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13 Jul 2023 12:48:13
Ideal 25-man squad (for depth - not dream squad) :
GK: (Signing) - Horvath
RB: Aurier - Williams - Biancone
CB: Felipe - Worrall
CB: Niakhaté - (Signing) - McKenna
LB: (Signing) - Richards
CM: Mangala - Kouyate - Freuler
CM: Yates - (Signing)
CM: Danilo - O'Brien
AM: Gibbs-White - Scarpa
AM: Johnson - (Signing)
ST: Awoniyi - Wood - Dennis
Potential signings:
GK: Henderson/ Sa/ Navas
CB: Harwood-Bellis
LB:?
CM: Sangare
AM: Willian
With potentially Biancone as a RB and CB cover and Williams as a LB, we could just need the 4 signings. Harwood is U21, so doesn't take up a slot, so room for one more.
Just means moving on:
1 Hennessey (or swap with Horvath)
2 Cook
3 Toffolo (presumably)
4 Boly (or swap with McKenna)
5 Shelvey
6 Surridge (clearly not in the plans)
7 Mighten
8 Fornah
9 Panzo
10 Laryea
11 Ojeda
12 Bowler
13 Drager
14 Hwang Ui-Jo
15 Mbe Soh
16 ARTER!
17 Konaté
Loans for:
1 G Shelvey
2 Harbottle
3 Donnelly
4 Back
5 Hammond
6 Aguilera
7 Esapa Osong
8 Taylor
Whatever way we look at it, as fans, we realistically can't go crazy buying players when there's a clear argument to be made that we need to move around SEVENTEEN senior players off the wage bill. Most will probably go out on loan and then leave for free, but we don't want 10 Arters sitting at home doing nothing for £40k a week. Plus, Freuler and O'Brien could also be moved on, meaning we would need 2 more midfielders for depth in that case. We need to start the outgoings ASAP to really get an idea of the squad.
Potentially 5 in/ 17 out.
VERY big window ahead.
1.) 13 Jul 2023 13:15:53
Need to get rid of most of that lot off our wage bill good luck whoever gets the job.
2.) 13 Jul 2023 14:18:12
Imagine having to fork out for that pile of rubbish. Not one good player there apart from Surridge. ?.
3.) 13 Jul 2023 15:45:34
In an ideal world Irish I’d lose Dennis and Freuler then keep Surridge instead of Wood but it’s more complicated than that. The amount of deadwood is incredible but but you never know we might be able to salvage a gem in there somewhere mate. In Cooper we trust but sadly he probably doesn’t have the final say.
4.) 13 Jul 2023 19:27:12
Irish Red, well done listing all them players we have. I had forgotten certain players we had, it looks like a buying spree disaster, and it is. And Arter should hang his head in shame, and should just go!.
5.) 13 Jul 2023 19:33:44
I said the other day we have a dozen to move on. And now uve written it down, its more like 17 yeh. Massive wage savings to be had.
We need 5-6 in, and 17 out.
06 Jun 2023 13:22:55
Being totally harsh on the squad as a whole, who do we see making the 25 for next season? None of the U21 regulars are still young enough, so there are only 25 spaces available unless we sign youthful names.
As it stands, I'd say there are 13 definites with obviously more within the squad:
1. Hennessey
2. Aurier
3. Williams
4. Felipe
5. Worrall
6. Niahkaté
7. Mangala
8. Danilo
9. Yates
10. Gibbs-White
11. Johnson
12. Wood
13. Awoniyi
That leaves 12 places, with Henderson and possibly Lodi to add, meaning potentially only 10 more spots available. I see a lot of those going to guys still here (Boly, Kouyaté, Biancone, Richards (? ), Scarpa), but I don't see any of them as guarantees.
It'll certainly be a busy window for outgoings, if only to find the spaces for new signings, let alone to avoid a Harold After memorial bomb squad.
1.) 06 Jun 2023 15:23:56
Biancone wasn’t getting much game time before his injury.
If richards isn’t fit for start of season he probably never will be.
2.) 06 Jun 2023 16:42:52
Think scarpa will get chances next season can play LCM and CAM so a good squad option. Same with biancone can be a good saaud option as he’s played across the whole back line.
