Oh, we definitely need a midfielder who can score 10 a season. Just like we needed a striker with the potential to score double that. I still wouldn't let either Long or Davis go though.
Agreed. Davis is ok, but he's had more average games than good this season. He doesn't offer an attacking threat and he's not a defensive midfielder like Romeu. I honestly think it's coming to a stage where there's no position for him in the team. For what Davis does in the team, I would rather PEH got more playing time as he's young and got a lot of potential. And now Prowsie is starting to kick on there's very fierce competition for places in midfield. The best game he's had is when he came off the bench at Bournemouth which I don't think is a coincidence.
Therein lies the problem. The club sets the goals, the players and the fans buy into it and then when the dream fails to meet expectations the players start to look to greener territories and fans 'slate' the manager. The club seems to have throttled back on its previous top four goals and settling for top six; but this season we have never really looked top eight.
I know fans like Long, but he's not effective enough in my opinion. Plus if we are to get better we need to upgrade, whether it's for a popular player or not.
Errr....can we stop trying to sell our players......and actually get some more decent players in. Then if we need to we can start letting some go....but not before eh?
Think when people say get rid of long, Jay, etc. they obviously mean with a view to replacing them with better players. Not sure anyone just wants us to just remove all our squad depth and carry on as is. Personally I don't think either Jay or Long are that great. I'd like to see those 2 leave and then sign a promising youngster and also bring Gallagher back into the fold.
That's because our transfer pages are invariably 95% about who is leaving as opposed to who might we buy (only to sell on in a couple of years of course). Signing players will be harder this season given that we are mid table mediocrity, no silverware, uncertain ownership and questions about the manager.
Gabbiadini, Austin, Gallagher and another new ST would be my preference next season. Time for Long and Rodriguez to move on.
Don't think our change in league position will make much if any difference to our recruitment. A premier league team still pay more than most clubs in Europe and that's the main attraction
Realistically we would need to ensure players come off of the wage book before we can buy in. Unless we can find a buyer we won't be able to get an upgrade in. Unless we pay them in burgers and saints ale.
We may go for a target man instead. Assuming we sell Rodriguez. Just lots of quick thinking attackers who love one-twos and intricate interplay sounds appealing.
