What do we still need?

[Macfarlane21]

Assuming our starting 11 will be:

Cooper
Gilchrist Anel JLT Burrows
Souza Blaster
O'Hare Gus Jeserun
Moore

Bench:
Davies
Souttar
Seriki
McCallum
Peck
Slimane
Brooks
Campbell
Brewster

Where does the overall squad still need strengthening?

 

[LardSardine]

Striker definitely, assuming Campbell will be playing wide. Any other position I think we have cover. RB looking a little light with Seriki and Shackleton injured, but hopefully that shouldn't be for too long. Maybe some cover for Souza and Arblaster although Peck certainly staked a claim last night. I thought we would still need loads at this point, but looking at it, once we have another striker I think we could go with what we have. Might as well use those two match day loan slots though.

 

[The Fox]

Baring in mind you've not got trusty or RND in there defensively we're good .
I'd see what injuries we suffer between now and the end of the window , take it from there . If anything a spare striker wouldn't go amiss

 

[Sheffsteel]

Good question.

The subs look much better now.
However another one who has forgotten one of our main players from 2 years ago.
We still have Rees Norrington-Davies who was brilliant as a left wing back and even impressive when playing as a left sided centre back.

We'll be fine regards suspensions and short term injuries but you wouldn't want to lose our 1st teamers for long spells.

That 1st 11 looks very strong however eventually teams will set up tactics to frustrate us so it's vital Wilder has a tactical plan B and a plan C.
He's already mentioned we might revert back to a back 5 in some games, using 3 centre backs, think Souttar will become a regular first teamer.

Regards our squad think I'd prefer some more attacking options.
Moore is the big lump target but what if he gets injured, then we've no one to play that position, would have been nice to keep McBurnie as backup.
What if Campbell and especially Brewster pick up injuries again? So I'd say the priority is probably good squad player for the attacking positions.

Think the January transfer window will be massive for us.
As we'll know exactly where we're lacking and we should have new ownership with money to spend to push us over the finishing line.

 

[Eric_Brooks]

If we don't see anyone we need a striker and midfielder.

Tyler Morton and the lad and either Ross Stewart (southampton) or Stansfield from Fulham

Wouldn't mind another wing who is right footed to balance out palace lad and Brooks. Will allow for Hamer to come inside when needed

 

[Berkshire Blade]

Assuming Campbell and raki Sacky are on the wings I think we still need one more there if at all possible and another striker who is able to do what Moore does

 

[3Cheers4Ramirez]

Striker with good movement, mobility and footwork, ideally not small

Attack minded RB/RWB

Right footed AM/winger a bonus

Anel and Souza need replacing if they leave

 

[Eric_Brooks]

I wonder if Pellestri the winger at manure could be an option. I think Wilder was in for him before

 

[gaffablade]

Great post

Lets be clear on this on. The starting 11* is far better than Hecky had going into the Prem.

The squad is far better than Hecky had going into the Prem.

The starting 11, and the squad is top 3 finish, along with Leeds and Burnley (in my humble opinion). Where in the top 3 we should know around Xmas time.

So answering the OP, we still need a stricker, that operates through the center and has pace.

I would have said we also needed cover for Vinni, but after last nights performance we have that in young Peck.

*assuming Rak-Sakyi and Cooper are done deals.

There is a buzz around the team that very much feels like it did the first season Wilder got here. So looking forward to this season!!

 

[Shadota]

A natural RB should be an absolute must. Gilchrist and Shackleton are both fine options, but neither of them are pure fullbacks. Having someone who can always be relied on, akin to how we had Baldock/Bogle last year, is a must for me.

After that we need another striker. Moore looked very good on Friday, but we cannot go on assuming he'll be available for every game. Having someone of a similar type, who can play that link-up role with the attacking mids, would be highly valuable to this squad.

I'd also want a natural LW. A right footer with pace who can do that role of cutting inside or out, depending on the situation. It would free up the likes of Hamer and O'Hare to play either as a CAM or DM, as they are both far more effective playing centrally.

