OK Russell - I'll have N'Guessan and Racon please

[Foolg]

Jason puncheon please

Does anyone know where that simeone jackson plays? I know he's at gillingham but is he a striker or winger?

 

[Bluejuice]

IMHO if we are to challenge for promotion in a very tough League 1 next year, we have to get out of our zone of players who are good enough for this standard and reach higher.

I think our first choice back four can get the job done if they stay healthy and reasonably free of bans (yellow / red cards)

I think Murray and Forster with Hart, Owusu, Davies can get the job done if they stay healthy and get the service they need.

Which brings me to my real point, which is our midfield. If Coxy continues his recent form, Dicker proves to be the starch, then we need an aggressive attacking CMF and a winger who can stretch the defence and get good balls over.

We are about 300K quid away from a team that can genuinely challenge for Top 6 next year. I really believe that. That means going after and getting someone like Racon and someone like N'Guessan.

REALLY?

After THAT season?

I think we need to ask questions of our defence. Obviously McNulty was a great signing and I like him and Whingy as full backs certainly but Elphick hasn't had the greatest season and it's only in these past few battling weeks that we've seen the best of Virgs again. Admittedly playing him in his natural position would appear to have helped his form and I'm hapy for him to continue there but what about deeper? Any one of them gets injured and we're looking shaky. Still got Hinsh but I do fear his career has unfortunately peaked, I wouldn't trust the Hawk again and it's unlikely we'll see anymore of Lynch. Then backup fullbacks have always been loanees, or Kerry Mayo...

I just wonder if we don't need a Butters style experienced old head to shore things up a bit, maybe not a first team regular if Virgs and Elphick cut the mustard but we should have someone to fall back on and depend upon.

It's easy to look at things rosily after such a strong end to the season but the fact is our defence shipped bucketloads of goals and questions do have to be asked even if you can attribute blame to our weak midfield and pre-McNulty days.

Although I certainly wouldn't disagree that the midfield is a priority. I do hope that Coxy is capable of playing the way he has been week in week out and wonder whether he has simply lacked direction in the past. It seems to me that Slade has given him clear and strict instructions and somehow his final ball has improved as a result. Would be great if he kept this up. Lest we forget that in his first season we were all raving about how lucky we''d be to hold on to him.

And who plays the Hammond role next season?

 

[Finchley Seagull]

REALLY?

After THAT season?

I think we need to ask questions of our defence. Obviously McNulty was a great signing and I like him and Whingy as full backs certainly but Elphick hasn't had the greatest season and it's only in these past few battling weeks that we've seen the best of Virgs again. Admittedly playing him in his natural position would appear to have helped his form and I'm hapy for him to continue there but what about deeper? Any one of them gets injured and we're looking shaky. Still got Hinsh but I do fear his career has unfortunately peaked, I wouldn't trust the Hawk again and it's unlikely we'll see anymore of Lynch. Then backup fullbacks have always been loanees, or Kerry Mayo...

I just wonder if we don't need a Butters style experienced old head to shore things up a bit, maybe not a first team regular if Virgs and Elphick cut the mustard but we should have someone to fall back on and depend upon.

It's easy to look at things rosily after such a strong end to the season but the fact is our defence shipped bucketloads of goals and questions do have to be asked even if you can attribute blame to our weak midfield and pre-McNulty days.

Although I certainly wouldn't disagree that the midfield is a priority. I do hope that Coxy is capable of playing the way he has been week in week out and wonder whether he has simply lacked direction in the past. It seems to me that Slade has given him clear and strict instructions and somehow his final ball has improved as a result. Would be great if he kept this up. Lest we forget that in his first season we were all raving about how lucky we''d be to hold on to him.

And who plays the Hammond role next season?

A lot of good points there and I do agree in a sense. However, I think Virgo and Elphick have played their best in recent weeks when played together consistently. That could be a really good partnership. With Whing (if he doesn't get a better offer) and McNulty (if he can get back to what we saw in his first few games) providing a good defence. If we keep Sullivan as back up (and eventual replacement) to Kuipers then the goalkeeping position is covered. I agree the back up is needed in defence but it would be great if Hawkins could get fit and back to his early season form and El Abd still has something to offer. Another option at full back would be good although Cook has shown he can do a job this season.

Up front, a lot will depend on the fitness of Murray and Forster. If they are fit for the majority of the season, it will be like two new players and Davies has looked like he has something to offer in his recent sub appearances. Assuming we keep Hart and Owusu I don't think we need a new striker.

Midfield is the weakness. Hopefully Cox will continue to improve and show his recent form while Hart would be a good option on the right wing. Hopefully, Livermore will have a good pre season and show what we know he can do and we must do all we can to sign Dicker. We also need a couple of midfield signings preferably a Hammond type player alongside Dicker and a winger but if we get them I think we have a first 11, when all are fit, to challenge for the play offs and certainly finish top half (or maybe I am being optmistic).

 

[Stumpy Tim]

It's no surprise Elphick & Virgo have looked good once they had Dicker in front of them. Any defence would struggle when they're not well protected

 

[blue and white army]

Does anyone know where that simeone jackson plays? I know he's at gillingham but is he a striker or winger?

Striker, sign up Mr versatility Danny Jackman from Northmampton

 

[Jim D]

well, this is just morphing into another thread, but leaving aside Zamora, Dickov is the best loanee I've seen for the club

Martin Keown wasn't bad either. Those were the days when Arsenal would actually send their kids to us. Ever since Knight spoke about our 'special relationship' we've never had a look in.

 

[Horton's halftime iceberg]

How well did Racon recover from his broken ankle, did he play for Charlton much and did anyone see him play.

I heard Kinsella interviewed ages ago and he said they were already building a side for League one, so if he has been playing he will be part of their plans.

 

[murraymints4brighton]

Those two would be great but the likelihood of Racon signing is very low and if the other guy is that highly rated then he want look twice at us.

 

[Beeneys gloves]

Does anyone know where that simeone jackson plays? I know he's at gillingham but is he a striker or winger?

Hes definitely an out and out striker.

Has the ability to not be noticed for much of the game, then explode into life and get his goal, just like any other poacher really.

 

[Marlton & Hove Albion]

Why on EARTH would Racon come here?

I'm not saying it would be easy to get either/both of them. My hope is based on the fact that the rumors for N'Guessan aren't altogether true. I expect us to "retire" some unnecessary wages in the summer and use our meager resources (plus Lynch money) to go after two much needed players.

I look at Charlton and expect they'll need to clear some of their payroll as well. The players will be dropping into Lge One with new contracts and I can't imagine that this season has been any fun for anyone there. I was hoping that our familiarity, location and ambition plus a reasonable fee to Charlton could get us close.

Might be end of season rose colored nonsense but why the hell not have just a little bit more ambition and the kind we are going to need to get us into the Championship.

 

[NF9]

Gary Dicker , Bradley johnson & Puncheon would be ideal

Cox,Dicker,Johnson,Puncheon Midfield Diamond me thinks

 

[HseagullsH]

The likes of Racon, Dicker, Puncheon are the types of midfielders we need if we want to challenge for promotion next year. Sadly though, apart from Dicker, I'd think they are out fo our reach.

We might be best looking for a young premiership midfielders on loan, like Lansbury to Scunthorpe. Get them down on a season long loan and I think that is our best chance of getting in the quality we need...