This Summer is massive.

[Fuber]

If, and likely, we sell Scott.

Positional requirements all over the pitch, lack of depth abound

Loads of wages being/already cut between the likes of Bakes, Kalas, Massengo, Taylor Moore, Bentley, Martin, DaSilva, among others within the academy.

Decisions to be made on Vyner, Williams (both 12 months left); don't think we'll offer Andi nor James new terms.

Need early business sorted. This is going to a big one me thinks, not just for us but many clubs are cutting costs. Need to nail the recruitment, get settled and ready for the pre-season and kick on for next season early doors.

Is there a position we arguably don't need cover in? Right Back possibly with Wilson fit for next season alongside Tanner, but aside from that...

What are peoples thoughts? - Personally equal parts anxious and excited for what the window will bring.

Edited May 1, 2023 by Fuber

[BCFCGav]

Assuming we sell Scott, and Dasilva and Kalas make contract exits (all fair assumptions) - we need to be looking at CB and LB as a top priority, but RB and CM also need attention. 
 

If options arise then we can look at Keepers and Forwards but these are less urgent. Front line is stocked ok, Bell/Mehmeti for the left, Conway/Wells for central and Cornick/Sykes for the right. Max has been performing at top half Championship level on most metrics (saw a few weeks back).

[Numero Uno]

12 minutes ago, BCFCGav said:

Assuming we sell Scott, and Dasilva and Kalas make contract exits (all fair assumptions) - we need to be looking at CB and LB as a top priority, but RB and CM also need attention. 
 

If options arise then we can look at Keepers and Forwards but these are less urgent. Front line is stocked ok, Bell/Mehmeti for the left, Conway/Wells for central and Cornick/Sykes for the right. Max has been performing at top half Championship level on most metrics (saw a few weeks back).

Disagree on the keeper situation. I think we need Max competing against a realistic alternative. He's been "given" half a season by Pearson to show what he can do - a totally sensible scenario given we had to get Bentley off the wage bill - but free handouts for the Goalkeeping position should end next Monday. Our biggest weakness is individual mistakes in the defensive third of the pitch and competition needs to be fiercer at that end of the pitch imo including between the sticks. You can't have 20 players fighting for 10 spots and the Goalkeeper in the comfy club. Nige definitely alluded to defensive weakness on Saturday, which always becomes apparent when you are up against a bit of quality, and that is an area he will look to sort out as a priority in my view.

Edited May 1, 2023 by Numero Uno

[bcfc01]

I said in another thread somewhere that people seem to have forgotten Benarous.

With the potential he has, he could fill Scotts boots.

[Gillies Downs Leeds]

1 minute ago, bcfc01 said:

I said in another thread somewhere that people seem to have forgotten Benarous.

With the potential he has, he could fill Scotts boots.

Agreed he could, but will be lucky to see him in first half of the season I would think.

[Major Isewater]

Just now, bcfc01 said:

I said in another thread somewhere that people seem to have forgotten Benarous.

With the potential he has, he could fill Scotts boots.

His injuries have been one of the biggest disappointments for me this season. I was hoping that he’d step up and challenge Scott . 
Let’s hope he comes back as good as new and we can start to see him fulfill his potential. 

[The Swan and Cemetery]

Think we need some relatively dull, but important additions. Aka solid Championship, oven ready, aged 25 to 30-ish. Given the costs of top notch game changers, think the route to a great attacking midfielder or 20+ a season goal scorer needs be from the academy, lower leagues or Prem loans (I’m sceptical of the latter, given costs and costs of replacing once they’ve gone).

But if we’re going for it next season (sensible going for it, not ruin the future going for it) then we need players who can hit the ground running from day 1 and lower league transfers tend to need time to get up to speed/fitness and academy is a big leap, with obvious exceptions. So 2 or 3 decent, but won’t be extraordinary - why would they come to us, Championship players feels like sensible use of a chunk of the AS money (assuming it happens). Goalkeeper, defence and central midfield would be my priority areas to add depth… so basically everything apart from attack, where hope our existing players can be coached to be a bit more effective. Concede 5 fewer and score 5 more and we could be there or thereabouts. 

