Jay Spearing

[Walshy5]

Anyone think we,ll get another loan deal next season? Id like to see it personally.

[dandannieldanok]

I can't really see him making the grade at Liverpool so I don't see why not. However, I'm personally indifferent about the prospect, the lad is a grafter and a real workhorse, but is that what we need? Undecided myself.

[flanimal]

I can't really see him making the grade at Liverpool so I don't see why not. However, I'm personally indifferent about the prospect, the lad is a grafter and a real workhorse, but is that what we need? Undecided myself.

We need midfielders who can create, dribble, score goals. OK, King go about 11 goals this season, which is great, but he goes missing for parts of matches. Wellens can tackle, if we can get a midfielder who can be the play maker, then midfield is OK. Spearing could be a Wellens replacement, but I don't think he is the required player.

Midfield is the problem area, too often we were out played. I mean, Wellens, Oakley, King, Spearing, Gallagher, Adams. All very similar players, Gallagher is a forward and played as a winger. Something needs to be done about this before next season. I don't want to be a negative twat, 'cause the team did great, but the midfield needs a re-think.

[DanTheFox07]

hadn`t seen this guy until cardiff coming off the bench! was distinctly unimpressed! maybe a work horse but i think wellens already gets about the pitch enough and puts in the tackles! we should be looking at others such as cleverly from united unless they see him in there plan`s next season? arsenal have a wealth of prospects who im sure wenger would want to come out on loan to get experience. besides id rather see someone else come into the team that is actually our player say for instance Adam`s who clearly has some ability but needs a chance perhaps?

[Guest ttfn]

I like Spearing.

He's got something of the Mark Davies about him, and is the antithesis of the 'backwards to go forwards' mantra of King and Wellens. I think he'd complement them well.

[marbelladave]

We need midfielders who can create, dribble, score goals. OK, King go about 11 goals this season, which is great, but he goes missing for parts of matches. Wellens can tackle, if we can get a midfielder who can be the play maker, then midfield is OK. Spearing could be a Wellens replacement, but I don't think he is the required player.

Midfield is the problem area, too often we were out played. I mean, Wellens, Oakley, King, Spearing, Gallagher, Adams. All very similar players, Gallagher is a forward and played as a winger. Something needs to be done about this before next season. I don't want to be a negative twat, 'cause the team did great, but the midfield needs a re-think.

Very definitely, but how?

Are we going to play 4-4-2? Then we need wide midfield players, players who can use the width going forward but can help out in midfield in defense as our central pairing can get over run, we really do not have anyone who fits the bill, Solano maybe 5 years ago but no one else.

Going 4-3-3 we definitely need reinforcements, a decent playmaker would be great but wasn't that supposed to be Wellens? Such players are rare and usually expensive so I shall get out my soapbox once again and suggest Gallagher for that role.

With him and King getting box to box, but with a definite attacking bias, they need to be supported by a solid defensive player sitting in front of the back 4, such players are generally less expensive than their creative counterparts, so given our limited funds, got to be worth a try!

With these 2 getting forward to support the central striker (Fryatt presumably) and 2 pacy players out wide we might actually have an alternative to the long ball, at last.

[Koke]

Gallagher can't tackle for shit. I've seen him bottle a challenge on more than one occasion. He's a wimp in that department. That's why he isn't suited to that role you are suggestion - IMO at least.

We have lacked a lot of spark and creativity from midfield. One Wednesday fan told me earlier this season that all we had was a solid defence + a couple of brilliant individual strikers. I'm afraid, there's an element of truth in that. Spearing would be a great addition to the squad, but not the answer we need.

[flanimal]

Very definitely, but how?

.

I'd go 4-4-2. Wingers, but not strikers out wide.

Ideally, I think a wingback formation would suit. So, a 3-5-2 with the ball, a 5-3-2 without.

Gallagher is a player I just can't understand. He isn't willing to put himself at risk. He had a chance to head a goal in against Cardiff, and he chickened out. He doesn't tackle, he isn't that quick. He doesn't seem to have a striker's ability in one on ones. He offers the occasional free-kick, long range shot and that's about it. He isn't shit, but I don't understand what he offers.

Play maker footballers are expensive, but worth it. If you take the play maker from any team they become average, and resort to average strategies. Arsenal without Fabregas, Liverpool no Gerrard. If we spend any money this summer, I'd put most of it on one play maker.

[Cobbo]

Wellens isn't a steel like tackling midfielder that Spearing is though.

The energy, quality & tough tackling he provided us was a great asset in games. He certainly showed his promise in the short time here and would be a fabulous signing, be it on a permanent deal or loan.

Snap him up!

[flanimal]

Wellens isn't a steel like tackling midfielder that Spearing is though.

The energy, quality & tough tackling he provided us was a great asset in games. He certainly showed his promise in the short time here and would be a fabulous signing, be it on a permanent deal or loan.

Snap him up!

Thing is, the lack of goals in midfield is an issue. King was the only player that managed it. If we want to get the automatic places, a midfielder who can shoot and score is an essential part of the team.

[Cobbo]

King - 10

Gallagher - 7

N'Guessan - 6

Dyer - 3

Spearing, Adams & Wellens - 1

29 goals from midfield.

