I'm assuming there will be players leaving and that money will be very tight.
Any of the current loanees deserving of a contract? Or are we restricted to freebies? Or maybe a rough diamond from non league
For me I think Mooney might be worth a punt.
Johnnie Jackson certainly deserves another look
Keane at Luton seems to tick a lot of boxes - especially as Bailey isn't likely to be here next year
There was a young winger at Livingston mentioned - I did some reading up on him at the time and it seems he is very highly regarded up there (the next Snodgrass maybe)
Either way I think our scouts will need to earn their corn in the coming months because as much as I love this team - I can't see us getting up this year
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I like your thinking. Jermaine Beckford come on down !!
I really don't know, would need to see who's out of contract. A lot of players should be as most players at this level and below will be on 1 or 2 year deals.
Unless Mooney can become a lot more consistent I'd hope we could find more of a goalscorer.
Just make sure if we go for non-league players we get someone with a decent all round game, or at least a bit more to their game that we can work with. We've failed to do that when we've signed one over the last few years, Dickson, Fleetwood, Dorian Smith and I feel like I'm missing someone else.
I would go for a mix of Bosmans from Prem-League1. We have had 3 years of trying to find diamonds in the lower leagues and look where it has left us!
can't see us being able to afford any PL Bosman's !!
They can probably pay him more than we can, Large?
ColinTat has often pointed out that we've had decent footballing but 'soft' midfielders for a while now. We're likely to keep players like Wagstaff and I wouldn't be surprised if someone like Racon is still here, they're decent players but as Ambrose has shown at Palace, need the right players alongside them. Unfortunately it won't be easy finding someone powerful who is also a half decent footballer and has the brain to use it properly.
I think this is part of the reason people say we have good midfielders, but we're still yet to find a good balance that means we have a mixture of power and aggression, and skill and creativity.
I did think he might be out of contract the other day, shame as he'd probably do a decent job.
Possibly some young players that have proven themselves out on loan before but weren't good enough to stay in the Prem.
To my mind only Bailey and Jonjo.
I'd keep Jonjo and give him the attacking midfielder role.
I'd get what we can for Bailey and use it to try and get that elusive goalscoring forward - I have absolutely no suggestions!
I'd also try to get Jackson. EDIT and Kyel Reid if possible
I think we'd have enough options in midfield
If Dailly can still do it I'd give him another year. The same applies to Burton. We need one or two old heads. The chances are that we will have to find a new midfield as Bailey, Shelvey, Racon, Sam and Semedo will almost certainly be off either to save wages or as, probably, our only marketable assets even if we want to retain them.
Andrew Crofts at Brighton is somebody I'd look at at. Kent boy and played the holding midfield role at Gillingham whilst also scoring his share of goals even in the Championship. Had a decent game for Brighton against us too when we lost at home to them recently.
Basey and Waggy have done enough to be offered new deals and I'd give serious consideration to playing Basey in the "Semedo" role. We can then have a quicker left back (hopefully) Youga or perhaps Jackson if we can afford him although we may want to use him in midfield.
Looking at our existing loanees, and remembering that the question relates to another season in league 1, I'd consider Reid and Mooney.
Hard to say a lot more until we know who of the existing lot are off.
If we were going to look for a goalscorer i think it'd have to be in league 2. Norwich got Holt from Shrewsbury so maybe someone else can step up. Rochdale have a couple but they're coming up so i doubt they'd sell. Le Fondre at Rotherham scores loads, maybe Benson at Dagenham. Let's be realistic we're not going to afford a goalscorer from our division or higher.
Cannot see much money for new players, and frankly this squad has a lot that need to 'move on'.
But then there is a big leap of faith to assume that we will go up first..........
Andrew Crofts
Jon Obika (the Yeovil loanee)
How about Jonny Evans brother, Cory? nowhere near United first team but has played for NI i think.
Was the Livingston guy- Halliday?
Rasiak
Keep if we can: Burton, Dailly, Sam Sodje, Basey, Waggy and Solly
Another one to possibly get regardless of what division we are in, to score that many goals at his age is a good feat, sounds like another Sam Vokes.
Good shout but no chance. If Bournemouth don't go up this year Howe will be off, probably to a Championship club and I'm sure he'd take him with him. Couldn't go far wrong to get them both as a package though...
If we didn't go up why would Crofts leave Brighton to come to us? With Poyet turning things round for them at last and them playing really good football, and an expected complete overhaul of our squad in the summer, you could argue that they'd be a stronger side than us next season.
You could indeed.
However they have the expense of a new ground to build so even in our impoverished state we could probably make it financially worthwhile when you also consider that Crofts' family are based in Rainham Kent which is more local to Charlton than Brighton.
Would love that. Eddie Howe's probably the best young manager around at the moment. Only 32 years old! Bournemouth will be going up though.
Have respect for the guy as last year, he turned down going with the Wales squad to play in a friendly so he could play for Brighton in a vital game v Gills. This was when Brighton were close to the bottom.
Le Fondre signed a 3year deal at Rotherham so no chance there. I read here that someone thought Benson was not really good enough for the step up to League 1. Pitman would cost money we do not have.
Is doing a great job but it's much harder to rate managers than players. Very hard to tell who is a future great and who's just a decent young manager.
Sounds like someone else we know that!
You don't do what he's done at Bournemouth without a great deal of ability at getting he most out of limited players under extreme circumstances. Both he and Pitman will end up in the Championship within the next 2 years if not higher IMO.
Not saying he won't, just was more of a general point. It's happened to a lot of managers. Boothroyd another example.