um bongo molongo
Well-known member
I’ve looked and can’t find a thread on this but please merge if I’ve missed it.
I know there’s 7 games to go, but let’s face it, we’re fighting for the mid table places now, and, with a while to go till our next game, I think it’s fair to start considering our summer transfer activity as something to keep us occupied. Below is what I’d like to see us do (not necessarily what I think we’ll do). I’ve grouped players in to the roles I think we need in the squad - this is not necessarily a formation, as our balance of midfield vs attackers changes depending on the oppo.
GK
I’d like to see Rushworth return to compete (not rotate) with Bart. Steele would make a good #3 - he’s a good ‘club man’ and I doubt he’s on a huge wage. McGill out on loan (or sold).
IN: Rushworth (return from loan)
OUT: McGill
RB
This feels like a priority. Controversially, I would move Lamptey on - he’s lost some of his explosive pace which was his main weapon and I don’t see where he fits: his defending isn’t good enough for RB, and his end product isn’t good enough to be a winger. Veltman doesn’t offer enough going forward to be more than a back up, and Hinsh’s long term role is as a midfielder so I’ve listed him there, though he can obviously act as back up.
IN: New first team RB
OUT: Lamptey
LB
An interesting one as lots of questions. I’m going to assume we can turn Estupinan off and on again to reboot him to the level he was before the injury. I’m also going to assume Barco is ready to be the back up (he’s listed as a defender on the official site, though I suspect he will end up LW). I refuse to consider Milner as a FB as he’s absolutely bobbins there. Igor is also a square peg there which massively reduces our attacking threat, so if either of those assumptions is wrong, we need to bring someone in.
NO ACTIVITY (unless we loan out Barco, or consider him a LW)
CB:
I think it’s time to move on Webster. I like Adam but RDZ clearly doesn’t, and as we know he needs a run of games which makes him a poor back up option. I’d like to see Igor drop down the pecking list a bit - he’s OK, but replacing Colwill with him was like replacing a Ferrari with a Vauxhall Astra - they both kind of do the same thing but one can do a lot more (and a lot more gracefully) than the other. We need to upgrade to get back to the level of last season.
OUT: Webster
IN: New CB
DM (Athletic/Dynamic Bissouma/caicedo type):
I’m splitting the midfield roles as RDZ has said himself we’ve lacked this dynamic - he used the word impact - player. Baleba is obviously the heir apparent, but I’d like to see us have someone else as well, he can’t do a 50 game season and when he’s not there, we lack presence. I’m considering Milner here as I think it’s his best position, but if it was me in charge, I’d be thanking him and sending him on (though I don’t think we’ll do that). The unknown here is Hinsh, as I haven’t seen him play this role but feel like he could do.
OUT: Milner
IN: New athletic Bissouma/Caicedo type
DM/CM (Ball playing MacAllister type):
WBG has done well in this role. Gross is better further forward imo, and can’t get about the pitch enough to be in this role - part of the reason we look so pedestrian at the moment. He also looks knackered. Dahoud was a disaster and a significant upgrade is needed. Moder may (or may not) be able to do this role at the level required, but I’m not sure his passing is good enough - jury is out on that.
OUT: Dahoud
IN: New CM (Dewsbury Hall?)
ACM:
Lallana should be moved upstairs. This is Gross’ best position but he isn’t getting any younger. Another one where I’d like to see us strengthen.
OUT: Lallana
IN: New ACM
LW:
Mitoma back, Adingra as back up (he’s much better on the left), and Osman, Sarmiento and Barco as well if not loaned out. This is well stocked if we don’t sell Mitoma.
NO ACTIVITY
RW:
Obviously the key here is to get March back fit. But I think this is where we could strengthen. We wanted Kudus and the other options are either better on the left (Adingra), or not as effective out wide (eg Buonanotte). Kudus would have been ideal as we could do with more pace and power.
IN: Kudus-type RW
DEEP LYING CENTRAL ATTACKER:
Assuming Enciso is back fit, I think we’re Ok with him and Buonanotte, plus others who can drop off (eg Pedro or Welbeck). There’s also the option of Sarmiento.
NO ACTIVITY
UP TOP ATTACKER:
A fit Pedro, a rejuvenated Ferguson and Welbeck, plus the option of bringing back Undav if his personal circumstances allow.
