Summer window

[Scout73]

I've said for a long time that if we keep the core of this squad and add quality additions we will be flying.

Everything so far points to us doing exactly that, we are adding competition for places, potential and hunger, thats a hell of a mix that other teams won't look forward to facing

Add that our players are likely to kick on again. The likes of Patterson, Neil, Hume, Clarke and Roberts made huge improvements over the season and I think all can get better. Cirkin has the potential to be one of the best fullbacks in the league, Ballard could be a top 5 CB in the league next yr and Ekwah looked a beast at the end of the season.

I also think the likes of Ba, Jewi, Lihadji and Alese will be better this season than last - I actually think O'Nien will kick on again

All the above doesnt include the players we sign plus the potential of LND staying and playing to his ability

I dont think the Championship was poor this season, I just think it was really competitive. Felltop's post is spot on about the 3 teams coming down - you just dont know how they will adapt to the league, all going through big changes this season

I love where we are going and all we can do is be stronger as a team after the transfer window closes - if we do that then I reckon we have a great chance to go up

No doubt will be an unbelievably hard season but I honestly can not wait

 

[Scout73]

A potential future player for us (likely to be when back in PL) is Mandela Keita, just watched for Belgium U21's - boy looks quality

Looks like he is signing for Antwerp, was on loan at them last season helping them win the league

 

[cumbrianmackem]

Not for me mate.

Leeds are a basket case of a club. Lads I know who support them are dreading it. No manager and Big Sam trying to appoint himself as top dog. Players looked absolutely fed up last year. Owner doing god knows what with the stadium.

Southampton appoint Russel Martin who has flatlined. I liked him, but he has not progressed at all. Massive ask for him to go top 2 in my opinion. They will be ransacked for players late in the window as well. Team stuffed with players that when mid to low end teams get desperate in the last week will sign.

Leicester are the interesting one. Maresca is an interesting appointment, but could just as easily flop as fly. But if they hang on to a core spine they will be a tough nut to crack.

Where I think the league opens up is the likes of Millwall, Blackburn, Coventry. I dont think they can keep pace with what we are doing. Middlesborough might be worth keeping an eye on with Carrick in charge, but they will need loanees.

I think the league may open up much more in terms of top 3 than it did last year. At this point I see no Burnley, or even Sheff Utd. Time will tell.

Great assessment of the 3 coming down Fell.
In recent seasons our promotion push has been stalled by 2 clubs having exceptional seasons ie Burnley and Sheffield United last season.
Think this will be a tighter affair with nobody getting way ahead, it was ridiculous that 12 clubs were in the play off mix right up to the final weekend, don't see that happening again.
Can we be there or thereabouts, course we can, get out front line sorted early doors and a good start which will boost the confidence levels of these young lads and the sky's the limit....Can't wait.

 

[Chunksafc]

Can I add that as much as on the field is undeniably going on a massive upward curve, I will continue to reserve judgement on the off field shambles. I really hoping KLD gets a proper grip of it this coming year

 

[TeamOfTalents]

Agree with O9.... with his mentality he'll be determined to improve again after his first full season at this level.

Add that our players are likely to kick on again. The likes of Patterson, Neil, Hume, Clarke and Roberts made huge improvements over the season and I think all can get better. Cirkin has the potential to be one of the best fullbacks in the league, Ballard could be a top 5 CB in the league next yr and Ekwah looked a beast at the end of the season.

I also think the likes of Ba, Jewi, Lihadji and Alese will be better this season than last - I actually think O'Nien will kick on again

All the above doesnt include the players we sign plus the potential of LND staying and playing to his ability

I dont think the Championship was poor this season, I just think it was really competitive. Felltop's post is spot on about the 3 teams coming down - you just dont know how they will adapt to the league, all going through big changes this season

I love where we are going and all we can do is be stronger as a team after the transfer window closes - if we do that then I reckon we have a great chance to go up

No doubt will be an unbelievably hard season but I honestly can not wait

 

[Mackem 10.1]

One thing that's not been mentioned, and I wouldn't want to see it, but Luke O'Nien could go.

