| Players not good enough in the Championship won't be good enough next season 10:25 - May 29 with 4300 views | Dubtractor |
Just putting that out there before the next 'i wonder if player xx may have a part to play post'.
I get the romanticism of wanting to see a player do well, but we saw last time round just how punishing the Premier league is, how players need to be near perfect both physically and technically. Our attempt to stay up with the best of the Championship players failed horribly, and there is no chance that the likes of Akpom or Ogbene will be of benefit to us next season.
I don't like the squad churn we'll see again this summer, but it is either that or we just accept we'll come back down again. |  |
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| Players not good enough in the Championship won't be good enough next season on 14:40 - May 29 with 940 views | tractorboy1978 |
| Players not good enough in the Championship won't be good enough next season on 14:31 - May 29 by jayessess |
Yeah, there's a lot of chat about squad players not being good enough. Reality is if we take as many injuries as we did in 2024-25, we've no chance of staying up. You need most of your best XI available most of the time to be anywhere near it. |
We need a distinguishable best 11 as well - or at least a distinguishable best 9 with some interchangeability in the other two. We need 6-8 signings that really move the dial for us very quickly. In 24/25, Delap/O'Shea aside I don't feel like we really signed anyone that instantly proved to be a big upgrade on what we had in 23/24. Some better maybe (and have grown/improved this season) but not hugely better in the short term during that season. [Post edited 29 May 14:41]
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| Players not good enough in the Championship won't be good enough next season on 14:49 - May 29 with 915 views | jayessess |
| Players not good enough in the Championship won't be good enough next season on 14:40 - May 29 by tractorboy1978 |
We need a distinguishable best 11 as well - or at least a distinguishable best 9 with some interchangeability in the other two. We need 6-8 signings that really move the dial for us very quickly. In 24/25, Delap/O'Shea aside I don't feel like we really signed anyone that instantly proved to be a big upgrade on what we had in 23/24. Some better maybe (and have grown/improved this season) but not hugely better in the short term during that season. [Post edited 29 May 14:41]
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Yeah and it'll be the quality of the best of them that will determine whether we compete. Whether you move someone like Taylor or Hirst on for signings 11 or 12 is going to make little difference to anything. |  |
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| Players not good enough in the Championship won't be good enough next season on 15:09 - May 29 with 895 views | _CliveBaker_ |
| Players not good enough in the Championship won't be good enough next season on 12:54 - May 29 by itfcjoe |
Only time is players on different parts of development arc, but the "he'll be better in a higher league" stuff just is no longer true; the step up is too big |
Equally it's all far too binary at times with 'he's a premier league player' and 'he's a championship player'. We need a critical mass of players of a high enough level to enable us to get the best out of others.
People often rightly look at a club like Bournemouth as a blue print, they've spent 9 of the last 11 seasons in the premier league, with the other 2 being a 6th and 2nd place Championship finish. They've just finished 6th in the Premier league, but its been a gradual build over a number of years. Their strength, like Brighton, has been the ability to trade. They've only spent £20m+ on about 15 occasions in their history, but in that group they've 3x their spend on Solanke, 2x on Zabarnyi, 3x on Huijsen, 2x+ on Kerkez, 2x on Ake etc. Their record 15 departures funds about their top 25 arrivals, and a large number of those arrivals are still there and could be sold for a profit. They've effectively managed to be net positive on realised value, while increasing the value and competitiveness of the squad by multiple hundreds of millions of £, its the perfect model and their hit rate on bigger ticket acquisitions is remarkable.
Throughout that process they've had more than their fair share of big contributions from less sexy players though, and we'll need that too. People are quick to turn their noses up at Taylor and Hirst because they're not new and shiny, but it wasn't long ago Kieffer Moore, Jack Stacey, Chris Mepham etc were making plenty of appearances for Muff. All now in the Championship incidentally.
