16 days to go - How we feeling?

[Fjortoft's Aeroplane]

With just 16 days to go til the start of the new season, how's everyone feeling?
On a positive note we've only lost Souza so far in terms of players we would have liked to keep, and Brewster thankfully hasn't signed a contract (but worryingly hasn't signed elsewhere yet either). Currently Cooper, Burrows, Anel, Hamer, Peck and Campbell all still here (not saying they will be by close of window - but its encouraging)

Bindon should be a good addition at the back and Barry should offer something on the left - though if Hamer goes we'll be lacking competition down both flanks as Brooks hasn't got anyone to contend with either. Right-back seems a weak point currently (Seriki has looked good on occasion but I don't feel good relying purely on him) along with a big Souza shaped hole. If we're wanting to play 2 up front at all then really Campbell, Moore, Cannon and Oné seems slim pickings, especially factoring in the need for subs as Campbell and Moore tire quite easily.

So my shopping list is:
Souza replacement (Soumaré sounds imminent?)
Right back
Right wing competition for Brooks
Quality Forward (preferably two but doubt thats realistic)

And if Hamer goes - a top class creative mid.

So in summary - it could be worse in terms of departures - but there's still a fair bit of recruitment to be done and it's starting to feel a little late. A marquee signing in the next week will do a lot to settle my nerves.

 

[Nick Jansky]

So in summary - it could be worse in terms of departure - but there's still a fair bit of recruitment to be done and it's starting to feel a little late.

Good post up until this point. Look at the dates that signings came in last year. The window is open for a long time yet, its still early days.

 

[Cheeky Blade]

Liking the new direction, style of play..still feel we’ve a way to go re: squad.

UTB

 

[Berkshire Blade]

squad right now is in a much better place than a year ago today but that really should have been a rock bottom for a recently relegated side.

I still expect some big outs ( anel and Hamer wouldn't shock me) and us to use some of that money to reinvest.

Think it's insane the whole football industry leaves it until late to do transfers tbh. In an ideal world the european transfer window would shut at an absolute latest of July 31st!

 

[Fjortoft's Aeroplane]

Good post up until this point. Look at the dates that signings came in last year. The window is open for a long time yet, its still early days.

I thought last seasons late signings were due to the "will they - won't they" nature of the takeover? Princey left it late as he didn't know what the craic was.

 

[Gimli]

Souza replacement correctly number one in your shopping list

 

[b1ade4life]

Getting a head cold, but thanks for checking in

 

[Nick Jansky]

I thought last seasons late signings were due to the "will they - won't they" nature of the takeover? Princey left it late as he didn't know what the craic was.

There is always a big element of having to wait for players to become available. There will be a significant number where the owning club hasn’t yet decided whether a player is available for sale or loan. So the options are to wait or to sign early and potentially settle for second best. I know which is my preference, but each to their own.

 

[Alfiesdad]

I get the impression that there probably won't be that many more signings. Selles seems to give straight, honest answers to direct questions about recruitment indicating maybe 1 or 2 more and saying its about quality not quantity.
Maybe we might see a late acquisition if Gus or similar leaves.
I may be wrong but that applies to everyone else on here due to the watertight nature of this particular ship.
HMS Middling to Fair but hoping to be proved wrong.

 

[Cappy]

With just 16 days to go til the start of the new season, how's everyone feeling?

A bit bored TBH

 

[robbiez666]

We have to sign at least 1 x RB, 1 x CM. The bare minimum. I'd want both of these in place for the start of the season.

 

[joe casey]

The fact we all pretty much agree on the areas we need to strengthen - you'd think that means the board/management are also aware and looking to get the right players in - even if it takes until the end of the window.

Overall I'm cautiosuly optimistic - expecting some big wins and some possible pastings ourselves with the way we seem to be setting up. The squad is decent but 1 or 2 injuries away from trouble...much like the first half of the season last year if we're honest

 

[wadblade]

With just 16 days to go til the start of the new season, how's everyone feeling?
On a positive note we've only lost Souza so far in terms of players we would have liked to keep, and Brewster thankfully hasn't signed a contract (but worryingly hasn't signed elsewhere yet either). Currently Cooper, Burrows, Anel, Hamer, Peck and Campbell all still here (not saying they will be by close of window - but its encouraging)

Bindon should be a good addition at the back and Barry should offer something on the left - though if Hamer goes we'll be lacking competition down both flanks as Brooks hasn't got anyone to contend with either. Right-back seems a weak point currently (Seriki has looked good on occasion but I don't feel good relying purely on him) along with a big Souza shaped hole. If we're wanting to play 2 up front at all then really Campbell, Moore, Cannon and Oné seems slim pickings, especially factoring in the need for subs as Campbell and Moore tire quite easily.

So my shopping list is:
Souza replacement (Soumaré sounds imminent?)
Right back
Right wing competition for Brooks
Quality Forward (preferably two but doubt thats realistic)

And if Hamer goes - a top class creative mid.