Would keep Kouyate personally just because he’s an experienced head and over the course of the season having that experience is vital.
If we can get a replacement for Boly I’d 100% allow him to move on.
GK - Henderson (if he signs), Hennessey/ Horvath
RB - Aurier, Williams
CB - Felipe, Niakhate, Worral, New CB/ Boly, Biancone
LB - Lodi (if he signs), Toffolo/ Richards
CM - Yates, Mangala, Danilo, Kouyate, New CM x2
CAM - MGW, Scarpa (potentially Hamer from Cov)
Forwards - Johnson, Awoniyi, Wood, New attackers x2
CB: simply because we were linked with him in January I’m going to say Jonathan Tah (leverkussen) so much experience and would be a great option to have over Felipe or Niakhate if the performance levels dip
CM: I’d go for Tyler adams, Mctominay, Gallagher, Lavia 2 of them and that midfield is massively improved. Probably go Adams and Gallagher
Hamer as an option for CM and CAM would be a great addition too.
Attackers: Gyokeres for me would be a great alternative to Awoniyi and I’ve been saying his name on here for a while think he’d be a great signing. Then I’d add Hudson odoi too, if the rumoured 10 million for him is correct then that’s a bargain and he adds some real quality to the front line.
Henderson
Lodi
Tah
Adams
Gallagher
Hamer
Hudson odoi
Gyokeres.
3.) 08 Jun 2023 02:43:06
Scarpa will be in the squad. Really good player who we haven't seen the best of yet for non-footballing reasons and injuries.
24 Jan 2022 15:50:14
As I see it, we have 2 for each position at the moment - granted with injury concerns around a few. Here’s my 22, plus the extras:
GK Samba - Horvath
CB Worrall - Mbe Soh
CB Cook - Figuereido
CB McKenna - Yates
RWB Spence - Drager
CM Garner - Ojeda
CM Colback - Cafu
LWB Lowe - Lareya
RW Johnson - Mighten
ST Grabban - Davis
LW Zinckernagel - Silva
Smith
Back
Bong
Ely
Carvalho
Lolley
Taylor
Jury is out on Drager but he’s doing well for Tunisia. If he goes, Back is a decent 2nd choice along with Lareya. I’d accept offers on any of the spare lads, apart from Back, and try to keep that 22. Cafu, Ojeda and Silva have all looked decent of late.
Any other additions will, I’m sure, make us stronger. Another LWB and winger would be ideal as Mighten isn’t fit and if Drager goes/ doesn’t have a future, we’d need the extra man.
Excited for the coming months - Christ; when did I last say that?
COYR.
1.) 24 Jan 2022 16:32:19
Lareya can play on the left wing I think if needed. Apparently blindingly quick.
2.) 24 Jan 2022 19:41:36
I agree with you it’s a very strong squad that shouldn’t need a lot of work really. Back didn’t work for me as a wing back he might work in a flat back four, I spell on loan is what he needs in my opinion .
23 Jan 2021 17:01:39
All we can do now is hope that there are 3 teams worse than us this season - which I’m not convinced there are - and then demand recruitment sackings in the summer, along with the sale of most of that squad, and probably the coaching staff. I’m not sure there is anything to be excited about anymore. If a big team wants Mighten, sell him - he can’t handle the ferocity of the championship, so take the money. Because we won’t be in the Prem any time soon.
Another diabolical performance which puts to bed any thoughts that we have decent squad depth - there’s was the depth and they were just humiliated. If Figs ever plays for us again, I’ll be gutted.
1.) 23 Jan 2021 17:36:10
What can Hughton be thinking to have Figs anywhere near the starting 11?
2.) 23 Jan 2021 19:46:16
sale. who would want to pay for any of these crap artists.
23 Jan 2021 16:02:27
Half time. Awful.
Smith is keeping us in it.
Christie is world class compared to Jenkinson - granted Jenko can't be match fit.
Bong is fairly calm and solid, but pretty error-prone.
Figs is DIRE on the ball - has lost possession for runs at goal twice already - I'd be begging a club to take him.
Worrall is tidy, but looks fed up to me.
