Striker, Left Back, Defensive Midfielder

[CoolClaret]

The three most pressing positions that I think Clarets were unanimous in saying were priorities for this PL campaign still remains...

I do believe in Lyle and I'm convinced that he will come good for us again but man we really do need, arguably two more strikers.

Lets hope Massengo can be that DM destroyer for us in the Champ but I'd still like to see one in the Matic/Soucek/Fernandinho mould.

Over to you VK.

[Ric_C]

Hopefully a couple of decent strikers will be a priority in the summer. Oh how we've missed Tella's energy

[NL Claret]

Goalkeeper too

[CoolClaret]

Goalkeeper too

Just no.

Especially not for the Champ seen as we had the best one in the division last time that is... still on our books.

[Woodleyclaret]

I agree Tom Heaton on a free from United to bring out the best in Traff.Whittaker from Plymouth would work well with Foster.Reed from Fulham a combatative cm.Alfie Doughty from Luton for left back

[blatherwickstattoos]

We need a right back left back striker

[CoolClaret]

We need a right back left back striker

We have that young lad Sambo coming in from PSV at right back - along with Vitinho and Roberts (who I think will be moved on).

[boatshed bill]

Just no.

Especially not for the Champ seen as we had the best one in the division last time that is... still on our books.

If I was in charge

I'd try to get Trafford a season loan in Europe.
I'd also be keen on Cooper from Plymouth

[ksrclaret]

I dread to think of which expensive flops the MUD analytics software will come up with this time.

Hopefully we’ll sign players with the qualities we need as opposed to signing players who might, potentially, one day, if the wind is in the right direction, make us a profit.

[CoolClaret]

If I was in charge

I'd try to get Trafford a season loan in Europe.
I'd also be keen on Cooper from Plymouth

For what reason?

[BurnleyFC]

I dread to think of which expensive flops the MUD analytics software will come up with this time.

Hopefully we’ll sign players with the qualities we need as opposed to signing players who might, potentially, one day, if the wind is in the right direction, make us a profit.

Their algorithms must be about as good as the Post Office’s Horizon software.

[NL Claret]

Just no.

Especially not for the Champ seen as we had the best one in the division last time that is... still on our books.

4 minutes, thought it might have taken a bit longer. New keeper ends the pathetic infantile Trafford v Muric debate, think it’s the way forward. Too many on here (and their multiple users) have lost the plot over the GK position, it’s embarrassing.

[CoolClaret]

4 minutes, thought it might have taken a bit longer. New keeper ends the pathetic infantile Trafford v Muric debate, think it’s the way forward. Too many on here (and their multiple users) have lost the plot over the GK position, it’s embarrassing.

Buy a new keeper so that fans stop having an opinion on current goalkeepers?

[NL Claret]

Buy a new keeper so that fans stop having an opinion on current goalkeepers?

You spelt agenda wrong

[CoolClaret]

You spelt agenda wrong

The new buzzword that people like to use on here.

FWIW I'd have Muric or Trafford over pretty much anyone we are likely to be able to sign once relegated.

Signing a new keeper for the Champ when we have one that literally ****** that league last time out and another that will be more than good enough for that league seems very silly - especially when we have far more pressing concerns.

[NL Claret]

The new buzzword that people like to use on here.

FWIW I'd have Muric or Trafford over pretty much anyone we are likely to be able to sign once relegated.

Signing a new keeper for the Champ when we have one that literally ****** that league last time out and another that will be more than good enough for that league seems very silly - especially when we have far more pressing concerns.

I’m a massive Muric fan so when this young kid signed from City for £25m and took Muric’s shirt unfairly I took an instant dislike to him and I can’t move on from that. I was the same when Pieters took Charlie’s position, even though Charlie was injured it just didn’t sit well with me as Charlie is the best. I love Charlie and couldn’t stand Pieters.

[Jamesy]

The three most pressing positions that I think Clarets were unanimous in saying were priorities for this PL campaign still remains...

I do believe in Lyle and I'm convinced that he will come good for us again but man we really do need, arguably two more strikers.

Lets hope Massengo can be that DM destroyer for us in the Champ but I'd still like to see one in the Matic/Soucek/Fernandinho mould.

