Now that we are pretty much safe I was wondering where we need to strengthen in the summer. I remember thinking it would be difficult to upgrade on Boyd and Arfield with better quality but the same workrate but we have done that brilliantly. A top drawer number 10 and a centre half would be obvious ones but i'm struggling to think of elsewhere on the pitch that we could improve on what we have without spending silly money. Maybe move Vokes and Wells on and get another striker.

Would we be happy with only 2 or 3 additions in the summer or do we need more to kick on?

welsbyswife wrote:Now that we are pretty much safe I was wondering where we need to strengthen in the summer. I remember thinking it would be difficult to upgrade on Boyd and Arfield with better quality but the same workrate but we have done that brilliantly. A top drawer number 10 and a centre half would be obvious ones but i'm struggling to think of elsewhere on the pitch that we could improve on what we have without spending silly money. Maybe move Vokes and Wells on and get another striker.

Would we be happy with only 2 or 3 additions in the summer or do we need more to kick on?

We still haven't replaced John Deary.

Young RB as competition for Lowton
CB
Winger for competition
Skillful number 10 or quick striker

Oh. And keep all our players too

Roosterbooster wrote:Young RB as competition for Lowton
CB
Winger for competition
Skillful number 10 or quick striker

Maybe that's the way. A couple of top drawer players to make an immediate impact in the team and a few promising younger players as cover for existing team members.

The no 10 role is a weird one for us - mentioned 1st half to a mate that we have possibly one of the best no10s we have ever had and would cost 25 mil to get a better one ...... but we play him up front.

Barnes is my answer to the no10 dilemma

No 10. Obvious. A striker. CH. And you just can't have enough good midfield players.

No 10. Obvious. A striker. CH. And you just can't have enough good midfield players.

Someone who will get us 10+ goals

Attacking midfielder with pace who can play off/behind a number 9 (of which we could play any of Barnes, Vokes or Wood).

It’s hard though because we all know we need that but I am struggling to think of many compelling names for the role in the domestic market. Tom Cairney stands out but Fulham turned down £20m for him in January, and they may yet come up themselves. I think we need to look at the relegated sides for a few bargains too.

If Southampton go down, perhaps it’s beyond us (I have no idea what they are on), I would look at Redmond and Tadic.

Craig Dawson for our vacant fourth centre back slot who can also compete with Lowton for right back. Always liked him, only 27 and Dyche is a big fan. If Vokes goes I would look at Rondon too from West Brom.

kaptin1 wrote:Someone who will get us 10+ goals

Chris Wood.

jedi_master wrote:Attacking midfielder with pace who can play off/behind a number 9 (of which we could play any of Barnes, Vokes or Wood).

It’s hard though because we all know we need that but I am struggling to think of many compelling names for the role in the domestic market. Tom Cairney stands out but Fulham turned down £20m for him in January, and they may yet come up themselves. I think we need to look at the relegated sides for a few bargains too.

If Southampton go down, perhaps it’s beyond us (I have no idea what they are on), I would look at Redmond and Tadic.

Craig Dawson for our vacant fourth centre back slot who can also compete with Lowton for right back. Always liked him, only 27 and Dyche is a big fan. If Vokes goes I would look at Rondon too from West Brom.

Redmond by all accounts put some chances on a plate today for Saints strikers and should have had at least one assist didn't realise he is only 23 would be a great piece of business getting this lad in the summer.

Craig Dawson would be a solid signing but we face competition Dawson, 27, has Burnley, Everton and Crystal Palace watching him.

Tadic and Rondon i'm very meh about,but Sean might be able to work his magic.

Another CB, left winger, another two strikers and another goalkeeper to challenge either Pope or Heaton depending who's still here next season. Oh, and another central midfielder.

Certainly a left winger for me and another forward who offers something different to Wood, Barnes or Vokes.
Another CB (youngish, but who can learn from Mee and Tarks).

bfccrazy wrote:The no 10 role is a weird one for us - mentioned 1st half to a mate that we have possibly one of the best no10s we have ever had and would cost 25 mil to get a better one ...... but we play him up front.

Barnes is my answer to the no10 dilemma

Do you know what a number 10 is? Barnes leads the line for us and is a brilliant number 9. He has little creativity, vision, flair or the ability to pass well.

If we want to play 451 we need a better player Hendrick to link midfield and attack. Ironically I player who has a fantastic record in that position we let go in the summer and never played him in that role.

Until that happens, 442 for me.

