Next Seasons Squad

[Chabuddy G]

When the season ends and the loans and 2020 contracts finish, we’ll be looking at something like this:
GK: Verrips, Moore
Def: Baldock, Basham, Egan, JOC, Bryan, Stevens, J Robinson, Osborn, Norrington-Davies
Mid: Berge, Fleck, Lundstram, Norwood, Freeman
Fwd: McBurnie, Sharp, McGoldrick, Mousset, C Robinson

With players I think we’ll be looking to move on, and players who I reckon will be looking to leave for the good of their careers (Freeman, Osborn) we’d be left with this:

GK: Verrips, Moore
Def: Baldock, Basham, Egan, JOC, Stevens, J Robinson, Norrington-Davies
Mid: Berge, Fleck, Lundstram, Norwood
Fwd: McBurnie, Sharp, McGoldrick, Mousset

With the news of money being tight, and the funds raised from the sales I reckon that’s a good base to build from. We need some depth on the right hand side of defence, one in midfield, one striker and of course a keeper and we’ll be set imo.

Potentially for Europe... who knows?

 

[Silent Blade]

With the news of money being tight, and the funds raised from the Ames I reckon that’s a good base to build from.

Ames?

 

[Chabuddy G]

Ames?

Fixed

 

[Ricky]

I hope and think that one of Osborn and Freeman will stay.

 

[LoughboroBlade]

I hope and think that one of Osborn and Freeman will stay.

Agreed, Osborn certainly. Freeman probably too, though would understand if he wanted to move for more regular football.

With Stevens and Osborn the LWB options, I hope we’d see if someone like Rotherham would take RND for the season, as if he stays I don’t see how he gets any significant game time. Unlike Osborn, he can’t play Fleck’s role so it’s really only LWB he could feature.

 

[Silent Blade]

Fixed

Eh?

 

[Yellarbellyblade]

More evolution is the CW way.

I'm almost wondering if this year will be like our first in the championship where we are there or thereabouts and then our squad depth catches us out and we finish mid table. If we can bring some extra quality in in a few key positions so that if a Fleck or JOC goes down we are better able to cope we should be in a better position next year.

Now clearly some other teams are going to be throwing serious cash about as usual but we have to understand that isn’t us yet and make sure we’re competitive with those we have to finish above.

 

[Chabuddy G]

Eh?

Fixed it...

 

[Silent Blade]

Fixed it...

Ah! Didnt see your correction

 

[Chabuddy G]

I hope and think that one of Osborn and Freeman will stay.

I hope but wouldn’t rule them out going, they’ve made about 5 PL apps between them and they’re used to playing 30/40 games

 

[bladesince64]

I think that the 'budget being tight' part of the statement is always useful in the negotiating process. The Prince has been very ambitious in the acquisition of players so far and I don't see that changing. Another year of PL income to come for next season and hopefully a few more after that before CWAK get the England gig.
Heady days.

 

[yorkshirecoast]

I think we definitely need to try to find a more potent goalscorer at this level - not easy I know. Our success has largely been built on a great defence but it will be hard to repeat that next season as opponents get to know our style.

I was surprised we offered two year deals to Sharp and McGoldrick. They’ve both done great for us in recent years but at a lower level and they are also getting on a bit. I think one year deals would have been better. I doubt they would be offered Prem football by anyone else at this stage in their careers so would hope they would have accepted one year.

 

[nezimão]

can’t see osborn going anywhere just yet. been very impressed with the guy both on and off the field, he’s made all the right noises about how he’s improved since joining the blades. freeman’s been unlucky to my mind, can’t really understand why he lost out to lundstram against villa - felt we looked better once he came on.

 

[FriethBlade]

Watching the Man U v Spurs game I thought we measure up very well in terms of our defence and wing backs
The glaring deficiency in my mind is without Fleck we don't have anyone who can run with the ball and go round players in midfield and attack . Norwood and Berg (at the moment) are very predictable in what they are going to do. McBurnie and Sharp also.

So for me the priority is to get a couple of players who can change a game by going round their marker and forcing defenders to come out to stop them, creating space for the forwards. Im looking forward to seeing how Brooks plays tonight if he gets a game(assume he will be in the bench) as he's exactly the type of player we need.

 

[Wards]

I think we definitely need to try to find a more potent goalscorer at this level - not easy I know. Our success has largely been built on a great defence but it will be hard to repeat that next season as opponents get to know our style.

I was surprised we offered two year deals to Sharp and McGoldrick. They’ve both done great for us in recent years but at a lower level and they are also getting on a bit. I think one year deals would have been better. I doubt they would be offered Prem football by anyone else at this stage in their careers so would hope they would have accepted one year.

I’m not even sure it’s a goal scorer issue. I think given good chances McBurnie/Mousset/Sharp can be clinical enough. I think we lack creativity sometimes and without wanting to drag up an old argument I do think we’re better at that with someone in the ‘Duffy’ role - if we’re willing to sacrifice a little bit of defensive solidity then I’d like us to revert to that more often.