We aren't going to close the gap to most of the division this summer, and there's no value in signing 15 players broadly equal to what we have already. We need 5 or 6 of a much higher level than we have already, with some hole filling on top. Fewer and better. |  | | |
| Players not good enough in the Championship won't be good enough next season on 16:28 - May 29 with 835 views | RIPbobby |
Whilst I kind of get what you mean and can see some relevance to it there are always exceptions. For instance in the championship Axel Tuanzabe really struggled playing as an attacking right back. But in the prem, put him against a fast winger and he was great. I would argue that the balloon kid was better going forward in the championship. |  | | |
| Players not good enough in the Championship won't be good enough next season on 16:38 - May 29 with 826 views | PrideOfTheEast |
| Players not good enough in the Championship won't be good enough next season on 15:09 - May 29 by _CliveBaker_ |
Equally it's all far too binary at times with 'he's a premier league player' and 'he's a championship player'. We need a critical mass of players of a high enough level to enable us to get the best out of others.
People often rightly look at a club like Bournemouth as a blue print, they've spent 9 of the last 11 seasons in the premier league, with the other 2 being a 6th and 2nd place Championship finish. They've just finished 6th in the Premier league, but its been a gradual build over a number of years. Their strength, like Brighton, has been the ability to trade. They've only spent £20m+ on about 15 occasions in their history, but in that group they've 3x their spend on Solanke, 2x on Zabarnyi, 3x on Huijsen, 2x+ on Kerkez, 2x on Ake etc. Their record 15 departures funds about their top 25 arrivals, and a large number of those arrivals are still there and could be sold for a profit. They've effectively managed to be net positive on realised value, while increasing the value and competitiveness of the squad by multiple hundreds of millions of £, its the perfect model and their hit rate on bigger ticket acquisitions is remarkable.
Throughout that process they've had more than their fair share of big contributions from less sexy players though, and we'll need that too. People are quick to turn their noses up at Taylor and Hirst because they're not new and shiny, but it wasn't long ago Kieffer Moore, Jack Stacey, Chris Mepham etc were making plenty of appearances for Muff. All now in the Championship incidentally.
We aren't going to close the gap to most of the division this summer, and there's no value in signing 15 players broadly equal to what we have already. We need 5 or 6 of a much higher level than we have already, with some hole filling on top. Fewer and better. |
Pretty much agree with that. Needs to be 6 or 7 who we get absolutely bang on and take us to the next level, and they need to be the core of the team including GK, CB, CM, 10 and CF. | | | |
| Players not good enough in the Championship won't be good enough next season on 16:42 - May 29 with 822 views | BeachBlue |
I respect your opinion but an exception to that rule in 200/01'was Jermaine Wright and Mark Venus who both excelled that season.
Let us not speak of the following season.... |  |
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| Players not good enough in the Championship won't be good enough next season on 16:45 - May 29 with 817 views | Dubtractor |
| Players not good enough in the Championship won't be good enough next season on 15:09 - May 29 by _CliveBaker_ |
Equally it's all far too binary at times with 'he's a premier league player' and 'he's a championship player'. We need a critical mass of players of a high enough level to enable us to get the best out of others.
People often rightly look at a club like Bournemouth as a blue print, they've spent 9 of the last 11 seasons in the premier league, with the other 2 being a 6th and 2nd place Championship finish. They've just finished 6th in the Premier league, but its been a gradual build over a number of years. Their strength, like Brighton, has been the ability to trade. They've only spent £20m+ on about 15 occasions in their history, but in that group they've 3x their spend on Solanke, 2x on Zabarnyi, 3x on Huijsen, 2x+ on Kerkez, 2x on Ake etc. Their record 15 departures funds about their top 25 arrivals, and a large number of those arrivals are still there and could be sold for a profit. They've effectively managed to be net positive on realised value, while increasing the value and competitiveness of the squad by multiple hundreds of millions of £, its the perfect model and their hit rate on bigger ticket acquisitions is remarkable.
Throughout that process they've had more than their fair share of big contributions from less sexy players though, and we'll need that too. People are quick to turn their noses up at Taylor and Hirst because they're not new and shiny, but it wasn't long ago Kieffer Moore, Jack Stacey, Chris Mepham etc were making plenty of appearances for Muff. All now in the Championship incidentally.
