Sorry to make an other predictable article on a similar topic to ones we've already had in the last few days, but today's news of the 4 players being released has got me thinking what our squad looks like now and where we need to strengthen. Here's how I see the squad at the moment: GK - No bugger RB - Rosenior CB - Chester, Cooper LB - Dawson, Dudgeon RM - Garcia - Stewart CM - Harper, Cairney, Evans LM - Koren, Devitt ST - Fryatt, Simpson, McLean, Barmby, Cullen Garcia still needs to sign that contract though. So looking at that we need: 2 Keepers - from Mannone, Guzan, Eilhoff, Myhill 2 CBs - from Ayala Hobbs Gerrard or Shackell if all else fails 2 CM - Danns, Greening, Gary Dicker 1 RB - Cover for Rosenior 1 LM - Lloyd Dyer, Andros Townsend? 1 ST - Jon Parkin? Jay Emmanuel-Thomas? And we need to be getting rid of: McShane Kilbane Olifinjana Bullard (reluctantly) Cullen (Loan) What these 4 would save us in wages would more than cover what we'd have to pay in wages and transfers for the incomings. This is all assuming that JB leaves, if he stays then our midfield would look class, but it seems unlikely at this stage. But anyway, it seems unrealistic we'd be able to sign 11 players (now 9) in this window. Do you think he wants to strengthen all of these? Or are we not going to see some positions covered? Any thoughts on any of this?
Garcia not signed contract yet. Cullen to add to your squad list. Lloyd Dyer is a new name to throw into the mix. Hasnt he been on trial here before in the Brown years.
I realise Garcia hasn't extended his stay but I assume he will sign it. I bloody hope so anyway. Cullen I don't think is ready for the 1st team yet with Fryatt doing his same job so well so I left him out, same with Atkinson. Llyod Dyer was indeed on trial here when he was released by West Brom years ago (I think it was Phil Parkinson in fact) just before signing for MK Dons.
I dont think it is unreasonable to expect us to sign 10 players last season we signed around 18 players either on full contracts of loans. With the 4 already released, plus Bullard, Oli, Macca, Ghilas and Kilbane likely to go (poss bringing in ã3m ish) we will have freed up a lot in wages. The 3 mil would cover Ayala, Hobbs, Dudgeon and Evans deals. Einhoff would be a free as would Danns, add to that Manonne or Guzan on a season long loan or reasonable price full deal (say up to ã1.5 mil) and a RB on loan, we have defence and CM sorted for next to nothing. Personally I think that Koren and Mclean will be going, with another CM, two wingers and another Forward coming in, these been made up of free agents, cheap rising stars or loans, giving us toatal signings of 2x GK 1x LB 3x CB (Ayala, Hobbs plus possibly a loanee) 1x RB 2x Cm 2x Wingers 1x FD Totalling 12 new signing (against 11 I expect to leave)
Good to see our work on signings has started nice and early, Dudgeon and Evans to add to the squad list. I've put a few more names in there for pure speculation too, what does anyone think about those?
