Out of Contract Players

[brownblade]

We may as well try and sign every 'top 6 Championship-standard' player that's available on a free transfer.

Worst case scenario we can sell them for a worthwhile profit 6 months later. Or use them IF we got relegated.

Best case scenarios; some of them are good, we don't have a tiny squad.

 

[jt64]

Now 26, he's not pushed on in the way most expected, but been a solid Championship player for a few years now.

I guess this is meant to be a player suggestion thread. In what way does someone write that, think:

a) 26, so likely already at peak of playing attributes
b) has been a "solid Championship player" for several seasons, i.e. ok at this level but attracting zero interest from the next level
c) contract is expiring at a club below us in the league table who clearly see him as surplus to requirements, lacking in requested wage to on pitch output value for money, or both

Then also think "this is absolutely the sort of player a team close to promotion to the Premier League should be looking at, sign him up" ???

 

[MayorOJC]

Now 26, he's not pushed on in the way most expected, but been a solid Championship player for a few years now.

I guess this is meant to be a player suggestion thread. In what way does someone write that, think:

a) 26, so likely already at peak of playing attributes
b) has been a "solid Championship player" for several seasons, i.e. ok at this level but attracting zero interest from the next level
c) contract is expiring at a club below us in the league table who clearly see him as surplus to requirements, lacking in requested wage to on pitch output value for money, or both

Then also think "this is absolutely the sort of player a team close to promotion to the Premier League should be looking at, sign him up" ???

Replace the number 26 with 24 and this could be an exact description of Tyrese Campbell.

I'm not saying build the team around him. We'll need a 25 man squad - they won't all be experienced premier league players at the peak of their abilities I'm sorry to say.

 

[jt64]

Replace the number 26 with 24 and this could be an exact description of Tyrese Campbell.

I'm not saying build the team around him. We'll need a 25 man squad - they won't all be experienced premier league players at the peak of their abilities I'm sorry to say.

a) That makes all the difference though. Campbell at the end of the contract he signed will be one year older than Diangana is now. That gives him some chances of being able to improve his game, and being that much younger when he gets to a year left on his contract makes him much more appealing in terms of either offering an extension if things have worked, or offloading with some resale value if not.

b) That is fair, and I'm not unrealistic enough to think that those would be achievable throughout the squad. My first thought when bringing anyone in would be do they have the potential to be a Premier League player. If someone is closer to 30 than 20 and has 150-200 non-PL appearances, then it is pretty safe to say that you can trust the collective scouting of the top 20 teams to say no, he doesn't. So, as a club whose goal should be to get into the PL, and eventually stay there, why on earth would you bring in a senior player (on senior player's wages - which, if signed on a Bosman, will typically be even higher) who, frankly, is not and will never be good enough? All it is doing is consuming resources, clogging a roster spot and limiting the pathways for those that might have a chance.

 

[MayorOJC]

a) That makes all the difference though. Campbell at the end of the contract he signed will be one year older than Diangana is now. That gives him some chances of being able to improve his game, and being that much younger when he gets to a year left on his contract makes him much more appealing in terms of either offering an extension if things have worked, or offloading with some resale value if not.

b) That is fair, and I'm not unrealistic enough to think that those would be achievable throughout the squad. My first thought when bringing anyone in would be do they have the potential to be a Premier League player. If someone is closer to 30 than 20 and has 150-200 non-PL appearances, then it is pretty safe to say that you can trust the collective scouting of the top 20 teams to say no, he doesn't. So, as a club whose goal should be to get into the PL, and eventually stay there, why on earth would you bring in a senior player (on senior player's wages - which, if signed on a Bosman, will typically be even higher) who, frankly, is not and will never be good enough? All it is doing is consuming resources, clogging a roster spot and limiting the pathways for those that might have a chance.

Yep fair point. I guess what I'm considering is players that may be premier league quality, but need a change of club / role / coaching to bring it out of them. It happens all the time - plenty of players have stepped up in their mid-20s and later. Enda Stevens was a League Two player at 27 years old.

Diangana was playing premier league football at 18 years old and cost West Brom £18m. I don't think it's insane to suggest that a manager known for getting the best out of players could make a useful squad player out of him, especially if it means someone like Brooks could go out on loan at a Championship club.

 

[Tony_Kaufman]

We may as well try and sign every 'top 6 Championship-standard' player that's available on a free transfer.