We aren't going to close the gap to most of the division this summer, and there's no value in signing 15 players broadly equal to what we have already. We need 5 or 6 of a much higher level than we have already, with some hole filling on top. Fewer and better. |
Agree with this, and there is a case for everyone who was a regular last season to be part of our squad, but i dont see fringe players suddenly staking a claim. | |
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| Players not good enough in the Championship won't be good enough next season on 16:55 - May 29 with 799 views | nrb1985 |
| Players not good enough in the Championship won't be good enough next season on 12:54 - May 29 by itfcjoe |
Only time is players on different parts of development arc, but the "he'll be better in a higher league" stuff just is no longer true; the step up is too big |
Few and far between now I would agree but Liam Delap for one proves there can be exceptions.
And I would argue Hirst was far better last season than this season as well. | | | |
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| Players not good enough in the Championship won't be good enough next season on 17:03 - May 29 with 783 views | fallyblue |
I get where you’re coming from, I respect a whole team of championship players won’t be good enough however some of those players in a team with more experienced and better players I think will be our way forward | | | |
| Players not good enough in the Championship won't be good enough next season on 17:40 - May 29 with 758 views | cressi |
| Players not good enough in the Championship won't be good enough next season on 11:27 - May 29 by _CliveBaker_ |
Taylor has the physical ability to compete at Premier League level and he would be a good asset to the squad IMO. Ideally we have 3 or 4 options ahead of him in the middle which would mean we're in a good spot, but he's a handy squad player and in many respects he's more cut out of PL football than most in our squad. |
I agree a decent squad player who has found his feet at the club been a good professional who has had to prove his worth. | | | |
| Players not good enough in the Championship won't be good enough next season on 17:53 - May 29 with 749 views | jas0999 |
Excellent post. Completely agree.
There is zero chance Akpom or Ogbene are anywhere near good enough.
Same is true of Azon. People thinking he’s worth a punt. It’s debatable whether Hirst is good enough. Perhaps as third choice. Maybe. | | | |
| Players not good enough in the Championship won't be good enough next season on 09:52 - May 31 with 593 views | FrimleyBlue |
| Players not good enough in the Championship won't be good enough next season on 15:09 - May 29 by _CliveBaker_ |
Equally it's all far too binary at times with 'he's a premier league player' and 'he's a championship player'. We need a critical mass of players of a high enough level to enable us to get the best out of others.
People often rightly look at a club like Bournemouth as a blue print, they've spent 9 of the last 11 seasons in the premier league, with the other 2 being a 6th and 2nd place Championship finish. They've just finished 6th in the Premier league, but its been a gradual build over a number of years. Their strength, like Brighton, has been the ability to trade. They've only spent £20m+ on about 15 occasions in their history, but in that group they've 3x their spend on Solanke, 2x on Zabarnyi, 3x on Huijsen, 2x+ on Kerkez, 2x on Ake etc. Their record 15 departures funds about their top 25 arrivals, and a large number of those arrivals are still there and could be sold for a profit. They've effectively managed to be net positive on realised value, while increasing the value and competitiveness of the squad by multiple hundreds of millions of £, its the perfect model and their hit rate on bigger ticket acquisitions is remarkable.
Throughout that process they've had more than their fair share of big contributions from less sexy players though, and we'll need that too. People are quick to turn their noses up at Taylor and Hirst because they're not new and shiny, but it wasn't long ago Kieffer Moore, Jack Stacey, Chris Mepham etc were making plenty of appearances for Muff. All now in the Championship incidentally.
We aren't going to close the gap to most of the division this summer, and there's no value in signing 15 players broadly equal to what we have already. We need 5 or 6 of a much higher level than we have already, with some hole filling on top. Fewer and better. |
I do feel there's that level that sits between prem and championship, and part of me thinks a lot of our squad fit that imaginary level.. Clarke, Jayden for example. Probably too good for the championship, but prem might actually be to difficult for them. |  |
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| I guess the big factors are stability, continuation and the B squad on 10:29 - May 31 with 571 views | unstableblue |
Fielding an entirely brand new squad who having played together or in McKennas system on the 22nd August - in our first game - ain’t going to work.
You need some stability and a continuum into the new season.
To your point Dubster clearly any player who hardly featured or was ineffective in the Champ has no chance of making the grade or team in the prem. But who is that? It’s Akpom and Cajuste. It would have been McAteer but for a late rally. Hirst is close to that bracket (perhaps a 3rd choice next season?! He did well in several games in the Prem).
