17 Feb 2025 15:33:35
Right if we want to get serious then bin Dacoure and put Branthwaite on his wages instead.
Make him captain and build a partnership with O'Brien. Could be our centre pairing for the next eight or more years.
Then get two good fullbacks in and back five is sorted.
17 Feb 2025 16:27:09
Think those two would make a very solid partnership. Miyko definitely needs competition and if we keep Patterson then need competition for him.
17 Feb 2025 16:42:52
I reckon doucoure and gana will be offered a year on reduced terms maybe even young and Coleman although hopefully not with the latter two, doucoure and gana are sound squad players if we get the wages down a bit.
17 Feb 2025 17:42:34
Can’t see that myself, only Guaye warrants a new deal.
17 Feb 2025 18:58:21
Agree JB. Gana would still do a job as a sub, but Dacoure is past his best now. If we are still thinking of keeping Young and Coleman (even though I love the bloke) , then we are not moving forward.
17 Feb 2025 20:11:42
I'd definitely give gueye another year. However our midfield needs younger legs, passing, grafting with some creative players starting. Just look at Bournemouth, Brighton and Forest.
Tim, Garner, Alcaraz should be our go to. Would like Mangala back if recovers well. Longstaff from Newcastle would be a solid signing.
18 Feb 2025 09:23:02
I don't think we need competition for Myko and Patt at all. I think we need to buy 2 unequivocal starters and upgrades and Myko and Patt should be the competition. Neither are good enough to propel us back to where we want to be. One can't even stay fit and the other gets a nose bleed when he crosses the halfway line.
Compare them to the fullbacks in the top 10 sides and the difference in quality both offensively and defensively is stark to say the least.
TAA, Bradley, Timber, White, Cauliflower, Aina, Williams, Gvardiol, Lewis, Ake, Kerkez, Hall, Robinson.
18 Feb 2025 10:32:29
I agree Gueye probably warrants a new deal but the other three should not be in the squad; the money they are on could pay for 4-5 players. We have enough experience in Pickford, Tarks, JB, Gueye, McNeil, Ndiaye and Garner. Would be nice to get another box to box midfielder so Gueye can have a bench role to compete with Tim and Mangala (if he can overcome the knee injury and sign him. Right winger, two fullbacks and a forward will be needed. Not sure we have anyone to step up yet in the Under 23s yet. It’ll be a busy, busy summer.
18 Feb 2025 10:46:09
So you don't think we need competition for our two full backs, but you think they should be competition with two new full backs?
18 Feb 2025 13:32:43
I'd give them all another year contract except Seamus as his fitness has gone put him through coaching badges to prepare for taking over from Moyes if he's up to the job. Offer Young 12 months reduced contract as can do 20 minutes no problem and still good pro. Doucs again can do good job off the bench for 20-30 mins t shut down opposition passing and decent box to box. Gana player of the season so far deserves new contract and still can play 90 mins 3 times a week man must run on batteries and changes them every match, I'd say he's Superman but he's not scared of Krytonite.
Tarks is next player we need to watch but he's been good since Moyes came back, but DM's on that already by playing O'brien at fullback, like Yobo, and Lescott.
18 Feb 2025 15:04:14
I don't want competition for them Brass no, I want clear and obvious improvements on them. Competition, to me at least, implies that it would be a similar standard of player vying to get into the starting 11.
Our fullbacks should be keeping the starters on their toes and covering for injuries.