What positions need strengthening still ?

[Ashtonian]

The the thing is, on Martinez's track record so far in buying young players, would the squad be stronger if you added;

Henan
Ledson
Holgate
Rodriguez

at the very least into the squad? If they were all good enough to play there? We could talk about new signings for days but if the above (who are earmarked for the team) come good then how many new signings will be truly need? Galloway/Mori replace Jags, Besic replaces barry, Ledson to replace gibson/besic, Leandro to replace kone, Henan to add a winger, Holgate to replace hibbert.

 

[Zatara]

Right back we have Holgate / Pennington and also Kenny coming through not to mention Mattioni.

Think we just need 3.

I always work on the basis that you need at least two players for each position - three if you play with one striker

I would bet good money that we see the following players leave either in January or at the end of the season:

Howard
Hibbert
Osman
Pienaar
McGeady
Oviedo

That would leave you with the following as proper first team options:

GK: Robles
RB: Coleman
LB: Baines, Garbutt
CB: Stones, Jagielka, Funes Mori, Galloway
CM: Barry, McCarthy, Gibson, Besic
AM: Barkley, Cleverley, Naismith
RM: Deulofeu, Lennon
LM: Mirallas
ST: Lukaku, Kone


Granted, a couple of those players can pay in more than one position, but assuming I'm right about the players who will end up leaving (and 4 of those 6 are out of contract), that leaves you with goalkeeper, right back, left mid and striker as the priority areas.

 

[Verbal Kint]

I heard Kieran Dowell is a real Yarmolenko type.. People raving about him

 

[messymascot]

Goalkeeper, Left Winger, Striker, Attacking Midfielder.

If Mattioni is any good and avoids injury he would be back up right back if not add that position to the list.

Release Hibbert, Gibson, Oviedo, Osman, Pienaar and Junior. Sell McGeady, Naismith, Howard and McAleny.

Squad would look like this
GK New/Robles
RB Coleman/Mattioni or New
LB Baines/Garbutt
CB Stones/Browning/Pennington
CB Jagielka/Mori/Galloway
CM McCarthy/Besic
CM Cleverley/Barry
RW Deulofeu/Lennon
AM Barkley/New
LW New/Mirallas/Kone
ST Lukaku/New/Rodriguez

Competition in every position and still a decent mix of youth and experience.

 

[sportbillyblue]

Goalkeeper, Left Winger, Striker, Attacking Midfielder.

If Mattioni is any good and avoids injury he would be back up right back if not add that position to the list.

Release Hibbert, Gibson, Oviedo, Osman, Pienaar and Junior. Sell McGeady, Naismith, Howard and McAleny.

Squad would look like this
GK New/Robles
RB Coleman/Mattioni or New
LB Baines/Garbutt
CB Stones/Browning/Pennington
CB Jagielka/Mori/Galloway
CM McCarthy/Besic
CM Cleverley/Barry
RW Deulofeu/Lennon
AM Barkley/New
LW New/Mirallas/Kone
ST Lukaku/New/Rodriguez

Competition in every position and still a decent mix of youth and experience.

You're missing a lot of quality young 'uns in your list e.g. Ledson, Kenny, Walsh, Wiliiams and others named elsewhere.

If we have limited funds to build and improve .. as inevitably will be the case, I'd limit our needs to a new goalie and striker. If we could afford Butland and Yarmalenko (or similar quality) I feel that we would be nigh on complete and ready for a big push.

If we could get Felliani back on the cheap (e.g. swapsies for McCarthy) I think he would give us a Plan C/D ... certainly adds a different dimension.

 

[messymascot]

You're missing a lot of quality young 'uns in your list e.g. Ledson, Kenny, Walsh, Wiliiams and others named elsewhere.

If we have limited funds to build and improve .. as inevitably will be the case, I'd limit our needs to a new goalie and striker. If we could afford Butland and Yarmalenko (or similar quality) I feel that we would be nigh on complete and ready for a big push.

If we could get Felliani back on the cheap (e.g. swapsies for McCarthy) I think he would give us a Plan C/D ... certainly adds a different dimension.

They are just the players that need listed in 25 man squad next year. The talented youngsters will be able to go out on loan and gain vital experience. I've put Galloway with 25 man squad as he has made the breakthrough.

 

[Caolam]

Goalkeeper
Back up centre forward
Playmaker

 

[maccavennie]

Goalkeeper
Back up centre forward
Playmaker

I basically want a playmaker who can slot in on the left hand side. A Pienaar type player and I reckon we will be rockin and a rollin then ( all based on bringing in a top quality keeper of course )