| Recruitment: The criteria 17:20 - May 4 with 2280 views | cbower |
Any player targetted at this level is bound to possess technical ability, that really goes without saying.
Accepting this as a given, there are four criteria each new player really has to meet for me.
1: a good character and a team player
2: work rate. We will have to play with high intensity. It was noticeable last time around at 65-70 minutes we were shot and games got away from us.
3: Physicality / power. This does not mean a team of 6ft 4 monsters, but rather players who can hold their own in the physical side of the game rather like Matusiwa has shown he can despite being only relatively short in stature. As much as I love the skills of Philogene, Clarke, Mehmeti etc, we cannot afford too many more of their ilk
4: Pace. We really lacked pace last time and it hurt us.
It's a lot to ask for but quality above quantity please. 7 quality recruits would give us more chance that 12 players who promise much but don't hit the buttons.
Of course, some Premiership experience added to that list would be nice a la Xhaka at Sunderland but that really is asking something. |  |
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| Recruitment: The criteria on 17:22 - May 4 with 2039 views | gtsb1966 |
We wont be buying many British players is my guess. |  | | |
| Recruitment: The criteria on 17:49 - May 4 with 1910 views | RedX |
There are a few decent players in the SPL maybe worth a looking at.
Raskin at Rangers
Braga at Hearts
Daizen at Celtic |  | | |
| Recruitment: The criteria on 18:59 - May 4 with 1783 views | Cheltenham_Blue |
| Recruitment: The criteria on 17:22 - May 4 by gtsb1966 |
We wont be buying many British players is my guess. |
Same thought here. Although I did think that Harry Wilson @ Fulham could be of interest now that Bobb is there. |  |
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| Recruitment: The criteria on 19:04 - May 4 with 1765 views | bartyg |
| Recruitment: The criteria on 18:59 - May 4 by Cheltenham_Blue |
Same thought here. Although I did think that Harry Wilson @ Fulham could be of interest now that Bobb is there. |
Fulham's player of the season? Let me have some of what you're smoking |  |
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| Recruitment: The criteria on 19:05 - May 4 with 1753 views | Swansea_Blue |
| Recruitment: The criteria on 18:59 - May 4 by Cheltenham_Blue |
Same thought here. Although I did think that Harry Wilson @ Fulham could be of interest now that Bobb is there. |
Villa are interested apparently. If that’s true he’s going to be way out of our league. But that’s the sort of player we need to find; proven quality, hard worker, knows and/or suited to the pace and rigours of the league. |  |
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| Recruitment: The criteria on 01:32 - May 5 with 1564 views | armchaircritic59 |
It might be asking something but it will be another quick hello and goodbye without it. Physicality, power and pace are pre requisites in the PL, not necessarily in every position but several and at the moment I can only think of one player who has all three and one who has about two and a half! Step forward Kasey McAteer and Jack Taylor. Unfortunately I can think of several that have non of the three, but I'm sure the club is well aware of that, I hope! |  | | |
| Recruitment: The criteria on 05:24 - May 5 with 1467 views | Joey_Joe_Joe_Junior |
Seeing the way our midfield two were overrun at times in the champ we need a lot and probably need to look at the system as well. If Boro were a PL outfit the other week we’d have been 4 or 5-1 down in that spell.
And that’s nothing against Matusiwa who has been excellent and think can play his part next year but we saw what City done to us in minutes. I’ve watched how Leeds set up this year and think that’s probably the best path if we can get the right players in.
Sunderland was almost a one off window, not sure that will ever be replicated by a promoted side (I said it at the time as well before a ball was kicked). |  |
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| Recruitment: The criteria on 05:59 - May 5 with 1416 views | carlisleaway |
Maybe shot down here, but cannot see Nunez making it in the Premiership |  | | |
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| Recruitment: The criteria on 06:56 - May 5 with 1308 views | Wallingford_Boy |
| Recruitment: The criteria on 18:59 - May 4 by Cheltenham_Blue |
Same thought here. Although I did think that Harry Wilson @ Fulham could be of interest now that Bobb is there. |
Oh god, here comes a summer of completely unrealistic expectations! |  |
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| Recruitment: The criteria on 07:09 - May 5 with 1294 views | NthQldITFC |
Yep, bang on.
