Mayor Goldie Wilson
Well-known member
I'm getting excited about next season already. I really think if we a) buy well like we have this season and b) start well, we could be in for a really strong season.
Carrick has proven this season that he is more than capable of getting a tune out of what is a long way from the strongest squad in the league. Looking at the squad as it is now, there are not many additions we are in need of. I think it will be a case of quality over quantity, and we could really kick on.
GK - we are set. Dieng is the undisputed number 1. I think Jones will leave, Glover possibly sold. Hemming and Brynn is an interesting one, as realistically they are not going to play regular football here while Dieng is at the club. Loans to the Championship might benefit both to see how they step up. If Glover is sold, could we offer Roberts another deal as our number 2?
RB - I think offering Ayling a contract is an absolute no brainer. Obviously he has been excellent in his performances, but his professionalism and know how are priceless. I think Dijksteel will be sold, and wouldn't be surprised if Smith moved on. I would like to see a young right back with potential brought in to learn from Ayling with a view to eventually succeeding him.
LB - we are set. Engel and Bangura both look more than good enough to compete with each other, and both are slightly different profiles. Thomas is an interesting one though, clearly the recruitment team have liked him for a while, and with him being available on a free in the summer it might make financial sense to try and make some money on one of Engel and Bangura if we can bring Thomas in on a free.
CB - van den Berg and Clarke are first choice now surely? With Lenihan and Fry to come back and McNair likely to leave will we need anything more? Fry's injury record last couple of years is a concern, and if we can get some money for him I wouldn't be surprised if he moved on. As with right back, a young centre back with potential to learn from Clarke and Lenihan isn't a bad idea.
CM - an interesting one. I can only see us signing O'Brien if Hackney is sold, and I'm not 100% sure that many clubs will come in for him this summer as he hasn't played a lot of football this season. He has probably played less than a full season in the Championship for us, looking at when he came into the team last season and the long spells out this season. Howson will clearly sign a new deal, and I think Carrick likes Barlaser, so can't see him being sold. We will need another to replace O'Brien if he isn't retained, but if either leave, I think we will need a first team quality replacement, as we can't need to start moving away from Howson starting every single game.
RW - we are set. Jones is obviously at the club long term with his new deal, and Carrick sees Forss as our first choice there for me.
LW - an interesting one. The club are actively in talks with McGree over a new deal, however I can't see Greenwood being retained, and I think Silvera needs a good loan move where is plays regular football. A left winger with a different profile to McGree is what I think we need, as at the moment Silvera flatters to deceive, and Azaz is a similar profile to McGree.
10 - This depends on what we do with left wing I think. If we don't sign another left sided player I think we will sign a 10, as Azaz will play there when McGree isn't available. It will be interesting to see what happens to Alex Gilbert too - he has looked good since the Southampton game I think and could be playing himself into a much more involved role next season. Provided we sign a left winger I don't think Azaz and Gilbert as your 2 options at 10 are bad at all, especially as McGree can play there if needed.
CF - I think we need 1 more. Obviously Latte Lath needs no comment and has been superb for weeks. He has to be our first choice 9 next season. I have never though Coburn will score enough goals for where we want to be, and as good as he is at bringing others into the game, we don't score enough goals from elsewhere to get away with a striker that doesn't score many goals.
I think we will look for a right back, possibly a centre back, centre midfielder, either a 10 or left winger, and a striker.
Oh, and give Carrick whatever he wants to sign a new contract.
UTB
Carrick has proven this season that he is more than capable of getting a tune out of what is a long way from the strongest squad in the league. Looking at the squad as it is now, there are not many additions we are in need of. I think it will be a case of quality over quantity, and we could really kick on.
GK - we are set. Dieng is the undisputed number 1. I think Jones will leave, Glover possibly sold. Hemming and Brynn is an interesting one, as realistically they are not going to play regular football here while Dieng is at the club. Loans to the Championship might benefit both to see how they step up. If Glover is sold, could we offer Roberts another deal as our number 2?
RB - I think offering Ayling a contract is an absolute no brainer. Obviously he has been excellent in his performances, but his professionalism and know how are priceless. I think Dijksteel will be sold, and wouldn't be surprised if Smith moved on. I would like to see a young right back with potential brought in to learn from Ayling with a view to eventually succeeding him.
LB - we are set. Engel and Bangura both look more than good enough to compete with each other, and both are slightly different profiles. Thomas is an interesting one though, clearly the recruitment team have liked him for a while, and with him being available on a free in the summer it might make financial sense to try and make some money on one of Engel and Bangura if we can bring Thomas in on a free.
CB - van den Berg and Clarke are first choice now surely? With Lenihan and Fry to come back and McNair likely to leave will we need anything more? Fry's injury record last couple of years is a concern, and if we can get some money for him I wouldn't be surprised if he moved on. As with right back, a young centre back with potential to learn from Clarke and Lenihan isn't a bad idea.
CM - an interesting one. I can only see us signing O'Brien if Hackney is sold, and I'm not 100% sure that many clubs will come in for him this summer as he hasn't played a lot of football this season. He has probably played less than a full season in the Championship for us, looking at when he came into the team last season and the long spells out this season. Howson will clearly sign a new deal, and I think Carrick likes Barlaser, so can't see him being sold. We will need another to replace O'Brien if he isn't retained, but if either leave, I think we will need a first team quality replacement, as we can't need to start moving away from Howson starting every single game.
RW - we are set. Jones is obviously at the club long term with his new deal, and Carrick sees Forss as our first choice there for me.
LW - an interesting one. The club are actively in talks with McGree over a new deal, however I can't see Greenwood being retained, and I think Silvera needs a good loan move where is plays regular football. A left winger with a different profile to McGree is what I think we need, as at the moment Silvera flatters to deceive, and Azaz is a similar profile to McGree.
10 - This depends on what we do with left wing I think. If we don't sign another left sided player I think we will sign a 10, as Azaz will play there when McGree isn't available. It will be interesting to see what happens to Alex Gilbert too - he has looked good since the Southampton game I think and could be playing himself into a much more involved role next season. Provided we sign a left winger I don't think Azaz and Gilbert as your 2 options at 10 are bad at all, especially as McGree can play there if needed.
CF - I think we need 1 more. Obviously Latte Lath needs no comment and has been superb for weeks. He has to be our first choice 9 next season. I have never though Coburn will score enough goals for where we want to be, and as good as he is at bringing others into the game, we don't score enough goals from elsewhere to get away with a striker that doesn't score many goals.
I think we will look for a right back, possibly a centre back, centre midfielder, either a 10 or left winger, and a striker.
Oh, and give Carrick whatever he wants to sign a new contract.
UTB
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