Caesium137
Well-known member
ifs, buts, maybe. When we pick the bones over the season we just haven't been consistent enough, with or without injuries.
Key learning points for me are:
- don't throw 8 players in across the first 7 league games like we did this season. We need a slow and steady introduction of new players and some consistency of team selection.
- Getting players in after the season has started means the new signings don't get a pre-season to learn the system we play. That's really important to a team that wants to play passing intricate football as there is less margin for error, and more need to be in synch with each other.
- Our fullback positions have been a nightmare this season, so many players, so little consistency. Need to work on getting proper resolutions for these roles
- If we are playing possession football we need to have a proper CDM in the squad to stop the counter
- You can't go into the season with just 2 dedicated CFs
- You can't go into the season with 12 players having less than 100 league games at this level or equivalent.
Plan:
Get key positions in early. CDM, CF
Other signings may need to get up to speed before we let them play
Any defensive signings must be comfortable on the ball
Make sure we have some experience in the first team
Get any sales out the way quickly, if we are to lose a key player, then it needs to be done early so we know what budget we are working with, otherwise we end up with spendable money sat in the bank again. Discuss with Hackney, and Rav if they want to stay. If yes, then great, if they are open to offers,s et them a deadline of when to get it resolved, otherwise they stay.
Posted this t'other week....
I think if we want to have a 'real go' utilising the 'war chest', then we need first team starters in these positions.
First XI
-----------------------Dieng-----------------------
Signing------Lenihan---------VDB------Signing
-----------Hackney-----------Signing------------
---Jones-------------Signing-----------McGree--
------------------------Signing---------------------
Second XI / rotation options
-----------------------Glover-----------------------
Smith---------Signing---------Clarke------Engel
-----------------Signing-----Barlaser------------
----Forss-------------Azaz------Bangura/Silvera--
--------------------Coburn/Lath--------------------
To leave:
Greenwood (although for £1.5 million I might be tempted)
O'Brien (not seen enough to say he's worth a decent fee and chunk of our wage budget)
Ayling (looked okay at RWB, mainly poor at RB)
Thomas (expected way more, looks lost)
Dijksteel (never fancied, often injured)
Fry (never does enough for me, got all the attributes, doesn't seem to have the ruthlessness or desire, misses a month or more most seasons it seems, a new challenge as a more orthodox champo CB might see him flourish)
McNair (probably too much wage, never 100% cemented a place, if we stick with three CB worth keeping IMO)
Howson (Contentious for some I'm sureI But too old to be counted on, he's not getting any better, poor captain, not athletic or physically imposing enough in a lot of games, maybe keep him if on buttons as a rotation option)
Gilbert (waste of money / squad place)
Hoppe (waste of money / squad place)
Bilongo (can't see him making it at our level)
I should emphasise that this is with a 'going for it' season in mind, if we want a strong push for upper play-offs, outside chance of autos type scenario.
If we want similar to this season, like an about 8th and maybe sneak the play offs scenario with a bit of luck on form and injuries, probably a much less drastic overhaul would be needed.
I also feel there's a bit of a malaise mentally around the squad when we're not steam rolling teams.
We seem to lack fight, belief, aggression, niggle and a bit of shîthousêry. We lack leaders and a vocal organiser. It is primarily for that reason I would try and move on from Howson, Fry (and McNair too), they've been here a long time and been pretty much ever presents in squads that have failed to deliver.
A fresh start with a few more experienced, champo toughened campaigners at fullback and defensive centre mid would transform us I feel (as long as they're of sufficient quality and athleticism to implement Carrick's favoured formation and style of play obviously).
The finishing touch would be an affordable version of Archer and Akpom (or who knows, the real deal!) to not only carry much more goal threat, but crucially hold up the ball and occupy defenders, creating time and space to allow us to play how we want to at the back.
Dig deep Gibbo!
#blowthewarchest