Jones stated this week that they are nowhere near where they want to be and I assumed that was with regards to the squad. I think the defence is not quite right, Thomas has done well but we need better in there and I'm not sure that Hector will be re-signed. We need more width in the midfield as an option and I'm hoping that Wickham turns out to be an able replacement for Chuks. Lots of players to leave and quite a few to come in .
The fact that Wickham has already been given a pseudo-trial already and rumours of another similar deal being done suggest that Jones has one eye on next season already.
The squad does need a lot of work though. As was said the season before. And the season before that. And the season before that. And the season before that. And the season before that.....
2 players I always feared when we played against their respective teams were Wickham and Lua Lua. They always seemed to score or be part of a goal against us....I thought Wickham had a good cameo yesterday and Lua Lua (if it is him) is another statement of intent from NJ. I'm very optimistic for next season, are we finally on our way back?
Out of interest do we think Leaburn will be here next season? Would he fit in with May and Kanu?
Trying to assess how much money we could raise as the ones we know should be leaving go wouldn't fetch a kilo of Oranges at the market!
I think he will stay IMO. Two big ish injuries in the first two years of playing professional football will probably put some clubs off signing him. I feel we will see him until January to see how he has recovered from his injuries.
Don't think Leaburn leaves in the summer but think we'll have to cash in in January. First half of the season having Leaburn, Kanu and May rotating/May playing in the 10 would surely be scary for lots of L1 defences. Then Chuks to come in whenever he can and someone like Wickham when Chuks is injured. Seems a decent front line to me
Always thought LuaLua was a constant menace when he played against us for Brighton. Admittedly that's over 10 years ago so I doubt he's still quite got the same electric pace that he had but if it is him that's signing it's a very canny move.
I fear we may have a bigger issue fending off interest in Kanu over the summer.
Given how quickly and easily Burstow got snapped up after a few good games for us, I’d be very surprises if there’s not higher interest in Kanu
Still got 3 years left on his contract which Burstow didn't (from memory) so think we could command a decent fee. We also have a manager who likes he loves Kanu and knows how to get the best out of him which gives us more hope of keeping him
Jones stated this week that they are nowhere near where they want to be and I assumed that was with regards to the squad. I think the defence is not quite right, Thomas has done well but we need better in there and I'm not sure that Hector will be re-signed. We need more width in the midfield as an option and I'm hoping that Wickham turns out to be an able replacement for Chuks. Lots of players to leave and quite a few to come in .
The fact that Wickham has already been given a pseudo-trial already and rumours of another similar deal being done suggest that Jones has one eye on next season already.
The squad does need a lot of work though. As was said the season before. And the season before that. And the season before that. And the season before that. And the season before that.....
100%. We need to be building a squad window upon window not making signings that give us an unbalanced miss mash that needs dismantling and rebuilding every summer. I’m assuming and hopeful that Jones has been given a remit and assurances that he can do that. What we’ve had for years is trying to build on a liquid foundation. One or two quality players here and there but basically a journeyman squad. We have at best ten players that we can build something around. We won’t do it in one window but if Jones wants a 22 man squad with an upgrade in personnel then I can see a summer of significant churn, followed by several windows of additions. I’d say at this point we’re miles off.
Kanu is going to be a top, top player. He was scoring a stupid amount of goals on a constant basis for the youth teams, quite surprised he is still here. Think he has a higher ceiling than leaburn, especially now he has filled out a bit
I think we will get that rebuild our poor season will have reinforced the requirement for a healthy squad overhaul budget in the summer window and to be fair to the owners there has already been decent financial support for our end of season.
The one thing I hope is tweaked is the 8-8-8 strategy. If that looked like 12-6-6 I would feel more confident about our promotion chances next season. Point being you would need stinking bad luck fitness wise to have say 33%-50% of your ‘elite’ crop at this level out at the same time if you had 12 of them, but reduce that number to 8 and 33-50% out would seem more plausible based past form.
I totally buy the tiered structure mind and the opportunity for our academy graduates to come through.
I don't think our squad is a million miles off now, considering the recent recruits and results, and unlike previous seasons we're not dependent on loan players who'll go back in the summer. We've brought in 2 centre backs and 2 wing backs in January/February already.
4 quality permanent signings topped up with decent loans will suffice.
Miles to me is better playing off a target man, as he doesn't have the strength off his old man yet, so an experienced lump up front like Wickham would be a useful asset for all our current strikers.
Kanu is going to be a top, top player. He was scoring a stupid amount of goals on a constant basis for the youth teams, quite surprised he is still here. Think he has a higher ceiling than leaburn, especially now he has filled out a bit
All just opinions, but I think Leaburn could become a special player with his physical and technical attributes.
Kanu has demonstrated a bit of pace, superb work rate, decent finishing and improving hold up play, but... technically he seems a little off. His assist yesterday was a hashed shot, and he airshotted the first attempt for his goal. This isn't something that's likely to improve much.
Wickham and Lua Lua make sense as it gives NJ a couple of months to look at them before making a decision long term on each. I’m more enfused by Wickham than Lua Lua as the latter is 33. But happy for NJ to decide if he’s what we need or not.
Would say though that I thought we might be aiming higher than the two aforementioned.
Wickham and Lua Lua make sense as it gives NJ a couple of months to look at them before making a decision long term on each. I’m more enfused by Wickham than Lua Lua as the latter is 33. But happy for NJ to decide if he’s what we need or not.
Would say though that I thought we might be aiming higher than the two aforementioned.
