New Signings - Who's Making Way Then?

[snootyfenooty]

What I find odd about recent posts is that we all agree that we need new signings to progress next season but at the same time we all get our knickers in a twist at any suggestion of our favourite player being dropped to make way for them.

I think it's odds-on that 3 or 4 changes will be evident in the starting line up next season, so who's going to stick their head above the parapet and make a suggestion as to who? It's rather naive to think that last season's league 1 team is going to make serious headway in the championship without any strengthening so somethings got to give.

I'll stick my neck out with the following who I think won't cut it: Freeman, Wright, Lafferty, Duffy, Clarke.

Save the narky replies please and let's have your suggestions instead.

 

[Tray]

Think it'd be wrong no to give Freeman a chance with the way he performed last season. Seems to be on the up.

Must agree about Lafferty though, seemed vulnerable against pace, and Championship wingers may have a field day.

Clarke will probably be a bit part player, handy to have off the bench. Duffy likewise. Wright can also do a job, but wouldn't expect to see him every week.

There'll be plenty of rotation I feel, particularly in midfield. More of a neccessity due to the many formations we're likely to try. i.e. 442/451/433/352

 

[Gin&Juice]

James Hanson.

 

[sufcboy95]

Agree with lafferty not cutting it. Clarke I think will be a decent impact player to have off the bench. Freeman I think has earned his chance to have a shot, however we need cover for that right side

 

[IdLiketoRogerMoore]

One of the biggest issues we face next season is a lack of pace and athleticism. As great technical players we've had this year, our back 3, central midfield and CFs all lack top-end pace.

Obviously Enda Stevens will be coming in to challenge Lafferty so he's under threat.

You'd envisage Brayford being back to challenge Freeman.

With a full pre-season Carruthers will be challenging Duffy for the AM slot.

Adding Evans means it'll be 2 from: Evans, Sharp, Lavery (the one for me who has the most upside!!), Hanson, Clarke

I think we'll be looking at at least one CB - so Basham/Wright are under threat.

 

[snootyfenooty]

James Hanson.

Easy scapegoat. What about the regulars?

 

[Rodley]

Need Leonard in centre midfield, he's a proper athlete. Plus some pace at centre half and up top.

 

[Ricky]

The most likely first team vacancies are CB, LWB, ACM and CF.

 

[RMBlade]

I think we'll be looking at at least one CB - so Basham/Wright are under threat.

I think we will be looking at 2 CB minimum. We have lost EEL and Wilson is transfer listed. I think 1 will replace Wright and the other will be a squad player.

 

[mattbianco1]

I like Duffy but think he will be more of an impact sub than a starter next season.

Freeman needs to be given the chance. Not sure how he would cope with someone like Tom Ince running at him though.

I'm surprised at Lafferty, we've looked a lot worse when he hasn't played. His crossing is questionable at times.

Competition for all places is key though.

 

[Torrix1889]

I think there will be a few largely unexpected departures, depending on who CW brings in...Hussey, Wilson & Done were listed because they were deemed surplus to requirements..........if we get our targets in and receive offers for Long, Duffy, Reid, Clarke, Wright & Wallace, (if he isn't paid up)....I would expect them to go.....add to that Brooks & Whiteman probably out on season long loans.

One of the interesting positions will be the right side of defence and that all depends on the Brayford situation.....ideally for me we would keep Brayford, Freeman and Basham with all 3 capable of playing RWB and RB and Brayford & Basham RCB on a back 3. Let the 3 of them fight over 2 shirts...or, if Brayford does go, (which he probably will) then we need more cover on the right.

 

[BushBlade]

Coutts. There it is.

https://www.s24su.com/forum/index.php?threads/formation.55544/#post-1340200

 

[mancunianblade]

I think Wilder thinks lafferty may be a weak link hence the signing of Stevens

 

[I should coco]

I'll stick my neck out with the following who I think won't cut it: Freeman, Wright, Lafferty, Duffy, Clarke.

I can only say that thanks be to the Lord that you are not our manager, coach, scout or even kit man.

I'd wind your neck back in if I were you and show a bit more faith after last season's wonder show.

 

[snootyfenooty]

Coutts. There it is.

https://www.s24su.com/forum/index.php?threads/formation.55544/#post-1340200

A bit left field but good shout all the same.

 

[snootyfenooty]

I can only say that thanks be to the Lord that you are not our manager, coach, scout or even kit man.

I'd wind your neck back in if I were you and show a bit more faith after last season's wonder show.

So there's no room for improvement in the existing team then and it's going to blitz the championship?

 

[BushBlade]

A bit left field but good shout all the same.

It's about balance. It's easy to pick out the lesser performers from last year and say we'll replace them but it rarely works like that. The only formation that suits our 'best' players is 352 and I'm not sure that will be our default formation next season. Very early to predict yet though.

 

[I should coco]

So there's no room for improvement in the existing team then and it's going to blitz the championship?

I didn't say that and of course there is room to improve, but you said several players 'wouldn't cut it', i.e. weren't good enough.

I disagree and think all of Freeman, Wright, Lafferty, Duffy, Clarke are capable of holding a place in a lesser Championship club. That doesn't mean we can't add quality to the squad.