[Guest]

36 minutes ago, bcfc01 said:

I said in another thread somewhere that people seem to have forgotten Benarous.

With the potential he has, he could fill Scotts boots.

Don’t think the two will ever be comparable.

Scott is/was a once in a generation player for us, better than any player at his age any of us would have seen wearing the shirt.

Benarous has had two horrific injuries, I wish him well, but a comeback to playing would be fantastic and if he’s half the player Scott is he be doing well.

As to the rest we definitely need an experienced keeper to genuinely challenge Max.

A new LB / LWB, there is a lad at Fulham who is OOC and would fit the bill.

A CB if Kalas isn’t given a new contract, and a defensive midfield player to challenge Williams and James.

Another attacking midfielder to take Scott’s place in the squad.

A new contract for King who can continue his mentoring on and off the pitch.

NP has said that he wants Championship ready players, I would add a loan Premiership young midfielder to that list.

 

[Stockwood gate]

I know we have a lot of strikers but I wonder if we could sign Ashley Barnes for a season a big strong number 9 and a fairly local lad 

[And Its Smith]

3 minutes ago, Percy Pig said:

Sounds like we will have Bryan and McCrorie coming in, so that's LB and CB/CDM covered. 

I anticipate we'll probably pick up Currie too, with first team opportunities limited for him in year one (like Tanner). 

I'd like to see a giant centre back come in as I still feel we are susceptible at defensive set pieces and very poor from attacking ones.

And finally a central midfielder, who that is I haven't a clue. A 2023 Marvin Elliot would be nice

Depending on the view of Bajic a back up keeper is probably needed. The emergency loan system makes that less of a priority unless we need to bed someone in. 

After that, I'd look at how we go between season start and deadline day and see if we need anything to be supplemented in the loan market. 

I also think it would be prudent to hold some budget back for January. That way we can plug any gaps caused by injuries or if things have gone really well, add some fresh impetus for a playoff push.

 

Jake O’Brien can be that tall centre back. Intrigued to see if we sign a striker. The Bryan signing is interesting if it happens.  Will he be bought to play in the same XI as Pring or will they compete against each other?  Intriguing.  One of the best games I saw Bryan play was centre midfield but can’t imagine he will be played there 

[And Its Smith]

[Open End Numb Legs]

Always interesting where the recruits would come from. Championship ready (no sprinklers jokes) could mean a top L1 youngster or a Prem player who can't get a game now or just a current Champ rival who wants a change.

Wonder what Nige is thinking when he says that.

[BCFCGav]

58 minutes ago, Numero Uno said:

Disagree on the keeper situation. I think we need Max competing against a realistic alternative. He's been "given" half a season by Pearson to show what he can do - a totally sensible scenario given we had to get Bentley off the wage bill - but free handouts for the Goalkeeping position should end next Monday. Our biggest weakness is individual mistakes in the defensive third of the pitch and competition needs to be fiercer at that end of the pitch imo including between the sticks. You can't have 20 players fighting for 10 spots and the Goalkeeper in the comfy club. Nige definitely alluded to defensive weakness on Saturday, which always becomes apparent when you are up against a bit of quality, and that is an area he will look to sort out as a priority in my view.

Totally agree regarding not having 20 players and a ‘comfy’ culture, that’s why I spoke of needing players in at CB/RB/LB/CM and new players up top and in net if superior options are available. But I definitely don’t think GK will be a priority in our summer recruitment, it’s not nearly as urgent as 3 or 4 other positions.

[luke_bristol]

8 minutes ago, Stockwood gate said:

I know we have a lot of strikers but I wonder if we could sign Ashley Barnes for a season a big strong number 9 and a fairly local lad 

Funny you should mention him, a Burnley mate reckons he’s not gonna cut it for them in the Prem but believes he’s still class at this level and would be exactly what we’re looking for. Ex Paulton Rovers.
 

Unlikely to fit the wage and age structure though I’d imagine.

[Open End Numb Legs]

Barnes certainly has a presence, looks like the sort of player you want on your side in the middle of winter when the passing game might struggle.

