Chris Basham and John Fleck. Replacements?

[Charlieblade]

Just reading a thread about a potential replacement for John Fleck.

Fleck is getting on a bit and struggled with form on his recent return from injury. His quality still got him into the Scotland squad, but that was probably on his past form.

I have been concerned for some time about a potential replacement for Chris Basham, also struggling with a recent injury, when he has always been one of the first names on the team sheet, and rightly so.

If Fleck is considered good enough as a starter at championship level, then the same should apply to Basham. I would be even more worried if either of them failed to come back from a serious injury.

I can only hope that Basham gets a good run at Championship level, and Fleck gets the same chance. The only thing to emerge from the Fleck replacement thread, was that Mr Bannon was entirely unsuitable. (I concur)

The questions remain. Who might be a suitable replacement for Basham, and for Fleck?

 

[spongebobblade]

Fleck getting on a bit? He’s 29! Basham, Didsy and Billy are the ones would should look at replacing long term. All 3 have just 1 season left on there contracts. Didsy and Bash will be 34 when they end and Billy is 36 in February. All 3 are in great shape but it’s doubtful any would get another contract especially if we get promoted.

 

[Nelson1889]

Fleck getting on a bit? He’s 29! Basham, Didsy and Billy are the ones would should look at replacing long term. All 3 have just 1 season left on there contracts. Didsy and Bash will be 34 when they end and Billy is 36 in February. All 3 are in great shape but it’s doubtful any would get another contract especially if we get promoted.

Still not replaced Duffy and he left 2 years ago!

 

[spongebobblade]

Still not replaced Duffy and he left 2 years ago!

We bought Luke Freeman but then decided to change to a flat 3. If he gets himself fit he could well challenge for the number 10 spot…. Though I reckon that’s where we will try and strengthen

 

[blades78]

Paddy McNair from Middlesboro would be a brilliant long term replacement for Bash. He can play in midfield as well.

 

[jono_t2000]

Bash has taken his fair share of bashes (excuse the pun) over last season or so. When he starts declining it will be rapid not a slow fade, needs a future replacement sorting sooner rather than later.

 

[DronnieBlade]

I simply cannot fucking wait for 2 (and there are others) of our best, most reliable performers over the last few seasons, to ram these fuckwit type words down your throats.

Can.
Not.
Wait.
.

UTB

 

[ISZA ⚔️]

What’s Panos Retsos up to these days

 

[Nosworthys Throw]

Basham cant be replaced

 

[Flatulent_Bob]

I simply cannot fucking wait for 2 (and there are others) of our best, most reliable performers over the last few seasons, to ram these fuckwit type words down your throats.

Can.
Not.
Wait.
.

UTB

The thing is, even if they perform this season, which is a level they’ve performed at before, we still need to replace them as they’re not good enough in the PL. There’s no point taking it personally on their behalf, there won’t be any opportunity to ram any words down anyone’s throats as at some point we need players in their positions who move us forward. That’s not the same as “let’s bomb them out and never use them again” as Basham (so long as he isn't in a two) and Fleck would do a perfectly fine job for us in the Championship if called upon.

 

[DronnieBlade]

The thing is, even if they perform this season, which is a level they’ve performed at before, we still need to replace them as they’re not good enough in the PL. There’s no point taking it personally on their behalf, there won’t be any opportunity to ram any words down anyone’s throats as at some point we need players in their positions who move us forward. That’s not the same as “let’s bomb them out and never use them again” as Basham (so long as he isn't in a two) and Fleck would do a perfectly fine job for us in the Championship if called upon.

Then if / when we get to the PL, replace them !

Seriously, not sure there are better RCB or LCM options anywhere in the championship that would improve on them 2.

Be careful what you wish for would be sound advice to take on board for many. Look how our PL recruitment “improved” us this last 2 years !!

UTB

 

[Charlieblade]

Both players, and especially Basham, have been outstanding servants to the club. Basham needed a replacement/apprentice last season.
Fleck might be a few years younger, but the same solution applies. Basham was a bloody good midfielder, and the switch to attack minded centre half only improved him. I doubt that Fleck has the stature to undergo a similar change.

My worry is based on two blokes who have proved indispensable, suddenly becoming injury prone at a late stage in their career. Maybe I’m worrying needlessly but there are precedents at the club and not just down to age.

 

[Snowflake]

I simply cannot fucking wait for 2 (and there are others) of our best, most reliable performers over the last few seasons, to ram these fuckwit type words down your throats.

Can.
Not.
Wait.
.

UTB

I understand your view, but if we are looking to being back in the Premiership they will need replacing. However they will be fine in the Championship

 

[Flatulent_Bob]

Then if / when we get to the PL, replace them !

