How many signings do we need?

[bartman]

For me we need two centre backs( at least one of the a natural leader).a goalkeeper, a centre forward who can hold a ball up and score at least 15 goals and a goal scoring central midfield player ( Mick Trusson type)

We should be looking the squad size so Messrs Collins, Flynn, Higdon, K Wallace, Alcock, Howard and JCR need to be moved on

I see Adams and Murphy inter changing on the wing but if Adams isn't quite ready we can get another winger on loan

 

[MiserableBlader]

I've voted one.
As at the end of last season.
That is all that is really needed at the start of the season.
The rest, if any, can be done at Christmas or in top quality loans for the run in.
And as he's in the news today I'll name him.
Harry Maguire.

eg.

Long
Freeman(Brayford) Maguire McEverly(Kennedy) Harris
JCR Flynn Basham Murphy
McNulty/Higdon/Adams Done

with more than enough good subs

should be more than good enough to keep us really in touch till Xmas and give the (decent for once!) manager a proper period for assessment and lining up any needed replacements.

 

[SelbyBlade]

Two Centre Halves and a Striker. We have enough Midfielders.

 

[Lord Bos of Eckington.]

I've voted one.
As at the end of last season.
That is all that is really needed at the start of the season.
The rest, if any, can be done at Christmas or in top quality loans for the run in.
And as he's in the news today I'll name him.
Harry Maguire.

eg.

Long
Freeman(Brayford) Maguire McEverly(Kennedy) Harris
JCR Flynn Basham Murphy
McNulty/Higdon/Adams Done

with more than enough good subs

should be more than good enough to keep us really in touch till Xmas and give the (decent for once!) manager a proper period for assessment and lining up any needed replacements.

This season under Adkins will prove once and for all , if the squad punched above or below there weight last season. . Adkins , like us may not find out , until the season has started , therefore how much tweaking or major surgery the side needs.

The CB situation is a bit like needing open heart surgery to start off with.

UTB

 

[Sirius]

For a shot at promotion, four. They have to be of genuine quality though.

A Saint supporting mate informs me that Adkins was always able to loan play makers from Prem teams. Haven't time right now to check this for myself. I would hope that he has a good report with the right people when looking at players.

 

[Sirius]

Agreed. I always thought fitness was a mandatory basic requirement for a footballing career.

There have been players who will never look fit Puskas for the Magyars took an enormous amount of stick from the Fleet Street rags about being fat. The Chief was no slender waif. Surely one size does not fit all when it comes down to the best weight for an individual to give of his best. For instance according to the height/weight ratio I should be eight feet tall. I can assure you that I fall short of that by a few inches

 

[AlienBlade]

6 for me. New goalie. 2 Centre halfs (obviously) Left back, Winger and a striker. Think Adkins will give the likes of Higdon, Campbell Ryce, Cuvelier, Diego etc a chance unlike clough. The squad we have now would get us in play offs again. I think its who he signs that will push us into the top 2. Heres hoping. UTB

Higdon, Cuvelier and Diego were all given chances under Clough, the first 2 didnt get too many chances due to injury (although 13 games I think Higdon played in). the latter was also injured but when given the chance he failed to delivery in all bar one game (and harldy pulled up trees for Northampton)

Cambell Ryce played nearly half the season under clough, and would have probably played more if not for injuries,

 

[AlienBlade]

for me a Bare minimum of 3 (2x CB) and 1 striker

we have
on the basis you have a player and a cover for each role
GK Howard/Turner
LB Harris/McEverley
RB Brayford/Freeman (Alcock whilst Brayford is out)
CB .........../(Kennedy if fit or Collins)
CB.........../McGahay
LM Murphy/Adams
RM Flynn/Cambell-Ryce
CM Basham/Coutts
CM Wallace/Reed
In the Hole Done/Scougall
St ........../McNulty

which leaves from the present squad out on their ear
Baxter
Cuvellier
Long (to loan out)
Keiran Wallace (to loan out)
Neill Collins if Kennedy is ok
Higdon


(I am not too sure where reporters get that we have a shed load of players... unless they are counting the likes of Connor Dimaio and Calvert-Lewin etc.) as from the above we probabaly have a small "1st team" squad

 

[Silent Blade]

for me a Bare minimum of 3 (2x CB) and 1 striker

we have
on the basis you have a player and a cover for each role
GK Howard/Turner
LB Harris/McEverley
RB Brayford/Freeman (Alcock whilst Brayford is out)
CB .........../(Kennedy if fit or Collins)
CB.........../McGahay
LM Murphy/Adams
RM Flynn/Cambell-Ryce
CM Basham/Coutts
CM Wallace/Reed
In the Hole Done/Scougall
St ........../McNulty

which leaves from the present squad out on their ear
Baxter
Cuvellier
Long (to loan out)
Keiran Wallace (to loan out)
Neill Collins if Kennedy is ok
Higdon


(I am not too sure where reporters get that we have a shed load of players... unless they are counting the likes of Connor Dimaio and Calvert-Lewin etc.) as from the above we probabaly have a small "1st team" squad

Turner has left

 

[AlienBlade]

Turner has left

I did think that and even had Long as back up to Howard... more fool me for just checking Wikipedia lol

but it does show that barring the youngsters we dont actually have this collosal squad people seem to think we have.

I think I counted 19 "of age" players, with the rest being youngsters who have been thrust in.

of those Brayford is definitely out & 1 might be banned for 6 months,

 

[Patrick Suffaux]

A Saint supporting mate informs me that Adkins was always able to loan play makers from Prem teams. Haven't time right now to check this for myself. I would hope that he has a good report with the right people when looking at players.

Great if it works. I'm not really fussed about how he does it but I would suggest some quality permanent signings are needed to put a solid foundation in at the moment.

We probably have a good enough squad for a tilt at the top six but definitely not good enough for top two and certainly nowhere near good enough for Championship football. We need to assemble a strong spine this summer and build from there.

 

[Stretch]

5 for me:

2 CBs
1 DM
1 winger
1 CF

That's assuming the following:

A better defence will stop Howard keeping like a wet paper towel.

We keep Murphy and Done

Wallace is fit enough to play next season.



Oh and I would expect 3 or 4 to leave as well.

 

[Woodwardfan]

20 "experienced"players listed on Club Website and can add Collins to that list. Brayford, Kennedy, Wallace and Baxter all out or likely out for a while.

Therefore need say 6 for start of season to have 22 squad plus development players.

With above 4 due to return sometime it's wise to use the loan system for maybe 3 or even 4 signings and that will give Adkins the time to judge each player he has inherited before making further permanent signings as well as judge the loanees themselves for possible future deals. I'd favour young quality loanees with perhaps a seasoned midfielder, and at least one full season loan.

Two talisman permanent deals needed for striker and centre half as priority.

If any quality players leave the numbers of new players needed the becomes alarming, it's already challenging.