CL = quality signings
- Thread starter epfou1
- Start date
- Aug 18, 2005
- 6,527
- 267
It's all about signing a really good striker. Our midfield has been transformed from the one that was arguably carried by Berbatov and Keane. Our defence is probably the best part of our team. We've already got Sandro joining us, one top quality striker and I'd be extatic.
SlickMongoose
Copacetic
- Feb 27, 2005
- 6,258
- 5,043
I hope we don't spend too much.
yozza
It's Totti, not Shitty.......get it right!
- Feb 23, 2004
- 1,228
- 457
The core of our team is fine, its now about being ruthless and eradicating some of the "maybe" players that we have at the club.
We need to build a squad that can not only deal with the rigours of a champions league campaign, but can also provide the club with another top four finish next season.
IMHO I would say another striker (if Keane / Pav go) and a new back up keeper.
We need to build a squad that can not only deal with the rigours of a champions league campaign, but can also provide the club with another top four finish next season.
IMHO I would say another striker (if Keane / Pav go) and a new back up keeper.
Archibald-CPH
Well-Known Member
- Mar 15, 2005
- 961
- 1,006
Teams like Ajax,Celtic, Zenit etc is'nt walk overs. Lets qualify first
nailsy
SC Supporter
- Jul 24, 2005
- 30,536
- 46,630
But isn't that why we need the signings? If we wait until after qualification then all of our targets might be gone.
Some very sensible comments about the squad. a back goal keeper if Cudicini is out long term and a proven quality striker. in midfield another creative midfielder could do. i would not get rid of Jenas,O'hara,Bentley as some would be tempted to do. Were we to get through the qualifying round, we will need those players to keep our challenge for another 2-4th spot next season in the PL , add to that the CC and FA cup challenges. keeping all our current squad is vital of the current crop maybe Hutton is dispensible as we have cover from Kaboul/Naughton and Walker. I here Naughton could also cover Left back which is an advantage. Keane is a Dilemma and an exchange for a Tim Cahill would be great....
So minimal quality additions and minimal exits will do for me.
So minimal quality additions and minimal exits will do for me.
Chimbo!
Well-Known Member
- Jan 7, 2007
- 3,613
- 3,372
With exception to the back-up goalkeeper, the only improvements we can make to the squad is by buying a top player in any position for a lot of money.
I do not think we could attract better centre-backs. In fact I would leave the defence alone, it has strength and depth.
With Modric, Huddlestone, Palacios and Sandro the central midfield looks secure. Add to that Lennon, Bentley, Kranjcar and Bale and you have options, quality and cover on the flanks.
The strikers have blown hot and cold this season and is perhaps the area in most need of improvement. Although all 4 strikers are good, we lack a top class stiker in the ilk of Tevez, Torres, Drogba, Rooney, Berbatov, Anelka and Van Persie. They all play for our competition so we need someone to rival them.
IMO we should:
1. Look to sell Keane, Taraabt, O'Hara, Jenas and Hutton.
2. Use that money to splash out on a top striker.
3. Sign Gudjohnson permanently as cover for both Modric and the strike force.
4. Sign a back-up goalkeeper.
5. If opportunities arise, fine tune the squad by selling one squad player and replacing him with a perceived improvement for equal or less money.
I do not think we could attract better centre-backs. In fact I would leave the defence alone, it has strength and depth.
With Modric, Huddlestone, Palacios and Sandro the central midfield looks secure. Add to that Lennon, Bentley, Kranjcar and Bale and you have options, quality and cover on the flanks.
The strikers have blown hot and cold this season and is perhaps the area in most need of improvement. Although all 4 strikers are good, we lack a top class stiker in the ilk of Tevez, Torres, Drogba, Rooney, Berbatov, Anelka and Van Persie. They all play for our competition so we need someone to rival them.
IMO we should:
1. Look to sell Keane, Taraabt, O'Hara, Jenas and Hutton.
2. Use that money to splash out on a top striker.
3. Sign Gudjohnson permanently as cover for both Modric and the strike force.
4. Sign a back-up goalkeeper.
5. If opportunities arise, fine tune the squad by selling one squad player and replacing him with a perceived improvement for equal or less money.
No one's mentioned Stephen Pienaar who we're being strongly linked to. I rate him, not sure where he'd fit it, i gues as an understudy for modders who lets face it was out for more than half the season. With Sandro, a good back up gk and Dzeko and i think we'd be sorted. COYS
Welshiespursboyo
Banned
- Feb 19, 2009
- 17,009
- 2,830
Quite frankly I'll be delighted if we just keep Bale and Modric (aka not selling them to ole bacon face) and perhaps then bring in a world class striker if possible.
We have a fantastic squad, and we should be giving the players a chance to show they can cut it with Europe's elite.
We have a fantastic squad, and we should be giving the players a chance to show they can cut it with Europe's elite.
Mattspur
ENIC IN
- Jan 7, 2004
- 4,889
- 7,273
With the new rules coming into play next season, we can only have a squad of 25 with at least 8 of them being home grown (in blue). The players I would want to keep are:-
Heurelho Gomes
Gareth Bale
Younes Kaboul
David Bentley
Tom Huddlestone
Aaron Lennon
Jermaine Jenas
Roman Pavlyuchenko
Wilson Palacios
Luka Modric
Peter Crouch
Jermain Defoe
Sebastien Bassong
Michael Dawson
Niko Kranjcar
Vedran Corluka
Ledley King
Ben Alnwick
Benoit Assou-Ekotto
Jonathan Woodgate
Sandro
The youngsters should be loaned out again and the more senior players should be sold.
