So with the sales of Victor and Sadio I think that will be it for this summer. It's worth noting the African Nations is on this year so we would have been left without either of them for a month in January. I personally feel yes they are a loss but they have both blown hot and cold all season. With that said and back on subject what is everyone's favoured line up and where do we need to strengthen? My team would be as follows: Forster Cedric Fonte. Van Dyke. Bertrand Romeu. Clasie Rodriguez Tadic Long. Austin
We could really use, in no particular order: A right back. A defensive mid. Another wide attacker (in addition to Redmond). A central attacking mid. A striker, assuming Pelle is sold. Probably could do with another CB. Backup GK would be nice. So it's a bit early to start setting lineups yet.
You from the future? Not gone yet ... never know, Kat might tear his hamstring on his way up there. Isnt she nice.
Interesting you say we need a right back. I think Cedric and Cuco are capable. Cedric had a mixed first season but it was exactly that, his first season. He will improve as he adapts to the league. And Cuco settled in very well and didn't look out of place. Granted it isn't our strongest position but I feel the money could be spent better elsewhere.
Also that line up- no Davis, 3 strikers, no Redmond? How about; ----------Forster---------- Cedric. Fonte vvd Bert Romeu. Classie Tadic Davis Redmond Long Bench- new gk, new CB, target, reed, jwp, pelle, yoshida
A right back. A defensive mid. Another wide attacker (in addition to Redmond). Oxlade? A central attacking mid. Boufal please. A striker, assuming Pelle is sold. Probably could do with another CB. Backup GK would be nice. Stek back would nice, No Austin? Hopefully JRod can finally come back too, That bench looks ****.
Bit early possibly but just wanted something positive and put things into a bit of perspective! I know the club seems to put promoting youth near the top of the list for a new manager. Reed could probably step up as back up DMC and also we have the highly rated Callum Slattery. I didn't see much about him apart from his new contract but do people think we may see his debut this year?
He got an injury last season, don't know if he will be ready for the start of this one. With a new manager with a track record of promoting youth and the youngsters getting a few weeks to impress before the majority of the senior players arrive, I think we will see some players enter the first team picture
With Mané going to them for £34m, thats about £100m we've had from them in a couple of years...I'd say they have been stuffed
What not, bit of fun. My team based on links etc: Forster Cedric. Fonte. VVD. Bertrand PARTEY BOUFEL. TUFAN. Redmond Long. Austin Subs: Tadic / Classie / Romeu / Pelle? / Jay Rod / Romeu / JWP / Gardos / Yoshida / Targett Wouldn't look so bad?
Clasie and Romeu in the middle would be tragic. No pace, no skill, no discipline. Horrendously imbalanced. Holding midfielder has to be our number 1 priority and Mendy would be most gladly accepted!
Seems we have a couple of places to fill as back up to me Forster / ? Cuco/Cedric Fonte/Yosh VVD/Gardos Targett/Bertrand Clasie/Romeu JWP/Reed Davis/? Redmond/JRod Pelle/Austin Tadic/Long Could those question marks come from U21s? Gazza, McCarthy, Stephens, Gallagher, Gape, Seager, Isgrove all have first team experience Mugabi, Debayo, Hesketh and McQueen all close too And there's bound to be one youngster on the edge of the radar that will work his way into the reckoning during preseason Couple of quality signings and this will be a squad to challenge again.