Seriously, not sure there are better RCB or LCM options anywhere in the championship that would improve on them 2.

Be careful what you wish for would be sound advice to take on board for many. Look how our PL recruitment “improved” us this last 2 years !!

UTB

Then you're doing a huge squad overhaul when you're promoted as you'll need to be replacing Billy, Dids, Bash, Norwood, Fleck, for spots.
Why not look to bring alternates for some of those roles now? They get to bed in for a season at a lower level and then step up rather than trying to bring 10 new players in during one transfer window.

 

[robbiez666]

If we're serious about going up, we need to start replacing players who are considered not good enough for the PL.

We've seen what happens when we simply try and buy these players in the PL. We simply don't have the money to do it.

There's also a huge benefit having the player for a season playing in a certain way with team mates than bringing a number of players in at the same time and expecting them all to adapt quickly.

It's not even a question of whether Basham is good enough now but will he be in two years time? The answer is likely no. I would expect him to pick up more and more injuries, due to age, and we need to have another option this year so he can be rested, if needed.

Fleck is not PL quality. The midfield is a priority this summer. Is Berge goes we need to bring in 2 or 3.

Loan to buy works as well as simply buying imo. It gives us the chance to work with them for a year and then decide.

 

[Keef Chedwyn]

Then if / when we get to the PL, replace them !

Seriously, not sure there are better RCB or LCM options anywhere in the championship that would improve on them 2.

Be careful what you wish for would be sound advice to take on board for many. Look how our PL recruitment “improved” us this last 2 years !!

UTB

That's not because there is nobody better out there, that's because Wilder went batshit.

 

[Isaw Joeshaw]

Then you're doing a huge squad overhaul when you're promoted as you'll need to be replacing Billy, Dids, Bash, Norwood, Fleck, for spots.
Why not look to bring alternates for some of those roles now? They get to bed in for a season at a lower level and then step up rather than trying to bring 10 new players in during one transfer window.

The corollary of that is that it is surely easier to sign PL quality players when we are actually in that division .

Until that is the case , the best chance we have is the signing of younger players based on their future potential in the hope that they will achieve that standing .

Recent experiences have shown that this approach can have serious shortcomings , not least in the case of Messrs. Lowe , Burke and Brewster to name but three .

 

[SuperSonicBlade89]

Age is kinda irrelevant these days, as footballers take better care of themselves. Unless it's an problematic injury, then players find it harder to heal the older they get. I'd be happy if Bash or Billy could get to 38 - 40 and still be in the pro game. Wasnt Billy kinda bragging only a couple of seasons ago that he feels fitter now than he did at 23? Some players bloom later. Akinfenwa is a good example of an older EFL player. Or even C. Ronaldo as an elite player still going strong, if not stronger in some departments than 15 years ago.

I feel like we've all said that John Fleck has huge potential, but he might not hit his prime till his early thirties. If he can get over his injury problems that is.

 

[Flatulent_Bob]

The corollary of that is that it is surely easier to sign PL quality players when we are actually in that division .

Until that is the case , the best chance we have is the signing of younger players based on their future potential in the hope that they will achieve that standing .

Recent experiences have shown that this approach can have serious shortcomings , not least in the case of Messrs. Lowe , Burke and Brewster to name but three .

I wouldn't disagree, but it means you have a higher level of Churn and change while you're trying to hit the ground running.

 

[spongebobblade]

I simply cannot fucking wait for 2 (and there are others) of our best, most reliable performers over the last few seasons, to ram these fuckwit type words down your throats.

Can.
Not.
Wait.
.

UTB

Assuming I’m one of those your aiming that at I suggest you read it again. I said LONG TERM. Bash, Billy and Didsy have all been consistent for us for a number of years but at what stage do you think of replacing them? It’s not a question of ability or attitude but of age. Do we leave it until we have to spent money to replace all 3 at once? All good things come to an end at some point

 

[DronnieBlade]

Assuming I’m one of those your aiming that at I suggest you read it again. I said LONG TERM. Bash, Billy and Didsy have all been consistent for us for a number of years but at what stage do you think of replacing them? It’s not a question of ability or attitude but of age. Do we leave it until we have to spent money to replace all 3 at once? All good things come to an end at some point

They do.

But as things stand, and without many millions being wisely spent on long term replacements, they are all 1st team players.

As a championship club, I simply don’t accept it is sensible to adopt a medium / longer term planning ethos that many appear to. You can do this as a PL club only.

It’s all about the “now”.

Our resources will be stretched going forwards. £23m on development players might, just might, be a thing of the past !!

