State of the squad: now and at the end of the window

[Balham]

There's loads flying around about further incomings and outgoings. I've been trying to get my head around it all and where it would leave us:

Goalkeeper: first choice strong but no depth
First choice: Michael Cooper: brought in this season
Backup Adam Davies
U21 prospect: Luke Faxon highly rated keeper who may go on a short term non-league loan
Likely to leave: Ivo Grbic: available for transfer, will probably leave on loan on the last day of the window

Left back: strong
First choice: Harrison Burrows signed this season, will fight it out with Sam McCallum for the shirt although both could play further forward
Backup: whichever of the above two isn't playing; Rhys Norrington-Davies has just signed a new deal and can fill in if both are unavailable
U21 prospects: Jili Buyabu and Harry Boyes have both featured sporadically in the first team but the latter's age (he's 23 now) suggests that he will probably move on this summer

Right back: weak
First choice: unclear. Jamie Shackleton played at RB under Bielsa; Alfie Gilchrist has been filling in but neither is a natural right back
Backup: Femi Seriki signed a new deal last season and has featured a lot in pre-season. Injured against Wrexham but hopefully it's not serious
U21 prospects: Sai Sachdev needs a loan spell somewhere; Jack Waldron is generating strong reviews having stepped up from the U18s

Centre back: currently relatively strong but departures may change that. If
First choice: Anel Ahmedhodic has been strongly linked with Ipswich and Wolves and looks likely to leave. Jack Robinson's approach and attitude can't be questioned but his quality can
Backup: Harry Souttar looks to have been signed to replace Ahmedhodzic; Auston Trusty hasn't convinced since joining and has been linked with Celtic today; Rhys Norrington-Davies can play there and may complement Souttar better than Robinson while Alfie Gilchrist is supposed to be more naturally a centre half than right back.
U21 prospects: Dovydas Sausnauskas, Evan Easton are sufficiently highly rated that we allowed Polish age group international Levis Pitan to leave earlier in the summer

Centre midfield: currently strong but again departures may change that
First choice: Oli Arblaster has come through the academy and made himself a fixture in the first team although a mega-money bid may tempt us into selling. Vini Souza's recent redemption arc puts him in as the other first choice and while whispers continue to link him with a move away our asking price of £20m seems to be preventing formal bids.
Backup: Tom Davies continues his rehabilitation from injury and is unlikely to feature before the November international break; Gus Hamer is more naturally a central midfielder than winger but in the Arblaster rather than Souza mould. Jamie Shackleton is another one whose preferred role is central midfield.
U21 prospects: Sydie Peck was head and shoulders the best player on the pitch against Wrexham and is probably now first choice backup
Likely to leave: Ismaila Coulibaly's strange United career looks to have ended with an awful showing against FC Disney+

Attacking midfield: strong
First choice: Callum O'Hare was the marquee signing as United beat a host of clubs to his signature this summer
Backup: Gus Hamer is probably the most natural senior backup but Rhian Brewster has featured in the role as a sub against Preston and QPR
U21 prospects: Louie Marsh has scored a lot of goals in the PDL2 and saw a spell at Doncaster last season interrupted by injury. Owen Hampson is also showing signs of progression

Wingers: strong
First choice: Jeresun Rak-Sakyi signed on a season long loan from Crystal Palace for a significant outlay (£2-4m depending on success), Gus Hamer has been picked for and scored in the two league games so far but Tyreese Campbell is likely to push him for the wide left spot
Backup: Andre Brooks was first choice until Rak-Sakyi's signing and will push the Palace man for the right wing spot. Anis Ben Slimane has featured at LW either as a sub or a starter but drops down the pecking order with the signing of Campbell. Sam McCallum and Harrison Burrows also featured in advanced inverted right sided roles in preseason
U21 prospects: Owen Hampson filled in at RW against Wrexham but didn't look entirely comfortable in a wider role

Centre forwards: lack of options
First choice: Kieffer Moore was the first player we paid a fee for this summer, even if it wasn't a huge outlay
Backup: Rhian Brewster looks fitter and sharper but question marks remain over his finishing. Tyreese Campbell can also play through the middle
U21 prospects: Ryan Oné's physical development stands him in good stead while Louie Marsh is also capable of playing as the front man. Antwoine Hackford signed a new deal last year as he continues to get back to full strength while there are high hopes for Kurtis Havenhand and Billy Blacker

Conclusion
We've built a strong team but there are gaps, particularly at centre forward and right back. Departures may change the complexion completely though with two of the four senior centre backs strongly linked with moves away and three of the four senior central midfielders also linked with transfers. It feels to me that we've planned for Ahmedhodzic's departure by signing Souttar on loan but we have no-one else in the mould of Vini Souza. Sydie Peck showed significant potential against Wrexham but is it realistic to pencil him in to replace Arblaster if we get a silly money offer?

