Hallberg and Naismith - can they make a difference?

[Northernhibee]

We could even see the signing of Naismith push Whittaker into a DM role. I remember against Aberdeen at Pittodrie he was absoutely brilliant in that role, and maybe an experienced head sitting in midfield may give us the stability we need.

[PH91]

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Me too, and it should be.

I'm worried that Heckingbottom sees it as Hallberg for Allan though.

Marciano
Naismith
Porteous
Hanlon
Stevenson
Middleton
Hallberg
Vela
Allan
Horgan
Kamberi

This for me just now. Boyle starts when fit. Doidge starts when the game calls for 2 up - in for Middleton or Horgan depending on form. Porteous and Hallberg will only get match fit with matches.

A fully fit Gray and MacGreor gives a selection headache.

Not writing off Jackson or James just yet but they will have to show something to get in.

Mallan and Slivka both have to up their games and harsh on Whittaker who has been decent this season.

Also, I think Doidge can come good but Shaw at least impacted the game as a sub so he needs to start scoring to keep his place in the pecking order.

Can't think of anyone else outwith the youth players.

All of course assuming Naismith and Hallberg improve the starting 11.

I agree with the midfield 3.

Even hallberg for allan wouldnt be terrible if mallan moved into the allan role, although it wouldnt go down well with the fans.

If he puts hallberg in alongside mallan/allan or slivka/allan i will either explode or just give up. Not sure which.

[MWHIBBIES]

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Me too, and it should be.

I'm worried that Heckingbottom sees it as Hallberg for Allan though.

Marciano
Naismith
Porteous
Hanlon
Stevenson
Middleton
Hallberg
Vela
Allan
Horgan
Kamberi

This for me just now. Boyle starts when fit. Doidge starts when the game calls for 2 up - in for Middleton or Horgan depending on form. Porteous and Hallberg will only get match fit with matches.

A fully fit Gray and MacGreor gives a selection headache.

Not writing off Jackson or James just yet but they will have to show something to get in.

Mallan and Slivka both have to up their games and harsh on Whittaker who has been decent this season.

Also, I think Doidge can come good but Shaw at least impacted the game as a sub so he needs to start scoring to keep his place in the pecking order.

Can't think of anyone else outwith the youth players.

All of course assuming Naismith and Hallberg improve the starting 11.

What has happened to suggest Allan won't be first choice this season?

[MacGruber]

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What has happened to suggest Allan won't be first choice this season?

Nothing really. Just a feeling, not rational.

Probably comes somewhere from a mix of Allan not being his own signing, him signing centre mids, pushing Allan right before, general vibe I took with his Allan comments after the substitution and wondering if he is feeling upstaged a bit. Hopefully comes to nothing and Allan stays the focal point

[inglisavhibs]

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Arguably our weakest areas since the start of the season have been midfield - where we have looked unbalanced - and full back - where we have been beset by injuries. I'll admit that I know little about either player but Hallberg looks like he might be able to offer something different to the midfield and Naismith provides more experienced specialist cover at fullback than did Mackie who has departed on loan.

A couple of players can be enough to turn a team around if they're the right players - so is there cause for optimism that Hallberg and Naismith could provide the necessary impetus to turn around our season??? (Nae pressure Melker and Jason )

Add Porteous and Fraser Murray and they just might. More energy and will to win.

[DavidDavidGray]

Everyone’s dropping Mallan for Hallberg but honestly I’d take Vela out the team before Mallan. Mallans been nowhere near good enough, but honestly Vela has been so, so brutal. Gives a foul away or gets skinned every single challenge he tries to make. Would start with a midfield 3 of Hallberg, Allan and probably Whittaker because at least he’s winning tackles and has the ability for a good pass, he just doesn’t have the pace to match a winger but in midfield I reckon he would be a better job than the rest of our centre mids.

[matty_f]

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Everyone’s dropping Mallan for Hallberg but honestly I’d take Vela out the team before Mallan. Mallans been nowhere near good enough, but honestly Vela has been so, so brutal. Gives a foul away or gets skinned every single challenge he tries to make. Would start with a midfield 3 of Hallberg, Allan and probably Whittaker because at least he’s winning tackles and has the ability for a good pass, he just doesn’t have the pace to match a winger but in midfield I reckon he would be a better job than the rest of our centre mids.

With what we have available, I'd rather have Whittaker in a central midfield role than at right back, but I'd rather have a natural centre mid in there. Vela hasn't been great but I think he'll end up a good signing for us.