Need that number 10 sorting. Would Bobby Reid (think that is his name) at Bristol City do the job?
Another CB (depending on the development of the two out on loan)
Another winger possibly 2 to replace Arfield and GKN
Keep hold of what we have.

tiger76 wrote:Redmond by all accounts put some chances on a plate today for Saints strikers and should have had at least one assist didn't realise he is only 23 would be a great piece of business getting this lad in the summer.

Craig Dawson would be a solid signing but we face competition Dawson, 27, has Burnley, Everton and Crystal Palace watching him.

Tadic and Rondon i'm very meh about,but Sean might be able to work his magic.

Dawson can go **** himself

Keepers: Heaton, Pope, Lindergaard?(Legzdins)
RBs:Lowton, Bardsley
LBs:Ward, Taylor
CHs:Mee, Tarks, Long, A N Other.
Wide: JBG, Lennon, Brady, A N Other. Sadly I expect Scotty to leave.
CM: Cork, Defour, Hendrick, Westwood
Str: Wood, Barnes, Vokes?, Wells. I feel we need an upgrade better than Wood. This is not disparaging Wood but an improvement we need. Sadly I think Sam & Walters will go.

Football is like F1. If you stand still you go backwards

A number 10 in the mould of Gross (Brighton) would be ideal. A nippier striker to give us a different option. A centre half to put pressure on Mee/Tark.

I'd be content if they were the only three signings we make. The number 10 would be to slot straight in the first 11 so could cost a bit.

Young centre half
Young forward
Young midfielder
Young winger
Young right back

Hopefully even the most hard of learning can see where I’m going with this. Please no more creaky knee signings for the dressing room cheerleader role. Enough.

think it all depends on who goes really.

A centre half
A right back
A forward

A defender who can play right back as well as CH.
A CM.
A right winger.
A “proper” no 10.
A CF with pace and an improvement on Vokes, Wells.

I honesty can`t see Vokes being here next season. He must want first team football and he could easily get that with a newly-promoted team to the Premier League. The same could be said for Long. I don`t get the Wells signing - clear he will not get a sniff.

If Stoke go down Shaqiri would be an excellent addition but presume wages would be a stumbling block.

HOPEFULLY we will keep hold of Tarkowski and Mee but would not be surprised if one or both of them are courted.

The summer drama will revolve around our keepers 100%. One of `em will be off, in my opinion.

We're obviously going to sign a couple of players what positions Dyche has identified who knows.

If we do qualify for Europe a couple needs to become several otherwise the squad will be stretched too far.

Assuming no major outs, I'd like to see us sign the following:

Centre back - I like Long but feel there needs to be more competition beyond just Tarkowski and Mee. Can't risk only having 3 natural CB's in my opinion.

A right back - I think after Lowton, that's a weak area that can be improved upon. Bardsley isn't the worst backup in the world but we could perhaps look to strengthen there as we did at LB with Charlie Taylor - someone young with time to improve.

A central midfielder - Defour, Cork, Westwood and Hendrick are fine but I think this area can be improved, particularly with regard to Westwood and Hendrick. However, this area is less urgent.

A winger/attacking midfielder - We have Brady, Lennon, Gudmundsson and Arfield. Again, I think we can improve on Arfield (don't get me wrong - I think he's been a good player for us). We've missed Brady and I wouldn't like to see us struggle again so drastically. Could be better if the player we sign can play wide or behind the striker instead of Hendrick.

One or two strikers - Having players like Brady, Gudmundsson, Lennon, Lowton and Ward all fit will go a long way to giving our strikers the service they need. However, I'm unsure Wells and Walters have a future with us and not sure where Vokes will fit in if he's struggling to get games this season. I can see at least 2 of those 3 going in the summer. If they do, we'll need a striker or two in. Perhaps one marquee signing and the other a younger striker who can grow to be a first team player.

So 5-6 players as we will need to strengthen and provide ourselves with greater squad depth. I assume we'll see a few outgoings so I'd hope that it's 5 at a minimum.

I'd love to see Shaqiri playing for us.
No idea of his wages or transfer fee but I'd welcome that sort of player making things happen.
Game changing pace, vision and a lethal shot.

Woonderbah wrote:I'd love to see Shaqiri playing for us.
No idea of his wages or transfer fee but I'd welcome that sort of player making things happen.
Game changing pace, vision and a lethal shot.

Me too. He also works hard - exactly thw kind of player that would improve the group yet not push out thw foundations of what makes us successful.

For me the priority is getting some additional composure and effectiveness in the final third. That cpukd be a combination of better forwards, a proper no 10 and wide player.

CM should be ok and a Cb/rb combo might be useful too

FactualFrank wrote:Chris Wood.

... to go with Chris Wood

IndigoLake wrote:Assuming no major outs, I'd like to see us sign the following:

Centre back - I like Long but feel there needs to be more competition beyond just Tarkowski and Mee. Can't risk only having 3 natural CB's in my opinion.

