Serious Discussion: Squad/Recruitment for Next Season

exclaret · Post by **exclaret** » Mon Apr 30, 2018 2:00 pm

I think there's room for a serious conversation about next season given the extra fixtures of the Europa League to contend with, plus the fact that a lot of Premier League teams have 'underperformed' this season so you'd expect they'd all improve.

Alan Nixon from The Sun (very highly rated when it comes to transfers) has said the following in the past few days:-

- One of our biggest concerns this summer will be trying to keep both Pope & Heaton happy - either could leave

- Another big concern will be tying Ben Mee down to a new contract; we may look to sell him for £20m this summer if he continues stalling

- We only have 3 targets this summer; Leftback cover (has confused some people), another Centreback and another wideman.

Let's look at our current squad:

Keepers: pretty self-explanatory - we need some way to keep Heaton and Pope happy - it'll be tough

Defenders: we have 7 defenders pretty much

Tarky - should stay

Mee - may leave/stalling over contract and we may sell

Long - will stay but is he good enough as 1st choice cover and maybe even a starter?

Ward - great player but has been poor lately and will be 33 when the new season starts

Taylor - still developing - is he a starter?

Lowton - solid and will stay

Bards - is he good enough as cover? He'll be 33 when the new season starts

I can see why we need a new CB & LB here. We could even use a new RB as cover or somebody young like Taylor is for LB?

Midfielders: we have 7 pretty much

Defour - should stay but how will he be after his injury form-wise and will he be fit enough?

Brady - great player but will he be fit enough and what will he be like form-wise? It took him a long time this season to hit form and then got injured just as he started to shine

Westwood - is he good enough to be starting in the Premier League? Yes he's done ok this season but personally I don't rate him etc. He had a good game against West Brom etc

Lennon - he's 31 and has lost a yard of pace. He's alright but I always think he doesn't know what to do with the ball when he has it and has lost a lot of confidence (doesn't take anybody on)

Cork - solid and is good enough for the PL

JBG - amazing player (works so hard as well) and for the fee... Wow. But it's always like he's unlucky with everything. Nothing (like shots etc) actually go in/come off, it's always it was *so close*

Hendrick - got dropped as isn't a number #10 and has probably lost some confidence. Question marks over whether he's a Premier League starter etc?

3 wingers and 4 centre-mids - I think we can strengthen both.

Forwards: we have 5 but 2 hardly play so there's question marks over them etc...

Wood - goalscorer and has been a great signing

Barnes - no words - he's been great this season, his finishing is great as well. European defences won't know what to do with him

Vokes - effective substitute most of the time - will he be rotated with Wood & Barnes as the front 2 for the PL & Europe? He is slow but has a lot of qualities - we may even go back to 4-5-1 for some games etc, so may have uses in Europe etc

Wells - strange signing - wasn't good enough for Huddersfield but we bought him as 'cover' - has hardly played so hard to criticse but don't think we can call him one of our 'starting forwards' which leaves us with 3

Walters - will be 35 when the new season starts - has been injured a lot and has hardly played - can't see him being a part of our plans next season unless he stays as a 'coach'

We want somebody who is agile, can finish and has a bit of pace. We need something different for when it's not working with two of the big lads up top.

I think the above is a fair analysis without my 'claret tinted-glasses' on - just my two cents on the current squad etc. There is no criticism here, it is simply constructive.

I believe we need around 5 major signings for next season but maybe I'm wrong.

Please discuss

claret10 · Post by **claret10** » Mon Apr 30, 2018 2:21 pm

Just off of top of my head

"Brady took a long time to start" - I thought he started brilliantly

"Might go back to 5-4-1" - when have we ever played this formation?

"JBG almost" - kind of get you but can remember 2 last gasp goals he scored that felt massive at the time plus 8 assists makes me think you're being a bit harsh

Other than that some fair comments but find it difficult to believe that Sean Dyche will have told anybody who he is targetting in the Summer that will have been on the phone to Alan "throw enough names around and I am bound to be right once" Nixon

lanky22222 · Post by **lanky22222** » Mon Apr 30, 2018 2:23 pm

Need a RB, CB, Winger, Attacking midfielder and a striker

RB = Ideally younger who can challenge Lowton (ie what Taylor does with Ward) - from what I have seen from Bardsley he’s not been good enough and is 33

CB - Someone to challenge Mee and Tark who is better than Long and may keep them out of side for long periods of time other than Long who just gets subbed when one of the main two are back

