The next step - which players would you keep?

[Risso]

I guess the key to answering the original question really hinges on this point - which position does John McGinn play for us at the moment? As a classic, box-to-box midfielder I think we would struggle to find better. But if we want someone to sit in front of the back four and cover for the full-back then I don't think McGinn is the right player for us.

I think that we've already got a better box-to-box midfielder in Ramsey. The trouble with McGinn is that he's not good enough at any one aspect of the game to make a position his own. He's not a defensive midfielder, and his passing is too crap to be a link player in the midfield, and he's not attacking enough to displace somebody like Ramsey permanently.

[boozey182]

I guess the key to answering the original question really hinges on this point - which position does John McGinn play for us at the moment? As a classic, box-to-box midfielder I think we would struggle to find better. But if we want someone to sit in front of the back four and cover for the full-back then I don't think McGinn is the right player for us.

I think that we've already got a better box-to-box midfielder in Ramsey. The trouble with McGinn is that he's not good enough at any one aspect of the game to make a position his own. He's not a defensive midfielder, and his passing is too crap to be a link player in the midfield, and he's not attacking enough to displace somebody like Ramsey permanently.

What I would love to see is a manager that uses a squad to outwit the opposition. I think you're right about Ramsey being better than McGinn, at least in the long run - we are watching him struggle a bit at the moment, which is perfectly understandable at his age.

But a midfield full of energy and running, with McGinn and Ramsey flying around all over the picth - helping the team commit to the press and not giving the opposition any space or time on the ball, then having license to burst forward - that would work against some teams in this league. Then there are times when you might want creativity and guile, so maybe a DM next to Douglas or Sanson, with Buendia or Coutinho making up the 3.

I appreciate that we could probably get a big fee for McGinn right now, but building a squad is important. McGinn would be quite far down my list of players to get rid of this summer, unless silly money came in for him. Being able to rotate and rest players is what we need to learn to do as a club.

[eamonn]

Sounds grim. Did you wake-up in a cold sweat?

[Clark W Griswold]

So after what is looking like a second successive season of a mid-table finish, which players would you keep, and who do you think needs replacing? I'm really talking about the senior players but include the kids if you like.


For me in the "keep" column:


Martinez
Cash
Digne
Mings
Konsa
Chambers
Ramsey
Coutinho
Buendia
Nakamba
Ings


Let go/replace:


Young
McGinn
Luiz
Bailey
Sanson
Traore
Watkins


I'd only hang on to Ings as I don't think they'd get rid of Watkins and Ings at the same time, and I'd actually like Sanson to be given a chance, but if he can't get a start ahead of McGinn and Luiz at the moment, then he never will.

That's a hell of a revolving door there bud.

I'm not sure i'd get rid of any of those, possibly Sanson or Luiz but that's about it. Luiz ahead of Sanson if we got offered twice as much for him. Otherwise Sanson.

I'd be offloading Hause for an upgrade, and El Ghazi, Trez and Davis. If we don't sign Coutinho we need an alternative and i'd bring in 2 midfielders, one for either Luiz or Sanson and then i'd loan out chuk and get someone in. A defensive one and an attacking one to compete with Ramsey for that position. Ramsey isn't a box to box player he's not good enough at tackling but he's a good attacking midfielder.

[robleflaneur]

 Sell .
Targett,sign a cheaper back up left back.
One of Luiz or Sanson.
Trez,El Ghazi,Traore.
Chukwuemeka,if he doesn't sign a new contract.

Keep Guilbert for one season.
2 big signings,DCM and hopefully Coutinho.
Reassess in January which youhgsters can replace any fringe players.

[eamonn]

Fred Gilbert as Dean called him, I forgot about the chap. Is he still ripping it up for Strasbourg?

[Steve67]

With Hickey, Phillips, Bissouma and Abraham to come in to replace them.

That would do me quite nicely.

Giving us the chance to play 4231, he needs to be ruthless and get rid of anybody who isn’t up to it if he is to raise the funds that will bring in the four players mentioned, who I believe would make us a top 8 to top six side. 

