Having read some of the comments in the Pacheco thread, and seen some of the comments made, I feel that the following should be pointed out: 1) Our biggest challenge this season has been keeping a clean sheet, not scoring goals or creating chances. Therefore why would a striker be our highest priority when we have Holt, Morison, Jackson and Vaughan, and have the midfield resources to play 5 and just one stand-alone striker anyway! 2) With Russell Martin proving himself as a quality centre-back, Adam Drury perhaps extending his career one more season, and Tierney hopefully back from injury now for good. Our highest priority this summer is to sign Naughton, he provides not only security as a high quality right back, but offers the luxury of being able to capably fill in at left-back too. This flexibility across both full back positions is essential. What will we do next season if Tierney is injured again, rely on Drury the whole time, besides Lappin? There are limits to how far you can ask a veteran to play week in week out, 90 minutes a game. 3) I agree that we require a centre-back, a right-back (who can play left-back competently), and a striker (I always believe you must have 5 quality strikers in a premier league squad, because sooner than later, 2 will be injured at a point in time, strength in depth is key). Anyone else signed is a bonus. 4) Our midfielders and goalkeepers, are all plenty good enough for next season, as demonstrated throughout this season. --- Summary No.1 Target: Right-Back (who can play left-back) - Naughton No.2 Target: Centre-Back No.3 Target: Young, Lower League Striker (e.g Rhodes) No.4 Target (Luxury): Midfielder to replace Crofts (face the truth - he is behind Pilkington, E.Bennett, Surman, Fox, Johnson, Hoolahan, Howson in the pecking order), someone like Snodgrass. No.5 Target (Depends on Drury's Longevity): Left-Back (who can play right-back), as Tierney needs cover.
Good summary. Assuming Vaughan can stay fit it will be like having a new signing and it would have helped his confidence that he scored last night.
Shame to see that Crofts in not getting in the team anymore, looks like Premiership is a bit tough for him, would love him back at Gillingham, but I know that won't happen, I think if he leaves he may go to Championship.
Goals win you games, not clean sheets! Theres no guarantee that holt and morison will do next season what they done last. We need to spend big on a top striker just incase we lose either of them.
Its a question of balance isn't it? If the goals dry up, if we are still playing our same systems, we will struggle no doubt. The very best have good defences first and progress from there. We cannot guarantee a good defence by going out and spending big. We have to take chances with lower league players like Bennet. So we have to progress in every department to maintain our current progress. I think that involves buying strikers, midfielders and defenders. As resolute as Drury is and as athletic as Naughton is, I do think that Tierney was our biggest miss last season. I hope he comes back fit and raring to go.
i'd make a defensive midfielder our top priority to be honest. goals conceded were often blamed on the defence when in actual fact it was the lack of cover in front of them which led to many of the goals. we require an 'enforcer'
I just think we need 5 players, I think the whole prioritising is pointless because we are in the summer, it's not like it's January and we are running out of time. It doesn't really matter if we need a striker more then a defender or vice versa because we will probably fill both gaps if Lambert thinks so. I do think we need a defensive midfielder with pace and can pass a ball and sweeps up in front of defence because I prefer Howson to be able to make his bursting runs forward which are dangerous. For me: -Centre back - Rightback - Defensive Midfielder - Winger - Striker - Pacheco (would be good and cheap addition to squad, don't think he is an absolute essential would I think would be a great deal) - Leftback (If Drury leaves) I also think a fair few players will leave in the summer. Crofts, Ward, Barnett, Lappin (Unfortunately) etc.
Saw Swansea linked with Guedetti (?) from Man City. Never mentioned it before as I thought he was out of our price range, but maybe not. Very good player by all accounts, my friend who is a Feyenoord fan says he was fantastic for them, a really good finisher and good movement. Would have to see more, but maybe worth a punt if he is not too expensive. Would like to see Bridcutt as a defensive mid. Would be an outstanding signing and is a young hungry Lambert type player. Clyne from Palace has received many admirers and rumours of big clubs going for him, but I don't suppose he is prohibitively expensive so maybe worth a go for a RB. Ince from Blackpool would be quality, although I imagine many clubs will thing the same. Mattock is a decent young LB from what I have seen maybe good back up if Drury goes.
Think all of them targets you said in their are great, realistic shouts. Cyne, Ince and Bridcutt are definitely players who look Premier League quality, my only knowledge of Guidetti is Football Manager, but he is good on it haha. If he is still at Man City he most be pretty good, I also thought possibly Boyata at centre half.
Not sure about Boyata, I've only seen a bit of him though. I'm struggling to think of good CB who is affordable, must be some out there?
To be honest, he just popped into my head, I think he is a decent player but I think we would need someone a bit more experience to help progress Ayala and Bennett.
great shout with john guidetti. been on loan at feyenoord this year and ripped the division to shreds!
Don't know if we could afford him, but a loan deal maybe possible. Would certainly supplement the current strikers well and clearly has a decent goalscoring touch. How much do you think he would be? Can't see Man City been that keen to hang onto him considering the players they have and can buy
i'd expect to hear about the rest of the troops who's contracts are up soon-ish this should give us a better steer on how many additions are likely to come in
don't forget that of the players coming in two will probably be loanees, so a little thinking outside the box for them, players we probably couldn't afford to buy.
Just read up on him, that is some goalscoring record for Feyenoord, looks like an all round striker similar to what we need. Like you said depends on how Man City rate him and what level he can hit.
valuation is tricky. on the face of it his value will have rocketed thanks to last season - it would also depend on what man city think his future holds. i can't see him suddenly getting a chance at the etihad but i don't reckon they'd be willing to sell. he's only 19 i think so a season-long loan would be more likely, to see how he copes in the premier league. definitely a viable option
This is true, but a good starting point is here: http://www.transfermarkt.co.uk/en/john-guidetti/profil/spieler_98596.html This has proven to be a pretty good measure point- if a club doesn't want to sell, the player will cost around twice this value. In extraordinary cases like for Andy Carroll it can be as much as three times the value. I'd imagine we could get him for around 4-5m
