Lampard (24 Viewers)

[quinn1971]

strange old season, apart from West Brom and Sunderland I can’t remember one game where I’ve come away thinking we’re a top 6 side, not sure if I’m being a bit harsh or it’s just how poor the teams below 3rd are, injuries have def done us so really makes it some effort to even still be in with a shout, we’ll get what we need Saturday then you never know, 3 games away

 

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[Jimmy87]

As a team, it’s good that players all over have chipped in but when it comes down to those games where we need that 1-2 star players to win us games, it’s been lacking at times. Bobby Thomas is arguably our most ‘clutch’ player, he’s scored 2 stoppage time winners at least.

Defensively, absolutely need to upgrade here, a top end CB and LB added to this group and that fixes a lot of issues imo.

It makes sense we targeted wingers because we have no depth there and I’d also argue that if you’re playing 1 striker, you need an attacking midfielder or winger to be your second top goal scorer.

Let’s assume Haji is joined by Simms as a goal threat, you still need another player who’s going to get 10+ goals for you. Back in the L2 days, Robins mentioned something along the lines of a promotion winning team needs 3.5 goal scorers. Thats broadly speaking, still true.

Most definitely, when you look at the best teams, they have these types of players.
Aside from Piroe, there hasn't been a prolific championship out and out striker this season, you have the likes of Sainz and Brownhill in there, a fair few number 10's, wingers etc, all players that can provide that edge.

I like Sakamoto and EMC, but not sure if they can be consistent enough across the season. Definitely think we'll see a winger or 2 added like you say to give us that depth, and more goals from out wide.

I dare say i think we may see even more from Rudoni next season, i think he'll progress on this seasons numbers, have a good feeling about him.

Yeah, whatever they decide to do with BTA / Norman / Simms and Wright, i think we'll see one leave and another added, from what people are saying, King wants to build on what he has rather than disrupt / dismantle too much, which is understandable.

Unless we have crazy bids for players that we can't turn down, i don't think we'll see a massive overhaul.
Also hope and pray that we don't have as bad luck with injuries as we have had across the team this season.

 

[nunchuckas]

strange old season, apart from West Brom and Sunderland I can’t remember one game where I’ve come away thinking we’re a top 6 side, not sure if I’m being a bit harsh or it’s just how poor the teams below 3rd are, injuries have def done us so really makes it some effort to even still be in with a shout, we’ll get what we need Saturday then you never know, 3 games away

Agreed, can add Middlesbrough away to that list though. We've won a lot of the other games either ugly or luckily.

 

[Mucca Mad Boys]

Most definitely, when you look at the best teams, they have these types of players.
Aside from Piroe, there hasn't been a prolific championship out and out striker this season, you have the likes of Sainz and Brownhill in there, a fair few number 10's, wingers etc, all players that can provide that edge.

I like Sakamoto and EMC, but not sure if they can be consistent enough across the season. Definitely think we'll see a winger or 2 added like you say to give us that depth, and more goals from out wide.

I dare say i think we may see even more from Rudoni next season, i think he'll progress on this seasons numbers, have a good feeling about him.

Yeah, whatever they decide to do with BTA / Norman / Simms and Wright, i think we'll see one leave and another added, from what people are saying, King wants to build on what he has rather than disrupt / dismantle too much, which is understandable.

Unless we have crazy bids for players that we can't turn down, i don't think we'll see a massive overhaul.
Also hope and pray that we don't have as bad luck with injuries as we have had across the team this season.

I’d back EMC to have a big season next year. Rudoni too, as good as he’s been, could easily have another 4 or 5 more goals this season! Sakamoto strikes me as player who’d make the maximum impact as a role player off the bench and that isn’t an insult. Looking at the way teams nullify us with a low block, a winger or two who takes players on and get the ball into the box will be worth their weight in gold.

100% onboard with the ‘building on what we’ve got’ and the only outgoings I’d expect are players who were specifically targeted by Robins (e.g. BTA) or as you say, bids for players we cannot turn down. If you can offload, for arguments sake, Lati and bring in a top end CB, that area of the pitch looks great. I do think Thomas and Kitching is not a bad partnership but if we’re going to keep playing with large spaces between the lines, we will need to bring in athletes in the team to cover the distances.

 

[Jimmy87]

I’d back EMC to have a big season next year. Rudoni too, as good as he’s been, could easily have another 4 or 5 more goals this season! Sakamoto strikes me as player who’d make the maximum impact as a role player off the bench and that isn’t an insult. Looking at the way teams nullify us with a low block, a winger or two who takes players on and get the ball into the box will be worth their weight in gold.

