The “where are we up to” thread

[Guller Bull]

Light hearted look at what our opening day squad may look like given the rumours of in’s and out’s

Realise it all ifs and buts but might help clarify to us fans what we need / will look like.

That’s the first team squad list as it stands courtesy of utc/CT

FIRST TEAM SQUAD

1 James Trafford Goalkeeper 10/10/2002 0 0 2027
2 Oliver Sonne Defender 10/11/2000 0 0 2029
3 Shurandy Sambo Defender 19/08/2001 0 0 2028
4 Joe Worrall Defender 10/01/1997 0 0 2028
5 Maxime Estève Defender 26/05/2002 0 0 2029
8 Josh Brownhill Midfielder 19/12/1995 0 0 2025*
10 Manuel Benson Midfielder 28/03/1997 0 0 2027
11 Jaidon Anthony Forward 01/12/1999 0 0 2029
12 Bashir Humphreys Defender 15/03/2003 0 0 2029
14 Connor Roberts Defender 23/09/1995 0 0 2027+
17 Lyle Foster Forward 03/09/2000 0 0 2028
18 Hjalmar Ekdal Defender 21/10/1998 0 0 2027
19 Zian Flemming Midfielder 01/08/1998 0 0 2029
20 Etienne Green Goalkeeper 19/07/2000 0 0 2027
21 Aaron Ramsey Midfielder 21/01/2003 0 0 2028
22 Marcus Edwards Midfielder 03/12/1998 0 0 2029
23 Lucas Pires Defender 24/03/2001 0 0 2028
24 Josh Cullen Midfielder 07/04/1996 0 0 2027+
25 Zeki Amdouni Forward 04/12/2000 0 0 2028
28 Hannibal Mejbri Midfielder 21/01/2003 0 0 2028
29 Josh Laurent Midfielder 06/05/1995 0 0 2026+
30 Luca Koleosho Midfielder 15/09/2004 0 0 2029
31 Mike Trésor Midfielder 28/05/1999 0 0 2028
32 Václav Hladký Goalkeeper 14/11/1990 0 0 2026
34 Jaydon Banel Forward 19/10/2004 0 0 2029
35 Ashley Barnes Forward 30/10/1989 0 0 2025*
36 Jordan Beyer Defender 19/05/2000 0 0 2027
37 Andréas Hountondji Forward 11/07/2002 0 0 2028
39 Owen Dodgson Defender 19/03/2003 0 0 2027
40 Charlie Casper Goalkeeper 04/04/2005 0 0 2026
41 Joe Bauress Midfielder 24/11/2005 0 0 2026
42 Han-Noah Massengo Midfielder 07/07/2001 0 0 2027
44 Hannes Delcroix Defender 28/02/1999 0 0 2026
45 Michael Obafemi Forward 06/07/2000 0 0 uk/2023
48 Enock Agyei Forward 13/01/2005 0 0 2027
49 Tommy McDermott Midfielder 01/06/2005 0 0 2026
Dara Costelloe Midfielder 11/12/2002 0 0 2026
Darko Churlinov Midfielder 11/07/2000 0 0 2026

Take out potentially Trafford, Brownhill,Churlinov, Obafemi, Koleosho and a few more like Dara Costelloe, Barnes? Massengo? Houtonji? Sambo? Etc

Add in Weiss, Hartmann

Bear in mind possible returns of Beyer Ekdal, Humphries, Trésor , Amdouni and Ramsey

It’s already looking strong.

Pick a squad from that.

[randomclaret2]

Not sure its " looking strong " in Premier League terms

[BigGaz]

James Trafford should be sold - we don't want him getting to the last year of contract and getting our pants pulled down.

2 Oliver Sonne backup
3 Shurandy Sambo loan or sell
4 Joe Worrall Defender hopefully backup
5 Maxime Estève Defender keep
8 Josh Brownhill Midfielder keep
10 Manuel Benson sad, but sell
11 Jaidon Anthony keep
12 Bashir Humphreys keep
14 Connor Roberts keep
17 Lyle Foster hopefully backup
18 Hjalmar Ekdal sell
19 Zian Flemming keep
20 Etienne Green sell
21 Aaron Ramsey keep or loan
22 Marcus Edwards keep
23 Lucas Pires Defender keep
24 Josh Cullen Midfielder keep
25 Zeki Amdouni Forward sell
28 Hannibal Mejbri keep
29 Josh Laurent hopefully backup
30 Luca Koleosho keep
31 Mike Trésor god knows
32 Václav Hladký backup
34 Jaydon Banel loan
35 Ashley Barnes keep
36 Jordan Beyer loan
37 Andréas Hountondji sell
39 Owen Dodgson sell
40 Charlie Casper loan
41 Joe Bauress Midfielder loan
42 Han-Noah Massengo sell
44 Hannes Delcroix sell
45 Michael Obafemi release
48 Enock Agyei loan
49 Tommy McDermott loan
Dara Costelloe sell
Darko Churlinov sell

We obviously can't do it all in one go but it needed major surgery at the start of last season. For a transient club like ours, it's a tricky one because many of the players you're looking to move on as a PL side are useful options at Champ level, and we've every chance of being there again in 12 months.