I'd add footballing intelligence - to fit seamlessly into our patterns of play quickly so we're like a reasonably well-oiled machine from the off, or from September at least. Maybe fits in your 'team player' criterion. |  |
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| Recruitment: The criteria on 07:33 - May 5 with 1229 views | mikeybloo88 |
| Recruitment: The criteria on 06:56 - May 5 by Wallingford_Boy |
Oh god, here comes a summer of completely unrealistic expectations! |
More unrealistic hopes and wishlists than unrealistic expectations ... I expect us to get maybe half of what we really need (at best) and to be in a season long survival fight. Hopefully most of our fans, the players, the manager and the club have learned a lot from our previous visit to the top league... |  | | |
| Recruitment: The criteria on 07:36 - May 5 with 1216 views | Dubtractor |
Another thing I'd add is concentration and players who make few mistakes in possession.
In the Championship you can give away possession when building attacks and ofter get away with it, but if you lose possession with your players pushed forward in the Premier league, you invariably get punished.
My biggest frustration with our play this season, especially away, was the number of times promising counter attacks broke down with a poor pass or poor first touch. That simply has to improve for us to have a chance. [Post edited 5 May 7:41]
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| Recruitment: The criteria on 08:12 - May 5 with 1112 views | MattinLondon |
| Recruitment: The criteria on 05:59 - May 5 by carlisleaway |
Maybe shot down here, but cannot see Nunez making it in the Premiership |
The PL is all about strength, speed, skill and consistency. Nunez lacks some of those attributes- I’m not writing him off but it does highlight the massive gap between the PL and the Championship. |  | | |
| Recruitment: The criteria on 08:18 - May 5 with 1097 views | Churchman |
The opening post is a pretty good summary, the last paragraph being the key. Quality, not quantity.
With regard to point 4 I think you can afford to have non-monsters like Clarke, Philogene and Nunez as long as they have good technical ability (which of course they do). But you also need a spine of a team to have physicality and durability. We desperately lacked it in 2024/5 bar Delap and he faded after Christmas.
The defence is ok and of course Matusiwa will do well. It’s those directly in front of him and the one in front of Furlong that worry me. Taylor, Mehmeti, Hirst - good players but squad rather than first team.
The EPL is a scary prospect, but I guess at least this time we know what the challenge is. I agree 7 quality recruits would give us a chance, two of which have to be forwards, two midfielders and a true wide right player. The other two? A full back and a back up for Matusiwa?
In other words I’ve absolutely no idea, but enjoying speculating before the hard reality kicks in. |  | | |
| Recruitment: The criteria on 08:28 - May 5 with 1051 views | surreyblue |
| Recruitment: The criteria on 05:24 - May 5 by Joey_Joe_Joe_Junior |
Seeing the way our midfield two were overrun at times in the champ we need a lot and probably need to look at the system as well. If Boro were a PL outfit the other week we’d have been 4 or 5-1 down in that spell.
And that’s nothing against Matusiwa who has been excellent and think can play his part next year but we saw what City done to us in minutes. I’ve watched how Leeds set up this year and think that’s probably the best path if we can get the right players in.
Sunderland was almost a one off window, not sure that will ever be replicated by a promoted side (I said it at the time as well before a ball was kicked). |
It does feel like a switch to 4-3-3, effectively the 10 becoming an 8, should at least be considered over pre-season. Nunez playing in the 10 role for much of the season potentially hints towards that.
Might be a more obvious switch given our struggles integrating an obvious 10 into the team this season |  | | |
| Recruitment: The criteria on 09:11 - May 5 with 941 views | Whoisthisjewell |
Harvey Elliot would be a suitable buy. Out of favour, and needing to restart his career. Strong, PL proven and young. Can't imagine it'd cost too much either. | | | |
| Recruitment: The criteria on 09:26 - May 5 with 881 views | MattinLondon |
| Recruitment: The criteria on 09:11 - May 5 by Whoisthisjewell |
Harvey Elliot would be a suitable buy. Out of favour, and needing to restart his career. Strong, PL proven and young. Can't imagine it'd cost too much either. |
Even if he were open to come here (which he won’t be) he’s on £65k pw and will probably ask for more. | | | |
| Recruitment: The criteria on 09:38 - May 5 with 837 views | Radlett_blue |
| Recruitment: The criteria on 08:28 - May 5 by surreyblue |
It does feel like a switch to 4-3-3, effectively the 10 becoming an 8, should at least be considered over pre-season. Nunez playing in the 10 role for much of the season potentially hints towards that.
