What do we still need? (5 Viewers)

[mmttww]

We lost godden and signed nobody.

This is what I don't get. People are being so literal.

We play a front three. We've lost one, added two.

Simms and Wright is quality through the middle.

Raphael, EMC and Sakamoto cover us out wide.

and Tavares will be around in case of emergencies.

and assumes neither Obikwu or Dausch are around.

 

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[Ccfcisparks]

This is what I don't get. People are being so literal.

We play a front three. We've lost one, added two.

Simms and Wright is quality through the middle.

Raphael, EMC and Sakamoto cover us out wide.

and Tavares will be around in case of emergencies.

and assumes neither Obikwu or Dausch are around.

Wright was poor last year when he played down the middle

 

[mmttww]

Wright was poor last year when he played down the middle

I think people forget he actually did ok and was picking up goals at the start of the season. Him and Simms both got better when we swapped systems and our form picked up. He's made a living as a centre fwd so I don't understand people talking as if that's not an option anymore.

 

[mrfang1987]

It’s clear we’re going to be bringing in another couple at least.

CM after we missed out on Stamenic and to essentially replace
FW after Godden has departed

RCB I suspect if we can find the right one.

The other variable is if we can retain Sheaf once the transfer market wakes up overly the coming weeks. Alongside that will we have a war chest from Hamer/Gyokeres sell ons and therefore will be wait on the positions above?

 

[napolimp]

Without reading all the above, I think ideally you need to be able to cover all positions adequately in the scenario that any 2 players are out injured. So for example, if Simms and Wright are out you would play Tavares (I guess) in a cinch. But obviously it would be better if we had a proven option. Shuffling wouldn't work as we'd still need at least one forward.

If Bidwell and Dasilva were out, I guess you'd bring Burroughs across. Wright and EMC out, you possibly switch formations. Sheaf and Eccles out and you might struggle with a lack of holding midfielders. Etc.

 

[Cally Fedora]

Half decent striker. Job done

 

[skybluegod]

Half decent striker. Job done

We need a top quality CM still. For me a higher priority than striker.

Torp may come good but we don't know, and really if we lose sheaf for a sustained period we won't be able to cope.

 

[Mucca Mad Boys]

This is what I don't get. People are being so literal.

We play a front three. We've lost one, added two.

Simms and Wright is quality through the middle.

Raphael, EMC and Sakamoto cover us out wide.

and Tavares will be around in case of emergencies.

and assumes neither Obikwu or Dausch are around.

Said as if we didn’t have play COH, Palmer, Eccles, MVE and Allen in wide areas. You’re being literal if you think we’re good because we’ve got rid of 1 and brought in 2 players.

We’re a team looking for promotion, players like Tavares, Obikwu and Dausch shouldn’t be anywhere near the first team. These are all players that need regular football in any case.

There’s also a need players to come on and change games and if we’re starting our only two senior strikers, we can’t do that.

 

[mmttww]

Said as if we didn’t have play COH, Palmer, Eccles, MVE and Allen in wide areas. You’re being literal if you think we’re good because we’ve got rid of 1 and brought in 2 players.

We’re a team looking for promotion, players like Tavares, Obikwu and Dausch shouldn’t be anywhere near the first team. These are all players that need regular football in any case.

There’s also a need players to come on and change games and if we’re starting our only two senior strikers, we can’t do that.

I'm pointing out we didn't have wide options up front and have added two. Solves one issue from last season.

If Wright and Simms are starting then EMC and Raphael will probably be on the bench who could change things.

If a CF comes in it feels one too many. If we've decided to push for autos instead of playoffs it makes more sense.

 

[PUSB-We_are_going_up]

CM (number 6)
ST (young backup)
Are the 100% needs
RB/LB/CB are only if we have spare budget or sell someone at LB/CB or loan out Burroughs for RB

 

[Deleted member 9744]

Wright was poor last year when he played down the middle

He really wasn't. Simms was poor at the beginning but Wright was fine. He was just subject to abuse from a section of our fans because of the price tag. Robins has said he sees him predominantly as a central striker where he can make more use of his heading ability as well as his pace and finishing.