[Guller Bull]

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We obviously can't do it all in one go but it needed major surgery at the start of last season. For a transient club like ours, it's a tricky one because many of the players you're looking to move on as a PL side are useful options at Champ level, and we've every chance of being there again in 12 months.

Not much of that I would disagree with apart from Ramsey will hopefully be a big player for us this next season. That leaves us a lot more scope for stable PL quality reliables and a few more golden nuggets

[NottsClaret]

It's a fairly big squad, and reasonably youthful. And for the Championship, it's an excellent squad. This isn't a criticism before anyone gets too senisitive. But there's only two players on there that another existing Prem club would be interested in - that's the scale of the task.

[Guller Bull]

Hladky (or Pope or Weiss)

CR ------ Humphreys -----------Steve -------- Hartmann
Edwards ----- Cullen -----Brownhill (Mejbri) --- Anthony
Flemming
Foster (Amdouni?)

Subs - Pope/Weiss, Worrall, Pires, Sonne, Laurent,Ramsey, Tresor, Tchaouna, Koleosho.


Obviously lots of ifs/buts and he wont be here etc

[Goliath]

Not much of that I would disagree with apart from Ramsey will hopefully be a big player for us this next season. That leaves us a lot more scope for stable PL quality reliables and a few more golden nuggets

I'd be surprised if Ramsey is a big player for us. He needs first team football so I'd have thought a loan to a top champ club would be the best thing for his progression

[alwaysaclaret]

It seems a lot of people are convinced that Trafford is on he's way out. The only reason that there's reports he's going to Newcastle is because the media are attempting to push stories because we've apparently signed Weis from Karlsruge, which is still not confirmed by the club, it's not secret that Newcastle want Trafford, but there's not a cat in hells chance that Weis will take the no1 spot straight away, so unless we find someone better, Trafford won't be going anywhere unless Newcastle stump up £40m, which they are struggling to do due to financial constraints.

[Guller Bull]

Trafford ( Weiss/Hladky)

CR ------ Humphreys -----------Steve -------- Hartmann
Edwards ----- Cullen -----(Mejbri) --- Anthony
Flemming
Foster

Subs from- Pope/Weiss, Worrall, Pires, Sonne, Laurent,Ramsey, Tchaouna, Koleosho, Tuanzebe, Ekdal, Barnes

The "who knows" pile - Presently. Tresor, Benson , Green, Hladký Banel, Beyer, Hountondji ,Dodgson, Casper, Bauress, Massengo , Delcroix,
Obafemi, Agyei, McDermott, Amdouni

Probably missed a few or duplicated.

[mybloodisclaret]

Trafford ( Weiss/Hladky)

CR ------ Humphreys -----------Steve -------- Hartmann
Edwards ----- Cullen -----(Mejbri) --- Anthony
Flemming
Foster

Subs from- Pope/Weiss, Worrall, Pires, Sonne, Laurent,Ramsey, Tchaouna, Koleosho, Tuanzebe, Ekdal, Barnes

The "who knows" pile - Presently. Tresor, Benson , Green, Hladký Banel, Beyer, Hountondji ,Dodgson, Casper, Bauress, Massengo , Delcroix,
Obafemi, Agyei, McDermott, Amdouni

Probably missed a few or duplicated.

Suspect we may see Tuanzebe play at RB.

Dont think Tchaouna will be benched often either. May see him more centrally.

[Guller Bull]

Suspect we may see Tuanzebe play at RB.

Dont think Tchaouna will be benched often either. May see him more centrally.

I personally don't know enough about either of them. We are putting some nice depth in though. Still more needed up front and then a lot of weeding out.

[ksrclaret]

I think we need a CB, a DCM, another CM to replace Brownhill, and a forward. If Trafford leaves, add a GK to that.

At some point the huge task of sorting the outgoings needs to begin as well. There are around 15 to 18 players on the OP list that won’t even make the bench this season.