[Stockwood gate]

I heard him say after they beat Middlesbrough game when they won promotion he was leaving at the end of this season we need a striker that is good with his back to goal 

[bcfc01]

10 minutes ago, Countryfile said:

Don’t think the two will ever be comparable.

Scott is/was a once in a generation player for us, better than any player at his age any of us would have seen wearing the shirt.

Benarous has had two horrific injuries, I wish him well, but a comeback to playing would be fantastic and if he’s half the player Scott is he be doing well.

 

The little I saw of Benarous, I very much liked.

He has enormous potential.

The two ACL injuries couldn't have come at a worse time for him and City and it may be that his potential has been limited similar to Christian Ribeiro, never the same player after his injury and retired early.

I don't know when he is due back, but if he can regain form and realise potential, he will be a big asset imo.

[And Its Smith]

Just now, bcfc01 said:

The little I saw of Benarous, I very much liked.

He has enormous potential.

The two ACL injuries couldn't have come at a worse time for him and City and it may be that his potential has been limited similar to Christian Ribeiro, never the same player after his injury and retired early.

I don't know when he is due back, but if he can regain form and realise potential, he will be a big asset imo.

 Cue he has a poor game in his second game back and there’s an OTIB thread saying he’s not good enough. 

[Mr Popodopolous]

I am thinking two centre backs if Kalas goes, 1 if he doesn't.

Remember in the last 12 months we have lost Baker and Klose and maybe Kalas too. Yes I know Naismith and others can fill in but given our record with injuries...

GK either to complete, cover or with a goal of taking the Number 1. Competition is healthy and drives standards.

LB if DaSilva goes.

One, maybe two CM- plausible that Scott, King, Massengo will all have gone- or King may be move to coaching.

In summary:

GK

CB- 2 if Kalas goes

LB- If Currie coming in, that makes DaSilva surplus.

CM- 1 and if Scott and or King go, 2.

Addition of Bryan would be excellent.

Possibly if Wilson goes, he's barely had a chance an RB/RWB too.

[Bristol Rob]

I thought it was the jungle what was massive.

Oh well, lives and learns. 

[Sir Geoff]

29 minutes ago, Stockwood gate said:

I know we have a lot of strikers but I wonder if we could sign Ashley Barnes for a season a big strong number 9 and a fairly local lad 

Did you actually watch him when he came on as sub, Saturday. He looked pounds overweight, struggled to get around and looked just to kick or push opponents. He looked well past it to me.

[And Its Smith]

4 minutes ago, Percy Pig said:

He could well be, or there might be more choice this summer. Either way it's something I'd like to see. Height has long been an issue for us.

I can't see us signing a forward, Wells and Conway are both more than good enough to lead the line if we are to continue with one centre forward and Bell, Cornick, Weimann and SPH should be enough cover. 

Maybe if there is a plan to use 352 or 41212 as an alternative system there is scope for one more, but it isn't going to be someone like Barnes who would expect games and expect a pretty massive wage. A prospect from the lower leagues perhaps, but I can't see it. 

Conway is gonna score 20 next season anyway. 

It depends what we want as to if Wells is good enough or not I would say.  He’s had an okay season but the difference between him and Conway is quite stark.  If we are happy with 10-11th then Wells is fine.  

[redsocks]

New gk,ch,mf,forward.got some good players to come back.

New gk

Tanner  Atkinson New ch pring

Sykes Williams New mid f joe Bryan?

Tommy Conway New forward

 

Subs ???????

[Redrascal2]

1 hour ago, Numero Uno said:

Disagree on the keeper situation. I think we need Max competing against a realistic alternative. He's been "given" half a season by Pearson to show what he can do - a totally sensible scenario given we had to get Bentley off the wage bill - but free handouts for the Goalkeeping position should end next Monday. Our biggest weakness is individual mistakes in the defensive third of the pitch and competition needs to be fiercer at that end of the pitch imo including between the sticks. You can't have 20 players fighting for 10 spots and the Goalkeeper in the comfy club. Nige definitely alluded to defensive weakness on Saturday, which always becomes apparent when you are up against a bit of quality, and that is an area he will look to sort out as a priority in my view.

Spot on. I know I will be told but I do not see what he has ever done to earn the number 1 spot. Apart from being the cheap option. We need competition and quality in goal.