UTB

 

[Yogi]

Then if / when we get to the PL, replace them !

Seriously, not sure there are better RCB or LCM options anywhere in the championship that would improve on them 2.

Be careful what you wish for would be sound advice to take on board for many. Look how our PL recruitment “improved” us this last 2 years !!

UTB

I think this summer is the year to be looking at a long term Basham replacement. Bash is a great player but we currently haven’t got any cover for him in the squad at all so we need to bring a centreback in to fill that role.

If we’re going to do that then that player has to be capable of starting in case bash gets injured if not then we’ll suffer in that eventuality and it might cost us a tilt at promotion.

Therefore if we’re bringing in a starting caliber player to compete with/cover for bash it would make sense for them to be a younger player in their early 20’s with a view to succeeding from bash rather than signing another older pro as we’d then have to replace both them and bash in the same time frame rather than just one.

 

[DronnieBlade]

I think this summer is the year to be looking at a long term Basham replacement. Bash is a great player but we currently haven’t got any cover for him in the squad at all so we need to bring a centreback in to fill that role.

If we’re going to do that then that player has to be capable of starting in case bash gets injured if not then we’ll suffer in that eventuality and it might cost us a tilt at promotion.

Therefore if we’re bringing in a starting caliber player to compete with/cover for bash it would make sense for them to be a younger player in their early 20’s with a view to succeeding from bash rather than signing another older pro as we’d then have to replace both them and bash in the same time frame rather than just one.

Can you think of anyone that would be good enough, affordable, and willing to wait for Bash’s legs to go ?

Me neither !!

It’s all well and good this football manager lark except it’s not actually computer based in the real world !!

UTB

 

[spongebobblade]

They do.

But as things stand, and without many millions being wisely spent on long term replacements, they are all 1st team players.

As a championship club, I simply don’t accept it is sensible to adopt a medium / longer term planning ethos that many appear to. You can do this as a PL club only.

It’s all about the “now”.

Our resources will be stretched going forwards. £23m on development players might, just might, be a thing of the past !!

UTB

Now yes, they are more than good enough, but there contracts are up in 12 months. Will the legs still be there? Do we take a chance and possibly have to replace all 3 next year? Or do we bring in 1 possibly 2 who can grow with us and be groomed to replace them eventually? Already there is talk of the young Wolves right sided centre half. We aren’t talking silly money but we also have to remember that if it doesn’t work out next season the money will drop again and we will be back to looking for bargain basement buys/ free transfers. It has to be a balancing act.

 

[DronnieBlade]

Can you think of anyone that would be good enough, affordable, and willing to wait for Bash’s legs to go ?

Me neither !!

It’s all well and good this football manager lark except it’s not actually computer based in the real world !!

UTB

Ps don’t disagree about the “young un” strategy but it probably won’t tick the adequate cover box.

UTB

 

[Yogi]

Can you think of anyone that would be good enough, affordable, and willing to wait for Bash’s legs to go ?

Me neither !!

It’s all well and good this football manager lark except it’s not actually computer based in the real world !!

UTB

I don’t mind the look of Sanderson from wolves ticks a lot of boxes. 21 6ft 2 has played right back and centre back surplus to requirements at wolves and coming off an impressive season on loan at Sunderland. Plus we’ve apparently been monitoring him for a while. He would seem ideal in terms of player profile.

 

[bypassblade]

It's really a double edged sword I know the club want to be in PL but I hate it personally, full of cheats fake money and stupid fucking KO times. I don't blame them for wanting a piece of the pie but let's face it, in PL the fan means sod all.

 

[SouthportBlade]

One question mark over Basham is the role of the RCB next season.

Could be wrong, but I'm not sure we will see the same swashbuckling, overlapping centre backs from the last few years. For me this was one of main the reasons why Bash has been spectacular, his engine, his work rate, his ungainly attacking ability fit that position perfectly.

Move to a more 'standard' back three or even back four, and how does Bash stack-up? Hard to make a judgement as hasn't played that position, but my concern is he could become a more average / replaceable CB in a conventional system?

 

[RedandWhite]

Fleck is 29, our whole team struggled last year. Let him put it right this season coming, he is for me one of our most technically gifted players along side Didzy. As for Bash, he wins the pre season beep tests every single year, and is our fittest player every single time. I believe he still has 2 more years at this level. Hes still in good shape.

 

[CPB]

A fitter Fleck last season would have helped us. He had a bit of a freak injury in Sept/Oct which set him back.
We need to worry about getting promoted first before worrying who is good enough to step back up and Bash and Fleck can help us do that in this division all being well.

I wouldn't rule out that natural replacements could be within the academy too. This current crop has some promising players in it. (Academy)