Winger - for when N’Koudou goes, someone with a bit of pace who will challenge Brady’s first team spot

Attacking mid - MARQUEE SIGNING - someone like Defour who links the midfield and strikers with some flair and gets you on the edge of your seat

Striker - Someone with Pace and trickery in the mould of Danny Ings who offers somet different from our 3 big men

This would mean that Bardsley, Wells, Walters and possibly even Vokes would leave

IAmAClaret · Post by **IAmAClaret** » Mon Apr 30, 2018 2:25 pm

The 'Europa League' could be 2/3/4 games if we get knocked out. You cannot risk signing an additional 5/6 on the 'expectation' of getting to the group stage. Many don't make it, West Ham being an example.

exclaret · Post by **exclaret** » Mon Apr 30, 2018 2:26 pm

claret10 wrote:Just off of top of my head

"Brady took a long time to start" - I thought he started brilliantly

"Might go back to 5-4-1" - when have we ever played this formation?

"JBG almost" - kind of get you but can remember 2 last gasp goals he scored that felt massive at the time plus 8 assists makes me think you're being a bit harsh

Other than that some fair comments but find it difficult to believe that Sean Dyche will have told anybody who he is targetting in the Summer that will have been on the phone to Alan "throw enough names around and I am bound to be right once" Nixon

Brady - I think 95% of this board made comments about Brady being slow at starting and being too inconsistent but then hit great form and got injured.

5-4-1 - you're right, thanks. I put it by mistake and have changed to 4-5-1

Appreciate the rest of it and agree!

exclaret · Post by **exclaret** » Mon Apr 30, 2018 2:27 pm

lanky22222 wrote:Need a RB, CB, Winger, Attacking midfielder and a striker

RB = Ideally younger who can challenge Lowton (ie what Taylor does with Ward) - from what I have seen from Bardsley he’s not been good enough and is 33

CB - Someone to challenge Mee and Tark who is better than Long and may keep them out of side for long periods of time other than Long who just gets subbed when one of the main two are back

Winger - for when N’Koudou goes, someone with a bit of pace who will challenge Brady’s first team spot

Attacking mid - MARQUEE SIGNING - someone like Defour who links the midfield and strikers with some flair and gets you on the edge of your seat

Striker - Someone with Pace and trickery in the mould of Danny Ings who offers somet different from our 3 big men

This would mean that Bardsley, Wells, Walters and possibly even Vokes would leave

Like this a lot, thanks

exclaret · Post by **exclaret** » Mon Apr 30, 2018 2:28 pm

IAmAClaret wrote:The 'Europa League' could be 2/3/4 games if we get knocked out. You cannot risk signing an additional 5/6 on the 'expectation' of getting to the group stage. Many don't make it, West Ham being an example.

I hear you, thanks.

Do you not think the above actually makes us look short (of quality and quantity given injuries as well) even for the Premier League and cup runs?

CombatClaret · Post by **CombatClaret** » Mon Apr 30, 2018 2:32 pm

A not unfair assessment but maybe a little pessimistic in the rhetorical questions hanging over some players on age, return from injury, quality etc.

It would be a huge ask to replace in demand starters sold for profit (eg: Mee), replace underutalised players (eg: Wells) all while improving the quality of depth in the squad.
That would mean wholesale changes in the dressing room and for that reason I can't see the too many of the non-starters like Wells or Bardsley going anywhere with Europe and Cup games. Maybe I'm wrong though.

Only other thing I'd add is having two first XI keepers is a luxury most teams do without, though I'd be sad to see either go I'd sooner cash in on one and plough that money into the outfield.

northernpowerhouse · Post by **northernpowerhouse** » Mon Apr 30, 2018 2:39 pm

We could conceivably make do with 3 signings.

A back-up Centre Half (Ideally Dawson who provides cover at Right Back as well)

A winger to challenge Brady, JBG and Lennon

A number ten/deep lying striker to link midfield and attack. Ings would be perfect.

Rick_Muller · Post by **Rick_Muller** » Mon Apr 30, 2018 2:41 pm

exclaret wrote:I hear you, thanks.

Do you not think the above actually makes us look short (of quality and quantity given injuries as well) even for the Premier League and cup runs?

You do make an interesting point about cup runs - I think in the past the cup runs have been "sacrificed" to ensure Premier League survival - for me the next iteration of our club's development that SD may well be considering is Premier League survival AND doing the cup runs (including Europe) so we would need the extra "strength in depth" as you allude to.

