What do we need

[Clive 1960]

Right there's two weeks to go for the transfer window to close what do you reckon will happen, for me we need another centre half and a centre forward but maybe for this to happen we need to get some players out either on loan or permanent and i would cut our losses with Tresor similar to the Ben Gibson..

[gandhisflipflop]

Right wing back is essential if we insist on using Walker in the rcb role. Also a new cb and ideally a new cm.

If we get outgoings of Luca, Tresor, benson, then we will have room for a winger

[CJ_Claret]

Feel we need a Right sided CB that has a strong physical presence in the air, and who has a change of pace when needed. Think we saw on Saturday that Ekdal is too slow in his recovery, Walker had Aaronson pace matched when out wide but Ekdal's pace was exposed centrally for his goal. He also lost his man far too often in the box, whether it be a lack of concentration or ability to react quick enough.

Also think we need a another physically imposing CM that can carry the ball forward.

Think its obvious we are missing a true, out and out number 9 who can sniff out a chance out of nothing, but i think we've left it too late and already spent money elsewhere. I do think if we can get Broja up to speed without any fitness concerns he will be a goal threat but we needed someone who could hit the ground running from game week 1

Think Saturday will be a true indication of where we are and what we can expect this season from the personnel available

[KlyBfc]

Top priority
Centre Half with power and pace
Also need
Some real guile behind the striker, a 10 or a narrow wide player that contribute by creating chances and ideally getting a few goals
If we are to play 5 at the back then we need a right wing back that offers more going forward than Sonne and Roberts.
Whilst a striker would be wondeful i can’t that happpening with Parker almost complete preferance to playing 1 up front and Broja, Foster, Flemming already here.

[beddie]

Agree with most of the above. Where is Robert’s? not heard a mention of him.

[Newcastleclaret93]

Creative midfielder we have needed one since Defour left

[CrosspoolClarets]

Top quality CB and another DCM to rotate with Cullen and Lesley. Striker who can finish to rotate with Broja. RWB equivalent to Hartman.

Feel we have enough elsewhere as long as Parker puts his better players in like Edwards instead of going just for physicality, which in this league will amuse the opposition as they’ll handle it all day. I see AFCB are about to sign Doak for £25m, smallish tricky wide forwards are vital in this league, wouldn’t surprise me if Leeds get Soloman back, Sunderland have Le Fee etc.

So just the positions on the top row for me, but if Parker doesn’t fancy some of this current squad we will need more players rather than playing Hannibal out of position.

[ClaretTony]

Agree with most of the above. Where is Robert’s? not heard a mention of him.

Roberts hasn't featured in pre-season with an injury but if fit, in the system we've played, he'd take Sonne's place.

[RVclaret]

I’ll be surprised if we sign another striker. Foster just delivered an 8/10 performance against one of the leagues best cb pairings, we just signed Broja for 10-15m and Flemming is back to fitness. We will keep playing a one striker system, so that would feel a bit much.

Tuanzebe is a worry, I think he’d slot in really well for us based on what I saw last season and reviews from Ipswich, but his lack of fitness and injury record is concerning. I think a centre centre back, preferably one that can win headers and attack the ball at set pieces. Charlie Cresswell would be a good option, for me, though you’re looking at 15m probably.

A centre mid is the ‘definite’ one for me. Lesley and Cullen have the potential to be a good duo, but I’d definitely like another. Hayden Hackney or Imran Louza my picks. Both creative passers but still combative, they are both fully match fit and already know either the league (Louza) or country (both). Probably 15-20m for Hackney, 10-12m for Louza.

[randomclaret2]

Roberts hasn't featured in pre-season with an injury but if fit, in the system we've played, he'd take Sonne's place.

Only my opinion, but I dont think Roberts or Sonne are good enough in this League

[Woodleyclaret]

Connor Roberts is a full international and easily good enough to play rb

[billyhamilton82]

Centre Back - Fast, L/R footed as a replacement for CJER - We need a faster CB to keep up with Esteve and Walker. Ekdal dropped deeper to cover his pace and we therefore held a disjointed line.