Then you get those players who we feel can really step up - which is a small group: Walton, OShea, Davis, Matusiwa, Philogene/Clarke.
So that would be 6 new players on matchday one. That’s probably too many.
You have the borderline players Palmer, Greaves, Nunez, Mehmeti (yes he faded, but overall if you take in Bristol he has strengths, and despite not being young as improvement)
Then you have those who are unlikely to be starters but may be needed as squad players and ‘strong’ subs - Furlong, Kipre, Egeli (who may suit the Prem and has significant development potential), Taylor.
So in summary three tiers of players who could provide a continuum;
But we would still require 9 players!!!!! Sunderland signed 14 players in their summer window. But that carries risk.
Putting this players to be ‘retained’ in position:
GK - Walton, Palmer, XX
LB - Davis,
LCB - XX, Greaves
RCB - OShea, Kipre
LB - XX, Furlong
LCM - Matusiwa, XX
RCM - XX, Taylor
LW - Philogene, Clarke, Mehmeti
#10 - XX, Nunez, Egeli
RW - XX, McAteer
CF - XX, XX, Hirst
I thank you |  |
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| Players not good enough in the Championship won't be good enough next season on 10:49 - May 31 with 559 views | mellowblue |
| Players not good enough in the Championship won't be good enough next season on 16:42 - May 29 by BeachBlue |
I respect your opinion but an exception to that rule in 200/01'was Jermaine Wright and Mark Venus who both excelled that season.
Let us not speak of the following season.... |
The gulf between Champ and Prem has widened considerably since 2000. I think the step up is too much for most players now. Certainly helps if your players have the skills, football brain, strength and speed that 90% of Prem players seem to have enough of and our squad who do not. | | | |
| Players not good enough in the Championship won't be good enough next season on 11:09 - May 31 with 543 views | SuperKieranMcKenna |
| Players not good enough in the Championship won't be good enough next season on 17:53 - May 29 by jas0999 |
Excellent post. Completely agree.
There is zero chance Akpom or Ogbene are anywhere near good enough.
Same is true of Azon. People thinking he’s worth a punt. It’s debatable whether Hirst is good enough. Perhaps as third choice. Maybe. |
With regards to Hirst, he did okay when he was in the PL as a backup, however it’s his injury record that would concern me most. Then we were left with AAH, who whilst a great guy clearly isn’t at that level. Hirst should be 3rd option for that reason imo.
I hope we go ‘big’ on a few players in key positions rather than a scattergun huge turnover of pretty average players. Sunderland signed a lot but that is in the context of needing a huge upgrade with what was almost a surprise promotion. Leeds built gradually and upgraded the core of the team, which I think is the best option for us. | | | |
| I guess the big factors are stability, continuation and the B squad on 11:27 - May 31 with 532 views | SuffolkPunchFC |
| I guess the big factors are stability, continuation and the B squad on 10:29 - May 31 by unstableblue |
Fielding an entirely brand new squad who having played together or in McKennas system on the 22nd August - in our first game - ain’t going to work.
You need some stability and a continuum into the new season.
To your point Dubster clearly any player who hardly featured or was ineffective in the Champ has no chance of making the grade or team in the prem. But who is that? It’s Akpom and Cajuste. It would have been McAteer but for a late rally. Hirst is close to that bracket (perhaps a 3rd choice next season?! He did well in several games in the Prem).
Then you get those players who we feel can really step up - which is a small group: Walton, OShea, Davis, Matusiwa, Philogene/Clarke.
So that would be 6 new players on matchday one. That’s probably too many.
You have the borderline players Palmer, Greaves, Nunez, Mehmeti (yes he faded, but overall if you take in Bristol he has strengths, and despite not being young as improvement)
Then you have those who are unlikely to be starters but may be needed as squad players and ‘strong’ subs - Furlong, Kipre, Egeli (who may suit the Prem and has significant development potential), Taylor.
So in summary three tiers of players who could provide a continuum;
But we would still require 9 players!!!!! Sunderland signed 14 players in their summer window. But that carries risk.
