Summer transfer, gossip and speculation thread

[SoccerHQ]

He didn't step up for play offs for whatever reason.

Still scored 9-10 goals for us and similar for Sunderland so 15-20 goal striker at this level so good pick up for one of those teams.

[sirlordbaltimore]

He didn't step up for play offs for whatever reason.

Still scored 9-10 goals for us and similar for Sunderland so 15-20 goal striker at this level so good pick up for one of those teams.

He's perfect at this level if you play to his strengths, which we did. I've got no problem with that. But he's not a great player that's worth 5m to us even if we had it. He certainly didn't step up in the play off final, but then again neither did Terry, Albert or Snoddy to name but four

[paul_e]

He didn't step up for play offs for whatever reason.

Still scored 9-10 goals for us and similar for Sunderland so 15-20 goal striker at this level so good pick up for one of those teams.

He's perfect at this level if you play to his strengths, which we did. I've got no problem with that. But he's not a great player that's worth 5m to us even if we had it. He certainly didn't step up in the play off final, but then again neither did Terry, Albert or Snoddy to name but four

I thought Adomah had a decent game, he made some good runs and looked like the one most likely to get in behind their defence, he was the only one of the attacking players that gave Grealish a target.

[oldtimernow]

I'm happy to go with Davis , RHM , Kodjia and Adomah

might as well give the kids a chance, would like to keep the jewels if possible .

[mr underhill]

A Grabban type loan would give us a more experienced option to Davis which wouldn't be a bad thing. Kodjia and Albert playing left and right side to a big target man

[tomd2103]

A Grabban type loan would give us a more experienced option to Davis which wouldn't be a bad thing. Kodjia and Albert playing left and right side to a big target man

Agree with that.  Ideally we could shift Hogan and McCormack and bring someone in to add to the options of Davis, RHM and Kodjia. 

[PeterWithesShin]

I'm not sure bringing in a 6th striker is the best way to spend what little money we may have.

[tomd2103]

I'm not sure bringing in a 6th striker is the best way to spend what little money we may have.

Goodness knows what shape we will be in at the start of the season, but if we are to carry on playing a similar formation to last year then we are going to need to bring in either a striker or a wide player if Kodjia is going to play centrally.  2 out of the current 5 forward options (McCormack and Hogan) are massively ineffective in that formation so that only really leaves us with Kodjia (who might be more effective as a wide forward) and the two youngsters. 

That said, I think the playing side of things is the least of our worries at the moment.

[PeterWithesShin]

It, sadly, really doesn't matter how useful or not, some of them are. There'll be PL sides that don't have 6 strikers in the first team squad, and it's that far too often our solution is to just bring in another one that has left us fucked with the wage bill. Unless we sell or get at least one out on loan then it would just show we've learnt nothing if we bring another one in.

[tomd2103]

It, sadly, really doesn't matter how useful or not, some of them are. There'll be PL sides that don't have 6 strikers in the first team squad, and it's that far too often our solution is to just bring in another one that has left us fucked with the wage bill. Unless we sell or get at least one out on loan then it would just show we've learnt nothing if we bring another one in.

Agree with that PWS, especially the bit about the wage bill, but I think that has to be balanced a bit with the needs of the team.  Centre half aside, I think getting in a striker or wide forward is an absolute priority no matter how many options it leaves us with.  If we continue playing the way we did last season, then I would be fine with Kodjia playing as the central striker and being backed up by Davis and RHM, but we would need a wide forward.  If Kodjia is going to playing as a wide forward (which I think is his strongest position) then we are going to need an extra option up front unless Davis and RHM are going to be used more this coming season. 

 

[paul_e]

I don't agree, I think a manager who plays to their strengths could form a solid attack with our players.  If Grealish is to go then, for me, McCormack is the obvious replacement. Him as a 10 with Kodjia, Hogan and Adomah playing as a front 3 is as good as anyone will put out in this league next year.  Add RHM, Green, O'Hare and Davis as backup/rotation options and I think it's our strongest part of the squad.

Behind them we'd need 2 fairly disciplined midfielders but as much as I think there's a lack of mobility 2 from Whelan, Jedi, Hourihane, Thor would be solid enough options, With Doyle-Hayes, Clarke and Lyden all, in my opinion, capable of coming in as cover.

Where we need to spend is, in my opinion, getting a decent centre back (to replace Terry and play alongside either Chester or Mad Tom if Chester leaves). If there's any money left after that I'd prioritise a left back because Taylor is fucking shite and whilst Hutton does a job defensively he offers absolutely nothing going forward and if he's playing behind Kodjia regularly that will become a problem.

[aj2k77]

McCormack who cant even turn up and train replacing Grealish, Steer replacing Johnstone and Post butting crap Tommy replacing Terry. A charlatan con man of a chairman who's vanished whilst he searches for 50p's down the back of the sofa, the other board member a kid who bought a season ticket once, then a series of lawyers and nobodies.

We are fucked next season.

Cheers Dr DelBoy, can I sit next to you next season? I'll throw you off the fucking middle tier.

[mr underhill]

talkshite's super computer still has us down for finishing 4th. Chin up

[brian green]

Oddly I am quite optimistic about next season.  Bloody good stuff Prozac.

With Bruce either gone or, without his shotguns Wyness and Round, obliged to be shall we say less inclined to view constructive criticism as hysteria, we have enough ability in the squad to hold our own in the Championship.

Quite looking forward to not having the luxury of throwing obscene sums of money around actually.  Make the back room staff earn their wages.

[tomd2103]

I don't agree, I think a manager who plays to their strengths could form a solid attack with our players.  If Grealish is to go then, for me, McCormack is the obvious replacement. Him as a 10 with Kodjia, Hogan and Adomah playing as a front 3 is as good as anyone will put out in this league next year.  Add RHM, Green, O'Hare and Davis as backup/rotation options and I think it's our strongest part of the squad.

Behind them we'd need 2 fairly disciplined midfielders but as much as I think there's a lack of mobility 2 from Whelan, Jedi, Hourihane, Thor would be solid enough options, With Doyle-Hayes, Clarke and Lyden all, in my opinion, capable of coming in as cover.

Where we need to spend is, in my opinion, getting a decent centre back (to replace Terry and play alongside either Chester or Mad Tom if Chester leaves). If there's any money left after that I'd prioritise a left back because Taylor is fucking shite and whilst Hutton does a job defensively he offers absolutely nothing going forward and if he's playing behind Kodjia regularly that will become a problem.

I can see where you are coming from Paul, but unless we go to a 3-5-2 or a diamond, playing two up front will mean we will have to go to two in midfield and we haven't got the personnel to do that as it stands.  As for McCormack, he has hardly played for almost two seasons and has a very questionable attitude.  I wouldn't be pinning too much hope on him to be honest nor on Hogan who has been ineffective for the majority of his time at Villa Park.   

Agree about the need for a left back, but i can only presume Hutton has been re-signed to play there.