[Jerseybean]

This closed-season will be the first where NP is not clearing out loads of players and it presents an opportunity to strengthen in key areas. My hope is we can secure our targets early on and everyone can have a really good pre-season. NP has recently said, ‘The bottom line is this, the culture that the players are very much part of creating is about having really healthy competition, relative fairness, I can't say football is always going to be fair because it's not, there's always going to be grumpy players somewhere but I want healthy competition in the club but I want us to aim high.’ When looking at what he has done it really does align with his bottom line approach.

He has consistently said he likes to get deals sorted early and we’ve already been given a strong indication of who, if possible, we hope to recruit.

As has been mentioned earlier in this thread we will likely get ‘dull’ signings e.g. players we know little about. I’m happy with that based on the additions of Sykes, Mehmeti, Atkinson, Tanner and (hopefully) Wilson and Cornick (once they are fully fit) all were unknown to me but they all look capable and have potential to develop/improve.

In NP and his team I trust.

 

[Fuber]

1 hour ago, bcfc01 said:

I said in another thread somewhere that people seem to have forgotten Benarous.

With the potential he has, he could fill Scotts boots.

Personally I'm discounting him (currently) until he can prove fitness - double ACL (initial and recurrence) are very worrying given his age. Its giving me Christian Ribeiro Knee/Hamstring vibes, hopefully he can prove myself (and others) with concerns over his fitness completely wrong and have breakthrough similar to Conway this season.

Until that time - any minutes next season injury free are a positive - I'm definitely not putting him into the "Possible Scott Replacement" Bracket anytime soon. Lets see him get through A pre-season and full recovery period first. No point overestimating any potential he may or may not have until he can prove fitness. Its the same reason I'm discounting Williams having an impact much next season - I could arguably see him being offloaded for the same reason we're not renewing Kalas' deal.

All a matter of opinion of course - just my two cents.

[George Rs]

I agree about benarous, but I think if he were to come back and get minutes next seasons he’s a lot closer to OTC then he is to Alex. Thought he had a good time during his brief stint in the team but that was what 18 months ago. A lot of time having not played. 

[Fuber]

Currently - outside of younger academy players (Taylor-Clarke, Low, etc), with assumptions on the exit of Kalas, DaSilva, among others - it looks like the below currently.

Assuming Scott is sold:

Edited May 1, 2023 by Fuber

[Mr Popodopolous]

19 minutes ago, redsocks said:

New gk,ch,mf,forward.got some good players to come back.

New gk

Tanner  Atkinson New ch pring

Sykes Williams New mid f joe Bryan?

Tommy Conway New forward

 

Subs ???????

That may leave us open in midfield tbh, 2 up front, 4-4-2...especially in the more conventional sense with 2 full backs and 2 wider players.

Where's Naismith in that? Mehmeti benched or? Weimann, Wells, Bell all out of the side. Are we suddenly switching to 4-4-2?

Is Vyner benched or out entirely. O'Leary to the bench presumably.

Oh one more thing, pretty sure Atkinson maybe sadly out until November.

Edited May 1, 2023 by Mr Popodopolous

[ExiledAjax]

I'm quite ok with a back 5 of O'Leary, Tanner, Vyner, Atkinson and Pring. Atkinson might be out for the start of the season so we need someone who can play, but generally I think any signings for the back 5 need to be about competition and cover so perfectly ok to go cheap and young there in my opinion. Personally I'd try hard to get Kalas to agree terms, but if he won't then he won't. I don't see a need for a like-for-like replacement and would instead spend his wages on two young CBs.

Midfield will be about replacing Scott and building for a future without King and James. Williams needs cover as well, and Benarous is a bit unknown. So we definitely need a midfielder or two, preferably someone who can be a 40 game guy, but there's some wiggle room there. Possibly Bryan plus A N Other.

Out wide I think we're sorted on the left, especially if Bryan joins as he, Bell, Mehmeti and Pring can cover and provide quite a bit of flexibility there. The right is less sorted so I'd be happy to see a right sided winger/attacking full back signed to provide some option there.

