Well firstly im doing this on the basis of us being the championship next year. Obviously last season, similar to this year we had a small squad of fairly inexperienced players. Over the summer, i'd like to see Aidy clear out the deadwood, much like he did upon his arrival, giving the young players a chance to step up. Players like francis, powell, mackay (keep him around as coach and 4th choice cb maybe), possibly players like macca and doyley who haven't contributed much and are easily replaceable. If you work on the basis that you need 2 players for each position we're going to have to strengthen considerably, hopefully with players that will also be able to make the step up to Premiership should we gain promotion again. This is a brief outline of how i'd like to see the squad next year, with no preference to starting 11: GK: Lee + 1 new keeper RB: Marriappa + 1 new signing LB: Stewart + 1 new signing CB: Demerit + 1 experieced centre back, younger than Malky! CB:Shittu/Carlisle LM: Bouazza/Smith RM: At least 1 new signing, possibly Campana competing with whoever it is CM: Mahon/Bangura CM: Williamson/A Koumas type player! CF: King/Hoskins CF: Hendo/Priskin/Ashikodi If we strengthen those areas highlighted, in my opinion we'd have a stronger squad than this year, but still keeping the nucleus of players who got us where we are! It shouldn't be a problem making 5 or 6 quality signings next year, with the money Aidy SHOULD get we can build a really good squad.
Great post, i agree we need to have a good clear out and bring in some fresh hungry players for our promotion push next season.
GK: Lee + 1 backup RB: Marriappa + 1 starter/backup LB: Stewart + 1 starter CB: Demerit + 1 backup CB:Shittu/Carlisle LM: Bouazza/Macca RM: Smith/1 starter CM: Mahon/Bangura CM: Williamson/Tiggy/1 starter CF: King/Hoskins CF: Hendo/Priskin/Ashikodi I've added whether I think the new player is a starter or a backup. Also the list of who we don't have next season. Foster Powell Mackay Francis Chambers
We need players who have pace have a good first touch can use both feet can pass to someone on their own team can make runs off the ball make themselves available to help out team-mates track back when possession is lost put pressure on the ball know where the goal is and will have a go! How may of our current players fit the bill? Feel free to add to the list.
Thought Chambers did well in the couple of games at right back! Good defending, can actually control the ball and pass accurately and has pace in abundance!!
Good post. I think its hard to get a player that does all of that. The first player that springs to mind that fits that is Rooney. But lets get realistic. Personally i think Macca will be useful next season. He has actually learnt to track back and help people. When he tries skills and loses the ball, he tries his best to get it back, which you can hardly say about people like Francis. The person in our team that comes close to fitting that is Marlon. As for the "Making themselves availiable to help team mates" part, i feel that is something we strongly lack, which also our tactic doesn't help. Maybe if we could get a player like Teddy Sheringham in, although he doesn't have the pace, he could act as a sort of playmaker. I don't think we actually have a player maker. Could that be a possible suggestion?
We need to add quality up front in addition to all the other areas suggested. Hendo and Priskin are just marking time and have no future with us.
we need some creativity, which will lack in out team due to youngs leaving. A player with an attacking, creative mind. A fast, strong left back (robinson?) A new keeper if fosters not coming. Another right back as cmpetition for Chambers Another right midfielder who can cross, is fast and has good technique (koumas/mcanuff?)
My opinion; 1. Dunno if we need a backup goalie to Richard Lee... I don't know how good Scott Loach is and Chamberlain _may_ be getting past his prime. 2. For the Championship, Doyley and Mariappa can handle RB fine. 3. We do need at least one more big central defender since we are very dependent on Shittu and DeMerit. 4. Left Back is our biggest defensive problem... Stewart tends to go AWOL on one of his attacking runs leaving a gaping hole. 5. Tackling Midfielder... we need another Mahon. 6. Distributing Midfielder... It sounds like Williamson could be good, but we do probably need to get in at least one more player for that position. 7. Right Wing... I think Smith has done fine, but I would like him to have a backup. 8. Left Wing... Bouazza is a star in the making... in my opinion, he has been better than Young this season. Macca can hopefully showboat a little less and be a worth backup for him. 9. Nippy Poaching Striker... Ashikodi, Hoskins and Priskin are all class... Our problem will be keeping them all. Every single one of them could easily get 20 a season (even in the Premiership) if they get the service... 10. Big strong striker... Hendo and King - yes, I know that King played alongside Henderson last season, but I think that we now have an abundance of strikers and that King has the strength for the big Centre Forward position. Overall, I think we have a fine Championship squad and, if we were starting the season now, I think we would be mid-table in the Premiership. Our biggest problem at the moment is our lack of confidence. We are a little weak in distributing out of midfield, but I think that is more a confidence thing than anything else. We are weak in the Left Back position, but again, if we keep the ball in the opposition half, that is not such a problem.
we definately need to strengthen for a good push to the premiership next season. because last season was probably good luck aswell as a bit of class. so we might not have that luck as shown this season(no penalties is one).
Malky has been offered another playing contract next year so that leaves with us with five centre backs - Malky Demerit Mariappa (natural position) Carlisle Shittu Adie already has stated that he wants another centre back so that perhaps means one of those five could be leaving?
I would suggest that Malky will take on a role similar to Alec now and honestly, and for totally non-conspiriatorial reasons, I can't see Carlisle staying. We've lost him for nearly 8 months to what was essentially a strain...
This is based on what exactly? Ashikodi couldn't get starts at Rangers Hoskins is only proven as a league 1 striker Priskin has not set the Prem alight yet has he? That said I hope every one of them turns into a Watford goal machine!!!
I don't know where all this "Ashikodi is class" talk is coming from. He did one fancy trick against STOCKPORT, and scored by bundelling the ball in the net. He may prove to be a star but don't call him one just yet.
Ashikodi had great potential, but a lousy attitude. That goes one of two ways... The player matures and realises their potential or the player ends up losing his career altogether. I am optimistic that Aidy can help Moses mature. Hoskins looked good on the times he got the ball and has a good first touch and a good instinct for goal. He looks like a striker capable of turning his Division 1 form into Premiership form. Priskin has barely had a touch of the ball all season. He has recently started to have some chances and he looks capable of developing into a very good sharp striker. The Hungarian International Team is not world class any more, but they have a good record in the past and Priskin has a decent record at his old club, for Watford in the Pre-season and I think his real problem has been the lack of balls anywhere near where he could reach. I could be wrong, but I bet I am not. In 5 years time all of them will be considered 'greats'. I just hope that they are still with Watford then or that we at least got good prices for them.
