Spot on. He's got lots of goals in a poor team. With better players he could get 25+ goals next season.
Phillips played today like a man who knows where his next move is to. Mael isn't good enough and should go, Roberts looks knackered but on his day is still well above the rest, if he stays he needs cover with pace. Why didn't we play some fringe players instead of Dexter. Cotter started out of position why? DKD will be sold, I think Watters is a £500k Player, we should pay someone £500k to take him. Russell will stay and I think Connell will also stay..Bring Lofthouse, Lopata and Shepard back and please buy a forward not a converted Winger/attacking midfielder. Sack Sormez ( Yes I say this a lot)
I said it a few hours ago in the match thread - academy lads aside, I wouldn’t bat an eyelid if they were all gone by the time August arrives.
Build around the following Smith as back up keeper Lofthouse maybe Roberts Earl Lopata maybe Shepherd unless Bradford make an offer Russell Bland Yoganathan Nwakali Jalo DKD Humphrys Jalo Flavell loan out Gent loan out Mccarthy out of contract Benson out of contract Pines out of contract Marsh out of contract Cosgrove out of contract Lewis out of contract Gauci end of loan Lembikisa end of loan Rodrigues end of loan MDG sell Cotter sell O'Keefe sell Watters sell Dallas sell Phillips sell to highest bid Connell sell to highest bid Farrugia unsure
For me, the academy lads have all been positive. Jalo, Bland, Barrett, Flavell. Beyond that, obviously DKD, and I can’t quite believe I’m saying this, but Jon Russell. Nwakali as well. As for the rest, I genuinely would get shut of the lot.
But this is just unrealistic mate. I know that wasn't the question asked, but realistically what do you think?
Nwakali would be one of the first id get rid off, especially if his wages are what got reported on here. Exceptional passer, but an exceptional passenger too. Especially when we need to dig in when under the cosh, he gets ran past as though he isn't even there. His shooting is very poor, defensively he's shocking. Hed be wonderful in a league 1 pep version of a team, pass pass pass, but we aren't that. Maybe if we had some pace and willing runners it would help
I wouldnt get rid, but he needs to play in attacking midfield with plenty of cover behind him because he's atrocious defensively. He has brilliant technique, great at shooting, so personally I'd try and tailor the squad around him, let him be our talisman and accommodate him- assuming Phillips is leaving that is.
Yeah, I agree it wouldn’t be easy mate but I believe most things are possible with a bit of hard work. As posted elsewhere we need a solid back 4. Possibly earl at left back , possibly Roberts although I think he’s made a lot of errors this season and is central to an abysmal defence. New right back essential and okeefe must go. Flat back 4. New centre backs needed unless shepherd / lopota can step up. MVD needs shooting into orbit. He’s a lovely chap but so is @Merde Tete and I would not play him in our central defence. midfield total overhaul. Perhaps keep cotter as backup on wings if we can’t offload. Needs some nous in there with two or three solid central midfielders to protect. Think Josh Scowen style , Matty James etc. Connell could be one of those but he needs the armband relinquishing and would possibly benefit from experience next to him, and mentor him. I’m not taking about 3 ‘CDMs’ as the kids call them, proper midfielders who defend, create and attack…it is possible…..Conor was one. Luca could be. sell Philips and Russell if we can to generate some funds. Both go missing. Get rid of Nwakali. Invest in a couple of young quality wingers/inside forwards with pace. Play Fabio. Again grafters required who will run all day and press. We are lethargic. Watters I would sever his contract immediately. Take the hit. Truly dreadful. 2 new strikers needed. Personally I think ‘old heads’ work well at this level along the lines of billy sharp, Norwood, fletcher etc . Perhaps rotate them to keep fresh which is what Wrexham do. DKD will have to be sold so I think that’s a foregone conclusion Finally , spend big on a keeper. Get the best in the league. Those nonsense January signings to leave, plus Humphrys who is very lazy and benson who is very injury prone. try and get a couple of quality prem loans in, possibly in the wing positions. We need to be able to make meaningful substitutions at the 60/70 minute mark.
I think we’re saying this like we’ve got the money to replace the utter dross with quality, or the ability to find the cheap but amazing replacements….. I don’t think we have.
And that, in a nutshell, is why I was always head and shoulders above you when we played Football Manager on the Spectrum as kids. A very short-sighted approach.
Fair dos. I personally think he's a wonderfully talented footballer, surrounded by absolute dross. If he was all those things you mentioned, he'd be playing at the Bernabeu. Get the right players alongside him and I think he'd be outstanding.
Well we'll have Benson, Pines and McCarthy's wages back in the pot, I would assume they will be at the top end. There possibly will also be Phillips and Connell if they get sold. Including the loanees going back there should be a reasonable wages pot. Let's hope it's spent wisely. Sadly we'll be stuck with Watters..
Depends who’s on what money - even players I think are potentially decent with better coaching could go for the right price or savings on the wage budget. I’m comfortable for our starting XI next season to still include DKD and Jalo. Up top we’re much better than in defence. The rest have been performing poorly or have a weak mentality. I’d happily roll the dice or promote from the academy.
Nwakali definitely has some skill, and a decent pedigree of clubs he’s been with. He doesn’t come across as a fighter though - so needs the right structure if he’s to be part of the solution.