We would be short of cover in central defence (Foster, Sousa) Left and right back were not too bad (Kozluk, Van Homoet and Hassle) We've always had no depth in the wing positions (JCR, Daveney) Now we have no replacements in the middle of the park (De silva, Leon) Up front goes without saying (mostto, Macken, K.O) Ps. I have refused to even count Mattis as a first team player!!!! If that is our retained list then I think we should be looking at at leat a dozen new players just to have the depth to stay in the division let alone mount any sort of playoff challenge.... I just hope we already have most of our targets sorted and have the finances to compete in such a competitive market. :'( :'( :'(
No No and No!!!! I remember watching him against newcastle in the cup, I could have drawn a 12yd square around the centre circle and for 90% of the match he wouldnt have left it. I cant remember who it was against in the league last season but even the shed from Wicks they used at half time for that on my shed son thing had a better game than him. Absolute trash, no movement, vision or touch... and he cost 75k....(50k up front and 25k for helping us stop up last season) the only way he did that was by not playing in many games!!!!!!!
i aint to worried...... In terms of cover for positions we potentially have the following: 3 x Keepers - Muller, Steele (agreement in place) and Letheren as backup if he signs. 3 x Fullbacks - Van Homeot, Kozluk and Hassle. With Potter (youth), Foster and Nyatanga as cover. 4 x centrebacks - Souza, Foster, Nyatanga (if he signs) and Atkinson. With Hassell as cover. 2 x Wingers - Devaney and JCR. With Butterfield, Leon, Adam and Togwell as cover. 6 x Midfield - Howard, Anderson, Leon, Butterfield, Togwell, Mattis and Heslop. With Hassell as cover. 6 x Forwards - Macken, Odejayi, Ferenczi, Coulson, Mostto and Adam. Total squad = 24 Reid, Johnson & Christensen will not really be missed.... they have had little input this season and are obviously not in SD's plans. I would also question the futures of some of the other first teamers. I'm happy with keepers, centrebacks and central midfield, but I feel we need add a natural left winger, left full back and invest in a quality striker. We made to many gambles in the transfer market last summer, some paid off but others e.g. Mostto have been dissapointing to say the least. I'm sure SD and the board will get it right in time...... COME ON YOU REDS!!!
Davey does not see Bobby H as a defender anymore He will only consider him in midfield from now on IMO
RE: i aint to worried...... I see your point its just if.... Howard, ferenczi, Togwell leave Nyatanga stays with derby...... Thats the squad down to 20 Letheren, Potter, Butterfield, Adam, Heslop havent any real experience at this level and would Davey play them??? Atkinson is a good call I'd actually over looked him Thats down to 15 experienced players & kids Mattis just doesnt give me any confidence yet to see him have an ok game let alone a good 1!!
but.... If Nyatanga deal breaks down and howard, togwell, johnson, reid, ferenczi, Christensen and potentially Mostto do all leave...... I have no doubts that the board will back SD and allow him to strengthen. That would narrow existing squad down to: 3 x keepers - Muller, Steele & Letheren 3 x centrebacks - Souza, Foster & Atkinson 2 x Fullbacks - Kozluk and Van Homeot. With Potter (Youth) and Foster as cover 2 x Wingers - Devaney and JCR. With Butterfield, Adam and Leon as cover 3 x midfields - Leon, Anderson and Butterfield. With Mattis & Heslop 4 x Forwards - Macken, Odejayi and Coulson. With Adam as cover Total Squad = 15 Cryne has already said we need to strengthen and would look at attackers and natural leftsided players.... hypathetically speaking we would have money to spend e.g. cash in on howard say, £1.5m. + Money set aside for Nyatanga Deal, say.... £750k + FA Cup winnings, estimated to be £1.5m + other player sales, say..... £250k = Potential Tranfer Kitty of £4m Suggested signings; 1. Jeffrey Bruma on loan from Chelsea - plays anywhere in back four (Van Homeots Brother) 2. Lee Cattamole on loan from Boro - tough tacking, midfielder may get him in early season before Anderson is fit 3. John Harley Free Transfer - Left sided fullback and provides quality set peice. 4. David Conolly from Sunderland, for say £250k 5. Stephen Elliot from Wolves, Say £250k 6. Darren Huckerby free transfer - with seom money available I feel he worth a gamble, definately box office!!!! Thats only £500k spent on transfer fee's and would allow rest to go on Huckerbys wages. That would make squad of 21. 3 keepers - Muller, Steele & Letheren 4 fullbacks - Bruma, Bruma (aka Van Homeot), Kozluk and Harley 3 centrebacks - Foster, Souza & Atkinson 3 Wingers - JCR, Devaney and Huckerby 4 Midfielders - Leon, Cattamole, Anderson, Butterfield 4 Forwards - Macken, Elliot, Connolly, Odejayi and Coulson with that squad who needs Howard & Nyatanga (fickle I know!)..... play-offs anyone?
