Notting Better Then Bruce

[caj23]

He is a good player and I'd certainly welcome him to the Swans, but he is yet to prove that he is anymore than a good 4th to 6th string midfielder in a great team.

I personally think he would struggle if he was forced to take on the responsibility of being the number 1, 2 or 3 midfielder in another team

I don't think that he is the midfield messiah that we are all hoping for (he's just a very naughty boy )

[Newbie]

To believe that 4th-6th rank midfielder from another club would make our midfield to be a premiership winning one is unimaginable. Notting should not be our focal trade target.

[NMWBloods]

Originally posted by liz
Better than AA and two times club champion Paul Williams? Or AA and 4th in the Brownlow Brett Kirk?

I like Notting and would be very happy if the Swans could snare him but comments that he's better than any of our midfielders are, IMHO, daft.

I knew someone would bring up Williams. Of course he's currently not better than Williams at his best, however Williams is no longer at his best and Notting next year would be better than Williams. Note that I did deliberately say 'currently.'

In terms of what we need from a midfielder, a running, attacking one with a penetrating kick, then, yes, Notting is better than Kirk, or anyone else we currently have.

For that matter, so is Bruce, hence why we'd be looking to target players like this - because we currently don't have any!!

By himself, I don't think he will deliver us a flag, and neither would Bruce. But are there any midfielders at all in the competition we can actually get who would?

What we need is one, preferably two, attacking midfielders, which is something we lack. Adding Notting and Bruce, for example, would give us that, and the two of them would probably do it better than adding just one superstar (like Black or Judd).

[Mike_B]

Originally posted by NMWBloods
In terms of what we need from a midfielder, a running, attacking one with a penetrating kick, then, yes, Notting is better than Kirk, or anyone else we currently have.

This is the key IMHO - Maxfield used to be our most penetrating kick, but as he's gotten on his left foot hasn't quite provided the bullet passes it used to. We do not have anyone that can pass a ball with spped and accuracy 40m barely getting above head height. Notice how many times this year and last we chipped around up to the wing or a HF flank, but the kick to our forard inside 50 on the lead was sat up on his head making an easy spoil for the opposition defender. Not quite sure if Notting can deliver that as he doesn't seem to have played a delivery into the forward line type role. From what I've seen of Bruce, his foot skills are good enough for to meet that requirement.

The other thing we didn't get from our midfielders this year was a consistent avenue to goal. Bruce and Notting both kicked a reasonable number of goals considering their roles, and I'd love to see Notting with set shots from inside the centre square at the SCG bombing them over the goal ump and bringing the crowd to its feet.

[caj23]

I still think its a moot debate as Brisbane won't be letting go of Notting after the performance on the weekend.

I'm confident that Lethal will be giving a couple of their veterans a tap on the shoulder this week

[liz]

Originally posted by NMWBloods
INotting next year would be better than Williams. Note that I did deliberately say 'currently.'

In terms of what we need from a midfielder, a running, attacking one with a penetrating kick, then, yes, Notting is better than Kirk, or anyone else we currently have.

Maybe he would, maybe not. I don't think it's as clear cut as that. Williams is now more suspectible to niggling injuries but, as he showed against the West Coast a few weeks ago, when fit he is still more than capable of turning it on.

I've never seen Notting play a game even approaching Willo's better games from last season, let alone from seasons past.

Notting is almost never tagged because opposition teams are too focused on the Lappins, Akers and Powers of this world as running ball carriers to stop. Williams is almost always tagged.

In terms of your statement above re Kirk, I'd agree that Notting is a more penetrating kick than Kirk. But that is not the be all and end all of a midfielder and I would be amazed if Notting proved next year to be a better all around midfielder for the Swans than Kirk (if he were to join).

[NMWBloods]

Originally posted by liz
Maybe he would, maybe not. I don't think it's as clear cut as that.

Nothing is clear cut in these types of things.

Williams is now more suspectible to niggling injuries but, as he showed against the West Coast a few weeks ago, when fit he is still more than capable of turning it on.

Sure, but his ability to maintain full fitness has declined, as has his ability to influence games regularly.

I've never seen Notting play a game even approaching Willo's better games from last season, let alone from seasons past.

You haven't watched too much of Notting then, as I have seen a few games where he has dominated. That he doesn't do it regularly and doesn't get as much game time is hardly surprising when you consider who the Lions can put in their best team in the midfield.

Still, I've not said at any stage that Notting is as good as Williams was. However, at the current point in time, I think Notting would be more effective for us.

Notting is almost never tagged because opposition teams are too focused on the Lappins, Akers and Powers of this world as running ball carriers to stop. Williams is almost always tagged.

