Squad update 14:52 - Jul 20 with 4849 views | itfcjoe | Assuming Hutchinson signs....! GK (2+1) - Walton, Hladky, Slicker* RB (2) - Clarke, Donacien LB (2) - Davis, Leigh CB (3) - Edmundson, Woolfenden, Burgess CM (5+1) - Morsy, Evans, Ball, Luongo, Taylor, Humphreys* W/AM (8) - Burns, Chaplin, Harness, Jackson, Aluko, Edwards, Broadhead, Hutchinson ST (2) - Ladapo, Hirst Total (24+2) Out on Loan (5) - Ahadme, El Mizouni, Ndaba, Camara, Yengi Likely leaving - Permanent or loan (3) - Baggott, Hayes, Pigott Starting to look a bit congested in the AM/W position, something like RW - Burns, Jackson, Hutchinson 10 - Chaplin, Harness, Aluko LW - Broadhead, Edwards Obviously need another CB, so that is the 25th man. I think we need someone who can play as a 9 at a minimum in there - so guess it is who out of Kayden Jackson or Kyle Edwards you lose to bring that person in who can cover a role behind the striker and as a 9. |  |
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I still struggle to see the real value.... on 15:50 - Jul 20 with 1436 views | tractorboy1978 |
I still struggle to see the real value.... on 15:39 - Jul 20 by ReusersTown | I wouldn't say he's been a revelation but to say his end product isn't good is absolute bollox. He consistently has got to the byline and delivered good low balls into the box since he got here and picked up a decent number of assists. I'm not overly high on Jackson but with the types of more open games we're more likely to be involved in in the Championship his characteristics are going to be much more useful to us. Just look at the Burnley games for example. |
It isn't particularly great and the numbers back that up. The criticism of Edwards has always been his end product but it was better per minute than KJ last season. |  | |  |
Squad update on 15:51 - Jul 20 with 1430 views | J2BLUE |
Squad update on 15:18 - Jul 20 by itfcjoe | This is what I'd be looking to do between now and end of window: New CB New CM to replace Evans New AM/9 to replace Jackson New CF to replace Ladapo |
I really don't understand the desire to replace Ladapo. Even if we got another striker are we going to have a better third choice option? He's more than earnt his chance at this level. |  |
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Squad update on 15:56 - Jul 20 with 1402 views | itfcjoe |
Squad update on 15:49 - Jul 20 by homer_123 | All absolutely fair points Joe. I guess my question was more 'Is Harness more saleable?'. I think the answer is yes but your points are right, likely we'd continue with him over Jackson, assuming we could move Jackson on. Not saying I'd want Harness to leave. |
I'd say more saleable, but not for a price which would make last years fee look wise |  |
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Squad update on 15:57 - Jul 20 with 1397 views | itfcjoe |
Squad update on 15:51 - Jul 20 by J2BLUE | I really don't understand the desire to replace Ladapo. Even if we got another striker are we going to have a better third choice option? He's more than earnt his chance at this level. |
We can't carry 3 out and out number 9s, we currently have 2 - if we can find the first/second choice 9 who can also play as an AM and then have Freddie as 3rd choice that works but seems a tough ask |  |
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I still struggle to see the real value.... on 16:18 - Jul 20 with 1321 views | ReusersTown |
I still struggle to see the real value.... on 15:50 - Jul 20 by tractorboy1978 | It isn't particularly great and the numbers back that up. The criticism of Edwards has always been his end product but it was better per minute than KJ last season. |
Last season we were playing in league 1 against teams camped in their own half, which was a big part of my point. He is of much more use to us in the Championship! and as you should know the game is not all about numbers. Edward's is much more suited to us having more of the ball, and if anything I think he needs to see more of a jump in performance than Jackson to be useful to us. I actually prefer Edward's purely for the level of excitement he brings on the ball, but just think you are wrong re Jackson. |  | |  |
I still struggle to see the real value.... on 16:48 - Jul 20 with 1256 views | Mookamoo |
I still struggle to see the real value.... on 15:16 - Jul 20 by le2blue | Remember listening to Gary Neville on the Diary of a CEO podcast saying in his last two years at United Ferguson only kept him in the squad because he wanted him to illustrate the standards and worth ethic to the rest of the squad. Clearly, Aluko is doing that for KM here as well, maybe he can do that whilst not being in the EFL squad list, just appearing in cup games, would definitely make things easier with the squad make up. |
