Next season's squad and who/what we need.

[mattbianco1]

I've put in my opinions in brackets.

K = Keep
R = Release / Sell

GK's:

Kenny (Hopefully is what we've been missing)
Bennett (Why is he here if we need to sign players above him on loan)
Aksalu

Defence:

Morgan (K)
Naysmith (K)
Geary (Not sure if he's got anything left in him) - (R)
Taylor (K)
Fortune (K, but only because we don't have anybody else)
Lowton (K) get him in the side now to see what he's like and if he's up to it.

Midfield:

Montgomery (K) Sign him now.
France (R) Pointless signing
Yeates (K) Dury's out with him. Could be good if he got some consistency.
Williamson (K)
Little (R) Good player but if he can't play a single 90 mins, whats the point
Quinn (K) He's got his knockers but technically a brilliant player.
Harper (......) Not sure. I know he's good but i've not seen it in Red and White
Reid (...) - might be a talent.

Strikers:

Henderson (R) - Sell, plenty of buyers out there for him. Could get us some much needed transfer cash.

Evans (K)
Sharp (K)
Cresswell (K)
Ward (K)
Camara (...) Not sure. depends on his wages / fitness. When he's good he's unplayable

Unkown:

Stewart (NEVER IN A MILLION YEARS)

So that leaves me with 2 GKS, 5 DF, 5/6 MF, 4/5 ST.

Needed:

2 Right backs
Centre Half (Maybe Nosworthy)
1 / 2 good winger(s). (Depends how good Reid is)
CM - A decent understudy to Monty & Willo.

Manager - We need something new i'm afraid.

SO.. We need to buy 4 or 5 players. That's not bad considering.

Get the scouts out. Get a new manager in. Get the training sorted and club doctors to diagnose this shit injury problem.

Sorted! :thumbup:

God knows where Radio sheffield got only 9 players from.

 

[cooperblade]

Beat me to it! - I typed this out this morning but never got round to posting it


Let's play Championship Manager...

What would you do if you were in charge of SUFC next term? Bit of creative license allowed obviously but try and keep it fairly realistic.

You've got to cut the wage bill by £2m. Transfers fees are limited to whatever you can bring in plus £250,000.

Outs

I'd release Naysmith (saving £850k pa), Harper, Fortune, Bennett and Geary. If at all possible, I'd get shut of France, Stewart

I'd sell Billy Sharp to the highest bidder (£750k) and, with Sunday fresh in the memory, I'd be tempted to cash in on Henderson. Kyel Reid might bring in 100k if we're lucky.

Of the loanees, Connolly would be the only one I'd consider keeping dependent on how he does from here on in.

Ins

We'd be left with

GK - Kenny, Aksalu - I'd run with this and rely on short-term loans for cover.

DEF - Morgan, Taylor

Obviously need a complete re-building job in this area!

I'd have a real good go at getting Naughton back on a season long. He isn't getting a game at Boro and the way his career has stalled might offer us an opportunity.

We'd need to sign 2 new centre backs, I'd probably spend a good portion of the budget on someone to play alongside Morgan - who could we get from another Championship club for a few hundred grand?

Left back would have to be a freebie to compete with Taylor (who I think is better than the majority seem to think)

MID - Quinn, Williamson, Yeates, Little

I'd make re-signing Monty a priority, from a continuity and 'spirit' point of view as much as anything else. Little's worth keeping for his 15 minute cameos.

We need to sign a central midfielder who can keep the ball. I'd go for Tonge, sure not many would agree. We also need someone 6 foot plus who can play in the middle, win the ball and give us some presence.

I'd then look for a young winger with lightening pace. Quinn would only be used on the left, not centrally.

Ward and Cresswell can fill the wide positions when necessary.

ATT - Evans, Ward, Cresswell

Need 2 more players here as well - one target man, one quick player. Think we'll be looking in the bargain basement here as well.


