to do. Daniel Johnson and Samir Carruthers are progressing nicely and should take heart from the emergence of some of the youngsters last season. All three should hope and work to gain similar chances next season to those that Delph and Bannan enjoyed this season.
Forwards
NATHAN DELFOUNESO: May struggle to get regular games, with Bent the first name on the team sheet, but he did well from the limited opportunities he was given last year. He shows bright movement, and is a very good finisher. Thrown in quite deep when handed a start against Fulham (facing the solid partnership of Hangeland and Hughes), he did well, and perhaps should have done better with a couple of headers he got on the end of. I think he is very similar to Bent; he likes to play on the last man, and I think if they played together they would hinder one another. I think he can sometimes cut quite an isolated figure on the pitch, but would like to see him picked ahead of Heskey, who is on the decline.
ANDREAS WEIMANN: I’ve not seen much of him, but he has plenty of pace and a fierce shot. Spent the last six months at Watford, where he was in and out of the first team as they had quite a decent attack with Danny Graham. Could struggle to get game time, but should be given an opportunity to show what he can do, especially pre-season.
Conclusion
With the players we have, I see our best formation being 4-5-1 and variations on that (4-2-3-1, 4-3-2-1). This should ensure more protection in midfield for our younger players, who are going to need it if they are to be given a chance to prove themselves in the Premiership. Delph and Bannan (and Makoun) are the players I think could turn out to be the heartbeat of the team, and they will need help, as they aren’t the biggest or most imposing. Delph and Bannan are a move, and a positive move, away from the more industrious midfielders we have been accustomed to seeing in the previous few seasons: the likes of Sidwell, NRC, Petrov, even Milner, in some respects. They want the ball at their feet and playing three in the middle should make it easier to retain possession and open space for one another. They both (and Makoun) look capable and comfortable in tight areas. I do worry that they could be easily overrun, and in some games we will need a strong tackler alongside them, and I dont see that being Makoun, who rarely played as DM for Lyon. Hogg could do the job—he showed a good attitude against United and was very disciplined, rarely getting forward, keeping things simple, and he allowed Bannan the freedom to roam and pick up space. Hogg could be a valuable player in the coming season, although I would understand if McLeish went out and bought a more proven DM.
I don’t expect them all to start every game, but I would like to think they will be given opportunities, time and support, by both the management and us, to develop and adjust to the pace of the Premiership. It’s a tough ask for youngsters to step up, and those that did it last season did so in a season of turmoil, with a manager leaving, senior players falling out and revolting, injuries piling up, and the real threat of relegation. They will suffer from inconsistency, as all young players do, but they need to be playing if they are to develop and progress, and make their mark in the starting 11. Invest time in them now and they can grow together and build a strong team ethic and understanding. UTV
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