Freeman off to SHEFF UTD

is Josh McEcherean a DM?

He's made 68 1st team appearances without scoring a goal so I'd hope for his sake he's a very defensive midfielder

Remember him being very highly regarded a few years ago but fell off the radar a bit

As for Caroll he's nowhere near good enough for our midfield and cant believe he's still at Spurs

we need a RB, CB, winger, ST and DM

whitebread and dawkins injury prone

Sammon is tosh

Freeman is leaving

As much as McLaren is admired and respected by most fans, I find it surprising that these fans do not share Steve's view on the merits of Sammon. I too would be glad to see hims sold but nevertheless it does seem that McL likes to bring him on to bully tired defenders.

Now Steve bears both the responsibility of picking his sides and has the Head Coach's superior football knowledge and insight into player's respective merits. I'd back Steve's judgement over mine and most other fans so - what gives?

Look at any club in the champioship and the strikers who sit on the bench aren't much good. If they were they wouldn't be on the bench. A backup striker is probably the most difficult position to fill as strikers by nature like to be in the limelight so if they aren't getting first team football they will be off. Only way to have a backup striker is to take someone on loan like Bamford or have someone who isn't good enough like Sammon. Fortunately Chris Martin appears indestructable.

It's also our formation when a team regularly plays with two strikers there is more chance of getting a game when you have 1 position and 1 first choice striker it is difficult. Apparently, we played a 4-1-3-2 last night not sure how it looked and don't think we should change the 4-3-3 as our default but it would be interesting to see if this gives Sammon/Russell/Loanee/Bennett if he stays more game time.

I actually think Sammon is useful when playing 2 strikers it's when he's put into the 4-3-3 especially out wide it goes a tad pear shaped.

but nevertheless it does seem that McL likes to bring him on to bully tired defenders.

Or options are limited and he didn't like the highest paid player at Derby not doing nowt

McL would be less of a manager if he used pay level as a criterion for deciding who plays. And last year at least he had a few options for strikers.

It will be interesting to see what happens this year. I wouldn't be too disappointed if Sammon went but I do respect Steve's choices.

Simpson said that hughes/eustace will be given the chance before we look for a loan

Lowe and Hanson (not John and Alan btw) should also be given a chance around the 1st team this coming season....heard very good reports about them both.