Over to you VK.

Do you think Kompany signed Massengo as one for the future then? We haven’t seen much of the lad, but I hope like you that he can cut it in a Defensive midfield position next season.
At least the lad didn’t cost us a small fortune unlike some of Kompany’s other players with potential.
Come on Noah lad, your club needs you.

[CoolClaret]

Do you think Kompany signed Massengo as one for the future then? We haven’t seen much of the lad, but I hope like you that he can cut it in a Defensive midfield position next season.
At least the lad didn’t cost us a small fortune unlike some of Kompany’s other players with potential.
Come on Noah lad, your club needs you.

I think so mate, yeah.

He's only 22 and certainly has looked a cut above for the U21s - has 100 apps or so in the Champ and done well playing for Auxerre last season.

Lacks height yes, but looks tenacious and has an eye for a pass. Plus he seems like a great lad, seemingly motivated and wired a bit differently than the stereotypical 'modern footballer'.

[Steve-Harpers-perm]

Left back who can easily control a football and actually pass and cross a ball to a teammate like the one we had last season would be nice.
Striking department needs some serious investment over the summer expect Amdouni to leave and not convinced by Foster at all.

[boatshed bill]

For what reason?

I think it would be good to take Trafford out of the firing line. I also think it would help his development.
Muric would start as No1.
Cooper is excellent, and would provide a serious challenge to Muric.

[Vegas Claret]

given JJ's comments on stick to football about not being able to play the football we played in the Championship in the Premier League I suspect there has been a re-think - I've no idea what that will look like but I suspect we will be signing units rather than lightweights

[ksrclaret]

given JJ's comments on stick to football about not being able to play the football we played in the Championship in the Premier League I suspect there has been a re-think - I've no idea what that will look like but I suspect we will be signing units rather than lightweights

I really hope you’re correct here, but I was expecting the same last summer given that Kompany regularly commented on how physical the PL is and how it had moved on even from when he last played in 2019. We then proceeded to fill the team with lightweight and inexperienced players.

[CoolClaret]

I think it would be good to take Trafford out of the firing line. I also think it would help his development.
Muric would start as No1.
Cooper is excellent, and would provide a serious challenge to Muric.

Fair enough -

I remember Cooper being rated as a prospect a few years back, haven't seen his ability with the ball like.

I'm pretty happy with both our keepers going into next season - but we'll see.

[Vegas Claret]

I really hope you’re correct here, but I was expecting the same last summer given that Kompany regularly commented on how physical the PL is and how it had moved on even from when he last played in 2019. We then proceeded to fill the team with lightweight and inexperienced players.

yep completely agree and said as much in July before a ball was kicked, I still cannot figure out how they got it so badly wrong.

[Tackler49]

Darragh MacAnthony the Peterborough owner said on TalkSPORT that he would not have let Burnley spend all that money without spending £20m+ on a striker and that Burnley had shown a lot of interest in Viktor Gyokeres but showed a lack of ambition in not pursuing it because of the price. While we probably would not have got Gyokeres the point MacAnthony was making was obvious, buying bargain basement players very rarely works in the Premier League

[Vegas Claret]

Darragh MacAnthony the Peterborough owner said on TalkSPORT that he would not have let Burnley spend all that money without spending £20m+ on a striker and that Burnley had shown a lot of interest in Viktor Gyokeres but showed a lack of ambition in not pursuing it because of the price. While we probably would not have got Gyokeres the point MacAnthony was making was obvious, buying bargain basement players very rarely works in the Premier League

not taking much notice of a guy who's team rarely stays more than a season in the Championship when they get there - maybe he should back his managers more

FWIW I like Darragh, talks a reasonable amount of sense

[KRBFC]

Another vote for Morgan Whittaker, big strong quick nice left foot, can play through the middle or off the right, looks to be similar to Watkins. I think he’ll be a very good PL forward in a few years.

[beddie]

I agree with the three positions required. I’ve not really been impressed with a good number of Kompany’s signing along with his tactics on numerous occasions. I do wonder if he often over thinks things. Anyway he’s earned the right to have another go at it. I would imagine though we’ll need to get some players off the wage bill before new recruits can be installed.

