MichaelDebeve
Well-known member
Without any further outgoings, and taking into account the lads who have came in so far, I can see 3 more signings coming in (and any more will be opportunities the club cant pass on...)
Left Back - Obviously Bola now sold (and he appeared in over half of our matches last season in one way or another - which I was surprised about), and listening to Carrick after Rotherham, sounds like he has a plan for Coulson. Mention him being more experienced now, but with areas still to work on. So I see Coulson being kept as our back-up/ Bola's place in the squad. Meaning new left back will come in. Relatively experienced and to be first choice - we all know who we want..... Bixente Lizarazu
Central Midfield - I think this one might split opinion. I still think we are short in this area. For me there is only one CDM in the squad, Howson, and he is not going to play all games. We massively missed him last year towards the end, and I think it was evident that at the moment Hackney and Barlaser are not quite balanced together. Payero is an absolute gamble - and if he is still around come Kick off then who knows what he might add to the squad, but for me CM is short and needs a reliable head in there. An 'Mowett' loan type deal for me would be ideal. I thought Mowett was decent enough especially towards the back end of the season, but ideally we get a Mowett Rev 2 - slight upgrade! .... Emmanuel Petit.
Striker - The obvious one along with the LB position. No hiding on this one, and something will have to happen. Cant see Carrick wanting to tackle the first half of the season with Forss (better on the right) or Rogers (not his natural position by all accounts) up top. Gilbert is still an unknown, and could come good fast but we just dont know. Coburn is going to be in and around the team which is great but he cant be asked to be leading the line Saturday/Tuesday each week yet. So something will happen here - it has too! .....Christophe Dugarry
That is the 3 main areas I think we need right now if the squad doesnt change.
I personally would like a new RB but I just cant see the budget stretching for that, and I imagine Carrick will be comfortable enough with Smith who he has backed from the outset.
Centre-back is another area that might need looking at, especially if any of them move on (McNair) but again money wise this wont be top of the list.
Probably worth getting a few more keepers in too.
Left Back - Obviously Bola now sold (and he appeared in over half of our matches last season in one way or another - which I was surprised about), and listening to Carrick after Rotherham, sounds like he has a plan for Coulson. Mention him being more experienced now, but with areas still to work on. So I see Coulson being kept as our back-up/ Bola's place in the squad. Meaning new left back will come in. Relatively experienced and to be first choice - we all know who we want..... Bixente Lizarazu
Central Midfield - I think this one might split opinion. I still think we are short in this area. For me there is only one CDM in the squad, Howson, and he is not going to play all games. We massively missed him last year towards the end, and I think it was evident that at the moment Hackney and Barlaser are not quite balanced together. Payero is an absolute gamble - and if he is still around come Kick off then who knows what he might add to the squad, but for me CM is short and needs a reliable head in there. An 'Mowett' loan type deal for me would be ideal. I thought Mowett was decent enough especially towards the back end of the season, but ideally we get a Mowett Rev 2 - slight upgrade! .... Emmanuel Petit.
Striker - The obvious one along with the LB position. No hiding on this one, and something will have to happen. Cant see Carrick wanting to tackle the first half of the season with Forss (better on the right) or Rogers (not his natural position by all accounts) up top. Gilbert is still an unknown, and could come good fast but we just dont know. Coburn is going to be in and around the team which is great but he cant be asked to be leading the line Saturday/Tuesday each week yet. So something will happen here - it has too! .....Christophe Dugarry
That is the 3 main areas I think we need right now if the squad doesnt change.
I personally would like a new RB but I just cant see the budget stretching for that, and I imagine Carrick will be comfortable enough with Smith who he has backed from the outset.
Centre-back is another area that might need looking at, especially if any of them move on (McNair) but again money wise this wont be top of the list.
Probably worth getting a few more keepers in too.
