How many players do you think we need this summer?

Hi everyone,

I'm new to the forum so take it easy on me!

Thought I'd introduce myself with something simple... How many players are we going to need in the summer?

Personally I think we need at least 5, maybe 6. Remy obviously will not be saying and Ashley will not pay out the type of money required for De Jong if he can't score (not that he would even if he was scoring) and Shola will hopefully be shown the door. That leaves us with just Cisse, Adam Armstrong and Adam Campbell so by my book that's 2 or 3 new strikers needed to replace the outgoing ones. We need to pack it in with Sissoko and Gouffran on the wings and get some proper wingers in to allow these two to play their natural positions, CM & second striker. Its obvious we need a creative ball playing midfielder (to replace Cabaye) as Tiote and Anita can only go backwards and sideways so a player of this type is need to compliment them. In defence I think its time we got shot of Steven Taylor, the lads had one good game all season (West Ham away) so another CB should be bought to play alongside Collocini. Add another full back to the squad for cover and I think we'd have a competitive side.

Thoughts?

 

Pretty much spot on. I would maybe add a quality left-back to the equation, unless Haidara gets a run-in and shows his potential (with Dummett as backup). That would maybe free Santon up to adopt a position on the wings.

There's been noises about Tiote and Debuchy leaving. I hope they don't, but if they do then obviously we'll need to replace them too.

 

I'd say at least six, but I know we wont get them.

If Tiote goes then we really are doomed.

 

I've been saying for ages that Santon at LB does not work. 10 minutes of scouting on Newcastle and you've got the lad worked out. He has no left foot so teams just show him outside every time, he then makes a predictable cut inside which the opposition players are already anticipating due to the latter and bobs your uncle he gets shut down or does something ineffective with the ball. If fit before the seasons end he should either be used as cover for Debuchy or given a run down RM in our run in whilst we've not alot to play for.

Agree about LB also, Haidara needs a proper chance and run in the team so judgement can be passed on him.

 

Welcome on board fella.
A good summary.
I'd also guess Colo will be on his way too. Hope I'm wrong.. but I think he will.

 

I will be gutted if Tiote leaves I think he's had a good season. I also think Cisse will leave and Pard's will try and persevere with LDJ. I think 5 but think we will maybe get 4

 

We need to play 3 in midfield if we are going to persevere without wingers in wide positions. We need competent strikers. We need a top class number 10, again if we're persisting with narrow right/left midfield. We will also need to replace a number of players. I am going to say that we will lose this Summer the following: Coloccini, Remy, Santon, Debuchy, Steven Taylor, Obertan, Jonas, Gosling, Ameobi and Ben Arfa. I think, with Pardew in charge, Cisse will stay. Let's assume that we need backup, albeit not at a Man City level, in every position (more or less) and here's the squad (first team/replacement, ???? denotes no relevant player available and player names in red are - in my opinion -not proven or not good enough):

GK. Krul/Elliott

RB. ????/????
LB. Haidara/Dummett
CB. Williamson/Streete
CB. MYM/Good

DM1. Tiote/Bigirimana
DM2. Anita/????

RM. Sissoko/????
LM. Gouffran/Sammy
CAM. ????/????

CF. Cisse/Armstrong



Make of that what you will.

 

We need quite a few players don't we.

 

Ryan Taylor becomes our RB option, we then need a CB to replace Taylor and we're covered at LB. We need a number 10 to replace Cabaye and another wide option. We'll also need two strikers (hopefully one of which will be Remy althought I very much doubt it.

So that would mean we'd get rid of S Taylor, Gosling, Marveaux, Obertan, Vuckic, Tavernier, Ferguson, Abeid, Jonas & Shola. We'll then be left with:

Krul, Elliott

Debuchy, R Taylor, Wlliamson, Colo, M'biwa, New CB, Dummett, Haidara, Santon

Sissoko, Gouffran, Tiote, Anita, No 10, New Winger, Ben Arfa, Sammy, Bigi

Cisse, New Striker, New Striker, Armstrong, Campbell

I'd personally loan out the two younger strikers and go with the three (Cisse and new striker x2) leaving Gouffran and Ben Arfa to play up there when short through injury/suspension. So that would give us a squad of 25 players, of which Krul, Debuchy, Colo, Tiote, Anita, Sissoko, Ben Arfa, No 10, New winger and two New Strikers are all top eight quality. You then have Santon, Gouffran, Williamson, M'biwa that are top 10 quality. So 15 players that are top ten or better and then with players such as Dummett, Haidara, Bigi, Armstrong and Campbell who are all young with time to mature and improve.

