Summer transfer madness thread

[VinnieChase84]

If we are going to go 352 then for me it should be;
----------------------Johnstone-----------------------
                Chester,    Terry.     Baker
De Laet.                                           Taylor
                            Jedinak
              Adomah.              Hourihane
                     Hogan.        Kodjia

[Ads]

I don't think we will play 352. If Elmo comes in it will be to play on the wing.

[VinnieChase84]

442 Diamond would suit our squad too. Could play Ross/Jack/Lansbury  in the 10

[Surrey Villain]

We lack height and strength in the squad and were rolled over by too many physical teams last season. At least Crouch would provide height. Imagine Crouch and Terry going up for set pieces. Worth a few goals I reckon.

[Steve67]

Crouch not happening according to Doc Xia.

[andyh]

Hourihane looked a different player when he went centre mid, last game of the season against Brighton.
I'd love to see him get a decent run in that position and see if he can become the playmaking midfielder we desperately need.

[SteveN]

Crouch not happening according to Doc Xia.

Hoo bloody ray.

[peter w]

It's okay having players but unless we get them working into a system then we'll see more of the same. With Adomah/Kodjia we became to much of a one trick pony. We had no other, or at least offered, no other threat and if Adomah wasn't delivering then the threat lessened. With Kodjia also drifting out wide it also meant that we too often had nobody running the channels for any other ball to try and turn opposition defences. The midfield only had one out - the ball to a wide kodjia and we became too predictable. That's why we need to do a great deal more. I'd drop on of the midfielders for mccormack or grealish to get us moving forward quicker. Whelan/jedinak as the holding player with Lansbury/Hourihane/Thor as the the next 2 to be used on rotation or just on performance then Grealish/McCormack/green to get the attack linked to the midfield and have us moving as a unit on the front foot.

We were dull and predictable all too often last season and that's what needs to be addressed.

[SirSteveUK]

Hourihane looked a different player when he went centre mid, last game of the season against Brighton.
I'd love to see him get a decent run in that position and see if he can become the playmaking midfielder we desperately need.

Agreed 100 % - esp the last sentence.

[paul_e]

Hourihane looked a different player when he went centre mid, last game of the season against Brighton.
I'd love to see him get a decent run in that position and see if he can become the playmaking midfielder we desperately need.

Agreed 100 % - esp the last sentence.

I just want the midfield to look like they've trained on the same pitch, get that bit working and they'll naturally get on the ball in better positions and start showing some form.

[Gareth]

Currently our scouting for this summer seems to consist of watching sky sports 'Premier League Years' on a loop - just signing old men who you know is dull.

Going for players like Whelan / Elhomady is just saying it's all about defending - this team needs energy, pace, power not 8 behind the ball scrapers all the time

[sirlordbaltimore]

I'm not liking this 'we want experience as we must get promotion' thing the Dr and Steve seem to be endorsing

Nothing guarantees you promotion other than being the best side in the division. Some old duffers that have played in the Premiership before don't make a jot of difference to my mind

I hope we aren't going to put all our transfer eggs in one old basket this summer. If we do i can only see tears come May

We should be building the best possible footballing side regardless of experience and age / past history for me

[WALTERS WARRIORS]

Currently our scouting for this summer seems to consist of watching sky sports 'Premier League Years' on a loop - just signing old men who you know is dull.

Going for players like Whelan / Elhomady is just saying it's all about defending - this team needs energy, pace, power not 8 behind the ball scrapers all the time

`This team needs energy, pace, and power` exactly what is needed. Two top quality wingers. Who are constantly splitting the opponents defence and making chances for our goal scoring strikers .....

[Matt Collins]

Hourihane looked a different player when he went centre mid, last game of the season against Brighton.
I'd love to see him get a decent run in that position and see if he can become the playmaking midfielder we desperately need.

Agreed 100 % - esp the last sentence.

Agree this is the top priority - a massive failure last year

In fairness we've replaced the whole midfield in a season, with three new midfielders arriving in January. So it was unlikely to gel straight away. But I do think we might have expected it to be a bit better than it has

I'm not that keen on 352 but in theory it should allow us to get hold of the ball better, protect Jedinak, get some width and play two strikers. But it's a hard system to play so they'll need to practice A LOT over the next few weeks. And I don't think we'll be strong down our left without a new signing or two. Baker and Taylor just doesn't feel right to me

I just want the midfield to look like they've trained on the same pitch, get that bit working and they'll naturally get on the ball in better positions and start showing some form.

[olaftab]

Crouch not happening according to Doc Xia.

Good.