[mybloodisclaret]

I personally don't know enough about either of them. We are putting some nice depth in though. Still more needed up front and then a lot of weeding out.

Yeah agree 100%. We need to improve our attacking department. I do think Tchaouna will play more centrally tbh.

[Spijed]

Suspect we may see Tuanzebe play at RB.

Dont think Tchaouna will be benched often either. May see him more centrally.

All well and good if he plays at right back, but Esteve aside (assume he stays) we have a brand new defence & keeper that's about to play in the Premier League.

Unfortunately, that tends not to work out too well.

We might get lucky - time will tell.

[mybloodisclaret]

All well and good if he plays at right back, but Esteve aside (assume he stays) we have a brand new defence & keeper that's about to play in the Premier League.

Unfortunately, that tends not to work out too well.

We might get lucky - time will tell.

The problem is Spijed quite simply, CJ turned the contract down.

Pires - not sure he is prem quality, looks like Parker agrees, enter Quincy Hartman. Pires did certainly improve as the season went on.
I love Connor Roberts and think he is worthy of his place, however, Tuanzebe can play RB and is bigger and faster than CR.

Looks like Traff may well be off also, but we really can't control that it seems also.

Many variables that we can't control.

I reckon if we started Pires and CR as both full backs we'd get done a lot by prem midfielders. We couldn't control the CJ situation. We are where we are......

[ClaretPete001]

I tend to think we've seen nothing yet...

[Guller Bull]

I tend to think we've seen nothing yet...

In what way Pete? Are you thinking major exodus? or exciting incomings?

[Guller Bull]

There are a few in that "who knows" pile that could come good.

The "who knows" pile - Presently. Tresor, Benson , Green, Hladký Banel, Beyer, Hountondji ,Dodgson, Casper, Bauress, Massengo , Delcroix,
Obafemi, Agyei, McDermott, Amdouni

Amdouni, Tresor, Banel, Agyei, Bauress, Mc Dermott, Casper. plus we do normally promote a couple of young lads to main squad Adewumi, Mellon for eg?

[LincsWoldsClaret]

Where are we up to?

As things stand we’ve added no obvious starters but have strengthened some positions, so our probable starting line-up is pretty much unchanged at present -

Trafford
Roberts Worrall Esteve Pires/ Humphries
Cullen
Edwards Brownhill Hannibal Antony
Flemming

[ŽižkovClaret]

Where are we up to?

As things stand we’ve added no obvious starters but have strengthened some positions, so our probable starting line-up is pretty much unchanged at present -

Trafford
Roberts Worrall Esteve Pires/ Humphries
Cullen
Edwards Brownhill Hannibal Antony
Flemming

Still including Brownhill? He's left. Move on

[CyrilEbokiPoh]

Myself, I would keep Amdouni. But agree with others its hard to see exactly where he fits. Especially if Flemming drops into the hole, and / or Ramsey steps up!

Personall think Felmming would offer a lot in the ten at this level. He has certainly bulked out. His confidence has grown. He is strong on the ball and has a hammer of a shot from distance and can drift into the box (see Blackburn goal).

I think at times last season he was playing as a central striker, but thinking like a 'ten'

[Boss Hogg]

Where are we up to?

As things stand we’ve added no obvious starters but have strengthened some positions, so our probable starting line-up is pretty much unchanged at present -

Trafford
Roberts Worrall Esteve Pires/ Humphries
Cullen
Edwards Brownhill Hannibal Antony
Flemming

Hartman and Tuanzebe are starters. No way Worrall is better than Tuanzebe.

[ClaretPete001]

In what way Pete? Are you thinking major exodus? or exciting incomings?

Hopefully, both. The squad needs an overhaul and we need some key players. We've already spent a significant amount so I'm guessing there is a lot more business to be done before the start of next season.

[LincsWoldsClaret]

Still including Brownhill? He's left. Move on

There’s nothing official at present - which is the point of the thread

[Tricky Trevor]

Costelloe, sold.

[LincsWoldsClaret]

Hartman and Tuanzebe are starters. No way Worrall is better than Tuanzebe.

Hartman - will have to work hard to get ahead of Humphries or Pires who have the advantage of playing in the team for a year.

Tuanzebe - similar age to Worrall, not as tall, and has been used as a right back of late. Worrall will expect to be a starter, only CJ’s form kept him out last year.

[ŽižkovClaret]

There’s nothing official at present - which is the point of the thread

He's not under contract, and he's apparently been removed from the squad list. I'm not sure what else is needed? Alan Pace removes him from his top 8 friends on MySpace?

