We need far more than just a first XI. For all three games now, our bench options have been awful. I get that no Championship side can go around like Man City, with the ability to put out a second XI which is superior to most teams first XIs. But we still need depth. A 46 (potentially up to 49) game league season. Injuries. Suspensions. Loss of form. A desperate need for immediate promotion. Aribo. Djenepo. Mara. No thanks. Stu Armstrong needing to fill in at CM. No thanks. Yes things will be better if Sulemana and ABK remain part of our side this season. And once Smallbone is fit and Downes joins, that frees up Stu to become another attacking option again. But even so, it's still not deep enough. We'll rarely have everyone available for selection.
I think that Stuey is going to be playing that number 8 role all season, Russell doesn't see him as a wide player.
For wide attacking positions we have Tella, Edozie, Adam Armstrong, Sam AA. And that is before you consider Djenepo and the likely departing Sulemana. I’d like to think Mara isn’t also considered there. And then there is Dibling as well Perhaps we’ll bring in another wide attacker if Sulemana departs but I expect we only will if both him and another such as Tella does
I think our bench has been pretty effective in all our games so far. We have got better in all games after our subs. We need to keep having a mix of youth and experience on the bench. Making your own players is always better than buying them.
The McAtee links are interesting. He’d very much be one of the 8s in the system used yesterday. With Downes coming in that would give us: Downes Charles Smallbone Alcaraz McAtee Stu Armstrong Of that list I think several can play in multiple of those central roles. I do wonder who would be the absolute first choice though. Surely McAtee as part of getting him in. So already Smallbone and Charles become squad options. Charles has some versatility to play in parts of defence so more options. But perhaps in some games we switch to two of the more defensive midfielders and one of the more attacking ones Seen no indication that McAtee can deputise out wide so that leaves the central positions only Unless there is an outgoing in that area that I am not allowed to even say out loud so will not say the name Edit: He has links with Ajax so this is likely a non starter anyway. That would be him and Borges. So Ajax doing what we tried last year but using their champions league and higher profile to attack that slightly higher tier City youngster
I’d like us to make a move for the Norwich player Sara, looks very good and seems he could play all the central roles. Was good against us last week and started well today against Millwall
Probably a non starter as would likely cost close to 20m given 3+1 years on his contact and only signing last year for around €10m. And strengthening a direct rival
Well we have the money, but yes unlikely as a quick google suggests Atletico Madrid want him. He was the best player on the pitch last week and is running the show today aswell
We may have the money but I don’t think we will be spending 20m on a player in the championship apart from maybe a striker. 20m players who want to join championship clubs for championship wages are likely thin on the ground
I'd go for Rowe. What's that now, 4 goals in 4 games I think. English, 20 years old. Definite future star.
Took his goal well today, not stood out apart from that. Anyway as Greg says unlikely we will be buying off a rival due to cost and, in Sara case anyway, a probable lack of interest in a sideways move.
Unusual to give up after just one bid without negotiating. Not that I’m complaining too much. Especially as the bid seemed like it was relatively close to our valuation unlike other opening bids unless that is the only public knowledge of a bid and they have made others and this was their last attempt ?
