The stats speak for themselves on Roberts, zero end product in goals, assists or creation, woefully short in comparison to other championship wingers. Wonderfully gifted footballer mind. Dan Neil as the midfield anchor just doesnt do it for me and don't see how it gets much better than he currently is. I don't know how good he is but I don't see a player who spreads, play, dictates tempo from deep or even offers than blanket of protection in front of the back 4. They're different players but Jobe can tackle, score, create, press, athleticism, size and strength he has fingers in many pies and is 3 if not 4 years younger than Dan. We're in the talent development and nurturing business, players must be of a certain ability to contribute now whilst working towards their potential, Neil for me is running out of room for growth and for his first name on the team sheet namesake was poor august to oct and feb to now.
I am perfectly fine with Neil playing but more because of a lack of another viable option heading into the playoffs, but hes replaceable and we will get probably 8 figures for him. As you say, not really any protection for our back line but does keep possession pretty well most of the time.
Desperately need a new right winger and 10, no matter what league we are in. If we go up then ELF will be the 10 signing but we'd need adequate backup. If we stay down we need someone new. They are the priorities for me. A Mundle type of player on the right would be my preference.
Nobody is irreplacable mate. But replacing with better is a skill. Some would half our team gone. Be doing well to replace half our team and be better if we dont go up. We have signed players like Browne who some said would be the Neil / Jobe replacement. Have we really replaced Ross Stewart with a better striker? Was Le Fee really a good loan? Signing players isnt difficult, signing ones that improve you is. Whatever division we are in next season I hope we arent signing 7 or 8 players this summer. We have to evolve not revolutionise.
I think we'll have to really, no matter the league. Especially if we stay down though. A right winger or 2 Mundle backup Think at least 2 of Jobe, Neil and Rigg will go so they'll need replacing Fullback depth on both sides Mepham replacement Ballard has been linked away Perhaps a new GK
I am going to be controversial. I wouldnt take Le Fee if we go up. He has flattered to deceive in my opinion. Clearly got talent, but I do not see a player worth £20m personally. Now he has 3 games hopefully to win me over, but I think teams have gone tight on him and he hasnt coped. Maybe in the middle where players pass you on more he can find space. I hope so, but right now I am not a big fan of his.
Streets ahead of Rigg currently. Think it's unfair to judge him too harshly playing wide left (where he's produced more than Roberts on the opposite flank).
whilst he's dropped down a level and is playing against worse players, he's also playing alongside worse players and doing so out of position. Pre injury he stood out like a sore thumb every game, post injury not so much but we've been crap as a team since feb. Flatters to deceive is some statement
When he's on the ball in central areas you can see he's by far our best player on the ball. His cross for Roberts' awful attempt at a header was beautiful. In hindsight though i'd rather we signed a winger.
The pass for the isidor 1v1 against burnley the 1v1 he scored against boro he's the only one playing these first time passes, with urgency. I agree we needed a winger, i think ideally they wanted both and thats ultimately been the difference. on le fee, tho, he's streets ahead and its just emotions on the back of collective bad results making people say otherwise its a disgrace if he doesnt start in the rigg role next week
If we dont go up, then I assume we have the following core group. Patto, Moore, Young Hume, Ballard, ONien, Seelt, Alese, Cirkin, Huggins, Hjelde Rigg, Jones, Mundle, Browne, Aleksic, Roberts Mayenda, Isidor, Abdullahi I believe there is a strong chance Danns comes here if we dont go up. That probably is the forwards sorted, unless we get a big bid for Mayenda. If Alese and Huggins are strong in pre-season do we need full back cover? Mind you I would take Dunne all day long from QPR. On a free I think? If Mepham doesnt sign (wages?) we will need another CB. Midfield is going to be the problem. I am assuming Jobe and Neil are going if we dont go up. That is our engine gone. I can see Rigg doing what Jobe has done and having a brilliant year next year. These hard yards make the best young players. I think he needs to be give the 8 role. So definitely need a 6 and a 10. A right winger is a yes too. So maybe just 3 or 4 for the 11? 2 or 3 for better options?
Think it's pretty doable if we spend a reasonable chunk of whatever gets brought in. Just harder convincing those £6-8m players to drop to this level.