[ollieclarets8]

Alan Pace removes him from his top 8 friends on MySpace?

Ahhhhhh... the good old days.

[AlargeClaret]

I’m thinking Tuanzebe might be playing RB? as surely we need an upgrade on Roberts ? .Hartman /Humphries for LB is interesting though . If we presume Steve is likely going, I’d have thought Worral will be hoping to start . Though either way a “totally new” defence set up and keeper starting in the prem could be a bit shaky . I do hope ( somewhat forlornly ) that Steve stays though .

[Guller Bull]

Personally I am of the opinion that Connor Roberts is good enough. He seems to be one of those players that cops a lot of stick for other people going missing positionally. I do however think we need adequate back up /challenger for the position.

Is Sonne a right back? He needs to be pushing to a new level now.

[Ampth7]

I personally think we still need a minimum of a number 9, a centre midfielder and a centre back owing to the fact we have lost CJ and Beyer’s injury. Possibly need to throw in a right back to compete with Roberts as I can’t see Sonne being capable enough based on what we saw of him last season.

[123EasyasBFC]

Hopefully, both. The squad needs an overhaul and we need some key players. We've already spent a significant amount so I'm guessing there is a lot more business to be done before the start of next season.

On the face of it yes it’s a significant amount - around 60m but we should get at least half of that back with Traffords fee and hopefully we manage to generate another 10-15m with the deadwood

[ollieclarets8]

I'm following the thread but still not sure where we are up to.

[ClaretPete001]

I'm following the thread but still not sure where we are up to.

We are up to nowhere. The squad is not good enough to survive in the PL as it stands. I don't think Flemming is PL quality as a centre forward and it looks like we have lost 18 goal Brownhill.

We haven't signed the 2 key players required. Firstly, to upgrade Laurent in the double pivot and a quality striker. We have a squad that is over-bloated and needs trimming down and we have lost Egan Riley.

We've spent Eur 70 million on 3 wingers, 3 full backs, a goal keeper and Flemming (if you believe Transfermarket).

I still think we are better placed than under Kompany but also suspect there is an awful lot of work to be done between now and the end of the transfer Window.

[Guller Bull]

What do we reckon we will bring in for outgoing players?

Costelloe went for circa £300k wasn’t it?

Trafford probably about £35 mill plus add ons
Amdouni - £15 mill ?
Benson - £5 mill?
Maasengo £3 mill?
Delacroix £2 mill?
Ekdal £3 mill?
Houtonji £2 mill ?

Guesswork

[alwaysaclaret]

We are up to nowhere. The squad is not good enough to survive in the PL as it stands. I don't think Flemming is PL quality as a centre forward and it looks like we have lost 18 goal Brownhill.

We haven't signed the 2 key players required. Firstly, to upgrade Laurent in the double pivot and a quality striker. We have a squad that is over-bloated and needs trimming down and we have lost Egan Riley.

We've spent Eur 70 million on 3 wingers, 3 full backs, a goal keeper and Flemming (if you believe Transfermarket).

I still think we are better placed than under Kompany but also suspect there is an awful lot of work to be done between now and the end of the transfer Window.

Hard to argue with this ! Although we have made good signings in Hartman and Tuanzebe. Tchaouna looks to have potential but have we not got enough with potential. Weiss doesn't appear to be a starter atm. I don't include the 4 signed from last season as they were already here. So to Brownhill, he definitely wouldn't have reached the heights he did last season in the Premier league this season, but will be a huge miss, Parker does seem to have found he's best position, however he may be able to find a replacement with what we have, one of Ramsey, Amdouni, Hannibal, Tchaouna, or dare I say Tresor could maybe fulfill that role. So to conclude, we still need that physical holding midfielder, that can spot that pass through the channels, and of course we're all agreed that quality striker with some pace, of which we need at least 1 of.
Should we sign those 2 positions, would change everything. One last point, Flemming could actually turn out to be a very astute signing.

[Spijed]

We are up to nowhere. The squad is not good enough to survive in the PL as it stands. I don't think Flemming is PL quality as a centre forward and it looks like we have lost 18 goal Brownhill.

We haven't signed the 2 key players required. Firstly, to upgrade Laurent in the double pivot and a quality striker. We have a squad that is over-bloated and needs trimming down and we have lost Egan Riley.

We've spent Eur 70 million on 3 wingers, 3 full backs, a goal keeper and Flemming (if you believe Transfermarket).

I still think we are better placed than under Kompany but also suspect there is an awful lot of work to be done between now and the end of the transfer Window.

