Genuinely intrigued as to what Omar Bogle has proved at Championship level to be worth a punt? I'd much rather be signing someone from the lower divisions on reasonable wages who's scoring for fun and just needs to step up levels. Scowen would be our highest paid earner if he moved from Sunderland on the same wages. I'm personally not interested in any of the released players when you predict what terms they might expect. Experience of this season will be invaluable. Doesn't mean we rest on our laurels, but I don't think we need to flood the squad with 'experience' and just need to bring in someone with more nous up front and fix the issue we have with the right midfield slot.
The board will stick to the policy, so we can forget about returning players, such as Scowen. I like the fact that we have been in for Dykes (allegedly), but don't know enough about Scottish football to know if he would be any good. Shankland was my Scottish tip before last season, but has moved on and been capped for Scotland now and, in any case, may not fit the bill for the type of player the board would consider. Presuming that Woodrow might be on his way, we will need at least one striker and I would have Tyler Walker at Nottingham Forest as first choice, with Marcus Forss of Brentford as second. Walker has a now proven 1:2 scoring record over two seasons now and must be close to making the step up to Championship level, but maybe Forest see him replacing Grabban next season. Still only 23. Forss did well at AFC Wimbledon last season both is only 20, so would need further development, but has a lot of potential. If we are looking wing-backs, i agree that Randell Williams is a class player at Exeter and would be a possibility if we don't secure Ludewig next season. Cohen Bramall at Colchester was also impressive - quick and pacy, he can deliver really good quality crosses for the forwards and we have lacked that at times. Otherwise, we do have two Williams and Oduor, the latter of whom has great potential and is very talented in my opinion, but maybe needs to work on the defensive side of his game. Defensive midfielder, i liked the look af Ofobour (??) at Wycombe. The board say that they are looking for physical strength, as well as youth, so Ofobour fits the bill well. He won't get out-muscled and can pick a pass. I have no idea what sort of fee Bournemouth would want for him, as he is their player. I can't speak for Scottish, but came up with O'Hara from Alloa, only to find that he had already been transferred! I don't know either about the various leagues of Austria, Germany, Denmark etc, so we will just have to see what's what. I do hope that the board have done their scouting well enough to secure what Hecky called 'plug in and play' players, already fit for Championship level. Another season of developing youngsters to the level needed to survive probably won't be much fun. I hope that the board are cautiously ambitious and get the right calibre of player through the Oakwell gates. COYR
Forgot to say - someone said what about Joe Williams from Wigan as defensive midfielder and it would be a definite 'yes' from me on that one. Good shout. Get him in!!
My thinking with Bogle was that he's the sort of striker we don't have - a big physical guy - and he's played a fair bit at this level now. The opportunity to get him without a transfer fee might make him a cheap option. Obviously not pulled up any trees over the last few years, but could be useful. I do agree that we don't need to go replacing all of the lads from this season, but I think one or two experienced boys might help them come on further.
THE Joe Williams that played for us before? Best get George Williams back and sign that Randall Williams from Exeter, then we can have a team full of Williams! Seriously though, I don't think we can stretch to the wages of Joe Williams from Wigan.
Agree with you here, and think it'll be an acid test for the board. 2/3 proven players and not lots of Jordan Greens are what we've been after for a while, but seem to be our operating model. (No disrespect intended to Green in using him as the example in this, but he's extremely raw as a Championship player).
A young full back named Williams who isn’t likely to be ready for championship football. Just what our squad is crying out for.
Not quite the same is it - our current Williams full backs were signed having never played a pro game, and have come in completely fresh. They done fairly well considering. This fella Randal has been thriving already by the sounds of it - the sort of signing we should be making!
We have a fairly decent team, if we could keep the bigger names. If they go we need quality not quantity. Certainly a more physical forward that could work with Chaplin or Schmidt would make perfect sense. I'm sure Woodrow will leave, so invest a chunk of his sale price in someone decent. We should get 4/5 million at least, so should be a few bob. Solbauer new contract & yes Ludwig, at the right price.
I’d assumed that we wouldn’t have a shot at signing Jackson Irvine, but I don’t see any rumours linking him with other clubs so if we had a chance he’d be a great signing!
I can't come up with any names, but feel the transfer plan must address the 'out of position' issue highlighted in recent Minority Reports. I would let Ludwig go & give his position to Jordan & then lump on a 'proven' left back as no. 1 priority. For the season ahead, I'd aspire to consolidation & not be overly fussed about a new Plan B striker. Ok if Woodrow does move on, then a Moore-type acquisition is sound. I agree with earlier posts on covering potential departure of Alex (e.g. should he not agree to extend) & also Helen's insight on our luck with injuries (excellent post). With a trailing wind, we should spend BIG on the striker in 2021/22 when we have a decent shout of promotion & my Flexi tickets will be valid for Man U & Liverpool (obviously not Leeds, cos they'll be down LOL).
Never seen the kid kick a ball - was just joking on the surname, nothing more. Ludewig should be first port of call though obviously
So it sounds like you want to consolidate in season 20/21, promotion push 21/22, PL 22/23. Is that right? Your flexi tickets will have expired for the PL season