100% onboard with the ‘building on what we’ve got’ and the only outgoings I’d expect are players who were specifically targeted by Robins (e.g. BTA) or as you say, bids for players we cannot turn down. If you can offload, for arguments sake, Lati and bring in a top end CB, that area of the pitch looks great. I do think Thomas and Kitching is not a bad partnership but if we’re going to keep playing with large spaces between the lines, we will need to bring in athletes in the team to cover the distances.

Yeah precisely, not looking to insult them in any way. Just looking at the teams at the top end of the table, it's what we need. I'd love to see us bring in 2 wingers with pace, not afraid to take on a player time and time again. I, like most people i sit with, am fed up with the not taking on a player, rather taking the option to check back. It's been an issue for large periods of this season. So i think we need a couple of rapid wingers with an eye for goal, or reasonable assist tally.

I'd like to see us going for a LB and RB understudy (if MVE stays), that also have a good record of assists, good crossers of the ball, and that even chip in with the odd goal. I lazily haven't looked at the LB's and RB's of the other teams around us before posting this, but i'm sure the teams at the top of the table all have players in those positions that can contribute in that way. Just looking at Leeds tonight and how Firpo and Bogle get forward, having shots on goal, always involved in promising attacks, but capable of getting back into position quickly. Areas we can improve on and give ourselves more options. I think even Callum Doyles assist count is quite high, disappointing we chose to pursue Binks than take the chance of taking him on loan, but hindsight is a wonderful thing.

 

[quinn1971]

Yeah precisely, not looking to insult them in any way. Just looking at the teams at the top end of the table, it's what we need. I'd love to see us bring in 2 wingers with pace, not afraid to take on a player time and time again. I, like most people i sit with, am fed up with the not taking on a player, rather taking the option to check back. It's been an issue for large periods of this season. So i think we need a couple of rapid wingers with an eye for goal, or reasonable assist tally.

I'd like to see us going for a LB and RB understudy (if MVE stays), that also have a good record of assists, good crossers of the ball, and that even chip in with the odd goal. I lazily haven't looked at the LB's and RB's of the other teams around us before posting this, but i'm sure the teams at the top of the table all have players in those positions that can contribute in that way. Just looking at Leeds tonight and how Firpo and Bogle get forward, having shots on goal, always involved in promising attacks, but capable of getting back into position quickly. Areas we can improve on and give ourselves more options. I think even Callum Doyles assist count is quite high, disappointing we chose to pursue Binks than take the chance of taking him on loan, but hindsight is a wonderful thing.

Spot on, I think Lampard knew after a few games what we need, can’t see us getting many in but if grimes is the level we’re signing then should be a good summer

 

[Jimmy87]

Spot on, I think Lampard knew after a few games what we need, can’t see us getting many in but if grimes is the level we’re signing then should be a good summer

Yeah i agree man, i've said all along that my guy is under the impression that Lampard was told he would be backed and i think that showed in January with the signing of Grimes, he isn't afraid to back him, it just sounds like he wants to build on what we have and only offload the necessary.
Like you say, i'm sure Lampard knows what he wants without too much disruption, we need a team that know each others game, whilst improving in a couple of areas.
Unless any irresistible offers come in, we hopefully hold on to key players and see a few fringe players off the books, and a couple of first team exits.

 

[Skyblue Bangkok]

Yeah i agree man, i've said all along that my guy is under the impression that Lampard was told he would be backed and i think that showed in January with the signing of Grimes, he isn't afraid to back him, it just sounds like he wants to build on what we have and only offload the necessary.
Like you say, i'm sure Lampard knows what he wants without too much disruption, we need a team that know each others game, whilst improving in a couple of areas.
Unless any irresistible offers come in, we hopefully hold on to key players and see a few fringe players off the books, and a couple of first team exits.

Think we have to try and find a decent experienced loan keeper till Dovin is back.

 

[Jimmy87]

Think we have to try and find a decent experienced loan keeper till Dovin is back.

100%, perhaps we'll go for someone out of contract come the summer.

 

[Brighton Sky Blue]

Cash plus Simms for Josh Sargent…

 

[Skyblue Bangkok]

100%, perhaps we'll go for someone out of contract come the summer.

Whatever happens we can't have Collins playing again for us next season.

 

[Jimmy87]

Whatever happens we can't have Collins playing again for us next season.

