Hamilton, I’d get him a better loan this season. Haven’t seen enough to write him off yet.
Lenihan noises are that Edward’s sees him as a key man…for me he’ll need to have a great pre-season or move on. I can’t see him getting back to the level we hope.
We can probably bring in 2.5m in transfers and save 60k in wages by moving them out. It’s all part of the improvement process
I like the idea of frees McKenna is a good shout, I like the idea of Meopham proven at this level and a good age again available on a free.
Tyrys Dolan is another id be looking at. They may cost 60-70k in wages but would have 20m in asset value. Hard to argue against those.
It would leave a large budget for key signings, cf, wing backs and keeper that we really need to
Invest in
If Lenihan recovers he would be a key player for us but that seems like a big IF. 31 years old and hasn't played in 2 seasons, it takes a lot to come back from that. If he doesn't recover we really need to bring in someone a lot like him known as a strong leader and organiser with plenty of experience. Worrall or Mepham on loan, McKenna on a free would all fit the bill. Problem is that it'll take a few weeks to see if Lenihan will make it and we don't want to find a replacement until then.
Looks like Rav is off in which case I think we need to replace with a player at a similar stage of development. The likes of Cresswell, Gilchrist or Callum Doyle would be great but I doubt we would get much change out of Rav's fee. I think our scouting department needs to earn their corn there.
I've a feeling that Edwards is going to play with a front 3 rather than 4. Something like a 3-4-2-1, 3-4-1-2 or 3-4-3. In that case we have Conway, Azaz, McGree, Whittaker, Forss & Burgzorg. The obvious need is a main striker. We don't know whether McGree and Forss can stay fit or whether we'll sell Forss seeing as it's his final 12 months. If both come good this season we're looking good. If not, we'll need someone like Dolan. If Azaz leaves, Dolan would also be a good option. Dolan's a high-energy, high-tempo player. I think Burgzorg will look much better in a more direct system though he's still only really a back-up. From what I've seen of Strelec he looks like he would be great in this system. At this stage, I suspect we're hoping that recruitment have unearthed another Latte Lath.
We do need to look at Gilbert and Hamilton in pre-season. Sometimes with a player it just clicks. Gilbert though is starting to look like one of those players who can look great for 15 minutes as a sub but can't seem to produce from the start of a game. Hamilton just looked like he had no self-belief.
Midfield is a huge issue for me. Hackney will go and we won't be able to afford Morton as a replacement. Looks like Howson has gone. I would like to see Lewis Travis come in to bring the experience; I don't think he has long on his contract. Of players I know, I would replace Hackney with Gyabi. Have Morris and Travis as our main axis then Gyabi and (hopefully he'll prove up to it) McCabe to bring youth into it.
LWB I suspect we're waiting to see whether Bangura makes it through pre-season. If he does I presume we go with him and Borges as a back-up. I would like to see McCormick as an option at LCB but I guess we can look at his ability as a wing back; he seems comfortable on the ball. If Bangura doesn't make it then it's a question of whether we throw cash at Luton for Doughty. There is Wilson-Esbrand at Man city as a potential loan; I wasn't that impressed with him at Stoke. We could always revisit Illing Jr. I suspect LWB is his best position. Villa will be waiting to the end of the transfer window with him which might work well for us if we try Bangura and he breaks down.
RWB. I don't know if Dede has been training with the seniors in pre-season but I assume we're looking for a new first choice regardless. Bali Mumba seems the most realistic option. Cody Drameh looked good a couple of years ago but his career seems to have stalled. Alfie Gilchrist is possibly a bit too defensively minded but as someone who can play right back or centre back at a pinch he may be a revelation at wing back. There's also Brodie Spencer at Huddersfield who seems ready to step up to the Championship. Seems to be someone who can play anywhere along the back so might be a bargain basement Gilchrist.
Keeper; happy with Brynn. Although we bought a new one in for the U21s, I've a feeling we'll hang onto Glover and hope that Brynn stays fit and plays well until Dieng is back. At that point, we either sell Dieng or he is a serious option for 1st choice if he has got over his issues.
Right now, it seems clear we need a right (wing)back, defensive midfielder and striker as a priority. The rest is a whole lot of if-thens depending on who recovers from injury and who leaves. I suspect we're pinning quite a lot on Lenihan, Bangura, McGree and Brynn coming through pre-season as a good 1st choice in their position and able to play a full season. It's a gamble.