Massively difficult - lots of players needed and we've got to cust costs. No-one ready to come through from the academy either.

On the plus side, we've got a good (but small) core of players who are plenty good enough at this level.

We need a manager who will unite the fans, who can wheel and deal, who is comfortable to make unpopular decisions and who will instil some pride and passion back in the club.

As fans we're going to need to patient with a new manager. If there is no new manager, I'm not sure what we should do!

 

[mattbianco1]

I think Henderson would fetch £1m plus. Get shut then keep sharp

 

[Grecian2000]

Yeates (K) Dury's out with him.

You Blockhead

 

[mattbianco1]

You Blockhead

:thumbdown:

Would you care to explain this very abusive comment?

 

[Grecian2000]

Oh, you youngsters. Try googling Dury.

Apologies though, shouldn't make fun of peoples spelling.

 

[mattbianco1]

Get it now!! What a nob i am.

Jury!!!

thought you were calling me a blockhead for giving yeates a chance. If you don't give over i'll hit you with my rhythm stick!

 

[Wards]

I'd be happy to keep Seip depending on his wages (can't be much). Think he's out of contract in the summer.

Would make an ideal centre back partner for Morgs as a cheapish option.

I'd also like us to sign Mackie from Plymouth, keep Connolly from Derby (been fairly impressed, very solid) and get McLean and/or Mickail-Smith from P'boro. Given we have a bit of money to spend I'd also take Vaughan of Blackpool and also try and get Bartley back on a season long loan.

 

[SwissBlade]

I've added another category to keep things complicated

(L) = Loan out for half a season min

GK's:
Kenny (K) - Missed him this season, he's our No1. Still a dosey tosser for doing what he did!
Bennett (R) - He'll be released in the summer, past it now I think
Aksalu (K) - From reading Tihane's reviews of him he could be a good back up to Paddy and with time could replace him

Defence:
Morgan (K) - Legend
Naysmith (K) - Needs to prove himself before we give him a new contract...
Geary (R) - Sorry Del
Taylor (L) - Needs more experience, but under less pressure than at the lane
Fortune (R) - Never fit
Lowton (K) - He needs to play week in week out, make mistakes and learn without pressure now. Then get him bulked up in preseason
Stewart (R) - Never put him near our first team again. Can we get rid now?

Midfield:
Montgomery (K) - Contract now
France (R) - Never fit
Yeates (K) - needs time to bed in
Williamson (K) - Unless he can't prove his fitness
Little (K) Past it, but good to have on the bench
Quinn (K)
Harper (R) Not sure. I know he's good but i've not seen it in Red and White
Reid (L) - might be a talent, loan to Donny for the first few months of next season.
Ward (K) - New long term contract please

Strikers:
Henderson (R) - Offers of 1M we say yes
Evans (K) - He WILL get goals for us
Sharp (K) - He WILL get goals for us
Cresswell (K) - Dependable
Camara (R) Depends only on his fitness, which he can't maintain

Manager/ Backroom staff
Blackwell (R) - See Jordan Stewart
Ellis (R) - See Blackwell
Speed (K) - Get him working with the new manager
Fitness coach (R) - Something isn't working
Physio (R) - Send him back to school

 

[mattbianco1]

@ Swissblade

we should run it next year!! We obviously know whats wrong and we've agreed on pretty much everything. How would you commute?

