Thought Barnett looked good alongside Bassong earlier in the season. But Bassong, Turner and Bennett are ahead of him with possibly Martin also acting as cover and the possibility of new centre backs coming in in the summer. But Ward and Ayala would go before Barnett.
I agree with the consensus that many of them are squad players, and I personally wouldn't be looking for them all to leave. I would hope to keep hold of Surman, Bennett, Holt, and maybe even Barnett. Based on selection policy thus far though it doesn't look like Bennett et al will get a fair crack of the proverbial whip.
can we include on this ins and outs, out with negative defensive limited ball-retention tactics, to improved ball-retention attacking football?
To adapt from #BHW's post: Out (very little chance of playing for us again): Elliot Ward Daniel Ayala James Vaughan Chris Martin (Contract) Marc Tierney Lee Camp (Contract) Out (for the right price or if replacements come in): David Fox Leon Barnett Elliott Bennett Andrew Surman Declan Rudd In: Realistically we need 2 Left Backs, because Garrido is out of contract, though we do have the option. I'd certainly like competition for him though, Luke Shaw would be nice but I really can't see him being cheap enough for us. Whittaker may be able to cover LB, so the 2nd LB would have to be the right player at the right price A Defensive Midfielder -the key signing for me, more than happy for us to smash our transfer record to bring the right player in. Having someone really solid who can also pick a pass will help us immensely going forward. It means we could dispense with the current necessity of 2 DMs, and have a different type of player in the centre to suit the game. Whether that's Howson going box-to-box, Surman helping with creativity, Fox helping us keep possession, or Johson/Tettey to keep things tight in tougher games, we'll have much more flexibility. At the moment we really only have Tettey and Johnson who play this position naturally, so at the very least we need competition for them. A winger, Pilks certainly needs genuine competition/cover, because Hoolahan shouldn't be forced out wide when we need him centrally. I'd like to see Kamara tried out there properly before the end of the season as I feel he could support the lone striker better in the middle. As for actual names, Nathan Redmond would be interesting, and with Birmingham's supposed financial ill-health may be relatively cheap. I can't remember if he favours the left or right side though. A Centre Back. Again, genuine competition/cover for the Bassong-Turner partnership would be ideal. I've never seen Curtis Davies but he sounds interesting from what I've read. As Ryan Bennett seems to have limited chances at the moment, I wouldn't be adverse to loaning him out for perhaps the first half of the season. Striker. I genuinely think 1 up top is the way to go, so perhaps a line-up of Holt, Becchio, Kamara and AN Other would be sufficient. Wolfswinkel as the new guy sounds too good to happen, but whoever signs I'd like them to have pace, as well as the aerial threat of Holt. As I've said elsewhere, Holt being slower than most defenders means teams can take a high line against us, which gives Hoolahan less space to work in. Someone who can threaten to get behind defences would help in this respect. Ideally I'd like them to be good technically as well. I'd like to think Butterfield would be competition for Hoolahan next season, and Howson could also maybe challenge for a more advanced midfield role, but we'll see. It's another position I wouldn't be adverse to strengthening. I've probably suggested too much though, that's 5 new signings, and turning 2 loans permanent, with a similar number leaving.
The Holt era is coming to an end. He won't be prepared to be a bench warmer. I can easily see Leeds offering him the captain's arm-band and regular starts alongside Morison next season.
please fix that rank formatting DH and Max, I meant more that this thread isn't inherently about our playing style and I have no idea in seeing it turn into one because there are already about 8 a week. DH, Can't see us getting Redmond, he's comfortably a good enough signing for a regular top-half team. I don't have a better suggestion right now though!