Creative midfielder - Previous PL experience ideally. - Eriksen

Impact off the bench centre forward with PL experience - Vardy


Not as essential but in an ideal world a RWB - fast attacking and defensively sound (right sided version of Hartman)

[Hedontplayforyou]

A central midfielder who is good on the ball, probably another attacking midfielder too (Tresor leaving, possibly Koleosho too).

No disrespect to Laurent but he’s not at the level required to keep us up.

I’d also say that probably another striker if possible, moving Barnes into a strictly coaching role.

As stated above if we are sticking to the 5 then a right wing back possibly.

[Papabendi]

What we need is players with the potential to play at this level to deliver their full potential.

I worry over recent times the Prem carries a fear factor. The top sides will of course beat us more often than not but I really do think we need to cross this threshold as we did under Dyche, often with more technically limited players.

[mkmel]

Right wing back
Pacey Central defender
Strong defensive midfielder
Creative midfielder à la Gus Hamer
Striker

And all fit and ready to play straight away

And somehow about 10 players leaving either bought or on loan

[claretspice]

For me, the priorities should be an athletic, forward thinking right wing back, a dominant centre half who is a threat in both boxes, and an additional central midfielder who offers quality in possession to rival Cullen as the "prompter".

I like Roberts and if we were aiming to play a back 4 as standard, I wouldn't be so bothered about another wing back option, but even he is not the most athletic of wing backs by Premier League standards and the leap Sonne is being asked to make feels enormous. Ideally, it'd be someone who might be able to play ahead of Roberts or Walker when we do play a back four.

We also need an upgrade on Ekdal/Worrall at centre half - to compete with Tuanzebe for the right sided berth should we play a back 4, and to play in at the centre of a back three when we revert to that set up. That player should be someone who offers a real presence in both boxes.

Finally, in the centre of midfield we do have decent options assuming Ramsey is considered part of the mix, but we could ideally do with someone who can compete with Cullen for the "prompter" role, and ideally that player would give us a bit of premier league experience too because I think Hannibal is currently our most experienced midfielder at this level, which isn't ideal.

Further forwards, I think we're OK. We've got 3 centre forwards, and a reasonable spread of options to play number 10/wide.

[LincsWoldsClaret]

We just need to replace Brownhill with someone who scores goals.
Playing Foster alongside a goal-shy right wing, No.10 and midfield puts all the pressure on Antony. Our defenders offer nothing on our attacking corners (unless we play Worrall).
We need an attacking threat - regardless of how you juggle elsewhere.

[FeedTheArf]

Connor Roberts is a full international and easily good enough to play rb

As much as I like Roberts in the Championship, he's firmly in the Brownhill bracket of being fantastic in that league but never really stepping up enough for the Prem. Being an international (especially for a team likes Wales), is not a marker for making it in the Premier League.

[fidelcastro]

Connor Roberts is a full international and easily good enough to play rb

He wasn't good enough last time we were in the PL, so unless you think he's going to improve massively...

Being an international isn't necessarily an indication of how good a top flight player you are these days.

Harsh but true.

[fidelcastro]

As much as I like Roberts in the Championship, he's firmly in the Brownhill bracket of being fantastic in that league but never really stepping up enough for the Prem. Being an international (especially for a team likes Wales), is not a marker for making it in the Premier League.

You read my mind... Or did I read yours?

[Papabendi]

For me, the priorities should be an athletic, forward thinking right wing back, a dominant centre half who is a threat in both boxes, and an additional central midfielder who offers quality in possession to rival Cullen as the "prompter".

I like Roberts and if we were aiming to play a back 4 as standard, I wouldn't be so bothered about another wing back option, but even he is not the most athletic of wing backs by Premier League standards and the leap Sonne is being asked to make feels enormous. Ideally, it'd be someone who might be able to play ahead of Roberts or Walker when we do play a back four.

We also need an upgrade on Ekdal/Worrall at centre half - to compete with Tuanzebe for the right sided berth should we play a back 4, and to play in at the centre of a back three when we revert to that set up. That player should be someone who offers a real presence in both boxes.

Finally, in the centre of midfield we do have decent options assuming Ramsey is considered part of the mix, but we could ideally do with someone who can compete with Cullen for the "prompter" role, and ideally that player would give us a bit of premier league experience too because I think Hannibal is currently our most experienced midfielder at this level, which isn't ideal.

