So the recruitment for this summer is looking incredibly positive and exciting making it definitely the biggest in the history of the club and it really is a pinch yourself moment in terms of how far we have come as a club. I'm impressed with the players we have signed. Impressed by the players we are linked with and now currently have the strongest team the club has ever had in 110 years. These are the most exciting times in the clubs history with Premiership survival, increased reputation, first time in Europe, FA Cup Final and impressive signings. We are now living through the best years in the clubs history and so much of what we are currently doing is history making. The only reason I mention this is to put into context my question. It is a necessary question but I want to not get carried away and respect that in 1 season from summer to summer we have spent so far around £50 million pound, not to mention the money spent of loan fees, clauses, agent fees and wages. I have complete faith in the Allams knowing that they are astute businessmen. I would hope they wouldn't do anything to put the club in jeopardy and that the money is available and not dangerous speculation like the previous regime. Its fair to say we have also been making much more money than ever before and staying in the league is apparently worth 60million as well as two new sponsorships. So where do we need to strengthen? Based on rumours you would guess around 5 signings but I would say it is more likely to be 3. Full Back Ryan Bertrand, Danny Rose, Andy Robertson. Center Back x2 Main target being Michael Dawson. Potential signing of Harry Maguire or a loan move for Kenneth Omeruo. Creative Central Midfielder Some more creative depth in the middle of the field to alleviate the pressure on Huddlestone. Teams worked out that if they stopped Huddlestone playing then they stopped us playing. It would be nice to have another creative outlet that can be there if Huddlestone gets injured or to play at the same time and free up Huddlestone to do what he does best. Although the signings of Snodgrass and Ince may have changed the need. Striker Probably the least needed position but with Fryatt gone it would possibly be a position we need to strengthen. Possibly Bentder (I hope not or a young loan signing but I can't see many players wanting to come here and be in line over the current 4/5 strikers we currently have. Any moves for these positions could possibly see the likes of McShane move out on loan or possibly permanently. Goalkeeper McGregor - Harper - Jakupovic - Oxley Defender Dudgeon - Chester - Rosenior - McShane - Davies - Brady - Elmohamady - Bruce - Figueroa - Dawson (potential) Midfield Meyler - Brady - Elmohamady - Aluko - Huddlestone - Livermore - Boyd - Ince - Snodgrass - Quinn Forward Aluko - Proschwitz - Jelavic - Long - Sagbo - Brady And Finally some Reserve prospects that might make the first team squad.
I actually think we should look for a right back rather than left back. Rosey is excellent on either side, but if he got injured the only other option on the right is Elmo, who isn't a very convincing defender. On the left we already have Figueroa who is better than what we saw of him last season, and Dudgeon and Brady to fill in if we get desperate. I wouldn't expect more than one or two players now unless we do it fairly cheaply, and I'd expect those to be a centre half and/or a full back.
I think our loan options will be for a striker and CB cover. Angelo Henriquez was mooted at the beginning of the transfer window, he'd do as cover. I'd happily take Omeruo, he looks like an excellent prospect. I'd also take Tiago Illori from Liverpool if he was available, he did well at Granada last season and is highly rated in Scouseland. I agree with Hattie, a RB seems a more plausible area to strengthen.
A centre forward, centre half, left back, right back. Though I do agree with Hat on the RB cover - maybe we have another youngster lined up in addition to the lad at Dundee?
A first choice left back, a back up right back, a proper creative midfielder and a striker (not sure how badly we need one though?) I think we'll see a lot of one up top formations next year.
I can't agree with the "Striker" being the 'least needed position'. Jelly and Long will be very fortunate to reach 20 goals between them which is not good enough at this level. Fryatt was a 110% man but not a Premiership striker who will be much happier in the Championship. Aluko is a 'one-man-band' who is 'bound for glory' every time he gets the ball whilst Sagbo went to the same school-for-strikers as Altidore. We DO need another option (or two) up front as (perish the thought) if Jelly or Long get injured then we are cactus. We seem to be assembling a very good defence and midfield so we should hold our own next season but we really do need to hit the back of the net more often. I believe Management have got this in hand and would expect another striker to be signed as well as an 'on loan' striker who would be either an established (at this level) striker or a younger one with potential depending on the quality of the new signing.
I imagine now with the signings of ince and snodgrass long and jelavic will get far better service and could both easily get ten goals a piece next season
Having two strikers hitting 10 goals is 'not good enough'?? Geeze.. I think people are expecting to run before we walk. If we get two players in the double figures for goals, with a healthy contribution from midfield as we've had the season just past, we will be fine.
Bruce himself said "We certainly need another five or six players" in an interview after the FA Cup Final.. Livermore Snodgrass Ince *Left Back *Centre Back *Striker 6 players is about right unless of course we sell any players. If we can bring in say Dawson, Bendtner & Robertson we would have had a very successful transfer window, probably our best to date.
Those three would do me. If Dawson and Robertson are tied up in the next few days even that would do me. As you say, very very successful window. Surprised at how well we've been able to get our targets, Lescott aside.
Yeah Lescott would have been the icing on the cake, better than Dawson in my opinion and available on a free too.
I completely agree apart from Bendtner. Albeit on paper, he is definitely going to strengthen the squad, likely going into the starting eleven. I just think the whole thing around his ego just does not sit well with me. Would he effect the dynamic of the team and disrupt things (do other players even care that much)???? I don't know, he might be a right laugh at parties and get on with his team mates. Either way, guess SB's judgement is better than ours, especially that he knows the player personally.
I agree with a lot of these posts. The need for a striker isn't that great. Long and Jelavic are the envy of a lot of our rivals and Sagbo is a lot better than people think. We've got a great midfield now; just need a left back and centre back now for me.
agree cant believe people saying we dont need a striker, we need 2 bring in, if you need to score goals ( which you do if you want to win games ) iam sorry but Jelly just isnt going to cut it imho !
Jelavic has already shown he can cut it, as has Long. I can't see the owners being too happy if one of the strikers we broke our transfer record to sign only 6 months ago was now to be replaced.
I like the balance we have up front. 4 different players each with different styles who between them offer everything from pace, flair, aerial target, strength, workmanship, goal predator, hold up play, gamesmanship and pretending to headbutt opponents and everything in between. We've got something for everything.
Why wouldn't he cut it? He scored just as many goals as Shane Long last season, who people seem to rate far more? I reckon Jelavic will be our top scorer next season, with Long as more of a creative influence.
I beg to differ as only two Clubs scored less than we did least season and they both went down. Our defence saved us last season. A 'goal-a-game' ratio is not really good enough and if Jelly and Long do make 20 goals between them it leaves the midfield/defence to make up another 18. Like I said, I believe that Management will/are addressing this problem as there has to be better options than Aluko and Sagbo as with the millions being spent on new players they are well below average for this league.
i just think Jelly's finishing is poor tbh....didn't realize he'd scored as many as Long, Maybe Jellys reading of the game is a bit better than i thought to get in better finishing positions than Long ?, either way due to other competitions we still need extra upfront as Sagbo is not up to this standard and Aluko although classy when fit unfortunately isn't fit that often :]
