So so so so so happy to finally put Premier League as a tag now.
10 Long Years. It felt that long just watching our games under Gary Megson.
But anyways, now that I've run out of booze and moved onto sobering up, I've been thinking, who should we sign?
So, let's have a look at the squad:
Goalkeeper:
No one is going to dislodge Kasper, that's if he signs of course. I'm sure he will. However, it would definitely be wise to find a goalkeeper suitable as back up. Sorry Conrad. Do we go for someone like Richard Wright? He'd happily sit on a chair for anyone (Man City at the moment) and is a better option than Logan.
Defence:
Looking at our own backline, I believe we need someone to provide Ritchie De Laet direct competition. Kyle Naughton looks like he's on his way out at Tottenham & that maybe an option.
Will Konchesky cut it at Premier League Level again? I still think he has a quality left foot and has been pretty consistent all season, as has jeff schlupp. Neil Taylor will surely be available from Swansea, depending on what happens to their left
At Centre Back? Well, Liam Moore, Wes Morgan & Wasyl will all be vying for places, plus, we have Zac Whitbread & Sean St Ledgers futures to decide. If both leave, then another Centre-Back will needed to be signed. Michael Keane could be a very good option. I think he's ready for premier league football & I doubt he's going to get a look in at United.
The Dream Signing: Steven Caulker
Let's face it, Cardiff would've stayed up comfortably had it not been for Doctor Evil Tan. He's simply a class defender but I suspect if Billy Big B******s at Tottenham has his way, we could probably see him back at White Heart Lane. Plus, I'm pretty sure Cardiff will fight tooth & nail for every penny back from their transfer spree.
Midfield:
I'm pretty sure if Danny Drinkwater takes his form onto next season, he will go on to play for England. Matty James has been a very solid midfielder and I have full confidence he can handle the step up. That goes for King too, who gives us a different kind of edge in terms of attacking from deep. Dean Hammond looks like he'll be a squad player again, so I do believe a similar type of player to him would be needed.
We'd also need to be looking at acquiring one more winger. That might come in the form of a championship player as I think we'd be able to get a better deal & will be outpriced for an experienced premier league winger. Antonio of Sheffield Wednesday really impressed me. Albert Adomah is another winger who has an awful lot of talent too. Though, it'll take a lot to dislodge Knockaert & Mahrez from the starting line-up. They are two special players indeed those frenchman.
Crazy Dream Signing: Tom Cleverly.
I know pretty much the rest of england hates him, but we all saw the potential that boy has. He's just in an unhealthy environment at the moment with United. What he needs is love & familiar faces. He'd get that at Leicester. He's played with Danny Drinkwater, Matty James, Ritchie De Laet, Andy King & Lloyd Dyer. He's been managed by Pearson. There are rumours that Pearson even tried to sign him permanently when we were promoted to the championship, which explains why he ended up at Watford.
If he were to thrive in any environment, it'd be at Leicester City where the pressure would be off him and he would finally be able to show the premier league what he really can do.
Strikers:
It's simple. We need the kind of striker who needs a maximum of 3 touches to score. It hit me when I watched Aleksander Mitrovic, of our good friends at Anderlecht, chest the ball under control after a long ball over his shoulder, flick the ball over the on rushing keeper and the volleying it into the bag.
However, he's worth easily 15 million and ha like that would happen.
We need to do a bit of searching to find that striker. Who knows, we might have him in our ranks somewhere.
Dream Signing: Some unknown guy Steve Walsh Snr found on his trip in the deep amazon rain forest. Well... who'd you have?!
Well that's all I got.
BRING ON THE PREMIER LEAGUE!
