Strengthening for next season.
- Thread starter Mr-T
- Start date
bubble07
Well-Known Member
- Dec 27, 2004
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GK - David James, Kasper Schmiechel, Scott Loach or Joe Lewis as cover to Gomes
RB - Would like more pace from right back so either Micah Richards, Srna or Glen Johnson to compete with Charlie
LB - Want Bale to play there as there are better options for left mid then their is for left back. With BAE as cover their is no need to strengthen this position
CB - IF Woodgate does not prove his fitness in pre season I suggest we sign the danish centre back Kjaer
RM - Need a pacey alternative to Lennon who is also good enough to play on the left so Ashley Young would be my choice
LM - If we sign Ashley Young we do not need to sign another left midfielder as there will simple be no room. Kranjcar is an ideal back up but wouldn't say no to J.Cole and Craig Bellamy joining
CM - With Sandro already on board we could still do with one more central midfielder of real class like Lassana Diarra or Michael Carrick
CF - Upgrades or players to compete with Defoe and Crouch are needed. Dzeko and Suarez would do nicely
This needs to be our most productive summer if we want to maintain/improve on this season
RB - Would like more pace from right back so either Micah Richards, Srna or Glen Johnson to compete with Charlie
LB - Want Bale to play there as there are better options for left mid then their is for left back. With BAE as cover their is no need to strengthen this position
CB - IF Woodgate does not prove his fitness in pre season I suggest we sign the danish centre back Kjaer
RM - Need a pacey alternative to Lennon who is also good enough to play on the left so Ashley Young would be my choice
LM - If we sign Ashley Young we do not need to sign another left midfielder as there will simple be no room. Kranjcar is an ideal back up but wouldn't say no to J.Cole and Craig Bellamy joining
CM - With Sandro already on board we could still do with one more central midfielder of real class like Lassana Diarra or Michael Carrick
CF - Upgrades or players to compete with Defoe and Crouch are needed. Dzeko and Suarez would do nicely
This needs to be our most productive summer if we want to maintain/improve on this season
mill
Well-Known Member
- May 21, 2007
- 10,439
- 37,249
I'd love Higuain but it wont happen
hellava_tough
Well-Known Member
- Apr 21, 2005
- 9,429
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My squad for next year, with home-grown registered players in bold:
Gomes
KEEPER
Cudicini
Bae
LEFT BACK
King
Dawson
Bassong
CENTRE BACK
Corluka
Kaboul
Bale [doesn't count in 25 man registration]
Lennon
Jenas
Hudd
Sandro
PARKER (yeah, I know, I love the guy :smile
Palacios
Modric
Kranjcar
PACY ATTACKING MID R/L
PACY ATTACKING MID R/L
Crouch
Defoe
STRIKER
Gudjohnsen
Which means 7 new signings so would probably be wishful thinking :smile:. Also, if Woody was okay for next season we wouldn't need a new CB, taking new players to 6. Also, perhaps we would sign only 1 pacy attacking mid, taking the signings to 5...which is manageable for squad balance/cohesion.
It would also mean we could cash in on:
Bentley, Pav, Woodgate(possibly), Hutton, Keane, O'Hara, and all the youngsters who wouldn't qualify, etc.
That's a fair amount of cash recouped; possibly up to 50 million pounds :shrug:
Anyhow, it's looking good for next year. We just have to make sure we keep on top of the youth/UK player issue
Gomes
KEEPER
Cudicini
Bae
LEFT BACK
King
Dawson
Bassong
CENTRE BACK
Corluka
Kaboul
Bale [doesn't count in 25 man registration]
Lennon
Jenas
Hudd
Sandro
PARKER (yeah, I know, I love the guy :smile
Palacios
Modric
Kranjcar
PACY ATTACKING MID R/L
PACY ATTACKING MID R/L
Crouch
Defoe
STRIKER
Gudjohnsen
Which means 7 new signings so would probably be wishful thinking :smile:. Also, if Woody was okay for next season we wouldn't need a new CB, taking new players to 6. Also, perhaps we would sign only 1 pacy attacking mid, taking the signings to 5...which is manageable for squad balance/cohesion.
It would also mean we could cash in on:
Bentley, Pav, Woodgate(possibly), Hutton, Keane, O'Hara, and all the youngsters who wouldn't qualify, etc.
That's a fair amount of cash recouped; possibly up to 50 million pounds :shrug:
Anyhow, it's looking good for next year. We just have to make sure we keep on top of the youth/UK player issue
phil
Well-Known Member
- Oct 25, 2004
- 2,038
- 1,239
We may have one already by the name of Stephen Caulker albeit he is a couple oy years younger. Had a great season at Yeovil. After another season on loan at a Championship side, he could be ready for the first team squad.
