Nakamura

3 goals in last 3 games. He looks happy

But will we hold on to him until the end of the season. I really hope he doesn't go in January and stays to help the title bid.

But 2 questions:-

1. Do you think we will hold on to him?

2. Who would be the perfect replacement, either a current squad member or a potential transfer buy?

 

1. Yes, until the end of the season.

2. I don't really know, Riquelme would be perfect, it would be like for like, but that's not realistic. If I could pick anyone to replace Nakamura, it would be him, but it ain't gonna happen.

 

The first question is being discussed in an earlier thread and in my view, there is no perfect replacement as such.

McGeady, Maloney and Robson are definitely capable of playing on the wing and we have the untried McCourt & Mizuno. So depending on circumstances, there should be cover.
This leaves the question: can they replace Nakamura's contribution.

Well firstly, the aforementioned players are all dribblers and not distributors but in open play McGeady demonstrated last season that he is capable of out scoring and assisting Nakamura, so this doesn't mean that we'll be less effective with dribblers.

Secondly, dead balls? Hartley been great with balls into the box recently so I'd keep him on the indirects. Robson and Maloney can take a direct free kick, but not in same league as Nakamura. This is where we will miss him the most in my opinion.

Thirdly, Nakamura's style will not be replaced by a dribbler and this will limit the variety of our play. So it depends on WGS tactics, but I think he might be looking to use Brown/Crosas/Donati in the playmaking roles from CM which is sensible because from this position there is more space to aim through balls. So I'm hoping we don't lose the sort of quality in passing if Brown/ Crosas/ Donati step up to the plate.
My MF line ups would be:

Robson/Maloney Brown/Donati Crosas/Hartley McGeady/Mizouno

So basically it depends on our style of play but we shouldn't buy unless we splash for quality.

 

It's freaky how the last three posts were each nearly exactly and hour apart. It's the sort of precision Nakamura expects from his supporters.

 

1. It's been pretty quiet on the Japan front lately while a lot of moves in JLeague are already materializing. So I think some sort of resolution was reached and I think he will return in the Winter.
2. I don't think we need to replace "like with like". We've got plenty of wingers, including 2 that are ready at CL level and 3 that are pushing for time in SPL. So I think we'll be fine there.

Lastly, Brown and Donati will never have his passing ability, but I do think Crosas has it within himself. Without Naka we'll probably see a slightly different style emphasizing speed down the wings. Crosas providing distribution, and Brown adding even more speed in addition to bite.

 

I think naka's stepped up a gear for the january transfer window.
Not complaining though, as long as hes doing the damage for us, be sad to see him go though

 

I like what Naka has done over the last few years, so I'll be sad to see him go, but it sounds like he wants out. So for me, let him go in Jan make a million for him.

Celtic PLC will miss him the most, and as such I would expect them to push hard for Mizuno to replace him, probably why WGS wants until the summer, to give him more time to step up, keep the asian market bringing in the millions.

I think in the meant time Maloney, Robson, Mcgeady or Brown can all play on the right, so we are fine.

At his best he was great, and we have seen a few good games from him this last few weeks, but I can not help but think the magic is mostly gone.

 

We need a direct playmaker replacement. I'd gladly see Kranjčar of Portsmouth in, or maybe Fujimoto from S-Pulse. Crosas is simply too young to take the role right now.

 

When Naka goes WGS will simply tweak the tactics, no real need for a perfect replacement.

 

You are talking over 10 million for him mate never going to happen

 

Strachan has been coming out in the media and praising naka after every game.....think he is giving him a lot of credit in an effort to make him stay until at least the end of the season

 

Hopefully we keep hold of him untill the end of the season as for a replacement that will be a hard job to find anyone who can fill naka's boots.

 

A very difficult job. 5 in a row depends on that.

 

I think we'll sell McGeady for maybe 6 million and buy in a quality playmaker in the summer. There has been a fair bit of talks of McGeady leaving lately from media guys who I have some respect for, as in non Rangers fans. So I think there is truth in this.

 

i would have Mizuno,Maloney or Robson replace him if he goes

 

i think the wee man has stayed longer than he intended to i remember him saying he wanted to play here for 2 years and then move on to spain but i think he was happy here and is just going to move back home to finish his career

 

I think we're going to have to go out and get someone to replace him because there's no-one in the current squad who offers what he does i.e a pure playmaker.We could be in danger of becoming one-dimensional if we just replace him with an out and out winger.Someone like Yossi Benayoun would be a perfect replacement IMO.

 

If that's the case, then it's unlikely that his replacement will be someone known like Benayoun or Kranjcar. I barely knew of Nakamura before he joined us.
I think WGS is going to tweak the tactics so that we play with Crosas in CM and dribblers up the wings.

 

their's some interest in Bosnian midfielder Semir Stilic. some say a good replacment for naka. i would like to hold onto him and im glad that lawwell came out and said that we wont be selling him but if an offer of 10M comes in ( which i dont think it will ) then it would be hard not to sell.

hail hail

 

I started this thread and now I wish I hadn't
Once again when we needed nakamura the most tonight as example he disappears! I hope he does go in January and we bring someone in who's far better! I am sick of sticking up for him it's time he left and we bring in someone who will play for the celtic jersey like barry robson!