Agreed, i think they will bring someone in. The only thing i think may be a problem is whether or not anyone would come in for him. Think he's contracted till 2026 if i'm not mistaken? Having just extended Wilson, that would mean 4 keepers on the books.

 

[Chris1987]

Simms has been fucking shit this season and the people pointing it out have been justified in their opinion

You seem comfortable knocking other players to make your point though , players that have given us more this season despite coming back from injuries etc

This is the problem. Simms just hasn't been good enough along with BTA who has the same level of control. Improvements needed. Would be interesting to see who Lampard sees as a CF as he inherited both from the previous regime.

 

[ccfc1234]

Agreed, i think they will bring someone in. The only thing i think may be a problem is whether or not anyone would come in for him. Think he's contracted till 2026 if i'm not mistaken? Having just extended Wilson, that would mean 4 keepers on the books.

Sell one and get a loan until January?

 

[Chris1987]

Sell one and get a loan until January?

You have to find a buyer , a potential issue.

 

[Jimmy87]

Sell one and get a loan until January?

Can't see anyone coming in for Collins personally. Baffled as to why they extended Wilson if he's not going to play, unless they know of potential interest in him and are thinking they can make a profit.

 

[ccfc1234]

Can't see anyone coming in for Collins personally. Baffled as to why they extended Wilson if he's not going to play, unless they know of potential interest in him and are thinking they can make a profit.

Could one make a season long loan somewhere where we subsidise wages?

 

[Jimmy87]

Could one make a season long loan somewhere where we subsidise wages?

Good point. I'm sure they will have a plan, well i hope so.

 

[Skyblue Bangkok]

Agreed, i think they will bring someone in. The only thing i think may be a problem is whether or not anyone would come in for him. Think he's contracted till 2026 if i'm not mistaken? Having just extended Wilson, that would mean 4 keepers on the books.

Yes Collins will not exactly have a queue of clubs interested in him. Unless the club pay him off or send him on loan to the lower leagues and pay some of his wages till his contract has run out. However who would want him ?

 

[Jimmy87]

Yes Collins will not exactly have a queue of clubs interested in him. Unless the club pay him off or send him on loan to the lower leagues and pay some of his wages till his contract has run out. However who would want him ?

Yeah the poster above was thinking along those lines too it seems, hadn't thought of that scenario. That would be frustrating as the wages could be spent elsewhere but needs must. Ultimately we need a keeper that the back line are comfortable with behind them, if we want to compete. Like you say, who would realistically want him, they can look at save percentages but if anyone has been keeping tabs on him they will be aware of the situation we are in with him now, you can make saves all game, but if you have this habit of making mistakes that lead to lost points consistently, it'll be hard to move him on.

 

[Brighton Sky Blue]

Yeah the poster above was thinking along those lines too it seems, hadn't thought of that scenario. That would be frustrating as the wages could be spent elsewhere but needs must. Ultimately we need a keeper that the back line are comfortable with behind them, if we want to compete. Like you say, who would realistically want him, they can look at save percentages but if anyone has been keeping tabs on him they will be aware of the situation we are in with him now, you can make saves all game, but if you have this habit of making mistakes that lead to lost points consistently, it'll be hard to move him on.

I suspect we might end up having to offer him out on a free in the hope a L1 club comes calling.

 

[Jimmy87]

I suspect we might end up having to offer him out on a free in the hope a L1 club comes calling.

Yeah, could end up being a pill we have to swallow. You never know, maybe DK could use his negotiating skills to use him in a part exchange

 

[Skyblue Bangkok]

Yeah, could end up being a pill we have to swallow. You never know, maybe DK could use his negotiating skills to use him in a part exchange

For a pack of Wine Gums is probably the best he will get.

 

[Captain Dart]

Yeah i agree man, i've said all along that my guy is under the impression that Lampard was told he would be backed and i think that showed in January with the signing of Grimes, he isn't afraid to back him, it just sounds like he wants to build on what we have and only offload the necessary.
Like you say, i'm sure Lampard knows what he wants without too much disruption, we need a team that know each others game, whilst improving in a couple of areas.
Unless any irresistible offers come in, we hopefully hold on to key players and see a few fringe players off the books, and a couple of first team exits.

Indeed, if we do not get promoted we already have a top 6 team, it's there to build on rather than a risky strategy of demolish and rebuild. I can't see more than 3 out and I hope we will get 5 in one of which is maybe a loan (one of those pacy direct wingers you were talking about).