I am not expecting too much, despite hearing certain reports over the January window that we were gearing up to spend a sizeable budget compared to recent pre-seasons. .. or that we're giving Carrick a 'war chest' to work with to make sure we get the job done this time but guess that is the same old thing we hear every year
I expect it will mostly revolve around batting off bids for Lath and trying to convince him his future is here, and obviously if Bangura is injured, there'll be other players we will need as a replacement for strength-in-depth.. that goes for all areas of the squad I guess
Would be happy if we could bring back Ryal Giles as was rumored heavily only the other week but I have not read much on that one since it went quiet - I have not seen anything further reported on that situation so not up to date .. he could have signed for someone else for all I know. Haha
It will be great to see Lenihan playing again, like a new signing!
Ideally, would like to see another forward brought in, referring back to what I said about the rumors of Carrick having a 'competitive' budget to work with compared to the previous Summer windows that were talked about, wouldn't it be amazing if it was green-lighted and we ended up like someone in the Archer mold..
joking, obvs no chance haha
Given we're bringing in players like Lath and co. of late and turning them into 15K - 20K + assets, then I trust Scott and his team 100% to be looking at unknowns/relative unknowns in leagues all over Europe and elsewhere and hopefully, if and when they arrive, they enjoy the same if not better success that Lath's had
I thought Dieng's position was uncertain at one point a few months back??? were rumors here and there.
Would be delighted if he is committing to us for the coming season at least, Defo is one of the best in the league and a solid GK is always a vital position that needs to be of strength in a team with actual ambitions to go up.
Furthermore, I am delighted McGree has signed on, the talks we had with him must have reassured him that we are going in the right direction and we will be strengthened enough to compete. Looking forward to us getting a full season out of Riley, hopefully, one with many goals and assists.
I did not think we would convince him to stay on after all the hoo-hah made about him being disgruntled about promises we had made him about being promoted and spending to get there, only for that not quite to materialize, Did he not turn down Celtic and CL football based on some strong promises and that is what it was all over, initially??
Anyway .. who else I think we may bring in ... some cheeky clever loans I imagine we are eyeing ...
if Giles is still 'on' then great, hope it doesn't drag out until deadline day, but one to keep an eye on ... I'm still reading certain folk who think they know that Giles is 100% on, others not so much ... local rag the other day almost spoke of it like it was imminent didn't they?? which is unusual for them unless there was stronger reporting on the move confirming it
As it stands I think we certainly need one or two more 'significant' incoming signings if we really do want to compete within that top four - six positions ... the fact we have Lath still is the main thing that gives me some hope we may well do it this time around but think there's a bit of work to do yet before we can be sure of that
Anyway #UTFB and all that
