Champagneblade
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Suppose we look at Forest and Everton throwing themselves into a relegation fight and we decide now is the time to strike.
It might mean over-reaching. It might hasten the departure of a few in the summer.
So what does it look like if we have a go and fall short?
To me, it might force revolution over evolution.
Yes we may need to sell players but also assuming we are unsuccessful we will also want to get a cost base under control.
Goalkeeper - Wes is still a reasonable Championship keeper but it does feel, despite his save of the month, that is his ceiling. Neither Davo, nor Amissah is really pushing to be retained. Likewise there are a number of keepers I’d take before Wes. Is Wes going to be looking for a deal, as a current PL player, that doesn’t reflect his current or future value to us? I think we can completely revisit this department any time really And given the number of loans, Chris might fancy that route again.
Defence - as the theme of this thread, overreaching and falling short might mean some tough decisions. Maybe George leaves in a free to a Greek club. Ordinarily I’d be fine for him to stay but he’s missed a few games now and you’ve got Seriki, Sachdev, possibly this Irish lad. Not all going to remain without a chance to play. Perhaps we save here and Bogle Carrie’s on?
On the left, we seem well placed when fit in terms of age of Norrington-Davies and Trusty and we also have Boyes and Buyabu. I’m expecting the loans to go back but maybe also Ozzy drops out and perhaps, if RND holds up enough, Lowe’s continual fitness issues see us letting him also go?
If we are looking at 4-3-3 for now, then I can see Anel being sacrificed as I don’t see him as a good enough defender in a 2. Both Robbo and Trusty excelled at that level last season. If Anel went then you’d expect a right sided stopper like Mepham to come in. With Frecklington in the mix it might leave you with one more spot. Does Egan make it with two seniors missing out or would it be Mepham and Robbo, supported by Trusty and a big wage save on Egan and perhaps an up and comer brought in? Looks like end of the line for Bash too.
Midfield -If Brooks can carry on progressing in the team, and the inevitable clamour for Arblaster to feature, does that then finally mean that Fleck and Norwood move on where there wages probably exceed their contribution? Souza might not fancy it but Hamer, Souza supplemented by Brooks, Arblaster and Davies plus possibly Slimane after time to settle. That’s notwithstanding the odd loan here and perhaps Wilder not fancying Slimane. If Coulibaly remains I’ll eat my hat.
Forwards - at the top of the pitch I can see is aiming for impressive loan signings. But perhaps having a tilt now means that Oli Mac’s wages are hard to meet, especially as we struggle to keep him for though I’ve not minded his recent form. Archer goes and unless he wants a return on loan, so does Brereton-Diaz and also McAtee. So all change. Or is it?
Osula is learning the hard way. Maybe he grasps the nettle? Jebbo seems uncertain but Wilder seems to want him to stay. Does he see McBurnie leave and himself get the game time he craves? If you’re 4-3-3 can be 4-3-1-2 then these two could pair up. You’ll also be having Brewster in contract and no doubt hoping Hackford, One and Marsh breaking to the bench. It does seem to leave at least one more senior option needed.
Going for it now might mean all those big earners have to go. How do you feel about the below being left and supplementing with a few loans and a bit of wheeling and dealing?
G - Wes / TBC or TBC x 2
D - Bogle, Sachdev / Seriki, Norrington-Davies, Boyes / Buyabu
Mepham(?), Robinson, Trusty, Frecklington/ TBC
M - Hamer, Davies, Brooks, Arblaster, Slimane / TBC x2
F - Osula, Jebbison, Brewster, TBC, Hackford, One, Marsh
It would mean losing Wes, Baldock, Basham, Egan, Lowe, Osborn, Fleck, Norwood, McBurnie plus the likes of Anel and Archer and perhaps Souza as well as loans.
Does it leave you thinking “give it a go?” Or “take the R and be thankful it’s not a double R!”
It might mean over-reaching. It might hasten the departure of a few in the summer.
So what does it look like if we have a go and fall short?
To me, it might force revolution over evolution.
Yes we may need to sell players but also assuming we are unsuccessful we will also want to get a cost base under control.
Goalkeeper - Wes is still a reasonable Championship keeper but it does feel, despite his save of the month, that is his ceiling. Neither Davo, nor Amissah is really pushing to be retained. Likewise there are a number of keepers I’d take before Wes. Is Wes going to be looking for a deal, as a current PL player, that doesn’t reflect his current or future value to us? I think we can completely revisit this department any time really And given the number of loans, Chris might fancy that route again.
Defence - as the theme of this thread, overreaching and falling short might mean some tough decisions. Maybe George leaves in a free to a Greek club. Ordinarily I’d be fine for him to stay but he’s missed a few games now and you’ve got Seriki, Sachdev, possibly this Irish lad. Not all going to remain without a chance to play. Perhaps we save here and Bogle Carrie’s on?
On the left, we seem well placed when fit in terms of age of Norrington-Davies and Trusty and we also have Boyes and Buyabu. I’m expecting the loans to go back but maybe also Ozzy drops out and perhaps, if RND holds up enough, Lowe’s continual fitness issues see us letting him also go?
If we are looking at 4-3-3 for now, then I can see Anel being sacrificed as I don’t see him as a good enough defender in a 2. Both Robbo and Trusty excelled at that level last season. If Anel went then you’d expect a right sided stopper like Mepham to come in. With Frecklington in the mix it might leave you with one more spot. Does Egan make it with two seniors missing out or would it be Mepham and Robbo, supported by Trusty and a big wage save on Egan and perhaps an up and comer brought in? Looks like end of the line for Bash too.
Midfield -If Brooks can carry on progressing in the team, and the inevitable clamour for Arblaster to feature, does that then finally mean that Fleck and Norwood move on where there wages probably exceed their contribution? Souza might not fancy it but Hamer, Souza supplemented by Brooks, Arblaster and Davies plus possibly Slimane after time to settle. That’s notwithstanding the odd loan here and perhaps Wilder not fancying Slimane. If Coulibaly remains I’ll eat my hat.
Forwards - at the top of the pitch I can see is aiming for impressive loan signings. But perhaps having a tilt now means that Oli Mac’s wages are hard to meet, especially as we struggle to keep him for though I’ve not minded his recent form. Archer goes and unless he wants a return on loan, so does Brereton-Diaz and also McAtee. So all change. Or is it?
Osula is learning the hard way. Maybe he grasps the nettle? Jebbo seems uncertain but Wilder seems to want him to stay. Does he see McBurnie leave and himself get the game time he craves? If you’re 4-3-3 can be 4-3-1-2 then these two could pair up. You’ll also be having Brewster in contract and no doubt hoping Hackford, One and Marsh breaking to the bench. It does seem to leave at least one more senior option needed.
Going for it now might mean all those big earners have to go. How do you feel about the below being left and supplementing with a few loans and a bit of wheeling and dealing?
G - Wes / TBC or TBC x 2
D - Bogle, Sachdev / Seriki, Norrington-Davies, Boyes / Buyabu
Mepham(?), Robinson, Trusty, Frecklington/ TBC
M - Hamer, Davies, Brooks, Arblaster, Slimane / TBC x2
F - Osula, Jebbison, Brewster, TBC, Hackford, One, Marsh
It would mean losing Wes, Baldock, Basham, Egan, Lowe, Osborn, Fleck, Norwood, McBurnie plus the likes of Anel and Archer and perhaps Souza as well as loans.
Does it leave you thinking “give it a go?” Or “take the R and be thankful it’s not a double R!”
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