I remember early on in the job Wilder saying that ideally he wanted at least 2 players for each position. This puts pressure in the form of competition on the player who is first choice and also allows him to rotate the squad or rest players and means we have cover if players get injured or lose form. I would have thought that Stevens is cover/competition for Lafferty/Freeman. Nathan Thomas is probably a replacement for Chapman who will be used as an impact substitution if we need to change things during a game. At the moment we have only Wright, JOC and Bash who are centre halves (assuming Wilson leaves and EEL is not re-signed (which personally I do not think we should do)) so I think CW will be looking to sign at least 2 CH's especially as there must be a question mark whether Wright can play at Championship level (though personally I think he will be able to but probably not as first choice). We have Duffy and Caruthers doing the number 10 role but no cover for Fleck or Coutts unless Bash moves to midfield but he is not really a replacement for either of those. I presume that Holmes (if we get him) is looked at as cover for them but we probably need at least one more. Up front we have plenty of competition for 2 places but there are definitely question marks over Hanson and Clarke at Championship level, Lavery is untried at that level (though I think he will be good) and even Billy does not have a great track record there so I think we will need another recruit hopefully with strength and pace. I am sure CW AK and the team will know exactly who they want.
New Signings - Who's Making Way Then?
- Thread starter snootyfenooty
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Fraggle Blade
What a Mullet !!!
Lafferty seems to have been a decent left back in the championship before, so I don't doubt he can do that job again. He's always seemed a decent defender to me. Depends on the formation we are going to play and Stevens may well prove to be a far better wing back.
Horses for courses....maybe this season we will tinker between formations of a 3 or 4 at the back depending on who we are playing and need the options of players better suited to the style.
Horses for courses....maybe this season we will tinker between formations of a 3 or 4 at the back depending on who we are playing and need the options of players better suited to the style.
IdLiketoRogerMoore
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I'd add Moore too.
With Moore, JOC and Fleck - we've got the makings of a cracking spine.
Bartleby
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there is of course, but after the season we just had to now start singling out players who have performed so well to give us all what we have been wanting for so long, just seems kind of wrong to me.
FTPE
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In 2012 Sharp scored 19 goals in the championship. Half of them with a shitty Donny side. I think he's already better than an "average championship striker".
He's coming off his best ever season now, and while he's older who's to say he's not fitter, more intelligent and just an all round better finisher in 2017?
He's a year younger than me so I'm always going to stick up for him age wise, but Ronaldo is a month older than me so how can I not?
If we are talking "spine of the team" Moore-JOC- Fleck, then Sharp has to be mentioned as well. Regardless of age or division.
He's coming off his best ever season now, and while he's older who's to say he's not fitter, more intelligent and just an all round better finisher in 2017?
He's a year younger than me so I'm always going to stick up for him age wise, but Ronaldo is a month older than me so how can I not?
If we are talking "spine of the team" Moore-JOC- Fleck, then Sharp has to be mentioned as well. Regardless of age or division.
Fulwood Blade
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What is of interest to me - more than players, is the formation we will play.
You mention Freeman and Lafferty - if we play 3 at the back then Freeman or Lafferty should be ok. Play 4 at the back then Freeman could be an issue. From the Burnley watches, Lafferty is more of a full back than wing back, so don't really know. Duffy is an interesting one - perhaps CW will swap Carruthers and Duffy round, so Duffs is the one that plays 20 minutes at the end.
Think we should all remember we still have players who are comfortable in the 3-4-1-2 type formation - particularly Bash. He fits nicely into that formation, but think he struggles in either a 4 man defence or 4 man midfield.
What is clear is that CW is bringing in players that give him different options such as Ched, Stevens and Thomas.
A couple of decent CH's plus RM and it appears to cover all bases. I just hope he gets his mind clear in Pre-season as to how we are going to play and not be rock bottom after 4 games again.
UTB
I should coco
A little harsh on a well meaning body of men
He is not just a poacher in the Edwards mould. His all round game involves 'working' defenders (including all the gamesmanship and niggling) and chasing around the box. If anything, his sharpness (no pun intended) has improved with age and as his game was never about flat out speed, I expect him to be a threat next year. I'll be disappointed if he doesn't get 15 goals.
I really can't understand why so many people seem to have written off our in form 31 year old striker. There are clubs queuing up for Defoe and he's 36.
Fulwood Blade
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yep, me too about Billy. He's always seemed to be a no 10 type player to me - clever and inventive. Can see Sharp developing this roll against better competition and as he gets older. If Ched can rediscover the art of playing on the last man and goal scoring prowess, those 2 up top with Billy a bit off the top, they might surprise more than a few.
UTB
ChipButtyBlade
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Definately need two CB.
GroovyBrad
Cuttin Abaht
I think the following starters from last season will no longer be regulars;
Lafferty
Duffy
The second stiker (Clarke / Hanson)
At a push - One of the two CB's out of Wright or Basham
Lafferty
Duffy
The second stiker (Clarke / Hanson)
At a push - One of the two CB's out of Wright or Basham
Fulwood Blade
Well-Known Member
indeed - and for me, one of them would be our marque summer signing to go straight in the team.
