| Squad, work to do 02:51 - May 8 with 3360 views | Joey_Joe_Joe_Junior |
Harry Clarke - Sell
Sammy Szmodics- Sell
Cam Humphreys - Take option and sell
Walton - Squad back up
Palmer - Sell
CS/DB - move on or select one for 3rd choice or find 3rd choice
Leif Davis3 - Starter LWB / Back up LB
Cedric Kipre4 - Sell for profit or back up
Ashley Young15 - Released/Retired
Ben Johnson18 - Squad
Darnell Furlong19 - Squad
Conor Townsend22 - Release
Jacob Greaves24 - Potential Starter LCB / Back up CB
Elkan Baggott25 - Sell/Release
Dara O'Shea26 - Starter CB
Somtochukwu Boniface48 - Under 23s
Azor Matusiwa5 - Starter DCM
Daniel Neil6 - Free agent don’t sign
Jens Cajuste12 - Decline option
Jack Taylor14. - Squad, listens to offers if substantial
Kasey McAteer20 - Squad
Marcelino Núñez32 - Squad
Anis Mehmeti33 - Sell for profit/loan/squad
Wes Burns7 - Shake hands and move on
Sindre Walle Egeli8 - Squad or European loan
George Hirst9 - Squad or Champ sale
Jaden Philogene11 - Potential stater
Chuba Akpom29 - Loan with hope of shifting some of wages
Ivan Azón31 - Loan concludes
Jack Clarke47 - Squad/listen to offers of substantial
Players needed 12+
Starters needed 8-9
I don’t what to knock the squad build too much, a team that’s just got us promoted nonetheless and done very well to get over the line. However, there’s quite a scary amount of work to do. I really think there’s only 1 or 2 of our players that would of attracted any genuine PL interest if we had of stayed down. Levels.
We should be in a better league place to get it right this summer though.
[Post edited 8 May 3:11]
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| Squad, work to do on 04:02 - May 8 with 2745 views | Illinoisblue |
It’s scary to think we basically need to win 1 of every 3 games to have a chance of staying up. 12 wins and a few draws. We were miles off if last time. But…. We can assume Cov and playoff winner (ideally not Southampton) will be down there with us along with Leeds maybe, Sunderland, perhaps a Fulham or a Brighton? Can we do enough to be better than three others? It’ll be tough, really tough.
Recruitment more important than ever. Need reinforcements in midfield, more creativity, a quality striker, a new keeper. Better athletes, Strong and physical
I fear the World Cup is going to delay transfers and we’ll yet again be scrambling about well into August ro get deals done. |  |
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| Squad, work to do on 04:12 - May 8 with 2716 views | Joey_Joe_Joe_Junior |
| Squad, work to do on 04:02 - May 8 by Illinoisblue |
It’s scary to think we basically need to win 1 of every 3 games to have a chance of staying up. 12 wins and a few draws. We were miles off if last time. But…. We can assume Cov and playoff winner (ideally not Southampton) will be down there with us along with Leeds maybe, Sunderland, perhaps a Fulham or a Brighton? Can we do enough to be better than three others? It’ll be tough, really tough.
Recruitment more important than ever. Need reinforcements in midfield, more creativity, a quality striker, a new keeper. Better athletes, Strong and physical
I fear the World Cup is going to delay transfers and we’ll yet again be scrambling about well into August ro get deals done. |
Yeah people need not see it as knock on the current crop but just a realization. The blueprint is out there from last season. Surprised to see people say we don’t need a keeper, sign Jens etc. It’s absolute madness really. Of course it can go the other way if you get it wrong but people are paid to get it right. Look what Forest and Sunderland managed at the GK position for an example and the fees involved there. The value is outside of the UK.
