| Just add a sprinkle of Enciso types and jobs a good un I think re summer (n/t) 19:07 - May 4 with 5380 views | jasondozzell |
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| Just add a sprinkle of Enciso types and jobs a good un I think re summer (n/t) on 09:45 - May 5 with 866 views | TRUE_BLUE123 |
| Just add a sprinkle of Enciso types and jobs a good un I think re summer (n/t) on 09:41 - May 5 by portmanking |
Change of scene under an elite coach that he knows well could be all he needs.
Great profile for our RB. All the right attributes and an abundance of PL experience. |
I certainly wouldn't turn my nose up at it.
I am hoping for a slight formation tweak though. Mckenna was pretty flexible last time we were in the prem but felt our best games came with a more traditional 3/5 at the back. |  |
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| Just add a sprinkle of Enciso types and jobs a good un I think re summer (n/t) on 09:48 - May 5 with 855 views | portmanking |
| Just add a sprinkle of Enciso types and jobs a good un I think re summer (n/t) on 09:45 - May 5 by TRUE_BLUE123 |
I certainly wouldn't turn my nose up at it.
I am hoping for a slight formation tweak though. Mckenna was pretty flexible last time we were in the prem but felt our best games came with a more traditional 3/5 at the back. |
Wan-Bissaka would work in both systems. He's a decent wing back too, but regularly puts up top season figures re. interceptions and tackles. |  | | |
| Just add a sprinkle of Enciso types and jobs a good un I think re summer (n/t) on 09:59 - May 5 with 815 views | TheGentlemanViking |
| Just add a sprinkle of Enciso types and jobs a good un I think re summer (n/t) on 09:37 - May 5 by billlm |
That will just screw us again |
It's the quality of the recruitment that matters, and our approach last time just wasn't right. Leeds and Sunderland have proved that it can be done, that the gap between Championship and the Premier League isn't impossible to bridge, but they signed 10 and 13 players each last summer, mostly from outside of the UK. They completely rebuilt their 1st teams.
In all honesty I think we're going to have to do something similar. We've definitely got a few players capable of being an important part of our squad, but how many of them are PL quality? It's the best league in the world, and if we want to stay there we need to make some difficult decisions. |  | | |
| Just add a sprinkle of Enciso types and jobs a good un I think re summer (n/t) on 10:11 - May 5 with 775 views | itfcsuth |
Will need a bit more than Enciso, but would be a good starting point for sure.
Need to add a sprinkle of real quality in that front line in the PL, and Julio produced that undoubtedly. A maverick of a player, but also mixed it with incredible work ethic and physicality.
Would take him back in a heartbeat.
Wouldn't be adverse to look a 3-4-2-1 in the PL, with something like Enciso and Buonanotte behind Delap as a trio, would carry real threat on the counter. |  | | |
| Just add a sprinkle of Enciso types and jobs a good un I think re summer (n/t) on 10:26 - May 5 with 727 views | tractorboy1978 |
| Just add a sprinkle of Enciso types and jobs a good un I think re summer (n/t) on 09:36 - May 5 by portmanking |
It simply can't be any less, especially when you look at that list. That's not being disrespectful to this season's squad. It's just reality.
The only relatively strong info I have re. signing PL experience is Wan-Bissaka (good relationship with KMc already from United days). But a lot of that rests on West Ham's PL status. |
That could be one that works for us using McKenna's previous relationship with him. I think getting those players with 100+ PL appearances under their belts is the biggest challenge for us. You've seen this season the impact Xhaka had at Sunderland. And Calvert-Lewin had at Leeds. | | | |
| Just add a sprinkle of Enciso types and jobs a good un I think re summer (n/t) on 10:39 - May 5 with 689 views | itfcsuth |
| Just add a sprinkle of Enciso types and jobs a good un I think re summer (n/t) on 21:09 - May 4 by portmanking |
A spine?!
The only PL-calibre part of our spine is Dara and Matusiwa. Plus Leif.
New GK
Competition for Leif
First choice RB
First choice CB alongside Dara
Another backup CB
First choice CM alongside Matusiwa
Backup for Matusiwa
First choice RW
First choice #10
Backup #10
First choice #9
Backup #9
There's at least a dozen. |
Agreed. It was a brilliant achievement to get out of the Championship, it always is, but if we are serious, we have to be ruthless in addressing issues in the squad.