CombatClaret · Post by **CombatClaret** » Mon Apr 30, 2018 3:29 pm

Rick_Muller wrote:You do make an interesting point about cup runs - I think in the past the cup runs have been "sacrificed" to ensure Premier League survival - for me the next iteration of our club's development that SD may well be considering is Premier League survival AND doing the cup runs (including Europe) so we would need the extra "strength in depth" as you allude to.

This is only our third consecutive season in the league and we will be fighting on three fronts, Premier League survival, Domestic Cups and Europe. I'm not sure this is the season to let our focus slip from the league when our very survival and any hope of having the players to win cups rests on it.

The most important way we can develop is by remaining competitive without falling into the same traps as Sunderland, Stoke, West Brom etc. Success will stem naturally from there.

Rick_Muller · Post by **Rick_Muller** » Mon Apr 30, 2018 3:32 pm

CombatClaret wrote:This is only our third consecutive season in the league and we will be fighting on three fronts, Premier League survival, Domestic Cups and Europe. I'm not sure this is the season to let our focus slip from the league when our very survival and any hope of having the players to win cups rests on it.

The most important way we can develop is by remaining competitive without falling into the same traps as Sunderland, Stoke, West Brom etc. Success will stem naturally from there.

I dont disagree with you, I just think that this is the next iteration of our development and it needs to come at some point.

exclaret · Post by **exclaret** » Mon Apr 30, 2018 3:34 pm

CombatClaret wrote:A not unfair assessment but maybe a little pessimistic in the rhetorical questions hanging over some players on age, return from injury, quality etc.

It would be a huge ask to replace in demand starters sold for profit (eg: Mee), replace underutalised players (eg: Wells) all while improving the quality of depth in the squad.
That would mean wholesale changes in the dressing room and for that reason I can't see the too many of the non-starters like Wells or Bardsley going anywhere with Europe and Cup games. Maybe I'm wrong though.

Only other thing I'd add is having two first XI keepers is a luxury most teams do without, though I'd be sad to see either go I'd sooner cash in on one and plough that money into the outfield.

Thanks.

I'm not sure... Some have been serious injuries that have led to months out and Defour and Brady in particular do have fitness and form issues respectively.

Also regarding ages, some of it is players turning 33/34, not like it's from 29 to 30, they're literally close to retirement ages

exclaret · Post by **exclaret** » Mon Apr 30, 2018 3:35 pm

Rick_Muller wrote:I dont disagree with you, I just think that this is the next iteration of our development and it needs to come at some point.

Totally agree, though I see cup runs and Europe are so far down the agenda than PL survival. The cash from the PL, means we need that revenue for as long as possible and yes, we don't want to be the next Sunderland, West Brom, Southampton and Leeds et al

CombatClaret · Post by **CombatClaret** » Mon Apr 30, 2018 3:38 pm

exclaret wrote:Also regarding ages, some of it is players turning 33/34, not like it's from 29 to 30, they're literally close to retirement ages

That Bruno fella helped Brighton keep a clean sheet away from home against us and he's 37 and a half!

But I agree things can reach a critical mass if too many ageing players are in a squad without enough youth coming in.

exclaret · Post by **exclaret** » Mon Apr 30, 2018 3:41 pm

CombatClaret wrote:That Bruno fella helped Brighton keep a clean sheet away from home against us and he's 37 and a half!

But I agree things can reach a critical mass if too many ageing players are in a squad without enough youth coming in.

He's an exception to the rule! He's got some engine on him for sure! He's only made 21 appearances this season mind, just over half of the fixures.

I guess that proves older players have their use

jojomk1 · Post by **jojomk1** » Mon Apr 30, 2018 3:43 pm

Whilst finishing 7th has been a fantastic achievement for us this season I don't think anyone would argue that the overall quality of the league (meaning all teams below us) has been very poor this time.
With the likes of "established" sides such as WBA, Stoke and poss Swansea or Southampton going down other sides will, I suspect, be looking to strengthen significantly to ensure they are not in the relegation fight next season (and the large shortfall in income that comes with that scenario)
Europa League or not, we have to do the same if we are to maintain our current status within the game ( a status which must now have us seen as`a real team with which to advance any players own standards and potential)
Can we find a better RB than Lowton, a better CB than Long, a dominant CM who can break up the play of our opposition, a wide man to challenge Brady or JBG, a true No10 and a striker with more pace and natural ability than any we currently have
This is no moan about our current squad who have performed beyond expectations but time moves on and so must we

JTClaret · Post by **JTClaret** » Mon Apr 30, 2018 3:51 pm

I don't think much has changed in terms of what we want this summer.
However the ability to get those players has become slightly easier with European football.