[bumba]

Another vote for Morgan Whittaker, big strong quick nice left foot, can play through the middle or off the right, looks to be similar to Watkins. I think he’ll be a very good PL forward in a few years.

Would love Whittaker but think we'd struggle unless we made a lot of money from the fire sale but still don't think we'd pay his going rate.
Unless Plymouth and players we have available would be open to part exchange.
Benson and Zaroury for Whittaker

[NewClaret]

Do you think Kompany signed Massengo as one for the future then? We haven’t seen much of the lad, but I hope like you that he can cut it in a Defensive midfield position next season.
At least the lad didn’t cost us a small fortune unlike some of Kompany’s other players with potential.
Come on Noah lad, your club needs you.

Really hoping that is the case.

I disagree with Coolclaret on the need for a defensive midfielder. I agree we needed one this summer but that didn’t happen. Now, providing we keep Berge (which for me is the #1 priority of the summer) and Cullen I think we should be looking at Massengo to deputise if needed. If we keep Brownhill even less so.

If we got promoted again a top class DM might be back on the agenda.

[NewClaret]

Would love Whittaker but think we'd struggle unless we made a lot of money from the fire sale but still don't think we'd pay his going rate.
Unless Plymouth and players we have available would be open to part exchange.
Benson and Zaroury for Whittaker

I’ve heard about this lad but every time I’ve watched him (which isn’t often, I admit) he neither scores or looks particularly good. The Leicester game being an example where I thought he looked pretty poor against decent opposition. I wouldn’t be swapping Zaroury or Benson for him anyway - not that they’d likely accept such moves.

[NewClaret]

The three most pressing positions that I think Clarets were unanimous in saying were priorities for this PL campaign still remains...

I do believe in Lyle and I'm convinced that he will come good for us again but man we really do need, arguably two more strikers.

Lets hope Massengo can be that DM destroyer for us in the Champ but I'd still like to see one in the Matic/Soucek/Fernandinho mould.

Over to you VK.

So I agree about all those positions being vital in summer. Now the only one I’d say is important is Left Back, since Charlie will almost certainly be leaving and looking for a final big contract (I expect he’ll go to Everton to deputise for Mykolenko).

For me a massively more important job will be squad trimming whilst hopefully keeping hold of the players I’d say are genuine PL class (Muric, Berge, Cullen, Esteve, Odobert, etc).

CDM I’d give Massengo a try. Striker I think we only play with one so don’t need too many. I’d make Foster #1 choice, Obafemi #2 - he got another at the weekend and I think he’d do well for us in Championship where I expect we’d create more chances for him than Millwall do.

The other roles I’d seriously consider giving Masara and Mellon a try until January.

Jay I love and think would do okay at Championship level, so would keep him for that Barnes-type role (I think you can carry someone with less pace if they have the know how in the Champ) but with his salary & injury record I just can’t see us being able to strike a deal.

[Stayingup]

Hopefully a couple of decent strikers will be a priority in the summer. Oh how we've missed Tella's energy

And his speed and finishing ability. Watching Foster trying to run down the right side on Saturday was painful.

[GetIntoEm]

i dont think we need anything new, trim the squad, we've enough to do well in the championship i'd say

[KRBFC]

Would love Whittaker but think we'd struggle unless we made a lot of money from the fire sale but still don't think we'd pay his going rate.
Unless Plymouth and players we have available would be open to part exchange.
Benson and Zaroury for Whittaker

Twine McNally and Obafemi for him

Not that swap deals ever really happen. We’ve got a huge squad when loanees return, even the likes of Weghorst will surely bring in something, even if it’s just a couple of million.

I don’t think we need to do loads of business and whilst in the Championship I’d only look to bring in likely PL level players. There’s no point us signing average Championship level players.

[KRBFC]

We even forget the likes of Ramsey, who will be a huge player for us next season and probably going forward, his career here hasn’t got off to a great start which has falsely led fans to believe hes a poor signing and not good enough for the PL, hes a kid with huge potential and has shown he’s a standout player in the Championship.

Cullen Ramsey Berge

Is an incredible midfield three in the Championship and has a really nice balance to it. We don’t need a defensive midfielder, we have Cullen.

