6 new players needed

[Borbokisfreekick]

so looking at the remaining squad, and taking into account baxter will be gone and brayfords injured, it looks like we need 6 new players to get anywhere near a promotion challenging squad for next year.

We need...

A new goalkeeper
Two center halves (and two that will gel quickly and compliment each other...it's hard enough finding one!)
A right winger (Flynn just isn't consistent enough)
A center midfielder
A center forward

That's over half a team!

So who's out there / available / who should we target?? And do we have funds to go out and buy over half a new team?....because if we don't then we're getting nowhere near the top two next season.

This is a truly massive summer for Clough and the club. I know we say it every year, but this year more than ever really feels like it's now or never. If we don't go up next season we'll be stuck down here for years.

 

[robbiez666]

I'm not sure we need a right winger, I'm personally happy with Flynn and Adams, and we still technically have JCR (also Coutts).

I'm also not convinced that we'll be able to bring that many new players in. We have a large squad and it won't be easy to move people on. I would like to see two of those positions covered by long term loans, unless we have the opportunity to fill them with Championship quality/potential on a permanent basis.

 

[Borbokisfreekick]

I'm not sure we need a right winger, I'm personally happy with Flynn and Adams, and we still technically have JCR (also Coutts).

I'm also not convinced that we'll be able to bring that many new players in. We have a large squad and it won't be easy to move people on. I would like to see two of those positions covered by long term loans, unless we have the opportunity to fill them with Championship quality/potential on a permanent basis.

Will be interesting to see what happens with Adams, hopefully he will play a prominent role.

Reckon JCR will be on his way out.

 

[robbiez666]

Will be interesting to see what happens with Adams, hopefully he will play a prominent role.

Reckon JCR will be on his way out.

I think the problem with assuming that players will be on the way out is the reliance on another club wanting to buy them. No doubt Clough will allow JCR to leave on a free, but it's having a club who will pick up his wages. The same goes for a long list of other players. I can't see the Board throwing money away again to terminate contracts.

 

[Blade58]

so looking at the remaining squad, and taking into account baxter will be gone and brayfords injured, it looks like we need 6 new players to get anywhere near a promotion challenging squad for next year.

We need...

A new goalkeeper
Two center halves (and two that will gel quickly and compliment each other...it's hard enough finding one!)
A right winger (Flynn just isn't consistent enough)
A center midfielder
A center forward

That's over half a team!

So who's out there / available / who should we target?? And do we have funds to go out and buy over half a new team?....because if we don't then we're getting nowhere near the top two next season.

This is a truly massive summer for Clough and the club. I know we say it every year, but this year more than ever really feels like it's now or never. If we don't go up next season we'll be stuck down here for years.

Not sure whether your list is right or wrong BFK, but if it is, then it's a sad indictment of Clough's 20+ player recruitment this season that we still basically require the whole spine of the team

 

[Mouth of the South]

so looking at the remaining squad, and taking into account baxter will be gone and brayfords injured, it looks like we need 6 new players to get anywhere near a promotion challenging squad for next year.

We need...

A new goalkeeper
Two center halves (and two that will gel quickly and compliment each other...it's hard enough finding one!)
A right winger (Flynn just isn't consistent enough)
A center midfielder
A center forward

That's over half a team!

So who's out there / available / who should we target?? And do we have funds to go out and buy over half a new team?....because if we don't then we're getting nowhere near the top two next season.

This is a truly massive summer for Clough and the club. I know we say it every year, but this year more than ever really feels like it's now or never. If we don't go up next season we'll be stuck down here for years.

I agree which goes to show just how much NC ballsed up the recruitment last season.

It will be interesting to see how much is afforded to NC to further improve the squad - the trust of the Board will no doubt have been somewhat eroded over the season and b much lower than this time last year.

Worst case scenario is if NC is allowed to rebuild (more Derby reserves!?!?), the once again struggle in he league, NC leaves and his replacement has to battle on with an inferior squad and no remaining budget.

 

[Lord Bos of Eckington.]

