I have read/seen several articles/threads etc from news outlets and fans, that say we are nearly there squad wise, only 1 or 2 needed etc etc. Personally I think we are quite a way off, we need a RB/LB/CM X2/CF and winger in my opinion. From what I have seen so far, I think we are well off the pace. Thoughts??
It depends how many outgoings we’ve got planned. As I understand it, we’ve got a 25-player squad limit this season, not counting academy lads. The current squad taken below amounts to the full 25 out of 25 players (not including Townsend, out for the season, but including Burns who is potentially back in a couple of months). I don’t agree we’re ‘way off’, but I’d definitely like to see a few more brought in by the end of the window. Current squad (loanees in italics) GK: 3 (Palmer, Walton, Button) DEF: 9 (Davis, Johnson, Young, H. Clarke, O’Shea, Greaves, Woolfenden, Kipre, Baggott) MID: 4 (Cajuste, Matusiwa, Taylor, Humphreys) ATTACKING MID: 6 (J. Clarke, Philogene, Ogbene, Burns INJ, Szmodics, Chaplin) ST: 3 (Hirst, Akpom – can also cover attacking midfield, Al-Hamadi) Although I still have reservations about Palmer’s kicking and distribution – we’ve got to stick with the current goalkeepers, as I don’t think we’ve got the time to bed in a new one particularly as it’s been a summer with plenty of outgoings and change. In defence, I agree we’re light at left-back with Townsend out for the season. While Johnson and Young can cover there, that might leave us light at right-back. I don’t think we need another right-back, as Young, Johnson, and Harry Clarke are more than sufficient. We will benefit from bringing in one more central midfielder. Cajuste and Matusiwa likely to be the first choice partnership, but I’m not convinced Jack Taylor is sufficient cover. Rumours are we’re reopening the Hackney transfer, as the potential Premier League interest looks to have cooled. If we can bring him in, that’ll provide significant strength to that position. With Hutchinson and Broadhead both gone, we could do with a bit more quality and depth in attacking midfield. With Burns fit, we will have two players for each position – not counting Akpom. So arguably we’ll have enough there. If we can get in a wide player though, I think that’ll improve squad depth and substitute options for McKenna. Up front we are light. Hirst needs support and cover, particularly given his injury record. Al-Hamadi isn’t up to scratch, so if we can loan him out and bring in a centre-forward – with Akpom also as cover – we’ll have enough depth for that position. Too long, didn't read? I don't think we're that far off a finished squad. Three/four players away ideally? We're pretty much at a 25-player limit, so to make room for three or four additions, we’ll have to move some players on. I’d loan out Baggott, Humphreys, and Al-Hamadi. That will allow us to bring in three (definitely a central midfielder, definitely a centre-forward, and either a winger or a substitute left-back depending on preference). If we can add Harry Clarke to the loan list, then we’ll have space for all four additions. As it stands, we can bring in two more loanees until we're at the five loanees in a matchday squad limit.
I think we arent far off, just a case of newbies bedding in. Agree Al-Hamadi & Taylor are not good enough and Palmer's feeble footie antics and distribtn need sorting. If we do get both Sidre Egeli & Hackney in, then that will be a champagne moment.
Yeah, I don't rate BJ at all, I think he is too weak and positional sense is dire. Then you have Young who is 40 and not sure he will manage 40+ games a season. Clarke ain't fit and think he may be shipped out. I really think RB is weak, as is LB but I get some like BJ, just my opinion! He is my new Alan Judge,,!!
Yeah, I wasn't a fan of Johnson last season - until towards the last several matches. He definitely had a poor start to last season, in my opinion, even when we looked a better team in the first half of the Premier League campaign. But I thought he was one of the few who got a bit better as the season went on and I was impressed with his performance on the weekend against Southampton. I hope he can be a solid right back in the Championship. I take the point that Young is 40 and will likely struggle fitness-wise, but he played 30+ games last season in the Premier League and those games definitely take it out of you more than the Championship. So I'm hoping he'll stay fit and the two can be consistently good and juggle minutes. If we can bring in a substitute left back on loan for the season to replace Townsend, a star central midfielder, a more physical winger, and a decent substitute centre-forward then I think that's pretty much a complete squad that should be more than good enough for automatic promotion.