Up front I think we're ok. Conway to lead supported by Cornick, Wells and Weimann is fine, and could be great if we sign the right midfielders to supply them better than has been done this season.

So for me the priority is first XI ready players at CM and RW, then some cover/competition/development at CB and GK. Anything beyond that feels luxurious tbh.

4 or 5 to come in I think.

Edited May 1, 2023 by ExiledAjax

[Fuber]

Possible Leaving (12-Months Remaining on current contracts) - Vyner, Williams, Weimann - Of which, due to availability and rumours, I actually think Vyner is the most likely to leave.

I make that as (due to Atkinson's ACL injury) us needing the following:
 - Goalkeeper, as competition for O'Leary)

- Left-Back, as competition for Pring)

- Centre-Backs (x2) , Competition for Naismith, Atkinson; possibility of Vyner leaving (see rumours). Towler being sold in retrospect a poor decision.

- Centre-Midfielders (x2), competition/replacing James, Williams, Wiemann, and King. Allowing Taylor-Clarke a loan to League One. If rumours are correct one of them may be McCrorie for height/strength, likely to play alongside James.

- Utility Forward/Winger - i.e. Ogbene, to replace the pace and/or strength lost selling Semenyo, possible loan.

Something I also note - is that pending Sheffield Wednesday taking up the option I believe Bakinson's contract also expires end of this season (June 2023) so more wages freed up, although likely closer in figure to Taylor Moore and DaSilva monetarily.
 

[Son of Fred]

5 minutes ago, Percy Pig said:

Jesus I'm glad you're not our coach. 

He'd need to be to make that work

[redsocks]

It does not matter what we think at the end of the day we don't pick the side.eveybody has a opinion what the team should be but it the manager who picks the team and we just need to support his decision.what ever that is.lets Hope next season might be the one.

COYR 

[Mr Popodopolous]

8 minutes ago, Percy Pig said:

Not to mention Matty James, who is by a considerable margin our most consistent player... 

Of course, yeah he's very important- glue, adhesive- best in a 3, I was bit thrown by 4-4-2 by the poster who put that team out, why on earth would we change to that.

Edited May 1, 2023 by Mr Popodopolous

[GrahamC]

42 minutes ago, ExiledAjax said:

I'm quite ok with a back 5 of O'Leary, Tanner, Vyner, Atkinson and Pring. Atkinson might be out for the start of the season so we need someone who can play, but generally I think any signings for the back 5 need to be about competition and cover so perfectly ok to go cheap and young there in my opinion. Personally I'd try hard to get Kalas to agree terms, but if he won't then he won't. I don't see a need for a like-for-like replacement and would instead spend his wages on two young CBs.

Midfield will be about replacing Scott and building for a future without King and James. Williams needs cover as well, and Benarous is a bit unknown. So we definitely need a midfielder or two, preferably someone who can be a 40 game guy, but there's some wiggle room there. Possibly Bryan plus A N Other.

Out wide I think we're sorted on the left, especially if Bryan joins as he, Bell, Mehmeti and Pring can cover and provide quite a bit of flexibility there. The right is less sorted so I'd be happy to see a right sided winger/attacking full back signed to provide some option there.

Up front I think we're ok. Conway to lead supported by Cornick, Wells and Weimann is fine, and could be great if we sign the right midfielders to supply them better than has been done this season.

So for me the priority is first XI ready players at CM and RW, then some cover/competition/development at CB and GK. Anything beyond that feels luxurious tbh.

4 or 5 to come in I think.

Atkinson said in his interview last week when he signed his new deal that his injury was a “7 to 9 month one” which means he’s not going to be back much before November at the very earliest.

Agree with lots of the rest, the decision on whether we keep Kalas or not will determine whether we bring in 1 CB or 2, McCrorie seems highly likely to arrive but no one really knows if we see him as a RB, RM, CB or DM, the answer to which will become clearer based on our other signings.

Aside from up front (where we won’t be signing Ashley bloody Barnes), you could make a good case for adding someone in every area, but I doubt we will.

[Atyeo's Love Child]

15 minutes ago, GrahamC said:

Atkinson said in his interview last week when he signed his new deal that his injury was a “7 to 9 month one” which means he’s not going to be back much before November at the very earliest.

