I have just posted in another thread that I would keep Hooper if we go up - because I see him as someone who can come on and take a chance if needed and I think would be happy to play a similar role to this year in the Prem. My approach to promotion if achieved would be to make minimal changes and cherry pick 2-3 standout performers from the championship. I look at Leicester and they have succeeded through not spending too much and working hard - I havent done a detailed review of their spending but thats the feeling I get. If we took the same approach and stayed up then its great but if we got relegated then you are putting yourself in a strong position to challenge for promotion again. On the other side assuming that we dont go up I would try and keep most of the players we currently have. Knowing that we would need to sell a few players I would look at letting RVW/Lafferty go and then maybe one other player for a reasonable sum. This would help reduce the wage budget again and also allow us to keep a similar squad for next season. Alex Neil has worked wonders with the team he has inherited but due the success he has been having I dont know why he would want to change anything too much. It is clear that the current squad had the potential to walk the league this season and I have no doubt that with AN at the helm we would be pushing for promotion again next year. Anyway, I should probably getting excited about Wembley and not thinking about next season just yet!!
Agreed, but as we all know, that's not how it works. It's not really a question of who we want to offload - if we no longer require their services, why would anyone one else comparable? Plus we'd most likely lose money on RvW and Lafferty. I'm more concerned about Ollson, Redmond, Bassong being 'head-hunted' by the likes of Stoke, West Brom, etc. If we go up, they'll most likely all stay, but if not....
I cant imagine there will be many of our squad who would be high on a Premier League club's wish list. I am sure Ollson could find a home in the lower reaches but I can't see many wanting to take a punt on Seb - he is at the tail end of his career and has a habit of being a bit tricky to manage. I don't see someone putting in a bid high enough for Redmond for us to sell - he did well for one half of the match on Saturday but has hardly set the league alight this season as many of us felt he should. If he can't command a regular start in a Championship side I can't see too many of the top clubs waving their cheque books at us for him. I also don't think it would be the end of the world if he went - I think that the Murphys have the ability to surpass him if presented with the opportunity. If we go up I can't see too many of the squad wanting to leave, particularly if the guys who have gone out on loan are given a clean slate and the opportunity to prove themselves pre-season by AN. We have Vadis/Andrieu and McGrandies all to come into the team and RvW and Lafferty to return which should give AN a number of options without having to spend anything. I am sure that AN is aware of the areas in the team he feel need strengthening and if he can improve then I am sure he will do so. Like most others on here I would much rather see one or two signings good enough to get into the first XI rather than more squad players of lesser quality. I think we have a pretty deep squad and it is quality rather than cover we need.
