I'm not concerned whilst its term time, However when you go on your shroom and wine binge in another couple of weeks I may change the batteries on the ring doorbell.
I can't see us investing in more than 5 or 6 players in this window - possibly even less. I also wouldn't be surprised to see most (or even all) of the first team regulars still here in the squad next year. The key aim of this window has to be just as much about strengthening the squad as improving the first team. As soon as we get injuries or suspensions with our current squad we are ****ed. I think they will bring in 3 or 4 very good players to improve the first team, pushing the current first team players in those positions down the pecking order, but still in the squad. The ones to make way will be the current backup players. The only variation on this will be if we get 2 or 3 good home grown prospects in addition who may make the squad as improvements on our back up players in order to keep our quota of home grown players. Current Squad 1 Martin Dubravka (First team option) 3 Paul Dummett (Edit - apparently just signed new contract, so staying) 5 Fabian Schar (First team option but hopefully squad player as backup) 6 Jamaal Lascelles (Possibly staying as squad player) 7 Joelinton (First team) 8 Jonjo Shelvey (Possibly staying as squad player but also our last chance to cash in) 9 Callum Wilson (First team option) 10 Allan Saint-Maximin (First team option) 11 Matt Ritchie (Time to move on with thanks) 13 Matt Targett (On loan, but should definitely sign if possible) 15 Kieran Trippier (Definite first team choice) 17 Emil Krafth (Stay as squad player - decent backup) 18 Federico Fernandez (Replace with first team signing) 19 Javier Manquillo (Possible squad player, decent backup) 20 Chris Wood (Probably should move on and replace with quality striker) 21 Ryan Fraser (Keep as squad player) 23 Jacob Murphy (Possibly move on and replace, but not our worst player) 24 Miguel Almiron (Keep as squad player) 26 Karl Darlow (I would move on and replace with Freddie Woodman as 3rd Choice) 28 Joe Willock (Keep as squad player) 29 Mark Gillespie (Move on and replace with competition for Dubravka) 33 Dan Burn (First team option) 34 Dwight Gayle (Definite sell) 36 Sean Longstaff (Keep as squad player and see if Eddie can continue to improve him) 39 Bruno Guimaraes (Definite first team) The ones in blue are the ones who qualify as home grown. We currently have 15 and need a minimum of 8, so we could afford to lose 7 without replacing any with home grown players. I've got 5 in red above (need to go) and 2 in orange (possibly going). I suspect others on here would get rid of far more of them. Even with only my choices, if we don't sign Matt Target that would possibly be 8 going and we'd definitely need to buy at least 1 home grown player - for which we would pay way way over the odds. That's one of the reasons I don't think this summer will be all that radical in terms of numbers - though I do expect us to bring in 2 or 3 with real quality.
Wood's from New Zealand and only signed in Jan. Does Woods qualify as home grown due to length of time from a young age? Dummett just signed a new contract 2 weeks ago.
Yeah it isn't about nationality. It's about being signed for an English (or Welsh) club for three full years before you're 21. Didn't know about Dummett's new contract. I'm actually pleased for him as I think he's a decent option when we're stuck and won't whinge about being a backup player. Also good to keep the local connection.
Exactly my thoughts. You need local lads to big the place up and help new signings settle in. Longstaff currently in talks and expected to sign new deal soon too. Think Gillespie is away for nowt at end of season.
I've edited my post. As well as missing Dummett's new contract I had forgotten that Matt Ritchie counts as home grown.
Are we having a sweepstakes to see how many pages we can squeeze out of the transfer window?! I’m estimating we end up with 402
