Here we are, back in the Premier League. Couldn't resist the temptation to start a thread in the PL, as opposed to the Championship where we've been for the last 3 years. Yipee!!!!
Ahead we have the transfer window, and midway through that we start pre-season. All designed to keep us entertained while are starved of the real stuff. So, thoughts?
There are already flurries in the media linking us with god knows who. Exactly as Purslow predicted. He also said take no notice, plans are in place and the club will do what it has planned, in its own time. There are already signs that that is so; releasing 8 of the older players, at least one or two of which might have been offered an extension under different circumstances, is a case in point. The club knows what sort of squad it wants, what sort of players, and can probably put names to them. Let it all unfold
Looking forwards to the summer
posted on 14/7/19
Chester wont be up to it. Hause only back up?
posted on 14/7/19
Still got 4 good cbs their don’t think there is a need for Cahill unless Engels isn’t signed
posted on 14/7/19
Chester can still do a job for us so long as he's not pushed too hard; he was epic in our first season down. Maybe not an out and out DS type player, but I'm sure with the coaching that goes on in defence he would slot in OK when needed. 5 is enough. Mings and Engels first choice defenders (if Engels is as good as claimed), with 3 as back up, all of whom are decent players and Konsa and Hause will only improve.
Luis looks a good buy for DM. Not sure we need another as some of the CBs could provide cover if needed.
At the moment Lansbury and Thor look like staying. Lansbury's been unlucky and DS appears to rate him. Not sure about Thor though.
If the Trezeguet deal goes through we'll have El Ghazi, Jota, Trezeguet and Green for wingers. Hope we can keep them happy!
posted on 14/7/19
Think top 12 is a push, finish 15/16 thats a good season for me, squad is young and vibrant, I like it so far, Wesley for me looks a top signing, reminds me a bit of Benteke
posted on 14/7/19
This is the squad so far (with * for players who are presumed to be signing very soon - i.e. this week)
GK
Steer
Kalinic
Nyland
DF
Guilbert
Elmo
Targett
Taylor
Mings
Konsa
Engels*
Chester
Hause
Bree
MF
Grealish
McGinn
Luiz*
Hourihane
Lansbury
Bjarnason
Tshibola
El Ghazi
Green
Jota
Trezeguet*
O'Hare
FW
Wesley
Kodjia
Hogan
Davis
Hepburn-Murphy
I'd move on the following: Nyland, Kalinic, Bree, Lansbury, Bjarnason, Tshibola, O'Hare, Hogan, Hepburn-Murphy and Davis. I'd probably keep Green or loan him. That then gives us a squad of 20 (incomings included), though I don't think we'll shift 10 in just four weeks unfortunately.
After Engels, Trezeguet and Luiz are confirmed, the following signings would be very welcome:
Butland
Tuanzebe, loan (though we are pretty stocked up in defence)
Benrahma
Leao (doubtful but would be lovely)
Having said that, I think we may end up with a few more out of the blue signings like Luiz or Wesley. Which is fine by me if they are young and have huge potential.
We're probably not gonna do a Wolves and finish 7th, but we have a great chance of avoiding relegation and being fairly solid (i.e. 12th). Staying up is obviously the main goal, but if we can finish in a decent position like between 11th and 14th we'll have a good chance of pushing on the following season and attracting some bigger name players who can us to the next level.
My only concern is that there are a lot of players that we have to integrate into the team and squad, but the main thing is we have done our business early and quickly which gives us a much better chance.
posted on 15/7/19
Interesting list 87. Two I'd keep are:
O'Hare: brightest player to come out of our youth setup since Jack. Can see DS sticking him on the bench and giving him 25 minutes or so later on in matches when his energy and vision could liven things up. Not the sort of player to let go.
Lansbury: DS has said some good things about him and if Jack comes off he's a good option to replace him with. Also, he might be difficult to sell given his injury history.
posted on 16/7/19
Depends who else comes in McParland. The problem with Lansbury for me was he was always injured and hasn’t shown anything for us in 2 and a half years. I think O’Hare probably needs a loan to L1 or Championship, he did well on loan in L2 but needs to step it up a level. He’s 21 now, Grealish was 19 when he came in and we were PL and he showed far more ability. RHM and Davis probably also need loans, but my gut feeling is they won’t make it here given where where we want to be and they’re now 20/21. Green has made the biggest impact from the youngsters but hasn’t pulled up trees, however I still think he could make it if he improves his final ball.
Let’s see what happens in the next few weeks and who we sign, there’ll be a few more incomings for sure.
posted on 20/7/19
what a great summer,
------------------------ Steer ---------------------
Guilbert ----- Engels ----- Mings ----- Targett
----------------------- D.Luiz ---------------------
------------- J.McGinn ---- Grealish ------------
Trezeguet-----------------------------A El Ghazi
----------------------- Wesley --------------------
although still actively looking for a GK, possibly Heaton
You happy with that?
Luiz could be Birkir/Hourihane
posted on 20/7/19
Steer has been fantastic but only IMO may not be good enough, I hope im wrong.
I still think we may miss out on Maupay who I believe is a terrific player. Not confident of Kodja or Hogan as back up CF.
several to go out and assuming Trezeguet, Luiz come in I would say all done bar the keeper. and Hopefully Maupay.
posted on 25/7/19
Marvelous Nakamba Now
Think he needs to stop signing so many players even tho apparently he wants another CF and GK