I would not assume that we won't be. Jones may simply be experimenting a little bit with getting ideas for formations and tactics that we can use - getting a feel for how we play with a proper target man for instance. It doesn't NECESSARILY mean that Wickham will be that player but hes what's available right now.
Wickham and Lua Lua make sense as it gives NJ a couple of months to look at them before making a decision long term on each. I’m more enfused by Wickham than Lua Lua as the latter is 33. But happy for NJ to decide if he’s what we need or not.
Would say though that I thought we might be aiming higher than the two aforementioned.
Lua Lua allows us to play with wingers and for Jones to see TC in his natural position. I'm viewing these signings as stop gaps to plug a gap and let Jones experiment, if they earn a place in next years squad even better
Jones stated this week that they are nowhere near where they want to be and I assumed that was with regards to the squad. I think the defence is not quite right, Thomas has done well but we need better in there and I'm not sure that Hector will be re-signed. We need more width in the midfield as an option and I'm hoping that Wickham turns out to be an able replacement for Chuks. Lots of players to leave and quite a few to come in .
The fact that Wickham has already been given a pseudo-trial already and rumours of another similar deal being done suggest that Jones has one eye on next season already.
The squad does need a lot of work though. As was said the season before. And the season before that. And the season before that. And the season before that. And the season before that.....
100%. We need to be building a squad window upon window not making signings that give us an unbalanced miss mash that needs dismantling and rebuilding every summer. I’m assuming and hopeful that Jones has been given a remit and assurances that he can do that. What we’ve had for years is trying to build on a liquid foundation. One or two quality players here and there but basically a journeyman squad. We have at best ten players that we can build something around. We won’t do it in one window but if Jones wants a 22 man squad with an upgrade in personnel then I can see a summer of significant churn, followed by several windows of additions. I’d say at this point we’re miles off.
Disagree that we're miles off. If we could go into next season with our current strike force or even upgrade on Ladapo and/or Wickham that's half the battle already. I completely agree with your logic about several windows of additions but i'd say that more applies to being in The Championship pushing for The Premier League, when all fit there's no better strike force in depth in this division than Leaburn, May, Kanu, Wickham, Aneke, Ladapo.
Jones stated this week that they are nowhere near where they want to be and I assumed that was with regards to the squad. I think the defence is not quite right, Thomas has done well but we need better in there and I'm not sure that Hector will be re-signed. We need more width in the midfield as an option and I'm hoping that Wickham turns out to be an able replacement for Chuks. Lots of players to leave and quite a few to come in .
The fact that Wickham has already been given a pseudo-trial already and rumours of another similar deal being done suggest that Jones has one eye on next season already.
The squad does need a lot of work though. As was said the season before. And the season before that. And the season before that. And the season before that. And the season before that.....
100%. We need to be building a squad window upon window not making signings that give us an unbalanced miss mash that needs dismantling and rebuilding every summer. I’m assuming and hopeful that Jones has been given a remit and assurances that he can do that. What we’ve had for years is trying to build on a liquid foundation. One or two quality players here and there but basically a journeyman squad. We have at best ten players that we can build something around. We won’t do it in one window but if Jones wants a 22 man squad with an upgrade in personnel then I can see a summer of significant churn, followed by several windows of additions. I’d say at this point we’re miles off.
Disagree that we're miles off. If we could go into next season with our current strike force or even upgrade on Ladapo and/or Wickham that's half the battle already. I completely agree with your logic about several windows of additions but i'd say that more applies to being in The Championship pushing for The Premier League, when all fit there's no better strike force in depth in this division than Leaburn, May, Kanu, Wickham, Aneke, Ladapo.
All 6 never have or will be fit at the same time whilst here this season. If they had, quite simply they wouldn't all be here anyway, so it's a pretty irrelevant point.
And I really can't see us stocking 6 strikers next season, especially not of that calibre where all would be expecting to play. It creates it's own problems and NJ is looking for a trimmer and better balanced squad.
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The squad does need a lot of work though. As was said the season before. And the season before that. And the season before that. And the season before that. And the season before that.....
Always remember Deon Burton coming in under the radar and was one of the most underestimated players we have had. Held it up very well.
Trying to assess how much money we could raise as the ones we know should be leaving go wouldn't fetch a kilo of Oranges at the market!
Always thought LuaLua was a constant menace when he played against us for Brighton. Admittedly that's over 10 years ago so I doubt he's still quite got the same electric pace that he had but if it is him that's signing it's a very canny move.
I totally buy the tiered structure mind and the opportunity for our academy graduates to come through.
4 quality permanent signings topped up with decent loans will suffice.
Miles to me is better playing off a target man, as he doesn't have the strength off his old man yet, so an experienced lump up front like Wickham would be a useful asset for all our current strikers.
Kanu has demonstrated a bit of pace, superb work rate, decent finishing and improving hold up play, but... technically he seems a little off. His assist yesterday was a hashed shot, and he airshotted the first attempt for his goal. This isn't something that's likely to improve much.
Would say though that I thought we might be aiming higher than the two aforementioned.
I would not assume that we won't be. Jones may simply be experimenting a little bit with getting ideas for formations and tactics that we can use - getting a feel for how we play with a proper target man for instance. It doesn't NECESSARILY mean that Wickham will be that player but hes what's available right now.
And I really can't see us stocking 6 strikers next season, especially not of that calibre where all would be expecting to play. It creates it's own problems and NJ is looking for a trimmer and better balanced squad.