German leagues seems a very good place to scout as well, Southampton managed a couple of cracking signings from there with Scienza and Jander as a parachute club so surely a PL club must be very attractive to get some talent over. [Post edited 8 May 4:15]
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| Squad, work to do on 06:01 - May 8 with 2597 views | Blue_Heath |
| Squad, work to do on 04:12 - May 8 by Joey_Joe_Joe_Junior |
Yeah people need not see it as knock on the current crop but just a realization. The blueprint is out there from last season. Surprised to see people say we don’t need a keeper, sign Jens etc. It’s absolute madness really. Of course it can go the other way if you get it wrong but people are paid to get it right. Look what Forest and Sunderland managed at the GK position for an example and the fees involved there. The value is outside of the UK.
German leagues seems a very good place to scout as well, Southampton managed a couple of cracking signings from there with Scienza and Jander as a parachute club so surely a PL club must be very attractive to get some talent over. [Post edited 8 May 4:15]
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I get that but rapid turnover last time was very unsuccessful, we need a much more considered approach and CM and CF signings will be critical. |  |
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| Squad, work to do on 12:25 - May 8 with 2088 views | TractorFrog |
Most people seem to picked for McAteer to stay as an option, but Burns to be released. But even during McAteer's good run of form at the end of the season, McKenna always preferred to start Burns if he was fit, and put him in for the two biggest games at the end of the season. And that was when McAteer was at his best, for most of the season he was being slated by the fanbase. I am sure we will want an upgrade on that side, but I would think that if McKenna can only keep one in the squad, he would prefer Burns. Meanwhile, it will be interesting to see what happens with Egeli on that side, because there's no way we can get rid of him when we've spent so much on a player for the future, based on one underwhelming season in a system that didn't suit him at all. But I think he would only fit our system as a CAM and can't see him playing there next season.
I would be tempted to take risks on the likes of Muric and Tuanzebe at GK and RB, given that Walton and Furlong are far more capable options in case they don't work out than we had two years ago (I actually think Walton should have been trusted more then). Because we need to really spend a lot of money in other areas. I would be tempted to go for two strikers at around 15-20 million each, two midfielders at the same price, and two forwards and one centre back for a large fee as well. That along with a relatively cheap left-back to ostensibly be backup for Davis like Townsend was, would probably be enough for next year I think. I would keep Walton, O'Shea, Greaves, Kipre, Furlong, Davis, Matusiwa, Taylor, Nunez, Mehmeti, Burns, Egeli, Clarke, Philogene and Hirst from the current squad, but with only O'Shea, Davis, Matusiwa and Philogene as regular starters. [Post edited 8 May 12:29]
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| They'd all laugh at me if they knew what I was trying to do. To create a new strain of super-wine in half-an-hour with a fraction of nature's resources and a FOOL for an assistant. 'Bernard Black, he's mad,' they'd say, 'he's insane, he's dangerous.' Well I'll show them! I'll show them all! | | Poll: | Who should start in CM with Cajuste? |
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| Squad, work to do on 12:29 - May 8 with 2071 views | Zx1988 |
How feasible/sensible would it be to take the option on Humphreys, purely to be able to sell him?
Even though he's not played much, he'll probably be entitled to a decent wage following two PL promotions. Would that then cause issues with regards to selling him? Would we just be left with a player for whom we'd have to make up a significant shortfall in wages? | |
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| Squad, work to do on 12:33 - May 8 with 2044 views | FrimleyBlue |
| Squad, work to do on 06:01 - May 8 by Blue_Heath |
I get that but rapid turnover last time was very unsuccessful, we need a much more considered approach and CM and CF signings will be critical. |
The turnover wasnt the problem
The signings were simply just not prem players |  |
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| Squad, work to do on 12:35 - May 8 with 2031 views | TheMoralMajority |
| Squad, work to do on 12:33 - May 8 by FrimleyBlue |
The turnover wasnt the problem
The signings were simply just not prem players |
And we were starting from a far lower baseline. |  |
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| Squad, work to do on 12:36 - May 8 with 2025 views | PrideOfTheEast |
| Squad, work to do on 06:01 - May 8 by Blue_Heath |
I get that but rapid turnover last time was very unsuccessful, we need a much more considered approach and CM and CF signings will be critical. |
We started reasonably well with the rapid turnover didn’t we? Don’t think turnover will be the problem at all with this squad, it’ll be a bigger problem if we don’t.
