***WARNING, LONG ASS GEEK POST*** I've been doing some number crunching, some major geek-out analysis to boil down what we have, and what we need for the prem. After a bit of work, and some mild microsoft excel use I think it all comes down to this. I took the current squad (inc vaughan and morison, but no others) and took out the under 21's that don't count toward the 25 man senior squad: GK Declan Rudd MF Tom Adeyemi MF Korey Smith FW Luke Daley DF George Francomb MF Josh Dawkin GK Jed Steer MF Matt Ball From the remaining players I isolated The ones, I feel (this is where it gets subjective) are anywhere from fringe players to definite goners: MF Stephen Hughes FW Aaron Wilbraham FW Oli Johnson MF Anthony McNamee DF Steven Smith FW Cody McDonald MF Owain Tudur Jones That leaves 17 senior players as of when i'm typing this (09/06/11, 8.00pm ish) GK John Ruddy DF Russell Martin (vice-captain) DF Adam Drury DF Zak Whitbread MF Andrew Crofts FW Grant Holt (captain) FW Simeon Jackson MF Andrew Surman MF Wes Hoolahan MF David Fox FW Chris Martin MF Simon Lappin DF Leon Barnett DF Elliott Ward DF Marc Tierney FW Steve Morison FW James Vaughan 25-17 = 8 that means there are 8 potential senior squad places up for grabs. The Lambert suggestion of 7 signings seems to be taken as gospel so minus the 2 we already have thats 5 new signings to come in That leaves 3 positions available, that you might as well fill(rule states that you do not need a 25 man squad but if you have senior players under contract you they are automatically included, you can't "opt them out" or anything, so it's stay or leave), so either we get 10 additional new signings( including 2 we've already brought in) OR 3 additional players from the reject list earlier. I believe, of these 7: FW Aaron Wilbraham FW Oli Johnson MF Anthony McNamee Are the most likely to keep there place REMEMBER The premier league reserve league may be in place so these guys will get to play football That leaves us with the following 20 players: GK John Ruddy DF Russell Martin (vice-captain) DF Adam Drury DF Zak Whitbread DF Leon Barnett DF Elliott Ward DF Marc Tierney MF Andrew Crofts MF Andrew Surman MF Wes Hoolahan MF David Fox MF Simon Lappin MF Anthony McNamee FW Grant Holt (captain) FW Simeon Jackson FW Chris Martin FW Aaron Wilbraham FW Oli Johnson FW Steve Morison FW James Vaughan Currently: 1 Goalkeeper 6 Defenders (2LB, 1RB, 3CB) 6 Midfield 7 Forwards I know, attack heavy, but thats when we get into the 5 additional signings to make the 25 man squad. Lets take Johnson and Bennett as done deals, heres where I can see the remaining places going: MF Bradley Johnson MF Elliot Bennet GK Senior Keeper (enables Dec and/or Steer to be loaned out) DF Right back, senior cover DF CB Senior (right footed? We have 3 senior full backs, 2 left footed, 1 right) ?? The surprise package, possibly Lansbury, or maybe something none of us have expected That Leaves us with a grand total of: 2 Goalkeepers 8 Defenders (2LB, 2RB, 4CB) 8 Midfield 7 Forwards ?? x1 (I'm gunning for lansbury so possibly 9 midfield) This gives us a balanced squad with plenty of utility, attacking and defensive options. Lets not forget, these calcs don't even factor in the likes of Korey Smith, Tom Adyemi or Sam Habergham, (U18) all of which could make an impact. Phew! That was a beast! Let me know what you think If your man enough to get through it! Sum Up I reckon the following "Types" of players are going to be signed: MF Bradley Johnson MF Elliot Bennet GK Senior Keeper (enables Dec and/or Steer to be loaned out) DF Right back, senior cover DF CB Senior (right footed? We have 3 senior full backs, 2 left footed, 1 right) ?? The surprise package, possibly Lansbury, or maybe something none of us have expected
Im expecting our most expensive signing to be a CB! I expect wilbs to go ahead of other strikers, never know there maybe a place for cody in there... GK,CB and RB has been bugging me for ages! I have no idea who lambert will get in these positions... Theres no obvious stand out candidates but tbh we havent been linked with anyone as of yet in those positions! I expect as soon as someone is linked in any of these positions they will proberbly be right! Im expecting lambert to pull a rabbit out of his hat with one signing, hes obviousley trying to get a biggish signing as hes bid for snodgrass and supposebly osman (twice), its going to be an interesting few weeks but im a bit bored at the moment, i wana see some more transfer action lol...
