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My Summer 'Massive Rebuilding'
Written by Rowski on Thursday, 4th May 2017 11:27

Usually around this time of year I'm dusting myself down after the usual disappointing season and fervently daydreaming about the potential squad that I would construct to get us promoted to the Premier League.

This year though, despite all the rumours of Mick McCarthy leaving, I thought I'd take a more realistic approach and merge our recent history with some of my wishful thinking. Below is the squad that I have conjured up via this new restrained approach.

To Keep

Bart (first team)
Gerken (squad)
Crowe (loan out)

Chambers (first team)
Webster (first team)
Berra (first team)
Kenlock (first team)
Spence (first team)
Knudsen (squad)
Smith (squad)
Emmanuel (squad)
Taylor (pay as you play, squad)

Rowe (first team)
Ward (first team)
Huws (first team)
Skuse (first team)
Diagaroura (first team)
Benyu (squad)
Dozzell (squad)
Bishop (loan out)
Hyam (loan out)

McGoldrick (first team)
Sears (first team)
Samuel (squad)
Moore (squad)
Morris (loan out)

Squad count: 22
First team: 13
Squad: 9

On the Way Out

Digby
Coke
Douglas
Pitman
Williams
Lawrence
Bru
Best

Required

1 x quality winger (first team)
1 x target man/complete striker (first team)
? x loans to compete/complement the squad

In addition to the eight leaving and loaning out of four, I would also offer new two-year contracts on reduced terms to Chambers and Berra. I believe all that would recover £25-30k per week in wages which would easily cover Emyr Huws, Toumani Diagouraga and Dominic Samuel's wages with £5-10k per week spare for new additions.

Obviously an increase in wage budget would be required to obtain quality new recruits, as well as the £2 million McCarthy has already been promised is available to recruit a striker. So I think you're looking at Evans adding another £2 million to the budget to be able to put the above squad together that, I think, would at least be competitive and pushing for playoffs.

So, in conclusion, from looking at our recent history and standard media spin, paired with the forthcoming 'massive rebuilding', I would like to see at least a £4 million increase in playing budget. That way we can achieve what I believe would be a competitive team for McCarthy's final season in charge.

I would love to know what everyone else thinks and who they would like to see stay or go or even come to Portman Road.




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cromwellblue added 11:46 - May 4
Rowski, I fear you are being way to nice with this. The change needs to be much more dramatic

To your out list I would add Gerken, Berra, Taylor, Skuse, Diagaroura

My stating back 4 would be Kenlock, Smith, Webster & Emmanuel. This could grow into something good.

Midfield needs serious attention so we cannot be sympathetic to any of the old guard. The younger(ish) guys need to step up or ship out. We also need to decide how we are going to play as that dictates what you need in terms of players. Rowe has had limited opportunity under a 3-5-2 formation. If that's the style then buying more wingers is pointless. I'm not adverse to a complete new midfield.

I do believe Sear & McGoldrick could be a good pairing but the style of service from midfield has to improve.

Sadly it is all dependent of finances.
6

tractorintheloft added 12:38 - May 4
Essentially you are saying we need a Striker & a Winger to be challenging for Prem. If you consider we had a top class striker in Lawrence last year you are saying that last season we were one player away from being competitive. Unless that player is Ronaldo then we are a long way short at present and a major overhaul is required.
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Rowski added 12:49 - May 4
What I'm saying gentlemen, is that, as much as I agree with you about the radical nature of the changes we need, I have tried to temper that with some realism. Such as MM is staying so, what do I think he will do and what would I like to see happen given the limitations of a MM ME inspired rebuilding job.
0

Surco72 added 15:53 - May 4
The biggest signing we need to make is a ball winning defensive midfielder with high energy that can dominate games and allow others to play .
Skuse is holding others back and MM knows he is not up to it which is why he has to play to defensive midfielders in the middle of the park .
I also do not believe the squad needs major over hauling just a dominant midfielder to boss and run games and the biggest change a new manager who will stick with the youngsters to nurture them not only play them through injury and drop them as soon as they have a bad game whilst his favourite pros can repeatedly be poor and be undroppable .
5

Smithy added 15:54 - May 4
Goalkeepers and Defensively we are OK, have to agree with Cromwell on the starting back four as this could really blossom in years to come, it also gives us the option to go 5 at the back where Knudsen has looked handy, while Chambers is versatile and offers not only cover but leadership, he is in some ways the problem, you have to find a place for him in the team simply for his drive and passion (perhaps try him instead of Skuse in Midfield?). Sadly think Bart could be on his way, in which case we do need to look to replace him.

Midfield has been a problem for years, agree that Bru should go while Skuse does need to be more consistent and forward thinking if we are to progress. Hyam isn't a bad back up nor would Diagouraga be (hence a reason not to keep him) but the creative side is raw with Dozzell, Bishop and Benyu yet to establish themselves hence signing Huws is a must. It would be nice if one or two of the many youngsters (inc. McDonnell, Downes and Blanchfield) were to be given chances and really kick on.

Real shame Jonny Williams just can't get fit and stay fit as on his day he is a wonderful player and would be a huge asset if he was available consistently.

Ward and Rowe give us options on the flank and feel Ward is growing into a decent player but perhaps not wide, this has to be addressed this summer. We are painfully short in the wide areas and this restricts the way we can play.

Up top is a big issue, Murphy has never been replaced, while McGoldrick and Sears are decent players but perhaps better with a big target man as they could play off him. Hugill would be an amazing signing. Pitman looks like his days are numbered here, and I'm not convinced he wants to stay and play a bit part off the bench anyway. Not convinced with Samuel, if hes any good surely he'd be in the Reading squad, actually I'd sooner keep Pitman. Not sure what Moore will offer us if anything and therefore think we need a couple of strikers.

Big summer ahead, will Evans provide the funds needed for Town to show some promise?
-1

leahcar88 added 16:19 - May 4
Chambers in midfield? Wtf!!!
2

therein61 added 18:06 - May 4
We(who don't matter but pay our great managers wages) all have our opinions about what should or should not be, but while Mick is still manager we know what to expect and nothing will change.
1

RoyalAscotBlue added 07:40 - May 5
All this speculation is wonderful. Personally though, I just can't wait to see Chambers back at right back on day one of next season. With Knudsen at left back, Skuse slowing everything down in midfield, and the team desperately holding on for a nil nil draw at home to one of the OTHER lesser teams.

MM is the biggest problem we have and until he is gone NOTHING is ever really going to change.
3
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