Transfer priorities

[Smithy]

As an aside, isn't it nice to be in a position where you look at the squad and not find yourself thinking, "They've got to go" about any of them with a dozen or so appearances?

I can't remember the last time we had a squad without at least a couple of positions in need of decent upgrades.  If everyone is fit (big if), then we're in a very healthy place right now.

[LeeB]

I still think we need another forward.  Yes, Ollie has proven himself to be made of granite these last few years, but he has been SO important to our play this season that I think losing him for any period of time would hugely upset our balance. 

Duran is great and can contribute from the bench and a few starts (clearly), but he's a totally different sort of player to Ollie, and we have nothing behind either of them unless we play a false 9. 

We clearly have goals throughout the side now, with all of the 'front five' positions contributing goals and assists, so the "Ollie back up" doesn't need to be a prolific goalscorer, just someone who can play as the focal point of our attack without the standard dropping off too much when Ollie gets a knock or needs a rest.

I suggested Mateta at Palace a few weeks back (and got scoffed at), but since then he's turned into a giant Gerd Muller and his price has probably tripled. Good player though and would offer something slightly different to others.

As a leftfield option they had Lecce - Udinese on the telly last night in the Villa Tavern before the game, and I saw the Udinese centre forward hold up the ball well under pressure, fire a great pass out wide, then get on the end of the subsequent cross with a Benteke-esque leap over the defender forcing the keeper to palm it out for a tap in. Looked the real deal, didn't get his name though.

[LeeB]

It's on here, about 2:05.

[Somniloquism]

I still think we need another forward.  Yes, Ollie has proven himself to be made of granite these last few years, but he has been SO important to our play this season that I think losing him for any period of time would hugely upset our balance. 

Duran is great and can contribute from the bench and a few starts (clearly), but he's a totally different sort of player to Ollie, and we have nothing behind either of them unless we play a false 9. 

We clearly have goals throughout the side now, with all of the 'front five' positions contributing goals and assists, so the "Ollie back up" doesn't need to be a prolific goalscorer, just someone who can play as the focal point of our attack without the standard dropping off too much when Ollie gets a knock or needs a rest.

Hard to get a player in though who could be on the bench for long stretches, or even displace Ollie to the bench. Also apart from Newcastle, there are not many other teams who have two strikers who play a similar way, and as one is normally injured when the other is fit, it has worked for them. Personally I think Rogers or Diaby at a stretch could fulfil a role up front if we lost both Duran and Ollie at the same time. Not sure if Wilson or Moore are ready yet.

[Sexual Ealing]

I didn't scoff at Mateta Lee. I'm fully behind the wheeze.

[Somniloquism]

It's on here, about 2:05.

Didn't score though......

[Dave]

As a leftfield option they had Lecce - Udinese on the telly last night in the Villa Tavern before the game, and I saw the Udinese centre forward hold up the ball well under pressure, fire a great pass out wide, then get on the end of the subsequent cross with a Benteke-esque leap over the defender forcing the keeper to palm it out for a tap in. Looked the real deal, didn't get his name though.

Hah. Very good.

[paul_e]

For an attacking option I'd love us to go for for de ketelaere, should be available for about £20m but obviously there's a big chance he'll want to stay with Atalanta.

[olaftab]

Have we got any chance of making our annual trip to Leverkusen and snapping Wirtz?

[paul_e]

Have we got any chance of making our annual trip to Leverkusen and snapping Wirtz?

Frimpong would be top of the list from there for me.

[LeeB]

I didn't scoff at Mateta Lee. I'm fully behind the wheeze.

I know brother, I know.

[Drummond]

Nobody mentioned back up goalkeeper?

I did thank about that, but to be honest, if Emery keeps working with Olsen, is he going to be any worse than any other keeper prepared to just sit on the bench and be the back up to Emi?

I think you're going soft mate. Not like you!

[Risso]

 I think I've mostly been fairly complimentary to Mr Olsen of late!

[paul_e]

GK is tough because you'd hope that Gauci and Sinisalo would both be looking to make an impression in the summer and try to work their way into getting starts in the domestic cups. I'd asusme only 1 of them will be round the squad next year but even still it makes the case for just sticking with Olsen as an experienced backup even clearer.

[rougegorge]

A right back and a left back if Digne goes.

Also someone to replace Luiz if he goes as well.

We got really thin on the ground in the last few weeks so we generally need better cover and options.

For forward options and having other ways to play, I like Solanke, Mbeumo and Wissa if we were to make CL next season. Not all of them of course, but someone like that with pace who is still improving.