Not sure whether your list is right or wrong BFK, but if it is, then it's a sad indictment of Clough's 20+ player recruitment this season that we still basically require the whole spine of the team

The financial side at the lane is the other side of the coin , in not achieving promotion this season. The time to get the spine of the team right was this season , whilst there was optimism and enthusiasm from the board and fans.

We have got a massive squad , with no real tangible assetts , and with contracts and the lack of clubs ,who would be interested in so called fringe players , due to quality and wages , will be minimal.

I just cannot see the Prince putting his hand in his pocket to fund further recruitment . The only way this will happen is with McCabe , once again having his heart rule his head , raise money , out of his own companies , with cross company loans.

Ok , i am sure that Clough will have tabled , in the post season assessment report , that if Brayford had not got injured or Wallace had not been out for most of the season , promotion may have been achieved.

We all know the full storey of the of the overall team performances , and even with the restructure of the squad in the JTW , i think we can all be in agreement , that we were still lacking , and quite frankly not good enough. A end of season league table does not lie.

To be fair to Clough , has he really had hard cash in the first place , or as it appears ,had to shop for a lot of bargain basement players , taking a risk and hoping they come off.

We do need 6 quality players , but whether or not we can afford the right type of player is another matter.

What we don't need is , once quality players , still living off there name and reputation , who cannot bring anything to the table as a betterment to the first team. There is a number of good players out there , who may be at the twilight of there careers , looking for the last pay check , but not good enough for the LA Galaxy of this world , but finish up at the lane.

My own gut feeling , and i hope i am completely wrong , next season will be the same as this .

Were in a financial market , were we are the monster , as other clubs , agents and players think we are a cash cow , when the actual truth is , - we haven't a pot to piss in.

Good luck Clough - You are going to need it.

UTB

 

[Sothall_Blade]

Two centre backs and one centre forward may be enough.

In the other positions, we already have players who have proved they are good enough when playing with form and confidence.

We need Howard and/or Long to rediscover their best form. Playing behind two quality, strong centre backs will help.

In central midfield, we can pick two or three from Basham, Scougall, J.Wallace, Coutts and Reed. They have all shown they're good enough but need to be fit and on form. Chances are that at least two of them will be.

JCR lost form around the same time there was talk of personal problems. This may be a family illness or whatever but it doesn't mean he's fallen out with Clough and will be leaving. He, Flynn and Adams are a very decent set of options for the right wing.

If the season starts and players get injured or lose form. That's the time when Clough may need to be backed again in the transfer market or loan window.

 

[Davie Blade]

I agree which goes to show just how much NC ballsed up the recruitment last season.

It will be interesting to see how much is afforded to NC to further improve the squad - the trust of the Board will no doubt have been somewhat eroded over the season and b much lower than this time last year.

Worst case scenario is if NC is allowed to rebuild (more Derby reserves!?!?), the once again struggle in he league, NC leaves and his replacement has to battle on with an inferior squad and no remaining budget.

The sign of a good manager is not just who he brings in put who he ships out.
41 isn't a great starting point.

We've already gambled away the FA/FL cup run money.

A top notch scouting system is of paramount importance , ohhh wait.

 

[Bergen Blade]

We are in a good position to shape the squad the way we want to this summer.

Reasons for optimism:

1. New centre half
2. Another new centre half
3. New strong defensive midfielder
4. A confident and settled Basham available in central midfield all season
5. James Wallace fit again?
6. Che Adams to figure more
7. New strong striker
8. Stronger team overall, and #3 and #4 hopefully enabling us to play 4-4-2 more when we want to, i.e Done and #7 could be a hit
9. Team/club generally being more up for it. While underestimating the task ahead last season after the good ending to 2013/14 there won't be any such illusions now
10. Attacking full backs in place for the full season, even with Brayford ruled out for the first few months
11. #1, #2, #3, #4, #5 and #7 hopefully making us stronger at set pieces offensively and...
12. ... defensively

 

[Woodwardfan]

I don't think money is a problem, Clough is a very lucky man. However he knows full well that he needs to get some order back into the club and reduce the numbers drastically to get a manageable squad back to the very size that he stated last summer.

The key to any new signings is that they are better quality than our current squad which failed and therefore needs something much better to ensure success next season. We need height and power and two good central defenders. Just as importantly we need game-changers and at least 2 more.