 

[Mucca Mad Boys]

I'm pointing out we didn't have wide options up front and have added two. Solves one issue from last season.

If Wright and Simms are starting then EMC and Raphael will probably be on the bench who could change things.

If a CF comes in it feels one too many. If we've decided to push for autos instead of playoffs it makes more sense.

I genuinely can’t tell if you’re trolling right now or not…

Both EMC and Rapha are wingers, not strikers. We need a 3rd CF to a) competition for places b) offer something different in matches and c) provide rotation. Robins and AV before he left spoke of potentially playing 4-4-2, which would require 3 strikers as a bare minimum.

If England needed 3 strikers for 7 games at the Euros, it’s self-evident that you need at least 3 senior strikers to compete in a 48 (absolute min) game season.

 

[Deleted member 9744]

I genuinely can’t tell if you’re trolling right now or not…

Both EMC and Rapha are wingers, not strikers. We need a 3rd CF to a) competition for places b) offer something different in matches and c) provide rotation. Robins and AV before he left spoke of potentially playing 4-4-2, which would require 3 strikers as a bare minimum.

If England needed 3 strikers for 7 games at the Euros, it’s self-evident that you need at least 3 senior strikers to compete in a 48 (absolute min) game season.

We have two excellent strikers and three possible back ups in Tavares, Obikwu and Dausch. We only play with one striker.

Yet you're OK with two left backs both of whom are weaker members of the squad. Would you say Bidwell and Dasilva are better players than Simms and Wright? And you say mmttww that is trolling?

 

[Matt smith]

Those 3 back ups aren’t good enough at present to get us to where we want to get to this season.

 

[Mucca Mad Boys]

We have two excellent strikers and three possible back ups in Tavares, Obikwu and Dausch. We only play with one striker.

Yet you're OK with two left backs both of whom are weaker members of the squad. Would you say Bidwell and Dasilva are better players than Simms and Wright? And you say mmttww that is trolling?

It’s not even worth debating, Robins will want a 3rd senior striker to compete. If we’re in a position where we’re relying on Tavares, Obikwu or Dausch… we’re in trouble. MR knows this.

I’d also sign a LB. I’ve made my feelings clear on this in other threads - Bidwell is solid but needs improving upon.

We’re chasing promotion to the Prem. A lot of our fringe players probably wouldn’t get into lower Champ teams.

 

[wingy]

Bidwell for captain I say,all the quantities required!!

 

[wingy]

Da Silva is the cover. They wont be signing a third left back thats for sure

They won't need to if Burroughs rotates?

 

[Gint11]

We defo need a striker for strength and depth. Maybe a RB to fight with MVE if there isn’t much confidence in Burroughs. I think LB does need looking at. Bidwell getting on and JDS up and down in form. Other than that we are good to go.

 

[wingy]

The squad depth is getting there. Still not sure we have enough first 11 quality.
I hope Dovin is quality and has enough aggression about him to help steady the defence.

The other question is whether MR quickly establishes his best 11 and formation. Last season was a bit of a mess early on.

Or differences between players or even coaches?

 

[BlueSkiesForever]

Agree with CM and ST as being crucial as most have said, but still think we could do with a backup RB and/or an upgrade at LB for us to be “complete” so to speak (whether it’s practical is something else to be discussed).

 

[skybluegod]

It’s not even worth debating, Robins will want a 3rd senior striker to compete. If we’re in a position where we’re relying on Tavares, Obikwu or Dausch… we’re in trouble. MR knows this.

I’d also sign a LB. I’ve made my feelings clear on this in other threads - Bidwell is solid but needs improving upon.


It’s not even worth debating, Robins will want a 3rd senior striker to compete. If we’re in a position where we’re relying on Tavares, Obikwu or Dausch… we’re in trouble.

We’re chasing promotion to the Prem. A lot of our fringe players probably wouldn’t get into lower Champ teams.

