There are already a couple of threads about the transfer window, but I thought I'd see what everyone's realistic wish list is for players to come in, aswell as how much you think we may need to spend to achieve this. I'd like to see: - Jack Cork - Andrew Taylor - Eric Lichaj - Ben Turner - 1 other Midfielder And think we could manage this for about £4million, less if we're willing to loan Lichaj.
Anything that cost money forget it we have a slight chamce for Norris Westwood if we sell Schmichaeland any body else so long as they areFREE
Jack Cork Darren Pratley Lichaj Maybe Hoolahan if Snoddy goes,could be part exchange and then they give us 3 mill. One more CB
Not sure who the defenders should be but Jack Cork for £1m and Jason Koumas on a free would be good business to replace our midfield. I know that wouldn't happen but it is a wish list to be fair, an ambitious LUFC board could pull that off easy.
I think I read in YEP that Chelsea wanted £750,000 for Cork, and Blackpool, Southampton and Burnley all want to sign him, so if we should be getting this guy over them. Quality player. Pratley is quality aswell, but I doubt he'll stay in the Championship, he'll either resign with Swansea or go to a different Prem team. Eric Lichaj on a season long loan, or if a permanent transfer can be sorted. Westwood on a free from Coventry - better than Kasper. Koumas would be great but his wages are probably too high. Norris is poor. Scott Danns from Palace was great in the two games against us, he's on a free I think. Then a centreback? Maybe a striker with pace who plays off defenders like Becks did? Leftback - I think Stephen Crainey is looking to leave Blackpool
What about Somma and McCormack? --- McCormack drops off into the hole, and drifts into wide positions, and Somma has said he likes to play off the striker aswell. I rate both of these players, and think they'll be great next season if we play 2 up top, along with Becchio. But none of our strikers has any real pace, and Beckford made runs off the defensive line, to break the offside trap. I think we missed that in a way this season, it would give us a different dimension and can stretch a defence. Look how crucial Simeon Jackson was for Norwich in the run in. Apart from Gradel, we don't actually have many fast players. Plus, when Snodgrass cuts inside from the right, he used to play through passes to Beckford and we scored loads of goals like that.
Thing is, goalscoring's not been a problem at any point during the season. It might be a waste of our limited resources if we go chasing pacy attackers when it's solid defenders and midfielders that we really need to get our hands on. The grass isn't always greener: our attack of Gradel, Howson, Snodgrass and Becchio could well be the best in the Championship next season - I don't think it should be tinkered with.
Are you not a little worried about the lack of pace in our team though? Surely if we do play 4-4-2 (Which I think we will because we started it in the last two games of the season) then having 4 strikers of Becchio, McCormack, Somma and then a pacy striker would give us the best variation. If we do play 4-5-1/4-3-3 then yeah we should keep that attack, but when we play that it's more like 4-2-4, with Snodgrass, Howson, Gradel, and Becchio all very attack minded. With just one striker, Snodgrass and Gradel play much near the box, whilst this provides them with more goals, it makes our defence more exposed. If we have a midfield 4, they play further back on the wings and it provides more cover for the fullbacks.
It probably would, especially Gradel, who if he was actually out on the left wing as appose to the kind of inside left position he's been playing he wouldn't score as much goals. I liked the formation we were playing and it was really attacking, but if we do play 4-4-2 next season, which we might because we played it in the last 2 games, then I think a pacy striker would be a good option. I do think Snodgrass plays better when he has someone like Beckford ahead of him, making runs behind the defence.
Alright Bucks. Nicky Maynard, Zak Whitbread, Joey Barton. Absolutely zero chance of any but I can wish can`t I!
I'd agree with that Phil! Maynard could end up with the golden boot if he came to us! Whitbread I've wanted since before millwall got him but no chance with Barton, but Id settle for Bowyer, he's still got some legs to go box to box!
David Edwards only made 12 starts for Wolves last season. Meant to be an energetic midfield type. Tamika Mkandawire played 35 games for a very well-organized Millwall team last season. Could have got him on a free transfer last summer. He was their player of the year and played in a defensive midfield role. Gutted we didn't get him.
I think were have to wait for Norwich, Swansea and QPR, they seem to be buying up the best players in the championship, The way things are going our defence wont be to troubled next year. Anyone who can score a goals will be playing for them. Like everyone else i think Snoddy WILL GO it just for how much. i don't think we need that many players, After writing that last statement i realise that's not true, 2 midfielders, left/right back. Still not sure if we needs a new centre back, If Paddy and Lees have a good pre-season then we have the Gimp, Bruce, O'Brein, Bromby, do we trust these players.
Dont think we will see Gimpel or Lee's this season. Maybe towards the end of the season but I doubt it
Shaun Barker? He's not bad but Green from Derby would be better. Also Mr Nolan from Newcastle would be awesome. he is one of the best midfielders I have ever seen play in front of the back 4. He is better than Roy Keane ever was IMO. Rid of Paynter and get Nathan Tyson (tho he's on his way to Derby it would seem). Becchio/Somma/McCormack to rotate up front mainly though. GK: Kasps & Westwood DF: Kissa, Lees, OB, Connolly, LB, White, CB (Campbell??), RB (I have no idea who....) MD: Sam, Hows, Max, CM (Nolan!!), Nunez, Snods, Loan CM (Cork?), Watt?? FD: Becchio, Somma, McCormack, SS (Tevez...lol..!!) Tevez was a bit of a joke, we all know he wouldn't get in the team....
First and foremost a central midfielder is the order of the day I'd take any of: Neil Danns, Lee Bowyer, Keith Andrews, Scott Brown, Henri Lansbury Clayton to act as genuine cover for Howson and one of the above, Nunez can also fill in the Howson role. As far as the defence is concerned, I would recruit Lihaj again, a left back (Parnaby or Taylor) and Paynter to be replaced with Leon Best or Dobbie from Swansea. If Snograss goes I'd look for W Hoolahan in return (great player, equal to Snoody in my opinion) or take a 4-5 million and get in Paddy McCourt from Celtic. If Gradel goes we have a problem unless we get a swap that includes Ryan Taylor or Danny Guthrie plus cash. Somehow I think we'll end up with 30+ rejects from other Championship or League One sides (Gavin Rae, Kevin Kilbane, Kevin Philips), signed on 3 or 4 year contracts whilst Snoody, Casper, and Mad Max depart for pastures new.