That leaves 4 players to add to our squad. I would get:
A backup Goalkeeper: for obvious reasons.
A Left Back: If BAE picks up an injury we’ve got no cover unless we shift our midfield around. This would weaken our defence and midfield. We need someone to at the very least, provide competition with BAE. Preferably someone to start .
A backup winger: Our wings have plenty of pace with Bale and Lennon but as we’ve seen this season, if one of them is injured or having a bad game we haven’t really got any like for like options. This makes our style very pedestrian and we struggle to break down defensive teams.
A Striker: I think we have lacked creativity upfront this season. Defoe’s form dipped when Lennon was injured. Coincidence? We need a top striker, someone who can create and score goals, hold the ball up and if necessary, play up front on his own.
Obviously if players like Jenas, Bently or Pav leave then we’ll need to bring in replacements. But I’ve spent far too long writing this already and need to do some work…
Heurelho Gomes
Gareth Bale
Younes Kaboul
David Bentley
Tom Huddlestone
Aaron Lennon
Jermaine Jenas
Roman Pavlyuchenko
Wilson Palacios
Luka Modric
Peter Crouch
Jermain Defoe
Sebastien Bassong
Michael Dawson
Niko Kranjcar
Vedran Corluka
Ledley King
Ben Alnwick
Benoit Assou-Ekotto
Jonathan Woodgate
Sandro
The youngsters should be loaned out again and the more senior players should be sold.
That leaves 4 players to add to our squad. I would get:
A backup Goalkeeper: for obvious reasons.
A Left Back: If BAE picks up an injury we’ve got no cover unless we shift our midfield around. This would weaken our defence and midfield. We need someone to at the very least, provide competition with BAE. Preferably someone to start .
A backup winger: Our wings have plenty of pace with Bale and Lennon but as we’ve seen this season, if one of them is injured or having a bad game we haven’t really got any like for like options. This makes our style very pedestrian and we struggle to break down defensive teams.
A Striker: I think we have lacked creativity upfront this season. Defoe’s form dipped when Lennon was injured. Coincidence? We need a top striker, someone who can create and score goals, hold the ball up and if necessary, play up front on his own.
Obviously if players like Jenas, Bently or Pav leave then we’ll need to bring in replacements. But I’ve spent far too long writing this already and need to do some work…
DEFchenkOE
Well-Known Member
- Feb 13, 2006
- 10,527
- 8,052
I'm surprised people are saying we need more full backs when we have Corluka, Kaboul, Walker, Naughton, Bae, and Bale. Bae has been more than solid defensively this season, if he's injured/suspended then Bale plays there. Will be interesting to see what happens to the loan players, O'Hara's had a good season and has chipped in with a few goals. Giovani hasn't done too much in Turkey, Taraabt seems like he'll be off, will Keane be sold?
It will be interesting but imo we badly need a striker, Dzeko would be perfect but would he come and would we pay Wolfsburgs asking price (circa £35m)? If not then we really need to find a powerful striker who can become our talisman and the oppos defences fear. Also I think we need another winger with pace if Giovani is sold. Other than that I'm happy with the squad, maybe a backup keeper if cudicini doesn't re-sign.
It will be interesting but imo we badly need a striker, Dzeko would be perfect but would he come and would we pay Wolfsburgs asking price (circa £35m)? If not then we really need to find a powerful striker who can become our talisman and the oppos defences fear. Also I think we need another winger with pace if Giovani is sold. Other than that I'm happy with the squad, maybe a backup keeper if cudicini doesn't re-sign.
dontcallme
SC Supporter
- Mar 18, 2005
- 34,477
- 84,178
An experienced, versatile defender would be very welcome. I feel we're well covered but need an extra for when the injury list starts to stack up.
With Sandro coming in I feel we have enough in midfield. We have Jenas coming back from injury, O'Hara returning from loan and as long as we keep everyone then there is no need to buy again unless someone special becomes available.
Up-front is the real issue. Pav, Defoe, Crouch, Keane and Gudjohnsen are all very good but no-one is outstanding and no great partnership has begun so we need to look out for good options. Bellamy is a good option if available and we need to take a risk on a guy like Dzeko, Falcao, etc and hope they join and come good.
We've had a great season because of the work rate, team work and spirit of the players. We need to keep this squad together as much as possible if we're going to be successful.
With Sandro coming in I feel we have enough in midfield. We have Jenas coming back from injury, O'Hara returning from loan and as long as we keep everyone then there is no need to buy again unless someone special becomes available.
Up-front is the real issue. Pav, Defoe, Crouch, Keane and Gudjohnsen are all very good but no-one is outstanding and no great partnership has begun so we need to look out for good options. Bellamy is a good option if available and we need to take a risk on a guy like Dzeko, Falcao, etc and hope they join and come good.
We've had a great season because of the work rate, team work and spirit of the players. We need to keep this squad together as much as possible if we're going to be successful.
