Squad reshaping

[brontebilly]

I'd keep the keepers, one bad season does not make Guzan a bad player, and I think Bunn has a decent future, and at Championship level at least should be fairly consistent. 

Trouble is the few class attacking players we have are likely to get offers from elsewhere, and if the right one comes out won't want to stick around.  Not to mention that the club might want them off the wage bill.

I actually quite like Sinclair and think that he might fit the Championship quite well.

wtf - keep Guzan and Bunn 

what is to like about Sinclair?

The guy is a one paced, gutless, no trick pony that with the exception of 2 seasons at Swansea has stolen a living as a footballer at multiple clubs.

Lets hope Rodgers takes him up to Glasgow.

[N'ZMAV]

No way would I keep Guzan. He's pathetic.

[Concrete John]

We need a new No 1, but I'd be happy enough with Bunn and Steer as the backups.

[Toronto Villa]

New club captain Stan Petrov. Looks in absolutely superb shape in new pictures.

[Matt C]

Guzan needs a move as much for his own good as ours. Bunn doesn't look good enough, no idea about Steer.

[Villa in Denmark]

Guzan needs a move as much for his own good as ours. Bunn doesn't look good enough, no idea about Steer.

I'd agree with the first two points.

I skimmed a couple of Huddersfield forums a couple of weeks ago. Some love him, some hate him, most described him as steady. Doesn't throw too many points away, but doesn't win too many extra with a how did he do that kind of save when you're hanging on.

Sounds like perfect second choice if he's happy with that role.

[ktvillan]

I think our midfielders will generally do well at that level and I'd keep most of them except maybe Westwood who seemed to be part of the poison clique, and maybe Bacuna just for being a neither footed jack of no trades, and a twat to boot.

I think our forwards will all do ok at champo level except Gabby who can fuck right off.

It's our defence that needs a complete clearout.  Guzan is shite and poison, Bunn is not good enough to be first choice.

The only defenders I rate at all are Amavi and Okore,  and Lescott might be ok at that level but again is in the poison clique.  I know it's all about opinions but when are people going to realise how shockingly mediocre (at best) Clark is?  If we can get 5m for him I'll give him a piggy back to the mugs who sign him. And how Hutton has somehow managed to fool people into thinking he at least cares and tries is beyond me. 

At least first choices at CB, RB and GK is a must to get in for me, plus some backup that actually gives a shit.

But really we need some leadership on the pitch as well as off.

[ozzjim]

Paul e and Newby on the Okore thread has been discussion how many changes this summer and the need for replacements. I think it is a good point re release clauses, and being powerless to stop players leaving.

As such any re-shaping will entirely come down to who we can convince to stay, and who we can't shift.

In an ideal world we have:

Guzan, Bunn, Steer - ideally we will lose Guzan and gain a new number 1 - 1 addition.

RB: Hutton - Realistically only Hutton is a real right back - add 1 (2 additions)
LB: Cissokho,  Bennett, Amavi - if we can, sell Cissokho and keep the other 2 IMO. - (still 2 additions)
CB: Lescott (go), Richards (go), Clark (likely to go), Okore (likely to go), Toner (stay), Baker (stay) (minimum need 2 centre halves up to 4 additions)
CM: Westwood (stay), Gana (likely go), Veretout (hopefully stay), Gardner (stay), Bacuna (please go!), Sanchez (might stay) - (possibly need 2 - up to 6 in)
Wide players: Traore (hopefully stay), Grealish (stay), Greeen (stay) Gil (stay) - (need 1 more with pace IMO - 7 additions)
Up top: Gestede (stay), Gabby (no takers sadly), Ayew (will go), Kozak (stay probably) - (2 strikers would be ideal to supplement Gestede - 9 additions)

So even with some, like Gil, Veretout, Traore and Amavi being held onto, we will still need a big influx to have enough of a squad to cope with 46 games, plus cup, plus play off potentially. We will need to have 3-4 very decent loan options.

[robbo1874]

Go: Gabby, Bacuna, Richards, Lescott, Guzan. As an absolute minimum we need to get rid of these players, by hook or by crook. Of a couple I am undecided on as to whether they should be in this category- Okore. Could be an excellent centre back for us, but I question his commitment after trying to force a move. We need 100% commitment. If a good bid came in I'd take it. If not he's worth monitoring pre-season. Sinclair. Had some absolute shockers, but might be OK in the Championship. Cissokho. Ditto.

Keep: Gestede, Traore, Gardner, Ayew, Grealish, Hutton, Sanchez, Gana, Amavi, clark, Toner, Hepburn-murphy.

The rest: not nothered if they stay or go. Not sure how feasible this is, but after getting rid of the must-go and want away players, I'd have the remaining academy, U21's and squad players in trials with the 'keeps' for a few weeks and then identify where new signings are required. If the takeover goes to shit and we only sign one new player, it has to be a solid goalkeeper.

The most important money we'll spend this summer is getting rid of the 'gos'. Only when the toxic players have been shifted by sale or more likely, paying them off, can we begin the Renaissance. Aside from that and bringing in a quality keeper, I wouldn't think we'd need to spend a fortune on bringing in new players to be competitive next season. I'm almost thinking now it might be better to target the season after next to storm the league- use next season to find our feet and build a solid squad. Then go shit or bust the following season and hit the premiership with a bit of momentum and an experienced, decent squad. I know this contradicts things I've said previously about how we have to get back first time etc. but I'm coming round to the idea of a season of consolidation, followed by a huge surge the season after. Just think it might be more sustainable.

[supertom]

New club captain Stan Petrov. Looks in absolutely superb shape in new pictures.

I'd ruddy love that. It's still the stuff of fairy tales were it to happen but this is the year of Leicester City, so we'll see. I'd certainly be sending Stan round to offer some dietary tips to Gabby.

[Toronto Villa]

Our Stan looking brilliant. Whether or not he comes back, it's outstanding to see him in this shape and health

[Sexual Ealing]

I'd never have thought that Stan and Gabbby would go on holiday together.

[CT Villan]

My advice to the incoming manager regarding squad reshaping would be to use the biggest, heaviest mallet they can wield.

[Salsa Party Animal]

How is the young goalkeeper we signed last year going ?  Matija Sarkic from Belgian club Anderlecht. Could he be our new goalkeeper ?

[N'ZMAV]

he is 19 now I think