 

[SwissBlade]

There's loads flying around about further incomings and outgoings. I've been trying to get my head around it all and where it would leave us:

Goalkeeper: first choice strong but no depth
First choice: Michael Cooper: brought in this season
Backup Adam Davies
U21 prospect: Luke Faxon highly rated keeper who may go on a short term non-league loan
Likely to leave: Ivo Grbic: available for transfer, will probably leave on loan on the last day of the window

Left back: strong
First choice: Harrison Burrows signed this season, will fight it out with Sam McCallum for the shirt although both could play further forward
Backup: whichever of the above two isn't playing; Rhys Norrington-Davies has just signed a new deal and can fill in if both are unavailable
U21 prospects: Jili Buyabu and Harry Boyes have both featured sporadically in the first team but the latter's age (he's 23 now) suggests that he will probably move on this summer

Right back: weak
First choice: unclear. Jamie Shackleton played at RB under Bielsa; Alfie Gilchrist has been filling in but neither is a natural right back
Backup: Femi Seriki signed a new deal last season and has featured a lot in pre-season. Injured against Wrexham but hopefully it's not serious
U21 prospects: Sai Sachdev needs a loan spell somewhere; Jack Waldron is generating strong reviews having stepped up from the U18s

Centre back: currently relatively strong but departures may change that. If
First choice: Anel Ahmedhodic has been strongly linked with Ipswich and Wolves and looks likely to leave. Jack Robinson's approach and attitude can't be questioned but his quality can
Backup: Harry Souttar looks to have been signed to replace Ahmedhodzic; Auston Trusty hasn't convinced since joining and has been linked with Celtic today; Rhys Norrington-Davies can play there and may complement Souttar better than Robinson while Alfie Gilchrist is supposed to be more naturally a centre half than right back.
U21 prospects: Dovydas Sausnauskas, Evan Easton are sufficiently highly rated that we allowed Polish age group international Levis Pitan to leave earlier in the summer

Centre midfield: currently strong but again departures may change that
First choice: Oli Arblaster has come through the academy and made himself a fixture in the first team although a mega-money bid may tempt us into selling. Vini Souza's recent redemption arc puts him in as the other first choice and while whispers continue to link him with a move away our asking price of £20m seems to be preventing formal bids.
Backup: Tom Davies continues his rehabilitation from injury and is unlikely to feature before the November international break; Gus Hamer is more naturally a central midfielder than winger but in the Arblaster rather than Souza mould. Jamie Shackleton is another one whose preferred role is central midfield.
U21 prospects: Sydie Peck was head and shoulders the best player on the pitch against Wrexham and is probably now first choice backup
Likely to leave: Ismaila Coulibaly's strange United career looks to have ended with an awful showing against FC Disney+

Attacking midfield: strong
First choice: Callum O'Hare was the marquee signing as United beat a host of clubs to his signature this summer
Backup: Gus Hamer is probably the most natural senior backup but Rhian Brewster has featured in the role as a sub against Preston and QPR
U21 prospects: Louie Marsh has scored a lot of goals in the PDL2 and saw a spell at Doncaster last season interrupted by injury. Owen Hampson is also showing signs of progression

Wingers: strong
First choice: Jeresun Rak-Sakyi signed on a season long loan from Crystal Palace for a significant outlay (£2-4m depending on success), Gus Hamer has been picked for and scored in the two league games so far but Tyreese Campbell is likely to push him for the wide left spot
Backup: Andre Brooks was first choice until Rak-Sakyi's signing and will push the Palace man for the right wing spot. Anis Ben Slimane has featured at LW either as a sub or a starter but drops down the pecking order with the signing of Campbell. Sam McCallum and Harrison Burrows also featured in advanced inverted right sided roles in preseason
U21 prospects: Owen Hampson filled in at RW against Wrexham but didn't look entirely comfortable in a wider role

