Not a post that wishes to speculate on who we'll sign, how old they will be and how much money they will be on, but more on how many signings do you think we need, and in which positions, regardless of who the signings will be. I think we all agree that we should only sign what we need, especially as the dressing room's in such good shape, so taking a look at the current XI I would say this is where the gaps are (also it's on the basis that all returning loanees that aren't youth team grads will leave): GK: Green RB: Simpson CB: Onuoha CB: New Signing LB: Yun/New Signing (an LB is probably needed, but I'm keen to see how Yun gets on) CM: New Signing CM: Barton RW: Phillips LW: Hoilett/Traore CAM: New Signing ST: Austin Then I think we need more cover for at right back, centre/attacking mid and up front, with possibly the need for a winger, so that's 8-9 signings. Maybe we could survive with even less than that...
I recon we'll take 7-8 players in: Cover for Green (the Reading keeper?) New CB (hopefully not Ferdinand) Cover CB Cover midfield x 2 (I hope/think Ali will be first choice alongside Barton Cover for a wide man (Redmond?) Playmaker/striker (Powell, if Van Gaal doesn't rate him, or maybe Hughes?) Striker/cover striker (Rhodes?) Hopefully, the covering players will be youngsters who can improve into first teamers, and the starter signings will be no older than 29. But I'm not holding my breath!
It is going to be fascinating isn't it? Will Faurlin re-emerge as a Premier League player (if we offer him a new contract), will Yun finally break through, will Petrasso, Sutherland, Harriman, Ehmer or Hitchcock get their chance, how many games will Dunne be good for? How about Granero, will he be back with us next season? Redknapp has got a lot of questions to ponder before filling in the gaps.
Roller, I am hoping for both those, to come to fruition - Ali and Yun. I would be surprised if any of those 5 youngsters you mention, see more than the odd bench appearance, or the odd cup match. We definitely need more youth and energy, but I see that coming from more Phillips/Austin type signings. (fingers crossed)
I wouldn't completely dismiss the the chances of Petrasso, Sutherland or Ehmer. It could depend on what budget Redknapp has to play with. Obviously none will be first choice, but a couple of injuries could see them get a chance if we are looking to not go mad in the transfer market or rely on loan signings. I can but hope.....
I completely forgot about Ali... Shame on me! I still think the CM position needs more depth, but if Ali returns to his best then he's a shoo in to start!
I'm not aware of any confirmation that he has been offered a new contract yet; that question didn't get answered at the Fans' Forum.
Ok what I would try for sell Remi to Spurs 3 mil + Holtby and Kabal or Dawson. Go all out for Maloney of Wigan I rate this guy big time if you watch back the last 10 mins of 2nd leg def the right sort to coin a phase. Redmond of Norwich we need his pace on the break. We obviously need a partner/ back up for Charlie, they say money talks can we turn Iings head with an offer. Failing that McCormack of Leeds put on a diet with Maloney haha or Rhodes of Blackburn.
In the Open all R's podcast Ian Taylor replied to Paul Finneys question (will Ali get a new contract) with "You may well get your way on that one." Not a total confirmation but it was inferred that he would get one very strongly.
I hope the people who think we need loads of new signings, aren't the same people who said this squad should absolutely walk the league? (Flyer) It can't work both ways.
Thought Flyer has been quoted at the start of last season, that we would be relegated. Was it finishing 22nd ????
Wigin have some great players we could nick off them. They have a goalkeeper that was been kept out by Carson, Al-Hasbi. Gomez is a handful. They also have a midfielder called McArthur who i thought was handy.
I saw Donaldson play at Barnsley, he did improve as the game went on but was at fault with both of their goals still has a lot to learn.
Spread bet - between 0 and 25. Poor odds though. I fail to see how youngsters not trusted in the Championship will be trusted in the Premiership. Including, sadly, Yun, unless he has a storming World Cup. Granero I would love to see back, I think he has a point to prove, and I don't think he was in the 'wrong sort' bunch. He's bound to let me down having said that. I thought Ian Taylor said Ale was being offered a new contract in the Open All Rs podcast the other night, but I tend to drift off during those things.....
Id be happy with entertaining football, staying up and no over the hill players like Parker, Cole,etc.
He also said Redknapp should be sacked even if we go up. So, I wonder if Tony followed his sound advice and fired Redknapp tomorrow, who would Flyer tell him to hire? We couldn't go into a season without a Manager so I presume he has it all worked out
We should be looking at three or four experienced PL players and three or four of the best younger Championship players, a balance of the two would be more likely to help us progress long-term...
I think TF will get it right this time. I agree with the OP, but I feel that Yun is ready, every minute that I have seen him play he shows good composure on the ball, excellent passing and crossing and very good positional play. We can't be scared of playing youngsters, we have the experienced players to carry them through. My local team (Norrköping) here in Sweden were forced to play a 17 year old at LB, two months ago. He has played ever since, been mom often, completely dominates, and is certain of being played regularly. (Linus Walqvist, you heard it here first!)
Need to be realistic staying up is all we are after. Back on the subject though - Cover for right back. Another Starting CB Another CM - apart from Barton all the rest will be cover, Ali is an unknown quantity at the moment. Attacking Midfielder\forward A wide player. (could be combined with attacking midfield) A Striker. I'd be happy with that, don't want too many, learn from our mistakes build with what we have, Problem here is we don't know how Matt and Ali will come back from Injury.