I think it’s 8 new starters on day 1. | | | |
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| Squad, work to do on 12:49 - May 8 with 1958 views | Exiled2Surrey |
| Squad, work to do on 12:36 - May 8 by PrideOfTheEast |
We started reasonably well with the rapid turnover didn’t we? Don’t think turnover will be the problem at all with this squad, it’ll be a bigger problem if we don’t.
I think it’s 8 new starters on day 1. |
FYI Sunderland, who apparently replaced their whole squad, started their first game in the premier league with four players from the championship squad, so seven new starters… | | | |
| Squad, work to do on 13:24 - May 8 with 1848 views | PrideOfTheEast |
| Squad, work to do on 12:49 - May 8 by Exiled2Surrey |
FYI Sunderland, who apparently replaced their whole squad, started their first game in the premier league with four players from the championship squad, so seven new starters… |
Whereas I think we were 5 new starters vs Man City on the opening day last time.
We also brought Ali, Harness and Edmundson on that day. There will be a significantly stronger bench this time around. | | | |
| Squad, work to do on 13:31 - May 8 with 1809 views | Reuser_is_God |
Yeah, our outgoing transfer business is going to be almost as important as the incoming this summer.
Lots of dead wood to get rid of. |  |
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| Squad, work to do on 13:31 - May 8 with 1808 views | BiGDonnie |
Glad you aren't the manager. |  |
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| Squad, work to do on 14:44 - May 8 with 1651 views | Joey_Joe_Joe_Junior |
| Squad, work to do on 06:01 - May 8 by Blue_Heath |
I get that but rapid turnover last time was very unsuccessful, we need a much more considered approach and CM and CF signings will be critical. |
If more considered means starting more than half of our current team, we will get relegated. | |
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| Squad, work to do on 14:54 - May 8 with 1606 views | Joey_Joe_Joe_Junior |
| Squad, work to do on 12:49 - May 8 by Exiled2Surrey |
FYI Sunderland, who apparently replaced their whole squad, started their first game in the premier league with four players from the championship squad, so seven new starters… |
It was basically Ballard, Mayenda and at times Hume early in the season, Le Fee who was already a PL type obligation in the January window from Roma as well.
The big difference was the starters were the likes of Roefs, Xhaka, Alderete, Diarra, Sadiki, Reinildo, Talbi from clubs such as Atheletic Madid, Strasbourg andLeverkusen not EPL all stars or players from Burnley.
I still not quite sure how they got some of those to switch and don't think we have quite that amount of pull but we certainly should be aiming much higher and much more overseas. | |
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| Squad, work to do on 16:53 - May 8 with 1440 views | rickw |
I think the huge turnover of players have affected us, even this season it did, so I'd like less signings, or at least less going straight into the team.
I think we need : 2 x ST, RW, CM
I would try for a 433 system instead of the 4231 to try to give us more protection in midfield, but if McKenna wants to stick then another CAM too
Sunderland have done great, but they're perhaps a unique example. Leeds like us have been in the PL recently and signed less players but identified what they needed and got players who were a genuine step up in level to those they replaced |  |
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| Squad, work to do on 16:59 - May 8 with 1417 views | Radlett_blue |
Wow - have to agree almost 100% with your squad assessment.
The tricky bit will to bring in players who might keep us in the PL & that's fraught with risk. It won't be done by signing top Championship players. |  |
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| Squad, work to do on 17:02 - May 8 with 1408 views | cbower |
You've missed Muric, Ogbene, Al-Hamadi off there. There's the best part of £20 million we paid for them. Guess they will be on the sell / loan list. |  |
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| Squad, work to do on 17:03 - May 8 with 1405 views | Wallingford_Boy |
A little extreme!
And Walton is more than good enough. |  |
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| Squad, work to do on 17:10 - May 8 with 1368 views | cressi |
| Squad, work to do on 14:54 - May 8 by Joey_Joe_Joe_Junior |
It was basically Ballard, Mayenda and at times Hume early in the season, Le Fee who was already a PL type obligation in the January window from Roma as well.