With the goalkeeper situation you've got 2 choices as I see it 1) Ruddy is Ordained as Senior Keeper, Keeps No1 shirt and a keeper of similar or slightly less experience joins to compete for first spot but has to ultimately accept that they are No2 (This will make the search for quality harder, although our GK training is amongst the best in the land) 2) A brand new Senior Keeper comes in and Ruddy is umped down to second spot (otherwise known as the "Greeno" Option) I'd go for option 1, hauling Ruddy out of the No1 jersey isn't fair, isn't right and ,frankly, isn't Lambert. We don't want a superstar coming in and upsetting the balance. Then we come to Mr Fraser Forster, My opinion is we are going to have to wait on this whatever happens. Newcastle have a situation with there keepers and untill they decide what they are going to do No-One gets Fraser. But Fraser AND Ruddy, battling it out for the No1 spot, that'd be something special because I believe they are comparable keepers.
wow beefy, you really do have too much time on your hands ha ha... I know one or two decent porn sites that could maybe fill a few hours for you lol.
Watching Norwich City is all the visual stimulation I need buddy lol. But I am now rocking this theory, I believe this is what will happen.
it would be tough to disagree mate. You make a very good point and took my (quite frankly misinformed) thoughts on the 25 man squad idea to a whole new level! Only difference is I would like to see 3 'keepers. It is not beyond the realms of possibility that a 'keeper gets sent off. We would then need a sub for the next games. Rudd could be no. 3 and so not impact the 25 squad though. maybe loan him out but with a 24hr recall?
I like the theory, I'm unsure fully on how to do the keeper thing (theres a few different ways we could go. However, in getting a second senior keeper in we can loan out Jed or Dec alternatively, leaving the one remaining as the 3rd keeper.
Good thread mate! I don't think Lambert would bring FF back, I say this following the start of this season where both PL and Ruddy placed emphasis on "exorcising" FF. I believe this was instrumental in bringing out the form in Ruddy which we have subsequently seen, he's a young guy and clearly didn't react well to having FFs ghost haunting the Carrow Road nets. Perhaps after a full season and a justified confidence boost he could now handle it with another GK, but FF would probably be a step too far. My opinions, look forward to see what you reckon?
i gave up when it said long post only kidding, good post Beefy, top marks - it'll be interesting to come back to this in a month or so's time and compare!
That's a hell of a post, Beefy! Have to agree with your summing up. Can the 25 man squad be adjusted around Christmas? I seem to remember there being something about Woodgate in Spurs squad, but that might have been to do with Europe.
Just had a quick look, Dave. Seems the squads are fixed between the end of the summer window, and opening of the January transfer window. Then fixed again between the end of the January window and the end of the season, unless you have an injury crisis. “While the transfer windows are open, clubs may change their squads as many times as they want. However they will only be able to make alterations outside the windows if there are exceptional circumstances and the changes are approved by the Premier League board.” http://www.premierleague.com/page/Headlines/0,,12306~2094341,00.html
Adult twins with the same hair cut kind of give me the heebie-jeebies. dressed head to toe in identical Man Utd strips freaks me right out!
the goalkeeper situation is the most difficult one facing PL. does he say that ruddy is number 1 and bring in a fairly experienced number 2 (or chance rudd as 2) or bring in a quality goalie to challenge ruddy for the starting position. my opinion is that it would be unfair to ruddy if he was not allowed to start the season as number 1. it seems FF will not be returning as he is destined for loan deal at hull.
I would hope that a quality GK is brought in to challenge Ruddy. Then, as I said above, loan out Rudd to keep him sharp, but with a 24hr recall in case of emergency. That would be the ideal all round solution in my eyes.
If it comes to a choice between defenders and GK, i would go with defenders, as i feel it is more important to get defenders with experience / potential in than another good GK. But then we are not the manager. Rudd is young, but a good back up for Ruddy. I can't see Forster coming back
If I see Fraser Forster mentioned once more by a Norwich fan, I'll.......... well I'll do something silly. Its getting right on my wick! They're obsessed with him on the Pink'un!
Forster has a future at Newcastle, future England keeper. We should get another keeper as an understudy for ruddy I reckon. We'll see though.