Worst case scenario we can sell them for a worthwhile profit 6 months later. Or use them IF we got relegated.

Best case scenarios; some of them are good, we don't have a tiny squad.

Do that and we'll come straight back down. You'll never establish yourself as a Premier League club signing other clubs cast offs. Sign the top 6 best players for fees and you'll have a chance.

 

[brownblade]

Do that and we'll come straight back down. You'll never establish yourself as a Premier League club signing other clubs cast offs. Sign the top 6 best players for fees and you'll have a chance.

I wasn't suggesting we play them all. More a clever ploy of asset management.

 

[Tony_Kaufman]

I wasn't suggesting we play them all. More a clever ploy of asset management.

It's a good idea in principle but with a max squad of 25 in the Premier League, you don't want to fill those spaces with players who are unlikely to play. We've done similar to what you proposed with picking up kids rejected from other academies, or good youngsters from lower leagues and turning them into players for profit or potential profit. i.e. Ndiaye, Brooks, One and Baptiste.

 

[Balham]

We've currently got 17 players over 21 under contract next season:
GK: Cooper, Davies
DF: Ahmedhodzic, Burrows, McCallum, Norrington-Davies, Robinson
MF: Arblaster, Brooks, Davies, Hamer, O'Hare, Souza, Shackleton
FW: Campbell, Cannon, Moore

Some of those patently aren't good enough for the PL (eg RND, Shackleton) so it's clear they'll not be part of the squad. To fill the squad we'll need at least 10 new signings and not all of those can or will be PL experienced. If there's a top end Championship player available on a free to come in and augment the squad we would be negligent to not consider them: the issue would come if that formed the majority of our recruitment.

 

[brownblade]

It's a good idea in principle but with a max squad of 25 in the Premier League, you don't want to fill those spaces with players who are unlikely to play. We've done similar to what you proposed with picking up kids rejected from other academies, or good youngsters from lower leagues and turning them into players for profit or potential profit. i.e. Ndiaye, Brooks, One and Baptiste.

What Balham said

 

[bertieblade]

With all this planning, I just hope we get promoted

 

[LurkerBlade]

We've currently got 17 players over 21 under contract next season:
GK: Cooper, Davies
DF: Ahmedhodzic, Burrows, McCallum, Norrington-Davies, Robinson
MF: Arblaster, Brooks, Davies, Hamer, O'Hare, Souza, Shackleton
FW: Campbell, Cannon, Moore

Some of those patently aren't good enough for the PL (eg RND, Shackleton) so it's clear they'll not be part of the squad. To fill the squad we'll need at least 10 new signings and not all of those can or will be PL experienced. If there's a top end Championship player available on a free to come in and augment the squad we would be negligent to not consider them: the issue would come if that formed the majority of our recruitment.

Femi too - I thoght Arblaster and Sydie were same age but Peck not 21 till Sept.

 

[Groucho Blade]

IF we go up…the strategy has to be that the players we bring in are a) better than the players we already have and b) Premier League standard.
None of this squad fillers nonsense with players who ‘might be able to do a job’ at a push.
The only way we’ll stay up is by investing in quality.
Sad but true

 

[brownblade]

IF we go up…the strategy has to be that the players we bring in are a) better than the players we already have and b) Premier League standard.
None of this squad fillers nonsense with players who ‘might be able to do a job’ at a push.
The only way we’ll stay up is by investing in quality.
Sad but true

Just seems unlikely we'll buy e.g. Ten prem standard players, as invariably each one of those costs £10-40m.

Last season we played a load of kids on various occasions. Top end Championship players seem a better option to me.

 

[Tony_Kaufman]

Next season we'll go up with the following players still under contract

Cooper
A Davies
Burrows
McCallum
Robinson*
Ahmedhodzic
Seriki
O'Hare
Souza
Peck
Arblaster
Brooks
Shackleton
Souza
T Davies
Hamer
Campbell
Moore
Cannon
Brewster*

* assuming they get new deals

That's 20 places of a 25 man squad already filled. We will move some on, which will likely be A Davies, Shackleton, maybe McCallum and probably Brooks out on loan.

That leave 5 - 9 spots to fill. Given some players will already be pencilled in for a start that gives us great scope to spend big or 4 - 5 quality players for decent fees and wages to go straight into the starting line up and some free transfers to bolster the squad.

We simply must sign quality over quantity and strengthen the first team.

