We'll have to put in one decent performance before we can dream of a decent run. But we aren't likely to do even that with this squad.
We need some new players. Who would you like to see here? And who do you think will be willing to come in January?
We badly need a goal scoring striker who can also lead the line. We also badly need another CB, preferably left sided. But I refuse to believe that this group of players we have now are incapable of putting together a run of 3/4 games where we play with more quality. Every one of the senior players is under performing with the possible exception of Lennon who, lets face it, has a pretty low ceiling anyway. Sorry, forgot about Niasse who is probably performing at the absolute peak of his ability. We have been relying far too much on our young players who are understandably inconsistent, but at least they are not shirking and are having a go.
We have a decent run of games coming up against other struggling teams and if we can find a better balance and 2 or 3 of the senior players find some form, I'm hoping the team can put a run together and find some confidence. I can see us reasonably comfortable higher mid table by end of the year, maybe 8/9th. Not saying that's acceptable by the way. Far from it. But if our injured players come back unscathed, and Barkley decides to stay, I don't think we're a million miles away.
Hopefully we'll have Barkley, Coleman and Bolasie all back by the new year. Assuming they come back in form and with no hangovers from their injuries, I would say that the striker and LCB need to be our priority. At CB I'd go for Danny Blind who can't be happy with his lack of game time in the PL. Experienced and versatile and hopefully available. Striker is a different issue. We miss a hold up player at the moment, but it depends who we bring in as manager and the type of game he prefers to play. I suspect we will have more need for somebody who can play the expansive game and stretch defences, somebody pacey like Vardey or of that ilk. May need to look abroad for that player as I don't see anybody in the UK who would be available. Possibly Dembele of Celtic but that's bringing in another young payer. Possibly Giroud could still do a turn for us if he was available but this would be in addition to a pacey striker which I think will be the priority. Further down the line (summer) we need a cover at left back and also replace Barry as I now feel Schneids has far too many poor games. Wouldn't mind seeing Carvalho in that role and possibly Tierney for left back. We also need to thin out the squad. Time for Mirallas to go. We don't need all 3 of Rooney, Siggy and Klaassen so at least one of those need to go. McCarthy and Besic are too injury prone and I'd also offload Schneids if we brought Carvalho in. Both Williams and Jags need to go. I'll give Funes Mori a stay of execution for now and see how he comes back from his injury. Other's I'd lose would be Martina, Stek, Lennon plus at least half dozen younger players such as Galloway etc. Whilst I donlt see Niasse as good enough for us going forward, I'm reluctant to let him go for some reason.
That would give us a very young and exciting squad of
Keepers. Pickford, Robles
Full Backs. Coleman, Kenny, Baines, Tierney
Centre backs. Keane, Blind, Holgate, Fumes Mori
Centre Mid. Carvalho. Gana, Davies, Beni, Walsh
Attacking mid/wingers. Barkley, Siggy, Bolasie, Vlasic, Lookman, Dowell
Strikers. Dembele, Giroud, DCL, Niasse, Sandro
If there was one player I would add to that squad it would be Zaha but I can't see it happening.
That squad needs a manager who isn't afraid to play youth and has a dynamic open style. First choice would be Tuchel although I accept that is just a pipe dream at the moment. I wouldn't be adverse to Silva though. I like what I've seen of him so far.