Agree with lots of the rest, the decision on whether we keep Kalas or not will determine whether we bring in 1 CB or 2, McCrorie seems highly likely to arrive but no one really knows if we see him as a RB, RM, CB or DM, the answer to which will become clearer based on our other signings.

Aside from up front (where we won’t be signing Ashley bloody Barnes), you could make a good case for adding someone in every area, but I doubt we will.

Where does the Ashley Barnes rumour come from, somebody mentioned to me on Sat that this was a possibility. Surely we don’t need another older forward player.

[Lanterne Rouge]

7 minutes ago, Atyeo's Love Child said:

Where does the Ashley Barnes rumour come from, somebody mentioned to me on Sat that this was a possibility. Surely we don’t need another older forward player.

I think it`s just that he`s OOC and local. People putting 2 and 2 together and getting about 73!

[Rocky]

2 hours ago, Stockwood gate said:

I know we have a lot of strikers but I wonder if we could sign Ashley Barnes for a season a big strong number 9 and a fairly local lad 

 

2 hours ago, Stockwood gate said:

I know we have a lot of strikers but I wonder if we could sign Ashley Barnes for a season a big strong number 9 and a fairly local lad 

 

2 hours ago, Stockwood gate said:

I know we have a lot of strikers but I wonder if we could sign Ashley Barnes for a season a big strong number 9 and a fairly local lad 

He shook hands with Nige quite warmly when he was subbed on. Have they been at the same club before?

Edited May 1, 2023 by Rocky

[Major Isewater]

40 minutes ago, Rocky said:

 

 

He shook hands with Nige quite warmly when he was subbed on. Have they been at the same club before?

Derby.

[redkev]

3 hours ago, bcfc01 said:

I said in another thread somewhere that people seem to have forgotten Benarous.

With the potential he has, he could fill Scotts boots.

I sort of agree Benarous was very highly thought of coming through the ranks , however he has had a serious injury and then a set back so a lot will depend if we get the same Benarous back , obviously hope so for us and the lad himself 

[Davefevs]

4 hours ago, Gillies Downs Leeds said:

Agreed he could, but will be lucky to see him in first half of the season I would think.

The club comm’d it on 7th Dec…which was a small time after it happened.

The rumour is he’s doing a lot of work to hopefully be able to do a proper pre-season with the rest of the squad.  Might mean easing him back in gently.  But I guess they’re hoping he will be available for the start of the season / early season.

Re OP, I’m gonna assume that if we can get McCrorie, O’Brien, Currie and Bryan done early then we won’t be a million miles away.  Probably one more player I reckon…

…unless players start leaving too.

We will know a lot more by the 3rd Saturday in May when the retained list has to be submitted.  So, we will know a bit more about what’s needed then.

Massengo, Moore, Morton, Owers, Dasilva will be off.

Kalas is 50/50 and I’m at the point where I just can’t call it, so I’ll just accept whatever club decide and can’t moan either way.

Others:

Edwards I think will go, but like Bakinson, we might excuse option to try and get a fee.

Kadji I think is OOC but suspect he has an option, so ditto Edwards.

Wilson I think will be off, either loan or perm.

All good fun.

 

[Cityboy1954]

3 hours ago, ExiledAjax said:

I'm quite ok with a back 5 of O'Leary, Tanner, Vyner, Atkinson and Pring. Atkinson might be out for the start of the season so we need someone who can play, but generally I think any signings for the back 5 need to be about competition and cover so perfectly ok to go cheap and young there in my opinion. Personally I'd try hard to get Kalas to agree terms, but if he won't then he won't. I don't see a need for a like-for-like replacement and would instead spend his wages on two young CBs.

Midfield will be about replacing Scott and building for a future without King and James. Williams needs cover as well, and Benarous is a bit unknown. So we definitely need a midfielder or two, preferably someone who can be a 40 game guy, but there's some wiggle room there. Possibly Bryan plus A N Other.

Out wide I think we're sorted on the left, especially if Bryan joins as he, Bell, Mehmeti and Pring can cover and provide quite a bit of flexibility there. The right is less sorted so I'd be happy to see a right sided winger/attacking full back signed to provide some option there.

