[Albion] There is ZERO chance of SIGNING anyone today.

[Ecosse Exile]

I'd love to see Ulloa back, but only if Hemed is on his way out, Ulloa is a better player imo, and thats not meant to be disrespectful to Hemed, but he is too similar to both Murray and Hemed, so not what we need.

 

[sparkie]

I'd love to see Ulloa back, but only if Hemed is on his way out, Ulloa is a better player imo, and thats not meant to be disrespectful to Hemed, but he is too similar to both Murray and Hemed, so not what we need.

The Austria training camp is at a place called....


Leogang


If that isn't a hint...

 

[Finchley Seagull]

Argus says FIVE or SIX singings expected.

- This is opinion of course, but that seems a fraction 'light'.

- Obviously the 'or SIX'th depends on whether Goldson goes out on loan.

- So, the other FIVE look like being

Striker
Central midfielder
Left back
Utility defender or 3rd goalie
2nd striker who also plays RWing

This raises the possibility of Sanchez being 3rd choice goalie, or if not, the utility defender in the list not being recruited and Rob Hunt being in the squad instead.

I don't think the Argus know anything so I wouldn't worry. For what it's worth, I think it will be six plus a Goldson replacement if needed. The six will be a goalkeeper, right back, left back, central midfielder, winger/number 10, main striker.

 

[Ecosse Exile]

The Austria training camp is at a place called....


Leogang


If that isn't a hint...

Really? doubt its a hint, but if we fail to sign a striker, i could see the club going for Leo a). To appease the fans and b). Because they do need another striker anyway.

 

[Bra]

I think we all agree that at least 5 are needed. Lots of work needed and certainly time to see some inroads being made into resolving those deficiencies.

 

[chaileyjem]

Online, towards end of Dale Stephens article.

"Five or six more signings are expected before the transfer window shuts at the end of August. The squad will evolve for the step up but Stephens believes retaining a tight-knit dressing room will be key to Albion's survival chances."


Granted, 5 or 6 is argus speculation, rather than absolute truth.

Or perhaps its what they've been told or established by talking to er, Paul Winstanley, Paul Barber who they talk to on a regular , daily basis. Naylor, by the way , is attending the pre-season training camp for the first time in years.

 

[Kosh]

So, in reality, what we need is a 'keeper who can play left back, central def/mid, left/right wing and upfront.



Awesome.

 

[Bra]

Or perhaps its what they've been told or established by talking to er, Paul Winstanley, Paul Barber who they talk to on a regular , daily basis. Naylor, by the way , is attending the pre-season training camp for the first time in years.

I always admire your stout defence of the club in most cases. Honestly accepting we need 5 or 6 signing when will you begin to get concerned about lack of activity? Are you saying that you would be happy to make all of those signings after the season has began however unlikely that may be? For me I would prefer to be further down the road accepting the squad may not be complete until 31st August and am surprised we aren't.

 

[Rod Marsh]

I'd love to see Ulloa back, but only if Hemed is on his way out, Ulloa is a better player imo, and thats not meant to be disrespectful to Hemed, but he is too similar to both Murray and Hemed, so not what we need.

If we play one up front, and I think we will for a large percentage of the season I would think 3 target strikers is what we would need. Murray, Hemed and A.N Other. Going with two is a risk as we would be one long term injury away from being short. I can't see us letting Hemed leave unless a huge offer came in for him. Strikers are so expensive, I just can't see us buying two.

 

[Seasidesage]

If we play one up front, and I think we will for a large percentage of the season I would think 3 target strikers is what we would need. Murray, Hemed and A.N Other. Going with two is a risk as we would be one long term injury away from being short. I can't see us letting Hemed leave unless a huge offer came in for him. Strikers are so expensive, I just can't see us buying two.

Even if we do play 1 up. Surely we will still need a 2nd striker option plus someone different to what we have? I fear neither Murray or Hemed will score regularly at PL level. Baldock willing runner though he is, is more of a link player and doesn't offer a major goal threat either. I don't think we will, but if we went into the season with the striker options we have, we would almost certainly be relegated. We need a player with pace, who can run in behind as well as a good finisher etc. This player also needs some time to work with the other strikers and try and develop a partnership with one of them. To stay up we are going to have to win home games against teams in the lower half of the table and that will require playing two up at home at least IMO.

