i'm sure nobody believes it doesn't Elixir...i guess LB is more a priority than other positions, but it's not all we need, that's for sure...
I've stated my views on the squad several times. I would love to know in which positions we need 4-5 players? As far as I know we've lost a striker and a bit-part winger, but that makes me a happy-clapper, and I should defend my position every single time instead of posting an emoticon to express my feelings
I just thought, not having seen your opinions elsewhere, that it was a bit off to dismiss a few paragraphs with a mocking smiley. Not sure about 4-5 players but, like you say, we need a replacement for Graham and could probably do with a wide player given that we've sold Buckley. Forsyth's come in, so that's one down. Still need a forward (in truth, probably two, since we had Weimann on loan last year and Deeney didn't look like an out-and-out forward) and a left-back (hence why we've been, unsuccessfully, chasing Taylor and Wiggins). Add to that any players Dyche feels we require elsewhere, presumably in the shape of loanees, and the 4-5 players suggestion doesn't look as silly as you suggest.
I have posted regularly on the status of our squad. The comparison between now and last season is never taken into account. We need a couple of permanent signings at the most, a left back and a striker ideally, then we should be fine for the next season. I'm not going to accept being called a 'happy-clapper' on regular occasions because a couple of posters have decided that things are going wrong. How has Bassini's appointment changed anything? If Ashcroft was in control would MM have stayed? Would Wiggins have signed? No, I'm just a 'happy-clapper', keep on defending Elixir and ignoring everything positive about our next campaign, and I'll continue posting emoticons unless it's deemed necessary that every poster that isn't an old 606 regular needs to repeat their opinion every time they get insulted
I am going to voice my opinions now. I will start with politely request that Elixir stop calling people happy clappers. Some people are simply optimistic about next season, where as others like yourself are more pessamistic. I for one think that our midfield is strong we have a total of 12 midfielders on the books, which means 3 players for each position (in theory). Our defence is part way there, we have 9/10 (i think it was Kiernan who left) which is nearly 3 per position again. We have 3 keepers obviously. The biggest issue we have is LB and a shortage of strikers. The problem we have is like Kingy said, we have little money to throw on a new player, so unless they are happy to be on 1-2k per week and the club are ok to take up to 400k for them, we arent going to get anything special. There are very few quality LBs that we could afford. Taylor and Wiggins were two of them, and the fact they went to clubs with more money says it all. We will struggle to find anyone of championship quality ready made, so we might have to re-model someone to fit the round hole.
I haven't commented on the ownership situation. I've not seen enough of Bassini to form an opinion, although I'm naturally suspicious of anyone who takes over a football club unless they're a fan. I assume they're mad. I certainly didn't say, and didn't come close to saying, that having Ashcroft in charge would have affected whether we kept Mackay or signed Wiggins. For what it's worth, I don't think it would have had any impact. If you've posted regularly on the status of our squad, then I've not come across that. Sorry that I don't have photographic memory and don't read/contribute to every thread. Fair enough if you think we need only two signings; fair enough if Elixir thinks we need more. I don't think either opinion deserves to be laughed at. Interestingly, you've qualified your opinion by referring to 'permanent signings' whereas Elixir mentioned '4 or 5 good players'. Assuming you see the need to recruit loanees for the coming season, you might be not be as far away from Elixir's point of view as you think. As for the emoticons, fine, keep posting them. Why on earth would I have a problem with that? But for my part, I'll continue to question what they add to a discussion when they appear to mock a sensible comment or question, and that applies whether or not someone used to post on 606. Makes no difference to me how long someone's been posting and neither is it relevant that I find myself defending Elixir here; I'd have done the same if someone had put a laughing or whistling smiley at the end of any of your posts, or anyone else's, with no further explanation.
Im very sorry for that OML, i will correct that now. I dont know how i got confused. But i appologise for my error
hello guys, whilst hoping Wiggins proves to be a flop at a higher level than league 1, add to that he is of the rodgers school of integrity"I want to go to watford" then when he finds out the pay ,thinks he is above the 5k pay scale! Best off without him ,Last thing we need is mercenary toads at this club! We still need an LB ,we have lost out on AT RW , whats plan C and could we make do again with a make shift lb? The lack of DG or quality outlet will be a loss , but I think our present personnnel can pick up the slack! LB has been a prob for a while , I guess the question is a third rate natural lb or a makeshift but better player, which would be best? Mr Dyche and Mr Wilson over to you!