[jedi_master]

Isn’t Ramsey going to miss almost the entirety of next season (assumption, if it’s an ACL)? Certainly up to Christmas at minimum I’d think?

I really hope we keep Brownhill for a year - Cullen, Berge, Brownhill wins us promotion for sure I think. The vital signing is a striker though. We simply must buy a goalscorer as Foster has too many question marks and you’d imagine Amdouni will be sold/Rodriguez released. Not seen much of Whittaker but you can’t argue with that goal return for a poor side and at 23 you’d think ALK see an upside potential to him.

[jlup1980]

The three most pressing positions that I think Clarets were unanimous in saying were priorities for this PL campaign still remains...

I do believe in Lyle and I'm convinced that he will come good for us again but man we really do need, arguably two more strikers.

Lets hope Massengo can be that DM destroyer for us in the Champ but I'd still like to see one in the Matic/Soucek/Fernandinho mould.

Over to you VK.

Totally agree with your assessment but I just don't see Foster as someone who will give us consistency. We need a new number 9, someone to build the front three around. Sadly I think Obafemi might be a better shout than Foster - at least he knows the Championship. We need someone with energy, someone like Tella!

[taio]

Isn’t Ramsey going to miss almost the entirety of next season (assumption, if it’s an ACL)? Certainly up to Christmas at minimum I’d think?

I really hope we keep Brownhill for a year - Cullen, Berge, Brownhill wins us promotion for sure I think. The vital signing is a striker though. We simply must buy a goalscorer as Foster has too many question marks and you’d imagine Amdouni will be sold/Rodriguez released. Not seen much of Whittaker but you can’t argue with that goal return for a poor side and at 23 you’d think ALK see an upside potential to him.

You are right - it was certainly reported at the time he'd miss the whole of 2024 calendar year and, as we know, serious knee injury is hard to come back from once deemed fit so presumably brings much or whole of next season into doubt.

[bumba]

We even forget the likes of Ramsey, who will be a huge player for us next season and probably going forward, his career here hasn’t got off to a great start which has falsely led fans to believe hes a poor signing and not good enough for the PL, hes a kid with huge potential and has shown he’s a standout player in the Championship.

Cullen Ramsey Berge

Is an incredible midfield three in the Championship and has a really nice balance to it. We don’t need a defensive midfielder, we have Cullen.

I think Ramsey will be out until Christmas won't he? Agree on a defensive midfielder Cullen will do the job fine in the championship, I hope Berge stays he'd be the best player in the league by a country mile but I've a feeling offers will come in for him.
Koleosho is an interesting one for me he'd likely bring in the most profit due to his cheap price but then I'd imagine we've also paid his fee in full so have no outstanding balance meaning we've no future payments so hopefully can hold on to him, if we could somehow keep Odobert and Koleosho on the wings and Berge with Cullen and Massengo we'd be excellent in midfield.

[KRBFC]

Isn’t Ramsey going to miss almost the entirety of next season (assumption, if it’s an ACL)? Certainly up to Christmas at minimum I’d think?

I really hope we keep Brownhill for a year - Cullen, Berge, Brownhill wins us promotion for sure I think. The vital signing is a striker though. We simply must buy a goalscorer as Foster has too many question marks and you’d imagine Amdouni will be sold/Rodriguez released. Not seen much of Whittaker but you can’t argue with that goal return for a poor side and at 23 you’d think ALK see an upside potential to him.

I’m not sure on Ramsey, if he’s set to miss the entirety of 2024 then yes I’d keep Brownhill for another year. Seems he suffered an ACL at the end of Feb (I thought it was like 6 weeks earlier) so yeah I think you’re right about missing 2024.

[bumba]

I’ve heard about this lad but every time I’ve watched him (which isn’t often, I admit) he neither scores or looks particularly good. The Leicester game being an example where I thought he looked pretty poor against decent opposition. I wouldn’t be swapping Zaroury or Benson for him anyway - not that they’d likely accept such moves.