 

[Nixonator]

Even if we do play 1 up. Surely we will still need a 2nd striker option plus someone different to what we have? I fear neither Murray or Hemed will score regularly at PL level. Baldock willing runner though he is, is more of a link player and doesn't offer a major goal threat either. I don't think we will, but if we went into the season with the striker options we have, we would almost certainly be relegated. We need a player with pace, who can run in behind as well as a good finisher etc. This player also needs some time to work with the other strikers and try and develop a partnership with one of them. To stay up we are going to have to win home games against teams in the lower half of the table and that will require playing two up at home at least IMO.

It is easy enough to just look at the unused players in the squad and the loans returned to see where CH will want to bring in new faces.

Third keeper - Casper (moved to staff)
Second Striker/Winger - Manu (probable mutual release)
Striker - Akpom (returned loan)
LB - Pocognoli (returned loan)
FB/CB Cover - Tomori (returned loan)
CM - Ince (going on loan)
Wide player - Kaz (sold or going on loan)
CM/no10 - Towell (going on loan)*replaced by Gross

The player you describe is a Manu, or at least a Manu in an another world where he is good at football. We've been linked with a couple.

 

[Garry Nelson's Left Foot]

I'm sure on a professional level it's excellent that there are no leaks from the Albion regarding recruitment but it doesn't half make for a seriously dull pre-season. I miss the epic will they/won't they threads. I miss all the itk posts, even if most of them weren't in the know. I miss the anticipation.

 

[sir albion]

Ulloa rumour in the paper again today,£6m.Please make it happen,Tony

No more slow players required....We need some pace and skill and I'd rather we avoided this to be honest.

 

[Rod Marsh]

Even if we do play 1 up. Surely we will still need a 2nd striker option plus someone different to what we have? I fear neither Murray or Hemed will score regularly at PL level. Baldock willing runner though he is, is more of a link player and doesn't offer a major goal threat either. I don't think we will, but if we went into the season with the striker options we have, we would almost certainly be relegated. We need a player with pace, who can run in behind as well as a good finisher etc. This player also needs some time to work with the other strikers and try and develop a partnership with one of them. To stay up we are going to have to win home games against teams in the lower half of the table and that will require playing two up at home at least IMO.

I agree and I'm sure we will get that quick striker that either plays as a no.10 or one of the 3 behind the target man.

 

[daveinprague]

The only itk ive got, is the next incoming player will be somebody ive never heard of, with a name I cannot pronounce for a while, whilst there will be loads of people on NSC who will know loads about him. Im always amazed.

 

[GT49er]

The only itk ive got, is the next incoming player will be somebody ive never heard of, with a name I cannot pronounce for a while, whilst there will be loads of people on NSC who will know loads about him. Im always amazed.

Well, they'll all know he's shit, but I doubt if their knowledge will go much further than that!

 

[Weststander]

No more slow players required....We need some pace and skill and I'd rather we avoided this to be honest.

I agree, but Ulloa's a direct play option as a sub if we need a goal. So we should buy both types.

The problem is he's been trying to force his exit from LCFC over the last 14 months, fuming that he never starts.

 

[Two Professors]

No more slow players required....We need some pace and skill and I'd rather we avoided this to be honest.

Some of the quick players need a slower player to aim at,otherwise they just waste every opportunity in front of goal!

 

[Ecosse Exile]

If we play one up front, and I think we will for a large percentage of the season I would think 3 target strikers is what we would need. Murray, Hemed and A.N Other. Going with two is a risk as we would be one long term injury away from being short. I can't see us letting Hemed leave unless a huge offer came in for him. Strikers are so expensive, I just can't see us buying two.

True, however, i cant see any of them being happy with being the 3rd choice, for me that would be Hemed, consummate professional last season despite spending a fair bit of it on the bench, if i was him i would wonder what i have done to deserve this, hes got into double figures in both his seasons with us.

Still, that would be Hughton's problem, and im sure he would manage it.

Edit: Assuming A.N.Other is Ulloa.

 

[Wellesley]

Is everybody cool? I'm cool. Absolutely no panicking going on here I can assure you all. Just chilling. Paaalenty of time yet.

FUUUCCCKKK!!

F#CK, F#CK, F#CK, F#CK, F###CK!

Just sign some F#CKING players!!

Pleeeeaaase, please God, oh pleeease.

I'm cool. Everybody else ok?