I think both Mumba and McCallum could provide suitable cover in the full back positions after their loans last season, with a view to trying to establish themselves.
Totally agree, Suffolk. Mumba is the natural backup to Byram if Aarons leaves and he can also play at DM or on the left of midfield. McCallum has had good experience on loan at QPR and should be given a chance at LB. I also hope that Rowe and Springett continue to get a chance to develop in the first team.
Bradley Johnson released by Blackburn. I have fond memories of Bradders and some of the cracking goals from midfield. Others who have been released and that have caught my eye: Korey Smith Swansea, Charlie Austin QPR, Tom Ince Stoke, Aaron Lennon Burnley.
Sinani backs himself to play a part for Norwich next season after acclimatising to the physical demands of the second tier. "The matches are much harder in the Championship. I improved in the intensity of the games, and also defensively. And then, of course, you have to work a lot on physicality in England. I feel good. I got into the habit of playing high-intensity matches. Obviously, my body needs rest, but I'm coping well with training. When you're used to playing every three days, your body gets used to it too." https://www.pinkun.com/sport/norwic...danel-sinani-future-huddersfield-town-9027136
Hibs have triggered an option in Rocky Bushiri's deal, so he's signed there permanently on a 3 year deal. So perhaps the deadlines for making those decisions, as I alluded to with Famewo, aren't all set for similar dates, or the process can drag on after that. Looking at twitter, a lot of Hibs fans aren't exactly impressed with him and the decision to bring him back.
Tom Lawrence Derby County anyone? 11 goals and 5 assists in a struggling side. Top goal scorer from midfield.
With Hayden now added, it's clear that we need at least one more CM after the departure of Rupp, Normann and Gilmour. What are our main needs after that? GK: Gunn, Krul, McGovern FB: Aarons, Byram, Mumba, Giannoulis McCallum CB: Gibson, Hanley, Zimmermann, Omobamidele, Famewo? DM Hayden, Sørensen, (Byram) CM: Lees-Melou, McLean (AM): Dowell, Cantwell, Sinani WR: (Cantwell) (Dowell) Rowe, Springett, Martin WL: Rashica, Tzolis, Placheta, Hernandez S: Pukki, Idah, Sargent, Hugill That's a 31 man squad as it stands and though we need to replace Williams at LB unless McCallum is considered an adequate option and perhaps any other player leaving, we do have a well equipped squad otherwise for a Championship campaign with more than two players at most positions. The 7 players in bold are in addition to the squad we finished the season with and there's also those returning from injury. So what are our further priorities now?
Also, I think you may have counted Dowell and Cantwell twice, as they should be in brackets in the secondary position. I think Cantwell, Aarons, Zimbo, Martin, Hernandez and Hugill will all go
Do we think Farke might come in for anyone? He was a big fan of Kenny, and might look at Zimbo again?
I can see the sense of Aarons and perhaps Cantwell moving on, but I'm less certain about the others. We will find it difficult to recruit PL quality players this season so we'd be spending money unnecessarily, IMO. Zimbo is a decent cover at CB and Martin is still only 20 and developing his game. He got a raw deal on loan last season and deserves a chance to compete alongside Rowe and Springett. Hernandez and Hugill are both decent options as cover in the Championship, especially considering the long injuries for Idah and Sargent last season. It makes more sense to keep what we have and upgrade next season if promoted.
Perhaps we can get another try before we buy option. Any more on the rumour that Giannoulis was looking to move on?
I heard he had done a u-turn by the end of the season and was determined to stay and fight for his position next season, which I personally hope is true.
You may be right, my only thinking was that Zimbo was very much Farke’s man having captained his Borusia Dortmund youth side. Martin struggled on both of his loans last season, which is disappointing as he looked to be progressing with us the previous season. I think we have too many wide players and some will have to go so that’s why I included him and Hernandez. Regarding Hugill, we had the option to bring him back in Jan when West Brom had basically exiled him but instead we chose to find him another loan so that was my thinking there.
