Go on then, ill start this annual discussion off. Are we strong enough? Have we improved the squad from last season? We have lost Solbauer, Mowatt and let a lot of players out on loan such as Thomas, Schmidt and some young uns. We started last season poorly with perhaps a better squad. We have Kitchin fit and ready to start which is a plus and Cole added to the squad. Is it enough? Rumours of a new striker coming in which is good. For me i think we need a left back and as we have lost a lot of experience i would suggest a proven centre mid (as in has experience in the role first and foremost, ideally at champ level or above.). I think we have players like Styles and Kane as potential in that role but we havent seen enough from them week in week out centre mid to really know. Can they step in? Can Palmer be the central pin? In fact Halme seemed to play there more last season. So for me i think we need another 3 (Striker, centre mid, left back) maybe 4 if we can get a prospect or prem loanee in too.
It depends on how schopp will play. If he goes 4231 like the article posted when he signed would suggest, we are arguably already top heavy with forwards. Frieser and Chaplin could maybe part of the "3" but that still leaves Woodrow, Cole, Morris and Victor fighting for the centre forward slot.
Yes, true. Be interesting to see what happens with the loans out. Simoes is still here, Victor too. Miller isnt showing up as in the first team squad on our site. Then in defence what about Odour or Halme. Will Styles be seen as midfield or wing back. Maybe still to see players go out. Maybe even Chaplin is a possibility if he has fell down the pecking order. Guess it does depend on how the coach wants to play as you say and also who is showing up in training.
Miller Simoes and Adeboyejo need to be moved out especially if we are looking at getting this big fella (Oulare) in. And possibly Ritzmaier and Christie-Davies. Quality over quantity.
I suspect there will be a bit more shaping of the squad yet. It will likely take a bit of time to adapt to yet another new style of play and potential formation, so I think it's wise to judge at the point of the window closing. Hopefully the huge void left by Mowatts departure can be plugged to some degree.
No point discussing formations until we know for sure what schopp wants to use. Different players could mean a different approach. As for the squad I think we have enough solid championship players to finish mid table. Anything more would be an over achievement anything less an under achievement. At the moment we’re slight weaker without Mowatt and Dike but still competitive and could easily be improved with 2/3 quality signings. goalkeepers - both solid options at this level. Central defence - Helik, Andersen, Sibbick, are all strong in my opinion and kitching Halme and moon should be fine to support. Full back - Callum Britain and Jordan Williams are both solid options at right back for the championship. I worry about left back. Odour has potential but is he a reliable first choice? Ben Williams has been out along time and styles can only play wing back, if Schopp wants full backs I don’t think he’ll be considered. midfield - a lot of promise in Styles, Palmer, Kane and Christie-Davies. But i would like at least one solid championship tested midfielder to be signed to complement what we have. forwards - I think Woodrow and Morris are solid championship strikers. The others are ok squad players for rotation. Could be strengthened but we have enough to get by if needs be. With all that in mind I think a left back and centre midfielder are a must. Another striker would be nice as well but not as high priority as the other areas.
Kenneth Paal left back Obbi Oulare striker Experienced centre midfielder And i think that would do us.
Dunno mate. But its an area that needs strengthening. Oduor hardly featured and B Williams has been injured and prior that that i didnt rate him that highly which sounds harsh but im just being honest.
Lets not forget 17 goals (+7 Assists) have come out of the squad from last season. Dike and Mowatts contributions. We therefore need more goals adding somewhere or the current players to deliver more, ideally both.
We can't afford to take a punt either. It has to be Scott Fraser. Proven to create and score goals. I don't won't us gambling on a Flynn Downes or Etan Erhahon suddenly finding the onion bag when they haven't done it previously.
100% Centre Mid and left back look our most exposed areas- I agree i depends if we are going wing backs or full backs - I think Odour can make it as a wing back, although there were a couple of occasions we got pulled off at half time (oooerr Mrs) as he was getting the run around under Struber so don't think he's defensive enough for full back, same with Styles although I think he is wasted at wing back, needs to be moved into the middle and then we need to find a solid championship man (not boy) for midfield otherwise we'll get bullied.
