Can we find 3 teams worse than us next season?

[From Despair To Where?]

Playing devil's advocate here but everyone talks about losing Swift but what if we managed to shift Moore and then signed Jack Wilshire on a 1 year contract for £15,000 p/w

He currently on a short-term contract in Denmark.

Not sure that would work for me personally. Certainly a talented player but I don't think it's who we should go for. I can imagine there is enough selection from an Arsenal, Chelsea or Man United youth set up who have the creativity to go be good enough in the Championship.

Not to say Wilshere isn't good enough, as I don't agree with the comment about "playing in Denmark for a reason", I just think there are too many issues to iron out with him, be it injury record, wages etc.

As I said, I was playing devil's advocate and using him as an example of someone with decent pedigree who wouldn't break the bank, almost a Charlie Adam type signing. His legs were gone but he could still pick a pass and was key in some big results. I thought Halilovic could be that player but there's clearly something not right there. I do think we need to bring some experienced heads in or, more specifically retain some. Priority has to be getting Yiadom, Holmes, Rinomhota, Laurent and Hoilett to sign and then the ooc academy players like Azeez.

Then we need to look at a LB, a GK and someone to replace Swift.

I'd gladly take Ian Maatsen on loan from Chelsea but I think he may get better offers.

Ben Woodburn's ooc and maybe has something to prove? He's got a full season iin in the SPL this year after a couple of years wrecked by injury and illness.

[NathStPaul]

Playing devil's advocate here but everyone talks about losing Swift but what if we managed to shift Moore and then signed Jack Wilshire on a 1 year contract for £15,000 p/w

He currently on a short-term contract in Denmark.

Not sure that would work for me personally. Certainly a talented player but I don't think it's who we should go for. I can imagine there is enough selection from an Arsenal, Chelsea or Man United youth set up who have the creativity to go be good enough in the Championship.

Not to say Wilshere isn't good enough, as I don't agree with the comment about "playing in Denmark for a reason", I just think there are too many issues to iron out with him, be it injury record, wages etc.

All the best players play in the Danish Superliga!

[YorkshireRoyal99]

I'd happily take Maatsen from Chelsea as well, but yes he may receive better offers. I don't doubt there are a few youngsters in the aforementioned academies that are ready to play regular football at this level.

Woodburn I'd be behind in fairness, seems decent enough and is good at set pieces which may become a more important factor for us as well as we don't really have anyone outside of Swift who "specialises" in that area. Not sure if he's cut out for this level though, may end up in League One, similar to Brannagan at Oxford.

Agree that the senior out of contract players we need to tie down as many as possible and a few academy prospects can jump into the fold a little bit more next season as well.

GK, LB, another full back to cover both sides, a couple of midfielders with creativity and a striker is what I think we need on paper anyway.

[YorkshireRoyal99]

Playing devil's advocate here but everyone talks about losing Swift but what if we managed to shift Moore and then signed Jack Wilshire on a 1 year contract for £15,000 p/w

He currently on a short-term contract in Denmark.

Not sure that would work for me personally. Certainly a talented player but I don't think it's who we should go for. I can imagine there is enough selection from an Arsenal, Chelsea or Man United youth set up who have the creativity to go be good enough in the Championship.

Not to say Wilshere isn't good enough, as I don't agree with the comment about "playing in Denmark for a reason", I just think there are too many issues to iron out with him, be it injury record, wages etc.

All the best players play in the Danish Superliga!

No, but it doesn't mean that players who play in that league are not good enough at this level for us either.

Brentford's recruitment policy from the Scandinavia region are a testament to that.

[SCIAG]

Lets not forget the likes of Tetek, Camara, Clarke, Bristow, Ashcroft and Abrefa who all have the potential to jump up to the senior squad. So with a few clever loan/free signings we should be ok to compete with most teams. Would like to try and get Drinkwater and T.Ince back again on loan.

Fair point on Tetek in particular, hopefully next season he’ll be ready to step up and be a genuine first team option. I overlooked him.

Camara plays in the position where we have the best depth (except perhaps centre back) but he could have something to contribute.

Not sure about Clarke or Ehibhationham or Melvin-Lambert, they’ve all got their qualities but I’m not sure they’re ready to be playing at this level.

I don’t think Bristow or Ashcroft would be in our thoughts if we had more than two full backs (and Araruna lol). Hopefully they continue to progress but again I’m not confident. Abrefa is more promising and imo has a higher ceiling.

Other question is whether Dorsett or Abbey or even Stickland could come into contention at centre back. And maybe Maunder can return from injury to be a home-made Swift replacement.

Maunder?

Attacking midfielder Harvey Maunder, top scorer for the U18s last season ahead of Clarke and Ehibhationham despite being an U16. Only played three matches this season due to injuries.

Very optimistic to think he’ll be anywhere near ready for first team football after the season he’s had.

[Nameless]

Who is the young lad we’ve just taken on from spurs ?
Thought he looked very useful in a non dramatic way when I saw him.

[Snowflake Royal]

Tetek will be a useful option for us in midfield so that gives us good cover there.

Really it's looking to try and build a squad really, not just with names but actually looking to build a squad from what we've got.

Rino and Laurent is a good platform in midfield and we've definitely got goals in our side with Joao, Meite and Ejaria. The midfield needs creativity for sure and some good strength in that area, the CB position definitely needs another body as well as at least a LB, possibly someone else who can cover both sides. A good, solid GK would be good as well, experience preferable.

Camara and Azeez definitely give us the capability to blood through some raw talent that have both shone at times this season, Dorsett himself may be considered for our first team squad if he doesn't go back out on loan.

Definitely using the loan/free market will be imperative to try and bring in 5+ players there as well as a couple of signings from the lower leagues, but the latter is something we simply have to get right and not waste money on players who aren't good enough again ala McNulty.