[Toronto Villa]

the problem with McGinn isn't just with the player. It's with us too. We have elevated him to a status in our own minds that is beyond his actual ability. For me, he's a solid squad player, but to be top 6 he's just not of the required quality to start every week.

[Sexual Ealing]

I may be in a minority of one, but I want to keep Bert. I don't think Gerrard agrees with me.

[brontebilly]

So after what is looking like a second successive season of a mid-table finish, which players would you keep, and who do you think needs replacing? I'm really talking about the senior players but include the kids if you like.


For me in the "keep" column:


Martinez
Cash
Digne
Mings
Konsa
Chambers
Ramsey
Coutinho
Buendia
Nakamba
Ings


Let go/replace:


Young
McGinn
Luiz
Bailey
Sanson
Traore
Watkins


I'd only hang on to Ings as I don't think they'd get rid of Watkins and Ings at the same time, and I'd actually like Sanson to be given a chance, but if he can't get a start ahead of McGinn and Luiz at the moment, then he never will.

Watkins has had a poor season but is three years younger than Ings. I think it's Ings that will move on with Archer replacing him in the squad.

Unless mad money is offered McGinn won't be going anywhere. Nakamba is one I'd be moving on, everyone will be whinging about his lack of quality on the ball when he returns from injury. He definitely isn't good enough.

Decision time on both Luiz and Chucky in the summer with their contract situations. As we have seen before, it isn't easy to shift players on who are on long contracts. Guilbert, Traore, Bailey and Sanson are in that camp. If Gerrard doesn't want them, then it's loss making loan moves most likely where we pay for most of the cost.

[LeonW]

I think Bailey and Sanson (especially) deserve more of a chance.

I know he's not been here long, and in saying this he'll probably turn into prime Ronaldo, but I just don't get it with Bailey. He looks like a player with a few tricks in his locker and bugger all else. Most disappointing signing compared to his reputation in ages. I too think Sanson should get a chance but don't think he will.

Bailey is a real talent. It's far too early to be looking to get rid.

[Toronto Villa]

I think Bailey and Sanson (especially) deserve more of a chance.

I know he's not been here long, and in saying this he'll probably turn into prime Ronaldo, but I just don't get it with Bailey. He looks like a player with a few tricks in his locker and bugger all else. Most disappointing signing compared to his reputation in ages. I too think Sanson should get a chance but don't think he will.

Bailey is a real talent. It's far too early to be looking to get rid.

Leon I read that in a Jamaican accent. I agree. It's too early to get rid of you.

[LeonW]

I may be in a minority of one, but I want to keep Bert. I don't think Gerrard agrees with me.

I like Bert. He's clearly got his faults but he can make something happen out of nothing. Not sure how he'd fit in with the 2 ways SG likes to play though.

[LeonW]

I think Bailey and Sanson (especially) deserve more of a chance.

I know he's not been here long, and in saying this he'll probably turn into prime Ronaldo, but I just don't get it with Bailey. He looks like a player with a few tricks in his locker and bugger all else. Most disappointing signing compared to his reputation in ages. I too think Sanson should get a chance but don't think he will.

Bailey is a real talent. It's far too early to be looking to get rid.

Leon I read that in a Jamaican accent. I agree. It's too early to get rid of you.

Don't get rid of me yet!

[Scott Nielsen]

To be honest the only players I would love us to keep are Big Emi, Little Phil and Ramsey

Other than that I could see logic in selling any of them if the price was right - would be sad to see some of them go - like Mings, Konsa and McGinn. 

Personally, unless stupid offers come in I would keep all the defenders

In midfield I would say to Chucky sign this today or we’ll sell you

Would like to see one of Sanson or Luiz go

Would like to see Trez, AEG and Targett gone

Two from Ings, Bailey, Bert, Watkins and little Emi

Thats assuming were playing one of SG preferred formatation

Yep, that, pretty much.