Condimentalist Posted July 5, 2017 Share Posted July 5, 2017 Usually the transfer window is a time for excitement about new players, and I am very pleased with the Terry signing. I've really come round to it in a big way. Clearly we also need a keeper (probably Johnstone), we know Bruce wants Whelan (and you have to think it'll happen), and personally I'd like to see a quality attacking player come in given that this was our main downfall last year. This is all well and good, but our squad size is ridiculous. In many ways therefore I'd argue that pruning the squad effectively is at least as important as who comes in. Currently we have 34 players in and around the first team including likely signings - that's far too many to maintain the sort of solid, driven team spirit we need to mount a title challenge. It's a long season but I think we need to get this down to 25/26 max - which means cutting 9 or so. This thread is for discussion about where that might happen. Goalkeepers: Jed Steer, Mark Bunn, Sam Johnstone (probably) [3] Assuming Johnstone comes in you'd think we'll stick here, although I do wonder whether Steer might think it's time to move on in which case we may need to buy again somewhere. Obviously if Johnstone doesn't happen we need another number 1, it's an important position. Defenders: Alan Hutton, Richie de Laet, Micah Richards, James Bree, Tommy Elphick, John Terry, James Chester, Nathan Baker, Neil Taylor, Jordan Amavi, Aly Cissokho [11] We're way overloaded at the back - right back especially. I'd love to ship Richards but it's not going to happen, but this means we have four right backs even before you consider that Bacuna can play here. I see Hutton says he's staying but it might be time to be ruthless. He's been a good servant but one of him or de Laet has to go in my view as they're not young but retain resale value. Elsewhere Elphick isn't up to it and you'd think he'd have suitors - I'd see him go given that Jedinak and Richards can play there as needed. On the left you'd think Amavi will leave, which is a shame IMO but understandable from all sides. If Cissokho is happy to stay as our back-up left back then we're OK here, if not we'll need to replace him. Midfielders: Jedinak, Bacuna, Tshibola, Lansbury, Hourihane, Veretout, Bjarnason, Gardner, Lyden, Gil, Adomah, Green, Grealish, Whelan (probably) [14] Again, 14 midfielders is absurd. I don't really know why we signed Bjarnason for this squad but he's obviously going to stay. I'm not totally sure why we're in for Whelan either. On ability I'd happily ship Gardner but I don't think we will, and he seems a good character anyway. Veretout is probably a decent player at this level but if we can get £6m or so for him he's an obvious choice to leave. Gil will surely leave, Lyden should go out on loan, and Tshibola too if Bruce isn't going to use him. If someone wants to take Bacuna I'm open to it but he's a decent utility player so not too fussed either way. I think it's a big season for Green, and I like Adomah, but even still I wouldn't mind some additional quality on the wing if the right player is available. Forwards: McCormack, Kodjia, Hogan, Agbonlahor, Hepburn-Murphy, Davis (6) One area we're not overloaded in IMO, despite the numbers. Hogan and Gabby are both very injury prone, we have no idea how RMC will perform and frankly the same for RHM. Davis should head out on loan, maybe RHM too if he's not ready. We're stuck with Gabby but we're in real danger on being over-reliant on Kodjia again IMO. Striker is so vital so I'd like us to strengthen here - maybe someone who can also play wing. I've seen Walters mentioned so maybe Bruce is feeling the same. The chop list So whittling down all of the above, I think we should realistically be looking to get rid of: - Hutton/de Laet - Elphick - Amavi - Veretout - Gil - Tshibola (loan) - Lyden (loan) - Davis (loan) - Hepburn-Murphy (loan) Thoughts? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Jareth Posted July 5, 2017 Share Posted July 5, 2017 I'll have lamb first normally, then pork would be second and third on the list probably mutton. 2 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Demitri_C Posted July 5, 2017 Share Posted July 5, 2017 Not a veil chop? All about that 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
