...on the past season and squad heading into this next one. This year was a little disappointing for me, the away form has been ok but the home form was below par. Would have liked to seen a little more progression as the season went on, but it's far from the disaster some seem to think it was - it was always going to be tough to get playoffs with such a need to sell players and bring in cheaper talent. I remain unconvinced by Farke, but he deserves to continue to build his side and take the team forward. He has definitely done well with our younger players, and seems willing to throw them in if they're ready. If you look at the stats, the issue this year was finishing our chances - anyone with two eyes could tell you that! The priority in the summer I'm sure will be getting some new guys in up front.
As for the next season, I think the aim has to be competing for the playoffs, with a more improved goals output. As for the squad...
Goalkeepers - Will not get Gunn back, he'll be playing PL. I think Matthews will be given a shot in pre-season alongside another loan player similar to Angus from this year. Expecting McGovern to be sold as he'll want to play to keep his Northern Ireland place. Young Oxborough is not quite ready yet, but in a year or two he could compete - a loan to League 2 would do him the world of good.
Right backs - I personally would sell Pinto, don't think he's good enough. But I imagine he will stay and we will bring in another RB to compete with him. Can't see us getting Reed back from Saints
Centre Backs - We're well stocked here actually, albeit I could see Klose leaving if someone comes in with a good offer. Hanley, Zimmermann are good, and I think Raggett/Franke will be given a go pre-season and be fine too. Maybe Leistner on a free to come in if Klose leaves.
Left backs - Jamal will keep his starting slot, and rightly so. Imagine we'll keep Husband around as backup, which is fine. I think Stiepermann will be kept as a utility squad player too.
Defensive Midfield - Great news that Tettey signed a new deal, him and Godfrey splitting time in the DM role next year will be good, and then hopefully Godfrey does well enough to take over full time in a year or so. Expecting Thompson to be loaned out, because he won't play enough here and needs to build his fitness up.
Centre Midfield - Trybull and Vrancic have both been good signings, Vrancic in particular really has come on as the season progressed. McLean has looked good when I have watched Aberdeen, so expect him to fit in well. I can't see Leitner coming back, and don't think we need him. Also obviously expecting Maddison to be sold. I think Cantwell could see some games from the bench next year too.
Wings - Murphy has had a decent year, he will obviously play. Hernandez has looked pacey and decent too when I have seen him. Wildschut will rightly be sold (he's abysmal), and if we can find someone to take Jarvis I'm sure he will go too. Will need to sign one or two to play wide, I expect a loan here to backup Murphy, and Watkins will continue to backup Hernandez (unless anyone takes him off us, which is unlikely)
Strikers - Oliviera has to be sold. Srbeny has looked pretty meh, I expect him to be a backup next season. Think we need two strikers, one with real pace and one big lump, so we have three who can play. I really do not rate Morris, and would like to see him moved on permanently to a league one club.
I expect Paul Jones, Russ Martin, and Naismith all to be sold, or loaned out again if we can't find anyone to buy them. Obviously the priority has to be signing some strikers, ideally two for me, and then a winger and a right back too. Then it will be simply replacing players if they are sold (like Pinto, Klose, McGovern, Murphy). I don't think we'll be competing for automatic promotion, but I also don't think we'll be in a relegation battle either. I see us around the 5th-10th area next year, which would be good progress for me.
What do you guys think?
As for the next season, I think the aim has to be competing for the playoffs, with a more improved goals output. As for the squad...
Goalkeepers - Will not get Gunn back, he'll be playing PL. I think Matthews will be given a shot in pre-season alongside another loan player similar to Angus from this year. Expecting McGovern to be sold as he'll want to play to keep his Northern Ireland place. Young Oxborough is not quite ready yet, but in a year or two he could compete - a loan to League 2 would do him the world of good.
Right backs - I personally would sell Pinto, don't think he's good enough. But I imagine he will stay and we will bring in another RB to compete with him. Can't see us getting Reed back from Saints
Centre Backs - We're well stocked here actually, albeit I could see Klose leaving if someone comes in with a good offer. Hanley, Zimmermann are good, and I think Raggett/Franke will be given a go pre-season and be fine too. Maybe Leistner on a free to come in if Klose leaves.
Left backs - Jamal will keep his starting slot, and rightly so. Imagine we'll keep Husband around as backup, which is fine. I think Stiepermann will be kept as a utility squad player too.
Defensive Midfield - Great news that Tettey signed a new deal, him and Godfrey splitting time in the DM role next year will be good, and then hopefully Godfrey does well enough to take over full time in a year or so. Expecting Thompson to be loaned out, because he won't play enough here and needs to build his fitness up.
Centre Midfield - Trybull and Vrancic have both been good signings, Vrancic in particular really has come on as the season progressed. McLean has looked good when I have watched Aberdeen, so expect him to fit in well. I can't see Leitner coming back, and don't think we need him. Also obviously expecting Maddison to be sold. I think Cantwell could see some games from the bench next year too.
Wings - Murphy has had a decent year, he will obviously play. Hernandez has looked pacey and decent too when I have seen him. Wildschut will rightly be sold (he's abysmal), and if we can find someone to take Jarvis I'm sure he will go too. Will need to sign one or two to play wide, I expect a loan here to backup Murphy, and Watkins will continue to backup Hernandez (unless anyone takes him off us, which is unlikely)
Strikers - Oliviera has to be sold. Srbeny has looked pretty meh, I expect him to be a backup next season. Think we need two strikers, one with real pace and one big lump, so we have three who can play. I really do not rate Morris, and would like to see him moved on permanently to a league one club.
I expect Paul Jones, Russ Martin, and Naismith all to be sold, or loaned out again if we can't find anyone to buy them. Obviously the priority has to be signing some strikers, ideally two for me, and then a winger and a right back too. Then it will be simply replacing players if they are sold (like Pinto, Klose, McGovern, Murphy). I don't think we'll be competing for automatic promotion, but I also don't think we'll be in a relegation battle either. I see us around the 5th-10th area next year, which would be good progress for me.
What do you guys think?