So the unwarranted 'happy-clapper' remark is something I should accept then? You seem to miss that bit out...
Ok, our left back situation. I honestly believe AT was never going to sign after last January. It was a new contract at Boro or someone else coming in. It just so happens Malky moved to Cardiff so it's most likely he will see his best chance of promotion there (although I presonally believe Boro are a good shout for top 6 this season). As for out squad. We definitely need a natural left-back. Obviously if we don't, the 2 full-back roles will be shared between Doyley, Hodson and Thompson. Not ideal, but it will have to do. We also need at least 1 striker, but I'd say 2. We need to replace Danny - I think his work-rate can be replaced by Deeney, but his goals can (hopefully) be shared a bit more evenly around the squad. Hopefully we can also get Weimann back in on loan as the 2nd striker. I would then say we need a midfielder in the 'Mutch' role. I consider Eustace and Jenkins too similar to work together, and whilst McGinn is out, we need someone to see us through until at least Jan/Feb, but preferably all season. Whilst Birmingham is in a bit of turmoil, I;d enquite about Mutch - I dount it will happen, but with a new boss etc, you never know - a bid of £250-500k might be worth offering - and when we get knocked back, at least we tried. I guess this last one depends on how Dyche sees Cowie - a winger or central. If more central, then I would like us to get another winger, while slowly introducing the youngsters more gradual. So for me, I;d say we need 2/3 permanent players, topping up with a couple of loanees
What are the chances of Armand Traore going back out on loan?! And if it was likely, what are the chances of him being loaned to a mid level Championship club? A young, left footed left back, currently training next door to Watford FC who has been loaned out in the past.
Good shout BBW Get Sean to shout over the fence! Lure Armand over with treats and then kidnap him Maybe we should change our away kit to Arsenal colours to help convince them....
OK a new day has dawned, I dare not go anywhere near the training ground. The fact is Watford FC people put in a huge effort to sign Wiggins, eventually got an agreement with Bournemouth who are a very nice club, only for the player to choose Charlton. My justification for the 4 or 5 decent players opinion. Some people appear to believe Martin Taylor and John Eustace will last the whole season, next season. Looking at John Eustace in the closing weeks of the season I thought he was struggling for fitness, and I think Dyche needs decent backup to these 2. In midfield we have missed Jordan Mutch, an all action quick footed player who has presence and can spot a pass. Ross Jenkins falls a long way short of his class IMO. Don Cowie is a decent player, but is best in a free role IMO. The left side ........ I hope Forsyth is a decent signing, but he lacks experience - Whichelow has impressed me so far, but has not been able to influence our team when we were struggling - not a "game changer" IMO. Upfront - Danny Graham has left a huge hoie IMO, look at how both Sordell and Deeney struggled when paired together IMO. So to sum up I would like Dyche to have a couple of major new players to be working with today, in pre season away from prying eyes. In a couple of weeks time there will be public games, and we all want Dyche to be showing us what he has. Without a doubt I would like our players to be augmented by a couple of decent Premiership loans. So far this summer I haven't seen any good news, i can't wait to put a smile on my children's faces.
Good post Elixir and repped ,it is hard at the moment to see many positives about next season! Though this does seem to be an annual feeling! If we have little cash , then we have to about continuity ,difficult when MM keeps taking staff away! I agree with those saying we need to bring in 4 or 5 players to the squad! I think we are going to have to rely on quality loanees again (hopefully season long loans), a mutch type player is something we dont have at the moment and need ,as is the perenial lb problem! Back up for Taylor , we have a 2 or 3 centre backs at the club , RJ will have to step his game up ,but I havent yet discounted him from maybe doing eustaces role! More promising kids coming through from the academy to plug the holes left by departures ably guided by a couple of older heads and we may yet confound everyone again and avoid relegation! I agree a lot of what Vic said , we do need a radical rethink for the future,although the picture might not be as dark as he painted it