The squad was built last time to bounce straight back if we went down, all that has come to fruition, but at this point, the squad has to be built to stay in the PL.
The squad is a strong Championship squad, but it has also struggled at times in the Championship this year, significant changes if we are to make the step up.
Agree entirely only Dara, Azor and Leif for me would be able to play week in week out at PL level imo.
That leaves, 8 starters, plus additional PL depth, going to need at least 12. | | | |
| Just add a sprinkle of Enciso types and jobs a good un I think re summer (n/t) on 10:43 - May 5 with 677 views | itfcsuth |
| Just add a sprinkle of Enciso types and jobs a good un I think re summer (n/t) on 09:41 - May 5 by portmanking |
Change of scene under an elite coach that he knows well could be all he needs.
Great profile for our RB. All the right attributes and an abundance of PL experience. |
Kyle Walker?
Bundles of experience, bundles of quality, great physical profile, even at 35 still recorded the 3rd fastest sprint in Europe this season, maintaining he is still very athletic.
*Ironically the 4th fastest recorded sprint in Europe was Ogbene. [Post edited 5 May 10:43]
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| Just add a sprinkle of Enciso types and jobs a good un I think re summer (n/t) on 10:59 - May 5 with 650 views | PioneerBlue |
In my summary of players needed there was one eye on Button’s contract being up this summer more so then focus on replacing Walton or Palmer. Slicker has been on loan and I dont really see him coming back into the fold as third keeper. Walton is currently the established No 1 but with Button freeing up a space, in my view we go technically higher and look for a keeper better with feet for GK. [Post edited 5 May 11:01]
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| Just add a sprinkle of Enciso types and jobs a good un I think re summer (n/t) on 11:00 - May 5 with 646 views | portmanking |
| Just add a sprinkle of Enciso types and jobs a good un I think re summer (n/t) on 10:43 - May 5 by itfcsuth |
Kyle Walker?
Bundles of experience, bundles of quality, great physical profile, even at 35 still recorded the 3rd fastest sprint in Europe this season, maintaining he is still very athletic.
*Ironically the 4th fastest recorded sprint in Europe was Ogbene. [Post edited 5 May 10:43]
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Can't see it re. Walker. As Northern as they come, so a 12-month deal here won't appeal. As for Wan-Bissaka, it's only 45 mins up the A12... | | | |
| Just add a sprinkle of Enciso types and jobs a good un I think re summer (n/t) on 11:01 - May 5 with 642 views | belgablue |
| Just add a sprinkle of Enciso types and jobs a good un I think re summer (n/t) on 09:59 - May 5 by TheGentlemanViking |
It's the quality of the recruitment that matters, and our approach last time just wasn't right. Leeds and Sunderland have proved that it can be done, that the gap between Championship and the Premier League isn't impossible to bridge, but they signed 10 and 13 players each last summer, mostly from outside of the UK. They completely rebuilt their 1st teams.
In all honesty I think we're going to have to do something similar. We've definitely got a few players capable of being an important part of our squad, but how many of them are PL quality? It's the best league in the world, and if we want to stay there we need to make some difficult decisions. |
I think the same - no time for sentiment this time round. There will be a lot of turnover. |  |
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| Just add a sprinkle of Enciso types and jobs a good un I think re summer (n/t) on 11:05 - May 5 with 638 views | SomethingBlue |
Hmm, I don't think we will be very sentimental at all, it gets serious now and we have a chance to give things a go this time if we get things right. | |
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| Just add a sprinkle of Enciso types and jobs a good un I think re summer (n/t) on 11:19 - May 5 with 594 views | HighgateBlue |
| Just add a sprinkle of Enciso types and jobs a good un I think re summer (n/t) on 21:14 - May 4 by jasondozzell |
Yep! A spine!
Greaves, Dara, Azor, Davis, Clarke, Jaden
Funny how everyone now acknowledges Dara is top when he was getting slagged off earlier in the season.
It's not a video game. We're not buying an entirely new team.
We will add to the spine and players like Tayls and Hirst will be big squad players. |
Kieran would be brave to see Dara and Greaves as first choice pair in the Prem. Greaves has his strengths, and has improved in certain respects, but he's not even been first choice for much of this season in the Championship.
