It's all well and good we're 9th in the table and have almost equalled the club record for unbeaten away games. But we have 5 players on loan at the moment: Gerrard, Evans, Mannone, Amoo and Hobbs with the first 3 almost certain starters every week what's going to happen next season when they all go back to there parent clubs. The squad will be a little weak in my opinion and we could struggle to build on where we finish this year.
Amoo will be immediately be replaced by Stewart when he returns from his injury. If not Mannone, we're guaranteed to sign a keeper in one form or another. I would expect us to sign one of Gerrard or Hobbs on a permanent, whilst a permanent switch for Evans is far from out of the question. In addition we see the return of Cooper, Ghilas, Oli, Bullard, Macca, Kilbane, Atkinson. Although I expect the majority of the returning loanees to be sold in the summer, I think that Cooper, for one, to take a more active role next season.] I also anticipate another couple of million spent on fresh faces - a keeper, left back, a proper left winger? I really do believe that next seasons squad will be stronger than the current one, despite the expiry of five loan signings. In NP we trust. UTT.
I reckon that we'll sell or loan out several of the returning players too but we also lose several players due to expiring contracts. The squad for me, needs improving a hell of a lot for the summer with a left back, winger, centre mid, centre half(s) and a goalkeeper all need to come in. But like you said, in NP we trust.
If you look at NP he has constantly signed loan players with us and with Leicester, so why can't we do it again. I see it being likely that Ayala will be sent out again or not needed, Guzan if he is not playing now doubt he will next year so he may be back. Nigel will have irons in the fire for next year already with the likes of Delaney, Danns all out of contract in the summer i can see us bringing in a few freebies like we did with Koren and Harper.
We still need another face in, for midfield unless ***an regains fitness. The play offs are not out of reach but we're bound to pick up some more injuries along the way.
The problem being is that we don't have space for two, thats why i wouldn't have minded Etuhu on a temporary contract, as we have all 5 loans used up in our matchday squads so we need some freebies out there if we are going to make the play offs.
For next season we're going to need to make Mannone, Gerrard, Hobbs and Evans permanent. Whilst signing a new 2nd choice keeper (Guzan?), a new left back whether it's for cover or a replacement for Dawson, a new midfielder with a bit of quality (Bullard?) and a proper target man. All in all that's 8 signings, though only 3 or 4 will need to be new players. Garcia and ***an coming back will give us options on the wings and a natural balance we've missed all season.
Not being funny mate, but where do you get this"there will be a couple of million more for players from"? If they are looking to purchase the stadium and expand it, I cant see much m,onry being available for players tbh.
We're about to become self supporting and at the end of this season we'll wipe a couple more million off the wage bill, while also receiving the parachute money, I've no doubt that Nigel will get a few bob to spend in the summer.
Arent we supposed to be in the black by april anyway? Plus the parachute money, sponsors, players leaving etc. we should have a sufficient amount of money to spend in summer.
Have we paid all our debts to other clubs for players bought during the bad old days? (Notice I didn't mention Brown, Duffen or Bartlett there?)
I also suspect there will be money available in the summer, the impression I get is that the Allams want to see results quickly. I think they recognise it doesn't come cheaply.
Olifatjana has said he wants to stay at Cardiff, Ghilas seems to have followed in the (unknown and unseen) footsteps of Lord Lucan, Kilbane (as much as I don't think he did too badly at the start of this season) may find next year a step too far for his tired old legs, Atkinson and Cooper have a lot to prove at this level, as much as they have done well when selected, and Jimmy Bullard is... well, he's Jimmy Bullard so I'll say no more. Oh, and McShane's ****ing awful. So I certainly hope that you're right regarding the new GK, LB and LW, and if - or rather when - Koren departs, a new CM.