Would feel sorry for any one of the existing back three, but we must have some experience (2nd) and quality (1st) at CH.
UTB
lingsbord
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Freeman was our 2nd highest scorer, as a full-back! Deserves his chance.
Wright has NEVER lost when playing for SUFC. Deserves his chance.
Lafferty was in Burnley's side that was promoted to the PL. Deserves his chance.
Duffy has been named in the League One team of the year, 2 years running. Deserves his chance.
Clarke was injured for most of the season. When he finally got fit he was devastating at the end of the season. Deserves his chance.
Although some of the above will become squad players, we should be retaining all of them imho.
We can compete in the Championship guys, it ain't the feckin' Champions League. Ask yourself this: With the current squad and the way we play, who would you fear in the Championship?
blade too long
we go again
Exsqueeze me ?
Did we not out run 95% of the teams we played, did we not play pass and move which requires high levels of fitness
we dominated in nearly every game by being fitter
we won many games in the last 10 minutes again not because we were wheezing and coughing
who makes this shit up
I think it is brilliant that CW is building a versatile squad that will give him options and challenge for places in the Championship.
The preseason training and friendlies will give all the squad a chance to justify their places in the first team.
The first few games will determine if we are light in any areas and whether there are any tweaks required before the transfer window closes.
In Wilder we trust.
The preseason training and friendlies will give all the squad a chance to justify their places in the first team.
The first few games will determine if we are light in any areas and whether there are any tweaks required before the transfer window closes.
In Wilder we trust.
CopenhagenBlade
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I accept that my opinion is based mostly on what I have seen on tv but I think midfield is our weak link. When Attacking no problem but we are not strong or mobile enough when we have to get back and protect the defense. This means that they get pulled out of shape and we concede. Not a problem in div 1 but Championship we will get punished. We need a more experienced Ben Whiteman, to support Fleck. I see Coutts as at risk
IdLiketoRogerMoore
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Yeah because Sharp, Fleck, Hanson, Duffy and Any combination of our back 3 are blessed with fantastic pace...
Lavery aside we don't posses anyone with the pace we'll need to make it to top half of the Championship.
Jees some people are so blinkered it makes me wonder if watching too much League One football has made them think in League One terms. It's as if getting out of League One was the height of our ambition and next year will be a testimonial year with us all back slapping each other and skipping to the Lane.
Thank god Tufty doesn't think like that and is already well on his way to upgrading the team in every area.
YES Blade
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Duffy and Clarke have had numerous chances in the Championship before, it's highly unlikely they'll somehow find the ability to play at that level now they are in their 30s
Boxer Blade
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Not under Wilder they haven't
snootyfenooty
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And they did it all in League 1. That was the point of the OP. If we are to progress, who is going to have to give way? I didn't suggest we fire them all, it's just that some of them will have to accept that they will be in the squad rather than first names on the teamsheet next season. So back to the original question - who do you think will have to step back?
Bladesway
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YES Blade
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He's a good manager, maybe he'll end up being our greatest of all time one day, but he can't work miracles with every player.
lingsbord
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Bladesway
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Clarke looked absolutely fine back end of last season to me. That finish at MK alone says he is good enough. I know you have your reasons no doubt but I'm not sure it's purely objective. I think Wilder will give most this team a chance. It's more a squad game than ever so actually 28-30 players wouldn't be the end of the world.
My feeling is Wilder cut what he didn't want quickly end of this season, everyone else gets a chance.
YES Blade
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Fair play to him he found form at the end of the season in a team that's flying and brimming with confidence. But at the start of the season he was utter gash in a team that was struggling. In a team that will probably be mid table at best, I think he will struggle again.
We currently have Sharp, Evans, Clarke, Hanson and Lavery, the season hasn't even finished yet so we could end up signing another striker. Even if we player 2 up front, a couple of those strikers are going to find first team chances very limited.
Personally I'd like to see a pacey striker signed and I'd try to move Hanson and Clarke on to League One.
Bladesway
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I'd like to see us top of the league and I don't care who gets us there.
YES Blade
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Well obviously, I'm just giving an opinion on how I think we can improve. I'm not saying I want us to be successful, but only on my terms.
Cerberus Blade
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It's missing a vertebrae up front if that's the spine.
I think Moore will lose his place to a new keeper.
Newbury Blade
Active Member
Why was he so keen to make the loan permanent in January then? He could have just extended the loan if he thought Lafferty was a "weak link".
So not only have we decided we're going to change shape and formation but we're writing off Coutts? Who EVERYTHING goes through.
Freeman who was our second top goal scorer?
And Duffy who for 60 mins a game has also been pretty influential?
Wow.
Freeman who was our second top goal scorer?
And Duffy who for 60 mins a game has also been pretty influential?
Wow.
Pinchy
Blade, not Bladey.
Paul Coutts will excel. He's a proper footballer who will thrive in the Championship. Only Hoofers and mad people would look to replace him. John Fleck wouldn't.
Leon will do fine, score goals and be a vital member of the squad. Over 200 games in the Championship and every one a failure....
Leon will do fine, score goals and be a vital member of the squad. Over 200 games in the Championship and every one a failure....
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