In so much trouble it's worth repeating

 

[PUSB-We_are_going_up]

Wright had 6 goals from 12 starts as a CF as a sub CF he wasnt good but starting he certainly was

 

[procdoc]

I’d be looking to bring in:
Forward to compete with Simms
Centre Midfielder
Centre half to add more depth
I’d keep Burroughs as back up right back
I’d also keep Tavares for squad depth

 

[Chris1987]

I’d be looking to bring in:
Forward to compete with Simms
Centre Midfielder
Centre half to add more depth
I’d keep Burroughs as back up right back
I’d also keep Tavares for squad depth

This

 

[BlueSkiesForever]

Da Silva is the cover. They wont be signing a third left back thats for sure

True, and probably true, but uhhhh seeing JDS at LB just doesn’t fill me with confidence. Maybe it’s just me but I really feel like a quality signing/loanee at LB would do us wonders

 

[COVKIDSNEVERQUIT]

True, and probably true, but uhhhh seeing JDS at LB just doesn’t fill me with confidence. Maybe it’s just me but I really feel like a quality signing/loanee at LB would do us wonders

No it isn't just you.

 

[StrettoBoy]

We need a proper captain really.

I’m happy with Sheaf as captain.

He’s a calm, lead by example, skipper in the mould of Bobby Moore not that many on here will remember him

I’m sure he commands the respect of the other players.

 

[StrettoBoy]

We absolutely need another striker. We’re in trouble if Simms or Wright gets injured and in a right mess if they are both out.

Another CM would be nice, as would another centre back, but I don’t see them as essential.

I would like to see an upgrade at LB.

 

[Great_Expectations]

The reason we need an additional centre back with experience is we need a natural leader there who doesn’t make many mistakes can talk them through a game and close it off at the end. Agree all 4 are improving but all 4 are capable of giving silly goals away.
Last season we conceded 28% more goals than in 22/23. That was the main reason we finished 5th in 22/23 and 9th 23/24. Doesn’t matter what standard you play at, if you don’t concede many you will generally be up towards the top of your league. This season we are also going to have a very inexperienced keeper as well albeit hopefully better than Wilson and Collins. On their day they may all be good enough but at this stage of their career tend to make mistakes that are costly.

I understand your point, I’m just in a different place with it.

We bring in experience at the expense of the development of one/two of our existing CBs, all of whom have pretty high ceilings in my view. Experience also doesn’t equate to leadership. Kitching is a former captain and Lati has captained us, which shows both have leadership qualities.

If I was happy to lose one of our current four I would agree, but I think all four are good players and will only continue to improve. I wouldn’t sacrifice their development or confidence to bring in another CB.

And, let’s be honest, if between the four of them they have a storming season (which they’re capable of) and are part of a play off team, nobody will even be mentioning experience.

Plus, I would still prefer to spend the wages elsewhere

 

[Covcraig@bury]

Chips

 

[Perennial Lurker]

True, and probably true, but uhhhh seeing JDS at LB just doesn’t fill me with confidence. Maybe it’s just me but I really feel like a quality signing/loanee at LB would do us wonders

Played well last night ?
Also played well at times last season , how have we got to the point of writing players off so easily?

 

[DrPoolittle]

Hopefully, Sheaf stays and maybe signs a new contract.

That might be the most important deal, if it happens

 

[Perennial Lurker]

Hopefully, Sheaf stays and maybe signs a new contract.

That might be the most important deal, if it happens

I thought Saddlebrains had said he had been told if we don't go up this season we would let him leave ?
Might be wrong but he's vital to us this season

 

[BlueSkiesForever]

Played well last night ?
Also played well at times last season , how have we got to the point of writing players off so easily?

I’m not writing him off, he may come good but I think he was probably one of our weakest signings from last season based on what we’ve seen so far. I don’t think we’ll get another LB, so it’s a moot point tbh, but I think LB/RB cover is our weakest area on the pitch (after CM and ST).

 

[DrPoolittle]

I thought Saddlebrains had said he had been told if we don't go up this season we would let him leave ?
Might be wrong but he's vital to us this season

There is balancing act there. If he stays another season, without a new contract, his value will plummet.

I suspect the moment a bid arrives, Sheaf will tell the club he wants to leave