All this talk about transfer targets has got me thinking about the squad: who might make the step up and who might struggle. These are just my opinion; players in bold are ones I feel can be relatively sure of their places next season.
GK:
Moore - hasn't ever been a regular at Championship level but he was understudy to a very good goalkeeper in David Marshall. Has shown glimpses of the required ability but also a couple of weaknesses (near post in particular)
Long - poor this season and hasn't really kicked on. Can see him heading out, either on loan or permanently but as it stands, he's not performing at the required level.
Eastwood - unproven. Emergency backup at best.
DF:
Wright - Mr Consistent. A talker and an organiser who may surprise a few people if, and only if, we continue with the 3 at the back system. He won't feature if we revert to a back 4 as he lacks the pace and mobility to play in a two.
O'Connell - come on leaps and bounds this season. A Brentford supporting colleague said he was good but was always liable to make a mistake: those mistakes are becoming rarer and rarer. If he continues to progress at the rate he has over this season he'll go far.
Basham - mobile and tenacious but there's something I can't put my finger on which makes me doubt he'll be a shoe-in next season. Deserves to start in the back three though.
EEL - cult hero but his leaden footedness and lack of positional awareness means he shouldn't be pursued next season
Wilson -
WB:
Freeman - exceptional this season going forward but there are still question marks defensively as his man seems to get away from him too often. We concede a lot of goals down the opposition left and that will be targeted next season
Brayford - will he come back? Probably more defensively solid than Freeman but lacks the attacking dynamism.
Lafferty - another consistent performer. Positionally excellent but frustratingly gives the ball away playing simple passes. He's a solid squad player but no more.
Hussey - came in, played the first few games then disappeared off the face of the earth. The irony is that he is probably better suited to a wingback role in the system we're now using than the fullback role he struggled in at the start of the season
MF:
Coutts - excellent all season and looks to be back to his best. Should make the step up
Fleck - same as Coutts. Should be able to handle the step up.
Carruthers - from the sublime to the ridiculous at times: can glide past opponents like they're not then then will fail to make a 5 yard pass. With a Wilder/Knill preseason behind him he should improve.
Reed - regressed over the past two seasons but there's an opportunity for him to go out on loan back in League One next season and prove that his early promise wasn't a flash in the pan
Whiteman - exceptional on loan at Mansfield in League Two: has to take any opportunity he's given in pre-season or another loan spell beckons.
AM/Wingers:
Duffy - fades towards the end of games but always looking to make things happen. That means he loses the ball more than most. Deserves a chance but that might be limited to cameos from the bench
O'Shea - came in, scored some important goals but ultimately is he good enough? I'm not sure
Chapman - unfortunate injury but worth an enquiry for another loan spell. Boro may want him to get more games though
Done - what can I add to the discussion? His workrate is second to none, his skills are second to most.
Scougall - never really kicked on and will probably leave. Has to go down as a waste of money given he cost £400k, making him the second most expensive player in the current squad. Will probably end up at Burton.
ST:
Sharp - lethal when the ball falls to him anywhere up to 18 yards out. Has led his boyhood club to glory and will lead the side again next season. Should be looking for 10-15 goals.
Clarke - since his return from injury he's looked a different player. Strong, good in the air, clever feet and intelligent movement allied to a really nice ability to curl the ball into the bottom corner from the edge of the area. The question remains, though: can he maintain this form?
Hanson - played the role Akinbiyi did in 2005/06. He's performed well in the time he's played but he's not technically good or mobile enough to make the step up. I would imagine he'll be here until January 2018 but with limited appearances from the bench.
Lavery - grew into the season but mixes occasions of looking like a proper player with spells of not being able to control the ball. One for the future: I'd expect his appearances to be from the bench
McNulty - barely featured this season, either on loan at Bradford or back at the Lane. Terrible performance against Fleetwood seemed to make up Wilder's mind
So in summary:
Shoe-ins: Sharp, Fleck, Coutts, Basham, O'Connell
May be replaced: Moore, Freeman, Lafferty, Duffy, Wright, Clarke
Squad players: Wilson, Lavery, Carruthers
Departures: Hanson, Whiteman (l), Reed (l), Brayford, Long (l), O'Shea, Done, Hussey, Scougall, McNulty
Targets:
First XI:
Goalkeeper to challenge (and replace) Moore
Right fullback/wingback more defensively and positionally sound than Freeman
Mobile, strong centre half
Attacking midfielder with high stamina
Centre forward
Squad:
Winger(s)
Central midfielder to challenge Coutts and Fleck
Left fullback/winger better than Lafferty