I would still say.
Dawson - CB/RB (If we can get better then great)
Jay Rod (I wouldn't be surprised if West Brom want £20m, but when Wood was £15m+ I don't think it's ridiculous anymore)
Attacking midfielder (I'd love us to bring a 'big name', although whoever it is could be fighting Defour for the shirt)
Winger - Due to Arfield leaving (With Lennon, JBG and Brady all fit one more is all we need)

On top of that, maybe and see what we can do.
Another defender - Although Long is still proving he is better than people give him credit for.
Replacing anybody who leaves with better - probably the first time that we can afford to do so.

Injuries aside we have a good squad. And I wouldn't want us making the mistake of signing too many players which may affect the spirit of the team, which is very clearly there.

KRBFC · Post by **KRBFC** » Mon Apr 30, 2018 3:51 pm

''- We only have 3 targets this summer; Leftback cover (has confused some people), another Centreback and another wideman.''

I would be shocked if that was true, our targets will change as players leave. I wouldn't be surprised to see Vokes, Walters, Arfield, GKN and Wells all leave to make room for 2 strikers and 2 wide players, or players with the ability to play centrally or wide.

mdd2 · Post by **mdd2** » Mon Apr 30, 2018 4:08 pm

What is clear to me is that whoever comes in has to have pace. We are lacking this in spades at the moment which I think is one reason why we score so few goals, rarely do we break out fast and put the ball in the opposition's net.By the time we get into the opposition's box they have six or seven back defending

dibraidio · Post by **dibraidio** » Mon Apr 30, 2018 4:28 pm

Not forgetting of course they we are limited to a 25 man squad.

I wouldn't expect more than 3 new arrivals with Ulvestad, Marney and Arfield on their way out to be replaced by players who can come in and compete for a place in the first 11.

mdd2 · Post by **mdd2** » Mon Apr 30, 2018 4:36 pm

a big gamble if we are strengthening for the Europa league as I think we will have to win through 4 games before we get to the real competition and 48 teams in 12 leagues-the third qualifying round and then the play off round both two legged affairs.

CombatClaret · Post by **CombatClaret** » Mon Apr 30, 2018 4:47 pm

dibraidio wrote:Not forgetting of course they we are limited to a 25 man squad.

I wouldn't expect more than 3 new arrivals with Ulvestad, Marney and Arfield on their way out to be replaced by players who can come in and compete for a place in the first 11.

^^This^^
Plus replacements for any starters for whom we're made an offer we can't refuse due to price/contracts. Maybe 6 ins&outs not including youth/development team.

exclaret · Post by **exclaret** » Mon Apr 30, 2018 5:36 pm

CombatClaret wrote:^^This^^
Plus replacements for any starters for whom we're made an offer we can't refuse due to price/contracts. Maybe 6 ins&outs not including youth/development team.

Really like this, thanks for your sound contribution

Stayingup · Post by **Stayingup** » Mon Apr 30, 2018 6:02 pm

exclaret wrote:I think there's room for a serious conversation about next season given the extra fixtures of the Europa League to contend with, plus the fact that a lot of Premier League teams have 'underperformed' this season so you'd expect they'd all improve.

Alan Nixon from The Sun (very highly rated when it comes to transfers) has said the following in the past few days:-

- One of our biggest concerns this summer will be trying to keep both Pope & Heaton happy - either could leave

- Another big concern will be tying Ben Mee down to a new contract; we may look to sell him for £20m this summer if he continues stalling

- We only have 3 targets this summer; Leftback cover (has confused some people), another Centreback and another wideman.

Let's look at our current squad:

Keepers: pretty self-explanatory - we need some way to keep Heaton and Pope happy - it'll be tough

Defenders: we have 7 defenders pretty much

Tarky - should stay

Mee - may leave/stalling over contract and we may sell

Long - will stay but is he good enough as 1st choice cover and maybe even a starter?

Ward - great player but has been poor lately and will be 33 when the new season starts

Taylor - still developing - is he a starter?