NO ACTIVITY
I know there’s 7 games to go, but let’s face it, we’re fighting for the mid table places now, and, with a while to go till our next game, I think it’s fair to start considering our summer transfer activity as something to keep us occupied. Below is what I’d like to see us do (not necessarily what I think we’ll do). I’ve grouped players in to the roles I think we need in the squad - this is not necessarily a formation, as our balance of midfield vs attackers changes depending on the oppo.
GK
I’d like to see Rushworth return to compete (not rotate) with Bart. Steele would make a good #3 - he’s a good ‘club man’ and I doubt he’s on a huge wage. McGill out on loan (or sold).
IN: Rushworth (return from loan)
OUT: McGill
RB
This feels like a priority. Controversially, I would move Lamptey on - he’s lost some of his explosive pace which was his main weapon and I don’t see where he fits: his defending isn’t good enough for RB, and his end product isn’t good enough to be a winger. Veltman doesn’t offer enough going forward to be more than a back up, and Hinsh’s long term role is as a midfielder so I’ve listed him there, though he can obviously act as back up.
IN: New first team RB
OUT: Lamptey
LB
An interesting one as lots of questions. I’m going to assume we can turn Estupinan off and on again to reboot him to the level he was before the injury. I’m also going to assume Barco is ready to be the back up (he’s listed as a defender on the official site, though I suspect he will end up LW). I refuse to consider Milner as a FB as he’s absolutely bobbins there. Igor is also a square peg there which massively reduces our attacking threat, so if either of those assumptions is wrong, we need to bring someone in.
NO ACTIVITY (unless we loan out Barco, or consider him a LW)
CB:
I think it’s time to move on Webster. I like Adam but RDZ clearly doesn’t, and as we know he needs a run of games which makes him a poor back up option. I’d like to see Igor drop down the pecking list a bit - he’s OK, but replacing Colwill with him was like replacing a Ferrari with a Vauxhall Astra - they both kind of do the same thing but one can do a lot more (and a lot more gracefully) than the other. We need to upgrade to get back to the level of last season.
OUT: Webster
IN: New CB
DM (Athletic/Dynamic Bissouma/caicedo type):
I’m splitting the midfield roles as RDZ has said himself we’ve lacked this dynamic - he used the word impact - player. Baleba is obviously the heir apparent, but I’d like to see us have someone else as well, he can’t do a 50 game season and when he’s not there, we lack presence. I’m considering Milner here as I think it’s his best position, but if it was me in charge, I’d be thanking him and sending him on (though I don’t think we’ll do that). The unknown here is Hinsh, as I haven’t seen him play this role but feel like he could do.
OUT: Milner
IN: New athletic Bissouma/Caicedo type
DM/CM (Ball playing MacAllister type):
WBG has done well in this role. Gross is better further forward imo, and can’t get about the pitch enough to be in this role - part of the reason we look so pedestrian at the moment. He also looks knackered. Dahoud was a disaster and a significant upgrade is needed. Moder may (or may not) be able to do this role at the level required, but I’m not sure his passing is good enough - jury is out on that.
OUT: Dahoud
IN: New CM (Dewsbury Hall?)
ACM:
Lallana should be moved upstairs. This is Gross’ best position but he isn’t getting any younger. Another one where I’d like to see us strengthen.
OUT: Lallana
IN: New ACM
LW:
Mitoma back, Adingra as back up (he’s much better on the left), and Osman, Sarmiento and Barco as well if not loaned out. This is well stocked if we don’t sell Mitoma.
NO ACTIVITY
RW:
Obviously the key here is to get March back fit. But I think this is where we could strengthen. We wanted Kudus and the other options are either better on the left (Adingra), or not as effective out wide (eg Buonanotte). Kudus would have been ideal as we could do with more pace and power.
IN: Kudus-type RW
DEEP LYING CENTRAL ATTACKER:
Assuming Enciso is back fit, I think we’re Ok with him and Buonanotte, plus others who can drop off (eg Pedro or Welbeck). There’s also the option of Sarmiento.
NO ACTIVITY
UP TOP ATTACKER:
A fit Pedro, a rejuvenated Ferguson and Welbeck, plus the option of bringing back Undav if his personal circumstances allow.
NO ACTIVITY
