Azaz is getting goal scoring opportunities which is a good thing playing from the no10 position. He's had at least 4 pretty good opportunities in his 3 games so far and I'm sure he'll be disappointed not to have taken a couple of them, His goalscoring record is good. I'm sticking with Azaz as a player who could be really good for us even if he hasn't set the world alight yet. I think he could be a really good player for us next season.
I've seen absolutely nothing to suggest that, but I hope you are right.
We don't have a strong (top 6) first 11 this season from a current squad of 29 players as listed on the club's own website.
4 of those players end their loan periods at the end of the season, though theoretically could be new signings again for next season. (Ayling, Thomas, Greenwood, O'Brien)
3 more leave as their contracts end. (McNair, Howson, J Jones).
It seems inevitable Crooks is leaving now.
Roberts also leaves as his Barnsley loan ends as he is out of contract, but not on the club website.
That is 8 departures from the 29.
Let's leave the made up categorisations and look at positions, and the remainder of the 21 players listed currently on the club website, PLUS 2 other Men under contract, but currently out on loan not on the website.(Hemmings, Coulson).
I exclude those listed by the club purely as U21 or U18.
So on July 1st we will open the window and still have a squad of 24 senior players under contract to at least June 2025.
4 GK -
Dieng (2027), Glover (2027), Hemming (2026, loan at St Mirren), Brynn (2026, loan at Orient).
2 RB - Smith (2025), Dijksteel (2025)
3 LB - Engel (2027), Bangura (2027) Coulson (2025)
4 CB -
VdB (2027), Fry (2026), Lenihan (2026), Clarke (2025/26 option)
2 CM -
Hackney (2027), Barlaser (2026)
5 AM/Winger - McGree (2025), Jones (2025),
Forss (2026), Azaz (2028), Gilbert (2027) Silvera (2026)
3 CF/Striker - Coburn (2027), Latte Lath (2027), Hoppe (2026)
(Only VdB of them is technically an U21 next season).
I don't see a top 6 first team in that 24 man squad unless we flog them/free them/loan them out.
Let alone a top 2 team.
McGree and Jones will have to sign a new deal, or be sold. That would seem the financial reality. Dijksteel too.
(I'd personally be looking to extend all 3).
I see Dieng, VdB, Hackney and Forss as high quality Championship starters. McGree and Fry will probably also be strong enough for that.
That leaves 5 high quality signings to come in and be season ready.
RB is a massive priority. I don't think Ayling or Smith is what we need at all and would rather have Dijksteel as the cover for a quality recruit.
LB is also a massive priority. Thomas may prove to be very good, but if a free transfer he will have options, if not he will not be cheap to buy. I'd keep Bangura as cover, sell Engel and chase Coulson.
CM is also a massive priority. Howson could be re-signed as cover and influence, but we desperately need a high quality CM signing. I think it should be better than O'Brien who will not be cheap either.
AM/W has quantity (unless McGree/Jones leave), but not enough quality. We desperately need a high quality No10 to leave Azaz as cover. Sell Gilbert and Banana Boots.
CF is essential. I'd chase Hoppe and have no faith in Lath.
So, even if McGree, Jones and Dijksteel stay and sign new contracts, then we need 5 high quality first choice, not just first team signings, plus additional cover/development at CM, LW and CF.
High quality RB,LB,CM,No10,CF
Cover/Development CB, CM, LW, CF
If McGree, or Jones are sold then they too will need replacing. See also Hackney, VdB, Dieng, Forss.
We probably can't afford to buy high quality in those 5 positions. I'd sign high quality and borrow high quality.