That is key with Aluko. He is part of the squad for a reason and that goes beyond just his minutes on the pitch. After the upheaval of the last few seasons we have to at some point have a period of consolidation and build on the current players, not just move 6 or seven on each Sumner. Evans, Jackson, Harness and Aluko, and sometimes Burgess and Burns are all deemed weaker players that we can just go and replace with zero recuputions. That's not how successful teams operate. They're all solid professionals that understand what KM wants from them all I'll be very surprised if all of them are not part of the squad next year. Maybe if Camara had been able to play more at the end of last season and prove his value and fitness, Aluko would not have got another year. Bit he wasn't. It speaks volumes that KM then chose Aluko over an unknown addition and that to me suggests his approach to Jackson and Harness. Its about the work ethic and balance of the squad and not just which individuals look better or worse on paper. It's good to see Jackson and Harness both having good preseasons. |  | |  |
Squad update on 21:52 - Jul 20 with 1141 views | Pinewoodblue |
Squad update on 15:57 - Jul 20 by itfcjoe | We can't carry 3 out and out number 9s, we currently have 2 - if we can find the first/second choice 9 who can also play as an AM and then have Freddie as 3rd choice that works but seems a tough ask |
Has Morelos found a new club after leaving Rangers? |  |
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Squad update on 16:46 - Jul 21 with 976 views | BlueBoots |
Squad update on 15:57 - Jul 20 by itfcjoe | We can't carry 3 out and out number 9s, we currently have 2 - if we can find the first/second choice 9 who can also play as an AM and then have Freddie as 3rd choice that works but seems a tough ask |
As you say in the OP, 1 spot left in the squad really needs to be a CB (particularly if Edmundson picks up more niggling injuries) Difficult decision to make on profile though - I think Burgess / Woolfenden have earned the right to start the season continuing their partnership, but not much Championship experience amongst all our defenders. Tough call whether to go with our usual transfer policy of looking for a younger player with a high ceiling, or (as we did with Keogh) an older CB with experience in the Championship or even Prem. I'd be more than happy to start the season with that squad without having to ship out any more players. Best solution for me regarding a 3rd No.9 would be to sign someone Under-21 on a permanent so they don't count towards the squad; less likely to get the hump being down the pecking order to Hirst / Ladapo, and no need to move players on to free a spot. Less urgency for them to be able to cover AM too now we've signed Hutchinson - that's 8 players for 3 roles, and Taylor and Humphreys could even play those roles too. |  |
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I still struggle to see the real value.... on 18:10 - Jul 21 with 882 views | strikalite |
I still struggle to see the real value.... on 16:48 - Jul 20 by Mookamoo | That is key with Aluko. He is part of the squad for a reason and that goes beyond just his minutes on the pitch. After the upheaval of the last few seasons we have to at some point have a period of consolidation and build on the current players, not just move 6 or seven on each Sumner. Evans, Jackson, Harness and Aluko, and sometimes Burgess and Burns are all deemed weaker players that we can just go and replace with zero recuputions. That's not how successful teams operate. They're all solid professionals that understand what KM wants from them all I'll be very surprised if all of them are not part of the squad next year. Maybe if Camara had been able to play more at the end of last season and prove his value and fitness, Aluko would not have got another year. Bit he wasn't. It speaks volumes that KM then chose Aluko over an unknown addition and that to me suggests his approach to Jackson and Harness. Its about the work ethic and balance of the squad and not just which individuals look better or worse on paper. It's good to see Jackson and Harness both having good preseasons. |
Aluko can cover various positions, important squad player, can't see him being left out.. |  | |  |
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