Some general observations about the squad next season now we are pretty much safe.
I think its clear we need to sell/let go a serious number of players for the first time in a long time if we are going to progress as a club.
We have a strong nucleus of players but need to make room in the 25 man squad.
Im thinking
Tierney
Ayala
Ward
Barnett
Butterfield
Jackson
Becchio
Camp
Garrido
Vaughan
C Martin
T Adeyemi
This would leave the following squad which we could add more quality with buys, free agents and loans.
Ruddy
Bunn
R Martin
Whittaker
Turner
R Bennett
Bassong
Fox
Howson
Tettey
Johnson
Hoolahan
Snodgrass
Pilkington
Surman
E Bennet
Holt
Kamara
Van Winky
Yep.... thats just 19 players
You could make a case for keeping either Tierney or Garrido but its clear we need a quality LB.
Maybe make a case for keeping Ayala who is young and looked decent and would make a decent CB back up.
That would take us to 21 players which would leave room for 4 additions as well as 2 loans.
My shopping list would be
(1) Left back
(2) Def midfield player who can possibly score 2-5 goals a season. (or at least shoot within 30ft of the goal!)
(3) Fast as f**k winger as we lack pace on the counter against most sides.
(4) 1 more striker, possibly a different option such as Hooper. or maybe take a chance on Rhodes if Blackburn go tits up chicken tilt as I expect them to do and we can get him cheap.
Plus fill in a couple of high quality loans.
As I mentioned before I feel we have decent nucleus of a squad but are maybe 4-5 players away from transforming the squad from an end of season perennial relegation candidate to teams like WBA and
Swansea who have been safe for a while.
Those teams defensively are not much different to us but have done well in the buying/loan markets.
They have found that extra bit of attacking quality that we currently lack.
Long and Lukaku for WBA
Michu and De Guzman for Swansea
Posted By: usacanary on April 21st 2013 at 06:38:06
Message Thread
- Some general observations about the squad next season now we are pretty much safe. (NCFC) - usacanary, Apr 21, 06:38:06
- Redmond perhaps for the winger. still very young (n/m) (NCFC) - jAC, Apr 21, 09:12:11
- Thanks. (NCFC) - Arizona Bay, Apr 21, 08:35:18
- Don't think four additional players is enough (NCFC) - Chalk Hill Bitter, Apr 21, 08:35:10
- We're not safe yet. (n/m) (NCFC) - jafski, Apr 21, 08:07:29
- I think we'll keep (NCFC) - Cardiff Canary, Apr 21, 08:05:21
- Doubtful if Holt is still here next season. (NCFC) - willy the pimp, Apr 21, 07:01:41
- I dont agree, I Just think he will be more of a bench/impact player going forward. (NCFC) - usacanary, Apr 21, 07:09:31
- is Becchio not just injured? (NCFC) - scruffy, Apr 21, 10:37:26
- No, Hoots confirmed yesterday leaving him out was tactical. (NCFC) - usacanary, Apr 21, 16:59:41
- is Becchio not just injured? (NCFC) - scruffy, Apr 21, 10:37:26
- I dont agree, I Just think he will be more of a bench/impact player going forward. (NCFC) - usacanary, Apr 21, 07:09:31
- Assuming QPR, Reading and Wigan go down....... (NCFC) - usacanary, Apr 21, 06:57:13
- Townsend is just on loan (NCFC) - jAC, Apr 21, 09:13:48
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