Think we’re set at striker now, centre mid and left wing probably the only positions we currently look a little light. Obviously a lot can happen before the window shuts Never really rated Bamford and from what I’ve heard from mates none of them think he’s any good either
A top classer winger is a must for us I think, we desperately need someone with real quality in that position to raise up the standards & competition for starting places across the board in wide forward positions imo.
Yeah, whether the club sees Robinson as a real option to play a lot will be a big factor too Edozie/Robinson/BBD/Armstrong/Dibling looks pretty strong as wide options. That’s not including Fraser but if you swapped Dibling for him as Dibling likely leaves still looks a solid group for this level. As people have said before, if we use the loan market well we probably don’t need to make another permanent signing this window, even if players leave.
Hayden Hackney to Ipswich allegedly, be a good signing for them. At the moment they look like Leicester in our last promotion campaign, would be a huge surprise if they don’t win the league comfortably
Agree with all of this... ...but there's also the risk of keeping too many of a squad who got very used to losing last season and a need to freshen things up. Someone with a bit of stardust and a wand of a left foot at left midfield would be lovely please. And I'd take an experienced PL pro in centre midfield too to help keep standards high and see games out.
Yeah scar tissue is a thing, need to get a couple of wins under our belts early so the players remember how **** this league is in the main and get some confidence back
Looking through the squad list, there are 10 players that I think should be moved on and then replace with 2-3 new attacking midfielders inc wide men
This is setup 4-2-3-1 and that formation makes the most sense based on our strongest midfield and style of wide attackers four centre backs can likely leave and Still will have to make a decision on a left back The talk was Downs was bought in as a focal point and not necessarily a goal scorer, which might mean that Still sees the goals mainly from wide attackers like Armstrong. In terms of incomings, the loan market has to be our best option for a left wing and attacking midfielder to cover the probable exits of Fernandes & Dibling At least one of Fraser, BBD & Edozie won’t be here by the end of the window.
Not sure about that. I think he has transferred to East Hollywood. Whatever happened to a photo in a football shirt? I know, media departments. Load of fluff and smoke.
There's a gaping hole in midfield if/when Downes gets injured. Another CDM should be high up the list, unless one of our CBs can cover. Smallbone isn't a reliable defensive midfielder.
A goalie, I am still convinced we need new life in the goalie position, as surely Ramsdale will be off. This one's too old and was never that good - but I did play in the position
I think that QPR occasionally played Edwards there. But I don't know how often, nor how well he did there. I'd be particularly jealous if Ipswich did indeed sign Hackney to play there for them. But I still get the feeling that the fee Boro will be looking for will be well above Championship standards.
I agree with this but it does make you wonder when Stephens has been given a new contract. Just get the feeling that my wife is actually surreptitiously running the club as nothing gets thrown out as it may have a use at future date ! There are quite a few I would not be fussed to see moved on. Bednarek, Archer, Bazunu, BBD, Downes, Armstrong, Stewart, Edosie etc. Cannot see us retaining the quality players like Fernandes and Dibling. Just feel that the squad needs to be refreshed to suit Still's vision and those with a defeatist mindset from last season need to rebuild their career's elsewhere. I would like some strong characters added to squad. We need a new Steve Davis.
On the topic of DM, it all depends on what our favoured formation/system is going to be for me. Sure we needed to start two DMs in the PL, so needed another one in addition to Downes and Ugochukwu. But do we need to start two DMs in the Championship? We shouldn't need to for the vast majority of games. Last time in the Championship we only had Downes who the manager trusted in his system so when he was out we were ****ed. But Charles has just had a brilliant season at DM in this league. So we have two of the best in the division already and might only be starting with 1 regularly. Don't see how we bring in another DM unless it's a loan youth player or something.
£10m is the rumoured fee, but not from a reliable source or anything. Not sure what type of midfielder Lennon Miller is who we were linked to. Sylla is an attacking midfielder if FM is to be believed, but apart from those two it’s been quiet on centre mid rumours for us. With Downes/Charles/Aribo/Smallbone we maybe are 1 light in terms of numbers (I may have forgotten someone else), but all depends on how Still wants to play. You could argue that it’s a stronger group than when we went up last time, given that it’s the exact same and Charles has just had a good season at this level.
If not a DM, then at least a CM who can defend. Neither Smallbone nor Aribo fit into this category. I'd personally be happy for Fernandes (if he's here), to partner Downes/Charles. But if Fernandes leaves, we definitely need another CM who can tackle. A true box-to-box type would be a dream.
I'd be pretty surprised if Boro even entered into negotiations at £10m. I would expect that they'll want something in the region of £30m, but will ultimately settle for a fee in the £20m to £25m range. Anything less than £18m and the buying club will be getting a bargain in my view.