Can't see how we keep Benson this summer he'll be fuming, Zaroury maybe it was agreed a loan was best so maybe happy coming back.
Whittaker looks to have more potential than both and would score loads in our setup

[KRBFC]

I think Ramsey will be out until Christmas won't he? Agree on a defensive midfielder Cullen will do the job fine in the championship, I hope Berge stays he'd be the best player in the league by a country mile but I've a feeling offers will come in for him.
Koleosho is an interesting one for me he'd likely bring in the most profit due to his cheap price but then I'd imagine we've also paid his fee in full so have no outstanding balance meaning we've no future payments so hopefully can hold on to him, if we could somehow keep Odobert and Koleosho on the wings and Berge with Cullen and Massengo we'd be excellent in midfield.

We’d absolutely walk the division with:

Muric/Trafford
Sambo Beyer Esteve Roberts
Cullen Berge
Koleosho Amdouni Odobert
Whittaker

VK needs to figure out our future number 1 and sell the other.
You can even put Vitinho left back if Roberts goes.
Anass if Odobert leaves.

Everybody else for me can go, the only players I’d look to keep aside from that 11 is Anass, Al Dakhil and Mellon. Obviously they won’t all go, so the ones we’re stuck with end up as our cover.

[KRBFC]

I’ve heard about this lad but every time I’ve watched him (which isn’t often, I admit) he neither scores or looks particularly good. The Leicester game being an example where I thought he looked pretty poor against decent opposition. I wouldn’t be swapping Zaroury or Benson for him anyway - not that they’d likely accept such moves.

I mean it’s incredibly harsh to judge him on a game where his side had like 10% of the ball. Put him in our side where we’ll have 75% of the ball and watch him cook.

[KRBFC]

I also hope we sell Benson and one of Muric/Trafford to stop this fawning over them which has created some toxic fan base.

[NewClaret]

I mean it’s incredibly harsh to judge him on a game where his side had like 10% of the ball. Put him in our side where we’ll have 75% of the ball and watch him cook.

True enough, and I haven’t watched him a lot to be fair, I just don’t think we’ll be able to afford whatever exorbitant fee they are seeking.

[NewClaret]

Can't see how we keep Benson this summer he'll be fuming, Zaroury maybe it was agreed a loan was best so maybe happy coming back.
Whittaker looks to have more potential than both and would score loads in our setup

Benson and Zaroury signed 5 year deals so I guess that’s our choice.

I think a lot of the fan speculation about deep rooted unhappiness is wide of the mark and more a side effect of us as a fanbase only being used to having a strong 11 and weaker bench in recent years. I’m sure both will be fine to stay if they were getting more game time which they surely would in the championship.

Re: Whittaker I’m unsure but I suppose that’s mainly as I suspect the fee will be huge and his numbers mean he’ll likely have other suitors.

An alternative: Omari Forson. Probably equally unrealistic if United want to keep him as he’s getting some appearances now but OOC in summer and would be an ideal replacement for Tella imo. Could see him being available on a free or a loan if United resign him.

[brexit]

Anyone who reads this message board would think our low position in the table is due to our poor defensive choices and inability to pick a good keeper.
Some of the more insightful posters have said that we have not taken chances or scored goals. Obviously, taking the chances we missed would have made a difference.
Our best games have been when we have attacked, driven or got crosses into the box. The issue has been when try to walk the ball into the back of the net.
But what we really need is a striker in the Lineker or Wood mould, who is a selfish predator.
Last season, we had Ash, whose presence and gameplay allowed other players to take chances and score goals.
Next season, we require a goalscorer and maybe a creative midfielder (but we say this every year). None of our current three have this ability.

[CoolClaret]

Cullen can obviously play as a defensive midfielder in the Champ but I prefer him when he's slightly further forward and not necessarily the one taking the ball from the keeper/defenders.

He's played some lovely balls forward recently - notably the one for Vitinho in which we got a penalty from at home against Brentford.

Just think with a 6ft2 or so DM we will really be able to stifle teams that try and play it long - similar how to Mou/Pep used Fellaini/Matic/Fernandinho to stop our out ball doubling up with a centre half and will obviously be a big help in both boxes at set pieces.

[NL Claret]

I also hope we sell Benson and one of Muric/Trafford to stop this fawning over them which has created some toxic fan base.

Great point KR