Centre forwards: lack of options
First choice: Kieffer Moore was the first player we paid a fee for this summer, even if it wasn't a huge outlay
Backup: Rhian Brewster looks fitter and sharper but question marks remain over his finishing. Tyreese Campbell can also play through the middle
U21 prospects: Ryan Oné's physical development stands him in good stead while Louie Marsh is also capable of playing as the front man. Antwoine Hackford signed a new deal last year as he continues to get back to full strength while there are high hopes for Kurtis Havenhand and Billy Blacker

Conclusion
We've built a strong team but there are gaps, particularly at centre forward and right back. Departures may change the complexion completely though with two of the four senior centre backs strongly linked with moves away and three of the four senior central midfielders also linked with transfers. It feels to me that we've planned for Ahmedhodzic's departure by signing Souttar on loan but we have no-one else in the mould of Vini Souza. Sydie Peck showed significant potential against Wrexham but is it realistic to pencil him in to replace Arblaster if we get a silly money offer?

Lovely.

I think the biggest will be centre half back up, Anel won’t be happy as back up,

Secondly as you say, centre forward though Brewster has played a role there in the cup

 

[loyalblade95]

Think some of our business was done with a view that certain players would move on, especially earlier in the window. It does give us cover as well.

Signing both Burrows and McCallum for LB, only for RND to sign a new deal a few weeks later as he looks to have stepped up his return from injury. Also add Boyes whose future is uncertain.

Signing Souttar to play in a 2 when we have Anel, Trusty and JLT with Sasnauskas and Easton as backup. Unless Anel or Trusty move on which will probably result in us signing another CB.

Signing Shackleton and promoting Peck to play deep with Souza now looking likely to stay.

Signing Campbell, O'Hare, Rak-Sakyi and likely Johnston to play along that 3 behind the striker, while we already had Slimane, Hamer, Marsh and Brooks. But Osula and Traore both left which freed up some space.

 

[jono_t2000]

Im not too worried about playing 2 right footers in the middle of a 4, and I suspect as the season progresses we will see Souttar and Gilchrist command those spots.

As you say Shackletons played most of his career in midfield despite being used as a makeshift Right Back by Biesla.

Then think McCallum and Burrows will fight it out for LB position with McCallum potentially edging it when returns to full fitness whilst RND gets up to speed from a long lay off with sub appearances.

We obviously need another CF as Moore is the only one who regularly gets goals at this level. Either Cannon or an old wiley head who knows how to see out games.

And then finally a specialist left winger with a bit of pace and I think we will get one in sooner than later with the links to both Sarmiento and Mikey Johnston.

As mentioned in the "3 more" thread;

CF
LW
RB
(+replacements for anyone sold)

 

[Pollingtonblade]

Likely to leave: Ivo Grbic: available for transfer, will probably leave on loan on the last day of the window

We are assuming there is a club out there who wants a one eyed keeper that isn't Gordon Banks.

 

[Pollingtonblade]

Backup: Tom Davies continues his rehabilitation from injury and is unlikely to feature before the November international break;

Will barely play 10 games for us in his career, up there with James "glass back" Wallace as one of the biggest bollocks we've ever dropped.

 

[IdLiketoRogerMoore]

At the risk of being argumentative, it's hell of a lot to ask Arblaster to be the main man in midfield especially alongside hide & cheek champion Sousa.... Peck is going to be a baller, but would feel exponentially more confident if we had an old head in there too.

 

[Pollingtonblade]

Rhian Brewster looks fitter and sharper but question marks remain over his finishing

Our, more costly, version of Ali Dier, can we please stop persistent finger crossing that he will come good, it ain't gonna happen. Shoots like my 7 year old on the park.

 

[BrisBlade]

Centre forward is the one I'm concerned about and one area we are weaker than at the end of last season. I don't think we'll see the best of Moore unless the wingers are putting in early crosses. We are playing inverted wingers though, so the tendency is to cut inside and look for a pass or slow it down by checking back to cross on their preferred foot. If we are setting up like that I would like to see a top loan or splash some serious cash on a striker and have Moore as backup providing something different.

 

[Champagneblade]

I’ll add to this rather than create a new one.

What is really noticeable in the past week or two is the massive talent drain which is happening to the top end Championship teams.

Maybe it is more noticeable because we are back in here but it really does seem a bit of a race in terms of who finishes last in the “getting your best players cherry picked”.