Depending on Woodgate's prognosis and whether we consider that Kaboul is reliable enough at CB, we might need some experienced cover for King/Dawson/Bassong.
mil1lion
This is the place to be
- May 7, 2004
- 42,758
- 78,753
I can't believe people want us to make 7/8 signings in the summer. We already have Sandro aswell.
If there's one thing we've learnt this season it's that a quiete summer can be a great thing for settling the side. We can't afford to make too many changes.
Our squad is very strong atm. At present we have cover in every position. All we need is a few top quality players if we can get them.
GK: Gomes, Alnwick, Cudicini (will need replacing if he leaves on a free)
RB: Corluka, Walker, Naughton (may need another RB if Naughton and Walker go out on loan, although Kaboul can cover)
CB: King, Dawson, Woodgate, Bassong, Kaboul
LB: Ekotto, Bale
RM: Lennon, Bentley
CM: Palacios, Huddlestone, Sandro, Jenas (We may need 1 more CM although Modric can cover)
RM: Kranjcar, Modric
FW: Defoe, Crouch, Pav, Keane, Gudjohnsen (at least 1 is likely to go)
I've left out the ones I think will leave (Hutton, O'Hara, Taarabt, GDS)
That's 26 players there, with 2-4 likely to leave or go out on loan and 1 who is on loan to us. So replace those with 2-4 top quality players, and we'll have a solid 26 man squad. That's before you factor in the youngsters like Bostock, Rose etc.
That's enough to keep us as a close unit. Too many players will be disruptive. The Barca squad is similar in size, yet they challenge on all fronts (League and Cup).
This club has gone a long way and developed into a great squad with great team spirit. There's not a player in there who doesn't look happy now. The ones who don't seem happy, are out on loan.
If there's one thing we've learnt this season it's that a quiete summer can be a great thing for settling the side. We can't afford to make too many changes.
Our squad is very strong atm. At present we have cover in every position. All we need is a few top quality players if we can get them.
GK: Gomes, Alnwick, Cudicini (will need replacing if he leaves on a free)
RB: Corluka, Walker, Naughton (may need another RB if Naughton and Walker go out on loan, although Kaboul can cover)
CB: King, Dawson, Woodgate, Bassong, Kaboul
LB: Ekotto, Bale
RM: Lennon, Bentley
CM: Palacios, Huddlestone, Sandro, Jenas (We may need 1 more CM although Modric can cover)
RM: Kranjcar, Modric
FW: Defoe, Crouch, Pav, Keane, Gudjohnsen (at least 1 is likely to go)
I've left out the ones I think will leave (Hutton, O'Hara, Taarabt, GDS)
That's 26 players there, with 2-4 likely to leave or go out on loan and 1 who is on loan to us. So replace those with 2-4 top quality players, and we'll have a solid 26 man squad. That's before you factor in the youngsters like Bostock, Rose etc.
That's enough to keep us as a close unit. Too many players will be disruptive. The Barca squad is similar in size, yet they challenge on all fronts (League and Cup).
This club has gone a long way and developed into a great squad with great team spirit. There's not a player in there who doesn't look happy now. The ones who don't seem happy, are out on loan.
jondesouza
Well-Known Member
- Oct 18, 2004
- 2,842
- 1,558
Why on earth do people want to ruin the understanding that has already been built up amongst our players and the team morale by bringing in tons of new faces. Two or three new first team squad players should be brought in at most. A few of you here are treating it like Championship Manager
hellava_tough
Well-Known Member
- Apr 21, 2005
- 9,429
- 12,383
jondesouza
Well-Known Member
- Oct 18, 2004
- 2,842
- 1,558
Don't pick on me :-|
That's not fair
It's not just you mate. There's loads of people doing the same!
Coyboy
The Double of 1961 is still The Double
- Dec 3, 2004
- 15,506
- 5,032
He absolutely does not offer more than Crouch in terms of passing and linking up play. No striker has created as many chances as Crouch for us, Defoe has played more and created a fair deal fewer. No striker has passed the ball as much as Crouch and no striker has put himself about as much as Crouch, worked as hard as Crouch or provided a good defensive wall from set pieces as Crouch has for Spurs in this most amazing season.
Only Anelka, Davies, Kuyt, Rooney and Tevez have been more involved as strikers than Crouch this season and all have played more than he has. Kuyt is a midfielder, Rooney and Tevez are world class, Anelka plays for the next league Champions and Davies was, at least pre Coyle, Bolton's only outlet. Crouch has created 46 chances and Pav 8, having played three times fewer minutes. He is therefore half as effective in this domain.
Crouch is not as good a goal scorer as Pav, but that is often because he is outside the area, being pushed from pillar to post in order to make space, tee up and liberate the very likes of Pav and Defoe to be able to score.
