I have to say, I am getting excited about all these additions. Give them a few weeks to settle in Suffolk, our amazing Club, KMs style and management, the best fans and I am confident that we will put on a good show.
I'm with you gaffer, very exciting times, no it won't be instant success but once they are used to McKennas way....I think we could have a really exciting team!!
Will be chuffed if we get Latte Lath deal over the line, not travelled with boro to Cardiff, 20 million deal on table apparently
Personally don't get it, he is crocked, his injury record ain't great anyway and we have 2 similar players in Hirst and Delano. Hirst, apparently is closing in on a return, so we don't need another battering ram. Latte Lath is something different, a plan b. I guess McKenna know's what he is doing and perhaps boro wasn't interested!!
Broja is a talented player but by the time he’s fit we could be deep in the mire with the more winnable games behind us. If we are going to sign him it might as well be in the January window pending actual fitness.
Another player who can play behind the main striker so we will have: Clarke, szmodics, Broadhead, Chaplin, Nelson, burns, Hutchinson, Ogbene, harness for 3 positions. Harness is a bit tongue in cheek but the other 8 will all think they are starters
Accounting for injuries,etc that allows for 3 off 3 on at the 60 minute mark which is KMc's go-to tactic.
I see Edmundson has gone to Borough and Harness shipped out to Derby, both on loans. How will we survive without Harnes? Someone's happy!
Mixed feelings about the transfer window. Have we over done it in terms of the number of players we've brought in...potentially. I might feel more strongly if we didn't have quite so many injuries...did we need as many forwards and CBs? Should we have done more to keep Hladky? If we had that in mind and wanted to try to keep more of a stable environment, we potentially could've had 5 less signings although still think another striker would've been good (so make that 4). But given how McKenna likes to bring often 3/4 attacking players on towards the game having Burns and Broadhead injured seriously impacts on this. Despite saying the above I've been very pleased with the players we've brought in although the one who I have the biggest doubts about is Muric. And despite our impressive transfer dealings in recent years I feel a familiar theme is we're always a striker short.
Overal, thats gotta be a good window, and yes, another top striker would have been nice, but not at any price. And as Spanish says, we can always try for a top cafe Latte in January! By then, we hopefully will have a team well gelled, playing out of our skins, and even winning some games. So, what have got for the squillions? 2 England under 21 internationals, who are great prospects, a top class England international midfielder on loan, a Swedish international midfielder, 2 excellent centre halves, a Premier league right back on a free transfer, the Championship top scorer from last season and several more top players. And by 11pm last night I am glad there was no panic buying for injury prone, big risk Brioca, Rioca, Brojia whats his name! So, whats the team for today's game? Muric or Walton, hmm.
I think we’ve done far better than any of us could have hoped for. There were no guarantees we would even sign Omari. If it doesn’t work it doesn’t work but without the benefit of hindsight there are not many of these decisions we can question as things stand. Well done Town.
It was always going to be difficult to find the balance between retaining the excellent team spirit and upgrading a squad that was predominantly playing third division football three years ago. But overall, I think the club has done well. I think the jury is out if we’ve upgraded at goalkeeper position. However, Hdlaky did have several notable errors last season - there were question marks over him coming into the Premier League. I’m just not sure if Muric was the best available keeper though. The defence has been improved, most notably in central defence with the signing of Greaves. Right back was a priority position to upgrade - but is Ben Johnson the answer? Central midfield needed some more bodies, ideally younger players with Premier League experience. Although they are both on loan, Phillips and Cajuste was a better profile of player than I thought we’d attract. I think we’ve significantly improved this position - turning a position of weakness and shallow depth into a position of strength. We’ve considerably improved the attacking player options. Signing Hutchinson permanently was an early statement of intent. Szmodics and Clarke - two of the best Championship attackers - were ambitious moves. Ogbene adds pace down the right. With a fully fit squad, McKenna has options for his finishing substitutions. Finally, up front, the Delap signing is hopefully smart business. Arguably this is the position where we needed another signing. In a McKenna system - Delap, Hirst, and Al-Hamadi don’t necessarily need to add the firepower and score goals. Holding the ball up and playing in the attacking players are arguably more important traits in our style of play. I expect this is a position we’ll need to upgrade in January. Also, a mention for the upgrades and investment ploughed into the stadium over the summer. Clearly upgrading the club off the pitch as well as on the pitch. Will it be enough to survive. I’m still thinking we’ll get relegated, but I expect we’ll put up a good fight.