In recent weeks we’ve seen, of the relegated and play off teams:

Blades - Osula
Leeds - Gray, Sinisterra, Kamara, Roca, Summerville, Rutter
Burnley - Odobert, Berge, Zaroury, Muric
Luton - Barkley, Osho
Norwich - Sara, Idah
West Brom - Yokuşlu, Townsend

Szmodics has already left the Championship, Jack Clarke is packing his bags to do the same.

Fair chance we field bids for Ahmedhodzic, Trusty and Souza. Gnonto clearly doesn’t want to stay at Leeds, can’t keep up with Burnley, but it does feel like the next 7 days could severely determine the direction of this year’s promotion race.

 

[dexter101]

I’ll add to this rather than create a new one.

What is really noticeable in the past week or two is the massive talent drain which is happening to the top end Championship teams.

Maybe it is more noticeable because we are back in here but it really does seem a bit of a race in terms of who finishes last in the “getting your best players cherry picked”.

In recent weeks we’ve seen, of the relegated and play off teams:

Blades - Osula
Leeds - Gray, Sinisterra, Kamara, Roca, Summerville, Rutter
Burnley - Odobert, Berge, Zaroury, Muric
Luton - Barkley, Osho
Norwich - Sara, Idah
West Brom - Yokuşlu, Townsend

Szmodics has already left the Championship, Jack Clarke is packing his bags to do the same.

Fair chance we field bids for Ahmedhodzic, Trusty and Souza. Gnonto clearly doesn’t want to stay at Leeds, can’t keep up with Burnley, but it does feel like the next 7 days could severely determine the direction of this year’s promotion race.

It's an interesting point but surely that's just the natural way of football?

1) they spoke about it on blades heaven podcast, there is a pecking order within football which is a combo of current league with a bit of legacy/expectation.

For example with us, Newcastle come and buy Osula, we are likely I think to see Anel go to a PL side. On the flip side, we have had Plymouths arguably best player, we have bought Peterboroughs captain. So in effect, we are selling up and buying down.

2) in some circumstances (Leeds for example) I believe they are having to sell to balance their books. With us. We went up last year and signed Archer. The structure of that deal potentially helps us when relegated because we don't have to try and sell that player and maybe lose money etc he just got bought back.

Closing of transfer window isn't great for lots of clubs but you are right in that those at the top of championship (or who expect to be) its probably a bit more clenched arse time than some.

 

[I should coco]

Will barely play 10 games for us in his career, up there with James "glass back" Wallace as one of the biggest bollocks we've ever dropped.

Not even remotely up there with John Ebrell.

Honourable mentions to
Steve Finneston
Alan Young
Rhian Brewster (sadly).

A 'Made of Chocolate XI' anyone?

 

[IdLiketoRogerMoore]

It's an interesting point but surely that's just the natural way of football?

1) they spoke about it on blades heaven podcast, there is a pecking order within football which is a combo of current league with a bit of legacy/expectation.

For example with us, Newcastle come and buy Osula, we are likely I think to see Anel go to a PL side. On the flip side, we have had Plymouths arguably best player, we have bought Peterboroughs captain. So in effect, we are selling up and buying down.

2) in some circumstances (Leeds for example) I believe they are having to sell to balance their books. With us. We went up last year and signed Archer. The structure of that deal potentially helps us when relegated because we don't have to try and sell that player and maybe lose money etc he just got bought back.

Closing of transfer window isn't great for lots of clubs but you are right in that those at the top of championship (or who expect to be) its probably a bit more clenched arse time than some.

It's a great point Sir. Have a Like ...

Bit like when I hear Blades fans moan about us being skint, as we bring on a £23m striker from bench into a line up which cost in excess of £50m. Compare/contrast with when we first got back into the Championship...

Whether we got 'value' out of this spending is a different conversation (who had the better Blades career - Rhian Brewster or Gary Madine)..

But before we start the whole 'woe is me' routine as Hamer/Anel get bought, I'd imagine we'll have lower Champ/League 1 players to buy with the bounty we receive....

 

[Bell4]

I’ll add to this rather than create a new one.

What is really noticeable in the past week or two is the massive talent drain which is happening to the top end Championship teams.

Maybe it is more noticeable because we are back in here but it really does seem a bit of a race in terms of who finishes last in the “getting your best players cherry picked”.

In recent weeks we’ve seen, of the relegated and play off teams:

Blades - Osula
Leeds - Gray, Sinisterra, Kamara, Roca, Summerville, Rutter
Burnley - Odobert, Berge, Zaroury, Muric
Luton - Barkley, Osho
Norwich - Sara, Idah
West Brom - Yokuşlu, Townsend

Szmodics has already left the Championship, Jack Clarke is packing his bags to do the same.

