Summer Transfer window

Again must have dreamt it.

Funny how reading posts can be taken several ways and all I see a present is we lack pace and power and most of the first team need replacing.

 

we came 4th in the championship, I think it’s natural to expect new players to be needed to come in to supplement the team when we step up a division.

just like when we got promoted to the championship we brought in Amad, Ballard, Simms etc

 

Everyone is aware we need new players, but to read on here and otr it feels like people want the entire team replacing and sorry but that doesn't sit well with me

 

Seems a pretty valid concern, out of curiosity how many signings would you be hopefully for.

 

Why are you saying sorry to me? I don’t want that. I haven’t seen anybody in here want it. You’ve dreamt it as you say.

4-5 new players is the consensus.

sorry that I’m being defensive but the vibe in here has been great, constructive and positive so to have somebody come in criticising the conversation doesn’t sit well with me.

 

I personally think we need 4 or 5 to challenge for first team spots as I believe most of the first 11 can do a job but we lack depth

 

I'm pretty fine with that too, as long as the depth is serious competition for the starting lads. Don't want anyone to feel secure in their spot but trust the right lads to earn the right to keep their spots.

 

We need a combination of 4/5 guaranteed starters with PL quality as well as 2/3 to add more squad depth.

I’d say all of the regular starting players from the season just gone have a role to play next season as part of the squad.

 

For the most part our fans have agreed on around 8-9 players they think can make the step up. Patto, Hume, Ballard, Neil, Rigg, Mayenda, Jobe (if not sold),Le Fee and Mundle.

The fanbase is large so not everyone agrees on everything but I think that's a broad summary of who most think can step up. There's always some who think we need a whole new 11 as well. Most of the discussion I've seen here and RTG has been about bolstering that existing lineup with quality not wholesale replacing it.

I think we need 6 serious additions in midfield and along the flanks to make it tick along with an O'nien replacement at cb FWIW.

 

I’d add Cirkin to the list of those who can step up. And O’Nien absolutely can as a squad player

 

All about balance isn’t it mate. Listening to speakman, doesn’t feel like we’re going crazy with quantity, they want to give the core their deserved chance in pre season which sounds good to me.

We undoubtedly need improvements though, it will be better for the current core to play with better players and take a bit of responsibility off them as they hopefully adapt to the premier league.

I think 5 quality additions who are being brought in to go into the 11 and contribute immediately will be about right with the hope of current lads stepping up. Once we shift some of lads the RLB doesn’t fancy I think maybe another 4/5 players to fill out the squad and provide competition will give us a bit of a chance.

RLB and speakman like smaller squads, easier pathways to the first team, increased competition and to keep morale high. I think a 22/23 core squad with 3/4 of our best youngsters getting involved to push to get on the bench is the way we will go.

 

I think we all are in agreement of that tbf

 

I'm inclined to agree on cirkin. I also think Isidor's pace will always leave him with something to offer.

I've given up doubting O'nien. The lad manages to rise to the occasion every time so I'll just let him give it a go rather than say he can't do it in the prem and look silly.

 

Think we can look at Speakmans own precedent as well. We brought in 8 players after promotion to the Championship (a notoriously smaller gap than Championship to PL) along with making Clarke and Dajaku permanent and then another 4 in the January. We then had a great first year in the Championship and brought in 11 players in the 23/24 summer and another 3 in the January.

I like the majority of players we have now but there's very little room for sentiment in football.

 

Isidor will step up

he’s had two patches last season where he struggled. But it’s his first season in England at 24 and got 15 contributions.

his pace will be huge in the PL

 

I just hope we've all learned to trust Speakman, Le Bris, KLD and the club.

There's some tough decisions to make and signings to be made if we can.

What Chunks is seeing, I believe, are suggestions that we need 4/5/6 'replacements' plus squad players ...

... the more that's said the more it becomes an accepted fact and people are disappointed if it doesn't happen.

The best scenario, for me, would be the current squad/team starting the season and doing well.

That probably won't happen but the team spirit we've seen has been incredible and I wouldn't want that smashed in a desperate attempt at survival.

 

Patterson
Huggins (if fit)
Cirkin
Ballard
O'Nien
Hume
Alese (if fit)
Neil
Jobe
Rigg
Le Fee
Mayenda
Mundle
Isidor

That's who i'm 100% comfortable with being in and around the squad next season. That's 14 players and the main core of the team we all love. If/when Jobe leaves that's 13 with a matchday squad of 20 that leaves room for at least 7 arrivals. Abdullahi is the ultimate wildcard.

I don't think that's ripping up the squad, in fact it's probably more retention than most clubs that come up.

 

You’ve even got Seelt who might play a part

Roberts will be our backup RW

 

Yeah he has all the physical attributes, hopefully he can play in pre season I can't remember his timescale.

He will be, I wouldn't personally but yeah.

 

What
No Roberts