alreadyexists Posted July 5, 2017 VT Supporter Share Posted July 5, 2017 16 minutes ago, Demitri_C said: Not a veil chop? All about that Bloody hell, do you have suckling pig with that? 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
One For The Road Posted July 5, 2017 Share Posted July 5, 2017 James Bree? Who the hell is that? Oh yeah....Lol Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
skarroki Posted July 5, 2017 Share Posted July 5, 2017 I'd keep Tshibola, Hutton and De Laet. The youngsters can all go on loan if the right club comes in with an offer of regular playing time in a competitive league, ideally league 1. It's been mentioned in various places up to 10 could go. I would like the 10 to be: Gollini Richards Elphick Agbonlahor Veretout Amavi Sanchez (gone) Gil Cissokho Kozak (gone) + Bunn and/or Steer Defence could do with a good CB (got to assume if Richards and Elphick are shifted, Alex Bruce will be on his way in) Wouldn't be upset with any or all of Bacuna, Tshibola and Gardner leaving Open to McCormack going for a good price Don't imagine all those will be shifted but if we start to really trim the squad down then that means a huge amount off the wages and some money in the coffers for a cheeky august luxury buy or 2 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
terrytini Posted July 5, 2017 Share Posted July 5, 2017 I've said so elsewhere but I cannot see the logic in saying Richards is woeful but nobody wants him so sell someone who is better than him !!! So for me saying Hutton and Elphick go because Richards won't doesn't add up. Cissokko, Richards, Gardner, Bacuna, Gil, Vertout, Agnonlahor, all should go. All deadwood. In the case of Richards we should pay him to leave. Gardner - massive cock up giving him a contract but surely somebody would have him. Next off the rank would be Hutton and Elphick if we got one in, and Amavi as he seems to want to go. We need some pace and some power. All our strength is at the back. We only have Green and Kodja with pace. If we get it, Adomah and Grealish could go, but I'd be happy with both staying if we don't. For me Lansbury will be key. If he plays regularly, and plays up the pitch, he changes how we set up. That's where I can see Thor being useful, otherwise he's another could go. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
HanoiVillan Posted July 5, 2017 Share Posted July 5, 2017 @terrytini We do need enough players to field a first XI in August mate! 2 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
KSV Posted July 6, 2017 Share Posted July 6, 2017 (edited) Goalkeepers: Jed Steer, Mark Bunn, Sam Johnstone Gollini Gollini and Steer to go. I prefer Steer over Bunn just because Bunn is not that good.. but i think Bunn is good for the squad morale. Looks like a bubbly character and i havent seen too much of Steer to pick him over Bunn. Also Bunn is happy to be a number 2. Steer may want games. Defenders: Alan Hutton, Richie de Laet, Micah Richards, James Bree, Tommy Elphick, John Terry, James Chester, Nathan Baker, Neil Taylor, Jordan Amavi, Aly Cissokho [11] Micah Hutton Elphick Amavi Cissohko to go. Aly is gone by all reports. Hutton said he wont be leaving. Amavi is going. Elphick should be going if we keep Samba. If Hutton stays.. maybe Bree can play in midfield? Midfielders: Jedinak, Bacuna, Tshibola, Lansbury, Hourihane, Veretout, Bjarnason, Gardner, Lyden, Gil, Adomah, Green, Grealish, Whelan (probably) [14] Bacuna Tshibola, veretout Gardner Gil should go. Cant see Bacuna leaving. Tish is not liked much it seems. Veretout and Gil will go. Gardner will likely stay but i think we should flog him to Forest. Lyden on loan maybe. Forwards: McCormack, Kodjia, Hogan, Agbonlahor, Hepburn-Murphy, Davis (6) Just loan for Davis. Edited July 6, 2017 by KSV Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Grasshopper Posted July 6, 2017 Share Posted July 6, 2017 bin the lot play 0-1-0-1 Terry & Messi should work 4 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
skarroki Posted July 6, 2017 Share Posted July 6, 2017 Is Samba still here training? If he's gone to Portugal then surely he'll be signing but I haven't seen any images of him training so assumed he's not with us anymore Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Eastie Posted July 6, 2017 Share Posted July 6, 2017 How dissapointing - I saw this thread and hoped we had a butcher amongst us offering cut price meat 2 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