Lowton - solid and will stay

Bards - is he good enough as cover? He'll be 33 when the new season starts

I can see why we need a new CB & LB here. We could even use a new RB as cover or somebody young like Taylor is for LB?

Midfielders: we have 7 pretty much

Defour - should stay but how will he be after his injury form-wise and will he be fit enough?

Brady - great player but will he be fit enough and what will he be like form-wise? It took him a long time this season to hit form and then got injured just as he started to shine

Westwood - is he good enough to be starting in the Premier League? Yes he's done ok this season but personally I don't rate him etc. He had a good game against West Brom etc

Lennon - he's 31 and has lost a yard of pace. He's alright but I always think he doesn't know what to do with the ball when he has it and has lost a lot of confidence (doesn't take anybody on)

Cork - solid and is good enough for the PL

JBG - amazing player (works so hard as well) and for the fee... Wow. But it's always like he's unlucky with everything. Nothing (like shots etc) actually go in/come off, it's always it was *so close*

Hendrick - got dropped as isn't a number #10 and has probably lost some confidence. Question marks over whether he's a Premier League starter etc?

3 wingers and 4 centre-mids - I think we can strengthen both.

Forwards: we have 5 but 2 hardly play so there's question marks over them etc...

Wood - goalscorer and has been a great signing

Barnes - no words - he's been great this season, his finishing is great as well. European defences won't know what to do with him

Vokes - effective substitute most of the time - will he be rotated with Wood & Barnes as the front 2 for the PL & Europe? He is slow but has a lot of qualities - we may even go back to 4-5-1 for some games etc, so may have uses in Europe etc

Wells - strange signing - wasn't good enough for Huddersfield but we bought him as 'cover' - has hardly played so hard to criticse but don't think we can call him one of our 'starting forwards' which leaves us with 3

Walters - will be 35 when the new season starts - has been injured a lot and has hardly played - can't see him being a part of our plans next season unless he stays as a 'coach'

We want somebody who is agile, can finish and has a bit of pace. We need something different for when it's not working with two of the big lads up top.

I think the above is a fair analysis without my 'claret tinted-glasses' on - just my two cents on the current squad etc. There is no criticism here, it is simply constructive.

I believe we need around 5 major signings for next season but maybe I'm wrong.

Please discuss

Some of the teams that have underperformed will be relegated.

Given our squad was stretched this season and given the early star and one or two on world cup duty we will need 4 or 5 in. And good players. Have to spend now.

FCBurnley · Post by **FCBurnley** » Mon Apr 30, 2018 6:12 pm

Lets remember Arfield and Marney are going and possibly Mee
So we need 1 or 2 ( if Mee goes ) centre backs
Full backs are ok providing Ward is fit. He has struggled since the injury
Midfield is weak. Currently we have JBG Hendrick,Defour,Cork, Westwood,Brady, Lennon.Walters Need at least 1 top quality CM
Strikers Wood Barnes Vokes Wells. Dont see Wells staying so need at least 1 more striker.

Dont see Europe overstretching us unless we have a long run in the competition ( which would be awesome) but the aim has to be to consolidate PL status. If Mee stays then we need 1xCB, 1x CM and 1x Striker. Maybe 40 million which we should be able to afford. Quality rather than quantity. Dawson would do a job. Long from Saints would give us pace up front ( if they go down) plus a quality defensive midfielder to free up Defour.

exclaret · Post by **exclaret** » Mon Apr 30, 2018 6:14 pm

FCBurnley wrote:Lets remember Arfield and Marney are going and possibly Mee
So we need 1 or 2 ( if Mee goes ) centre backs
Full backs are ok providing Ward is fit. He has struggled since the injury
Midfield is weak. Currently we have JBG Hendrick,Defour,Cork, Westwood,Brady, Lennon.Walters Need at least 1 top quality CM
Strikers Wood Barnes Vokes Wells. Dont see Wells staying so need at least 1 more striker.

Dont see Europe overstretching us unless we have a long run in the competition ( which would be awesome) but the aim has to be to consolidate PL status. If Mee stays then we need 1xCB, 1x CM and 1x Striker. Maybe 40 million which we should be able to afford. Quality rather than quantity. Dawson would do a job. Long from Saints would give us pace up front ( if they go down) plus a quality defensive midfielder to free up Defour.

