We are approaching the end of our first season back in the Championship and its not all gone smoothly or to plan. At times we've been caught short of both quality and depth which has been compounded with a big turnover of players from the Loan market.
All this has left the squad bare and with players out of contract come the Summer it could mean wheeling and dealing to come to get a squad of players together for next season. Im supposing we will retain our Championship status and have to plan for our second season at this level.
Learning from our first season in the Championship we should know the type of player needed to compete at this level. Whichever position we replace or strengthen at, we need quality, maybe experience an a willingness to battle. If they aren't up for the fight then they won't be the type of players we are looking for.
I hear, from SE on player, that we have a first team squad of 21, if thats the case then will we be expanding that number next season? Will we have the same budget of this season or will more funds be available to help improve the squad in Quality and depth?
Some of the loan players and fringe players wont be here next season so what players will we need? and positions we need to improve at?
GK, we at least need a credible challenger to Collin who can keep Colin on his best form or replace him if his form dips.
RB, I'd love to sign Hunt on a permanent deal. If not we need to find a relyable replacement.
LB, We need to find a reliable LB that can defend!
CB, Will Morgs and Arni still be here? Even if they are we need at least one and maybe two challengers to them or replacements.
CM, I think we can be ok here we have the bodies to perform at this level.
LM, Will Prings still be here? if not then a replacement is needed and maybe a back up.
RM, We need to find a player for this position, maybe Hunt playing in front of a RB? Could we get Tavs?
CF, Id like to see us signing someone who can lead the line, idealy someone like Grant Holt, plenty of experience and knows where the net is.
So theres my take and id like to see what others think? Which players you woul like to come to the Millers etc.
The defense needs a complete overall like you suggest KK.
I cant see hunt signing as he cost 1 million and has about 18 months left on his contract.
However, he is the caliber of player we need. Richardson is actually quite good but lacks pace and stamina now.
Left back has been a tricky position for most clubs. We need another Bob Harris type or hunt quality on the left.
I think we need one more in midfield. To some extent Ward has been the missing link but we could do with another in the frecklington mold but with better positional sense, running ability, passing and especially tackling. It sounds like I'm saying Frecks is not good. I'm not saying that at all. Im in fact saying he has all those qualities a player needs but we need that little bit more to move the forward line in to goal threats more and if we are going to look at swapping Green or ward occasionally then he needs to be able to defend too.
It looks like Pringle wont stay. He is clearly waiting for some offers. Its a shame because on his day he is very effective indeed. We wont get another player like him. He has quite a unique strength to his game as well as some obvious weaknesses.
I like your idea of Holt but I think Becchio is better. Whatever, the idea is we need someone with energy and presence to be a threat in the box and make room for the likes of Derbyshire. Sammon is not that man thus far. His physical presence is weak and he is not so good in the air.
As for the squad of 21, I dont rate what we have beyond the 14.
Bowery and JCH clearly are not rated and not ready int hat order. I personally felt Bowery has something to offer at this level but we just havent seen enough of him and he invariably plays outside right.
Money! I cant see us spending much more than we have but surely we have to get some more dedicated good enough pros in as the spine of the team. The loan system is what most clubs use these days to stay afloat and in one sense we cant be in a position where others are taking advantage of it and crucial times and we cant. Its a rock and a hard place.
I agree with most of what you say,not so sure about Holt-a bit old,and I wonder what the wages would be like for decent replacements.
I hear you on wages m8, we have to strike a balance between value for money and silly wages, question is can we survive with the players which are 2nd tier, castoffsr or players at the latter end of their careers? Just look at Smallwood, he's been class, now give me 10 more of his ilk and i'll be happy.
I think Holt could be persuaded re wages v regular football.
Glad I'm not making the decisions, sounds like we need (another) complete clear out
Yes but we are wiser now, TS, SE &Co will know better whats needed to compete at Championship level. We can only strive to get stronger as a Club step by step.
Our loan players wont be here for ever so theres room to manoeuvre there, who if any would you/we want to stay? i'd have Hunt in a heart beat
That means a lot of incoming players then Ian, can we afford that many new faces?
Id add to that list Frecks and Pringle, for depth if nothing else.
Yes, I was just rating the ones I think are nailed on championship class.
The reality is that Id keep:
frecks
pringle
morgan
collin
bowery
Derbyshire
sammon
So with Ward, Green, Hunt, Arnie and Smallwood that makes 12, leaving another 10 approx to recruit. In reality we can dismiss pringle (wont sign) hunt (cant afford).
It would be great to know how much the budget is and what kind of money players want in different scenarios but we can only speculate.
Like most Id spend most of my cash on centre backs and a striker first.
-- Edited by ian on Sunday 8th of March 2015 08:26:00 PM
I think Morgs has a big chance of not being here next season, I'm sure he's out of contract too and not been offered what he wants. But I'd like both him and Pringle to agree terms and extend their stay with the Millers.
The players on your list, Frecks Pringle Morgan Collin Bowery and Derbyshire all would be good squad players, Sammon is on loan and dont think we will see him after the season end?