I noticed a few votes for a DM, and I wouldn't be opposed to getting an enforcer-type player in as a Souza backup. But I don't think it's essential. If we make signings in the above positions, we'd have Hamer/Souza/Arblaster competing for starting positions at DM, plus the likes of Tom Davies & Shackleton (when fit), Peck, and perhaps Coulibaly if we don't sell him. Not an area I'm too worried about.

 

[Bladezz]

After last night a striker and a centre midfielder.

 

[3Cheers4Ramirez]

After that we need another striker. Moore looked very good on Friday, but we cannot go on assuming he'll be available for every game. Having someone of a similar type, who can play that link-up role with the attacking mids, would be highly valuable to this squad.

McBurnie would have been bloody perfect

 

[Shadota]

McBurnie would have been bloody perfect

His style of play for sure. But he wouldn't be reliable enough for me. No point in having a lad as backup, when he's unavailable more often than your first choice.

 

[Sheffsteel]

There is a buzz around the team that very much feels like it did the first season Wilder got here. So looking forward to this season!!

Agree.....Wilder always wears his heart on his sleeve and carries an aura around him.This can be a blessing and a curse.

Always said when Wilder is under pressure he starts to visibly look ill, you can see he's hurting inside
however when things are going well....his whole demeanour is one of infectious positivity and authority.

Let's be right here....Wilder is fighting for his life...his stock/ reputation was severely damaged.....he was called a 1 trick pony with his overlapping centre back system. Wilder is like a wounded animal needing to prove himself again and rebuild his reputation.

Looks like Wilder has got his mojo back. It's early days but you can feel something special is building.

 

[3Cheers4Ramirez]

His style of play for sure. But he wouldn't be reliable enough for me. No point in having a lad as backup, when he's unavailable more often than your first choice.

I think him and Moore would have balanced each other out perfectly, with a bit of luck one would be available when the other wasn't, with little detrimental impact on the team. I feel it would have helped McB massively to have someone like Moore relieving the pressure on him

Just imagine if we now had him and Brereton too.....

But we don't. So the likes of Cannon and Kaba are likely as good as we'll get. I'd be pleased with either. I'd like Riis from Preston but he'd be quite costly. If money was no object, Sargent

 

[s20Blade]

A natural left winger and maybe a striker due to Brewster being a complete Croc, main thing is keeping hold of Souza and Hamer IMO.

 

[SUFC Guy]

Assuming our starting 11 will be:

Cooper
Gilchrist Anel JLT Burrows
Souza Blaster
O'Hare Gus Jeserun
Moore

Bench:
Davies
Souttar
Seriki
McCallum
Peck
Slimane
Brooks
Campbell
Brewster

Where does the overall squad still need strengthening?

I'd go with (backups) :

Cooper (Davies)

Gilchrist (Seriki) --- Anel (Souttar) --- Robinson (Trusty) ---- Burrows (RND)

Souza (Peck) --- Arblaster (new signing)

O'Hare (Slimane) --- Hamer (new signing) --- JRS (Brooks)

Moore/Campbell (Brewster)



So 2 midfielders would be needed IMO

UTMB!

 

[NateDogg]

Didn't wilder say 3 or 4 last week? Is that including Campbell?

 

[Flatulent_Bob]

A natural RB should be an absolute must. Gilchrist and Shackleton are both fine options, but neither of them are pure fullbacks. Having someone who can always be relied on, akin to how we had Baldock/Bogle last year, is a must for me.

After that we need another striker. Moore looked very good on Friday, but we cannot go on assuming he'll be available for every game. Having someone of a similar type, who can play that link-up role with the attacking mids, would be highly valuable to this squad.

I'd also want a natural LW. A right footer with pace who can do that role of cutting inside or out, depending on the situation. It would free up the likes of Hamer and O'Hare to play either as a CAM or DM, as they are both far more effective playing centrally.

I noticed a few votes for a DM, and I wouldn't be opposed to getting an enforcer-type player in as a Souza backup. But I don't think it's essential. If we make signings in the above positions, we'd have Hamer/Souza/Arblaster competing for starting positions at DM, plus the likes of Tom Davies & Shackleton (when fit), Peck, and perhaps Coulibaly if we don't sell him. Not an area I'm too worried about.

You don’t sign Gilchrist and not play him. To my mind he’s stating at RB this season, and that only changes if we go to a 3 at the back.