Thanks, I like some of the points here. Regarding the departures etc, these are highlighted in the original post (as loan players, departing players or academy players weren't listed

piston broke · Post by **piston broke** » Mon Apr 30, 2018 7:21 pm

Dawson would be excellent as CH/RB cover.
A ball carrying MFer, like Wilshire or Grealish but neither of them, a player who gets defenders going backwards and creates space for the strikers to run in.
But if we are going with two of Barnes/Wood/Vokes would our wide outs PLEASE get the ball in early and let them fight for it. I’m sick of seeing us get there and then hold it up whilst the defence gets organised.

vancouverclaret · Post by **vancouverclaret** » Tue May 01, 2018 7:37 am

What about Andy Carroll? Knows where the net is can score with his head he usually gives defences a hard time

Firthy · Post by **Firthy** » Tue May 01, 2018 9:32 am

vancouverclaret wrote:What about Andy Carroll? Knows where the net is can score with his head he usually gives defences a hard time

What about him ??

Garnerssoap · Post by **Garnerssoap** » Tue May 01, 2018 10:39 am

Grealish lol

vancouverclaret · Post by **vancouverclaret** » Tue May 01, 2018 4:11 pm

Firthy wrote:What about him ??

You're right. Don't know what I was thinking I must have been drinking

exclaret · Post by **exclaret** » Tue May 01, 2018 5:01 pm

Some good comments here

TVC15 · Post by **TVC15** » Tue May 01, 2018 5:30 pm

If Mee stays - then I would just sign Craig Dawson for the defence. I would maybe consider letting Bardsley go if we got Dawson and we were looking to free up some wages. £10m for Dawson would be good value for covering 2 positions.

With Defours injury record I think we need to consider planning for what we do without him - especially if we end up playing a few games in Europe. We should have a good idea of our Europe situation by the end of August and if we are still in then it maybe we look to sell Westwood and recoup at least the £5m we paid for him and get in a quality ball playing attacking midfielder for between £15m and £20m.

We are also apparently targeting a wide man. Given we will hopefully get Brady back and in JBG we have a brilliant winger already (not forgetting Lennon) I don`t think we should be paying a lot for what will probably be a 4th choice wide man. For this position maybe we do look to spend around £5m on a young talent who we can develop but that who can come off the bench and provide something different or pace etc.

Up front personally I think we need to invest most...and forwards tend to be the most expensive. I would look to release Walters, Wells and probably Sam. I think we could possible recoup £10m on these (mostly from Sam who I think could do a great job for a top Championship team). I would then look to spend between £30m and £40m on either 2 or 3 forwards. One of these needs to be different to what we have already got I think and more of a no 10 type player in the style of Danny Ings, Peter Beardsley etc.

That would be releasing 5 players and bringing in around £15m and bringing in 5 or 6 players and an outlay of around £60m / £70m....so net about £50m.

Bearing in mind that our 7th position will net the club around £20m extra that we had not budgeted for I think this kind of spend is not unrealistic for the club and there will never be a better time to attract the quality of player that this spend would bring than when we are in Europe and have a manager with such a brilliant reputation.

Long Time Lurker · Post by **Long Time Lurker** » Tue May 01, 2018 6:44 pm

TVC15 wrote:sell Westwood and recoup at least the £5m we paid for him

This is supposed to be a joke, right? Westwood has been excellent for us this season, going nowhere that lad.

TVC15 wrote: get in a quality ball playing attacking midfielder for between £15m and £20m.

We won't spend that much on a single player. Fortunately we can get a quality attacking midfielder for a lot less than that, plenty of options out there.

TVC15 wrote:Up front personally I think we need to invest most. I would then look to spend between £30m and £40m on either 2 or 3 forwards.

With the 4-4-2 we only need a fit Wood and Barnes. Employing the 4-5-1 we only need Wood. I would rather have £10m sat on the bench than £30-40m. Although I could see us parting ways with one or more of Woods, Walters and Vokes.

Hipper · Post by **Hipper** » Tue May 01, 2018 7:35 pm

We should be looking at the problems we've had this season and how to improve them. Clearly scoring goals is one problem, and perhaps allied to that is getting the ball to stick with our players when we are put under pressure. Even compared to the weaker sides we seem poor at keeping possession.

Going through the team, I can't help thinking that one of Pope or Heaton will depart. Whichever it is we will need another young 'Pope' to cover.

I would like to see a high quality ball playing centre back come in to give us more options in that area - the possibility of using three centre backs being one. Also a young 'Tarkowski' to continue the conveyor belt should he leave at some stage.