Personally I don't think S.Davies scores enough goals and Holt would not have been anywhere near what we need i.e. game changers.

As game-changers we have Done, Murphy and Brayford ( if he plays in his proper position), Adams maybe if he develops. We did have Baxter but he's disgraced himself and will possibly leave. That's not enough.

Four signings seems about right to me, though Clough did say 3 or 4 ( and he knew the Baxter situation), but they have to add better quality to the team and the squad. If we sign 4 that means four regulars will be pushed on to the bench. Signing 6 or more would block development of the young lads and they deserve regular playing time.

After signing 2 central defenders we need 2 game-changers and I think we should aim high. As I say I don't think money is a problem unless the FFP rules come into play and the size of the squad really bites us if we can't shift some on.

Using the loan system to a degree is desirable in my view. That's a means to get real quality.

Not selling any quality is another factor.

 

[super_pig]

this team is starting to remind me of the one that got relegated to division four
old journeymen.. crocks and kids all playing out of position.. we even have a bloody white shirt again.. ffs

 

[jt64]

We have Done/McNulty/Murphy/Adams/Flynn, chuck in DCL when you can, JCR still has a year on his deal - even if we assume Baxter's sacked, why exactly do we need more forwards?

 

[mosbolad]

I'm not convinced we need to reinvent the wheel, we finished 5th not 5th bottom, (not good enough I know). A settled defence, so maybe recognised centre backs would be a start. We have shown we have got spirit and fight, the 5 goal comeback against Swindon.
Style of play and mindset might be a better place to look. Players playing with confidence and support and encouragement and I don't think we a that far off to be honest.

 

[Lord Bos of Eckington.]

I'm not convinced we need to reinvent the wheel, we finished 5th not 5th bottom, (not good enough I know). A settled defence, so maybe recognised centre backs would be a start. We have shown we have got spirit and fight, the 5 goal comeback against Swindon.
Style of play and mindset might be a better place to look. Players playing with confidence and support and encouragement and I don't think we a that far off to be honest.

You are not far off the mark Mosolad. Its just vey frustrating that with the right calibre of players in the recognised positions , we may well have got promoted this season . Thats the crux of it for all of us.

Confidence is a number 1 factor in any form of life , job , sport and we have been lacking that especially at home . Its down , i believe to " smaller clubs " , coming to BDTBL , seeing the facilities , ground , crowd , and raising there game , by a big percentage . We have to overcome this , as the likes of Man City , Norwich , Southampton , Nottingham Forest , Swansea have done in the past .

We are nearly there , but not there yet . The worry is , we get the same next season , but changing managers at this stage of the proceedings , only take us back , not forward , IMO

UTB

 

[Keef Chedwyn]

From where I sit, I would get two, maybe three centre halves, one or two centre midfielders and one or two strikers. The one thing I would look for in all of them is that they are big bastards. The new players wouldn't need to be that good, just well drilled, we already have good footballers in the squad.

With my shopping list we would have big bastards down the middle of the team and some spares for suspensions. Then the footballers we already have can play ball.

 

[Fulwood Blade]

we even have a bloody white shirt again.. ffs

Could have been worse..........could have been white shorts!!!!! - that would be suicidal

 

[William Henry Foulkes]

Just caught a bit of 6-0-6.

According to pundits and fans apparently Man Utd and Arsenal both need two centre halves.

I imagine it's the same throughout the League. Valuable commodities. Let's see who we can attract.

 

[Blade58]

Just caught a bit of 6-0-6.

According to pundits and fans apparently Man Utd and Arsenal both need two centre halves.

I imagine it's the same throughout the League. Valuable commodities. Let's see who we can attract.

The question for me tho Will, is not whether Clough will sort the issue now, but why he didn't address the situation as far back as the start of the season, having sacked off Butler and Collins and then concluding McGahey wasn't ready?

Anyway, we move on

UTB

 

[Going up]

The question for me tho Will, is not whether Clough will sort the issue now, but why he didn't address the situation as far back as the start of the season, having sacked off Butler and Collins and then concluding McGahey wasn't ready?

