‘Silly Season’ begins…But what do we really need?
Posted on May 25th, 2011 | 35 Comments |
Right, now that we’ve got the football season ‘in the can’, let the ‘silly season’ begin!
After a pretty straight forward first season back in the Premier League what have we learned about the team?
Who’s gonna be walking away to pastures new, who’s gonna be staying, who and what do we need to push up the league next time out?
With the news that Sol Campbell and Shefki Kuqi have been released we’re already 2 bodies down. Admittedly, they didn’t have much input throughout the season, but they will free up some important cash for wages. As the gossip about this player or that coming or going builds in the media and fan sites, what can we really hope for?
It seems we’ve already signed a young French/Tunisian in Mehdi Abeid, with a little help along the way from Hatem Ben Arfa and Cheick Tiote, which bodes well, in my book, as it means that they both seem to be staying to help build a good squad. Of course, it could mean nothing of the sort!
Has Jose Enrique played his final game for the Toon, or is he ‘nailed on’ for the departure lounge?
Will Joey and Kev, our 2 captains be retained?
All will no doubt become clear in due course.
What do we really need?
Obviously, there’s a gaping hole in the locker room where the number 9 shirt hangs which must be addressed. But are we in the market for an additional striker?
I reckon we need at least a number 8/10 kind of player, even though I think Hatem Ben Arfa is gonna have some game time in that position. I also think HBA should be allowed to ‘wander’ the pitch a bit too, flitting from wing to wing and popping up in a striker role.
We could seriously do with another creative midfielder. One with pace and guile in equal measure. While we have Joey Barton, who has a great cross/pass on him, he does lack a bit of pace. One good buy could solve this, but pace must be foremost when signing anyone. We still have Haris Vuckic to break through in a midfield / forward slot.
Then there’s the back line!
If Jose does walk/slope off, we’ll be needing a left back as we don’t have a natural replacement right now, though Shane Ferguson is heading in the right direction. Maybe it’s a little early for him as a Left back, but who knows how he’ll work out throughout the summer, I’m sure the club will be building him up a little in the off-season.
With the departure of Campbell, we’ll probably be needing a CB squad player. Is Perch ready for that? He can play across the back four, apparently?
Then there’s Tamas Kadar.
Are there any of our young lads ready to step up in the right back postion as cover?
As you can see and I’m sure it’s the same for a lot of you lot, it’s all questions at this point in procedings. There’s a hell of a long way to go and it’s gonna be a long summer of musings, in’s and out’s, negotiations, victories and disappointments. With a few new faces this squad can easily be improved enough to finish better than we just have. Certain key players must be retained and a few young ‘uns could make a breakthrough. We’ll also be letting a few go out on loan and releasing a few.
What do you think needs to happen, where should we strengthen, who should be sold, who should be ‘let go’ and who’s gonna make the grade?
We’re gonna hear all sorts of ‘stuff’ in the next couple of months, some will be real, loads of it will be best ignored, i suggest a big deep breath before it really kicks in.
Here we go…
Howay the Lads!
Very nice little ‘blog Clint!