Town leading the race for brum midfielder Jordan James, great young prospect, quick, strong and has goals in him. What's not to like about this, I think a few might have a meltdown over this coz he is a league 1 player but I absolutely love it!!
McKenna has said we lots more in, that's pleasing to hear coz he ain't wrong!! I think attacking wise we are ok, although we need someone like Jack Clarke to play on the left. Midfield and defence is where we are lacking, midfield especially, Morsy will be fine imo but I don't think we have anyone else capable of holding their own in the premier league, luongo and Taylor are ok backups but not starters!! I think we have an exciting month ahead with regards to signings and I'm predicting 5 more in!!
Definitely 1 if not 2 central midfielders. Left side attacker and I think we might bring in an experienced goalkeeper as back up. I think we might need another central defender - right sided but I don’t think the club do and would be a bit surprised. If we added there. Anyway, 3 weeks to go - when do the club announce squad numbers? (My nephew wants a Hutchinson shirt) and season tickets should be sent out soon. I’m getting excited, cant believe I get to say this but….bring on Liverpool
Seeing the game today and hearing McKenna I think we need a few more in. Definitely need 2 in midfield at least, not to say Morsy and Luongo can't do well for us this season but if they don't or get injured we're screwed. We need a LB and I think we need at least 1 more forward probably left forward, maybe 2 and maybe another striker. I know it's only a friendly and he only played 1 half but I wasn't convinced with Delap in the lone striker role. We looked so much better when Hirst came on and I wonder then whether Delap might be better in one of the wide forward positions.
With a worryingly long pre season injury list of Broadhead, Hutchinson, Clarke, Humphreyes, Hamadi and now Burns, we need all the fresh recruits we can get!
I see Rovers have signed two strikers,opening the door for Szmodics to leave? And according to TWTD we're possibly in for Conor Townsend from Baggies as cover for Leif.
In regards to Szmodics, this is reminding me of Daryl Murphy. Experienced, older, championship player, not a particularly great scoring record, then has one phenomenal season, and gets a dream move to the premiership (hopefully this time, Szmodics does better for us, than Murphy did for the Toon) As for Townsend, at first this doesn't sound very inspiring, but thinking more, might not be a bad shout. Has plenty of experience, and is a more solid defender than Davis, so could tighten the back line if needed.
Townsend is confirmed. I’m starting to share a bit of JWM’s pessimism. We are treading water with our transfer business so far and man for man - not having retained Travis, Sarmiento or Moore, with Jackson leaving too and the injury list on top of that - at the moment we are far weaker than last season.
I think its a decent signing. We've needed LB cover since Leigh has left. The defence is looking pretty finalised now I'd say with at least 2 players in every position, though have to say not convinced by what I've seen so far of our new GK but in McKenna we trust. Beyond that we look short with a few injuries biting. Really we need players to replace Moore, Sarmiento, Ball and Travis to have the same depth as the end of last season. I'd say Delap is similar to Jackson as he can play as a striker or right forward. I remember feeling similarly concerned at the beginning of last season that the squad had actually been weakened with the loss of Edwards and Leigh...but hey what did I know
The positive way to look at it is we've kept all of our main starting line up players from last season (bar Hladky) got rid of a lot of players who aren't good enough and recruiting better replacements. We need more though!
Agree with itfcptc. I understand the view that we could have attempted to get by with Davis at left back and Greaves potentially moving across to cover, but I really believe we need an actual second choice left back. Townsend adds to the depth, provides competition to Davis, and ensures Greaves can continue at centre back if he’s playing well and Davis does get injured. Townsend also adds a bit of much-needed Premier League experience to the squad, even if he only played 25 odd games. Interesting to see the debate on whether the squad is stronger compared to last season. I think in terms of defence we certainly are better. Greaves - one of the best Championship centre backs over the last couple of seasons - adds quality. Johnson could be a first team starter at right back. Townsend provides an actual left back alternative. Question marks still out in central midfield and in the attacking positions - but still time to get another few deals over the line (hopefully).
Not saying it will happen but with the arrival of Townsend, could Leif play as our left sided attacking player?
I could see that working,at least in the short term with lack of left sided recruits and Broadhead's absence.Also I'm not fully sold on Leif as a defender especially in the Premiership (I know that will be heresy to some!!)
The friendly tomorrow will now not be the first team. The Chairman has resigned as well this week, probably because there’s not a chance in hell of the stadium being ready. This is all rather shambolic.
Must say I am not spilling over with confidence. Chairman resigns, and MA takes on dual role, never a brilliant idea, who is he accountable to? Stadium clearly not ready. Several key injuries. Several positions still need strengthening. Targeted new players taking interminable time to complete. Leaving just 2 weeks to familiarise with team & club. U 21s to play the Germans. Not the best of starts for the most competitive League arguably in the world!
That's exactly what will happen. We will be fine, will make the necessary signings and have a good season, don't get the pessimistic thoughts on here!!