 

[EddieColquhoun]

Still under contract:

 

[robbiez666]

Some very good options if we don't go up but not if we do go up.

 

[vas borbokis]

One of them's Baldock, so really it arguably should only be a list of 6 total.

Baldock (Greece, 219)
Nilsen (Norway, 190)
Murphy (Australia, 182)
Ndlovu (Zimbabwe, 155)
Kachuro (Belarus, 121)
Peschisolido (Canada, 102)

Anel's 100th match was at the start of March.

For a club that's spent most of the modern era in the top 2 divisions I think we must be a real outlier in our reliance on UKIE players.

I'd forgotten about Murphy. We need someone like him next season. He won virtually everything in the air.

 

[Lord Eddard Muir]

I'd forgotten about Murphy. We need someone like him next season. He won virtually everything in the air.

Murphy was quality, always liked him. Think he sometimes gets forgotten about because of coming directly before Morgs, which is unfortunate

 

[Reedy1889]

Assuming we are now don't go up and lose Ahmedhodzic, Souza and Hamer.

I would like us to be signing the likes of Dunne, Darling on frees. Bring those in and spend on Souttar & Callum Doyle/ Charlie Hughes to bolster our centre back options. Dunne being useful for playing at full back too.

For midfield replace the likely outgoing Souza with a similar profile type (may be way off with this but off the top of my head like) Lewis Travis/Imran Louza.

On the wings bring in Poku and on the other side Borja Sainz may join if the rumour is to be true, if not him perhaps Josh Murphy or the Charlton Tyrese Campbell?

Those mentioned allow for tactical changes, giving us the option of playing a the current 4231 or a 5212/5221.

On paper wouldn't look as strong as this current squad but I think we'd be more suited for formation switches when needed whilst adding in what we currently miss which is aerial dominance at the back and the pace and skillset of the forward players would hopefully allow for quicker transition football.

 

[3Cheers4Ramirez]

Murphy and Travis would be smart signings. Don't think Travis is out of contract though

 

[Reedy1889]

Murphy and Travis would be smart signings. Don't think Travis is out of contract though

He isn't no, season after he seems to be so potentially available at a lower fee than Blackburn would want to negotiate at.

 

[robbiez666]

I reckon if Wilder's here we'll replace Hamer with Swift.

 

[MayorOJC]

Few more potential squad players (if we don't make it through the play-offs):

Lewis Baker (Stoke) - Versatile CM. A real box-to-box midfielder, capable of playing as both AM and DM. I think centre midfield is the area we'll be strongest in, but would be nice to have someone to plug the gaps when injuries happen.

Anwar El Ghazi (Cardiff) - Just a few years ago, this guy finished level on goals with Aubameyang and Cavani. How has he ended up at Cardiff? We'll need 3 wingers next season. He could be a cheap option.

Willy Boly (Nottingham Forest) - Yeah he's 34, but he's a leader and a brick wall. Perfect person to sub on with 10 minutes left to shutter down a win. Has one of the best ariel defence records in the premier league, even in his 30s.

Rayan Philippe (Eintracht Braunschweig) - Bit of a rogue one this. Plays in the Germany second division. Pacey with a good eye for goal. Has mainly played up front this season (picking up 11 goals and 6 assists) but is better suited to the left-wing. This team needs a cocky Frenchman with a man bun.

 

[loyalblade95]

Assuming Anel, Souza and Hamer leave, picked 3 free transfers and 3 permanent paid transfers from L1 who are good investments and could step up.

Free: Dunne, Darling and Tyrys Dolan (who I think is out of contract)

Dunne and Darling for cheap is half of the defence rebuilt, and Dolan would be a good fit for our right hand side.

Permanent signings: Sam Tickle (Wigan), Davis Keillor-Dunn (Barnsley), Luca Connell (Barnsley).

Sam Tickle, good keeper who might be worth investing in, fee shouldn't be too much as Wigan's ongoing financial issues might make them desperate to sell.

Davis Keillor-Dunn, I've seen quite a few highlights for Barnsley this season and this bloke looks top class, one of the best players in L1, seems to play anywhere across their front line and might be the best Hamer replacement I can think of.

Luca Connell, been a fan of his for years, think he'd be a good fit for us.

Also heard a few rumours (from Barnsley fans) that their owners might be looking to sell a few of their players if they don't go up this season, and they aren't anywhere close to the playoffs this season.