Bachirou is steady, but with no one creative to pass to. I think we'd be mad to send him out on loan. He's a tidy player.
Mbe Soh has been pretty invisible. Not his position, but you'd expect more battling from him. Can't hold it against him though - he's not a midfielder.
Lolley - so poor. Passing to the opposition constantly.
Knockaert - is in their pocket, every step over is obvious and no end product. Wonderful trickery, yes. but absolutely ZERO end product, so what's the point?
Freeman - has been busy and trying to make runs, but looks so unfit and scarily slow over the first 5 yards.
Taylor - not even bothering to run at the defenders today as there's nothing worth chasing. His diminished work rate sums up the team right now.
All in all, it's pretty diabolical. We could lose 4-0 here, I reckon. Swansea are on top of us constantly. They're just waiting for a lapse. Even the full backs are breaking through on goal. Playing wide men is just conceding the midfield, game after game. I am very worried for the team. The players look sterile in 4-2-3-1.either they are not bothered, or they just can't do the job they're being asked to do, so a change in formation seems obvious. but what do we know.
Hoping for better in the second half, but can't really see it happening.
01 Feb 2020 00:51:04
I have to say, looking at a replacement 11 of Smith; Jenkinson, Dawson, Benalouane, Bong; Bostock, Yates; Mighten, Carvalho, Diakhaby; Walker. and Da Costa/ Johnson behind them. is not a depressing sight. This is a great looking 24-man squad. Injuries can derail any team, but there’s no denying we’re covered from back to front now. Forget the window - we kept our key men. Time to mimic Reading’s naff team sheet and have the fans be the extra man. We’ve got a proper shot at this now. COYR.
05 Aug 2017 23:52:15
Bridgford,
While I agree to a point with what you say, and we DID look vulnerable at the back, the big difference on last year is we DIDN'T concede 3 or 4.!
I think people need to focus on the positives and let the management team work on the negatives.
Last season, we won by a goal against promotion new-boys but shipped 3 goals. That, in itself is progress, no?
The team will improve. Lichaj is likely to come back in, a keeper seems to be on the shopping list, let's just enjoy the win for what it was; a packed house and a big, pressurised kick-off. The lads got the job done.
We will only get better. At least we're not Boro fans.
30 Jul 2017 21:26:11
Bright,
I just don't see it. Fox was, in my opinion, solid as a rock at CB last season and is a lot less injury prone then others, as well as clearly keen to stay fit and ready to step in.
I wouldn't let him go unless he wanted to go. He's a good influence, a committed performer and has let no one down as far as I can see.
I'd see Mills and Hobbs out before I'd get rid of Fox.
Unless something incredible lines itself up, I don't think we need anything else in this window. On top of the squad I listed earlier, we've got Gabriel, Edser, Ahmedhodzic, Walters, McDonagh, Bossin, and a couple of others who I would happily trust to step in to cover any 2-3 month injury gaps that appeared in the squad. I mean, who was Joe Worrall or Ben Osborn or Lewis McGugan or any of them?
I'd sooner have a young, hungry your teamer step in and try to create a name for himself than sign players just to bulk up the backup who may not care about the club. Players, dare I say it, like Assombalonga. Yes; he was top drawer, but on leaving didn't even say he played for us. he said he "Worked" for Forest. You'd swear he was working in the gift shop! I would take a Tyler Walker or a Gerry McDonagh every day of the week. Win, lose or draw, I just want to love the team, not cheer for the van Hooijdonks and Bohinens who are just in it for themselves.
Just my opinion. I think we're in a really promising position and I trust the club, finally, to take us forward.
30 Jul 2017 18:12:28
Bright,
I'm sure there are better and younger than Fox, but I'm just not a huge fan of kicking 10 players out and expecting the new squad to bed down quickly.
Fox is not solid at LB, but for me is a decent short-term backup as well as added CB cover. He's also a great role model and apparently popular lad with the squad.
So, I would ask why spend more money on another player, likely to be backup, when we have one already?
I see this squad making progress on last year, and then next summer, we can look at moving others on to build again.