 

[Boxer Blade]

I'd hate to see most of those players leave after the season we have had, I want to see them, especially Duffy,coutts and fleck have a go at it in the championship however successful teams move on, no place for sentiment, the great Liverpool teams from the 70s/80s would win the league and conquer Europe and before the next season would replace 4/5 regulars, always amazed me but you know what? They would go on the following season and be even better, rember what Km said, think Liverpool, we all thought he was talking money ;-)

 

[Slim Man]

Hanson and Duffy

 

[snootyfenooty]

I didn't say that and of course there is room to improve, but you said several players 'wouldn't cut it', i.e. weren't good enough.

I disagree and think all of Freeman, Wright, Lafferty, Duffy, Clarke are capable of holding a place in a lesser Championship club. That doesn't mean we can't add quality to the squad.

That's OK, I respect your opinion, but going back to the OP who do you think is going to give way then?

 

[Tray]

I like Duffy but think he will be more of an impact sub than a starter next season.

Freeman needs to be given the chance. Not sure how he would cope with someone like Tom Ince running at him though.

I'm surprised at Lafferty, we've looked a lot worse when he hasn't played. His crossing is questionable at times.

Competition for all places is key though.

Agree with that, but I feel the reason we missed Lafferty when he wasn't playing was because we had no viable alternative.

He did well last season, as they all did, but reckon he'll be more of a back up next year.

 

[JJBlade]

Every players position is up for grabs
There is no room for sentiment

Successful teams are constantly looking for players in each position that is an improvement on what they have

Players will be narked about being replaced and they will either up their game to try to keep their place or they will sulk and moan. If they do the latter it's time to offload

Players improve when the competition is fierce providing they have the right attitude to fight for their place

Having a basic first team 11 and then 20 squad filling, versatile, utility men like we've had for years is a recipe for disaster

 

[YES Blade]

To me Fleck is the only player we have that I am 100% confident will be Championship quality, so I wouldn't be upset if any other player left. It's sad that players who have contributed so much, have to be moved on, but that's football.

 

[1danewhitehouse]

To me Fleck is the only player we have that I am 100% confident will be Championship quality, so I wouldn't be upset if any other player left. It's sad that players who have contributed so much, have to be moved on, but that's football.

I'd add JOC.

 

[1danewhitehouse]

I think there will be a few largely unexpected departures, depending on who CW brings in...Hussey, Wilson & Done were listed because they were deemed surplus to requirements..........if we get our targets in and receive offers for Long, Duffy, Reid, Clarke, Wright & Wallace, (if he isn't paid up)....I would expect them to go.....add to that Brooks & Whiteman probably out on season long loans.

One of the interesting positions will be the right side of defence and that all depends on the Brayford situation.....ideally for me we would keep Brayford, Freeman and Basham with all 3 capable of playing RWB and RB and Brayford & Basham RCB on a back 3. Let the 3 of them fight over 2 shirts...or, if Brayford does go, (which he probably will) then we need more cover on the right.

Agreed. Brayford would be useful to have because he would provide a high standard of cover/ competition for 2 positions meaning that if either Freeman or Bash was out or struggling, we wouldn’t really suffer. If he stays, we can probably just sign a centre half and our defence should be sorted. If he goes, we probably need to sign a centre half and a right (wing) back.

 

[Slim Man]

To me Fleck is the only player we have that I am 100% confident will be Championship quality, so I wouldn't be upset if any other player left. It's sad that players who have contributed so much, have to be moved on, but that's football.

I dunno, think you're being harsh on JO'C, Coutts and Sharp there at least. The levels they've played at this year are 100% championship quality.

 

[YES Blade]

I dunno, think you're being harsh on JO'C, Coutts and Sharp there at least. The levels they've played at this year are 100% championship quality.

O'Connell - Could definitely make the step up, but had a shakey start to the season so not the finished article for me, but has the potential to make it at Championship level and above.

Coutts - He was bang average prior to this season and is no where near the level of Fleck. You can make excuses and blame managers, but had Fleck played under Clough and Adkins, he still would have stood out as a quality player.

Sharp - It's purely down to age and that he's never been much more than an average Championship striker at his best. He'll be able to "do a job" but I'm not expecting him to be anywhere near the level of this season.

 

[itsinyerblood]

O'Connell - Could definitely make the step up, but had a shakey start to the season so not the finished article for me, but has the potential to make it at Championship level and above.

Coutts - He was bang average prior to this season and is no where near the level of Fleck. You can make excuses and blame managers, but had Fleck played under Clough and Adkins, he still would have stood out as a quality player.

Sharp - It's purely down to age and that he's never been much more than an average Championship striker at his best. He'll be able to "do a job" but I'm not expecting him to be anywhere near the level of this season.

.

It's all about opinions, let's hope yours are proved wrong.

 

[coaxingstar71]

It's not going to happen but it'd be interesting to see how the side that finished the season would get on in the Championship.

For me the only ones that should be 'safe' are Sharp, Fleck and JO'C and actually probably Moore too. That's not to say I think we should get rid of the others, just that I think they will have to compete a bit more for their places.