It seems likely now that this team will be playing Championship football again next season so it begs the question of who wouldn't you have in our team in August. Had you asked most of us 10 games ago our answers would have been different, I'm sure Pack wouldn't have had a look in but he's really stepped up recently and is an important part of our midfield 3. Wilbraham has triggered a 1 year extension in his contract so is he worth a place in next years starting 11? Fielding seems to grow on me more and more, I've always liked him but around Christmas time when promotion expectation was increasing we started looking at him and wondering if he could be our number 1 in the Championship?.. Whilst I know we need another keeper I'm starting to believe that he can and will be our number 1 next year. I've also seen comments questioning Aden Flint's ability at a higher level. So whilst we have some no brainers in Freeman, K. Smith, Ayling, Williams, Bryan. We also have quite a few question marks over players and whether or not they'll be as good for us in a better league.... I think this team could do well in the championship with the question marks probably needing filling which matches the quality around them. Not that I don't rate the players in these positions just that we could improve on them and have them as more than quality back ups. Fielding Little Ayling Flint Williams Bryan ???? Smith Freeman ???? ???? Defensively we're sound IMO and I see no reason why they can't do the job next season. They kept over 50 million pound worth of strikers in Andy Carroll, Sakho and Valencia quiet for 90 minutes. It's offensively I think we need strengthening the most. Thoughts?
Based on the past month, I would give Pack a go. He's come on loads and seems to be getting better and better, I was thinking on Sunday surely he couldn't be man of the match three games running? Up front we need others, I like Agard and can see potential in him when others can't. So it could be me who's completly wrong but I like the fact defenders get pulled out of position by him. Flint will step up to the championship, because he's young and this past 9 months under Cotts have been like a new player when he was written off last summer. Lots of people thought we've bought a dud and he was awful. 100% agree with Fielding, he scares me as he looks out of control, but that's just because he made one mistake first game last season. He just needs to do the opposite of what some keepers and that's not boot it so far. It would not surprise me if he scores one day with the distance he gets. So same as your team Shiny but probably put Pack in there as well.
Pack is well worthy of a starting chance next season. I just cant see Agard scoring goals in the Championship for us on a regular basis and that wont be any good for him or us. A lot of his first tocuhes on Sunday were frankly bloody awful against what was pretty poor opposition, and in the Championship which is massively competitive, it will be even harder for him to make a name for himself and get on the scoresheet. I'd keep him as a squad member in the hope that he can play some sort of part or develop but I wouldn't start him. Wilbs isn't getting any younger and I would also keep him as a squad player only. He will also really struggle to make any impression. There is no room for sentiment here despite these players winning the JPT and hopefully the L1 title and I'm sure SC knows that. We need a new quick front pairing, and I wouldn't even want Matt Smith to be one of those two. We are too easy to read by having a target man. I would also get another decent keeper to keep Fielding on his toes. He still scares me at times like RoD
Elliott, whilst he has been great for us, I feel will play less and less next season,Pack has done well and is a ready replacement. Wagstaff. again unlikely to feature much. Loan signings to go back. Up front is where I see problems. Wibraham is 35 and whilst I think he will be good in a higher league having done it before, he needs back up- JET on his day can be magnificent, but I think that he is out of contract? and not quite regular championship material. Agard, definitely not- We will need a goal scoring forward and im not convinced Matt Smith would be the answer either, grateful as I am for his service with us. Happy with Fielding, I think he has earned his place, but reckon we need better back up and competition for him.
There isn't a lot to add to what you have all said. I agree that perhaps Matt Smith would be a bit one dimensional and encourage too many high balls with scraps for second ball being a lottery. Agards first touch tells me he is not going to step up to the next level. Is that why Rotherham offloaded him? Wilbs and Elliott to play bit parts as the wise old heads. So, for me, it will be three quick strikers, another right wing back, cover for Flint and Williams. How good is Richards in goal? Wes Burns, Bobbie Reid, Joe Morrell, Batten, Marley Bishop, Hall. Any ready to step up?