 

[LouTheBlade]

GK's:
Kenny - Keep
Bennett - Release
Aksalu - Keep

Defence:
Morgan - Keep
Naysmith - Blades will release him (wages too high)
Geary - Blades will release him
Taylor - Release, Sell, Anything just get rid
Fortune - Release
Lowton - Keep
Stewart - Keep

Midfield:
Montgomery - Keep
France - Release
Yeates - Keep
Williamson - Keep
Little - Release
Quinn - Keep
Harper - Blades will release him (see Naysmith)
Reid - Keep
Ward - Keep

Strikers:
Henderson - Keep
Evans - Sell if we get a decent offer; Keep if not
Sharp - Keep
Cresswell - Keep
Camara - Blades will release him (see Naysmith and Harper)


Blackwell - Release
Ellis - Release
Speed - If we're skint give him the manager's job

Suggested new signings;

Frazer Richardson (Charlton) - Decent full back, they could snatch at a low fee.
Nyron Nosworthy (Sunderland) - If we can afford, could become a lane hero in time.
Elliot Ward (Coventry) - They don't seem to want him.
Lloyd Sam (Charlton) - Out of Contract.
Nathan Tyson (Forest) - Might do well at the lane, good pace and versatile.
Michail Antonio (Reading) - Currently on loan at Soton. Very quick, nice touch.
Jamie Mackie (Plymouth) - Quite impressed me when Plymouth came to the lane.

 

[Bramley]

I'd be happy to keep Seip depending on his wages (can't be much). Think he's out of contract in the summer.

Would make an ideal centre back partner for Morgs as a cheapish option.

I'd also like us to sign Mackie from Plymouth, keep Connolly from Derby (been fairly impressed, very solid) and get McLean and/or Mickail-Smith from P'boro. Given we have a bit of money to spend I'd also take Vaughan of Blackpool and also try and get Bartley back on a season long loan.

Am I alone in thinking Bartley is complete dog turd? He couldn't trap concrete!

 

[Nick Jansky]

I think Henderson would fetch £1m plus. Get shut then keep sharp

Which clubs below the PL do you think will be able to afford transfer fees of £1m plus? Its not just us that are skint. Football has operated on borrowed money for donkeys years, and now nobody can borrow. Can't see any of our players going for much more than peanuts.

 

[Highbury_Blade]

Lou,
keep stewart???
:thumbdown:

 

[Wards]

Am I alone in thinking Bartley is complete dog turd? He couldn't trap concrete!

No you're not alone, Len started a thread yesterday along the same lines.

But I'm more of the opinion he's got a bomb scare playing next to him and in actual fact, has some bloody good potential for a 19 year old playing CB.

I wouldn't have Nosworthy back under any circumstances.

 

[LouTheBlade]

Lou,
keep stewart???
:thumbdown:

Only because Taylor has to go and with Naysmith's inevitable departure we will have no other left backs. I don't see United investing in two over the summer.

 

[Darthblade]

I've put in my opinions in brackets.

K = Keep
R = Release / Sell

GK's:

Kenny (Hopefully is what we've been missing)
Bennett (Why is he here if we need to sign players above him on loan)
Aksalu

Defence:

Morgan (K)
Naysmith (K)
Geary (Not sure if he's got anything left in him) - (R)
Taylor (K)
Fortune (K, but only because we don't have anybody else)
Lowton (K) get him in the side now to see what he's like and if he's up to it.

Midfield:

Montgomery (K) Sign him now.
France (R) Pointless signing
Yeates (K) Dury's out with him. Could be good if he got some consistency.
Williamson (K)
Little (R) Good player but if he can't play a single 90 mins, whats the point
Quinn (K) He's got his knockers but technically a brilliant player.
Harper (......) Not sure. I know he's good but i've not seen it in Red and White
Reid (...) - might be a talent.

Strikers:

Henderson (R) - Sell, plenty of buyers out there for him. Could get us some much needed transfer cash.

Evans (K)
Sharp (K)
Cresswell (K)
Ward (K)
Camara (...) Not sure. depends on his wages / fitness. When he's good he's unplayable

Unkown:

Stewart (NEVER IN A MILLION YEARS)

So that leaves me with 2 GKS, 5 DF, 5/6 MF, 4/5 ST.

Needed:

2 Right backs
Centre Half (Maybe Nosworthy)
1 / 2 good winger(s). (Depends how good Reid is)
CM - A decent understudy to Monty & Willo.

