What a load of poo that is. Nick's playing 4-2-3-1 because that's the formation he wants to play, not because we have Koren, I would have thought that was quite obvious from the fact that the system hasn't changed while Koren has been out. Garcia can't get a game this season, he hasn't a prayer of getting one next season. Altidore earns well over double what any of our current players earn, he's scored 10 goals in 27 league games this season, his team are top of the league in Holland and will be in the Champions League next season, there's as much chance of him coming back to us, as there is of Messi signing. Get a grip.
Well said Lamby, 100% on the formation, we dont have the striker to play one up front but Nick has stuck to his beliefs and I cant see anything changing his mind but can I just ask Ned what makes him think Ricketts will drop out of the prem to be cover in the Championship
Its called an opinion. And I may be talking poo but this system isnt exactly firing us up the league is it?
Wouldn't be surprised if we looked at Paul Green (again) and Jacob Mellis. Both relatively good and free in the summer I believe (Mellis already free, worth a trial?). Giles Branes is also fit and free and will be avaiable in the summer, although being linked with PL. Back up to Rosenior is tricky, would be hard to get a decent loan in because they'd be second fiddle. Will probably have to look to a young player in the lower leagues with first team experience behind him to challenge for the spot. I wouldn't be surprised if all our strikers left bar Cullen who needs a loan where he actually plays. Fryatt would be a good addition for any team in the Champ or Lower PL who play 4-4-2. If we have any money in summer it has to go towards strikers. Surely Mclean and Simpson would make good make weights for players like Madine, Rhodes, Wright Phillips ect. What i'm trying to say is, even if there isn't much if any money available there will still be alot of talent available on frees or with a bit of wheeling and dealing. No need to panic. UTT
I reckon Fryatt maybe told he's allowed to find himself a new club as he doesn't fit our system, shame as he's a bloody good striker, but it's just the way it is. Sneaky bid for Carlton cole or Ricky lambert?
Neither would I, he's someone we nearly signed this season. I've just had a chat with someone who's quite well connected with our owners, he says as long as we shift the historic high earners in the summer, there will be money to spend.
That's good news Lambie Who do we think are our top 10 earners? Olafinjana - 1 year left Kilbane - last year McShane - 1 year left Ghilas - 1 year left Dawson - likely pay reduction as out of contract isn't he - still not signed extension Koren Then a gap probably to the likes of Hobbs Rosenior Fryatt and the rest Not sure I'm far wrong so removing the bulk of that top 6 would improve our finances no end. Watching Swansea earlier reminded me of the way we play. They had to spend £3.5m to find a striker to fit their mould
Obviously Oli, Ghilas and McShane top the list, Adebola, Kilbane, Harper, Atkinson, Garcia, Basso are all out of contract, along with Mannone, Gulacsi, King and Brady. That's 13 players on their way and I expect one or two others will be added to the available list, we may try and sign a couple of the loanees, but that's still a lot of players out the door if we can find homes for them.
In theory we only need to find homes for 3 as the others won't be our problem McShane should be easy to offload, but we might have to pay a % of his wages for the last season Olafinjana might be a little easier to offload too. His stock will be reasonably high following last season. We can put most of this season down to match fitness following long lay off Ghilas is an unknown quantity but expect him to disappear on a similar deal to this season where we pick up a % of his wages The above list sound like a lot but in reality of that 13 mentioned 7 barely feature and four are GKs. I fully expect decent offers to be accepted for McLean, Fryatt, Koren and maybe Chester/ McLean will have deprecitated but the other three will incur more revenue than we shelled out for them
£6m+ for Cole and thats only if they don't go up and then half the Premiership would be in there for him anyway, Lambert won't be going anywhere soon either unless someone shoves £4m+ under their nose after the season hes having at the moment
We need to find a forward like Gary Madine before he signs for a club like Sheffield Wednesday as they got him for 800k, where as now they will want 2m+ no doubt. The key is to find them young and develop them if your not going to spend a fortune.
Olofinjana, Kilbane, McShane and Ghilas won't go anywhere. We haven't managed to get rid of them so far because they aren't worth a quarter of what we have been and will have to pay them. That will only continue.
I reckon if Josh King was tamed a little bit and was played off the shoulder of the last defender he'd get us a few goals. Worth a gamble in my opinion... Probably better than what we have anyway.