Fair chance we field bids for Ahmedhodzic, Trusty and Souza. Gnonto clearly doesn’t want to stay at Leeds, can’t keep up with Burnley, but it does feel like the next 7 days could severely determine the direction of this year’s promotion race.

Not unusual

The clubs you mention are very recently relegated Prem clubs - so makes sense for existing Prem clubs to try to hook players who looked at least ok / potential for Prem

 

[Balham]

Will barely play 10 games for us in his career, up there with James "glass back" Wallace as one of the biggest bollocks we've ever dropped.

Is there an unwritten rule that every 10-20 years we have to sign an Everton crock? Ebrell in 1997, Wallace in 2014 and now Davies.

 

[Sheffsteel]

At the risk of being argumentative, it's hell of a lot to ask Arblaster to be the main man in midfield especially alongside hide & cheek champion Sousa.... Peck is going to be a baller, but would feel exponentially more confident if we had an old head in there too.

Good post....agree.......altho Sousa has potential to play really well for us, I always think he has a mentality issue.

Playing in a successful team winning matches he'll play well.
However up against a good team.....or when we have a spell under the cosh then
as you said he does seem to totally disappear as though we're literally down to 10 men.

Also agree....you can see Peck is a proper footballer.....great 1st touch....love how he can receive a ball and swivel with it in one smooth movement.
Also love how he's comfortable making one touch short passes to feet. Think he has a bright future in the game....at least Championship level.

 

[petcharlie]

Good post....agree.......altho Sousa has potential to play really well for us, I always think he has a mentality issue.

Playing in a successful team winning matches he'll play well.
However up against a good team.....or when we have a spell under the cosh then
as you said he does seem to totally disappear as though we're literally down to 10 men.

Also agree....you can see Peck is a proper footballer.....great 1st touch....love how he can receive a ball and swivel with it in one smooth movement.
Also love how he's comfortable making one touch short passes to feet. Think he has a bright future in the game....at least Championship level.

I think Peck looks the most exciting player to come out of the academy for some years and there has been a few but he looks special . I know some might disagree with that but to me this kid has got the x factor . As for the first team squad I think we need more defencive back up rather than more midfielders .Think there is a big question mark over the center of our defence and left back positions. I think it is down to the individual with regards who we want but to me defence is our main issue that needs attention .

 

[John Street West Terrace]

They’ll still be some ins/outs over the next week , with interest around AA, Trusty & Souza , CW said they’d already got contingency plans through Hoyland if they do go , I just hope it’s not on the last days on the window otherwise your replacements are limited .
Those aside we def need a CF & a naturally attacking left sided player , hope that’s Mikey Johnson from Celtic as rumoured , and another defensive midfielder, to cover injuries / suspensions in this league

 

[SGBlade]

There's loads flying around about further incomings and outgoings. I've been trying to get my head around it all and where it would leave us:

Goalkeeper: first choice strong but no depth
First choice: Michael Cooper: brought in this season
Backup Adam Davies
U21 prospect: Luke Faxon highly rated keeper who may go on a short term non-league loan
Likely to leave: Ivo Grbic: available for transfer, will probably leave on loan on the last day of the window

Left back: strong
First choice: Harrison Burrows signed this season, will fight it out with Sam McCallum for the shirt although both could play further forward
Backup: whichever of the above two isn't playing; Rhys Norrington-Davies has just signed a new deal and can fill in if both are unavailable
U21 prospects: Jili Buyabu and Harry Boyes have both featured sporadically in the first team but the latter's age (he's 23 now) suggests that he will probably move on this summer

Right back: weak
First choice: unclear. Jamie Shackleton played at RB under Bielsa; Alfie Gilchrist has been filling in but neither is a natural right back
Backup: Femi Seriki signed a new deal last season and has featured a lot in pre-season. Injured against Wrexham but hopefully it's not serious
U21 prospects: Sai Sachdev needs a loan spell somewhere; Jack Waldron is generating strong reviews having stepped up from the U18s