Manager - We need something new i'm afraid.

SO.. We need to buy 4 or 5 players. That's not bad considering.

Get the scouts out. Get a new manager in. Get the training sorted and club doctors to diagnose this shit injury problem.

Sorted! :thumbup:

God knows where Radio sheffield got only 9 players from.

Get rid of France, Stewart, Harper, Bennett, Camara.
The sale of Billy and releasing Naysmith should reduce wage bill by the required amount to keep the wolf from the door and balance the books.

Players to improve us:
Adam - Blackpool
Mackie - Plymouth
Lonergan - Preston
Ward - Coventry
Connolley - Derby

Try to hold onto Monty (I know .... he's like Marmite but he does his job well)

Cheeky long term(season) loans - Walker, Nosworthy.

New manager: O'Driscoll / Mowbray / ? (somebody who can get the team playing as a team again, playing decent attacking football (with no snow on the ball)
And whilst you're at it Santa, I'd like Kelly Brook wrapped in something not too substantial ............
UTB

 

[SESKU Blade]

Only because Taylor has to go and with Naysmith's inevitable departure we will have no other left backs. I don't see United investing in two over the summer.

Ah, but according to the tactical mastermind that is Kevin Blackwell - Stewart isn't a left back

Anyway I'd get shut of Stewart the sooner he gets to MLS the better and I wouldn't keep Nosworthy, he looks a liability to me.

 

[Houso]

Agree with a lot in here, but afraid some of the suggested signings are way off the mark.

Players like Adam will be off to a lower Prem side and Nosworthy if the same will be too expensive.

Plus, if Connolly is on 10k per week as the Ram posted, then I'd not bother.

I'd like Seip to sign as he's been fairly solid. Also, I think we have the core of a very good team, and there's no reason we can't build on this with the odd youngster stepping in from time to time. Wedgebury for instance must be worth a pop, along with Roe and Brown.

 

[LouTheBlade]

Ah, but according to the tactical mastermind that is Kevin Blackwell - Stewart isn't a left back

Anyway I'd get shut of Stewart the sooner he gets to MLS the better and I wouldn't keep Nosworthy, he looks a liability to me.

Yes ive noticed his refusal to acknowledge the fact, despite Stewart having played left back regularly for Watford and Derby

The Noz is sound. I can't understand why he gets stick. He's barely settled in yet and he's done ok generally. I work closely with some lads up in the north east and they say he's a fan favourite at Sunderland................

If he's good enough for a side much better than ours then he's good enough for Bramall Lane.

 

[Grecian2000]

Anyway I'd get shut of Stewart the sooner he gets to MLS the better and I wouldn't keep Nosworthy, he looks a liability to me.

But surely Crazy Legs and The Noz are the only interesting things left to look at. Since I gave up on any chance of reaching the play-offs (day after Cotterill was loaned away) then the highlights of the remainder of the season have been the comedy cameos that these two provide every match.

How can one not stare in wonderment as Crazy bombs down the wing, overruns the ball and only stops when he runs into a defender?
Surely seeing Noz trying stepovers as the last line of defence keeps the heart rate racing.

No. With Blackwell still here we need entertaining in other ways. Having your own version of Morecambe and Wise in the back four is the future.

 

[SwissBlade]

@ Swissblade

we should run it next year!! We obviously know whats wrong and we've agreed on pretty much everything. How would you commute?

I'd leave the day to day management with you Matt, but we could set up a reporting format that we could discuss weekly player progress etc.

I could do the overseas scouting from my Central European Base here in Switzerland and with my regular work travel to Germany, Italy and Russia I could do a bit of scouting as well

 

[Fiery Blade]

Yes ive noticed his refusal to acknowledge the fact, despite Stewart having played left back regularly for Watford and Derby

The Noz is sound. I can't understand why he gets stick. He's barely settled in yet and he's done ok generally. I work closely with some lads up in the north east and they say he's a fan favourite at Sunderland................

