I had a conversation with an old chap in the loop with some close to the club yesterday and he was saying that Pearson has already 5 players who are joining us next season. 3 of which are under 21. It seems to me that if this is the case, Nigel is building a team for the long term or his remit is to bring in players who he can progress and sell on for profit. Both of these formats surely can only be good for the club, but the championship needs some experience in there to help get us out of it. Interested if anyone else had been given some information like this and who we may or may not have already agreed to sign. UTT
Sounds good, these are exciting times, I suspect we'll find out who they are shortly after the season ends. The three under 21's may well be Evans, Ayala and the mystery left winger(Rose or Ward perhaps?). One of the two over 21's is probably Danns, the other possibly Hobbs?
Agreed.....Pearson will have them in already (or about to sign) for sure, he doesn't **** about. I think he must be at least two steps ahead of everybody....why start the new season without a settled squad?? I think we can thank the Allams for backing him before the market has even opened......true foresight. He'll unearth a real gem soon....you watch.
I'd have to agree with OLM, I think the 3 U21s will be Evans, Ayala and the LW. I think the other two will be Danns and either Eilhoff, Mannone or Guzan.
I can see guzan getting signed definitely....ok, he may not be as good as mannone but im sure he will cost less and we would have a very realistic chance of getting him. Plus, listening to him talking he sounds like he really likes the club! So im all for getting him signed up!
Guzan makes too many mistakes for my liking, I suspect if he did come in, it would be as No.2 to Eilhoff.
thats pretty exciting stuff if true. and very prompt action from AP as well. i know its been said before but i cannot believe the contrast between this regime and the previous one. no desperation moves for ibrahima sonko here.
and thighs and groin -- I think Mannone suffered with all 3 during his loan. He (Mannone) is probably not used to the hard work.
I have a feeling NP is preparing a team suitable for playing 451\433 Mannone Rosenior Chester Hobbs New LB Koren Danns Evans Devitt (or new winger?) Fryatt Stewart
I think Nigel, and myself would like a 4-4-2 like this ---------------Mannone----------------- Rosenior---Ayala---Chester---New LB/Dawson Stewart---Evans---Danns---New LW -----Fryatt-New ST---------
Experience can come at a cost - and given this season, another in the Championship would not go amiss in giving youngsters experience, time to bed in as a team, and give the club as a whole time to build a sold foundation for Premiership; Stadium, Academy etc. Getting into the Prem too soon, with a young, inexperienced squad will inevitably lead to the break-up to get new Prem level players in. This season would have been ok given the players on loans - that may well have been part of Pearson's strategy, but if we buy the young players, even though some have played together this season, it may need a different perspective as a fan next season as th eplayers will still need time.
I think the three u21's are evans, ayala and akpan with guzan and eilhoff being the other 2. In any case if these are the 5 signings we'd still need a striker, left back and a striker
Got to say I would agree with your line-up. However, I have questions in my mind about it. Firstly, I see no Captain/Leader in that line up, and that is a big issue I think. Trouble is I agree with the line-up so where will the Captain come from and where will he fit in? Secondly, Hobbs. I'm pretty sure NP will play him alongside Ayala and I have a REAL issue about that. Chester is streets ahead of Hobbs, IMHO, and it annoys me intensely that I disagree with NP so fundamentally over this single issue when I love the rest of the stuff he does. Thirdly, I worry we won't sign a big striker. To do that NP will have to kiss the ã1.3m he paid for McLean goodbye, coz we'll never get it back in any future sale. That would cost NP credibility with the owners and he would have to admit he was wrong; something Managers are always loathed to do.
I wonder what will happen to Cullen next season. He can't sit on our bench doing nothing forever. He needs to be loaned out to see if he is any good or not, I've always thought he's shown good promise.
Strovolos, I think the captain will be given to Dawson (If he remains a starter), if not Rosenior could be as he can lead by example and is very vocal. I'm not certain but isn't Danns the captain at Palace he could be the man for the job... I don't think we'll have enough money to sign both of them and Ayala is definately the top priority and even if he does, Hobbs is still very good at defending and is much stronger than Chester, so in that aspect we won't get bullied by big strikers. But like you, i'd prefer Chester there but Hobbs isn't a disaster. About the big striker issue, it is simple to solve... keep the ball on the deck and sign someone who is good with their feet (not McLean or maybe Simpson) and there won't be many problems. But prefrebly this striker could be someone like Nugent or Makail-Smith, they are good with their feet but are still fairly tall (5ft 10/11) so they can stand a chance in the air.
dont forget Chester has played most of his career at LB. also his height probably prevents him from being a top class CB. maybe its gonna be.. Rosenior Hobbs Ayala Chester as our new back 4.
A good team always needs 4 strikers to have competition and cover for injuries over the season. McLean will probably be used as a backup player. ã1.3m is a good price i think. he's 28 so has a good few years left and might get better. but as it stands, he's more than good enough to be a backup striker, a squad player if u like.
Mannone Rosenior - Ayala - Chester - Dudgeon Stewart - Evans - Koren - Rose Fryatt - Simpson I would take that because it's realistic. I would prefer a new big striker but can't think of anyone myself. I thought Charlie Austin was perfect and still regret that we didn't get him. It's a shame he's been injured at Burnley because it would have been interesting to see how he would have coped in the NPC.
