Where to Strengthen in the Summer

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5tannington Blade

5tannington Blade

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I'm not writing off the playoffs just yet but it's going to be tough now it seems like it's a four horse race for that 6th spot. Assuming we don't get promoted just wondering where people think we need to strengthen - my thoughts are :

  • GK- Moore and Blackman have both been ok this season but both look poor distributing the ball and have had shaky moments. Assuming we don't get Blackman on a perm deal I think we need either a new no. 1 or serious competition for Simon.
  • CB - to provide cover or replace Basham and Stearman as a starter.
  • LB - Enda Stevens - I think he might be our weak link currently, his levels have dropped both going forward and defending and there is no adequate replacement.
  • ACM - as Duffy gets older don't think he can be relied upon for 46 games next year. Unless Brooks/Holmes/Leonard step up we need somebody in here who can start most weeks.
  • CF - Seriously need strengthening here, it'll be like Dads Army upfront next season with Billy, Clarke, Donaldson, Hanson and Ched. Need someone young with pace as an alternative and I don't think Lavery is going to be the answer. Probably need at least 2 here. If Donaldson doesn't find that form again I think realistically we will only retain Billy and Leon come the start of next season.
In terms of where we are strong - I think O'Connel, Fleck, Baldock, Coutts (+Evans as backup) all have the quality we need.

Jury still out on Lundstram, Leonard, Holmes, as first team starters.
 

Number ones

Bash replacement
GK or Blackman on loan again
Couple of young strikers with potential
Brick shithouse CB

Cover

Stevens cover
Duffy cover if Wilder doesn't think we already have it

Need to make sure no-one comes in for

JOC, Brooks, Fleck, Baldock

Not too bad really. Don't need billions but we need to be spending a couple of million a piece probably on the strikers.
 
Strengthen everywhere. Do we have one player in any position where you would say, he can't be improved by another Champ player?
 
hardytm2004 said:
I'm not writing off the playoffs just yet but it's going to be tough now it seems like it's a four horse race for that 6th spot. Assuming we don't get promoted just wondering where people think we need to strengthen - my thoughts are :

  • GK- Moore and Blackman have both been ok this season but both look poor distributing the ball and have had shaky moments. Assuming we don't get Blackman on a perm deal I think we need either a new no. 1 or serious competition for Simon.
  • CB - to provide cover or replace Basham and Stearman as a starter.
  • LB - Enda Stevens - I think he might be our weak link currently, his levels have dropped both going forward and defending and there is no adequate replacement.
  • ACM - as Duffy gets older don't think he can be relied upon for 46 games next year. Unless Brooks/Holmes/Leonard step up we need somebody in here who can start most weeks.
  • CF - Seriously need strengthening here, it'll be like Dads Army upfront next season with Billy, Clarke, Donaldson, Hanson and Ched. Need someone young with pace as an alternative and I don't think Lavery is going to be the answer. Probably need at least 2 here. If Donaldson doesn't find that form again I think realistically we will only retain Billy and Leon come the start of next season.
In terms of where we are strong - I think O'Connel, Fleck, Baldock, Coutts (+Evans as backup) all have the quality we need.

Jury still out on Lundstram, Leonard, Holmes, as first team starters.
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Who are your 4 horse race for 6th ? I don't see that at all ,I see 6 teams going for 5th and 6th.
 
New players needed up front all our strikers are the wrong side of 30 Lavery and Ched apart (are those two ever going to be good enough).
Left wing back needed if Lafferty can't displace and out of form Stevens that says it all for me.
None of the back 3 can really be called a nailed on starter all have made mistakes at times so I would like to see some one big with bags of pace.
If we can't get Blackman who has really improved over the season then we need a new keeper I think Moore is back up not a starter.
 
As I've said elsewhere, all we really need is a game changing Number 9 and Coutts back. Those two make everyone else better!!

As an example, Mitrovic and Coutts with an improving Brooks and we're serious contenders!
 
Good question. I'd approach this differently this year as I see our squad almost uniformly provides a 4 - 8 position team in the Championship (with the odd exception), so spread the net and see who comes up that will significantly improve the team. Whatever the position it must be an improvement and it can't break the pay structure. Crack on! (This job must be getting tough now.)
 
metalblade said:
New players needed up front all our strikers are the wrong side of 30 Lavery and Ched apart (are those two ever going to be good enough).
Left wing back needed if Lafferty can't displace and out of form Stevens that says it all for me.
None of the back 3 can really be called a nailed on starter all have made mistakes at times so I would like to see some one big with bags of pace.
If we can't get Blackman who has really improved over the season then we need a new keeper I think Moore is back up not a starter.
Click to expand...