If he's good enough for a side much better than ours then he's good enough for Bramall Lane.

So was Uhlenbeek at Ipswich!!!

 

[LouTheBlade]

so was uhlenbeek at ipswich!!!

Guuuuuuuuuuuuussss!!!!

 

[Brisca Blade]

GK's:

Kenny K
Bennett R
Aksalu K

Defence:

Morgan K
Naysmith K
Geary R
Taylor K
Fortune K
Lowton K

Midfield:

Montgomery K
France R
Yeates K
Williamson K
Little K
Quinn K
Harper R
Reid K
Stewart R

Strikers:
Henderson R
Evans K
Sharp K
Cresswell K
Ward K
Camara R


Needed:

2 Right backs Connolly
Centre Half Seip
2 wingers

 

[DazBlade88]

I believe Bennett's retiring, so people shouldn't have to worry about keeping or getting rid of him.

 

[SESKU Blade]

Yes ive noticed his refusal to acknowledge the fact, despite Stewart having played left back regularly for Watford and Derby

The Noz is sound. I can't understand why he gets stick. He's barely settled in yet and he's done ok generally. I work closely with some lads up in the north east and they say he's a fan favourite at Sunderland................

If he's good enough for a side much better than ours then he's good enough for Bramall Lane.

I remain to be convinced, at the minute I'd have sooner kept Killa until the end of the season. That's part of the beauty of football, that people's views on the same player etc can vary so much.

But surely Crazy Legs and The Noz are the only interesting things left to look at. Since I gave up on any chance of reaching the play-offs (day after Cotterill was loaned away) then the highlights of the remainder of the season have been the comedy cameos that these two provide every match.

How can one not stare in wonderment as Crazy bombs down the wing, overruns the ball and only stops when he runs into a defender?
Surely seeing Noz trying stepovers as the last line of defence keeps the heart rate racing.

No. With Blackwell still here we need entertaining in other ways. Having your own version of Morecambe and Wise in the back four is the future.

I never looked at it this way Grecian, You're right tho - focussing on this should make remainder of the season more enjoyable!

 

[LouTheBlade]

I remain to be convinced, at the minute I'd have sooner kept Killa until the end of the season. That's part of the beauty of football, that people's views on the same player etc can vary so much.

I think we would have all loved to have kept Killa but if we're honest the offer from Sunderland was too much to turn down in our financial position and six months left on his contract.

The reason I'm a fan of The Noz is because he is a bit different and has a bit of spirit about him, which is what we need at the lane right now. He has also indicated he would like to sign permanently as he enjoys being at the club so he will do for me. I do think he would be a better option at right back though. A bit too risky with the showboating in the middle.

Staying on topic I would build a first XI like this (having reviewed my earlier post);

sign the four in bold and add whatever you want to the rest of the squad. This side - playing proper football, could chase promotion

GK - Paddy Kenny
RB - Nyron Nosworthy
CB - Chris Morgan
CB - Marcel Seip
LB - Chris Armstrong
RW - Lloyd Sam
CM - Lee Williamson
CM - Nick Montgomery
LW - Mark Yeates / Kyel Reid
ST - Darius Henderson / Richard Cresswell
ST - Billy Sharp / Jamie Ward

 

[GRUMPY BLADE]

ST - Darius Henderson / Richard Cresswell
ST - Billy Sharp / Jamie Ward

Those four should have shot us up the table.

We'd all be happy if none were at the club now but were summer signings, we'd all get excited.

 

[LouTheBlade]

ST - Darius Henderson / Richard Cresswell
ST - Billy Sharp / Jamie Ward

Those four should have shot us up the table.

We'd all be happy if none were at the club now but were summer signings, we'd all get excited.

I think they're burdened too much grump. They get little, if no help from the midfield and are asked to play with the ball knocked to throat height. We are lucky to have such good forwards but they aren't used very well.