Having only a 17 man squad, we are in a position to enlist 3 or 4 quality players without losing anyone. A couple of quick young strikers and a midfield creator. It will be interesting to see if Cotts is as quick off the blocks this summer as he was last.
I remember what Gary Johnson said when we were in the play offs, that he couldn't really sign anyone until he knew what division we would be in- The sooner then that we nail one of the top 2 places, the better!
???? ???? ???? Flint ???? Bryan Pack Smith Freeman ???? ???? Little will need more than just pace in the Championship, so 50/50. Ayling is good going forward, I like his confidence but needs to improve defensively, so 50/50. Williams can't pass and must improve defensively, so 50/50. All 3 have age on there side, so hopeful. Not hopeful at all about Fielding or Agard.
I want to see all the lads from this season get a chance in the Championship. Where does our side need strengthening - a quality striker (every team needs one to be fair), left sided centre half, back-up keeper But let's get there first!
i tell you now we will be in the playoffs next year i said we would win the league this term and strolling along.
Nice one RR I predicted we would win it this season when we got relegated Top ten is a good bet, but you won't get good odds
my sentiments in another thread we need a "better strikeforce".... watching the 3-5-2 although I was regular exponent 0f it for last season as well as this one, Agard and Wilbs ( matty ) get a few goals each but I think we need a " quality target man" Matty filled in quite well but would he be the answer? I do not know how it would work as with wing backs being able to play up ! they tend to get to close to goal ( I Know that sounds silly) with the forwards hanging back or getting crowded.All who play in the middle line are able to "beat opponents" at this level but will their skills improve to Championship level? Championship based on known facts, likely to compose 6/7 quality teams, and 4/5 poorer quality so that's about 13/14 mediocre teams, which is where I think we will fit in.... absolutely unfounded pure guess work we will finish 10th -12th
New numbers 9 and 10, replace Wagstaff with a right or left sided player, new keeper for competition with fielding, maybe another centre back and one or two central midfielders
We cannot afford to give a sub standard (at Championship level) strike force 10 or so games to see if they can hack it. The answer is they wont be able to, and by then we'll be in trouble as well. Planning and reality from the Manager is key to keep momentum going
'Planning and reality from the Manager is key to keep momentum going' Spot on Angelic and don't worry, Cotterill won't let us down. 'replace Wagstaff'
I'm not saying Pack doesn't deserve to ever play, just that if we can get better then why not? Myself personally, I'd keep every player we have now, get rid of El-Abd and send the young uns back out on loan until January to a League 1 club. That way we'll see if Burns and Reid really have progressed if they don't make it by then, it will have to be permanent moves as they'll be 21/22 and can't really be consider "ones for the future" as at that age they should have broken in to the first team like Bryan has. Really hope we go for this Bentley lad from Southend. A big guy, very promising and in the England set up and still only 21. Plus he's just accomplished this! So he's doing something right http://www.echo-news.co.uk/sport/11...ever_secure_eight_home_clean_sheets_in_a_row/ Upfront I'd love us to get Smith back as he's scored 2 in 4 so far at Fulham so continuing his scoring run, plus he scored 13/15 for Leeds last season so he can and will score goals for us in the championship. Another I REALLLLLLLLLLLLY hope we got for is Akpom of Arsenal, looks quality when ever I've seen him play for them, you can see he's not prem material but he can be and I have no doubts he'd be good at Championship level! Plus with Agard, Wilbraham and JET we would have a solid strikeforce. But anyone who Cotterill brings in I'm sure will be great, as he has already proved with his signings this season.
But in fairness Boycie you said when McInnes got of to a flyer we was dark horses for the play offs, then along came SoD who you predicted we would walk the title last year. And he was taking us to the promised land. This year you may have got one right, but if you said it every year you was bound to be correct once.
He is also conveniently forgetting he said Cotterill was a terrible appointment when he first arrived !! selective memory..