Up front I think we're ok. Conway to lead supported by Cornick, Wells and Weimann is fine, and could be great if we sign the right midfielders to supply them better than has been done this season.

So for me the priority is first XI ready players at CM and RW, then some cover/competition/development at CB and GK. Anything beyond that feels luxurious tbh.

4 or 5 to come in I think.

Although weve got quite s few strikers as mentioned they are mostlx the same we need a bully for conway anf Bell to feed off.

Edited May 1, 2023 by Cityboy1954

[chinapig]

14 minutes ago, Cityboy1954 said:

Although weve got quite s few strikers as mentioned they are mostlx the same we need a bully for conway anf Bell to feed off.

From what he has said Nigel wants us to press high and attack with pace. I doubt he will want us to launch it to a big man in the hope it might drop to someone. Chris Martin was moved on in part because he no longer suited the way we want to play.

It seems pretty clear we won't be looking to sign a striker in any event.

[redkev]

35 minutes ago, Davefevs said:

The club comm’d it on 7th Dec…which was a small time after it happened.

The rumour is he’s doing a lot of work to hopefully be able to do a proper pre-season with the rest of the squad.  Might mean easing him back in gently.  But I guess they’re hoping he will be available for the start of the season / early season.

Re OP, I’m gonna assume that if we can get McCrorie, O’Brien, Currie and Bryan done early then we won’t be a million miles away.  Probably one more player I reckon…

…unless players start leaving too.

We will know a lot more by the 3rd Saturday in May when the retained list has to be submitted.  So, we will know a bit more about what’s needed then.

Massengo, Moore, Morton, Owers, Dasilva will be off.

Kalas is 50/50 and I’m at the point where I just can’t call it, so I’ll just accept whatever club decide and can’t moan either way.

Others:

Edwards I think will go, but like Bakinson, we might excuse option to try and get a fee.

Kadji I think is OOC but suspect he has an option, so ditto Edwards.

Wilson I think will be off, either loan or perm.

All good fun.

 

Bryan , is that joe Bryan ? 

[Cityboy1954]

13 minutes ago, chinapig said:

From what he has said Nigel wants us to press high and attack with pace. I doubt he will want us to launch it to a big man in the hope it might drop to someone. Chris Martin was moved on in part because he no longer suited the way we want to play.

It seems pretty clear we won't be looking to sign a striker in any event.

Every team got a big bloke in their squad luton watford Birmingham  Burnley etc you got to have options as conway and Bell can get bullied by Big defenders .

Edited May 1, 2023 by Cityboy1954

[Davefevs]

15 minutes ago, redkev said:

Bryan , is that joe Bryan ? 

Yes

[chinapig]

9 minutes ago, Cityboy1954 said:

Every team got a big bloke in their squad luton watford Birmingham  Burnley etc you got to have options as conway and Bell can get bullied by Big defenders .

Nigel's preferred set up is 2 up front with 1 behind. Conway is nailed on, being a natural goalscorer. Which leaves Cornick, Wells, Weimann and Bell as the other options.

Cornick we would have signed in the summer but the Semenyo money allowed us to bring it forward.

There is no scope for another striker and I don't think Nigel wants one anyway.

[marcofisher]

Have I missed something re. Bryan? I couldn't imagine him likely to sign but he is being mentioned frequently here!

[Cityboy1954]

1 minute ago, chinapig said:

Nigel's preferred set up is 2 up front with 1 behind. Conway is nailed on, being a natural goalscorer. Which leaves Cornick, Wells, Weimann and Bell as the other options.

Cornick we would have signed in the summer but the Semenyo money allowed us to bring it forward.

There is no scope for another striker and I don't think Nigel wants one anyway.

Next season wells and weinmann will be that much older cornick the jury is out the second half of the season weve struggled in front of goal we will have to wait and see.

[chinapig]

6 minutes ago, Cityboy1954 said:

Next season wells and weinmann will be that much older cornick the jury is out the second half of the season weve struggled in front of goal we will have to wait and see.

You'll have to take that up with Nigel, who has made it pretty clear he is happy with what he has and doesn't want to collect players. He's not a "clubs in the bag" manager thankfully.

