tadpole
Player Valuation: £15m
We seem to be linked with a bewildering number of players at the moment, but assuming that we've got the usual limited budget, and that we're not planning to sell off any of our key players, what are our top priorities ?
In the last few months our defence has been outstanding, but we've suffered from a lack of creativity in midfield which has led to our strikers struggling to maintain their form. A factor is this has been the injuries to Cahill, and the health problems which have affected Arteta's form and fitness. I say this not to make excuses for recent results, but to suggest that we're not that far from where we need to be. I reckon we'll let Fernandes go, but that Carsley will sign up for another year. We should be looking for one or two pacey attacking midfielders with some ability on a dead ball and an eye for goal, and for a longterm replacement for Carsley who will also reduce the need to play Pip in midfield. It looks as if we'll be making a bid for Bradley, and that Moyes has got his eye on a few other class midfielders, so we could have a very tasty looking lineup next season.
My feeling is we won't buy any strikers unless there's ongoing concerns about Vaughan's fitness, and even then we're more likely to go for someone on loan.
No word yet as to whether we'll be releasing Gardner. Dickie Dunne would be a great acquisition if he's available, but if we got him then one of our 3 other centre backs - perhaps Yobo - would soon become surplus to requirements.
Though I can't see us losing Neville or Hibbert, it would be great to sign an attacking right back who could give our game an extra dimension. Glen Johnson would certainly fit the bill.
Finally are we happy with the goalkeeping cover that we have now ?
In the last few months our defence has been outstanding, but we've suffered from a lack of creativity in midfield which has led to our strikers struggling to maintain their form. A factor is this has been the injuries to Cahill, and the health problems which have affected Arteta's form and fitness. I say this not to make excuses for recent results, but to suggest that we're not that far from where we need to be. I reckon we'll let Fernandes go, but that Carsley will sign up for another year. We should be looking for one or two pacey attacking midfielders with some ability on a dead ball and an eye for goal, and for a longterm replacement for Carsley who will also reduce the need to play Pip in midfield. It looks as if we'll be making a bid for Bradley, and that Moyes has got his eye on a few other class midfielders, so we could have a very tasty looking lineup next season.
My feeling is we won't buy any strikers unless there's ongoing concerns about Vaughan's fitness, and even then we're more likely to go for someone on loan.
No word yet as to whether we'll be releasing Gardner. Dickie Dunne would be a great acquisition if he's available, but if we got him then one of our 3 other centre backs - perhaps Yobo - would soon become surplus to requirements.
Though I can't see us losing Neville or Hibbert, it would be great to sign an attacking right back who could give our game an extra dimension. Glen Johnson would certainly fit the bill.
Finally are we happy with the goalkeeping cover that we have now ?