Centre back: currently relatively strong but departures may change that. If
First choice: Anel Ahmedhodic has been strongly linked with Ipswich and Wolves and looks likely to leave. Jack Robinson's approach and attitude can't be questioned but his quality can
Backup: Harry Souttar looks to have been signed to replace Ahmedhodzic; Auston Trusty hasn't convinced since joining and has been linked with Celtic today; Rhys Norrington-Davies can play there and may complement Souttar better than Robinson while Alfie Gilchrist is supposed to be more naturally a centre half than right back.
U21 prospects: Dovydas Sausnauskas, Evan Easton are sufficiently highly rated that we allowed Polish age group international Levis Pitan to leave earlier in the summer

Centre midfield: currently strong but again departures may change that
First choice: Oli Arblaster has come through the academy and made himself a fixture in the first team although a mega-money bid may tempt us into selling. Vini Souza's recent redemption arc puts him in as the other first choice and while whispers continue to link him with a move away our asking price of £20m seems to be preventing formal bids.
Backup: Tom Davies continues his rehabilitation from injury and is unlikely to feature before the November international break; Gus Hamer is more naturally a central midfielder than winger but in the Arblaster rather than Souza mould. Jamie Shackleton is another one whose preferred role is central midfield.
U21 prospects: Sydie Peck was head and shoulders the best player on the pitch against Wrexham and is probably now first choice backup
Likely to leave: Ismaila Coulibaly's strange United career looks to have ended with an awful showing against FC Disney+

Attacking midfield: strong
First choice: Callum O'Hare was the marquee signing as United beat a host of clubs to his signature this summer
Backup: Gus Hamer is probably the most natural senior backup but Rhian Brewster has featured in the role as a sub against Preston and QPR
U21 prospects: Louie Marsh has scored a lot of goals in the PDL2 and saw a spell at Doncaster last season interrupted by injury. Owen Hampson is also showing signs of progression

Wingers: strong
First choice: Jeresun Rak-Sakyi signed on a season long loan from Crystal Palace for a significant outlay (£2-4m depending on success), Gus Hamer has been picked for and scored in the two league games so far but Tyreese Campbell is likely to push him for the wide left spot
Backup: Andre Brooks was first choice until Rak-Sakyi's signing and will push the Palace man for the right wing spot. Anis Ben Slimane has featured at LW either as a sub or a starter but drops down the pecking order with the signing of Campbell. Sam McCallum and Harrison Burrows also featured in advanced inverted right sided roles in preseason
U21 prospects: Owen Hampson filled in at RW against Wrexham but didn't look entirely comfortable in a wider role

Centre forwards: lack of options
First choice: Kieffer Moore was the first player we paid a fee for this summer, even if it wasn't a huge outlay
Backup: Rhian Brewster looks fitter and sharper but question marks remain over his finishing. Tyreese Campbell can also play through the middle
U21 prospects: Ryan Oné's physical development stands him in good stead while Louie Marsh is also capable of playing as the front man. Antwoine Hackford signed a new deal last year as he continues to get back to full strength while there are high hopes for Kurtis Havenhand and Billy Blacker

Conclusion
We've built a strong team but there are gaps, particularly at centre forward and right back. Departures may change the complexion completely though with two of the four senior centre backs strongly linked with moves away and three of the four senior central midfielders also linked with transfers. It feels to me that we've planned for Ahmedhodzic's departure by signing Souttar on loan but we have no-one else in the mould of Vini Souza. Sydie Peck showed significant potential against Wrexham but is it realistic to pencil him in to replace Arblaster if we get a silly money offer?

Excellent summary, thanks.

Reading this, a few things struck me:
1) we’re further away from ‘two good players for every position’ than I thought. Love our business this summer but the rebuild will take another two windows to complete. We’ll have ups and downs this season.

2) our loan players seem fit for purpose but are not irreplaceable. And I mean this in a good way. Trying to replace the likes of McAtee, Doyle, MGW is like a squad rebuild every year. We own what I consider our ‘star players - Hamer, Arblaster, O’Hare, Cooper. Maybe JRS will be like a MGW but let’s see.

3) quality of the youngsters coming through does seem exceptional. They will not all make at and, as said elsewhere, we can only expect 15-25 good games from a handful of them this year. But it seems likely 2-3 of them at least have what it takes to carve out careers in the top two divisions.

4) I really hate to say this, as I’m a huge advocate of moving to 4 at the back, but the squad as it is looks perfect for five at the back. Said many times we need flexibility in tactics but, for the first half of this season, I suspect our results will be better if we go to a back 5. We’re probably just a RWB away from having a top 3 side using that formation.