Another question I'm interested in is, how will we use our two loan slots? I fully expect to see one go on a striker (Brereton-Diaz? Broja?) but not sure about the other
What formation we are planning on playing comes into it. If we are going 3 at the back as our main formation then Downes next to Aribo/Lallana/Smallbone might be OK and we aren’t going to be able to change it much now anyway, but as you say as soon as Downes is out we will get battered.
I think with the amount of cbs we will most likely play 3 CBs. We could probably afford to get away with 2 midfielders too.
that's got multiple hammerings written all over it. I know that's not what we'll end the window with but that's a real eye opener on how much work is needed there to bring it even remotely up to PL standard.
You can say that about our entire squad tbh. The only player who is any good at this level is probably leaving
To add to this our likely starting back 3 for the Newcastle game is Stephens, Bednarek and THB. We are going to be in for a long season
Yeah, right now we are basically at breakeven in terms of the starting XI at the end of last season, with more defensive depth in the wider squad. But it's not a good PL side... Let's hope the theory that we've been doing the cheaper/easier deals for squad players and 'handy to have' players to facilitate some big, meaningful additions to move the XI up in the world is accurate. Last two additions have been Sugawara and Downes, who will both be starters, so does feel like we're moving a bit more towards the stage of the summer where we sign players to go straight into the starting lineup now
Agree with this. Hopefully Charles can continue developing. He did pretty well in the cup game against Liverpool. I still hope there’s a player in there. Ideally we should loan him out next season and replace him with a PL quality DM though.
It has been extremely quiet on ABK's future as well. Out of all the players that might go this summer, we have heard at least some noise around Alcaraz, KWP, Sulemana and Onuachu but not a word on ABK. I wonder if he is being reintegrated into the squad and happy to stay as we are PL again.
Is it the first pre season game for the first team at Eastleigh on Friday or will it be more of a youth side?
The guy that interviewed Martin & Downes the other day said he saw Charly and asked if he was staying - his response was pointing at Martin and said "ask him". I've then just seen the below on twitter. Sounds as though the loan and talk about him moving on is coming more from Martin being unsure rather than Charly pushing to leave.
Even then if ABK stays he could just slot in as the starter. If he’s here he probably gets into the starting three anyway
A box to box central midfielder with a bit of bite would be my priority at the moment. I like Smallbone and I’m sure like JWP his physicality will improve as he gets older, but he ain’t winning many 50/50s and we’re going to need that aggression in the side.
A player I’ve not heard of for ages is Joe Willock from Newcastle, always liked the look of him but don’t recall him playing for them for feels like ages. Not sure if injured/been replaced now they have money/he has been playing and I haven’t noticed
