Summer transfer, gossip and speculation thread

[VinnieChase84]

I think we will go 343.

Didn’t see this when I posted. I think similar

[saunders_heroes]

Time to build a new playing style?
Since we’re stripped back and need to rebuild, how about 352?

                          Steer
              Elphick Chester Axel
Bree.  Lansbury Thor Hourihane Hutton
                      Kodjia Green

We’ve lost a winger in snod’s. We’re going to sell at least one striker. We will lose jack.
Just means we need to get more defenders and our depth is still impressive.
Green can play the ‘Sterling’ role

I’m looking forward to seeing Green next season. Let’s hope he stay stay injury free.

[ASHTONVILLA]

Seems we are stuck with Dr Doom and our feckless manager and need to sell players.

Have seen Hogan, and Kodjia linked with moves today, as well as Grealish.

I see Leicester are looking at paying over £20m for a young midfielder at Norwich. If that is the case then Grealish should be going for upwards of £30m. If the reports of Spurs only offering £12m are accurate, then I would rather we keep him and take a points deduction.

I would be delighted if some mug took Hogan off our hands, but reports I have seen have that down as a loan. So no money comes in but we cut the wage bill. Not great but the upside is that Bruce can't play him.

I like Kodjia but tbh if we got offered anything over £8m we should take it, he doesn't look as good since his injury.

If all those left we would still have McCormack, RHM and Davis which is a reasonable set of strikers. RHM could be really good, but we will never know if we keep playing dreck like Hogan instead of giving him a chance.

[Ads]

I thinks back 3 would suit Elphick.

Walker plays a sweeper role follow McGuire and Stones to transition the ball into midfield more comfortably and safely. I wouldn't be adverse to a system like that, but I'd have Adomah as the wing back and Hutton as the sweeper.

[ASHTONVILLA]

So the full squad as it stands is

GK - Bunn, Steer, Sarkic

I guess Steer will be first choice this season, hopefully he will nit get injured as I would not fancy Bunn being in the team.

Defence we have - De Laet, Taylor, Chester, Bree, Richards, Hutton, Elphick and Elmo .

We have too many right backs, and should be looking to sell one of them. I don't think there is much in it between Elmo and De Laet. Bree is a bit rubbish though. Hutton beed to start at left back and hopefully Taylor will be sold. Chester and Elphick are a good central defense, Elphick played well last season when Terry was injured. Sadly I can see Chester being sold, which would leave us worryingly short. I am guessing we will take £8m for Chester and sign up Huth on similar wages. I guess we may see Clarke and the defender we signed from Bury (Bedaeu?) get some games.

Midfield we have - Doyle Hayes, Whelan, Lansbury, Grealish, Hourihane, Jedinak, Green, Bjarnason, Gardner, O'Hare, Adomah and Lyden. That is a big set to pick from. Sadly Grealish will go. I would like to see us offload Whelan and think we can get a fee for him. We should be looking to sell either Hourihane or Lansbury (we don't need both). I would try and find a buyer for Gardner. I think Albert will attract offers and may be sold (though I would like us to keep him). But even with all those going we still have a decent set of young players coming through and some good experience players like Bjarnason and Jedinak. We shoud be fine in midfield, though I don't have much confidence in Bruce to get its balance right.

Up front we have Kodjia, McCormack, Hogan, Davis and RHM. Hopefully Hogan will go. I think McCormack is a good player, but can not see him featuring under Bruce. Maybe he will go on loan.

[SoccerHQ]

Big problem is surely motivation?

Last season everyone was at one to get us promoted and it mostly showed. Yes we had some shockers particularly in that crucial March period but even if I lapse into Steve Bruce speak that's just the nature of a 46 game season.

The motivation was good though lead by likes of Terry and Snodgrass.

Now it feels like an after lord's mayor season. Normally teams have play off hangover as Reading and Sheff Weds were both bottom half and Fulham were nowhere until xmas.

Add in an owner not having a clue what to do and it will seep to playing side as we've seen many times before.

I really don't expect much next season, think it will be similar to 16/17. Can see it being a year where lack of leadership means good players don't step up at all. Vital then we do give kids proper run of games and don't totally ditch them when they hit poor patch of form as happened to Bree and Keinan Davis last year.

[Clampy]

I thinks back 3 would suit Elphick.

Walker plays a sweeper role follow McGuire and Stones to transition the ball into midfield more comfortably and safely. I wouldn't be adverse to a system like that, but I'd have Adomah as the wing back and Hutton as the sweeper.

Not sure about Adomah as a wing back, not yet anyway. Bree and De Laet would be better suited to it I think.

[cdbearsfan]

Elphick has had more than enough chances. If he is starting games for us this season, I'm going to be worried.

[ASHTONVILLA]

Elphick has had more than enough chances. If he is starting games for us this season, I'm going to be worried.

He did very well when Terry was injured last season, I think he is not a bad option. Also is a good organiser and leader which we will miss with Terry departing. My real concern is what happens if we sell Chester, as I think we will looking at free transfer replacements (Huth or similar).

[cdbearsfan]

Did well when Terry was injured? I genuinely don't remember that. He's shite. He's been shite since he signed. He should be nowhere near the team or we are virtually starting every game a goal behind.

[Clampy]

He did actually do ok when he came in last season for a few games in fairness.

[sirlordbaltimore]

Elphick did indeed look perfectly adequate when called upon last season. So i'd have no qualms him coming in again.

Our problem will be is he comfortable on the left long term? Chester needs to play in his best position and be the leader.

If Chester goes (highly likely i'm sure) then i'll start to worry. Elphick alongside Chester is one thing, Elphick alongside a kid or an old ranger is another.

[PeterWithesShin]

He started 3 league games, the 0-0 against Millwall where Johnstone was MOTM, the 5-0 over Bristol City where they gave up after 10 mins and the 1-0 win at Boro. A world of difference between those 3 and him being the main CB for 46 games imo.

[sirlordbaltimore]

He started 3 league games, the 0-0 against Millwall where Johnstone was MOTM, the 5-0 over Bristol City where they gave up after 10 mins and the 1-0 win at Boro. A world of difference between those 3 and him being the main CB for 46 games imo.

Excellent positive spin there

[AsTallAsLions]

Did well when Terry was injured? I genuinely don't remember that. He's shite. He's been shite since he signed. He should be nowhere near the team or we are virtually starting every game a goal behind.

There's no accounting for a poor memory unfortunately.