Further forwards, I think we're OK. We've got 3 centre forwards, and a reasonable spread of options to play number 10/wide.

Unless we have some loans in mind, what you are suggesting risks spreading the remaining budget too thin. We may well end up with more players at the margin. One or two high quality performers would do me.

Athletic striker..yet we haven't seen Broja yet.

[KRBFC]

Well I was shot down for suggesting we needed a right sided centre half to replace CJ because Ekdal isn’t good enough.

We also need to replace Brownhill. A midfielder who can either pick a pass or score a goal.

Then potentially a loan or two, in any position where it seriously improves us. I still think our wide options look a little meh despite the numbers.

[Ziggy Stardust]

Another 100 million should do it!

[beddie]

Ben Mee would be an upgrade on both Ekdal and Worral simply because of his experience and he gets stuck in both with his feet and his head.

[ervi34]

I'm not sure we need another RB - Roberts and Tuanezebe can cover that once they're fit. However, a center back should be our top priority and I have no idea why we didn't sign someone as soon as we knew CJER was off. Would like to see another central midfielder (Hamer perhaps) and a striker but not sure how much money do we have.

Slight off topic - I can't be the only one who's struggling to understand the point of signing Tchaouna? Seems strange to splash more than 10m on someone who won't be a guaranteed starter.

[KRBFC]

Slight off topic - I can't be the only one who's struggling to understand the point of signing Tchaouna? Seems strange to splash more than 10m on someone who won't be a guaranteed starter.

Brun Larsen a strange signing too, 7£m is massively overpriced for a winger who couldn’t get a start in the Bundesliga but we had about 9 wide players at the club already.

Tuanzebe you can add to that list too, we’ve got an abundance of central defenders who we need to get rid of, he can’t stay fit and we’ve got Sonne, Roberts and Walker already for right back.

Seems like the ALK model is just stockpile players and pray they have a good few month spell so we can sell.

[Slurpy]

See how we get on against Sunderland before we start panicking

[ervi34]

Brun Larsen a strange signing too, 7£m is massively overpriced for a winger who couldn’t get a start in the Bundesliga but we had about 9 wide players at the club already.

Tuanzebe you can add to that list too, we’ve got an abundance of central defenders who we need to get rid of, he can’t stay fit and we’ve got Sonne, Roberts and Walker already for right back.

Seems like the ALK model is just stockpile players and pray they have a good few month spell so we can sell.

I'm pretty sure we paid around 4m euros for JBL so that's a low risk with potential reward. Similar with Tuanzebe who was a free transfer.

[Papabendi]

I'm not sure we need another RB - Roberts and Tuanezebe can cover that once they're fit. However, a center back should be our top priority and I have no idea why we didn't sign someone as soon as we knew CJER was off. Would like to see another central midfielder (Hamer perhaps) and a striker but not sure how much money do we have.

Slight off topic - I can't be the only one who's struggling to understand the point of signing Tchaouna? Seems strange to splash more than 10m on someone who won't be a guaranteed starter.

This the problem ive had with the last two summer windows in the Prem. Quantity over quality

[ClaretTony]

Only my opinion, but I dont think Roberts or Sonne are good enough in this League

Maybe not but Roberts would be a big step up from Sonne

[RVclaret]

Brun Larsen a strange signing too, 7£m is massively overpriced for a winger who couldn’t get a start in the Bundesliga but we had about 9 wide players at the club already.

Tuanzebe you can add to that list too, we’ve got an abundance of central defenders who we need to get rid of, he can’t stay fit and we’ve got Sonne, Roberts and Walker already for right back.

Seems like the ALK model is just stockpile players and pray they have a good few month spell so we can sell.

We paid £3m for Larsen. No idea where 7 has come from?

[claretonthecoast1882]

Brun Larsen a strange signing too, 7£m is massively overpriced for a winger who couldn’t get a start in the Bundesliga but we had about 9 wide players at the club already.

Tuanzebe you can add to that list too, we’ve got an abundance of central defenders who we need to get rid of, he can’t stay fit and we’ve got Sonne, Roberts and Walker already for right back.

Seems like the ALK model is just stockpile players and pray they have a good few month spell so we can sell.

