seeing as this is a thread regarding what players we would like to see come in over the summer, whether we go up or not i think it matters not when it takes place, if you dont wish to comment feel free not to but others wish to and should therefore be allowed to... I hadnt even thought of snodgrass, and i think that would be a great signing, not so sure about schmeichel though as back up might be worth a punt
If Wolves go down and we go up, what about O'Hara? Ex Skate, I know, but he's been undeniably effective in the Premier League.
Wasn't having a go at your thread, it was directed more at those on here who are talking as if we're already up. We have a lot of work to do yet. I think our targets will vary hugely depending on what league we're in next season anyway - I would be very surprised if players like Snodgrass and Whittingham moved to another Championship club (which is what we could be next season). You could even make the argument that if we go up, signing Championship players (albeit very good ones) might not show much ambition
One of the main reasons that we've done so well over the past 2 seasons is that NA has moulded the squad into a very effective team. They play well because they understand what the manager wants, and there is a togetherness about the squad which money simply cannot buy. Bringing in a load of big(ger) name players would undermine that cohesion. I can't see NA letting all that effort & planning go to waste. Another reason is that Nicola will not splash the cash only to end up like our close neighbours down the road. The club is exceptionally well run and that means not spending beyond your means. We have probably the best Youth Academy in the country to provide a regular stream of quality players - sadly too often poached by money bag clubs (Bale, Walcott, Ox-Cham etc etc) Assuming we reach the Prem, the squad will have to be strengthened - but not that much. Just look at what both Swansea & Norwich have done with only a few signings. My big worry is that the vultures might start circling around Rickie & Adam. But, as Beanpole striker says ..... 8 games to go first .....
Effective isnt a word I would define O'Hara as...relegated at Pompey, likely relegated with Wolves. Id stear well clear. Would for sure have Schmeichel or Al Habsi though.
Heh, if we're making a wishlist, let's sign Sergio Romero from Sampdoria...world class keeper currently stuck on a team going nowhere in Serie B.
We'd need a right and a left winger - either both pacey, or one pacey and one with great trickery - but that's about it in terms of the first XI. We do badly lack of goalscoring CM (look at how many Allen and Sigursson chip in with for Swansea), but as I'd be moving Lallana into a more free, central role next season should we go up, then it wont suddenly be as much of a problem that Morgan and Cork don't score. We'd badly need a further two or three decent back-up players, but like I say, nothing more into the first XI - well not unless they're someone who'd improve our first XI significantly. Give me the Norwich/Swansea route over the QPR any day of the week. I do not want us tearing this team apart, and I don't believe we need to. We simply need some pace to put some fear into PL defenders, which will both give our midfielders space to create and limit what those opposition defenders can do from an offensive sense (there are of course some quality full-backs in the PL when it comes to attacking).
Slightly off thread, but just noticed that our u18s are second in the league, 4 points adrift of Arsenal but with 2 games in hand. Hope we manage to bring a few of them through next year...at least get a couple on the bench for experience.
GK: Not sure who specifically but we need a long-term replacement for Kelvin. CB: Serdar Tasci from Stuttgart - terrific defender, 15 caps for Germany. LB: Cover for Fox (Harding not good enough). Loan maybe? CM: Somen Tchoyi from West Brom is out of contract this summer, amazingly. We should try and prize him away as he'd add something different to what we currently have in CM. ST: Giovani dos Santos? On loan from Spurs at Racing Santander in La Liga at the moment and is impressing, just needs games.
As for LB, a lot depends on the progress of Shaw, reading the U18, U21 write ups he is nearly as involved as Bale was at that level. If he is physically capable then I suspect we will stick with Fox and Harding. CB - I don't think it's too controversial to say it's big Radhi's last season for us and Seaborne will have to improve on form before his injury especially if we're in the PL. Definitely need players here. Roger Johnson is a great shout, but does he have the on the ball ability which we require? RB - Butterfield has signed an extension to his contract. Richardson has failed to be ever present since his arrival so a quality player is needed here. Stephens sounds like a great prospect but could be too soon. RM - Think De Ridder does have the ability to improve a lot and have seen him make decent progress but if a player like Moses who has great ability becomes available then this would be an awesome signing. Berbatov - What a shout this is. Would fit our style and if you think Guly is lazy then observe this fella, but it's all about the skill and flair. Get him in as back up for Guly ;-)
