If we sign Stockdale, there is absolutely no way he's going to be number 2. I reckon we're looking at £1.5m-2m and what with FFP & our general finances we'll hardly be looking to hand out fees for 2 goalkeepers when we have plenty of other positions to improve upon. Just remember, we survived with Dean Marney as a regular CM last time around. GK: Stockdale + Experienced FA (there's bound to be someone) RB: Rosie has to get a new contract for me, I don't see 3-5-2 next season and even though he's been dropped for Elmo lately he's still a quality full back. CB: I reckon Chester and Hobbs will be fine. McShane will stick around if we go up, and can cover RB as he has in the past. Can't see Faye being here. Unfortunately I see Alex Bruce staying to provide cover. LB: If Dudgeon keeps playing the way he did before his injury, then I think he'll be fine. Certainly as competent as Dawson was back in the PL. Potentially someone like Phil Neville to come in and provide all across the back line. LM: Brady is getting better and better for me. RM: Not Elmo for me. He's delivered some beautiful crosses this season but all in all he's not worth the price tag Sunderland would be looking for, and there are more consistent, skillful and pacier options out there. The likes of Quinn and Aluko can cover LM if necessary, but I think it'd be good to bring in a winger who can play on both flanks. Basically Cameron Stewart - but better. He ain't gonna cut it either. CM: Koren may be lazy & sulky at times, and inconsistent, but he's still a match winner on his day. He certainly stays for me. Evans is getting better by the week and should at least be in and around the squad in the PL. Quinn and Meyler will be fine. Can't see Cairney getting a new deal, as much as I like him he's just not improving and not even come close to the potential we anticipated. ST: Although not technically a striker and lacks pace, Boyd has looked very good and I can't see him not winning a permanent deal, particularly as a FA. Fryatt should bag a few but we'll need more. Proschwitz can **** right off, and as much as I hate to say it, Simpson isn't gonna win a new deal either. Can't see a permanent deal for Gedo - despite a good start I don't think he's really any improvement on Simpson - in fact I think he's worse. Simpson at least has decent hold up player and can pick a pass (Huddersfield assist was inch-perfect). Gedo is absolutely invisible at times. Call it two new strikers - perhaps one on loan. How many signings is that? Seven? Potentially an 8th for CM depth. We signed 14 upon promotion last time. I reckon I've done alright there. Having said that, I'm asking for a striker and two wingers. They won't come cheap.
Why are the majority of you guys making comments like this? I think we universally agree he's pants in midfield but I think, despite early misgivings (fuelled by catcalls from Bellend Rd), that he's done pretty good in defence...give the lad a break.
Brady - Yes Elmo Yes Faye- In the more physical games (i.e West Ham) Hobbs- I think so Macca - As back up. Dawson - No Rosenior - Yes, past EPL Experience (especially if we start using 4 at the back again) Chester - Yes, will be interesting to see him against some of the best strikers in the World! Quinn- Yes. Will love having time on the ball Koren - Back up Aluko - Yes Meyler - Yes Fathi - Doubt we'll sign him but yes Gedo - When fit, definitely yes Fryatt - I think so Prossy - No Simpson - Absolutely not Boyd - Looks determined and is now also on the International stage so maybe. Probably back-up
I think the fact players are out of contract may well do us a favour, gives us a chance to bring in some real quality rather than being stuck with players who aren't going to be good enough but they still have a contract.
It's all academic because we aren't there yet, but there will be less signings than everyone expects and more of the current team will play than you'd expect IMO. Look at teams like Southampton, they've taken some good players from the Champ and carried on using them with the addition of a couple of quality players. That's what we need to do. Not overhauling the entire squad because we've got some great talent here.
I'd say the likes of Quinn, Chester, Meyler, Aluko, Brady, Hobbs, Elmohamady, Gedo, Rosenior and maybe Koren (he'd be better with more time on the ball) are all perfectly capable of performing in the EPL. Teams such as DQPR have shown that a mass squad overhaul is not the way to go. They've probably gone throught 3/4 squads of players in their time in the top flight! We'd just need to add some real quality and I think we'd fare well.
Apart from Tom Cairney himself, told Buckingham that it had been extended by another year. I posted a list of every players contract term last week... http://www.not606.com/showthread.php/205680-Player-Contracts
He always was pre-City. I don't think he's been anything more than average at centre-half and I don't believe for a second that we would have brought him in if he wasn't SB's son. He's not diabolical by any stretch of the imagination, but he's hardly Premier League quality. I can't help but think of Wayne Brown vs Wigan.