The big difference was the starters were the likes of Roefs, Xhaka, Alderete, Diarra, Sadiki, Reinildo, Talbi from clubs such as Atheletic Madid, Strasbourg andLeverkusen not EPL all stars or players from Burnley.
I still not quite sure how they got some of those to switch and don't think we have quite that amount of pull but we certainly should be aiming much higher and much more overseas. |
And O'Nien | | | |
| Squad, work to do on 17:13 - May 8 with 1340 views | Radlett_blue |
| Squad, work to do on 17:02 - May 8 by cbower |
You've missed Muric, Ogbene, Al-Hamadi off there. There's the best part of £20 million we paid for them. Guess they will be on the sell / loan list. |
Muric has had an excellent season with Sassuolo so they will take up their option to buy him for £8m or so.
Ogbene has only played sporadically for the Blunts but will be hard to shift, with 2 years left on his Town contract. We will bin him off through a free transfer or a loan.
Hamadi has also played sporadically for Luton , partly though injury. While at 24, age is on his side, but he won't be in our squad next season. Unless he sets the World Cup alight, he'll be on a free or a loan. | |
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| Squad, work to do on 17:28 - May 8 with 1268 views | Exiled2Surrey |
| Squad, work to do on 14:54 - May 8 by Joey_Joe_Joe_Junior |
It was basically Ballard, Mayenda and at times Hume early in the season, Le Fee who was already a PL type obligation in the January window from Roma as well.
The big difference was the starters were the likes of Roefs, Xhaka, Alderete, Diarra, Sadiki, Reinildo, Talbi from clubs such as Atheletic Madid, Strasbourg andLeverkusen not EPL all stars or players from Burnley.
I still not quite sure how they got some of those to switch and don't think we have quite that amount of pull but we certainly should be aiming much higher and much more overseas. |
I agree, and if we were to make the sort of acquisitions that Sunderland did, given where we are starting versus their starting position (they were outsiders to progress through the playoffs), we should be aiming for Europe! I do think that if we get the right ones in, we may not need as many as Sunderland, and we shouldn’t ignore that in a well functioning team, some of those we might think of as being marginal could easily become core contributors. | | | |
| Squad, work to do on 17:29 - May 8 with 1263 views | cressi |
For me
1 possibly 2 keepers depending who leaves
1 left back
1 centre back
2 central midfield
1 right winger Not Farage
1 Number 10
2 quality strikers
This at a minimum not includes squad players. | | | |
| Squad, work to do on 17:39 - May 8 with 1217 views | Joey_Joe_Joe_Junior |
| Squad, work to do on 17:03 - May 8 by Wallingford_Boy |
A little extreme!
And Walton is more than good enough. |
Welcome back to the Championship then. Look at our XG against at home this year. He's done well and made some important saves but he's not a PL keeper.
How much PL interest would he had if we stayed down? Not even a promoted club would buy him. This kind of thinking is mental to me, look at how clubs have gone up have actually succeeded they went and found Mats Sels or Robin Roefs. | |
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| Squad, work to do on 17:41 - May 8 with 1205 views | Joey_Joe_Joe_Junior |
| Squad, work to do on 17:02 - May 8 by cbower |
You've missed Muric, Ogbene, Al-Hamadi off there. There's the best part of £20 million we paid for them. Guess they will be on the sell / loan list. |
Good point, more bad recruitment. | |
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| Squad, work to do on 17:43 - May 8 with 1190 views | Joey_Joe_Joe_Junior |
| Squad, work to do on 17:28 - May 8 by Exiled2Surrey |
I agree, and if we were to make the sort of acquisitions that Sunderland did, given where we are starting versus their starting position (they were outsiders to progress through the playoffs), we should be aiming for Europe! I do think that if we get the right ones in, we may not need as many as Sunderland, and we shouldn’t ignore that in a well functioning team, some of those we might think of as being marginal could easily become core contributors. |
Yeah, systematically we have a much better shot but I am just not seeing many PL starters in our squad. It actually looks quite scary on paper, but we have a much better depth for back ups. | |
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