And two of your six players play in the same position. So I think in reality that list probably only has 4 nailed on starters. If that's right, then we do need the sort of numbers that others are mentioning. |  | | |
| Just add a sprinkle of Enciso types and jobs a good un I think re summer (n/t) on 11:34 - May 5 with 557 views | billlm |
| Just add a sprinkle of Enciso types and jobs a good un I think re summer (n/t) on 09:39 - May 5 by portmanking |
Not at all. Not if we get the recruitment right.
Last time around, we essentially planned for *this* season. So, in actual fact, you could argue we got the recruitment right in summer 2024 too.
As I've already said, the weakest players in next season's squad need to be some of our top players this season (Dara/Leif/Azor excepted). |
Can we trust the recruitment to overhaul that many,
Been a bit of an upheaval before,
I get the evolution our best players today become squad players tomorrow yes the way forward but then there getting the team together and do we really have that much money,
A top goalie, two midfielders, two strikers, one more central defender prem quality,
But then also who is leaving released, [Post edited 5 May 11:34]
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| Just add a sprinkle of Enciso types and jobs a good un I think re summer (n/t) on 11:46 - May 5 with 530 views | bartyg |
| Just add a sprinkle of Enciso types and jobs a good un I think re summer (n/t) on 09:37 - May 5 by billlm |
That will just screw us again |
Don't understand this sentiment. We needed massively overhaul in 2024/25 because our league one squad was nowhere near prem quality. We were victims of our own success, as we found ourselves way ahead of schedule and our recruitment struggled to catch up.
Other teams bemoaned our "championship super team" this season and constantly referred to how much it cost to assemble, but we had to spend that much to get up to speed with the quality of other top championship sides. We've now got the base of a great championship squad but need the same turnover again to get it to prem level. |  |
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| Just add a sprinkle of Enciso types and jobs a good un I think re summer (n/t) on 11:48 - May 5 with 516 views | PioneerBlue |
Whilst a significant investment and some big churn is necessary, knowing what we know now from last time, we will also have to counter this with the learning that was a very slow start this season, the gelling process nearly took its toll. If we do this properly this time we should have the character base and quality base to add to, rather than vapourise !
I dont really know what that looks like on paper but it is DOS knowing he has strength behind and around him both in a quality and leadership capacity, it is Leif knowing he has adequate cover to blast in some games and take the odd rest and it not totally reset our attacking purpose, it is Matusiwa knowing someone else can cover half the blades of grass whilst he deals with Declan Rice, it is all of us and the defensive half of the team knowing we have the quality to take a few of the very few chances we will create from a 10, RW, Striker position! [Post edited 5 May 12:42]
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| I’d be astonished if there wasn’t massive change on 12:28 - May 5 with 461 views | AVJones |
I see nine pretty likely leavers:
Palmer, Button, Young, Townsend, Burns,
Cajuste, Neil, Azon, Akpom
Plus another six leavers who are currently on loan:
Muric, Clarke, Chaplin, Ogbene, Szmodics, Al-Hamadi
Then three that will either leave or be loaned out:
Slicker, Baggott, Humphreys
Then several who might want to leave eg to get regular game time, or we might want to move on, who might include:
Johnson, Kipre, Taylor, Hirst, Egeli (loan). | | | |
| I’d be astonished if there wasn’t massive change on 12:46 - May 5 with 403 views | belgablue |
| I’d be astonished if there wasn’t massive change on 12:28 - May 5 by AVJones |
I see nine pretty likely leavers:
Palmer, Button, Young, Townsend, Burns,
Cajuste, Neil, Azon, Akpom
Plus another six leavers who are currently on loan:
Muric, Clarke, Chaplin, Ogbene, Szmodics, Al-Hamadi
Then three that will either leave or be loaned out:
Slicker, Baggott, Humphreys
Then several who might want to leave eg to get regular game time, or we might want to move on, who might include:
Johnson, Kipre, Taylor, Hirst, Egeli (loan). |
Agree with pretty much all of that. I still think we may go for Cajuste but try for a smaller fee than in the current loan deal - clearly a player McK likes. I think Kipre will be sold on to a Champ club - he's not the level we need next year. | |
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| I’d be astonished if there wasn’t massive change on 12:53 - May 5 with 389 views | PioneerBlue |
| I’d be astonished if there wasn’t massive change on 12:28 - May 5 by AVJones |
I see nine pretty likely leavers:
Palmer, Button, Young, Townsend, Burns,
Cajuste, Neil, Azon, Akpom
Plus another six leavers who are currently on loan:
Muric, Clarke, Chaplin, Ogbene, Szmodics, Al-Hamadi
Then three that will either leave or be loaned out:
Slicker, Baggott, Humphreys
Then several who might want to leave eg to get regular game time, or we might want to move on, who might include:
Johnson, Kipre, Taylor, Hirst, Egeli (loan). |
Im expecting us to keep one of Cajuste or Dan Neil, Akpom looks like its out of our hands but we might see us move him on, leas likely if we’ve signed him.