[Koke]

In the system we play Gallagher, Dyer and N'Guessan are more like forwards than midfielders, really.

[Cobbo]

Nah, wingers are midfielders. The amount of time they spent working back when we haven't got the ball, into our own half & box on occasion (even when playing the 4-3-3) would suggest to me that they're more midfielders.

If you counted them as forwards, you'd never score many from midfield, look at Chelsea - Lampard got 27 goals - next midfielder was Ballack with 5 - you always have one central midfielder who's the goal getter. Don't see an issue with our goals from midfield.

[Dylan]

Am i the only one that thinks he was quite good in his few games here? He looked very energetic, but composed too. He looks like he can get stuck in too, and i reckon he'd be well worth another season here. Snap him up!

[CosbehFox]

Am i the only one that thinks he was quite good in his few games here? He looked very energetic, but composed too. He looks like he can get stuck in too, and i reckon he'd be well worth another season here. Snap him up!

Yep. First couple of games struggled. After that, a little pocket of energy. Knows how to shift and likes a tackle.

I'd love him for a season on loan or longer but I believe with the FA's new 'English players' ruling, Liverpool might stick him on the side and stablise his career.

Then, I am absolutely in love with Wellens but other folks ain't.

[flanimal]

King - 10

Gallagher - 7

N'Guessan - 6

Dyer - 3

Spearing, Adams & Wellens - 1

29 goals from midfield.

Yeah, but you've named 7 players there.

So, 29 goals between 7 players, that's basically one Charlie Adam and one Darran Ambrose.

[Cobbo]

2 teams that are over reliant on one player. And take penalties too.

Good call.

Though I would have either here for sure.

[Mikey]

Am i the only one that thinks he was quite good in his few games here? He looked very energetic, but composed too. He looks like he can get stuck in too, and i reckon he'd be well worth another season here. Snap him up!

Nah I thought he was quality.

[marbelladave]

Gallagher can't tackle for shit. I've seen him bottle a challenge on more than one occasion. He's a wimp in that department. That's why he isn't suited to that role you are suggestion - IMO at least.

We have lacked a lot of spark and creativity from midfield. One Wednesday fan told me earlier this season that all we had was a solid defence + a couple of brilliant individual strikers. I'm afraid, there's an element of truth in that. Spearing would be a great addition to the squad, but not the answer we need.

I'd go 4-4-2. Wingers, but not strikers out wide.

Ideally, I think a wingback formation would suit. So, a 3-5-2 with the ball, a 5-3-2 without.

Gallagher is a player I just can't understand. He isn't willing to put himself at risk. He had a chance to head a goal in against Cardiff, and he chickened out. He doesn't tackle, he isn't that quick. He doesn't seem to have a striker's ability in one on ones. He offers the occasional free-kick, long range shot and that's about it. He isn't shit, but I don't understand what he offers.

Play maker footballers are expensive, but worth it. If you take the play maker from any team they become average, and resort to average strategies. Arsenal without Fabregas, Liverpool no Gerrard. If we spend any money this summer, I'd put most of it on one play maker.

I accept that Gallagher's tackling is not great but on the 2 occasions he played a proper central midfield role he did more than ok.

He has neither the instincts nor the physicality to play up top, and clearly lacks pace when played on the wing but he can put his foot on the ball and dictate play and he does provide a real goal threat from the edge of the box. I would go as far as to say that the creative role in a 3 man midfield is the only role he can play, providing, as I said, he is supported by suitable, and more defensively effective players. In addition he can be taught to close down the opposition and do his share defensively, much harder to teach a player to be creative and as you point out creative play makers are expensive.

Given a loss of £20m+ over the last two years, will we really be able to afford anyone good enough to make a real difference?

I have no doubt that we all see Gallagher in much the same way, the question is whether we concentrate on using his strengths or worrying about his weaknesses.

[teblin]

I was pretty impressed with him too.

[marbelladave]

Thing is, the lack of goals in midfield is an issue. King was the only player that managed it. If we want to get the automatic places, a midfielder who can shoot and score is an essential part of the team.

Going back to my argument, King and Gallagher managed 17 goals and that was with King often given a largely defensive role and Gallagher stuck out on the wing and required to spend a lot of time covering back.

With both players in the center and given reasonable freedom to get forward I think a combined total of 25+ would be possible.

And guess what, it wont cost a penny...

[joshLCFC]

i think we should snap the kid up permanently he is a great individual role in the midfield.

[poopbutt]

i agree josh

[Candidcamera]

I was impressed by how quickly he settled in on the right side and down the centre. He will be an asset sign him if possible.

[flanimal]

Going back to my argument, King and Gallagher managed 17 goals and that was with King often given a largely defensive role and Gallagher stuck out on the wing and required to spend a lot of time covering back.

With both players in the center and given reasonable freedom to get forward I think a combined total of 25+ would be possible.

And guess what, it wont cost a penny...

I think maybe over the summer they may work on Gallagher and teach him how to be a midfielder. No doubt he can provide something creative, he definitely is a decent football player. He isn't a winger, though. I think maybe he would be suited to a Dennis Bergkamp type of position (I'm not comparing him to Bergkamp, just the position!).

Gallagher I think is probably the only player to score from a free kick this season, right?