alphabet_king
Vital 1st Team Regular
With a couple of signings coming in now (and hopefully a couple more to come) I was just thinking about the team for the start of the season, or maybe more realisically, the first friendly)....
Of course I sort of assume we would sign some more players (in particular a few CBs), but this is based on the squad we have now...
I can see JED continuing with the same formation as last year. Playing a diamond with Knott replacing Dack at the tip of it. There's also the very likely possibility i've completely forgotten about a key player or included too many players or something stupid, so excuse me if i have.
GK - Nelson
RB - Jackson
CB - Ehmer
CB - ? (Would be morris if we had to, but I am assuming we will sign a couple of CBs in the next few weeks)
LB - Garmston
CDM - Wright
LCM - Byrne
RCM - Osadebe/Morris/Hessenthaler
CAM (Free Role) - Knott / Dack
ST - Norris
ST - McDonald
Clearly we need 2 new CBs. I think we also need backup at Right/Left back too (can Morris play there). Assuming he's not already signed and I've missed it, I can see Oshilaja being one of the CBs, and maybe even El-Abd who is now unattached. However if we signed these two as the CBs I would think we'd struggle to go above mid table. They are okay players in League 1 but are probably playing at their potential and clearly are not stand out players meant to be in the championship like Egan. I know we did get 4 clean sheets in a row or something when El-Abd played, but the whole team was set up defensively at this time. While he of course played his part, and played well in some game, it was not just his introduction that caused the good defensive displays. We simply did not come forward at all (it was when Dack was injured).
I would also be looking for a quality Central Midfielder who is good coming forward too, unless we feel that Osadebe is going to be breaking into the first team this year. I don't know how much we're planning on playing the youngsters either, but I would think we might struggle for creativity without bringing somebody else in.
We also need a quality Striker. After Donnelly's 2nd half to last year I think he's going to be a 4th choice striker next year. Samuel is obviously an option, although he also dropped off towards the end of the season. I would want to be looking to improve on the likes of Samuel and sign a quality striker. I think JED is also looking at Loan options for this position. Somebody to replace Norris maybe if he's got the confidence that McDonald will be the 15-20 goal a season striker we are desperate for...
So that's 2 CBs, a quality CM, and a quality Striker - 4 players, and maybe some backup/fringe players. A bit of work to do for JED!
Of course I sort of assume we would sign some more players (in particular a few CBs), but this is based on the squad we have now...
I can see JED continuing with the same formation as last year. Playing a diamond with Knott replacing Dack at the tip of it. There's also the very likely possibility i've completely forgotten about a key player or included too many players or something stupid, so excuse me if i have.
GK - Nelson
RB - Jackson
CB - Ehmer
CB - ? (Would be morris if we had to, but I am assuming we will sign a couple of CBs in the next few weeks)
LB - Garmston
CDM - Wright
LCM - Byrne
RCM - Osadebe/Morris/Hessenthaler
CAM (Free Role) - Knott / Dack
ST - Norris
ST - McDonald
Clearly we need 2 new CBs. I think we also need backup at Right/Left back too (can Morris play there). Assuming he's not already signed and I've missed it, I can see Oshilaja being one of the CBs, and maybe even El-Abd who is now unattached. However if we signed these two as the CBs I would think we'd struggle to go above mid table. They are okay players in League 1 but are probably playing at their potential and clearly are not stand out players meant to be in the championship like Egan. I know we did get 4 clean sheets in a row or something when El-Abd played, but the whole team was set up defensively at this time. While he of course played his part, and played well in some game, it was not just his introduction that caused the good defensive displays. We simply did not come forward at all (it was when Dack was injured).
I would also be looking for a quality Central Midfielder who is good coming forward too, unless we feel that Osadebe is going to be breaking into the first team this year. I don't know how much we're planning on playing the youngsters either, but I would think we might struggle for creativity without bringing somebody else in.
We also need a quality Striker. After Donnelly's 2nd half to last year I think he's going to be a 4th choice striker next year. Samuel is obviously an option, although he also dropped off towards the end of the season. I would want to be looking to improve on the likes of Samuel and sign a quality striker. I think JED is also looking at Loan options for this position. Somebody to replace Norris maybe if he's got the confidence that McDonald will be the 15-20 goal a season striker we are desperate for...
So that's 2 CBs, a quality CM, and a quality Striker - 4 players, and maybe some backup/fringe players. A bit of work to do for JED!