I don't think we can expect to address every single area of the team in one summer. Plus, with prices as they are, I'd rather keep the cash in the bank until we NEED a signing.
30 Jul 2017 14:59:08
The way I calculate our current squad, our 22 is:
Smith Henderson
Lichaj Darikwa
Traore Fox
Mancienne Mills
Worrall Hobbs
Cohen Bouchalakis
Vaughan Cash
McKay Carayol
Osborn Clough
Murphy Vellios
Cummings Brereton
That leaves:
Stojkovic (Going)
Evtimov (Loan, sold or 23rd place as 3rd keeper)
Iacovitti (Loan)
Lam (Loan or sold)
Ward (Possibly injured/ in for Carayol/ Cash)
Lica (Going)
Walker (Loan or sold)
Yates (Loan)
If we sign 2 more, it's anybody's guess, but Cash could possibly head out on loan, and Hobbs/ Mills/ Fox could also be in that potential sale pile. Personally, I'd keep Fox as he's a leader in the dressing room and is fully committed.
31 Jul 2023 10:39:21
Look at last season, Skeg. we started the season playing the attacking football that got us promoted and had a -15 goal difference after about 6 games. That early season goal difference almost got us relegated by the end.
I'll gladly take boring, 3 shots a game football for this first month if it means damage limitation.
I'm not loving the football right now, or most of last season either, to be fair, but we are at such a huge disadvantage to most established prem clubs, that I'll put up with whatever is served up if it allows us to be competitive.
It's about laying groundwork, making ourselves hard to beat, and then hopefully building a team that can worry the bottom 13 teams every week.
Our strongest XI has only got about 3 top quality players in it. The rest of that XI is strong without being a terrifying prospect. It takes time to build a genuinely dangerous team, and if we just decide to go all out to beat teams, even the weak teams in this league will pick us apart.
I could easily see Marinakis sacking Cooper this season, he's got that streak in him, but we have made so much progress since last year, even if the football isn't vintage Barcelona. We will improve, but it's about navigating the sections of the season in individual blocks. MAYBE Cooper gets sacked during the season if we are struggling, but he DEFINITELY gets sacked if we take three or four 5-0 pastings by naively attacking and playing entertaining football in the first month.
31 Jul 2023 07:09:51
I’d love to see some exciting play but my God…Look at our tough opening fixtures of the season…Arsenal, City, Chelsea, Utd…
Yeah - let’s use pre-season to practise open, expansive, attacking football. That’ll definitely help us prepare for those away games against the best teams in the league.
Do you think, just maybe, the team might be preparing for a tough first month of backs to the wall?
Honestly - why do people fail to see pre-season for what it is? Preparation.
Moan if you want, but this looks like extremely sensible preparation for a first month of the season where we will be up against it. If you can’t see that, then I don’t know what to tell you.
24 Aug 2022 14:47:16
Like the look of the 3-3 further forward, but I genuinely don’t believe Williams or Toffolo are suited to playing full-back. It’s their attacking play that makes them so dangerous, and I think both are slightly less effective as out-and-out defenders. Spurs and City also play with a front 3, so I’d be surprised if we switch to a back 4 and drop a defender, but whatever the manager decides, I see no reason to doubt him.
I see the team being the same as the Everton game, with the possibility of Surridge coming in for Awoniyi and if Mangala has a knock, then either Yates or a Freuler replacing him.
22 Aug 2022 08:53:33
Don’t forget; you can only make the 5 subs across 3 substitutions (and half time) so it means bringing on 2 or 3 at a time. Mangala was a 1-for-1 change, and I’m sure they are keeping an eye on people’s fitness levels, so rotating mid-game isn’t ideal if you’re protecting players as they get their fitness up to speed.
19 Aug 2022 13:58:52
You are mad if you drop O'Brien after last week.
I get the anticipation to see Dennis and the others in the team, but Mangala and O'Brien are nailed-on starters for me. I wouldn't change anyone apart from Naihkaté, if he's injured. The rest are just going to have to wait.
Cooper said he played Awoniyi for a more physical challenge for West Ham's defence, so unless he wants raw speed, Dennis won't get in ahead of him this week.
Same 11, with Cook in for Moussa, if necessary.