Anyway, we move on

UTB

He obviously tried to with McCarthy...a PL player who should have been good enough to fill the gap.

 

[Lord Bos of Eckington.]

He obviously tried to with McCarthy...a PL player who should have been good enough to fill the gap.

I think the McCarthy episode was a bit of make up loving between McCabe and Warnock , with burying the hatchet from the past , and really nothing to do with Clough . The player was a complete no go from the beginning , with only coming to Sheffield every Friday , and training sessions done with a card board cut out . Clough IMO gave it a try , as desperate times mean desperate measures, but it failed and back fired on Clough and the club.

Another for the lessons learnt list , which perhaps could fill a full sheet of A4 paper.

UTB

 

[Woodwardfan]

Well, according to past comments these sort of things can't be rushed, you concentrate on your target which sometimes doesn't work out, either at all or within your own time-frame, then you always have to have a No. 2 candidate and even a No.3 candidate. Guess who said that approx 12 months ago.

Well, first of all you search for good players and sign them when you can. A lot of ours just happened to be small, that's what happens at times. Guess who said that about 4 months ago.

No doubt we have learned lessons. Will the Head Scout stand up and be counted please.

Just been on PNE website and looked for Grayson's signings of central defenders and strikers, looking at 3rd Best Practice in the league as a guide:

Central Defenders.

Clarke Jul 2013 57 appearances this season.
Wiseman Jan 2014 30 appearances
Woods Summer 2014 26 apps.

Strikers.

Robinson two loans during season 28 apps
Little Jun 2014 16 apps
Ewbanks Blake Jan 2015 13 apps
Beckford Summer 2014 30 apps
Davies summer 2014 43 apps.

No time to check Bristol City but iy will be similar. Other similar managers have done good business while we have looked startled into the headlights re key positions.

 

[Woodwardfan]

Follow on from recent post:

Bristol City - top example of Best Practice:

Central Defenders:

Williams July 2013 Apps 55
Flint Jun2013 apps 57
Osborne Jun2014 Apps 3

Strikers:

Agard Aug 2014 apps 44 golas 14
Wilbraham Jul 2014 Apps 44 goals 21
Freeman Jul 2014 Apps 56 Goals 7
Snith Nov 2014 Apps 20 Goals 13

Must mention the signing of two exceptional full backs last summer for nothing:

Ayling and Tavernier/

MK Dons is an unfair comparison as Robinson has been there much longer but off the top I know they signed Afobe and Grigg last summer. Baker around October and McFadzean last summer.

 

[Lord Bos of Eckington.]

Follow on from recent post:

Bristol City - top example of Best Practice:

Central Defenders:

Williams July 2013 Apps 55
Flint Jun2013 apps 57
Osborne Jun2014 Apps 3

Strikers:

Agard Aug 2014 apps 44 golas 14
Wilbraham Jul 2014 Apps 44 goals 21
Freeman Jul 2014 Apps 56 Goals 7
Snith Nov 2014 Apps 20 Goals 13

Must mention the signing of two exceptional full backs last summer for nothing:

Ayling and Tavernier/

MK Dons is an unfair comparison as Robinson has been there much longer but off the top I know they signed Afobe and Grigg last summer. Baker around October and McFadzean last summer.

Woody , i know were you are coming from but TBH , it has no bearing on us . This season is now the past , history .
SUFC and Clough will be judged on what we do , nobody else , next season . The next couple of months will certainly be interesting , and could set the benchmark for the coming season .

First hurdle - Will it be Clough or a another.


UTB

 

[Woodwardfan]

Woody , i know were you are coming from but TBH , it has no bearing on us . This season is now the past , history .
SUFC and Clough will be judged on what we do , nobody else , next season . The next couple of months will certainly be interesting , and could set the benchmark for the coming season .

First hurdle - Will it be Clough or a another.


UTB

The context is what others did and yes there is a comparison with what we didn't do last summer but perhaps it's a guide for the number and type of players the successful managers signed, all at not a lot of money, and what we need to do now.

 

[William Henry Foulkes]

Another for the lessons learnt list , which perhaps could fill a full sheet of A4 paper.

A4?? What size font are you using?