Tim Iroegbunam returns to training after 3 months out

The elephant in the room for me is still striker. Dom had scored three goals this season. And he’s injury prone. If I was Moyes I wouldn’t let Thelwell even consider a new signing (unless a deal that was too good to turn down came along…) until we had a striker in the bag. Goals win games. Add a Watkins or a Chris wood to this squad and we’d be pushing for Europe no question.

He was a midfielder all his career but is apparently joining as a "set-piece" coach - which I wouldn't have necessarily thought to be his forte, given his playing career.

Time will tell - no doubt.

Happy to do it as long as he does a decent job

Re Charlie Adam, I now expect every free kick we hit to look like his at Wembley.

Ah, never mind. If he can just teach our guys to clear the first defenders on set-pieces, I'll be thrilled.

Although there is a very, very, very simple solution for this, it's very rare that you see the front man clearing the cross under any real pressure.

Two back injuries in three seasons does not augur well for a lad still in his early 20's. It could be a risk to think he would be a mainstay next season.

Good to see players coming back and just at the right time.

With a signing or two, the run-in could be interesting. Every match is important, however Leicester is massive. Win that I think we can look up a bit more.

Tony, it's a difficult art. Ronaldo and Rooney to a degree had it to a tee, the former with his own technique.

Also, a lot of teams now have a player lying down behind the wall as they cottoned on to the free kick taker going low and under the wall as it jumped.

As for set pieces, the coach is tasked with devising different ‘plays’ rather than teaching the taker how to kick a ball. I’m always amazed how badly set-up nearly all teams are on attacking set-pieces. My Sunday league team used to be better organised (mainly because I took charge of organising the set-pieces).

How many times have you seen a bad corner end up creating a chance, by simply putting a player at the near post, to flick on or put pressure on a bad ball?

Adam can also be our dirty tackle coach.

I was the set piece taker on every Sunday league team I played on for 30 years, and the only times I couldn't clear the front man were when the area around the corner flag was a mud hole or a divot and the ref wouldn't let me move the ball out of it.

It staggers me that so many professionals playing on tailored fields can't elevate the ball over one guy. We had a final free kick chance at Bournemouth and Young couldn't even hoist the ball into the mixer. Drilled it right to the first defender. Too easy.

John #21, unfortunately I think you're right. You can't condition your way out of a back problem, and a proclivity for back injuries and months-long absences is a very bad sign for his career durability.

Dave #26, why does it stink? Don't most managers hire assistants they already know and trust? Would you expect Moyes to do a bunch of job interviews and hire guys he doesn't know?

For me we were better under Moyes when Irvine was Asst' manager. Round was far too negative.

Hopefully Tim can come back and I agree, he looked our best player but stamina was tested after 60 plus minutes. That will increase as his body gets used to playing more regularly. If he add goals to his game, Tim can become our new Tim!
Garners record of back injuries leads me to put in the handle with care category. We would probably sell when we can as its clearly a weakness that I don't think he will overcome.
Not writing off his career, just a liability we can't afford.
Mangala should be made perm. He replaces Gana when he leaves / retires.
Also frees up another foreign loan slot for this window.

Doucouré & Gana struggle after 60 mins ( see Spurs game ) both of them are better in possession than Doucouré and Tim offers something no other central midfield player offers, he carries the ball Forward.

Where we didn't really have legs to bring on in the centre of the park against spurs, these 2 returning give us opportunities to. Be it as starting players or from the bench.

Garners versatility will be useful as a starter or from the bench.

Tim starts for me when fit over dacoure.

If Mcneil gets back then we go

Pickford

Obrien Tarks Branthwaite Myko

Lindstrom gana mangala Tim mcneil

Ndiaye

DCL

You can rotate gana, mangala

With garner

You can bring on Doucouré who does offer a good press and physicality when needed .

Options are good . Who'd have thought we may not be able to know 5 days before who will start ??