Next Season... (short post)

Who stays? Who goes? Which positions do we need to strengthen as a result? Forgive me for a long message, this is basically me thinking out loud!

Realistically (and barring any unexpected offers for our players) I would expect the following to happen:

STAY:
John Ruddy
Russell Martin
Adam Drury - Reaching his twilight, but has to stay.
Zak Whitbread
Andrew Crofts
Grant Holt
Simeon Jackson
Andrew Surman
Wes Hoolahan
David Fox
Chris Martin - Had an average season, but still young and we'll need options upfront. Keep him for the bench.
Korey Smith - Little unlucky not to play a bigger part this season.
Simon Lappin - Not a starter, but is valuable to have in the squad.
Leon Barnett
Aaron Wilbraham - Whilst I wouldn't regard him as a Prem player, he only signed last season so would think he'll stay.
Elliott Ward
Anthony McNamee - Given our lack of pace/width in general, he will remain.
Marc Tierney

GO:
Matthew Gill - Did well when needed, but simply not Prem class and will be sold.
Stephen Hughes - Again, looked good when used, but don't think he'll be up to it in the Prem.
Steven Smith - Already on his way to Scotland, if rumours are to be believed.
Cody McDonald - This was a tough one. Whilst I rate him and wanted to see more of him, I think we'll let him go as his stock will never be higher. Get a nice fee for him.
Jens Berthel Askou - Not good enough.

LOAN:
Declan Rudd - Dependent upon us finding an additional experienced goalkeeper, I'd loan him out.
Tom Adeyemi - Not near to the first team squad yet, needs to continue his education in LG1 or Champ.
Oli Johnson - Had a few good games for us, but I think it will be tricky for him to break into the squad. Loan him out again, his fee wouldn't be worthwhile.
Luke Daley - Needs games after an injury hit last season.
George Francomb - Our only other genuine right back behind Russell Martin, but he needs more experience.
Jed Steer - Loan him out, provided Rudd isn't also out on loan.
Matt Ball - Don't know enough to comment, but surely nowhere near the first team picture.
Sam Habergham - As above, and we have two experienced LBs.
Josh Dawkin - Looked decent when I've seen him, one of few "head down and run at defenders" players on our books, but surely not ready for the step up.

So that leaves us with the following:

GK - 1 experienced (Ruddy), 2 youngsters potentially out on loan (Rudd, Steer).
LB - 2 experienced (Tierney, Drury), 1 youngster potentially out on loan (Habergam).
CB - 3 experienced (Whitbread, Ward, Barnett).
RB - 1 experienced (R Martin), 1 youngster potentially out on loan (Francomb).
LM - 2 experienced (Surman, Lappin).
CM - 3 experienced (Crofts, Fox, Smith), 2 youngsters potentially on loan (Adeyemi, Ball).
AM - 1 experienced (Hoolahan).
RM - 1 experienced (McNamee), 1 youngster potentially out on loan (Dawkin).
ST - 4 experienced (Holt, Jackson, C Martin, Wilbraham).

Realistically we want 2 experienced players for each slot, so I'd like us to target:

1 x GK, 1 x CB, 1 x RB, 1 x CM, 1 x AM and 1 x RM. So that's 6 players straight off the bat simply to get our squad up to size.

Then, if we look more closely at the players that we will likely retain, I'm not fully sure that all of them are up to Premier League football, so I'd be looking at the following areas in addition:

1 x LB - Tierney has done well since his arrival, the LB berth is basically his own at the moment. However, if he gets injured I'd be a little concerned that Drury's body (knee in particular) might start to struggle with the stresses of game after game.
1 x LM - We have Surman and Lappin here, and Wes can of course cover here, but I feel that if we're going to do well next season we need to have options in terms of formation. As things stand we don't have any real pace in the wide attacking positions, so I'd certainly like us to sign a pacy winger.
1 x RM - Even after bringing in the RM stated above, I'm not sure McNamee is a genuine option to play a high number of games in the Premiership.
2 x ST - I would certainly have some concerns if we went into next season with C Martin and Wilbraham forming a major part of our striking options.

So, that leaves us with 10 signings to make, and completely coincidentally 1 in every position on the pitch!! Now, who do we go for?:

1 x GK - Kieren Westwood is out of contract and has always impressed me.
1 x LB - ?
1 x CB - Any good options in the Bundesliga?
1 x RB - Kyle Naughton was in the Team of the Year this year. Perhaps worth a look with Leicester missing out on the Play-Offs?
1 x LM - Someone with genuine attacking threat, preferably with pace. Can't think of anyone immediately.
1 x CM - I think we lack a bit of true athleticism in this position. Damien Francis (Fulham apart) was a key component in our midfield last time round, someone of his ilk as an option. Darren Pratley has impressed for Swansea?
1 x AM - Lansbury again? However, Wenger has said he will be in Arsenal's squad next season.
1 x RM - Elliot Bennett? Or is that too much of a step up?
2 x ST - I would certainly look at Danny Graham or Shane Long as one of these options? Pacheco on loan?

Anyway, well done to anyone that managed to read all of the above without falling asleep...

I'd be interested in any suggestions for players we might sign/keep/sell/loan.

Posted By: Dog, May 9, 13:57:51