Putting this players to be ‘retained’ in position:
GK - Walton, Palmer, XX
LB - Davis,
LCB - XX, Greaves
RCB - OShea, Kipre
LB - XX, Furlong
LCM - Matusiwa, XX
RCM - XX, Taylor
LW - Philogene, Clarke, Mehmeti
#10 - XX, Nunez, Egeli
RW - XX, McAteer
CF - XX, XX, Hirst
I thank you |
I'm broadly in line with this way of thinking - we need to balance stability and familiarity with new blood/experience. I said a while back that I can see 11-12 signings, with around half of those vying for a starting position. I don't think all the business will be concluded for the first day of the season either.
Where I differ is I see a new No1 coming in - Walton has had a good season, but I still feel we need better with ball at feet (Walton is improved - but only from poor to adequate imo).
Egili is still U21, so there is another squad spot free - maybe cover for LB. Then I expect to see a couple of additional U21s coming in for development, but expected to be active squad members.
And that is how I get to 12 new recruits ... | | | |
| I guess the big factors are stability, continuation and the B squad on 12:36 - May 31 with 491 views | fallyblue |
| I guess the big factors are stability, continuation and the B squad on 10:29 - May 31 by unstableblue |
Fielding an entirely brand new squad who having played together or in McKennas system on the 22nd August - in our first game - ain’t going to work.
You need some stability and a continuum into the new season.
To your point Dubster clearly any player who hardly featured or was ineffective in the Champ has no chance of making the grade or team in the prem. But who is that? It’s Akpom and Cajuste. It would have been McAteer but for a late rally. Hirst is close to that bracket (perhaps a 3rd choice next season?! He did well in several games in the Prem).
Then you get those players who we feel can really step up - which is a small group: Walton, OShea, Davis, Matusiwa, Philogene/Clarke.
So that would be 6 new players on matchday one. That’s probably too many.
You have the borderline players Palmer, Greaves, Nunez, Mehmeti (yes he faded, but overall if you take in Bristol he has strengths, and despite not being young as improvement)
Then you have those who are unlikely to be starters but may be needed as squad players and ‘strong’ subs - Furlong, Kipre, Egeli (who may suit the Prem and has significant development potential), Taylor.
So in summary three tiers of players who could provide a continuum;
But we would still require 9 players!!!!! Sunderland signed 14 players in their summer window. But that carries risk.
Putting this players to be ‘retained’ in position:
GK - Walton, Palmer, XX
LB - Davis,
LCB - XX, Greaves
RCB - OShea, Kipre
LB - XX, Furlong
LCM - Matusiwa, XX
RCM - XX, Taylor
LW - Philogene, Clarke, Mehmeti
#10 - XX, Nunez, Egeli
RW - XX, McAteer
CF - XX, XX, Hirst
I thank you |
I think this season we will go more for quality than quantity as the base line we are starting from is better than last time. I think we will buy 2x £30 million players and 3 x £20 million and 2 top quality loans and maybe a free out of contract player so I think 8 max | | | |
| I guess the big factors are stability, continuation and the B squad on 13:43 - May 31 with 455 views | TRUE_BLUE123 |
| I guess the big factors are stability, continuation and the B squad on 10:29 - May 31 by unstableblue |
Fielding an entirely brand new squad who having played together or in McKennas system on the 22nd August - in our first game - ain’t going to work.
You need some stability and a continuum into the new season.
To your point Dubster clearly any player who hardly featured or was ineffective in the Champ has no chance of making the grade or team in the prem. But who is that? It’s Akpom and Cajuste. It would have been McAteer but for a late rally. Hirst is close to that bracket (perhaps a 3rd choice next season?! He did well in several games in the Prem).
Then you get those players who we feel can really step up - which is a small group: Walton, OShea, Davis, Matusiwa, Philogene/Clarke.
So that would be 6 new players on matchday one. That’s probably too many.
You have the borderline players Palmer, Greaves, Nunez, Mehmeti (yes he faded, but overall if you take in Bristol he has strengths, and despite not being young as improvement)
Then you have those who are unlikely to be starters but may be needed as squad players and ‘strong’ subs - Furlong, Kipre, Egeli (who may suit the Prem and has significant development potential), Taylor.
