Where has this report come from that he can’t train. Why is it we all assume 31 is the cut off age where you’re suddenly no use. We can’t go into a season with 18 new players, although you’d not expect him to start too many games he’s useful to have in the squad. Wober has had a lot to say whilst with Austria it will be a miracle if he returns, Koch has a year left he’s off, Llorente has no intention of returning, Struijk has been diabolical for two seasons, I’d like us to sign some new players but they’ve got to want to join and they’ve got to be available and affordable. We’ve not found a decent striker in 4 years, not found a creative midfielder in 3 and not had a decent LB for as long as I can remember and everyone’s expecting us to go out and grab two classy CBs as well as the other positions we’re lacking in
It came from Marsch. He said that Cooper had to be "managed" midweek as his body couldn't handle the training. Same thing with Forshaw. Its not his age mate, its his injury record. Its not going to get any better if his body struggles with the day to day training when he has to go all out Saturday, Tuesday, Saturday all season. Im not a fan of playing him every other game to 'manage' him either. Ship him out or make him 4th or 5th choice. You are correct in saying we haven't found a decent striker, a new Pablo or a left back though. That's not because they are not out there, that's just poor recruitment. The old "we only sign **** players so we shouldn't sign anyone" is a bit defeatist imo. Ryan Manning is a left back who is available on a free. One of the best left backs in the Championship last season. Aaron Cresswell is also available on a free and played 38 games last season for West Ham. He is 33 but would do a decent job for a couple of years. Hamer from Coventry is available for around 7 million. He scored 11 goals and 10 assists last season. That's Pablo numbers. One of the better midfield players in the Championship last season. Joel Piroe is the Swansea striker scoring 41 goals in 88 appearances. We have the money to snatch him away from Swansea. Only 23 too so can improve further. To back him up I'd go for Lucas Joao from Reading who is available on a free from cash strapped relegated Reading. He's been a solid striker in the Championship for Reading. A right handful. The players are out there. Just because we failed in the past doesn't mean we have to settle for Cooper, Struijk and Firpo protecting our goal.
My point with where we are lacking in positions, is merely a point that there are far more important positions to fill. My plan would be to keep Cooper to add experienced depth. He’s not going to complain about not starting every game. Dump him for free we have to replace him for money. Whilst I’d not look at him being a first name down, a goal up and 30 minutes to go, if we had an injury to one of the CBs I’d be fine with him coming on. We won’t get anything for him, we’d be far better off selling Struijk, Koch and Llorente
Emu makes some valid claims on players there and if that’s the store we are shopping in now then the new guy Hammond should start earning his corn as soon as EFL give 49ers clearance, go out and get these players, seems to be less of a gamble than some of Orta’s buys and these players are proven at this level.
I largely agree with you. I'm still pissed off with the ever failing "leaders" of this squad. There was no fight in us after Palace. I want the "leadership team" gone. That is Ayling, Cooper, Bamford, Rodrigo. Get em out. We went down with a whimper. Not acceptable.
Supplement the new signings with some of our youngsters backing them up. Hjelde backing up at cb and LB. Cresswell becoming a main player. Hopefully they tell Dramah he is staying for his last year. Gelhardt, Greenwood and Rutter backing up Piroe and Joao up top and on the wings. Gyabi coming to the forefront with Perkins and Joseph. The youngsters (who aren't that young anymore) should be used to step up. Get rid of the dead weight. Promote the youngsters and buy the best players in the Championship.
The leadership squad was a gimmick in an attempt to smooth over the departure of Bielsa. There was a bit of a divide beginning when results started going against Bielsa you can’t help feel the divide became greater as the months rolled on. The rumours still circulate that Ayling was on his mobile phone at HT against Palace and Roca took offence, part of the “leadership team”, did Cooper and Bamford speak up, did Rodrigo side with Roca. We will never know but I agree with you, it needs scraping and no more nonsense of players picking the captain. Sit Adams down and have a quiet gentleman’s agreement, if we’re not top two and three points clear on Jan 1st if you want out we’ll sell you, in the mean time here is the captains armband and vice captain is Cresswell but you’re not going anywhere this summer
But he did play every week. I’d agree on keeping Cooper if he was as good as Paul McGrath but….. Very much on the side of saying thanks and goodbye to Ayling, Cooper, Forshaw. We really need to move on. And if we don’t how the hell can we debate about bringing them back on every transfer rumour window thread
Yes I know he's not as good as Paul McGrath, but I do think he has one more year in him in the Championship even with his injuries etc etc. But I'll say this again, I'd rather stay in the Championship with a player bad or good who actually wants to stay and fight for the badge it. Instead of all those billy big bollocks mercenaries who couldn't give a damm for us or the club. I do get your tongue in cheek comments though.
On a serious note and whilst I get “those who want to play for the club”. It’s our inability to be ruthless and move these players on that is holding us back. As much as I hated sir scum manager, he knew exactly when to get rid of players no matter how big they had been for the club.
I would agree with you if we were still in the Premiershit, but we aren't, although Bamford should have been moved on ages ago.
Don’t mention that name. I still get a twitch when I hear as I replay his miss against Leicester. Bit like Reginald Perrin seeing a hippo every time his mentions her mother
