Think you make a decent argument here and I would agree that Frieser does lack an end product. However, to suggest that having bundles of energy counts for nothing is a little off the mark for me. Particularly, when considering how much we relied on our fitness and work-rate last season. I think Chaplin is a decent finisher to be honest, however, I'm not sure he's particularly suited to playing in a front three, considering he can't beat a man and he's actually not as fast as everyone seems to think. Halme on the other hand has to stay for me. I know we have a lot of CBs, but he has shown he can also play in the defensive mid, an area which we currently don't have a lot of options. I also wouldn't be surprised to see one of Helik or Mads leaving. Squad does need trimming but I think Thomas, Simoes, Vic and Miller should be the first ones to go.
I get what you’re saying about Frieser, he’s tireless no doubt about it, but his ability on the ball is lacking at this level, & that makes a huge difference. He’s had his moments, but with his age there’s no resale value or development to be had. He’s handy as back up I guess but im talking about progression, and we need better quality in order to progress. Chaplin just isn’t cut out at this level, he’s not strong enough, quick enough & lacks end product. Halme is one of many Centre backs way down the pecking order, and I wouldn’t keep him just because he can fill in as a defensive midfielder, we need a natural in that position if we are to move forward. These are just my opinions.
Frieser not good enough!?! The guy who played more games last season in the front 3 than most. Val clearly admired his work rate so kept playing him, so that's good enough for me.
How do you think the ball gets in the net? The front 3 stand around waiting for the ball on a plate in the box? Astounding assessment
T67 - we still have a significant fanbase who think we will sign a squad of top end Championship players and don`t worry about how we will keep them happy/pay them top Championship wages.
All the players on that list are professional footballers. The way some people on here talk about them makes it sound like they'd be last picked in the kids playground. At least 75% of those players have the ability to play at championship level with the right coach and the right tactics. Some of them won't have the correct application or attitude or will have personal issues, some won't fit the new head coaches style of play, but all of them are good footballers. Carlton Morris wasn't going to be good enough, look at his record. Callum Brittain was a massive step down from Killian Ludewig. Mowatt was a poor man's Hourihane. Let's all relax through pre-season and wait until we're 10 games in to assess whatever the squad looks like by then.
The defensive options look decent at the moment, assuming we don't sell any key players (though I would expect one to be sold). We have options and cover that allow us to cover a back 4 or a back three, as Kitching can play on the left of a three or a four. Might want to move Odour and Halme on, or move them into midfield. The forwards are ok, how many we need depends on how the new coach wants to line up. If it's 4-2-3-1, he could want to play 4 of those listed, with Woodrow or Aitchison playing as a 10. Alternatively, he might only play 2 of them, with genuine midfielders playing the wider roles. Woodrow has close to 50 goals for the club now, and Morris showed how good he can be last season. Of the others, we were winning enough games to climb from the bottom 4 into the top half with Frieser and Chaplin in the team. If we're less direct under Schopp, I think Chaplin could be an asset like he was before lockdown. Adeboyejo can offer something off the bench, but if a bid came in for him, I'd accept it. Would also look to move Simoes and Miller on, top open up more of an opportunity to someone like Aiden Marsh, or other forwards in the 23s. The midfield looks a concern. Styles is probably the most experienced at this level, but at wing back, not sure what the status of Ritzmaier is or if he could handle the physicality of the Championship and the others are unproven and/or would benefit from an experienced player alongside them. Last year we had Mowatt and James, losing them both leaves a very big hole. So, into the spreadsheet. Centre mid, 25-27, 100+ EFL appearances, in the last year / out of contract.
Marcel Ritzmaier has played more games in the Europa League than he has in the Championship. He's played 87 games in the Dutch top division. Remember what Mowatt was like before he went on loan to Oxford, and what he was like when he came back. Schopp will have seen him last season in the same division. I'd be amazed if he doesn't get another chance alongside either Kane or Palmer.