I would love an upgrade on Crouch-which would be someone with the same attributes as he, maybe younger, quicker and a better goalscorer but I am not sure it will be easy at all. I think it would be far easier to replace Pav and/or Defoe who are great when they score but when they do not offer next to fuck all. Crouch is a good finisher, his England record shows that but what he does for the team transcends merely putting the ball in the back of the net.
As Wednesday showed, goal or no goal, that is priceless especially in tough away games. I would be loathe to 'upgrade' on him unless an uber-striker comes along for the simple fact that it will be difficult to fins someone with his attitude, consistency and work rate to match skill and technique.
jurgen
Busy ****
- Jul 5, 2008
- 6,788
- 17,463
Agreed really, I like Pav and can appreciate some of the criticisms of Crouch, and who knows how Peter is feeling seeing as he left Liverpool for first team football, but he now seems to be a player who offers a great option to the squad, is happy to do his bit often off the bench and in a sense it would be easier to get a new striker who can do all Pav can and more than it would be to replace Crouch's talents. I think similarly to Crouch, the same can go for Bentley in my opinion. He isn't going to dislodge an in form Lennon, but as he showed against City, he is a handy player to bring on when you need to keep possession as he is so comfortable on the ball. He is essentially the ideal squad player for a top four team and as such I believe we should keep both of them.
I wonder what Harry plans for midfield, perhaps with Sandro coming in he thinks the four to choose from is good enough and would rather spend the money on Bellamy or someone who can work in a 433/451 which seems to be accepted as the norm in the CL. Joe Cole also but I would prefer Bellamy. And then the fact he highlights Torres when talking about a "special" player gives me the assumption that hes talking about another forward, who presumably would be a Pav upgrade?
I wonder what Harry plans for midfield, perhaps with Sandro coming in he thinks the four to choose from is good enough and would rather spend the money on Bellamy or someone who can work in a 433/451 which seems to be accepted as the norm in the CL. Joe Cole also but I would prefer Bellamy. And then the fact he highlights Torres when talking about a "special" player gives me the assumption that hes talking about another forward, who presumably would be a Pav upgrade?
bubble07
Well-Known Member
- Dec 27, 2004
- 23,298
- 30,498
I will be sticking to this for the time being. If we could manage tom have a squad consisting of these players it will be the best squad in the league
GK: Gomes, James(free)
DF: Richards12m, Corluka, King(c), Dawson, Woodgate, Bassong, Kaboul, Bale, Assou-Ekotto
MF: Lennon, A.Young18m, Sandro, Palacios, Huddlestone, Modric, J.Cole(free), Kranjcar
CF: Bellamy10m, Defoe, Crouch, Dzeko25m
GK: Gomes, James(free)
DF: Richards12m, Corluka, King(c), Dawson, Woodgate, Bassong, Kaboul, Bale, Assou-Ekotto
MF: Lennon, A.Young18m, Sandro, Palacios, Huddlestone, Modric, J.Cole(free), Kranjcar
CF: Bellamy10m, Defoe, Crouch, Dzeko25m
DJS
A hoonter must hoont
- Dec 9, 2006
- 31,281
- 21,790
The thing is, it willprobably be near impossible to get someone who has as good an attitude and workrate as Crouchy as Crouch himself maybe realises he is not as naturally talented as some so works really hard at it.
A player who is more naturally talented (let's use Berbs as an example) is maybe more likely to have a lazy streak and rely on their talent to 'blag it'.
A player who is more naturally talented (let's use Berbs as an example) is maybe more likely to have a lazy streak and rely on their talent to 'blag it'.
DJS
A hoonter must hoont
- Dec 9, 2006
- 31,281
- 21,790
Joe Cole? Ashley Young?
Bubble your squad is crazy! :lol:
How would you expect to keep both Lennon and Young happy (who would both expect to be starters) and also add Cole to the mix - where would he play? If Bale continues on the left it will be hard enough accomodating Modric and Krancjar as it is, let alone Rose who is coming thorugh and might fancy a sniff in league cup games at the very least.
MilkyBarYid
Formerly known as skb3
- Aug 23, 2004
- 1,737
- 2,250
I think apart from Richards who I have never rated I completely agree with you, Cole could be used on the left or just behind the lone striker, Bellamy would be decent replacement for Gud / Keane and Dzeko is the number 9 we seek and would adequately replace Pav. Young is a decent out left if Bale is playing LB or is injured. Awesome!
mpickard2087
Patient Zero
- Jun 13, 2008
- 21,908
- 32,639
I have seen many posts in various threads that say we need 4-5 players. I dont agree with that many new players. I honestly believe that we have the best squad depth in the league, and that all we miss is a 'World Class/Top, Top' player that most of our rivals posess. So I would probably agree with 'Arry's comments on one special player, preferably up front. The only other signings I would want would be if injury concerns over Cudicini and Woodgate continue.