So in summary three tiers of players who could provide a continuum;
But we would still require 9 players!!!!! Sunderland signed 14 players in their summer window. But that carries risk.
Putting this players to be ‘retained’ in position:
GK - Walton, Palmer, XX
LB - Davis,
LCB - XX, Greaves
RCB - OShea, Kipre
LB - XX, Furlong
LCM - Matusiwa, XX
RCM - XX, Taylor
LW - Philogene, Clarke, Mehmeti
#10 - XX, Nunez, Egeli
RW - XX, McAteer
CF - XX, XX, Hirst
I thank you |
I largely agree with you but I do struggle with why some people are confident on Walton.
Im fairly certain we will be looking for a new goalkeeper. |  |
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| Players not good enough in the Championship won't be good enough next season on 18:54 - May 31 with 374 views | armchaircritic59 |
Spot on, unfortunately there are some people for whom sentimentality plays too great a part. PL is ruthless, we have to be ruthless too. That of course does mean treating departing players with the respect they deserve. |  | | |
| Players not good enough in the Championship won't be good enough next season on 18:58 - May 31 with 365 views | Kieran_Knows |
Yeah, it was when someone on here the other week said Walton should be our number 1 in the Prem that I knew it was going to be a long summer ahead. |  |
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| I guess the big factors are stability, continuation and the B squad on 19:00 - May 31 with 358 views | Kieran_Knows |
| I guess the big factors are stability, continuation and the B squad on 13:43 - May 31 by TRUE_BLUE123 |
I largely agree with you but I do struggle with why some people are confident on Walton.
Im fairly certain we will be looking for a new goalkeeper. |
Honestly it baffles me. He’s a solid enough keeper, but some of his ‘saves’/goals let in isn’t a great reel at all.
If he’s our number 1 come end of August, god help us. | |
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| I think those sums are a good way of thinking about the window on 21:23 - May 31 with 302 views | unstableblue |
| I guess the big factors are stability, continuation and the B squad on 12:36 - May 31 by fallyblue |
I think this season we will go more for quality than quantity as the base line we are starting from is better than last time. I think we will buy 2x £30 million players and 3 x £20 million and 2 top quality loans and maybe a free out of contract player so I think 8 max |
We’ll need to spend well north of £100m
And I really agree that two signings will need to be £30m plus
Insane, but essential | |
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| I guess the big factors are stability, continuation and the B squad on 21:25 - May 31 with 304 views | unstableblue |
| I guess the big factors are stability, continuation and the B squad on 19:00 - May 31 by Kieran_Knows |
Honestly it baffles me. He’s a solid enough keeper, but some of his ‘saves’/goals let in isn’t a great reel at all.
If he’s our number 1 come end of August, god help us. |
I get that Walton is not deemed fit for purpose for the level of the Prem
But I’d say that goalkeeper is well behind striker, centre mid, right wing, number 10 and right back. | |
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| I guess the big factors are stability, continuation and the B squad on 21:42 - May 31 with 285 views | TRUE_BLUE123 |
| I guess the big factors are stability, continuation and the B squad on 19:00 - May 31 by Kieran_Knows |
Honestly it baffles me. He’s a solid enough keeper, but some of his ‘saves’/goals let in isn’t a great reel at all.
If he’s our number 1 come end of August, god help us. |
Yep it seems to be viewed as a position where you can just have someone who is "Fine". We are going to be pressed relentlessly, (probably) face a large amounts of shots per game and in an era of set pieces have the goalkeeper being targeted at every chance.
I think people are stung a bit by Muric but he was the right sort of target for that position it just started badly and didn't get back on track, but you saw in flashes why he was the guy they wanted. | |
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| I guess the big factors are stability, continuation and the B squad on 04:21 - Jun 1 with 210 views | Kieran_Knows |
| I guess the big factors are stability, continuation and the B squad on 21:25 - May 31 by unstableblue |
I get that Walton is not deemed fit for purpose for the level of the Prem
But I’d say that goalkeeper is well behind striker, centre mid, right wing, number 10 and right back. |
I’d honestly say goalkeeper is a priority above all those. | |
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