I would say our issue is not missing chances but not creating enough, our final ball not being consistently good enough.

[Mr Popodopolous]

3 minutes ago, chinapig said:

You'll have to take that up with Nigel, who has made it pretty clear he is happy with what he has and doesn't want to collect players. He's not a "clubs in the bag" manager thankfully.

I would say our issue is not missing chances but not creating enough, our final ball not being consistently good enough.

Seems to vary based on clutches of games I find.

Some games we create well but conversion poor or some periods I should say, some games we don't create so much but may snap up a good chunk of our total shots. A bit feast or famine but overall we certainly create and have created more at home.

Edited May 1, 2023 by Mr Popodopolous

[Jerseybean]

Paraphrasing PA our CEO, who was interviewed on Radio Bristol this evening, who said, his focus has been on working with Tins and Nige to get the players in. They have been working on stuff for two to three months.

[Cityboy1954]

1 hour ago, chinapig said:

You'll have to take that up with Nigel, who has made it pretty clear he is happy with what he has and doesn't want to collect players. He's not a "clubs in the bag" manager thankfully.

I would say our issue is not missing chances but not creating enough, our final ball not being consistently good enough.

Agree on that but hopefully he plays mehmetti who he sees as the maverick and can actually cross a ball

[BCFC Rich]

6 hours ago, marcofisher said:

Have I missed something re. Bryan? I couldn't imagine him likely to sign but he is being mentioned frequently here!

Strong rumors from good sources that it's a done deal. Check out the thread in the transfer section for all the details. 

[Fuber]

On 02/05/2023 at 03:12, BCFC Rich said:

Strong rumors from good sources that it's a done deal. Check out the thread in the transfer section for all the details. 

Still not sure what to make of it myself. Must be on a decent wedge nearer to Kalas than Jay's wages.

[W-S-M Seagull]

On 01/05/2023 at 15:29, The Swan and Cemetery said:

Think we need some relatively dull, but important additions. Aka solid Championship, oven ready, aged 25 to 30-ish. Given the costs of top notch game changers, think the route to a great attacking midfielder or 20+ a season goal scorer needs be from the academy, lower leagues or Prem loans (I’m sceptical of the latter, given costs and costs of replacing once they’ve gone).

But if we’re going for it next season (sensible going for it, not ruin the future going for it) then we need players who can hit the ground running from day 1 and lower league transfers tend to need time to get up to speed/fitness and academy is a big leap, with obvious exceptions. So 2 or 3 decent, but won’t be extraordinary - why would they come to us, Championship players feels like sensible use of a chunk of the AS money (assuming it happens). Goalkeeper, defence and central midfield would be my priority areas to add depth… so basically everything apart from attack, where hope our existing players can be coached to be a bit more effective. Concede 5 fewer and score 5 more and we could be there or thereabouts. 

I'm slightly confused by this. Solid Championship players between 25-30 who are in their prime, cost a premium. So going for them would be ruining our future. That's what got us in this mess to begin with so I'm not sure it is a sensible use of the money? 

[1960maaan]

Looking at it as dispassionately as possible.

29 , possibly older than I thought our incomers would be. 
Has the strength and aerial ability to cope in the Championship with bags of experience. 
According to Transfermarkt hasn't played a lot this season. 
Style is more suited to challenge/alternate with Cam Pring than JD 
Could add needed goals to MF 
OOC in June so should be no fee 
While seemingly not money motivated, would surely be more expensive than JD. 

I liked him , I thought he could easily play in CM when he was here so would fit the versatile player role needed with a small squad. We know his delivery should be a step up from Jay, plus he is more 2 footed.
If the finances are right, could be a good move for both parties .

[The Swan and Cemetery]

5 hours ago, W-S-M Seagull said:

I'm slightly confused by this. Solid Championship players between 25-30 who are in their prime, cost a premium. So going for them would be ruining our future. That's what got us in this mess to begin with so I'm not sure it is a sensible use of the money? 

Solid as in 1st team at (eg) Rotherham, not leading the line for Burnley. Not sure they would be folk who’d bust budgets, particularly if out of contract.