That is highly optimistic
Knockaert, Garner, Krovinovic, Christie, Sow, Ameobi, Ribiero all played a significant part in the season. For the most part, that group played a greater part in the session than many of those that remain.
If you add in Freeman and Murray, that is 14 of our miserable total of 37 goals disappearing from the squad. That's the sources of 38% of our goals last season disappeared without replacement.
You can add another 9 assists disappearing into the ether.
This is comprehensively not a squad that can afford to lose any source of goals. We are not a side that scored 70 and can afford to lose some prowess at the cost of slipping towards mid table.
This is a side that should have been relegated based on the number of goals scored. All three relegated sides outscored us. Only Derby scored fewer (by 1). We have never scored so few goals per game in a season.
We survived by having the 5th best defensive record in the division. Great. We are losing two specialist fullbacks from that tough defence; as well as two highly effective defensive midfielders.
The reality is, things are now too late to get a good start. The opportunity for this window to be a masterstroke has probably passed. The opportunity for it to be a disaster grows by the day.
I'm genuinely not convinced the depatures are going to do much to the wage bill either.
I'm just not as negative as you Pope, that's your raison d'etre.
We may well have scored less goals, but you fail to add that only 4 teams conceded less than our 45.... the top 4 sides. The bottom sides conceded at least 34% more - so that is a positive.
Promotions are built upon a sound defence, but clearly we need to score goals and that will be being addressed.
I forgot Ribby, but he wanted to leave and he featured in less than 60% of our games last season and we have others than can play left back. Christie & Garner were the 2 that we will miss.
Of the rest you mention, BJ or Carvalho will offer as much or more than Krov.
Samba Sow... injured, Freeman - ditto.... negligible impact of them leaving.
Murray scored 2 in one game, that's the sum total of his input.
Knocky.... I've wanted us to sign this bloke for years, but was disappointed by his petulant behaviour and poor return.... absolutely no loss.
When others weren't, Ameobi was a player that I was pleased to sign, but another that refused a contract and then refused to play for last 8 games or so - a complete enigma, frustrating one minute - electric the next - I'm confident that we will replace him.
You will always see the negatives and that's fine, I just don't get wound up by the lack of signings, because I look at the bigger picture, I look at others teams and the abundant lack of signings and know that financially we are better placed than many (excl' epl relegated sides) in this division.
We have confident young players coming through the system - we are specifically making signings for the future and we now have a CEO & scouting network, that should see us refrain from signing those experienced pro's looking for that retirement bonus.
As I said - have some patience, I'd rather we get the right signings than adding to the bomb squad.