A right back - I think after Lowton, that's a weak area that can be improved upon. Bardsley isn't the worst backup in the world but we could perhaps look to strengthen there as we did at LB with Charlie Taylor - someone young with time to improve.

A central midfielder - Defour, Cork, Westwood and Hendrick are fine but I think this area can be improved, particularly with regard to Westwood and Hendrick. However, this area is less urgent.

A winger/attacking midfielder - We have Brady, Lennon, Gudmundsson and Arfield. Again, I think we can improve on Arfield (don't get me wrong - I think he's been a good player for us). We've missed Brady and I wouldn't like to see us struggle again so drastically. Could be better if the player we sign can play wide or behind the striker instead of Hendrick.

One or two strikers - Having players like Brady, Gudmundsson, Lennon, Lowton and Ward all fit will go a long way to giving our strikers the service they need. However, I'm unsure Wells and Walters have a future with us and not sure where Vokes will fit in if he's struggling to get games this season. I can see at least 2 of those 3 going in the summer. If they do, we'll need a striker or two in. Perhaps one marquee signing and the other a younger striker who can grow to be a first team player.

So 5-6 players as we will need to strengthen and provide ourselves with greater squad depth. I assume we'll see a few outgoings so I'd hope that it's 5 at a minimum.

Can't argue with any of that. My main worry is that so much of our recent success has been built on good players with the right attitude without any real stars. There were hints that Defour wasn't happy last season. Not sure if that was true or not but a larger squad with 3 or 4 players not playing regularly when they think they should be has the potential to cause rifts in the squad.

Like I said above I think we have done a brilliant job at strengthening whilst keeping the spirit so far. Really hope that can continue and it highlights how important SD is to the whole thing. I trust him to get it right and to deal with any loose cannons. When you look at Stoke, West Bromwich, and Palace it shows it's not easy to spend money and go to the next level. Thank god for Mr Dyche.

I’d be interested in Livermore from West Brom to add to our midfield.

I’m less convinced by Dawson, I’d prefer someone younger, to come through as Tarkowski has. I’m not sure if Dawson would be prepared to play second fiddle.

A winger, striker and number 10 / attacking midfielder.

Anything more should be ones for the future to bolster the squad.

IndigoLake wrote:Assuming no major outs, I'd like to see us sign the following:

Centre back - I like Long but feel there needs to be more competition beyond just Tarkowski and Mee. Can't risk only having 3 natural CB's in my opinion.

A right back - I think after Lowton, that's a weak area that can be improved upon. Bardsley isn't the worst backup in the world but we could perhaps look to strengthen there as we did at LB with Charlie Taylor - someone young with time to improve.

A central midfielder - Defour, Cork, Westwood and Hendrick are fine but I think this area can be improved, particularly with regard to Westwood and Hendrick. However, this area is less urgent.

A winger/attacking midfielder - We have Brady, Lennon, Gudmundsson and Arfield. Again, I think we can improve on Arfield (don't get me wrong - I think he's been a good player for us). We've missed Brady and I wouldn't like to see us struggle again so drastically. Could be better if the player we sign can play wide or behind the striker instead of Hendrick.

One or two strikers - Having players like Brady, Gudmundsson, Lennon, Lowton and Ward all fit will go a long way to giving our strikers the service they need. However, I'm unsure Wells and Walters have a future with us and not sure where Vokes will fit in if he's struggling to get games this season. I can see at least 2 of those 3 going in the summer. If they do, we'll need a striker or two in. Perhaps one marquee signing and the other a younger striker who can grow to be a first team player.

So 5-6 players as we will need to strengthen and provide ourselves with greater squad depth. I assume we'll see a few outgoings so I'd hope that it's 5 at a minimum.

We seem to have these threads every week, so I looked for my post but couldn't find it, as it was on one of the others.
But I seem to remember coming up with 6, so we're both pretty much on the same page.

Barnes and Wood upfront is 2 of 4-5 that we need. I'd have the 5th forward as what I'd class as a 'conveyor belt' player.

welsbyswife wrote:Can't argue with any of that. My main worry is that so much of our recent success has been built on good players with the right attitude without any real stars. There were hints that Defour wasn't happy last season. Not sure if that was true or not but a larger squad with 3 or 4 players not playing regularly when they think they should be has the potential to cause rifts in the squad.

Like I said above I think we have done a brilliant job at strengthening whilst keeping the spirit so far. Really hope that can continue and it highlights how important SD is to the whole thing. I trust him to get it right and to deal with any loose cannons. When you look at Stoke, West Bromwich, and Palace it shows it's not easy to spend money and go to the next level. Thank god for Mr Dyche.