Not sure how you can say that about O'Connell - yes had the odd moment like against Leeds but few and far between and most weeks he is 8.5/10
 
The defence has been shit since Stearman found his way into the side, bash is also second rate, I'd bring in Wright for the remainder of the season, the guy didn't put a foot wrong when in the team, we also won more games.
 
JayGreen17 said:
The defence has been shit since Stearman found his way into the side, bash is also second rate, I'd bring in Wright for the remainder of the season, the guy didn't put a foot wrong when in the team, we also won more games.
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Not sure how you can single out Stearman. Bash for all his virtues just isnt good enough to start
 

For me the biggest problem is centre half, we've let far too many soft, easily defendable goals in. There's been plenty of games this season if we'd have defended properly we'd have turned half-a-dozen single goal defeats into draws, which in the current table would see us in the top six and by the season's end will probably have made all the difference. Defensively, we don't seem to have the resolve to eek out the points when we're not playing that well, or when we are playing well but lucks going against us.

It doesn't wash with me all this well we go for it we'll always concede a few at the other end. Defenders doing the basics would have prevented a fair few goals this season. Three J O'Connells at centre half and we'll not go too far wrong. Basham and Stearman for me, for a team wanting promotion, will have to be improved upon.

Until the end of the season Wilder should put Jake Wright in, the defence functions much more effectively with him in there. He's had 11 league starts this season and he's marshalled his defence to 8 wins, since he's been dropped (for the Millwall game), defensively and results wise we've been very patchy.
 
As a pre-cursor to the inevitable Pinch tirade, Stearman is not the issue. Can't see why he is being mentioned as someone who would need replacing - clearly there's better but 1) alderwiereld won't find his way to the Lane any time soon and 2) there are clearer areas that need strengthening.
 
hardytm2004 said:
Not sure how you can say that about O'Connell - yes had the odd moment like against Leeds but few and far between and most weeks he is 8.5/10
Click to expand...
Without a doubt O'Connell is the best we have and maybe he is not helped by Stevens who seem to have lost the confidence of early season. I just think the back 3 are always liable to give soft goals away against the better teams, good enough for where we are but we have to cut out the mistakes to move to the next level, frustrating because they all make some great tackles and look good but then make a basic error that spoils the good work. Anyone who thinks Jake Wright is the answer are off their head great back up but the pace in this division would find him out week in week out and the guy is not getting any younger.
 
We have too much emphasis on defence than attack for me and our forwards are ageing with too little movement when we have the ball nor smart anticipation. Need a couple of young uns up top with pace, movement and who can shoot, even if they are from league 1 or overseas. Our defence aint bad and doesn't need to be perfect if we were knocking in a couple of goals each game, just need to score more than we concede and carry a genuine threat.
 
Keeping Brooks is the most important decision to be made in the summer. He and Duffy are the only players we have who can create something out of nothing and the team should be built around them.
 
SUFC Handsworth said:
For me the biggest problem is centre half, we've let far too many soft, easily defendable goals in. There's been plenty of games this season if we'd have defended properly we'd have turned half-a-dozen single goal defeats into draws, which in the current table would see us in the top six and by the season's end will probably have made all the difference. Defensively, we don't seem to have the resolve to eek out the points when we're not playing that well, or when we are playing well but lucks going against us.

It doesn't wash with me all this well we go for it we'll always concede a few at the other end. Defenders doing the basics would have prevented a fair few goals this season. Three J O'Connells at centre half and we'll not go too far wrong. Basham and Stearman for me, for a team wanting promotion, will have to be improved upon.

Until the end of the season Wilder should put Jake Wright in, the defence functions much more effectively with him in there. He's had 11 league starts this season and he's marshalled his defence to 8 wins, since he's been dropped (for the Millwall game), defensively and results wise we've been very patchy.
Click to expand...

You were well on for a Like until you mentioned bringing Jake Wright into the Team....

If he's the answer, fook knows what the question is.
 
Wilder wants 2 quality players in each position and I think that's been at the root of our success/getting the most out of players. I've done a bit of a review below based on that

GK: Moore is solid but a lot hinges on Eastwoods development, Blackman coming back, another keeper entirely or if Wilder sees anything in Long.

LWB: Stevens impressed early on but his dip and the fact that Wilder hasn't used Laffery says to me that some competition is needed to keep standards high here. I think Laffs will go. Thomas remains a wildcard.

RWB: I think this area is one of our strongest. Freeman and Baldock have proven they have ability and both are a good age. Unlucky with injuries here but I'm happy to move forward with these two.