Now that we're promoted... Transfer List
posted on 7/4/14
To be honest as we've seen previously, I don't think Pearson will even contemplate anyone who won't bleed blue for the cause. But at championship level, Rhodes has more than proven his worth, so to take the step up wouldn't be that big a deal Imo. And if he feels the need to go down after ankle taps.....to play against the big boys you have to play their big boy games!
posted on 7/4/14
It's not even the ethics of diving that bothers me, it's the fact he risks losing possession when he does it and would undermine our game plan.
posted on 7/4/14
As mentioned before, maybe Patrick Bamford, although I can't see Chelsea selling so maybe a season loan. But as a Vardy fan I see them being too inexperienced together. In any case it's going to be an exciting pre season this year and I can't wait
posted on 7/4/14
What about Darren Bent if Fulham get relegated? I can't see a player like him wanting to play Championship football, and I think him and Vardy would be a decent pairing up front. I dont think we need a massive overhaul like Cardiff done, but if you had Caulker in, who would you drop? Who would be your starting back four if he was the only defensive signing. Also another great signing for me would be getting Kasper on a new contract
posted on 7/4/14
I think there's a reason Darren Bent doesn't get into the Fulham team & why he's been dislodged by the likes of Cauley Woodrow.
He doesn't work hard enough.
Our style of play demands putting pressure on the front foot & defending from the front. Bent just doesn't work hard enough.
Plus, his wages would be far too much.
posted on 7/4/14
Darren Bent is another Beckford for me. Only Fulham player who seemed to be trying and think they wouldn't have half of the points without him, his 6 or so goals have really dragged them through games. Great premiership experience to add to James and DD.
posted on 7/4/14
^^^^^Is Sidwell ^^^^. One day on hols and my brain turned to mush...
posted on 7/4/14
So now that we have all absolved our sins in the form of writing letters to the manager, it's time to go shopping :D
Goalkeeper - Definitely need an understudy to Kasper (assuming he stays). Would go for either an experienced understudy like a Steve Harper or an inexperienced goalie in his mid 20's with bags of potential. The two names that immediately sprung to mind were Wes Foderingham at Swindon or Declan Rudd, on loan at Preston from Norwich.
Right back - De Laet has made massive improvements this season, but if Moore is being groomed into a centre half, then RDL needs some competition. Jack Hunt or Kieron Trippier (if Burnley blow it) would be good choices, or Andre Wisdom on loan.
Centre half - Need a pacy centre half to complement what we already have. Alex Pearce at Reading could be worth a shout.
Left back - Despite having two solid Championship LBs, I'm unsure whether Schlupp (lack of exp) or Konch (lack of pace) are either ready or up to the challenge. Aaron Cresswell at Ipswich is a player I like.
Wing - Knockaert and Mahrez are continuing to improve and I think both are ready for their chance. But I think another one to go alongside those and Lloyd is a must. Anthony Pilkington has been left on the sidelines at Norwich, and Jordon Mutch has had a good season at Cardiff and can play there.
Midfield - DD and James have the potential to be a brilliant central midfield, and we have very strong back up in King and experience in Hammond. But we lack a bit of attacking intent. Ravel Morrison would be a great signing. If we want another DM, Steven N'Zonzi wants out at Stoke.
Strikers - The most vital aspect. Nugent, Wood and Vardy all deserve a crack, but we have to have a 10-15 goal striker to stand a chance of staying up. Bent is a good shout but lacks the work ethic NP demands. McCormack at Leeds could make the step up, but really need someone who has a proven track record at PL level. First thoughts - Andreas Weimann?
posted on 7/4/14
I have to join the chorus of people saying they wouldn't want Darren Bent here. He hasn't done nearly enough for several seasons now and I wouldn't trust him to perform regularly and with the necessary attitude. Another that used to be good.
Left back is an interesting one, because Schlupp's putting in a good audition right now to laying claim to a spot. Playing there in the Premiership is a different matter though, and it'd be a massive vote of confidence for him if Pearson decides that he is the answer. At least with Konchesky in the squad as well we could have someone experienced to step in if and when he finds himself struggling for form.
As for goalkeeper, interesting call from Foxello on Steve Harper. If he's willing to be a number 2 then he could be an excellent choice as backup for Schmeichel.
posted on 7/4/14
Steve Harper would be great, but I don't he's ever going to leave the North East. This is a goalkeeper who turned down many offers throughout his career simply because he wanted to stay in familiar surroundings.