Sure, which says a lot for Williams, but you can't really interpret much on Notting as we don't know.

In terms of your statement above re Kirk, I'd agree that Notting is a more penetrating kick than Kirk. But that is not the be all and end all of a midfielder and I would be amazed if Notting proved next year to be a better all around midfielder for the Swans than Kirk (if he were to join).

Maybe, but then again Kirk is considered one of the best midfielders in the competition now. If he could kick better he would be considered one of the elites.

Of course the penetrating kick is only one part, but then again it's not the only part of Notting I have referred to - the ability to run and create are also part of it. Watch Saturday's game and see what Notting can be capable of.

The attitude to my comments seems to reflect a view that I am criticising Williams and Kirk. Nothing could be further from the truth - they are probably my two favourite Swans players. I love watching them play and love it when they do really well.

However, in terms of what our midfield needs, I don't think they provide it. We need some dash and attack, plus long kicking. Williams used to do this regularly (hence the B&Fs), however now he would be more of a pinch-hitter given his age and fitness. Kirk is a great midfielder, however cannot deliver the regular drive we need - he is the player to get ball out to those who will run it.

I'm not sure if we need a real gun (a la Black, Judd), but rather a couple of athletic and talented midfielder, like Notting and Bruce. Add Kennelly into that mix, plus the existing 'blue collar' guys, as well as Williams for experience and smaller runs, and the developing younger guys, then our midfield could be quite decent.

[liz]

Originally posted by NMWBloods

Maybe, but then again Kirk is considered one of the best midfielders in the competition now. If he could kick better he would be considered one of the elites.

My comments were only in response to your statement that "(Notting's) better than any of our midfielders currently".

I mounted a case for the two most obvious counterarguments. It would probably be possible to question the comparision in regard to other of our midfielders but we'd be getting into more subjective territory then.

As I said before, I'd be very happy for Notting to come to the Swans and I think he'd add another dimension to the midfield. I just reckon that to suggest he'd come in and be our top midfielder next year is a huge statement, and one not really backed up by available evidence.

[Ajn]

The issue that most have appeared to miss is that it is an issue of getting the potential out of someone. Notting has far more potential that given the opportunity will blossom. Williams was an example of the same, whom was a much better player with the opportunity to play a major role with us. No one will trade a proven player without us sufferring high casualties to get them, so Notting it is.....please! (fingers crossed)

[Nico]

I'm in the NMW camp on this one. His point is that servicable as our midfield is, with Willo struggling with injury all season we didn't have a midfielder with the brilliance to break a game open.

When he was firing eg. final aginst WCE he was the one who found the space and created. Against the Saints he looked good for 10mins until injured and we had most of the footy. Off he goes and our drive stopped almost immediately.

It has been obvious all season, and oh how we missed Cressa given his ability to find the footy on his own between wing and half forward. We were the worst at into F50 in the comp so it must say something about our midfield efficiency.

We talk about the draft, but can Schmidt and/or Willougby step up. They were recruited as specialist midfielders. Remember the rise of Schneider, and the rise and rise of Bevan.

[Newbie]

Forget about Notting, T Johnson is the man we need. Would address our problems like a glove to a hand. He is truly at the cross-road of his career and if he is intelligent enough, Sydney should be his choice.

From purely a football perspective, Ottens was stupid to pick Geelong instead of us. He wont last that long playing mainly as a key forward. With King in their side, key forward would be the position that Ottens is going to spend majority of his time. His lack of intelligence to recognize this means his non-coming might be a blessin in disguide.

[caj23]

Im with you on TJ Newbie, player who could really turn his potential into something at the swans - and who's trade value has dropped over the last few seasons

[NMWBloods]

TJ would be a great asset if he can get his head and attitude right. He had a reasonably good season this year though, so I'm not sure where his trade value would be now.

Any of TJ, Notting or Bruce has the potential to be one of our top midfielders. Almost certainly they would be our top in terms of attacking midfielders, and an attacking midfielder is worth more than a defensive one IMHO.

[Schneiderman]

Originally posted by Newbie
From purely a football perspective, Ottens was stupid to pick Geelong instead of us.

I'm not certain the deal is over. I dont think Ottens has actually choosen Geelong, but if he has we dont want him. Either way we get what we want.

[Jeffers1984]

Originally posted by Schneiderman
I'm not certain the deal is over. I dont think Ottens has actually choosen Geelong, but if he has we dont want him. Either way we get what we want.

Also it was reported today that the roos have spoken to his management, so it is definately far from over red rover.