At the end of last season, almost to a man on this board, we agreed that the squad needed a massive overhaul. Players to keep were Kenny, Byram, Lees, Warnock, White, McCormack. Yes, basically that is what we thought, rest could go. McD said he needed seven new players, three have joined. If we look at those we felt good enough to keep, we need as starters two central mids, a wide right, centre back and striker. Now to build a bench that can replace any player without lowering the standard and suddenly it becomes a huge task requiring substantial investment. We have signed two strikers and a midfielder, and are clearly trying to bring in a centre back. Our starting eleven is still not where it should be, our bench even weaker. We can't rely on Pugh, Brown, Norris, Green, Austin, Pearce, Peltier, Varney and so on to give us consistent performances week after week. McD knows this, yet he hasn't been able to fill the gaps just yet. Hunt should provide experience and some leadership, Smith and Murphy will either get off to a flyer or need time to adjust to the tough environment of the Championship and the expectation that comes with wearing the White shirt at Elland Road. GFH must be acutely aware of what is needed, and their talks with Red Bull shows they are looking for ways to fund McD's targets, and possibly add an extra one or two. Our biggest problem seems to be getting the unwanted out of the club to free up sone much needed finances. Realistically, who will sign any of the dross we have, even on a free? If they can't improve our team, why would they make another stronger? We have made too many poor signings in recent times, and its hurting us now. Promotion, although possible thanks to the nature of the Championship, is just not probable with the squad we have AS IT STANDS RIGHT NOW. Of course, we still have more than a month of the transfer window remaining, but the signs are there that we may be lucky to add one or two more players, and that will be that. It has to be remembered that we were extremely poor last season, and new players were desperately needed to improve our chances of success. Fingers crossed we get the money.
Half your squad proved with Pompey and now with you that they are not good enough for this league. So apart from 1 or 2 you can forget prem clubs coming in for any,and probably no championship clubs either add to that theres not many lower league clubs can match anywhere near the wages you pay,So unless they are prepared to take a massive cut in wages you are stuck with them m8. We shifted quite a few of our deadwood players because we dont pay over the top wages which has allowed us to bring in 5 or 6 newbies this season. theres quite a few quality players available at present as clubs cut their wage bills for the fair play rule. we have picked up some decent players for free who have agreed to take pay cuts or be without a club Shame youve missed the boat
Personally I would sell White and I feel Hunt and Smith should be bench players, I would start with Poleon and McCormack and I also feel Green is worth a starting place in the middle alongside Murphy with Austin and Norris more than capable of sitting on the bench and it looking strong together with Pearce. Norris, Pearce, Austin, Hunt, Smith - Strongest bench we would have had in years. I don't think it is major surgery required but I would say we need some pace and flair in the middle, a right and left sided midfielder is a must and it would mean we have a decent foundation. Kenny - Byram, Peltier, Lees, Warnock, Murphy, Green, New Wide Player, McCormack, Poleon, New Wide Player Subs from Austin, Norris, Smith, Hunt, Diouf, Pearce
Afternoon all. Not sure I see the need for "major surgery". If Hall isn't going to feature, we certainly need a winger with pace. We have Lees at CB, but it's unclear as to who BMD favours as his partner. So a proven CB would also be a good acquisition. After that, its just players getting used to BMD's pass and move approach. I'm sure that as the season settles down, we will see better performances than was the case yesterday.
Anyone know who's out of contract at the end of this season? It sounds like it's the wage budget that's the problem more than the transfer budget...
Kiwi it is a wage budget problem like i said theres some good quality players out there available for free but you have to cut your wage bill or you cant sign them. Thats why you had to off load Morison to us to get one of your targets in once your wage bill reaches a certain level it has to be one out to get one in
Looking at your current squad, you'd have to ask where are the goals going to come from? Looks like Varney and McCormack, and you know you can't rely on either of those 2 to get more than Becchio did
Dont think McCormack scores goals anymore once reliable for high double figures but not now as for Varney cant see him hitting 10 goals a season Smith is a non entity will get some with his head but as for FOOTball skills he has none so wont be regular enough to make any difference, That leaves Hunt and his trusted 10 goals a season max. Your fans are now saying you dont need a 25 goal a season target man (look at Hull and Cardiff) that can be true but you need goals from all over the pitch which you can get from a quality squad
Contracts expiring in 2014 are... Paul Green, Luke Varney, Adam Drury and Jamie Ashdown according to footballmarket.co.uk
Simple question, is this team better or worse than the one that came up from League 1? In my book they are worse and hence not good enough to make the playoffs even with a better manager.
I'd hoped there'd be more to be honest. I'd probably keep Green though. Giving players like Norris and Pugh 3 and 4 year deals, criminal!
That's what happens when you're desperate to sign anyone at all. Pugh was a big mistake that would never have happened if Gradel hadn't been sold.
Marko sorry to say but Pugh was originally loaned to us we had planty of time to see his true worth so it was not a big mistake at the time it was when we actually signed him 6 months later
