The foundations are in place

B

B_G

Well-known member
To build on for next season. Or so we keep hearing.

Don't see it myself.

Dieng
VDB
Fry
Hackney

That's about it. That's what we've got to work with and build around. Huge overhaul required and good luck shifting some of that garbage they've signed last year
 
B_G said:
To build on for next season. Or so we keep hearing.

Don't see it myself.

Dieng
VDB
Fry
Hackney

That's about it. That's what we've got to work with and build around. Huge overhaul required and good luck shifting some of that garbage they've signed last year
Click to expand...
At least 2 of them will be sold in the summer imo.
 
B_G said:
To build on for next season. Or so we keep hearing.

Don't see it myself.

Dieng
VDB
Fry
Hackney

That's about it. That's what we've got to work with and build around. Huge overhaul required and good luck shifting some of that garbage they've signed last year
Click to expand...
The other elephant in the room is, if a premier league club comes in for Hackney and VDB, their head is turned and it’s difficult to hang on to them..especially if the chances of promotion look slim.
Over the years I have seen players who have been denied a move and they don’t look the same player, you have their agent in the ear.
 
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B_G said:
To build on for next season. Or so we keep hearing.

Don't see it myself.

Dieng
VDB
Fry
Hackney

That's about it. That's what we've got to work with and build around. Huge overhaul required and good luck shifting some of that garbage they've signed last year
Click to expand...
To be honest Fry has as many poor games as great ones it seems to me, and is regularly injured. He is a competent Champo centre back in many set-ups. But he never really looks super comfortable playing as Carrick wants him to.

The fact we have relied on Fry and Howson as mainstays for a number of seasons is more of a negative for me, they're not 'pushing for auto-promotion' level players, too nice, too meh, not ruthless or tough enough (again IMO).

The fact we look ten times worse without them is frankly horrifying though!
 
Mysonpat. said:
The other elephant in the room is, if a premier league club comes in for Hackney and VDB, their head is turned and it’s difficult to hang on to them..especially if the chances of promotion look slim.
Over the years I have seen players who have been denied a move and they don’t look the same player, you have their agent in the ear.
Click to expand...

It doesn’t have to be a Premier League club to get their heads turned now.
Coventry could do it
 
B_G said:
To build on for next season. Or so we keep hearing.

Don't see it myself.

Dieng
VDB
Fry
Hackney
Click to expand...
Posted this last week on the building for next season thread, I think we have a few we can build around next season, but we need a couple of absolute first team quality upper champo bottom / PL level ability players who are tough, ruthless and experienced to come in and hit the ground running (by late July ideally). Unfortunately two of them will be very expensive and difficult to fill positions at 9 & 10. A two years ago Sander Berge or Josh Brownhill type in CM and two fullbacks who can do what Carrick wants going forward, but have enough athleticism and nous to be competent defensively too.

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
O'Brien (unless he improves)
Ayling (old and shyté)
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, a new challenge as a more orthodox champo CB might see him flourish)
McNair (probably too much wage, never really cemented a place)
Howson (too old to be counted on, he's not getting better, poor captain, not athletic or physically imposing enough in a lot of games)
Gilbert (waste of money / squad place)
Hoppe (waste of money / squad place)
Bilongo (can't see him making it at our level)

I should say 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 needed.

I feel there's a bit of a malaise mentally around the squad when we're not steam rolling teams. We lack fight, belief, niggle and a bit of shîthousêry. We lack leaders and a vocal organiser. For that reason I would happily move on McNair, Howson and Fry. 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-ball obviously).

The finishing touch would be an affordable version of Archer and Akpom to not only carry much more goal threat, but crucially hold up the ball and occupy defenders, creating time and space to both relieve pressure off the back line, and also allow us to play how we want to.
 
Mysonpat. said:
The other elephant in the room is, if a premier league club comes in for Hackney and VDB, their head is turned and it’s difficult to hang on to them..especially if the chances of promotion look slim.
Over the years I have seen players who have been denied a move and they don’t look the same player, you have their agent in the ear.
Click to expand...
Have all ours been denied a move then
 
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