I'd be fairly confident in our squad although the age is a concern. Obviously Deulofeu, Doucoure, Pereyra leave us. I imagine Sarr is loaned out in case we come back up, other young talent similarly treated. Current players I would still want? Deeney is a monster at that level and has improved since we were last down there. Isaac Success? I just don't know. Then sign a load of talented youngsters from teams like Brentford/Swansea. Done.
Defence would probably be the same apart from Holebas going and Chalobah , Cleverley and Hughes would stay . Be changes up front .. but then Troy would still be leading the line ! Gray might look like a decent striker too .
Complete overhaul and a fresh start. Only players I'd keep would be Kabasele, Cathcart, Janmaat, Quina, Hughes, Cleverly, Chalobah, Deeney. Everyone else can **** off.
It would be grim. At least we'd get the excitement of signing 20 assorted Carlos Kickaballs every transfer window again, which to be fair I did enjoy. But **** it would be grim.
If by improved you mean 'become significantly less mobile, picked up several injuries requiring surgery and come down very much on the wrong side of 30' then yes, absolutely. Ironically it would probably be Gray who would be most effective for us at that level, though, of course, in an effort to stave off the threat of going back there, we are quite likely to get rid of him before it happens. Bit of a Catch 22, really.
We do have a lot of talented youngsters on long term contracts, therefore I think quite a few of them will be brought into the first team squad and most of our, so called, stars will be sold on. Which would not be such a bad thing if we are unfortunate enough to be relegated IMO.
We’d lose Doucoure, Pereyra, Deulofeu and anyone in the last year of their contract. We’d add some of those on our books already but out on loan, which ironically would probably improve some areas of the team. We’d get a new manager (of course)
Any player who comes out and says "I'm too good to play in the Championship" despite the fact they got us relegated can jog on. Dahlberg Janmaat (won't stay), Wilmot, Cathcart, Estupinan Hughes, Chalobah, Quina Penaranda, Cucho, Pedro I can dream but we will never actually play our talented youngsters.
It is strange how the Pozzos love picking up young talent yet we consistently have one of the oldest squads in the division. I'm getting bored of the same old faces, relegation would be a great time for a clear out. Throw money at Lee Johnson, get Penaranda, Cucho, Pedro, Wilmot, Quina and Dahlberg in the team and watch the magic happen.
Would never happen but Joka would be the ideal coach on a one year rolling contract. Already got two teams out of that league, obviously we’d have to get shot once promoted as he can’t organise a defence to save his life. ... so in reality it wouldn’t actually work because he’d know success would get him the sack.. as you were everyone.
I imagine most will look quite happy at the prospect of escaping our despicable club and collecting lovely new wages elsewhere.