Might be a more obvious switch given our struggles integrating an obvious 10 into the team this season |
I hope we don't repeat what we tried last time, of sticking to the same formation & principles. We obviously need more power, pace & physicality,.
I am surprised some think the defence will be fine. Davis was suspect last time (maybe a different system would help) & while Furlong has done a great job, he's a 30+ solid Championship defender. Walton would be a good back-up keeper. |  |
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| Recruitment: The criteria on 09:56 - May 5 with 768 views | surreyblue |
| Recruitment: The criteria on 09:38 - May 5 by Radlett_blue |
I hope we don't repeat what we tried last time, of sticking to the same formation & principles. We obviously need more power, pace & physicality,.
I am surprised some think the defence will be fine. Davis was suspect last time (maybe a different system would help) & while Furlong has done a great job, he's a 30+ solid Championship defender. Walton would be a good back-up keeper. |
Personally I think Walton and Furlong should be capable deputies rather than first choice next season, and I while Greaves has been excellent over the second half of the season I wouldn't feel overly comfortable without strengthening in that area as well.
Having a 3 man midfield would also help to provide some greater cover for Davis, although I do reckon he is a better defender, and a more thoughtful attacker, than 2 years ago. | | | |
| Recruitment: The criteria on 10:30 - May 5 with 654 views | LeightonBuzzardBlue |
I hope/expect we'll go back in for Marcel Ruiz - seemed like the blocker last summer was that he didn't want to step down into the Championship (fair enough).
There are some great out of contract options (when I last looked a few weeks back) from current Prem squads that I think would be pretty good for experience that are also good enough to play:
Daichi Kamada - Palace
Adam Webster - Brighton
Ben Davies - Spurs
Above all we just need experience from top leagues. Hackney aside, I really don't want us to sign the Championship all-stars again |  | | |
| Recruitment: The criteria on 10:34 - May 5 with 634 views | tractorboy1978 |
| Recruitment: The criteria on 09:11 - May 5 by Whoisthisjewell |
Harvey Elliot would be a suitable buy. Out of favour, and needing to restart his career. Strong, PL proven and young. Can't imagine it'd cost too much either. |
He's the type of signing that would be superb but probably one step beyond us as a newly promoted club. | | | |
| Recruitment: The criteria on 10:36 - May 5 with 624 views | Radlett_blue |
| Recruitment: The criteria on 10:30 - May 5 by LeightonBuzzardBlue |
I hope/expect we'll go back in for Marcel Ruiz - seemed like the blocker last summer was that he didn't want to step down into the Championship (fair enough).
There are some great out of contract options (when I last looked a few weeks back) from current Prem squads that I think would be pretty good for experience that are also good enough to play:
Daichi Kamada - Palace
Adam Webster - Brighton
Ben Davies - Spurs
Above all we just need experience from top leagues. Hackney aside, I really don't want us to sign the Championship all-stars again |
nothing wrong with signing 30+ players, as the success of Xhaka shows, but Adam Webster has been injured virtually all year & never plays a full season. The new John Scales?
Agreed we need some players with PL experience though & we'll have to gamble on ones that the more established clubs don't want, like Kalvin Phillips. | |
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| Recruitment: The criteria on 10:42 - May 5 with 598 views | surreyblue |
I wonder if we will take a look at Ao Tanaka. I saw something a few weeks ago that suggested Leeds might be willing to part company with him this season, and I reckon he would slot in well | | | |
| Recruitment: The criteria on 10:53 - May 5 with 576 views | ulrichlepen |
| Recruitment: The criteria on 10:30 - May 5 by LeightonBuzzardBlue |
I hope/expect we'll go back in for Marcel Ruiz - seemed like the blocker last summer was that he didn't want to step down into the Championship (fair enough).
There are some great out of contract options (when I last looked a few weeks back) from current Prem squads that I think would be pretty good for experience that are also good enough to play:
Daichi Kamada - Palace
Adam Webster - Brighton
Ben Davies - Spurs
Above all we just need experience from top leagues. Hackney aside, I really don't want us to sign the Championship all-stars again |
He has currently got a torn ACL, so I doubt we would be in for him | | | |
| Recruitment: The criteria on 10:55 - May 5 with 558 views | jas0999 |
We will sign players from overseas I suspect. Strong, powerful, pacy and athletic players needed. Can learn from Leeds and Sunderland … who probably learnt from us! Basically we can’t buy just decent championship players. | | | |
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