Just wondering what people's thoughts are?
The defence is fine, so maybe just a bit of cover. Still think we need another creative midfielder
A back up striker to replace Chucks as I'm assuming he will leave
I'm thinking 4, maybe 5 squad signings & 1 or 2 starters
Thoughts?
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Comments
Ramsay
Jones
New LCB (Macca has improved massively but the step up is big)
Edwards
Small (if he signs)
Coventry
New CM (Someone more comfortable on the ball than Doc)
New CAM (Someone younger with more quality than Berry)
Campbell
New CF (Godden will play his part but more quality needed)
Genuinely if we want to survive/compete we need a lot of signings. Both first team and squad.
The championship is a TOUGH division next season. And with so many teams coming down into it with big prem parachute payments in recent years, it is a different kettle of fish to the last time we were in it.
Don't underestimate what a big step up this will be. I am just pleased for now to be in the league, and with a structure and ownership that seems well set up to give it our best shot.
It's interesting to me that people think the squad needs so much work
Agree sadly about Gillesphey, at the very least we need cover for him and I don't think McIntyre is good enough to do that - You never know, Tom might be signed up, and may just need a full pre-season, Jones himself has said it took time for Macca to adjust to what was expected of him, and we've seen the benefits.
Small is fine if he stays, but think we'll need cover if he goes, Watson as backup will be replaced by Zach Mitchell, with the latter stepping in at RCB if ever needed, and Ramsay being the one to go back to RWB in those situations.
Agree about a new CM and a new CAM (would love this to be Donley on loan) - I think we need two new Strikers, with Campbell and Godden on the bench, but wont be surprised if its the other way around.
So in answer to the question... At the very least
LCB (Cover) - CM - CAM - ST - ST
I reckon we need about 7 players for the first team alone (6 if we keep Small) and probably 15 total if you add in squad players.
I think it'll be half that
Seriously though I think we'll see 4-6 starters and maybe 2/3 squad players who can genuinely fight for a starting spot.
Anyone expecting an almost entirely new starting will be disappointed. NJ will be building on what we have. He might be ruthless with some positions, but he won’t tear up this team and start again.
I think we’ll see a good number of u21s involved in preseason and decisions made in August on which of them are part of the first team, who goes on loan and who stays with the u21s. Zach Mitchell seems the obvious one to be part of the first team after his good loan spell in the SPL.
Doch.
Really think he's struggled with league one this year. Did enough but will need to be much better next season. Maybe he'll come alive at a higher level??
Midfield needs a playmaker & some wide players. Can't play into the Championship with TC and a makeshift right wideman.
Up front is where we need it most. Ahadme, Kanu & Mbick are obviously not Championship material. Aneke is out of contract & Hylton is too old. That leaves Godden & an injured Leaburn. So imo we need at least 2, if not 3 proper strikers.
So in my book we need at least at least 8 players....preferably 10. We wont do though as Nathan likes a tight ship, so I'm expecting 4 or 5 in.
to me is not a priority.
At least 3-4 of those need to be first XI starters.
Ramsey, Jones, Coventry, Small (if he re-signs) are a solid core to build around.
Godden, Edwards, Gillesphey, Campbell, Mannion, Berry, Docherty, Anderson should be more than competitive too.
No overhaul required just some serious upgrades in key positions.
*Edit*
I forgot Leaburn! Who I'd put in the competitive bracket. Jury's out on his career in general after so many significant injuries at such a young age.
RWB Small (depends on contract)/New
RCB Ramsay/Z.Mitchell
CCB Jones/A.Mitchell
LCB New/Gillesphey
LWB Edwards/New
CDM Coventry/Anderson
CM New/Docherty
CM New/Berry
ST New/Godden/Leaburn
ST TC/New
Arguably need 5 new starting XI signings + a further 3 for depth so 8 signings needed and then replace any starters who may be sold
Being realistic (not negative)...
I'd say we have 4 players max who are current Championship quality and I'm not worried about the step up: Jones, Ramsey, Small, Coventry
Another 2 in Berry, Godden who have Champ experience and ability but are up against a new battle in terms of age/90 minute fitness
Doc is a bit standalone in having played in the division, good age but maybe bombed out of it for not being good enough...think he might surprise a few and be capable
Edwards, Leaburn, Gillesphey, Campbell, Mannion make up the players you are hoping can kick on to the next level but there isn't a guarantee
Rest of the squad I'd probably say is L1 at best and I don't have faith in Kanu, Anderson, AMB, Mitchell, Watson stepping up to the required degree to be Championship players.
It's Charlton so we know a few kids will get thrown in and see what happens but if we assuming the likes of Dixon and Mbick make up this bucket then I'm not convinced it's adding quality to the squad
SO based on all that... 10 new signings to help formulate a solid 18 man squad. I suspect we get more like 5 marquee and some fluffers
Gilbert and McIntrye returning to their loan clubs. Again no major loss, although I think there’s a players in there with Gilbert.
Small will of course be a loss.
hopefully be an interesting summer!!!
Malik Motherille, Posh .. midfield/striker .. Number one seed lol
John Swift, WBA (released) .. midfielder
Zak Jules, Rotherham .. central defender (injury problems last season though)
Jaydon Fevrier, Stockport .. winger
Lyndon Gooch, Stoke (released) .. r/side back/wing back (as with Jules)
Also, everyone's favourite defender Santos has been released by Bolton (not for me, too slow)
Hows about Danny Ings ?
;-)
Doc and Anderson will step up - neither need replacing, yet.
Godden and Berry will step up but age may start catching up with them and long term replacements would be good.
TC and Small have work to do but they are both young and have potential to be star players, but won’t be immediately.
Mannion, Gillesphey will be handy squad players.
Give me 4-6 first teamers on top of the above and we’re in a good place to consolidate IMO.
If we’re going for top half then add a few more.