Yes, I think it's a tricky balance but I trust Dyche to manage it well as he always has. We've stepped up our recruiting in recent seasons with Defour, Brady, Lennon etc. We can continue to improve the squad but still find players with the right attitudes (at least I hope so!). I'm happy to see gradual progression and don't want wholesale changes. I recognise 5 or 6 players seems a lot but I'd suggest half of those are to replace fringe players who are on their way out - hopefully they can be more than just fringe players and be genuine contenders.

FactualFrank wrote:We seem to have these threads every week, so I looked for my post but couldn't find it, as it was on one of the others.
But I seem to remember coming up with 6, so we're both pretty much on the same page.

Barnes and Wood upfront is 2 of 4-5 that we need. I'd have the 5th forward as what I'd class as a 'conveyor belt' player.

Agree - I'd like to see Barnes and Wood as part of our forward line next season. I'd like 2 other forwards - one marquee signing and one who is a younger 'up and coming' sort of player. Or perhaps even a player who can play as a striker or attacking midfielder or winger. Will be very interesting to see how we approach things but I think we're going about things the right way with signing Lennon and adding that much needed pace.

I would be less specific. I don't think we have one player whom I really want to lose - but we have to keep turning over the squad and improving - so three (maybe 4 at a push) players who actually offer something extra to those they replace. Spread them out between back four, midfield and attack (probably don't need a new keeper if we keep our main two). Like someone said - we can't stand still - but I think now we have the luxury of feeling that we have a good enough squad that we don't absolutely have to replace anyone in particular. No particular names (but if Salah is available I would probably let Liverpool have Wells AND Walters in exchange).

IndigoLake wrote:Agree - I'd like to see Barnes and Wood as part of our forward line next season. I'd like 2 other forwards - one marquee signing and one who is a younger 'up and coming' sort of player. Or perhaps even a player who can play as a striker or attacking midfielder or winger. Will be very interesting to see how we approach things but I think we're going about things the right way with signing Lennon and adding that much needed pace.

Lennon was a huge signing. I thought it as soon as I heard about it. He's not surprised me in the slightest. He's a superb player with bags of pace and we were crying out for someone like him. He's going to be a significant signing for us. SD has played a blinder with that signing.

I love the way we're coming on. We don't have a bottomless pit of money, but we're consistently going in the right direction. Arfield and Vokes were once one of the first names on the teamsheet - not anymore. Because we're improving all the time. What were first team players are now on the bench. We have a few more pieces in the jigsaw to fill, but give SD another 1-2 seasons and we could end up having a squad where even the second choice position players would walk the Championship. That's what I'd be aiming for and it's what I think we'll get - but we need to be patient. It can't happen at once.

Hopeful for:
Young RB - for future
Young CB - for future
Quality CAM - Hendricks current position
Quick Stricker/winger - when nkoudou goes back.

Steady rather than spectacular summer required, with the focus on tinkering with the squad whilst doing a bit of succession planning for the renewal that is inevitably a 15 months or so away. We might need a bit more if we get into Europe, but actually I'd be inclined to use that as an incentive to keep some or our squad players - the likes of Arfield, Westwood, Vokes might be tempted by that incentive and that has the immense benefit of saving on squad turnover and keeping the good characters who have made us what we are at the heart of the squad.

We obviously need another centre half, and much like last summer, and one who can operate either at centre back or right back with equal ability would be very handy - it would kill two birds with one stone.

Further forwards, I don't think the priority is necessarily a "number 10" of the sort I think most people want us to sign. I think its more a midfielder who is a bit more "Lampard" - someone capable of getting a few more goals from a midfield than any of our other midfielders, but with the technical ability to ultimately replace Defour's passing in the team but who could play with any of our current midfielders (including Hendrick and Defour). I'm not necessarily saying he's our man, but Davy Klassen (although he hasn't worked out at Everton) is the sort of type of player I have in mind.

If Nkoudou doesn't sign, we could use a winger with pace - one with the pace and youth to improve and ultimately replace Lennon in the team. Perhaps a striker who is more naturally a link player in the Ings mould might be useful too.

But I think that is about it. We keep evolving, no need for revolution.

claretspice wrote:Steady rather than spectacular summer required, with the focus on tinkering with the squad whilst doing a bit of succession planning for the renewal that is inevitably a 15 months or so away. We might need a bit more if we get into Europe, but actually I'd be inclined to use that as an incentive to keep some or our squad players - the likes of Arfield, Westwood, Vokes might be tempted by that incentive and that has the immense benefit of saving on squad turnover and keeping the good characters who have made us what we are at the heart of the squad.