And how much does a quality striker in the Prem cost these days? £20-£30 million at the very least

[ecc]

Suspect we'll do well to get more than £30m for JT but hope I'm wrong.

[ClaretPete001]

Hard to argue with this ! Although we have made good signings in Hartman and Tuanzebe. Tchaouna looks to have potential but have we not got enough with potential. Weiss doesn't appear to be a starter atm. I don't include the 4 signed from last season as they were already here. So to Brownhill, he definitely wouldn't have reached the heights he did last season in the Premier league this season, but will be a huge miss, Parker does seem to have found he's best position, however he may be able to find a replacement with what we have, one of Ramsey, Amdouni, Hannibal, Tchaouna, or dare I say Tresor could maybe fulfill that role. So to conclude, we still need that physical holding midfielder, that can spot that pass through the channels, and of course we're all agreed that quality striker with some pace, of which we need at least 1 of.
Should we sign those 2 positions, would change everything. One last point, Flemming could actually turn out to be a very astute signing.

Agreed. Not sure Flemming is technically good enough to score goals in the PL.

For me without those two signing we won't be good enough in midfield and we won't score the goals required.

[ClaretPete001]

And how much does a quality striker in the Prem cost these days? £20-£30 million at the very least

Indeed, which is why I think there is a lot of business yet to be done.

[Spijed]

Indeed, which is why I think there is a lot of business yet to be done.

And where do we get all the money to pay for the additional signings, even spending that much on a single player?

Are some really suggesting we should spend up to £30 million on striker?

[Guller Bull]

And where do we get all the money to pay for the additional signings, even spending that much on a single player?

Are some really suggesting we should spend up to £30 million on striker?

Thats why I put up the comment re selling players above.

If we take in 15m for Amdouni and £40m for Trafford then surely we can reinvest some back into a Prem ready striker?

I know it's fag packet math but if we harbor any hopes of staying up we are going to have to hit the back of the net regularly.

[Guller Bull]

Trafford ( Weiss/Hladky)

Walker ------ Humphreys -----------Steve -------- Hartmann
Edwards ----- Cullen -----(Mejbri) --- Anthony
Flemming
Foster

Subs from- Pope/Weiss, Worrall, Pires, Roberts, Laurent,Ramsey, Tchaouna, Koleosho, Tuanzebe, Ekdal, Barnes


The "who knows" pile - Presently. Tresor, Benson , Green, Hladký Banel, Beyer, Hountondji ,Dodgson, Casper, Bauress, Massengo , Delcroix,
Obafemi, Agyei, McDermott, Amdouni, Sonne

[ollieclarets8]

Really looking forward to a right side of Walker/Edwards.

[KernowHouseClaret]

Really looking forward to a right side of Walker/Edwards.

Wouldn't surprise me to see Walker playing RCB in a back 5 with Roberts RWB at times

[Paddy1882]

In my opinion we need:-

Starting GK when traff goes
Experienced CB to go along side Esteve
X2 big, athletic CM players (absolute must)
Starting striker

I’d keep Amdouni and Tresor. That would give us pretty much 2 Burnley quality players for every position with a couple extra. The 2 CM players for me are a must. We all know it’s going to be mighty tough but can’t be getting bullied and run all over in there pretty much every game like the last premier league campaign.

[BigGaz]

Must be said that

Trafford
Walker Tuanzebe Esteve Hartmann

As long as they’re all fit and firing is every inch a PL back line. Really strong start to proceedings. It’s going to be an uphill battle no matter what we do but if can get hold of a good midfielder to replace Josh and a striker then with that defence we’ve got a fighting chance.

[ollieclarets8]

Wouldn't surprise me to see Walker playing RCB in a back 5 with Roberts RWB at times

Yeah that's a fair point. Maybe Walker/Steve/Humphreys. Guess it will depend on the opposition.

[KernowHouseClaret]

Yeah that's a fair point. Maybe Walker/Steve/Humphreys. Guess it will depend on the opposition.

That's my way of looking at it, wouldn't be surprised if we played 3CBs most games

[billyhamilton82]

Its difficult to assess where we are currently as I don't fully understand how the squad system works in the Premier League and how it impacts our current squad.

I know I assumed certain aspects of the rules and regularly corrected by better informed posters on here.

Am I correct in assuming that players like Koleosho (IE under 21) can be added (as extra) to the 25?

Also the home grown rule has caused me plenty of headaches with differing information, who is considered homegown and what advantage do you gain?

Any help and advice would be much appreciated as it seems everyone has a different version and opinion on how it works online.