Summer window

I’d agree with this. If it wasn’t for his injury I wouldn’t have expected us to extend his contract. He’s out until Christmas so I don’t think we’ll see much of him at all.
I like Matete but we’ve progressed too quickly for him. I can see him being loaned out again or sold so there is space in the squad for another CM either permanent or on loan.

I’d like another left back. We have a few who can cover Cirkin and so a job there but non are natural there - I see Alese more as a centre half. Preferably a young player who can cover Cirkin and so we have succession plan in place.

Another right footed winger as competition/ cover/ succession plan for Clarke. Maybe someone who can also play though the middle as a 3rd striker option in the squad. I’m e never seen him play but reading about him the lad from Chile we are linked to seems to fit this profile.

I know a few people have mentioned a number 10 and I understand it however I can’t see it unless someone leaves. We have Pritchard, Embleton, Ba and now Bellingham who can play that position. The last two need games to develop so I can’t see another coming in.

 

Great analysis marra

 

I’d add a CB. I see people saying we are well stacked there, but we aren’t.

It cost us the playoffs we need one more experienced.

I’d like to see Ba used more in the 10 role cos I think the kids gonna be special. I won’t say it too loud but I’d take Hayden from up the road as a CM, ticks every box for us and a decent player.

Always injured too so fits straight in…

 

I like what I see here. Looks like he is willing to track back and put the graft in. Some of those pitches are tatty fields as well.

 

Agree on the centre half actually ballards injury record is a concern as is aji’s Batth isn’t getting any younger and the rest are untested


I think ba is going to have a real breakout season this year

 

I agree mate he is ready to go. Seen bits of the Tourney he was in for France and v his level he looked a monster.

I don’t wanna get carried away but ability wise he might be a 30 plus sale if he gets it all together, was a real coup getting him cos he is rated in France

 

What are we seeing as Ba’s position? I know Mowbray has spoken about him not having positional sense (yet) for central mid

 

I think a ten with license to roam, he’s looked good coming off the left, in short I’m not sure

 

I fancy hun in the centre mate, because has great feet and looks better playing forward. Not sure he’d be suited as a winger for covering his full back but club may develop him that way.

Whether it’s an 8 or a 10 depend how his passing and vision comes along, he’s just gonna be great in tight spaces.

Loved when he came on away at Luton and instantly binned his man out wide mind.

 

No10 for me, hes better to have more of a license to roam n get on the ball. Positional he is poor n hes slow to react to the transition so that rules out cm for now

I also think he could become a good winger as well, hes got good pace n his the skills to beat a player

 

Signings for me:
A CB, ideally someone with at least 100 games under their belt
A fullback, this is probably dependent on how huggins looks in preseason. He looks a player but hes pretty much been injured for 2 yrs. Gooch can cover both fullback positions n he would be 3rd choice for me at both rb n lb.
A CDM, again with a 100 games or so under his belt
A no10, this will depend on how Ba looks in preseason - agree with what a few have said he could have a huge break out
A LM, need a natural back up to clarke. We might need another option on the right if jewi n lihadji dont look like kicking on this season.
A CF, just the one if semedo signs n stewart signs his new deal

The great thing with our model is all our signings from last season should be better this yr with more experience. If players have kicked on we wont need too many. Another quality CM is key, neil n ekwah will start the season but you need another quality option in there n we dont have that at the minute - unless bellingham is used there and he kicks on as quickly as ekwah did

 

Jewi a back up to clarke? Seems more an out and out left winger to me, beats his man and crosses it old fashioned but with Stewart to aim for could be very effective

 

I still want Simms back. He'll score goals in this side just as he was before Lampard recalled him not to play him, the git knacker.

 

Maybe, i actually like him on the right - has the pace to go either way.

A lot of our signings will be dependent how the lads have kicked on since end of the season. Jewi lihadji n ba have huge potential so hope they show it over preseason

 

Excited to see us mix it up in pre season plenty lads we’ve not seen enough of yet, lihadji feels like a new signing really hope he steps up

 

Looks a strong lad for 17

 

Woo cirkin new deal

 

That's ****ing awesome news. He is going to be a class act for years.

 

Wonder what happens with the buy back clause now ?