Having read some of the comments in the Pacheco thread, and seen some of the comments made, I feel that the following should be pointed out:
1) Our biggest challenge this season has been keeping a clean sheet, not scoring goals or creating chances. Therefore why would a striker be our highest priority when we have Holt, Morison, Jackson and Vaughan, and have the midfield resources to play 5 and just one stand-alone striker anyway!
2) With Russell Martin proving himself as a quality centre-back, Adam Drury perhaps extending his career one more season, and Tierney hopefully back from injury now for good. Our highest priority this summer is to sign Naughton, he provides not only security as a high quality right back, but offers the luxury of being able to capably fill in at left-back too. This flexibility across both full back positions is essential. What will we do next season if Tierney is injured again, rely on Drury the whole time, besides Lappin? There are limits to how far you can ask a veteran to play week in week out, 90 minutes a game.
3) I agree that we require a centre-back, a right-back (who can play left-back competently), and a striker (I always believe you must have 5 quality strikers in a premier league squad, because sooner than later, 2 will be injured at a point in time, strength in depth is key). Anyone else signed is a bonus.
4) Our midfielders and goalkeepers, are all plenty good enough for next season, as demonstrated throughout this season.
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Summary
No.1 Target: Right-Back (who can play left-back) - Naughton
No.2 Target: Centre-Back
No.3 Target: Young, Lower League Striker (e.g Rhodes)
No.4 Target (Luxury): Midfielder to replace Crofts (face the truth - he is behind Pilkington, E.Bennett, Surman, Fox, Johnson, Hoolahan, Howson in the pecking order), someone like Snodgrass.
No.5 Target (Depends on Drury's Longevity): Left-Back (who can play right-back), as Tierney needs cover.
1) Our biggest challenge this season has been keeping a clean sheet, not scoring goals or creating chances. Therefore why would a striker be our highest priority when we have Holt, Morison, Jackson and Vaughan, and have the midfield resources to play 5 and just one stand-alone striker anyway!
2) With Russell Martin proving himself as a quality centre-back, Adam Drury perhaps extending his career one more season, and Tierney hopefully back from injury now for good. Our highest priority this summer is to sign Naughton, he provides not only security as a high quality right back, but offers the luxury of being able to capably fill in at left-back too. This flexibility across both full back positions is essential. What will we do next season if Tierney is injured again, rely on Drury the whole time, besides Lappin? There are limits to how far you can ask a veteran to play week in week out, 90 minutes a game.
3) I agree that we require a centre-back, a right-back (who can play left-back competently), and a striker (I always believe you must have 5 quality strikers in a premier league squad, because sooner than later, 2 will be injured at a point in time, strength in depth is key). Anyone else signed is a bonus.
4) Our midfielders and goalkeepers, are all plenty good enough for next season, as demonstrated throughout this season.
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Summary
No.1 Target: Right-Back (who can play left-back) - Naughton
No.2 Target: Centre-Back
No.3 Target: Young, Lower League Striker (e.g Rhodes)
No.4 Target (Luxury): Midfielder to replace Crofts (face the truth - he is behind Pilkington, E.Bennett, Surman, Fox, Johnson, Hoolahan, Howson in the pecking order), someone like Snodgrass.
No.5 Target (Depends on Drury's Longevity): Left-Back (who can play right-back), as Tierney needs cover.
Assuming Vaughan can stay fit it will be like having a new signing and it would have helped his confidence that he scored last night.