The club might see him as being at the optimum point in his trajectory to maximise the fee we could get for him.

There is 0% chance onien will going anywhere, he is vital to the squad and the dressing room

 

[Smug in Boots]

Add that our players are likely to kick on again. The likes of Patterson, Neil, Hume, Clarke and Roberts made huge improvements over the season and I think all can get better. Cirkin has the potential to be one of the best fullbacks in the league, Ballard could be a top 5 CB in the league next yr and Ekwah looked a beast at the end of the season.

I also think the likes of Ba, Jewi, Lihadji and Alese will be better this season than last - I actually think O'Nien will kick on again

All the above doesnt include the players we sign plus the potential of LND staying and playing to his ability

I dont think the Championship was poor this season, I just think it was really competitive. Felltop's post is spot on about the 3 teams coming down - you just dont know how they will adapt to the league, all going through big changes this season

I love where we are going and all we can do is be stronger as a team after the transfer window closes - if we do that then I reckon we have a great chance to go up

No doubt will be an unbelievably hard season but I honestly can not wait

Our coaching is a massive factor imo.

So often, in the past, we've hoped players would improve or, at least, eradicate glaring faults in their play ... didn't happen. We now have rapid significant improvements but Mowbray and Co. aren't content. Roberts was excellent but the coaches still feel free to publicly point out where he's lacking ...

... same goes for them all and they just accept it.

That's the sign of real team spirit.

 

[WorkyTicketFTM]

Not for me mate.

Leeds are a basket case of a club. Lads I know who support them are dreading it. No manager and Big Sam trying to appoint himself as top dog. Players looked absolutely fed up last year. Owner doing god knows what with the stadium.

Southampton appoint Russel Martin who has flatlined. I liked him, but he has not progressed at all. Massive ask for him to go top 2 in my opinion. They will be ransacked for players late in the window as well. Team stuffed with players that when mid to low end teams get desperate in the last week will sign.

Leicester are the interesting one. Maresca is an interesting appointment, but could just as easily flop as fly. But if they hang on to a core spine they will be a tough nut to crack.

Where I think the league opens up is the likes of Millwall, Blackburn, Coventry. I dont think they can keep pace with what we are doing. Middlesborough might be worth keeping an eye on with Carrick in charge, but they will need loanees.

I think the league may open up much more in terms of top 3 than it did last year. At this point I see no Burnley, or even Sheff Utd. Time will tell.

I like Russell, it’s not coincidental that in all of Europe only City and Barca had more possession over the course of the season than his MKD side then last season obviously Swansea had the highest possession in the Champ. I know possession isn’t everything but in general teams who dominate the ball will come out on top. I think with a better set of players at Southampton they could be top drawer this season.

The problem we have is that the clubs coming down are going to spend the most money and attract the best players, it happens every season and it’s rare that a few of them don’t go back up. Leicester are going to bring some big names in undoubtedly, Conor Coady is apparently on the brink of joining. Maresco has already said they’re going to go to City for loanees and it won’t someone like Callum Doyle. It’ll be players who’ve been around the first team no doubt.

Leeds are going to have new ownership who can install their own manager, of which Viera is currently the favourite, and spend **** loads of money. I wouldn’t write them off at all.

 

[WorkyTicketFTM]

I am surprised to see Baath listed mate. Couple of other posts I have seen talking about him on the way down the pecking order. The lad was unreal last season. Best centre back at the club by some distance for me, based on all we have seen. If he plays 40 odd games this year we wont be far off at all for me. 33 this season, not old for a centre back with legs around him.

Bathh was incredible last season, without him in that squad once Evans was out we would’ve been knackered. Gave us a real sensible head and kept the lads organised.

