You've named 6 players in the midfield and there's Evans still to come back. That's a stacked midfield which means no new additions at all. Would you be happy if we go into next season with no-one new and hope that the young lads are able to step up a level (either by getting us promotion or playing in the Prem)? Or would you be fine with another season missing out on promotion in the hope that another 50 games develops these lads a bit further? Genuine questions out of curiosity, not trying to be flippant. There'd be something quite enjoyable about bringing back the same squad but with additional strikers.
It entirely depends on which league we're in,but,the easiest prediction to make is if we miss out on promotion. In that event, I agree,it would be great to see this squad back again for another go next season with a couple of additions. For example,if we could sign our loanees......fanciful in the extreme with Amad I know.....bring Matete back and Pritch,Embo,Dajaku,Winchester and Wright were to leave.....tying Stewart down and adding another out and out striker to the squad and,maybe,a left back,would probably be the requirement. Of course everyone needs to be fit.....but we surely can't have another season plagued with such a bad run of injuries! Huggins will need to be sorted. If we secure promotion of course....that's a different matter and it will be very interesting to see how KLD goes about that scenario. It wouldn't be the skill level for most of these players I'd necessarily worry about,it would be the physicality. My view on promotion is that I can't wait for us to get back to the top flight,but only if we are able to compete. I'm not enthusiastic about becoming the Premier League whipping boys again and I suppose I subscribe to the notion that another exciting season,playing our football, in and around the top of this league,with this squad,will better prepare us.
Personally I'd be sending Ekwah and Ba out on loan to L1 to get some minutes under their belt -bring in a tall, experienced midfielder to compliment/replace/challenge Evans and let Neil and Michut fight it out for positions I don't think we need a great deal of strengthening to the squad, we just need to keep people fit New keeper to challenge Patto Centre Half to replace Wright (who I assume will leave) Maybe a RB and send Huggins out on loan CM as discussed 2 x Strikers Winger to replace Amad Are we keeping Pritch? I'd give him another year All this depends on what league we are in next year I guess
If we have a deal to sign Michut for anything like £3m or so, it would be borderline lunacy not to do it. He's only just turned 20. To me he looks an absolute certainty to make it in the PL.
I just love this squad we have currently, it is so spirited and talented and a joy to watch, so I just want to keep them all to tbh. But seriously I do think we are short, (in numbers) on central strikers and central defenders, and this is were I would concentrate pre-season. Stewart and a twin brother would be ideal if not we need a couple in similar mould brought in , (big ask of course ) and an addition in central defence for the departed Bailey Wright is about all we need for next years push. If we do win promotion, a long shot still looking possible the way things are going, we would need more changes of course, but I can only speak of what I can see and have no idea what would happen then , but thanks for your question, its a good one and not flippant at all .
If we do go up we would need to strengthen considerably in all areas, but the majority of the squad is here already. This season feels like a free hit, so whether we go up or not, it's been a fantastic season. If we fall short and have to spend another season in the Championship then we need to be ruthless with the culling of the squad in order to improve the overall quality. A lot of the players that have been mentioned can cut it in the Championship, but are they all capable of playing in a team which will dominate this league and make the step up? I suggest not. Better back up for Patto would be a sound move. Two strikers to back up Ross are essential, as is an extra centre half to replace Wright. Two centre backs may be better, to give us the option of using Alese and Cirkin as our LB's. The midfield has quality, but I would look to move Embleton and Pritchard on. Ba and Ekwah are not quite there yet and may need another year, either on loan or as back up. Lihadji is yet to show anything of note, so a loan may benefit him. Matete has had mixed reviews in League 1, so may not be ready for a promotion chasing Championship outfit. Amad is probably irreplaceable, but I would expect us to try to find someone and experiment in close season with Michut further up the park. Either way we need an experienced back up for Evans to allow Neil or Michut (or both) to create higher up the pitch. So, to summarise: 1 back up keeper, 2 CB's, 2 Central Midfielders, 2 Strikers and an Amad replacement (unless we can manage to get him back of course )
I agree with your comments regarding the spirit in the squad at present but I feel like we need to be a little more ruthless. As much as I like Matete, he's not dominating in the league below, I'd move him on if we can find a buyer. I'd look for a Premier League player on loan to supplement the midfield as I think Neil, Michut, Ekwah and Ba are all long term options for the club, though there may be room for a very good signing too. Anderson needs to be out on loan, Wright moved on and bring one CB in that can try to displace Batth. A left back/versatile option too (as I see Alese as a centre back). Right back we potentially have enough versatile cover there, Hume is nailed on starter. Huggins looks to be a bust, the lad is never fit enough to rate him. Loan him out or let him go. Our wings are weak without Amad. First choices are good but there's no indication that Bennette and Lihadji can be regular starters. There should be a good loan option available here too. Then I'd want 2 strikers, one as a Stewart type replacement and one as a compliment. I'd like Joffy as the complimentary striker but I don't think a permanent is realistic. The main thing though is that I want us to be playing a more standard 4-3-3 next season which doesn't leave much room for Pritchard or Embo. Embo can play deeper or wider at times so he's worth keeping. The time is probably right to move on Pritchard. So for me it's 1CB, 1LB, 1 CM (plus Michut), 1 winger and 2 forwards which still sounds like quite a lot.
Whilst on the whole I agree about more experience for the young players were we not saying the same at the start of this season ??? I am pretty sure that 90 percent of our fan base were hoping for the young lads to have a full season and consolidation but they have jade a right good go and but for some horrendous refereeing and some bad luck with injuries may well have pushed the top two very hard. My point is if we were to go up let them have a go they might even surprise us again who knows but if they don't and we get relegated we will have 180 million in bank plus 3 seasons of parachute payments if needed which would definitely help shape the squad
