What do you think about Leon? He has been good for us, but should we try to sign him? Hudson and Turner are capable of Prem football, though the two of them may suffer some issues against speedy strikers. They did deal with Liverpool and Suarez well. Connelly...hmmmm...not so sure. Should we take Barnett for depth or just start looking at a quicker player straight away. I would not mind signing him as a backup/rotation player and then do our best to get a young strong DC on our books.
Norwich guys said he wasn't good enough to oust their present CBs at Carrow Road in the prem, but sometimes that's down to the manager's opinion and the fans assume that to be the case. I like him. He's slotted in really well and looks to have plenty of pace - far more than Huds and Turner anyway. I'm sure he would be an asset next year. Whether he'd command a regular slot is another matter.
I think he's worth signing for a reasonable fee. He seems to cover the ground quicker than Hudson or Turner. Early days yet though. Malky may have others ahead of him on his wish list.
Whatever the future holds he has done a great job for us. Only 5 or 6 weeks ago there was panic at the thought of Hudson being out. Not worth a second thought now and Barnett has brought a new dimension to the defence with his extra pace. Rarely beaten in the air either.
We definitely need another CB for next season though Baby Ben will have another season under his belt. Two fullbacks are needed, cover for Taylor and a first choice right back. It'll come down to MMs budget and his priorities. He seems hot on his scouting and no doubt has a view on what to recruit if we went up and what to recruit if not. The best thing is, with 4 games to go he can be positive with his recruitment as he knows he can chuck away the 'what to recruit if not' list now and not after the playoffs. I'm sure that once the point has been secured tomorrow he will start negotiations though I'm sure a few targets may be in an uncertain position regarding relegation and promotion themselves. I'm hoping there may be a few signings from outside that pool though. Two full backs a CB and two back to goal strikers as a minimum. I suppose the question is do you blow the budget on those 5 roles or do you look for a little more quality elsewhere as well. Squad trimming could be as important as bolstering. I wonder who is on the cut list?
We would all like to see Malky's list. I just hope we don't sign players who weren't good enough to keep their teams in the premier league.
Totally agree, I posted similar on another thread Hampshire. There may be the odd exception but on the whole the rule stands. It always strikes me as odd that relegated players get recycled to promoted teams. The quote 'I'm too good to play in the Championship' would be countered with 'you weren't good enough to play in the premiership'. A generalisation, but a reasonable starting point.
Yes, the cut list will be just as interesting. All gone quiet on McNuggs contract negotiations. Is Lappin signed just to the end of this season? I guess McPhail will not be retained in a playing capacity but on the coaching team? Does Kiss have a future with us? Cowie - stay or go? Velikonja - will he get a chance once we confirm promotion? Will he be off loaded to get some cash back? Smith and HH? I think one has a contract to the end of this season and the other for another season but which is which? Kadeem Harris - second season here but not pulled up any trees. Stay or go? Which youngsters will be kept? There is usally an end of season cull. I can't see Jarvis staying on. Are there any other young players out on loan besides Jarvis and Darko? Not a lot to offload unless MM wants to generate a real clear out.
Personally I think we shouldn't be to disappointed with the inevitable Buy wishlist, Mr Tan will want to start getting some money back, and I don't blame him. In all honesty the only area that needs adding to is the defence and most of that will be back up or the present players will be used as back up. I make my prediction now 4 new signings at most.
BFB would love mc nuggs a year contract as heart rules head on that. cowie- for me he has to go. kadeem- im sure he will stay helguson- i think his contract is up and really dont think we should offer a new one. kiss- good question-i think we have to leave that with malky. still very young so who knows could come good. lappin-has to go. velinkonja- i would imagine he be staying. seems to be banging them in in the DVsquad and another young player. to add im excited at the prospect of rhys healey.
Put quiet simply Time to pay the lad back for his loyal service even if he is not what he used to be but Mcnugget has to have at least 1 season with us in the prem as repayment for all he has done for us before.
....and he's proved an adequate replacement since Connelly's injury with a couple of really good games.
I don't think "repayment" comes into it in the harsh world of football finances - not saying it shouldn't though. To be honest, Kev had it so easy against Forest on that right hand side. They had nothing coming forward on their left all second half, and Kev had all his side of the pitch to push forward. Still say that when he gets up there, he hasn't a clue what to do with the ball.
I love Kev, but I think if he was ever sitting on our bench in a BPL game, I would be a bit worried about our squad strength!
MM will have a budget. I seriously doubt it'll have the room to be sentimental. We have players in our squad who are there to do a job at Champo level. Anyone who fits that description and their contract is up goes with my eternal gratitude and they've been paid pretty well for the service given, but they go. We need a first choice PL quality right back. Conelly can provide cover for that and CB so he stays as a squad player. We could do with another quality utility defender imo preferably left sided. I'd like to see a classy winger brought in and (as you can probably guess from the Carroll thread) a CF who can score goals from nothing or very little at PL level. FC is proven to do a decent job at PL level but unless Maynard is going to elevate his game to score goals the way he has in the champioship to the PL we need a goal scorer.