If Barnsley are going to sell a few players in the summer, I hope we go in for these 2, especially Keillor-Dunn.

 

[Nick Jansky]

Assuming Anel, Souza and Hamer leave, picked 3 free transfers and 3 permanent paid transfers from L1 who are good investments and could step up.

Free: Dunne, Darling and Tyrys Dolan (who I think is out of contract)

Dunne and Darling for cheap is half of the defence rebuilt, and Dolan would be a good fit for our right hand side.

Permanent signings: Sam Tickle (Wigan), Davis Keillor-Dunn (Barnsley), Luca Connell (Barnsley).

Sam Tickle, good keeper who might be worth investing in, fee shouldn't be too much as Wigan's ongoing financial issues might make them desperate to sell.

Davis Keillor-Dunn, I've seen quite a few highlights for Barnsley this season and this bloke looks top class, one of the best players in L1, seems to play anywhere across their front line and might be the best Hamer replacement I can think of.

Luca Connell, been a fan of his for years, think he'd be a good fit for us.

Also heard a few rumours (from Barnsley fans) that their owners might be looking to sell a few of their players if they don't go up this season, and they aren't anywhere close to the playoffs this season.

If Barnsley are going to sell a few players in the summer, I hope we go in for these 2, especially Keillor-Dunn.

I really hope that we’ll be looking significantly higher than L1 for signings & not be restricting our scouting to this country.

 

[loyalblade95]

I really hope that we’ll be looking significantly higher than L1 for signings & not be restricting our scouting to this country.

I would like us to go higher than L1 for most of our business, I would prioritise championship and premier league over the oversees market though.

But I wouldn't mind if we looked for some gems in L1 as well, especially Keillor-Dunn if we lose Hamer, as he can play that LW/free role that Hamer has been playing this season.

Sam Tickle from Wigan, I'm thinking more of as backup to Cooper, make Adam Davies the third choice and maybe look to get Faxon out on loan somewhere to get started on his development.

Can't remember who it was on this thread (when I saw it earlier) but someone mentioned John Swift to replace Hamer.

I wouldn't mind signing Swift (isn't he about 30/31 now?) but that would feel more like backup/competition for O'Hare in the 10.

 

[Nick Jansky]

I would like us to go higher than L1 for most of our business, I would prioritise championship and premier league over the oversees market though.

But I wouldn't mind if we looked for some gems in L1 as well, especially Keillor-Dunn if we lose Hamer, as he can play that LW/free role that Hamer has been playing this season.

Sam Tickle from Wigan, I'm thinking more of as backup to Cooper, make Adam Davies the third choice and maybe look to get Faxon out on loan somewhere to get started on his development.

Can't remember who it was on this thread (when I saw it earlier) but someone mentioned John Swift to replace Hamer.

I wouldn't mind signing Swift (isn't he about 30/31 now?) but that would feel more like backup/competition for O'Hare in the 10.

Swift has only played 25 games for WBA this season and hasn’t scored. He has a long history of hamstring injuries and I think we’ve had more than enough of that. He would be a downgrade and not what is needed to move us forwards.

Anyone we sign from L1 must have at least the potential to step up to the PL. I don’t see that in any of the players you have mentioned.

Good call on Tickle though.

 

[Blademan89]

Swift has only played 25 games for WBA this season and hasn’t scored. He has a long history of hamstring injuries and I think we’ve had more than enough of that. He would be a downgrade and not what is needed to move us forwards.

Anyone we sign from L1 must have at least the potential to step up to the PL. I don’t see that in any of the players you have mentioned.

Good call on Tickle though.

If wilder still here next season, I can't see swift being a wilder player, hasn't it been said by people that he's not the type to be all blood and thunder and be picked for a dog fight? Only seems to want to play on his terms and if its a scrap he disappears (doesn't like the hard work).

I'm sure that's what I've seen from other fans, unless I've just made it up .

 

[Pintor75]

If wilder still here next season, I can't see swift being a wilder player, hasn't it been said by people that he's not the type to be all blood and thunder and be picked for a dog fight? Only seems to want to play on his terms and if its a scrap he disappears (doesn't like the hard work).

I'm sure that's what I've seen from other fans, unless I've just made it up .

If Wilder is still here and we're still in championship he'll push for Kyle walker to come in, qualiteh, sign a load of freebies like this year and convince the board that Cannon and Brewster will come good