I would also like to see another high class player in the Defour mould brought in somehow. Perhaps a holding player to give Defour more creative possibilities and to simply replace him should he get injured again.

Up front, if Jay Rod is available at a reasonable cost he would be a good option for holding onto the ball a bit better. I would hope Wood can add to his qualities in this area too.

As for players leaving I think it's right that Arfield and Marney go but I'd like Walters to stay. I'm sure he has much to offer when he's fit and for me it is one of this season's (very few!) disappointments that we've haven't seen anything of him.

TVC15 · Post by **TVC15** » Tue May 01, 2018 9:07 pm

Long Time Lurker wrote:This is supposed to be a joke, right? Westwood has been excellent for us this season, going nowhere that lad.

We won't spend that much on a single player. Fortunately we can get a quality attacking midfielder for a lot less than that, plenty of options out there.

With the 4-4-2 we only need a fit Wood and Barnes. Employing the 4-5-1 we only need Wood. I would rather have £10m sat on the bench than £30-40m. Although I could see us parting ways with one or more of Woods, Walters and Vokes.

Westwood has played well but he is nowhere near as good as Defour and we also need more goals from midfield. We paid £11m and £13m for Hendrick and Brady and the market has moved on then. Westwood is not really an improvement on either Arfield or Marney and we should be now looking to improve the first team not the squad.

When you say we won’t spend between £15m and £20m on a single player i’m a bit confused - given we already have.

As for the forward line if we are going to step up the quality and be more of a goal scoring threat than we do need to spend and you do not get much in this department for anything less than £15m / £20m. Only Woods and Barnes have got anywhere near double figures this year and it’s a risky strategy to rely on your defence and keeper as much as we do and to win so many games by only a one goal margin / be hanging on etc.

I don’t think we will spend as much as I am suggesting. But for the team to evolve and cement a top half finish personally that’s what I think we need to do and this does not put the finances of the club at any risk either.

£10m on a player is the equivalent of £5m only a couple of years ago....it’s nothing in this league.

NRC · Post by **NRC** » Tue May 01, 2018 9:24 pm

an Ings-type player
a striker with pace
An attacking midfielder
a replacement for Georges/Arfield
a left-sided central defender
a right back

Jakubs Tash · Post by **Jakubs Tash** » Tue May 01, 2018 9:50 pm

TVC15 wrote: Up front personally I think we need to invest most...and forwards tend to be the most expensive. I would look to release Walters, Wells and probably Sam. I think we could possible recoup £10m on these (mostly from Sam who I think could do a great job for a top Championship team). I would then look to spend between £30m and £40m on either 2 or 3 forwards. One of these needs to be different to what we have already got I think and more of a no 10 type player in the style of Danny Ings, Peter Beardsley etc.

I’d be pretty confident we could recoup the £5m we paid out for Wells. Plenty of desperate, cash rich Championship clubs would jump at the chance to sign him.

Also, don’t underestimate the market value of Vokes - he must be worth a few quid. I reckon we could easily get £15m for Vokes if he was to leave. You only have to look at the fees other forwards are going for these days who haven’t got the goal scoring record Sam has had the last two seasons he was in the Championship.

lanky22222 · Post by **lanky22222** » Tue May 01, 2018 10:12 pm

Sell: Bardsley, 1m
Walters, 1.5m
Wells, 6m
Vokesy, 10m
Legdzins free = £19m

RB: Nathaniel Clyne - 12m
CB: Craig Dawson - 10m
LM: James McClean - 5m
AM: Hakim Ziyech - 15m
ST: Florin Andone - 10m (we were linked for 25m in summer, but Deportivo have gone down and may need funds???) = £52m

Gives us a net spend of £33m on selling - let’s be honest - 4 fringe players (2 who haven’t played in the BPL for us) and one third-choice-striker. Although I love Vokesy, as we have seen with Arfield and Marney we are slowly outgrowing him and it may be time for him to move on.

With this £33m, we are bringing in 3 quality first team players and 2 excellent backup options who are all extremely adequate if needed to fill in

Just a suggestion but is this realistic?

TVC15 · Post by **TVC15** » Tue May 01, 2018 10:16 pm

Selling Wells for more than we bought him for and buying McClean for less than selling Wells is not very realistic to be honest !!

I think the issue with Bardsley and Walters is their wages. The only way we may be able to get rid is by allowing them to go on a free.