 

[Ndiayewillalwaysloveyou]

RB
CM
LW
ST

 

[dillis]

Probably a natural RB as mentioned. Maybe another number 9? Issue is Moore has been signed as a starter. This kid from St Johnstone maybe

 

[Ndiayewillalwaysloveyou]

Probably a natural RB as mentioned. Maybe another number 9? Issue is Moore has been signed as a starter. This kid from St Johnstone maybe

Yeah, I'm still unsure at RB.

Gilchrist looks decent there but is he a natural fullback that's going to lead attacks like Burrows/McCallum at LB? Wasn't he a CB coming through at Chelsea?

I rate Seriki but like Curtis I think a season long loan would benefit him.

Shackleton currently injured and not sure his actual best position.

 

[Macfarlane21]

I rate Gilchrist as a signing but was surprised we brought him in as a RB considering we were after Hoever who is a much more attacking RB in comparison.

For me we need:

- An attacking RB to add balance for our LB's. However Wilder may just want a sturdy back 4 to allow attacking players to focus more on what they do best.

- A CDM to offer cover for Vin and Blaster.

- Another traditional number 9 upfront

 

[RMBlade]

GK - Cooper | Davies | Grbic
RB - Gilchrist | Shackleton | Siriki
RCB - Anel | Souttar
LCB - Robinson | Trusty
LB - Burrows | McCallum | RND
RCM - Souza | Peck
LCM - Arblaster | Shackleton | Davies
RW - Rak-Sakyi | Campbell | Brooks
CAM - O’Hare | Marsh | Brooks
LW - Hamer | Slimani | Campbell
ST - Moore | Brewster | Campbell | One

Yellow = players covering multiple positions

I’d say being greedy we could do with a LW that can cover at ST but if that is the squad we go with then I would be more than happy with that.

 

[GrunkyPeep]

What I would like to see now would be some old stagers with great experience who don't mind playing a bit part. Someone who can fill in when we need them but also won't demand too many minutes and can pass on some great experience to the younger lads.

 

[BladeInIreland]

Has to be a striker, we have nothing dependable if he is injured/suspended/needs resting/in poor form

 

[SGBlade]

I'd go with (backups) :

Cooper (Davies)

Gilchrist (Seriki) --- Anel (Souttar) --- Robinson (Trusty) ---- Burrows (RND)

Souza (Peck) --- Arblaster (new signing)

O'Hare (Slimane) --- Hamer (new signing) --- JRS (Brooks)

Moore/Campbell (Brewster)



So 2 midfielders would be needed IMO

UTMB!

Nice. Although I think Peck is more the backup for Blaster than Souza, and Campbell the backup for Hamer (positionally I mean - obviously they’re very different players).

So, looking at the names in brackets above, I think that means we need a biggish CF to compete with Moore and a biggish DM to compete with Souza. I also think we need a RWB who can play RB as well to cover for Gilchrist and allow us to play a 5 if we want. Seriki is the right profile but he looks too raw to rely on this season if we’re looking for promotion.

I don’t think Slimane should be first back up for O’Hare either - it’s too big a drop in quality. Marsh fits the bill but, like Seriki, he looks a year away to me. But I’m not too worried about singing another number 10 / CAM because I think we can just shuffle the pack and pop Hamer in there.

So, a CF, DM and RWB for me. Assuming no one else leaves.

 

[gaffablade]

I'd go with (backups) :

Cooper (Davies)

Gilchrist (Seriki) --- Anel (Souttar) --- Robinson (Trusty) ---- Burrows (RND)

Souza (Peck) --- Arblaster (new signing)

O'Hare (Slimane) --- Hamer (new signing) --- JRS (Brooks)

Moore/Campbell (Brewster)



So 2 midfielders would be needed IMO

UTMB!

From last nights interview, I dont think Soutter has come here to sit on the bench

You have also missed out Shackleton whos a MF

 

[BrisBlade]

I'm not getting the need at right back. As others have mentioned, Gilchrist hasn't come to warm the bench. We have Shackleton who looks decent and Seriki looked fantastic as a more attacking RWB option before he got hacked down.

 

[jono_t2000]

Barring a striker, I honestly think we can make do with what we've got unless any sales occur