I cant see Johnson (utility) or Hirsty moving and i would imagine we keep SWE close to the squad for another season at least. It does present the challenge of how you squeeze 9 incomers into our squad, therefore others would have to leave.
Here are 8:
Button, Baggott, Townsend, Young, Neil and or Cajuste, Burns? and Azon | |
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| I’d be astonished if there wasn’t massive change on 12:59 - May 5 with 374 views | tractorboy1978 |
| I’d be astonished if there wasn’t massive change on 12:28 - May 5 by AVJones |
I see nine pretty likely leavers:
Palmer, Button, Young, Townsend, Burns,
Cajuste, Neil, Azon, Akpom
Plus another six leavers who are currently on loan:
Muric, Clarke, Chaplin, Ogbene, Szmodics, Al-Hamadi
Then three that will either leave or be loaned out:
Slicker, Baggott, Humphreys
Then several who might want to leave eg to get regular game time, or we might want to move on, who might include:
Johnson, Kipre, Taylor, Hirst, Egeli (loan). |
Personally, I think pretty much all bets are off when it comes to who from this seasons squad will still be here come the next window closing. I'd have Davis, O'Shea, Matusiwa, Johnson, Greaves, Egeli, Clarke down as definites in the squad but not sure about anyone else.
Obviously more than that will stay but it's very up in the air exactly who for me. As much dictated by who we get offers for as much as anything else. For example, if a Championship club offered you £5m-8m for Mehmeti tomorrow, would you take it? Probably. | | | |
| I’d be astonished if there wasn’t massive change on 13:03 - May 5 with 353 views | AVJones |
| I’d be astonished if there wasn’t massive change on 12:59 - May 5 by tractorboy1978 |
Personally, I think pretty much all bets are off when it comes to who from this seasons squad will still be here come the next window closing. I'd have Davis, O'Shea, Matusiwa, Johnson, Greaves, Egeli, Clarke down as definites in the squad but not sure about anyone else.
Obviously more than that will stay but it's very up in the air exactly who for me. As much dictated by who we get offers for as much as anything else. For example, if a Championship club offered you £5m-8m for Mehmeti tomorrow, would you take it? Probably. |
Yep, Mehmeti, and maybe even Nunez, might go for the right offer.
Who knows? | | | |
| I’d be astonished if there wasn’t massive change on 13:18 - May 5 with 303 views | dirtyboy |
| I’d be astonished if there wasn’t massive change on 12:28 - May 5 by AVJones |
I see nine pretty likely leavers:
Palmer, Button, Young, Townsend, Burns,
Cajuste, Neil, Azon, Akpom
Plus another six leavers who are currently on loan:
Muric, Clarke, Chaplin, Ogbene, Szmodics, Al-Hamadi
Then three that will either leave or be loaned out:
Slicker, Baggott, Humphreys
Then several who might want to leave eg to get regular game time, or we might want to move on, who might include:
Johnson, Kipre, Taylor, Hirst, Egeli (loan). |
I think that's going to be a pretty close prediction, but think Kipre, Taylor, Hirst and Egeli will all stay.
Whilst we will need changes, need to keep some unity and have trusted pros in the building for continuity of training etc.
