Go on then; what do we need, who will we get, who will depart? To improve I think we need some quality in midfield and up front. A striker with some physical presence would allow Brown to play in a role he's more suited to. A midfield enforcer seems essential - Halme has done ok in there but we need to improve. The dream there would be to bring back Josh Scowen. We'll need a new right back unless Ludewig comes back. There's plenty of free agents this summer, so signing one or two with some experience might be easier than in other windows - I'd like to see us capitalise on this. Kachunga from Huddersfield is available. A couple from Boro. Omar Bogle might be worth a punt on a free transfer. It seems likely that we'll lose either Mowatt or Woodrow - maybe both. Brown will also probably attract interest. But will there be big fees in the Championship this season? It's got to be worth selling them for us to do it, so I'd have thought one of the richer teams in the league would have to come in for us to sell. I think we'll be looking to move on Bahre, Mcgeehan, Green and Adeboyejo.Maybe loan out one of the young midfielders too.
Said before on here but for me if Ludewig is not doable - we need to go for Randell Williams from Exeter. Fantastic attacking full back and only 23. Be ideal for us IMO. Kachunga isn't a bad player but wages could be an issue there and we dont play with wingers currently so may be a waste. Have seen some other decent options released by fellow championship clubs that would be worth a punt. I fully agree we need a defensive mid especially after letting Dougall go. We need a new striker option too who is more in the Kieffer mould. Seems like this Dykes lad they have bid on is just that but it depends if we up our bid and hold off competition from elsewhere to get him.
I would have thought the board will not be chasing any targets till we know the result of the Wigan appeal.
Elliott Moore CB at Oxford United and Adam Clayton on a freebie to play alongside Mowatt not as his replacement. Andy King or Mark Duffy might be good on a one year contract. I wouldn't see them as first team regulars (especially not Duffy at 35) but just having them around the club for one season for their knowledge to pass on and as an option off the bench.
Interesting, hadn't heard of Randel Williams! Probably right on Kachunga. Korey Smith might be available - solid experienced midfielder. A quick google showed a few names: Jazz Richards, Bailey Wright, Kevin Stewart,Sam Winnall, Jordan Clark. Experience and quality there. I'd like us to sign Clark.
Get rid of the fringe players eating into the wage bill if they aren't going to play. Trim the squad to 22 that will trouble the scorers. If we lose Woodrow and Mowatt make sure we sign experience in the middle and a target man to play alongside Chaplin.
Seem to remember that last time we went down they had two lists of targets, one for each league. I'd have thought they'll be having a look at their lists in the coming days
Got to be a Plan B somewhere- we need a big man up top even if it's just as a sub. I'd like to see a proper dirty niggling midfielder too.
Williams started out as a left sided winger but in the current Exeter system plays as a right wing back (where Ludewig plays for us now) he is left footed but good on either side and is a very attacking full back. Would only be worth a look if we stick to this 3 at the back system otherwise he wouldn't be ideal as he is too attack minded. He has 5 goals and 14 assists this season from wing back which even in league 2 is good numbers. If we opt to go back to a back 4 then Perry Ng from Crewe would be a better shout as he is more of a natural right back. Adam Clayton is available and seems to like a club in Yorkshire, so as an experienced CM option he could be good. I also noticed Ryan Leonard was available too. Very versitile midfielder who was brilliant not that long ago for Southend before going to blades.
Time to move on players who are clearly not going to make it with us - and I wish them all the best in the future. Just cos they won't cut it in the Championship with is should not mean they can't make a decent career elsewhere. I'd lose: Victor Adeboyejo George Miller Jordan Green Harder to lose, but still think we should cut the cord McGeehan (I like him but I think we have better options) Ritzmaier (there is a player there but unfortunately not a Championship one) "Possibly" one of the Williams I'd keep: Sibbick Bahre (both multi-functional squad players) and the remainder I'd try sign: Killian Ludewig If that happens, we have a decent squad that only needs topping up with proven quality. By that I mean 2 / 3x proven performers as opposed to 5 / 6x Jordan Green. I think next season could be a big one for the following, and they could potentially be big money sales (please God, not all in the same window). Styles Halme Oduor Ludewig * Chaplin Anderson and possibly (Simoes) We have a decent core, let's enhance and build it without stockpiling potential we can barely afford to gamble on.
I wouldn't make too many changes. The players finally seem to understand Struber's system/style of play and it's working. Not to mention bringing in too many players might limit opportunities for Styles, Simoes, etc. Get a pair of decent full-backs in, and a strong, athletic midfielder, and get rid of some of the deadwood, McGeehan, Green, etc.
I agree with every single word of that, except I don't know enough about the first three to make a call - happy to leave it to the judgement of Struber and the club, and won't feel strongly either way whatever they decide. I think the top-ups need to include at least one striker and at least one midfielder - as you say, proven performers (even at a lower level, as long as they've got 50-75+ first-team appearances under their belt).