Ship out players out on loan already: Keane, Hutton, O'Hara, Gio, Taarabt. Maybe harsh on some of these players, however I feel the squad is settled now and these players are surplus to requirements.
My squad for 2010/11: (assuming all are fit)
GK. Gomes, Cudicini - for me thats fine
RB. Corluka, Kaboul - I cant see the need for another RB. Plus we have the two Kyles as well.
LB. Assou Ekotto, Bale - same as RB. Hard to find better players than the ones we have already.
CB. King, Dawson, Bassong, Woodgate - Fine with me, especially with the emerging Caulker pushing for a 5th spot. Plus Kaboul!
RM. Lennon, Bentley - Again I'm happy with the status quo. Very strong back up (Bentley) for possibly the best winger in the league.
LM. Modric, Kranjcar - Two super players. Also Bale will play there a fair bit I would bet. Rose and Townsend also waiting in the wings.
CM. Hudd, Palacios, Sandro, Jenas - Maybe an unpopular view, but I feel Jenas has a place in the squad, good 4th choice IMO and shows the depth in our squad. Add Luka into the mix and I feel another CM is un-necessary. Plus we have a number of promising youngsters (Livermore, Bostock, Parrett) to consider waiting for a chance.
FW. Crouch, Defoe, Pav/Gud, NEW STRIKER
Crouch and Defoes positions are safe. As I said i feel we need a new striker. I'm not going to speculate/name names but I feel we should be as ambitious as possible in this pursuit. Then it comes down to a choice between Pav and Gud. I like Pav but feel maybe Gud would offer us something a bit different up front with his ability to drop deeper.
Well thats my take on it. I think we need one player. However I trust 'Arry's judgement with whatever squad changes he decides to make.
Ship out players out on loan already: Keane, Hutton, O'Hara, Gio, Taarabt. Maybe harsh on some of these players, however I feel the squad is settled now and these players are surplus to requirements.
My squad for 2010/11: (assuming all are fit)
GK. Gomes, Cudicini - for me thats fine
RB. Corluka, Kaboul - I cant see the need for another RB. Plus we have the two Kyles as well.
LB. Assou Ekotto, Bale - same as RB. Hard to find better players than the ones we have already.
CB. King, Dawson, Bassong, Woodgate - Fine with me, especially with the emerging Caulker pushing for a 5th spot. Plus Kaboul!
RM. Lennon, Bentley - Again I'm happy with the status quo. Very strong back up (Bentley) for possibly the best winger in the league.
LM. Modric, Kranjcar - Two super players. Also Bale will play there a fair bit I would bet. Rose and Townsend also waiting in the wings.
CM. Hudd, Palacios, Sandro, Jenas - Maybe an unpopular view, but I feel Jenas has a place in the squad, good 4th choice IMO and shows the depth in our squad. Add Luka into the mix and I feel another CM is un-necessary. Plus we have a number of promising youngsters (Livermore, Bostock, Parrett) to consider waiting for a chance.
FW. Crouch, Defoe, Pav/Gud, NEW STRIKER
Crouch and Defoes positions are safe. As I said i feel we need a new striker. I'm not going to speculate/name names but I feel we should be as ambitious as possible in this pursuit. Then it comes down to a choice between Pav and Gud. I like Pav but feel maybe Gud would offer us something a bit different up front with his ability to drop deeper.
Well thats my take on it. I think we need one player. However I trust 'Arry's judgement with whatever squad changes he decides to make.
bubble07
Well-Known Member
- Dec 27, 2004
- 23,298
- 30,498
It's all under control my friend. I would start the first game of the season with lennon on the right and young on the left with bale left back
It would probably be something like this
Gomes
Richards Dawson King(c) Bale
Lennon Huddlestone Modric Young
Defoe Dzeko
3 new additions in the starting line up, not a lot really
:hump::hump::hump::hump::hump:
Subs: James Woodgate Palacios Sandro J.Cole Bellamy Crouch
Reserve: Corluka Bassong Kaboul Assou-Ekotto
brett.spurs
Banned
- May 22, 2007
- 7,388
- 2
Richards is just a black(er) version of Kaboul, but Younes seems to be learning whereas Richards has no footballing brain whatsoever.
Ashley Young has been largely rubbish for 18 months now, he is not worth the $ to break up the Ekotto/Bale partnership. Young is NOT a better LW than Bale is(nor Modric, possibly even Niko), and currently Bale is NOT a better fullback than Ekotto.
It seems as though you're wanting to spend for the sake of it. Two players who are very much not needed.
Ashley Young has been largely rubbish for 18 months now, he is not worth the $ to break up the Ekotto/Bale partnership. Young is NOT a better LW than Bale is(nor Modric, possibly even Niko), and currently Bale is NOT a better fullback than Ekotto.
It seems as though you're wanting to spend for the sake of it. Two players who are very much not needed.