Of course it's not as simple as above, but the reality is we're not going to sign mroe than six, we're also not just going to allow our better players such as Tiote and Debuchy leave without a fight. It's about gradual improvement and I'd see the above as an improvement on how things are currently.

 

Forgot about R. Taylor so good shout, can cover a number of positions also.

Out of the 'get rid list' the only one I'd object to is Marveaux who I think should get more of a chance, can't understand Pards under usage of him. Could have been played in a 4-2-3-1 last night in front of Tiote & Anita. not saying its a long term solution just an alternative whilst we try and get someone 'over the line' to vacate the gap left by Cabs. Playing the 4-4-2 against the better teams with 2 strikers who struggle for goals and 2 CM's who have a preference to hold is a recipe for disaster against the better sides, as last nights result and the 0-4 against Spurs evidenced.

 

As a minimum: 2 quality strikers with good pace, movement and power (Lukaku + Remy ) . 1 quality Cabaye replacement (Grenier). 1 quality winger (Cabella).

Also required but a little less crucial: 1 quality CB. 1 quality LB.

A new contract for HBA if he can get his weight sorted out. Keep Colo.


What we shall probably see in the MA cost cutter version of events: Haidara & Dummett for LB. Santon pushed up - no new winger needed. Consider Gouffran cover for wing and striker positions - only 1 new striker needed. Sign 1 striker (youngest & cheapest we can find). Sign 1 Cabaye replacement. Sell Obertan, Jonas, Marveaux & possibly S Taylor. At least 3 out and only 2 in. Job done.

 

Are you at Uni in Leeds or do you actually come from Leeds?

 

At Uni in Leeds.

 

We are going to sell Tiote.

Raylor will be 'like a new signing'.

We will be in contention to sign several players but nothing will materialize from it.

The money from Tiote's sale will be reinvested into upgrading facilities, and spent in agents fees.

 

Surely spending on agents fees intimates we'll be somehow involved in transfers? Lies, dammit. All lies.

 

Upgrading facilities... Those architects and sports surface specialists don't come cheap you know.

Am I imagining this or were we told that a multimillion £ borehole for drainage of the training pitches accounted for a sizeable chunk of the Carroll fee?!!

 

Hasn't Mrs Ameobi suffered enough?! She's a human being, not a reproductive machine...

Or, who knows, maybe we'll buy someone.............. Sorry, I couldn't say that with a straight face!

 

I'd sell the following:

HBA, Sammy, Jonas, Marveaux, Saylor, Vuckic, Obertan, Amalfitano, Cisse, Elliott, Santon, Mbiwa

The following contracts are up and unlikely to be renewed: Streete, Shola, Gosling, Remy, LDJ, Newton

I think the following will most likely be sold: Tiote, Debuchy

That leave with:

Krul, Alnwick - Minimum of 1 keeper needed (Alex McCarthy? to give some genuine competition)
Raylor, Haidara, Dummett - Right back issue here (Trippier?) probably a left back too as neither of the young lads convince
Colo, Good, Willo - 2 centre backs needed (2 from Caulker? Morrison? Lascelles?)
Bigi, Anita, Abeid (having a good season but not convinced) - Serious problems again, you'd need a holding midfielder minimum (M'Vila?) probably need another too (Ki? Mutch?)
Gouffran, Sissoko - End of world type problems - you'd need 2 number 10's (Grenier and Gauld?) and 2 wingers (Cabella and Redmond?)
Campbell, Armstrong (Minimum of 2 but probably 3 strikers required - (Rhodes? Ings? Bony? Borini? Mitroglou?)

So just a minimum of 12 needed with 16 going out and 2 loan guys not returning. Job done............................

**** knows what will actually happen but I think you can see I don't rate our squad that highly.

Welcome on board by the way. Jimi does the inductions/initiations, he'll be along soon

 

Thanks for the warm welcome everyone

P.S. what the initiation?

 

Jimi will reveal all. I'd stock up on plenty of KY jelly though.