tismyk Posted July 6, 2017 Share Posted July 6, 2017 1 hour ago, Eastie said: How dissapointing - I saw this thread and hoped we had a butcher amongst us offering cut price meat I thought it was about a karate film Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
briny_ear Posted July 6, 2017 Share Posted July 6, 2017 Chop Crop would sound snappier. 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Jas10 Posted July 6, 2017 Share Posted July 6, 2017 2 hours ago, skarroki said: Is Samba still here training? If he's gone to Portugal then surely he'll be signing but I haven't seen any images of him training so assumed he's not with us anymore He's been training with the rest of the players over there, have been pictures of him alongside Terry and co. online (Birmingham mail) I hope we aren't too focussed on getting players in and just end up "overloading", the squad desperately needs trimming and we need to get rid of the useless ones before adding too many imo. I hope we already have a few outgoing transfers arranged and they just haven't been finalised yet. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ferguson1 Posted July 6, 2017 Share Posted July 6, 2017 20 hours ago, Jareth said: I'll have lamb first normally, then pork would be second and third on the list probably mutton. The wife wants a Lamb Bacuna and I'll have a Hutton Vindaloo. 2 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
eddiemunster Posted July 6, 2017 Share Posted July 6, 2017 13 hours ago, KSV said: Goalkeepers: Jed Steer, Mark Bunn, Sam Johnstone Gollini Gollini and Steer to go. I prefer Steer over Bunn just because Bunn is not that good.. but i think Bunn is good for the squad morale. Looks like a bubbly character and i havent seen too much of Steer to pick him over Bunn. Also Bunn is happy to be a number 2. Steer may want games. Defenders: Alan Hutton, Richie de Laet, Micah Richards, James Bree, Tommy Elphick, John Terry, James Chester, Nathan Baker, Neil Taylor, Jordan Amavi, Aly Cissokho [11] Micah Hutton Elphick Amavi Cissohko to go. Aly is gone by all reports. Hutton said he wont be leaving. Amavi is going. Elphick should be going if we keep Samba. If Hutton stays.. maybe Bree can play in midfield? Midfielders: Jedinak, Bacuna, Tshibola, Lansbury, Hourihane, Veretout, Bjarnason, Gardner, Lyden, Gil, Adomah, Green, Grealish, Whelan (probably) [14] Bacuna Tshibola, veretout Gardner Gil should go. Cant see Bacuna leaving. Tish is not liked much it seems. Veretout and Gil will go. Gardner will likely stay but i think we should flog him to Forest. Lyden on loan maybe. Forwards: McCormack, Kodjia, Hogan, Agbonlahor, Hepburn-Murphy, Davis (6) Just loan for Davis. GKeepers...... get rid of Bunn & Steer, Gollini will be in the second season of his loan agreement so keep for the time being, and look elsewhere for a GK, as I don't rate Johnstone. Defenders....... Get rid of Hutton, Richards,Elphick,Amavi and Cissokho. Don't sign Samba, and pay off Richards if nobody comes in for him. Midfield.......If they don't want to stay, get rid of Gil and Vertout. Sell Gardner at any price. Loan out Tshibola,Lyden..Tell Bacuna, Adomah and Grealish to shape up or ship out. Hope Whelan is cheap and signed on a similar basis as Terry. Forwards.....Sell or Pay off Agbonlahor. Warn McCormack as per Bacuna/Adomah/Grealish, to shape up or ship out. Give Davis and Hepburn-Murphy more game time. So it's a case of selling/getting rid by any means,9 or 11 and sell 4 others if we get decent offers.So could effectively be 15 gone from the above list. We can live in hope eh? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
theboyangel Posted July 6, 2017 Share Posted July 6, 2017 All for the chop as not good enough or don't want to be here. bunn richards elphick amavi bacuna gardner veretout gil gabby elmohamady Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
dn1982 Posted July 6, 2017 Share Posted July 6, 2017 I'd get rid of Hutton and Richards fro the defence. I'd like to keep Veretout but think he'll go along with Gil and Sanchez. I'd chop Bacuna. I'd loan out Davis but I'd want RHM involved. I'd carry the big squad until Xmas then judge again. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
briny_ear Posted July 6, 2017 Share Posted July 6, 2017 If there are people on the list like Hutton who say they aren't going anywhere, is that a case of chopstick? 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Recommended Posts