What exchange rate are you using to get to £7m

[Dark Cloud]

Clearly we could use a couple more first team ready signings, but tbf we've already had some more than decent incomings this summer. The problem is getting (and keeping) our best 13/14 players fit. I'm sure Parker knows and doesn't need me to point out that if we're regularly picking the likes of Sonne and Laurent to start in the PL we're going to really struggle.

[DanH90]

For me a centre back is the only priority. Whether we play a back 4 or 5, someone to replace Ekdal who is big, wins headers win both boxes and aggressive. I thought Tuanzebe was that player but his lack of pre season minutes suggest otherwise.

RB/RWB I think we are fine, Roberts can play there or, if we play a back 4, there’s this guy we’ve got called Kyle Walker, who, as I recall, was half decent in that position.

For me we’ve got plenty of cover everywhere else, and the squad is too bloated to add any more. Other than a centre back, I can’t see us improving the first 11 with our current budget.

[KRBFC]

I'm pretty sure we paid around 4m euros for JBL so that's a low risk with potential reward. Similar with Tuanzebe who was a free transfer.

It’s not necessarily the fees, we already had a bloated squad, we didn’t need to sign squad filler type players.

[KRBFC]

What exchange rate are you using to get to £7m

Not sure where I got that fee from, I stand corrected.
It’s a strange signing at any fee for me because we needed quality not quantity.

[ŽižkovClaret]

A spa day and some nice chicken tikka, thanks for asking

[aggi]

Between Humphreys and Tuanezebe you'd hope centre half would be covered but I'm not really sure when either is due back or how up to speed they'll be.

Same upfront, with Flemming, Foster and Broja I can't see us getting anyone else in. Personally I suspect we'll see Flemming as the main striker in the end but we shall see.

We seem to have a fair few wingers and attacking midfielders so can't see anyone coming in there.

Midfield we have, I'm guessing, Cullen and Ugochukwu with Laurent as backup (and maybe Hannibal if we put someone more attacking like JBL in the advanced midfield role).

So looks like just a RWB we need which is a bit surprising.

I think a lot of the issues on Saturday were more with the shape and players not seeming to fully be drilled in their roles rather than the actual players.

[ksrclaret]

If the plan is to play this 523 system more often than not, then we absolutely need a RWB. I just can't imagine that either of Roberts or Sonne can give us enough attacking edge from that position, especially in the games we need to try and win. If we're only using it in the tough away games, then Roberts there will be fine I would think.

The player we definitely need to come through the door in a right-footed centre back. I think most fans recognise that Ekdal isn't the answer there at PL level, Tuanzebe is injured already and absolutely cannot be relied on, and Worrall just looks too awkward on the ball to suit how SP wants us to play and there are some big questions over whether his defending is good enough to make up for that.

I've still no idea where on earth the goals are going to come from, but I seriously doubt whether there is any room in the squad and/ or budget to bring in another attacking option.

[summitclaret]

If we could only sign 1 more player it has to be a right side cb, who can dominate in both boxes. We wouldn't need to sign a right wing back as we wouldn't need to play 3 cbs as we would not be carrying Ekdal or relying on injury prones. Walker could then play right back.

My second priority would be a Brownhill replacement.

[CoolClaret]

Irrespective of formation, we are desperate for a quick, physical beast of a centre-half.

If we continue with wing backs, we need a right wing back. Another central midfielder would be nice as well!

[NottsClaret]

What do we need.. if we want to be competitive? Harsh, but the answer to that one is simply ‘in the division below’. We were an excellent Championship side and we still are.

[claretonthecoast1882]

What do we need.. if we want to be competitive? Harsh, but the answer to that one is simply ‘in the division below’. We were an excellent Championship side and we still are.

Yup,I can see it being a routine of 1 excellent season followed by a tough season on repeat.

[alwaysaclaret]

Well I was shot down for suggesting we needed a right sided centre half to replace CJ because Ekdal isn’t good enough.

We also need to replace Brownhill. A midfielder who can either pick a pass or score a goal.

Then potentially a loan or two, in any position where it seriously improves us. I still think our wide options look a little meh despite the numbers.

I was one who responded to your post/posts re Ekdal, although I didn't necessarily disagree with you, I did think he was the one most likely to start v Spurs, of the 4 options I mentioned, walker, Tuanzebe, Ekdal, Worrall he was the one who'd figured pre season and seemed the safest bet fitness wise.

