I wholeheartedly agree with evolution not revolution. I think we need to add a bit more depth to the squad but that's it. 20 clean sheets, two great keepers (i admit to not being wholly confident in Davis especially at his near post but...), the best two leftbacks outside of the prem, a prem quality CB (fonte) and a prem-experienced CB in Jaidi. Plus (if he re-signs) top quality in Martin and the new lad Jack Stephens. Midfield is strong especially if we hold on to Dale Stephens. I think we need a bit more width (although will this be the season Holmes avoids injury?) and definitely another striker to take the pressure off Lambert and Barney. Would keep Connolly for his experience (esp for bringing through the youngsters inc Forte). We just need a bit of pace and flair that we have lacked since we lost Waigo and Antonio. Would love CMS but reckon he is off to a more established Champ side... Would also love Jack Cork back but think he is finally settled in a Champ team.
I've said it a few times, but I really feel the most important thing is continuity and too many signings can have a detrimental effect on the team. Five signings would be an absolute maximum in my opinion.
Everyone keeps talking about "doing a Norwich". What people have to remember is that the squad which have done so well for Norwich in the Championship this year, is not the same team which walked League One last year. They have added 5 new first teamers to the League One squad plus a couple of loanees and even then nobody expected them to do this well. In truth how extensively we need to strengthen depends entirely on what the aim for the upcoming season is, if the aim is to avoid relegation and try and finish in the 13th to 20th area then we probably don't need many new signings and can rely on the current squad. If, however, we are aiming for a top half finish with maybe a push for the play offs then I think we will need at least the same amount of signings as Norwich have made. I personally think that we should be aiming for a 13th to 20th finish and anything above that is a bonus in our first season back in the Championship. In my opinion this means that we only need a couple of first team signings, A centre back and a right back are a must for me and some backup on the flanks and up front. This would be enough, I believe, to finish in mid table which I think should be our aim this season.
Would you not consider that playing safe and just getting yourself settled in the championship is a waste of time in one way? Especially if your intention is to get into the premiership with the finances in place to sustain yourself there? So for me whether it was expected or not, Norwich are right to go for it. It is true they will need to spend some more money to stay up there and at a guess their first season up there will be one of consolidation. Consolidating in the championship though, for a team like us, is a waste of time...just go for it. We will not be expected to get it and maybe we won't but by then we will know what other players that will be needed to really challenge for the top tier as well as the players that will keep us there. At a guess we are in for some pretty exciting times.........I would not mind betting that our Chairman is chomping at the bit for next season to begin already!!
I'd put money on Norwich going straight back down. Either that or they spend big, go down the next season, spend big to get back up, fail, go into administration, back in L1 and Delia ends up selling the big issue. Our aim is to build a capable team with a great spirit that regularly defies the odds on a sustainable budget, much like what we had before the Lowe circus. we have players young and experienced who can play a part. AOC will probably move on to bigger things this season or next, but the rest and any further aquisitions I could see sticking it out for the 5 year plan. We take it slow and build up to making a big push.
Financially it would be better for Norwich to go up, spend nothing and come down with parachute payments. Not that any team would choose to do that of course.
