Not gonna lie, haven't really seen any of the players before except Azaz who is quality. Got a lot of deadwood which was as important as anything. Quietly optimistic for now
Good window for me with lots of exciting additions, most being ready for the first team. Shame about the loss of Dibling and Matty, but we were never realistically going to keep them. The big worry, and I think it may cost us dearly is the current striker and goalkeeper situation, I know AA and Stewart have done the business in the Championship , but that was years ago and I see no signs of a repeat. Archer has shown very little since joining us and DD looks a slight improvement on Carrilla. Why we would choose to bring in a new 3rd choice keeper, instead of someone to challenge Baz is beyond me. I'm not a great one for believing stats. but if you look at Bazuna's over the last few years it tells you all you need to know. So, excited to see the new boys, but disappointed at lost opportunities.
Not gonna lie, I'm excited for our new-look attack. And hopefully they will massively help Stewart and Archer, who could also feel like new signings. The main worry at the moment is whether Still continues to play defensively, and I fear that if he does, we won't be playing to our strengths, which without a doubt, is now the forward players. Jander, Downs, Quashie, Jelert I don't think will be quite ready to improve the team just yet, but hopefully not too long until they are up to speed. I'm a sentimental chap, and I will look on wistfully at certain departures; particularly KWP, Bednarek, and strangely, Bree too (not sure why). Not too fussed about losing Fernandes, as he was only here for one disastrous season, and we have used the money well (hopefully). Dibling is obviously frustrating as well, but the money from his departure should mean that we can keep this squad together should we fail to go up this season. It's all on Still now. No excuses for this team to not be winning the majority of our games from here on in.
I’d get Franny in for pre team talk. He’s actually quite levelheaded considering his playing style but I’m sure he’d be able to get the key points across.
Without seeing any of the most recent signings play, on paper (I know) this is potentially a very good window indeed. I’ll go through a few of my thoughts. GK. Those wanting an upgrade on Baz/Alex or even competition for them were always going to be disappointed. Having lost Rambo we were never going to sell either of the others so the only option was a third choice keeper. How many established keepers were going to jump at the chance of never actually playing in a Championship or cup game? FB. Excellent business to bring in Roerslev and Jelert, who I am guessing are primarily defensive full backs who can venture forwards rather than attacking wingbacks who find defending a struggle. CB. I think two out of Wood, THB, and occasionally Quarshie alongside Stephens will be absolutely fine. CM. Disappointed we didn’t add another option but Charles and Downes (plus Aribo??) should be good enough. AM. Excellent. Azaz being pushed by Jay Rob will be great. Wingers. Two fantastic signings allows Still to play 4-2-3-1 at last. Scienza reminds me a bit of a younger, slightly bigger Wee Man. Strikers. Another disappointment but at least they’ll get some service now. Overall I’ll venture a cautious 8 out of 10.
Jander has come in at CM. Looks like he could be adequate back up for now. But yeah, another experienced CM would have been better.
Yeah, Downes will miss a dozen games this season through injury/suspension/chicken livers, and that will leave us with a 21 and 22 year old in the middle. If Charles and Downes are out together, our next back up is 18 years old. I guess it's probably a good thing that Aribo is still here, as at least he can fill in should we get desperate.
Doubt Aribo is still here by the time we play our next league game. Turkish window is open until the end of the week I think
Anyone know how many of the new signings/squad in general that Still has to work with over the next two weeks? Be good if they have the extra week ahead of the derby rather than going away with their national teams.
I think most of them are knocking around, bar Azaz who is out with Ireland. Quarshie out with Germany U21 too.
8/10 for me. Got rid of most of who we needed to & the new signings are exciting. Azaz & Fellows proven at this level & Jander / Scienza got tonnes of potential. Gutted to have lost Fernandes of course but if that’s what it takes to build a strong squad so be it. Would have liked to see us sign another attacker personally. Just really feel it’s an area we need lots of versatility, but if we get promoted this season then maybe it’s better we saved the money as we’re gonna have to splash for real quality next summer & id say we’ll be in the market for: • CB (someone experienced at Prem / European level to help guide the younguns we’ve got at CB currently) • DM (physical, technical & can run & battle for 90 mins non stop!) • CAM (more quality to help challenge Finn next year) • Wingers (again just more competition & replace Armstrong, Frazer & Edozie / some physicality & pace gonna be needed in Prem) • CF (a top drawer ST is a MUST in Prem!!)
Another key factor, from this window, is that we now have a large number of players in the squad who aren’t suffering from the aftermath of being beaten, week in, week out for a whole season. This, plus the new manager, might already be showing its value in the two league games where we fell behind but came back to get 4 points from two tricky fixtures.
I'm very excited to see what the new signings will bring. But I won't be rating the window because I haven't seen most of them play. Just like it's too early to write a new guy off (like Quarshie), it's also too early to assume that a new guy will come in and prove a valuable acquisition. My worry is that when compared to two years ago, we're without KWP, Stu, Bednarek and Che. They were four very important players for us. But on the flip side, it feels like we have more options this time - if most of the signings work out, then picking a best XI will be very difficult, which would be a good position to be in. My gut feel is that we have a top six squad, not a top two squad. But obviously time will tell. And the size of any points deduction for Leicester could come into play here.