A couple of weeks ago people were saying we needed RCB, CM, and No9, we're still going off this thread in exactly the same position even though we've signed Broja, Ugochukwu, and walker just a week or two before. Problem is we're either signing player's who are not fit to start, or are just not quite good enough to make a difference.
I see forest have just confirmed Arnaud Kalimuendo for around £25m, he's stats suggest he can make a difference, yet we are still being linked with the likes of Sargent. It's evident to me we just need to go that little bit further to stop coming back to exactly the same position we were in a few weeks ago, if you get what I mean.

[Claretfam]

What we do need is a supportive fan base to be the 12th man ... In recent years our noise levels at home have dropped. When I came to my first match in the late 90's it was under sufferance, I had never been to a football match and I came because I wanted to show my then BF, later husband, now ex that I could get on board with his hobbies too! I was totally blown away by the whole experience and have a season ticket ever since.

I remember someone, could have been Stan or maybe Dyche, saying what a difference the crowd made to the players, I know times change and the connection to the Payton / Little partnership may never be repeated but I cringe now when I hear fans and the press saying what a fortress Elland Road is (I live in Leeds country) and I still hear Turf Moor is a hard place to come as an away team but I wonder now.

I don't have the answers and would really like to avoid a row about 'entitled fans' and I know we pay a lot of money and when players seem like they CBA it's **** ... But from the bits I caught on Saturday and following here it really looks like we do have a team who want to play for the manager and work well together, I hope we can really play our part this year - whatever the score!

[KRBFC]

I was one who responded to your post/posts re Ekdal, although I didn't necessarily disagree with you, I did think he was the one most likely to start v Spurs, of the 4 options I mentioned, walker, Tuanzebe, Ekdal, Worrall he was the one who'd figured pre season and seemed the safest bet fitness wise.

A couple of weeks ago people were saying we needed RCB, CM, and No9, we're still going off this thread in exactly the same position even though we've signed Broja, Ugochukwu, and walker just a week or two before. Problem is we're either signing player's who are not fit to start, or are just not quite good enough to make a difference.
I see forest have just confirmed Arnaud Kalimuendo for around £25m, he's stats suggest he can make a difference, yet we are still being linked with the likes of Sargent. It's evident to me we just need to go that little bit further to stop coming back to exactly the same position we were in a few weeks ago, if you get what I mean.

I think we’d have been better going for quality over quantity. Not sure why we keep signing a new team every year and stock piling players like cattle.

[Cooclaret]

Connor Roberts is a full international and easily good enough to play rb

In the Championship. He’s woefully under equipped in the Premier League.

Matty Cash who’s an average Premier League RB, is significantly better than Roberts.

Roberts should be sold.

[randomclaret2]

This the problem ive had with the last two summer windows in the Prem. Quantity over quality

It's the owners' Modus Operandi. Profits from player trading is central to how they run the club.

[CoolClaret]

I think we’d have been better going for quality over quantity. Not sure why we keep signing a new team every year and stock piling players like cattle.

The theory is that we will hit on more than we don't and flip them for a profit - but it's not that straightforward. We've signed plenty of deals that will likely result in losses or only just break even, and that's before considering the wages & agent fees paid out to players who have barely kicked a ball for us.

I would also prefer to focus on quality over player trading, allowing the byproduct of developing them to be sales for profit once a player has outgrown us, rather than making it the primary intention.

[claretonthecoast1882]

The theory is that we will hit on more than we don't and flip them for a profit - but it's not that straightforward. We've signed plenty of deals that will likely result in losses or only just break even, and that's before considering the wages & agent fees paid out to players who have barely kicked a ball for us.

I would also prefer to focus on quality over player trading, allowing the byproduct of developing them to be sales for profit once a player has outgrown us, rather than making it the primary intention.

An issue is though spending alternate seasons in different divisions.

It is a lot easier to sign players when in this division but they don't always want to be here following relegation. If we managed to stay up then you are in a much better position to build something rather than have to change too much.

If you come up from the Championship and don't significantly improve the squad then the end result is inevitable, even doing so probably ends with the same outcome for most.