Walton + Palmer + ANOTHER
not sure if either will start, but we'll want depth
Davis + ANOTHER
Townsend contract finishes this August, we'll have obligation to get fit, but suspect he'll now want games, essential we get good cover for Leif
ANOTHER + Furlong
Really rate Furlong, just feel he'll be up against some seriously quick players and there's only so many 'dark arts' you get get away with, Wan-Bissaka rumours are welcome
O'Shea + Kipre
O'Shea coming of age, we've just signed Kipre and I don't think i'd want him on the left of the two, but he's got enough technical ability to deputise
Greaves + ANOTHER
I like Greaves, he's maturing and like O'Shea, we'll need his aerial ability against the set piece heavy PL, no idea who comes in as competition, but it's not Kipre for me, not in this league
Matusiwa + ANOTHER
It's a physical league, I think Matusiwa can step up, but we absolutely need someone to step in for him with similar attributes
ANOTHER + Taylor
Taylor is maturing into a very good player, shown some lovely bits of class and displaced Cajuste which shows he's still improving, has the physical attributes. Think we'll need some experience and quality here to push him further
Philogene + Clarke
I think these two are ample, yes there's the questions over previous seasons, but again, both now maturing and to have these two for one position, plus Mehmeti arguably, is not a position I'm worried about
ANOTHER + Nunez + Mehmeti + Egeli
That 10 position (assuming we play this way) is going to be where our season is made. I like Nunez, I think he makes things tick, but we're going to need goals. Mehmeti and Egeli will likely have parts to play, but I think we need experience and quality here too
ANOTHER + McAteer
We know Egeli isn't a right winger, and McAteer does have the physical attributes needed, but he's not going to do a full season, key position here, would like to see Burns stay just in case, but he may not fancy it
ANOTHER + Hirst
I've stuck to single position here, but as much as I love what Hirst does, he can be very up and down and I think we need a leader here, not sure on Delap, think we need someone who can do what Hirst does but proven at this level
So, by level of importance of 'key signing'
1 Right wing
2 Striker
3 Right back
4 Centre mid
All in my opinion and I think we'll need quality in those positions due to squad size and limitations.
Must be hard for McKenna, such a nice bloke having to make really difficult decisions. |  | | |
| I’d be astonished if there wasn’t massive change on 17:39 - May 5 with 141 views | The_Flashing_Smile |
| I’d be astonished if there wasn’t massive change on 13:03 - May 5 by AVJones |
Yep, Mehmeti, and maybe even Nunez, might go for the right offer.
Who knows? |
Nunez back to Norwich? |  |
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| Just add a sprinkle of Enciso types and jobs a good un I think re summer (n/t) on 18:05 - May 5 with 119 views | burnbudgiesburn |
Listening to the latest KoA pod they had only 4-5 of the current squad as definites for the first team next season.
O'Shea, Matusiwa, Jaden/Clarke combo, Leif in a 5 [Post edited 5 May 18:27]
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| Just add a sprinkle of Enciso types and jobs a good un I think re summer (n/t) on 18:22 - May 5 with 93 views | Joey_Joe_Joe_Junior |
| Just add a sprinkle of Enciso types and jobs a good un I think re summer (n/t) on 08:15 - May 5 by DJR |
I don't think we need a goalkeeper.
I don't recall Walton or Palmer making a mistake this season, and Walton was second in the Championship in terms of the number of goals conceded (5.6) according to FotMob. And Palmer did well in the Premier League.
As regards playing out from the back (and any deficiencies either might have), I am inclined to think that will not necessarily be something we do as a matter of course. Indeed, it has been noticeable in recent games that Walton has often hit it long, just as Palmer did when he came into the team last season. [Post edited 5 May 8:23]
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This is the type of thinking plenty that plenty of Ipswich fans found themselves in last time and we will go down without a wimper if we get sentimental with what we currently have across the pitch.
Christian Walton has done very well for us but do you think he would be on any PL teams radar? No chance, we need to do what Forest and Sunderland done in that position. [Post edited 5 May 18:23]
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| Just add a sprinkle of Enciso types and jobs a good un I think re summer (n/t) on 18:25 - May 5 with 85 views | Wakh |
| Just add a sprinkle of Enciso types and jobs a good un I think re summer (n/t) on 21:03 - May 4 by jasondozzell |
No way 14.
We've got a spine.
I think 7 or 8. |
No way 7. We will see 12 at least I would imagine. | | | |
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