09 Jul 2018 22:22:39
Guys, when we look at what we have already have at the club it’s not that bad, there is a lot of players over looked and youth players needing to move up or move on, some of the younger players we are shouting to keep so there fore don’t that mean that these should be used off the bench? As I see it if we trim down as is needed where do we really need to strengthen?
We all know defence is a must but out side of a gk, cb and lb needed we have
Pickford and stek (need another to push Pickford but be better then Han stek)
RB - Coleman and Kenny (Holgate back up)
CB - Holgate and Keane, Jags but should really be a back up back to the back up haha (need more in this position)
LB - Baines (need another to push and take over this season)
MF - Snids (if he buys in and shows past form, if not sell and replace) Gana, Davies, Siggy, McArthy (still to come back) and then the people we expect to step up Dowell, Baningime,
Forward line - Walcott, Vlasic, Lookman, Tosun, Sandro (we all hope he got more) and DCL
That’s quite a big squad still without any additions and I’m sure the most of us see all these as being part of the team. We must remember we have only domestic cups etc to worry about and we still have to keep everyone happy, any one add to that or change much?
09 Jul 2018 22:59:03
It is a big squad but I do think we need more if we’re going to improve on last season and close the gap. We do have some decent youngsters but it’s unrealistic to expect them to perform to a high level every week. We need two or three proven, quality players. And we need to get rid of or loan a few more out. Williams, Martina and Mirallas at the very least.
10 Jul 2018 07:27:04
I'm trying my best to be patient and leave it with Silva and Brands to get it right. They've got a big job on their hands and they will need time to sort it all out.
That said, the sooner they bring some in that they truly want and we see some new faces the happier I will be. We seem to be linked with everyone (even Liverpool goalkeepers - nah only joking) but with no substance behind any of the rumours. Let's get some in and start integrating them into the team as we need team members not additions to the squad.
10 Jul 2018 08:25:09
So Be Styrne, we only need to trim the squad, get a better back up keeper for Pickford, need more center backs (how many do you suggest? 2 should do it? ) , another left back as cover for Baines, monitor Shneids and replace if not up to it. That all sounds very simple and I get what you are saying. But that also does not deal with the defficiencies of lack of left sided players nor the age of Baines and Jags. Jags will be 36 this season. He was never the quickest player anyway. Yet he ended up being our 1st choice center back before the kids. I do get what you are saying in that within the squad there are some very good players. I get that. But the squad overall is very unbalanced. Look at what happened when Coleman, Baines and Jags got injured last season. Also look at Baines how he hardly ever gets down the line now to whip in a cross. I do get what you are saying about having some very good players, but no left sided midfielder? Ageing defence in 2 key positions. make that 3 with Williams! Yes we have good players, but too many in certain positions and none to top premiership standard in others. And just far too many high earners who were given contracts when really they should have been either moved on and replaced or at least now be the back up players you are talking about. I can confidently predict that if we start with Jags and Baines as 1st team regulars, they will start to pick up niggling injuries and then miss games. That's what happens to 30 odd year olds unless they are very very lucky. So in my opinion we need immediate replacements for them. Especially as Williams (Jags back up? ) is also past it. I accept that Kenny might be ready for back up to Coleman (may be) or even Holgate? But no left midfielder too? The summary of what I am saying is that even if I use your list of players needed, we need about 5 players. that's half the outfield team.
10 Jul 2018 08:25:10
Thing is Williams, Martina and Mirallas (still think he has something to offer by the way) , are all probably on good wages that apart from Mirallas they would not get anywhere else and even then if anyone wanted them (Williams and Martina) , a quandry of our own making I fear.
10 Jul 2018 08:53:48
Even if we pay some of their wages, we’d still recoup a fee and reduce our wage bill significantly which would allow us to move for for other players. If the three players are unlikely to play and earn 200k between them, we may as well pay half and have 100k wages for one top player who will play.
10 Jul 2018 11:13:48
That’s why I left them out blue, I only included who I would keep. The youngsters would be more from the bench than starting, there are also players that where hardly used so would be more like new signings. Where, except defence which I did highlight would you add without pushing others noses out and causing a rift like the Lookman one we find ourselves in now?
When you look at our midfield there you have to remember they will be fighting for 3 starting places as will the forwards.
I left out I would like another that could play right across the forward line, a fast forward/ winger.
So keeping all the above, let’s say we add, GK, CB, LB, F/ W and maybe a MF that’s a squad of 25/ 26 if we dump the rest, would we be happy with that?
10 Jul 2018 11:21:51
Wow degsy, you really got it in for jags and Baines. I did point out they needed replacing, and what I’m asking is there anyone in the list people don’t want to see or want out. We all know realistically we will be lucky to see 4 new additions with squad trimming. you point out the obvious on the lack of balance, even the management have pointed that out. I’m looking at what we have now and that list of people I’m happy to keep and see what they have got this season, that gives us 21 players that I’m happy to keep, with brands talking about a squad of 25 that gives us 4 or 5 places available if we manage to trim the squad. It’s obvious if we don’t move on in some positions then it’s likely we won’t recruit in them same places, let’s hope we can put on a player sale to the 3 clubs promoted.
10 Jul 2018 11:59:51
BeStyrne I'm totally with you. We had enough personal and quality last season for 8th and 7th the season before.
We need to trim the squad and bring a couple in but it's not the panic stations some are saying.
The most important part of this summer is to properly assess who fits into the new way of playing and the ones who don't. Only then can you truly start building a team to compete.
What you don't do is just buy players because they are over 30. They still have a role to play and age never determines who gets injured. Yanick, Mori, Coleman and McCarthy have all had worse injuries than Baines, Williams and Jags so there is no God rule to say age is the cause.
Lucky we seem to have people in charge now that have a clear plan to improve the squad and have not jumped in with both feet. The speculation on players is just that at the moment.
As for left sided midfielders at the moment we have Lookman, Vlasic, Yanick, Walcott and Mirallas who can all play there.
In every area we have enough players. I agree we could do with a couple of players in areas but only when we reduce the current people in those areas.
Let's all have a bit of patience and see what happens.
10 Jul 2018 21:23:06
Degsy I thumbed you as promised - any chance you could reduce the word count on your posts. I didn’t even read it as only had 20 minute break.