So in summary - it could be worse in terms of departures - but there's still a fair bit of recruitment to be done and it's starting to feel a little late. A marquee signing in the next week will do a lot to settle my nerves.

Cover for Brooks is Ukaki he looked lively Tuesaday
If Hamer goes i really think March could do a job but he would need someone phyiscal along side him
Still think we need another more imposing CH
UTB

 

[Not_a_Cheat]

Ship cooper out and use the money to fund Lundstram and McPub's returns. Grbic should be given a clean slate til easter new beginning and all that. Stats wise he's perfect just before the stats not being perfect. Use the earlier Stats

 

[Houston_Blade]

Still need:

1 x good LCB (plus RCB if we’re selling Anel)
1 x starting RB
1 x CM (either a Souza replacement or someone to push Peck)

If we start the season with the current squad it will be an underwhelming start because we’ll concede too many goals.

 

[KMC-1889]

Looking forward to seeing some fun, competitive football. Premier league is shite so promotion is meh.

Just win more games than we lose please blades.

 

[derfblade.3]

Looking forward to seeing some fun, competitive football. Premier league is shite so promotion is meh.

Just win more games than we lose please blades.

Sorry KMC, but promotion is the aim if for nothing more than the dosh they dish out.
Personally i don't see us going up. The way we are setting up leaves wide open and although we will win more than we lose we will get nowhere near last seasons total.

 

[Frank the tank]

Was really optimistic and excited but the Robinson shit really knocked my duck off and now I feel like im.back where I was after Wembley

 

[BladeByChoice]

We will score more, we will concede more, we will play more entertaining football, we will finish top 6, JTW will decide if that's top 2, we will do the double over the pigs.
So, all in all, looking forward to it.

 

[Nick Jansky]

squad right now is in a much better place than a year ago today but that really should have been a rock bottom for a recently relegated side.

I still expect some big outs ( anel and Hamer wouldn't shock me) and us to use some of that money to reinvest.

Think it's insane the whole football industry leaves it until late to do transfers tbh. In an ideal world the european transfer window would shut at an absolute latest of July 31st!

Agreed.

 

[Millhousesblade1889]

I’m not sure we’ll be anywhere near a promoted side. We will get picked off pretty easily at times & look disjointed.

I think you’ll see Leicester, Birmingham, Southampton & Ipswich fighting it out for the top 4.

I still think we’re a CB/ RB & CDM short. If I was being greedy a striker too.

That said it could be a bit more exciting to watch

 

[Winn Gardens Blade]

I keep looking for tits I'm a sucker for them

 

[loyalblade95]

Optimistic.

While the squad still needs some work, I think we're in a good place.

• Soumare looks like it's imminent
• Bindon looks ready for the step up from L1
• Oné making a serious case for next season, Marsh and Ukaki might have a decent shout as well
• being linked with players/positions that we know we need, CB, ST (if Issac Romero and Moore rumours are true)
• a good way of playing that suits a lot of our squad

Still need a RB, CB and CDM (Soumare) for start/bench but I reckon we'll get all three of them over the next few weeks.

Would like an extra winger (someone who is comfortable on both sides) just as that extra option.

I think we'd only sign a ST if Moore left (still not sure how I feel about that) and it would be someone in the same mould.

 

[dc_blade]

Nervous.

The second half of the transfer window is massive for the future direction of the club. A successful summer sees us hold onto most of what we've got and strengthen the squad with more than just loans. It's not the end of the world if we have to sell e.g. Hamer as long as the money is reinvested in permanent replacements. But it's very important that we have a serious go at promotion and maintain some of the value in the squad.

An unsuccessful summer sees us relying on loans and frees. We sell and don't adequately replace. I think we'd still have enough to fight for top six but I wouldn't be all that confident. It would also raise some concerns about the financial muscle of our new owners.

 

[georgebernardshaw]

Ambivalent, to be honest….

We’ve been through managerial changes a few times in my 65+ years of following United, and it’s a bit difficult to get past the feeling of “here we go again”.

Still, keep buggering on, eh?

 

[Stretch]

I am quietly confident that we will have a decent season. I just hope that we all give Selles time and if the football is as good as I expect it to be, I think we will.

As for signings, assuming noone else leaves then we absolutely need a RB to compete with Femi, a dominating CB and a CDM.

Up front I can't up make my mind whether we most need another goalscorer, or a wide player.

 

[ISZA ⚔️]

The least interested I’ve ever felt. And I wasn’t even arsed Wilder went.

 

[ChipButtyBlade]

19.15pm on 9th Aug after we have thrashed Bristol City 4-0 and are top of the league.........

 

[Guesty]

It's going as expected, no signings of anyone who has made an impact at this level before, and none on the horizon. I'm predicting a return to our natural home of 8th in the Championship.

 

[radio]

19.15pm on 9th Aug after we have thrashed Bristol City 4-0 and are top of the league.........

Last season v Bristol City P4 W3 D1 L0 F9 A2
Finished 22 points ahead
So expecting to hit the ground running
Confident we will win automatic promotion
Very disappointed if we don't