We obviously need another centre half, and much like last summer, and one who can operate either at centre back or right back with equal ability would be very handy - it would kill two birds with one stone.

Further forwards, I don't think the priority is necessarily a "number 10" of the sort I think most people want us to sign. I think its more a midfielder who is a bit more "Lampard" - someone capable of getting a few more goals from a midfield than any of our other midfielders, but with the technical ability to ultimately replace Defour's passing in the team but who could play with any of our current midfielders (including Hendrick and Defour). I'm not necessarily saying he's our man, but Davy Klassen (although he hasn't worked out at Everton) is the sort of type of player I have in mind.

If Nkoudou doesn't sign, we could use a winger with pace - one with the pace and youth to improve and ultimately replace Lennon in the team. Perhaps a striker who is more naturally a link player in the Ings mould might be useful too.

But I think that is about it. We keep evolving, no need for revolution.

Agree with most of that. But do think we need someone to play off Wood. A younger, cheaper Siggurdsson would be ideal for me. You never know, perhaps he himself! Flourishes at smaller clubs and alongside JBG who knows. But Everton would need to make a significant loss no doubt.

Im hoping we get 3 key signings in. 4 at a push. Hoping we can scour europe too.

If West Brom go down we should try for Matt Phillips, he'd be great. Other West Brom players that might be realistic: McClean, Chadli, Brunt, Morrisson. Don't think Jay's a very Dyche player.

If we lose Tarky I'd go for Lascelles, I still think Newcastle will go down and he's one of the only ones too good for the Championship in that squad. Also Matt Richie.

Schindler or maybe even Mooy (unlikely) if Udders drop.

No-one stands out as useful and realistic for us from Palace or Stoke. Southampton have loads of good players but not many look like they'd end up here.

If someone did come in for Ben Mee (unlikely) then I'd defo get Ben Gibson off Boro. Still don't like Boro but he'd be great.

I'd have Ings back off Liverpool but doubt they'd loan him to us after Flanagan.

lucs86 wrote:I'd have Ings back off Liverpool but doubt they'd loan him to us after Flanagan.

When it comes down to having had Flanagan for a year, we are the aggrieved party.

Number 10 if we want to keep playing 451.
Left footed ball playing centre back.
Another fast striker to play big man little man if we plan on using 442 more.

Sadly without Europe it's looking like Vokes may want to leave and Arfield too so we would need another winger happy to be third/fourth choice.

I for one think holding on to Arfield could be better than we think, if only for a defensive winger to close off games.

I'd love for Hendrick to leave and us to grab two attacking midfielders instead but it just won't happen.

Bardsley is on a two year contract right?

Assuming only Arfield and Marney go then we need someone in midfield preferably someone goodin the air aswithout Cork we are lacking. A proper AM or no 10 or 2 if that is our preferred formation. Also a 4th choice CB, but I’ve never been that bothered by that. I still think over the last 10 years our 4th choice choice has only played a handful of games. We don’t get many sendings off but we could get a serious injury I suppose.

Just raid Bristol City and a triple swoop for Flint, Brownhill and Reid. That would give us cover where needed.

Wouldn’t be surprised if we were to sign Charlie Adam this summer regardless what division Stoke will be playing in

Firthy wrote:Just raid Bristol City and a triple swoop for Flint, Brownhill and Reid. That would give us cover where needed.

No offence Firthy but that is a proper 'Burnley' attitude.

We aren't after cover, some of the players we have now need to be the cover next season

jedi_master wrote:Attacking midfielder with pace who can play off/behind a number 9 (of which we could play any of Barnes, Vokes or Wood).

It’s hard though because we all know we need that but I am struggling to think of many compelling names for the role in the domestic market. Tom Cairney stands out but Fulham turned down £20m for him in January, and they may yet come up themselves. I think we need to look at the relegated sides for a few bargains too.

If Southampton go down, perhaps it’s beyond us (I have no idea what they are on), I would look at Redmond and Tadic.

Craig Dawson for our vacant fourth centre back slot who can also compete with Lowton for right back. Always liked him, only 27 and Dyche is a big fan. If Vokes goes I would look at Rondon too from West Brom.

Rondon? Baggies fans think he's sh!te
.

bfccrazy wrote:The no 10 role is a weird one for us - mentioned 1st half to a mate that we have possibly one of the best no10s we have ever had and would cost 25 mil to get a better one ...... but we play him up front.

Barnes is my answer to the no10 dilemma

He was a fantastic n10 at Brighton when alongside Glen Murray.

Ward-Prowse
Dawson
Jay Rod
Shane Long