...would remain if we were to be promoted? Which of the players do you consider good enough to mix it with the top players and which do you think would get the chop? We saw the likes of Cairney and Atkinson excel in the PL but struggle in the Championship, so would there be anybody who might be doing a bit crap now but do well at the highest level? Maybe Proschwitz? Out of our starting XI, I'd say: Stockdale Elmo Chester Hobbs Brady Quinn Meyler Gedo Boyd McShane, Dudgeon, Rosenior, Cairney, Fathi, Evans, Fryatt and Aluko would all be fine I think, might be a step too far for Rosenior but he played 70 odd games for Fulham so he can't be all bad. Not sure about Koren, think the pace of the game might catch up with him but then he wouldn't be playing as many matches and wouldn't tire as much.
Atkinsonexcelled?? Eh tommy? Evans certainly not good enough. AB macca neither. Faye too old unfortunately. The rest are worth sticking with and if we came straight back down, keep em together and go again.
These are the players I would keep should we go up (assuming loans stay): Stockdale Oxley (3rd choice) Chester Hobbs Rosenior Dudgeon Brady Meyler Quinn Cairney Koren Elmo Boyd Aluko Gedo Fryatt
Yes: Stockdale, Chester, Hobbs, Elmo, Brady, Meyler, Quinn, Boyd, Aluko, Koren Maybe: McShane, Bruce, Roseinior, Fathi (haven't seen much of him yet), Dudgeon, Cairney (was a better player there last time), Fryatt I think if we get promoted we'd need to make at least 4-5 signings, another CB if we are going to continue playing 3-5-2 (if 4-4-2 McShane/Bruce will be suficient cover), a permanent keeper (Myhill's out of contract for a cheap option) and we've got to look at getting Elmo and Gedo permanently. And then possibly another midfielder to play with Meyler and Koren/Quinn Plus a left back if we are going to play 4-4-2
You might be right on Proschwitz. The thing is you get more time on the ball so people like Koren and Cairney might be more suited to the PL.
We saw Atkinson excel in the top-flight... I'm guessing you did a lot of experimenting with hallucinogens in 2010?
He did more for us in the PL than he did in the Championship. To be fair I was being generous; he was too lightweight for the Championship, a bit like Devitt.
I actually wouldn't cut any of the existing squad, or look to make too many additions. We made that mistake last time. I would rather get relegated after one season and spend the money on providing state of the art indoor/outdoor training facilities and an academy. rather than a stadium at Melton, why not stick our academy and training facilities down their? Easy to access from anywhere and plenty of spare land to accommodate lots of pitches and space. We really need to up the ante in terms of our facilities and developing our youth players.
I did. It followed a lot of experiments in 2009, 2008, 2007, 2006, 2005, 2004, 2003, 2002, 2001, 2000, 1999, 1998, 1997, 1996, 1995, 1994, 1993, 1992, 1991, 1990, 1989, 1988, 1987, 1986, 1985, 1984, 1983, 1982, 1981, 1980, 1979, 1978 and 1977. PS - Wasted half an hour typing that...
Did he not play twice in the PL...... I think the step up would be to far for quite a lot of the squad if we kept them together as they where, but with 6/7 new signings around them you might be alright. For instance if the whole back five played as they are now we would struggle, however get Chester Hobbs with an experienced centre half and we will be fine. The key is to make the spine of the team quality, get someone with that bit of quality on the ball which will make it easier for Quinn and Meyler. I would be tempted to push Elmo as a full on winger and get a new full back to.
Yeah he made two PL appearances but he scored a goal and looked livelier than he did as a Championship player.
Ironically, despite what we've seen this season, if we got promoted, I'd book a cab for McShane and offer Cairney a new deal, he looked so much better in the Premier League.
He looks better post injury - he's worked on his fitness and lost some timber. I think McShane and Cairney will both be here next season, irrespective of division. If TC can learn from DM, he can be a top midfielder. I love Meylers work ethic, his appetite to get into space and win the ball. Awesome energy levels.
From our current squad there are quite a few players who look like they could cut it for us in the top flight: Stockdale, Hobbs, Chester, Quinn, Brady, Elmo, Meyler, Cairney, Koren, Boyd, Aluko, Gedo and Proschwitz (top flight could suit him more than championship). Then there's some maybes: Evans, Dudgeon, Fathi and Rosenior
I'm sure he's more than happy to go on the team coach with all the other lads. Though I do agree we need to at least offer our best players special treatment.
I get the impression that the rest of the team would quite like him on the team coach, even if he didn't play for us.
I'd expect the following to be with us in the Prem next year Stockdale Chester Hobbs Faye Macca Dudgeon Bruce Meyler Fathi Evans Elmo Koren Quinn Brady Cairney Boyd Aluko Gedo Fryatt Sold...Jakupovic Rosenior Stewart Simpson Proschwitz McLean Free...Olofinjana Loaned Out...Townsend Wilson Devitt Oxley East Retired...Dawson Adds ...GK, Strikers (2)
If we go up we will need QUALITY Premiership experience in one or two positions. When I say quality I don't mean a Suarez or a Lampard or a Fellaini. I mean the types who know what to do in a survival scrap and have succeeded in that. A lot also depends on Steve Bruce's intentions about formation as far as our "standard" choice is concerned.