 

[Scout73]

Watched a few highlights of Seelt - like what a see

- Big strong lad like - dominating in the air and he is a threat from set pieces as he attacks the ball well
- Doesnt look rapid but he uses his body well to prevent opponents getting up to speed
- Slide tackles a lot - but always times these well, always a controlled slide tackle until the wild ones Jack Baldwin would produce for us
- Good passing range, lovely crossfield pass on him
- He averages 6 interceptions a game which is really good and comes down to his reading of the game & positional play. He also has 13 recoveries a game which links into reading of the play as well
- wins 60% of his duels which is really good which is just below what Baath had this season (Baath wins 62% of his)

Plays a bit like Baath tbf so could definetly see him being the replacement for Baath in the long term. Baath will be massive for his development as seems a great pro to learn from

 

[Scout73]

Bathh was incredible last season, without him in that squad once Evans was out we would’ve been knackered. Gave us a real sensible head and kept the lads organised.

Baath has been one of the best signings we have ever made

I think since Speakman and co have come in I would say he's arguably been our best signing (loads to choose from mind)

 

[FellTop]

Can I add that as much as on the field is undeniably going on a massive upward curve, I will continue to reserve judgement on the off field shambles. I really hoping KLD gets a proper grip of it this coming year

Seriously? What makes you say that. Based on the little I hear we are a highly effective operation off the field. A proper club to deal according to one.

 

[Chunksafc]

Seriously? What makes you say that. Based on the little I hear we are a highly effective operation off the field. A proper club to deal according to one.

There have been an awful lots of reports, comments etc about the off the field commercial operation. I'm not talking at all about the playing side, that looks spot on.

The commercial side ran by Steve Davison is a joke

 

[Downeys Loup]

I am surprised to see Baath listed mate. Couple of other posts I have seen talking about him on the way down the pecking order. The lad was unreal last season. Best centre back at the club by some distance for me, based on all we have seen. If he plays 40 odd games this year we wont be far off at all for me. 33 this season, not old for a centre back with legs around him.

I’m not knocking Baath but at 33 I’d love to see someone come through and take his place next to Ballard. Not cause Danny is any worse but someone is performing above his level adding pace and better distribution on top of being rock solid. If we can progress to a level above these guys then we’d be absolutely flying.

 

[FellTop]

There have been an awful lots of reports, comments etc about the off the field commercial operation. I'm not talking at all about the playing side, that looks spot on.

The commercial side ran by Steve Davison is a joke

Does Davison report to Speakman? Pretty sure Speakman is only the football operation.

 

[Chunksafc]

Does Davison report to Speakman? Pretty sure Speakman is only the football operation.

Davison reports to KLD, completely separate to Speakman

 

[FellTop]

Does Davison report to Speakman? Pretty sure Speakman is only the football operation.

Apols. I thought you were saying Speakman, but you said KLD.

 

[FellTop]

Davison reports to KLD, completely separate to Speakman

Misread mate. Sorry.

Even so, is it so bad? The stuff KLD has done re the first team, and the academy is immense. I am forgiving him another yeat or two yet on the peripheral stuff. He came into a complete mess I think. So far we are a different animal in the priority areas.

 

[DELETED ACCOUNT 1234]

I'm surprised we've signed another centre back. I'm finding it difficult to assess the situation with regards to our plans.

It's safe to say that Wright will leave and Anderson will go out on loan.

That leaves definite centre backs Ballard, Batth, Triantis and Seelt. We then have Alese and O'Nien. Either we want them to compete for other positions (LB and CM) or we're going to play 3 at the back. We wouldn't have 6 CB's to play a back 4.

Then of course there's Zak Johnson who won't be in the first team squad next season so might be out on loan too.

 

[Prehab26]

I'm surprised we've signed another centre back. I'm finding it difficult to assess the situation with regards to our plans.

It's safe to say that Wright will leave and Anderson will go out on loan.

That leaves definite centre backs Ballard, Batth, Triantis and Seelt. We then have Alese and O'Nien. Either we want them to compete for other positions (LB and CM) or we're going to play 3 at the back. We wouldn't have 6 CB's to play a back 4.

Then of course there's Zak Johnson who won't be in the first team squad next season so might be out on loan too.

3 back.