CB: O'Connell, Bash and Stearman are solid but I feel there's a drop in quality beyond that. Wright hasn't done much wrong but I feel that we won't be extending his contract. I'd want someone to replace Bash who would be useful off the bench and I'd also like a lefty to keep O'Connell on his toes. Henegan could come good and Wilder mentioned Leonard can do RCB so competition could be in the building already.

CM: by far our strongest area. Coutts and Fleck on their day is one of the best pairs in the league. We also have good competition at a good age in Evans and Lundstram. Jury still out on Leonard and I feel Carruthers will go but I'm more than happy with our options.

CAM: Much as I love Duffy he isn't getting younger. I've liked Holmes so far but a lot depends on if Brooks stayd. If he goes we need to invest in someone who is a good age and can provide some pace and directness.

ST: Like Duffy they aren't getting younger. I think Sharp and Clarke will stay but we need an established goalscorer in this league. The second striker we can afford to take a bit of a punt.

So by this review I think we need minimum 3 (CB, 2 STs) but up to 7 if players leave (Brooks) or aren't up to it (young GKs, Thomas, Leonard and Henegan).
 
Chief_Froley said:
Wilder wants 2 quality players in each position and I think that's been at the root of our success/getting the most out of players. I've done a bit of a review below based on that

GK: Moore is solid but a lot hinges on Eastwoods development, Blackman coming back, another keeper entirely or if Wilder sees anything in Long.

LWB: Stevens impressed early on but his dip and the fact that Wilder hasn't used Laffery says to me that some competition is needed to keep standards high here. I think Laffs will go. Thomas remains a wildcard.

RWB: I think this area is one of our strongest. Freeman and Baldock have proven they have ability and both are a good age. Unlucky with injuries here but I'm happy to move forward with these two.

CB: O'Connell, Bash and Stearman are solid but I feel there's a drop in quality beyond that. Wright hasn't done much wrong but I feel that we won't be extending his contract. I'd want someone to replace Bash who would be useful off the bench and I'd also like a lefty to keep O'Connell on his toes. Henegan could come good and Wilder mentioned Leonard can do RCB so competition could be in the building already.

CM: by far our strongest area. Coutts and Fleck on their day is one of the best pairs in the league. We also have good competition at a good age in Evans and Lundstram. Jury still out on Leonard and I feel Carruthers will go but I'm more than happy with our options.

CAM: Much as I love Duffy he isn't getting younger. I've liked Holmes so far but a lot depends on if Brooks stayd. If he goes we need to invest in someone who is a good age and can provide some pace and directness.

ST: Like Duffy they aren't getting younger. I think Sharp and Clarke will stay but we need an established goalscorer in this league. The second striker we can afford to take a bit of a punt.

So by this review I think we need minimum 3 (CB, 2 STs) but up to 7 if players leave (Brooks) or aren't up to it (young GKs, Thomas, Leonard and Henegan).
Click to expand...
Agree, but I don't really think Brooks is a CAM, Wilder definitely seems to see him a second striker 'false 9' kind of player not a Duffy-like advanced playmaker.
 
FinchleyBlade said:
Agree, but I don't really think Brooks is a CAM, Wilder definitely seems to see him a second striker 'false 9' kind of player not a Duffy-like advanced playmaker.
Click to expand...

Yeah, I was half and half to put Brooks as a CAM myself. Either way the underlining point is that we need an injection of youth and pace up at the top end of the pitch. Ideally someone who can also play out wide on occasion should we choose to change formation.
 
FinchleyBlade said:
Agree, but I don't really think Brooks is a CAM, Wilder definitely seems to see him a second striker 'false 9' kind of player not a Duffy-like advanced playmaker.
Click to expand...

I agree. I think that Brooks' best position is in a free role off a single central forward, roaming in between the lines. Similar to off Clarke v. Wednesday. We shouldn't burden him unduly with any defensive duties. The issue then is whether we build a team around him or see him as square peg in a round hole & use his sale to re-enforce the team in line with the 3-5-2 system. Wales utilise him in a 4-2-3-1, on the right side of a fairly attacking 3. If we build a team around him in a 3-5-1-1, we need a forward like Ched Evan 11/12, one who possessed a bit of everything and a more box to box CM like Conor Coady 13/14.
 

GK: I do think Moore is good enough for the Championship so could be a back-up with potential.
CB: You need 4/5 quality CB's and we currently have 3. So we need at least 1 and maybe 2 CB's.
ST: We need a quick striker who's technical.

If possible we can also pick up a LB to replace Stevens but don't think that's a priority.

Don't need anything on the midfield I think and we need to let Brooks play as CAM next season. The guy is quality.
 
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