Of course we do and for all the right reasons, but looking at this so called 'best squad' in the division, if we are really honest, how many of the 'best squad' are actually capable of competing in the Premier league. Our 3 CB's and keeper might, Robertson I feel is certain to go this summer irrespective of whether we are promoted or not and Dave is improving every game for me might still not be of the quality needed in the 'big league'. Which leaves us with our midfield. Elmo, Huddlestone, Diame, Livermore, Clucas. Livermore aside on some occasions maybe, the rest, not in a million. Clucas like Dave has improved but is not clinical enough and would be too lightweight at higher level Forwards, Hernandez, I suspect like Robbo that no matter what league we are in will be gone, Akpom will never be a premier league standard striker. When I ask, do we want to be promoted, my question is, how much of the £120 million would we have to spend to stand a chance of staying up and thats just to be competitive in the second level of the Premier league. The teams that are 'safe' this season have good Premiership squads with the ability to add key players in positions, not having to buy half or three quarters of a team. In spending much of the pool kitty, players would be on 3 year contracts and likely would not sign relegation salary reduction clauses. If the worst did then happen and we were relegated the club would be in a very bad position as I feel Norwich and Sunderland will be if they drop. All my own opinion of course.. you may well (likely) disagree. I want promotion of course I do, but at what cost…?
I think you have written off Clucas and Akpom a bit prematurely, for me Clucas has all the attributes to be a good player in the Prem, and he is getting better all the time. Akpom is only 19, you need to look at somebody like Josh King who took a while to get going but now looks the business. It's always a mistake to write players off, keep the likes of Jon Walters in mind too.
We wouldn't have to spend too much at all. Just have a look at Leicester and how much their squad was worth at the beginning of the season. Just need the right manager and the right players with the correct attitude. Bruce can shut the door on his way out
I posed the same question some time ago Dan. Apart from Robertson there is nobody in our current team who would interest another Premier league Club or who could be classed as 'average'. We need a team who could consolidate in the third quarter which is the best we could hope for and none of our guys are at that level. Abel has done well at this level but would be well held at Premier League Level and there is a rumour that Bari in Serie B have an offer on the table. Our biggest problem is that 'quality' players don't want to come here. It's been a "Thanks, but No Thanks" when we have approached them. The solution is to lift our profile and I don't know if that is possible. On the other hand we could get lucky and fluke a couple of young up and coming talented strikers who would set the league on fire but they'd be gone to a major club in a flash with an offer we simply couldn't refuse.
and that's the problem - players realise that if they sign for a Brucie team in the Prem there's a strong probability that he'll get the team relegated
Snodgrass, Hernandez, Diame, Livermore, Robertson, Dawson, Davies, Maguire, McGregor are all PL calibre players. You then have Meyler, Elmo, Maloney, Odubajo, Clucas who are good enough to be depth in the PL. That's 14 players. Purchase another CB or two, another midfielder or two, and a few strikers and our squad would be fine. This nonsense that Robertson will be going anywhere in the summer is just that.
Not to mention Snodgrass, Livermore and Tymon. I wouldn't have thought McGregor would interest anyone, though.
I'm pretty sure Bournemouth would rather him to either keeper they have. People think PL and they think Man City, West Ham, Stoke, etc. not sides like Bournemouth, Newcastle, Watford, West Brom. McGregor would start over Gomes at Watford I suspect.
If all your listed players are prem calibre, then why are we not able to beat bottom ranked championship sides?
Most of our squad would be fine in the PL. If we go up we'd just need new strikers/pacy wingers. Problem is whatever squad we have we could just do what we did last time. Defend, defend, defend and lose 1-0 every week.
The main improvement we can make is a change of manager, someone who has better knowledge of football tactics. Good managers get the best out of players. It would freshen things up and I really think most of the players wouldn't mind a change too.