Personally I think we'll see a huge overhaul of the squad and was thinking about posting something similar last night, but got distracted and never got round to it Permanent Outs: Camp - short term contract Barnett - never quite made it Ward - Championship defender at best Tierney - just not favoured by Hughton Surman - just a hunch Fox - Hughton just doesn't fancy him Jackson - gives 110% but isn't quite good enough at this level Vaughan - injury prone C.Martin - wrong attitude E.Bennett - same as Surman, just a hunch Loans: Rudd - needs games Steer - same as Steer Smith - last chance to prove himself? Ayala - same as Steer Ins: A left back (or two): We'll definitely need one, maybe two, depending on whether or not we keep hold of Garrido A centre back: We need better cover for Bassong and Turner. Ryan Bennett will get there but he's not quite ready yet A winger: We have Snodgrass and Pilkington and that's really it. Bennett tries but he hasn't really quite managed to make the step up A central midfielder: Just have a hunch we'll get someone in to push Tettey/Johnson and Howson A striker: We have an aging Holt and Becchio. It's not certain Kamara will sign and I think Jackson, Vaughan and Martin will be off. Serious question now. There's been a lot of criticism aimed at Hughton for being too defensive this season and playing two defensive midfielders for most of the season. We currently have three defensive midfielders in Johnson, Tettey and Fox, although it seems likely Fox will leave in the summer. So why do people want to see us sign another defensive midfielder? I'm not looking for abuse, I'm not trying to stir up an argument I'm genuinely curious as to why people think we should sign another DM and potentially end up in the same situation next season and be questioning why Johnson/Tettey/new DM aren't playing.
Dazz, I think that people are looking for an upgrade in DM to one capable of protecting the backline but also capable of some creativity and decent distribution to join the team up and improve us going forward. At the moment with Johnson/Tetty we have a couple of tough tacklers and hard workers who do a decent job protecting the defence but, particularly in recent times, have struggled with distribution and creativity which has stifled our performances to the point where some board members have imploded with frustration.
I think firstly it's because we currently have a lack of real competition there. If Johnson-Tettey is the first choice partnership, and Fox out of favour, we have no natural DM's to cover or compete with them. Also, whilst Tettey offered something going forward when in-form, he hasn't for a while. Someone who can tackle like Johnson, and pass like Fox, would keep the defensive solidity we've got with this formation, but make us better at keeping the ball, and offer creativity from deeper. Johnson is not a bad passer per se, he just doesn't necessarily have the vision to go over the defence to play in a winger or striker, or the control and creativity to start intricate moves with Hoolahan and create space. For several seasons, when Hoolahan performs and others don't, Hoolahan looks like he's 3 or 4 moves ahead of everyone else, so when he makes space he can end up in a dead end because nobody has made the correct run, or passing into space which he thinks should be filled. Hopefully this would solve the problem.
Cheers guys, hadn't really thought about it in that sense. So more of a Fox/Johnson mash up as opposed to an out and out defensive midfielder then?
If were putting some names forward I'd be interested in Liam Bridcutt with a view to playing him as a DM on his own in home games giving us a better springboard for attacking play
I'd certainly be interested in Bridcutt, but I don't feel he'd be the 'next level' DM we're after, although he'd certainly add competition. If he was to be the only addition to the squad in that position I'd be disappointed.
I think there will certainly be players leaving, but probably not on the scale suggested here. Barnett, Tierney, Fox, Jackson, and one GK could go, leaving room for five quality replacements. RVW or someone similar as striker, possibly Curtis Davies as CB along with Bridcutt or another DM from abroad who can attack as well. A quality LB as competition for Garrido if he stays is another priority. the emphasis should be on quality rather than quantity, IMO.
I know carla have already been told off It is partly related though, better players will hopefully bring better more attractive play
The only players I am desperate to see leave from the first squad are Jackson and E Bennett. I'd also probably sell Pilkington and possibly Johnson if we had suitable bids. I'd loan out Butterfield and Howson. That would free up a bringing in a DM who can pass and a further two central midfielders with the focus on passing. I think we need 3 more midfielders who are comfortable on the ball so there is at least the option to do so I think the signing Becchio was a waste of time because his movement is so bad. I have a feeling that the whole Kamara thing could well be a flash in the pan who'll drift into obscurity as the season develops. I hope not because I like him. So we need a Wolfswinkle and a someone who can play with him up front and 3 midfielders with an emphasis on possession to give us some options. No more 6 foot plus players please Hughton, small slight and mobile please.
