BigLil, you have forgotten that as a football supporter you are allowed to present fiction as fact. Ooops I forgot myself there and thought I was on another forum.
That's what I thought. Not just a number of players, but those named were probably quite high earners in the context of our squad. I'm not sure we'll be looking to move Bahre and B Williams on, and if Struber's comments in some of the press conferences towards the end of the season are anything to go by, I wouldn't be surprised to see Miller involved next season. Can't see Victor or Jordan Green being out of reach of League 1 clubs, even with the salary cap, but we might have to reach a settlement with them if we want to move them on. They might be told that Belgium is quite nice. I still expect Woodrow to be sold, but not sure Mowatt will be inundated with offers. As much as I want to see him stay at Barnsley next season, am not sure he's proven himself enough at this level to be considered a safe bet, given uncertainty of finances and a real possibility of a number of more months behind closed doors, and the possibility of any multi year contracts becoming a burden because clubs on the borderline of Championship & league 1 become more cautious about contracts they offer. The January window might be more active if there's more certainty on when crowds will be allowed back in games.
I think Woodrow will go. Add to him the ones who have left recently: Cavaré, Thiam, Dougall, Pinillos, Radlinger, Sibbick, McGeehan - and we should have a bit to play with. We need a couple of full-backs, a holding midfielder and a striker and I reckon we are good to go.
Not sure I buy the argument that you have to be small to press effectively. For example, Bamford is well renowned for his work rate and he plays in a team who are one of the most effective in Europe at pressing. We obviously can't afford a striker of his value but players who work hard and have more physical presence do exist. See Moore as another example. If you look at strikers' defensive contributions in the champ, Brown and Chaplin are up at the top in terms of interceptions. However, Jutkiewicz, Gallagher and Diedhiou are also in the top five.
Of course, I accept the point that you are making. All I would say in response is that we will not be looking at that marketplace. As always, we will be searching for value for money. If we can find a big guy who can press, and who has endurance, and all for a bargain price, then I should not rule it out. Those are big Ifs, though.
Yes I think that if we are able to get someone who can press but also has physical presence, then it is likely that they will have other weaknesses in their game. E.g. lack of goals or assists.
4 players who we are paying proverbial pennies to per week. There is a real chance they won’t be good enough but they aren’t the problem people make out. We should lay off them, they will find their level.
What a player he was for us. Had a decent career but didn't seem to play as well elsewhere. Shame we didn't have him longer.
Saved me the trouble. Firmino is also not a small bloke. (Obviously we're not buying him, it's just another illustration)
I'm not expecting much change. After all, the squad that finished the season, if played under Struber for 46 games, would more than likely finish mid-table. I'd be looking to strengthen the forward line and possibly someone more effective at the tip of the diamond. That's about it. I'm assuming Sollbauer sticks around for another year, the Diaby drugs issue is resolved, and the rest of the squad continue to improve, individually and collectively. I'm particularly looking forward to seeing more of Palmer, Schmidt, and Odour. To be fair though, I could say the same about most of them - they are all young lads with bags of potential.
I agree that we will only sign 3 to 4 players this time round as last season we had such a big squad and needed to lose quite a few players, I think the team rebuilding happened mid season with the change from Stendel to Struber and the rise of Walton, Solbaure, J William's, Ludwig, Odour, Styles, Chaplin, Wolfe, Palmer and eventually Anderson. Keeping Brown, Mowatt and Woodrow would be massive, add to all the above and a few more decent players come in then we can really push on but if we do lose them 3 then it would feel to me like us having to rebuild again as they are 3 key players and other than Solbaure our most experienced. Thomas, Diaby, Ritzmaire, B Williams, Collins, Schmidt and Bahre all have the potential to improve so an exciting season ahead. Be nice if we can get in the ground to cheer them on.
If I'd seen this earlier mate, it would've saved me some research and editing work for my "Comings & Goings" thread.
The spine of the team was stupidly ripped out last year. It simply cannot happen again. It therefore wont (unless this board is itself stupid). The team has the makings of a really good unit. One or two more outgoings wouldn't worry me at all as long as the next incomings are genuinely good. The main thing short term is to make sure if possible that Struber stays. The team have noticeably improved under him.