Do I need to highlight his end product again?

LOLLY @ being mentioned alongside Joao and Meite for goals

Not alongside, collectively. A front 3 of Joao, Meite and Ejaria is definitely capable of scoring goals at this level.

Certainly the Joao and Meite part.

[muirinho]

If you're playing in Denmark there is a reason you are playing in Denmark. No thanks.

Are you this perma-whiny in real life, or is it only on here?

I wouldn't have thought of Wilshere myself, but there's logic behind it certainly. If for nothing else, a decent free-kick-taker is going to be essential next season

[NathStPaul]

If you're playing in Denmark there is a reason you are playing in Denmark. No thanks.

Are you this perma-whiny in real life, or is it only on here?

I wouldn't have thought of Wilshere myself, but there's logic behind it certainly. If for nothing else, a decent free-kick-taker is going to be essential next season

Not sure how pointing out the Danish league isn't very good is whiny. Pretty factual information.

[Zip]

Playing devil's advocate here but everyone talks about losing Swift but what if we managed to shift Moore and then signed Jack Wilshire on a 1 year contract for £15,000 p/w

He currently on a short-term contract in Denmark.

Not sure that would work for me personally. Certainly a talented player but I don't think it's who we should go for. I can imagine there is enough selection from an Arsenal, Chelsea or Man United youth set up who have the creativity to go be good enough in the Championship.

Not to say Wilshere isn't good enough, as I don't agree with the comment about "playing in Denmark for a reason", I just think there are too many issues to iron out with him, be it injury record, wages etc.

As I said, I was playing devil's advocate and using him as an example of someone with decent pedigree who wouldn't break the bank, almost a Charlie Adam type signing. His legs were gone but he could still pick a pass and was key in some big results. I thought Halilovic could be that player but there's clearly something not right there. I do think we need to bring some experienced heads in or, more specifically retain some. Priority has to be getting Yiadom, Holmes, Rinomhota, Laurent and Hoilett to sign and then the ooc academy players like Azeez.

Then we need to look at a LB, a GK and someone to replace Swift.

I'd gladly take Ian Maatsen on loan from Chelsea but I think he may get better offers.

Ben Woodburn's ooc and maybe has something to prove? He's got a full season iin in the SPL this year after a couple of years wrecked by injury and illness.

I was at the Wales game v Austria when Woodburn scored the belter to win the game. He was something like 17. I thought he was going to be a big star. However he has badly lost his way. He has barely scored since then and needs to prove himself in the lower divisions. Not one we should be signing imo

[YorkshireRoyal99]

If you're playing in Denmark there is a reason you are playing in Denmark. No thanks.

Are you this perma-whiny in real life, or is it only on here?

I wouldn't have thought of Wilshere myself, but there's logic behind it certainly. If for nothing else, a decent free-kick-taker is going to be essential next season

Not sure how pointing out the Danish league isn't very good is whiny. Pretty factual information.

That doesn't mean every player in that league isn't good just because the league isn't.

[NathStPaul]

Are you this perma-whiny in real life, or is it only on here?

I wouldn't have thought of Wilshere myself, but there's logic behind it certainly. If for nothing else, a decent free-kick-taker is going to be essential next season

Not sure how pointing out the Danish league isn't very good is whiny. Pretty factual information.

That doesn't mean every player in that league isn't good just because the league isn't.

Where was that stated by anybody? The point is that a player would only go to play in the Danish league as a last resort as you well know.

[YorkshireRoyal99]

Not sure how pointing out the Danish league isn't very good is whiny. Pretty factual information.

That doesn't mean every player in that league isn't good just because the league isn't.

Where was that stated by anybody? The point is that a player would only go to play in the Danish league as a last resort as you well know.

Where have you made up that assumption from?

[NathStPaul]

That doesn't mean every player in that league isn't good just because the league isn't.

Where was that stated by anybody? The point is that a player would only go to play in the Danish league as a last resort as you well know.

Where have you made up that assumption from?

The fact that Jack Wilshire was out of contract for about 7 months before going to play in the Danish league you tiresome goon.

[YorkshireRoyal99]

Where was that stated by anybody? The point is that a player would only go to play in the Danish league as a last resort as you well know.

Where have you made up that assumption from?

The fact that Jack Wilshire was out of contract for about 7 months before going to play in the Danish league you tiresome goon.

I don't get your point about "last resort". That doesn't mean he's a bad footballer, which is what we would be after.

The likely reason clubs didn't go for him is because of his injury record and wage demands. I'm not sure why you've made it out as the Danish league is some sort of derogatory.

[NathStPaul]

Where have you made up that assumption from?

The fact that Jack Wilshire was out of contract for about 7 months before going to play in the Danish league you tiresome goon.

I don't get your point about "last resort". That doesn't mean he's a bad footballer, which is what we would be after.

The likely reason clubs didn't go for him is because of his injury record and wage demands. I'm not sure why you've made it out as the Danish league is some sort of derogatory.

Below is from an interview with Jack Wilshire confirming nobody wanted him, he wasn't in talks, it wasn't about money or injuries. Nobody wanted him. Which is why he is now in Denmark. Will you argue with Jack Wilshire too?

"Today I was running around an athletics track and it was hard to imagine that I would be here at this point in my career", Wilshere told The Athletic of his current predicament, forced to train alone in an attempt to stay in shape.

"My kids are at an age where they understand. Especially Archie, who is nine. He actually has conversations with me, he’s like, ‘What about MLS?’ or ‘Why don’t you play in La Liga?’.

"And it’s hard to explain to him. He says to me, ‘How come no club wants you?’. I don’t know. But how do you explain that to him?"

"When I go out people recognize me. The hardest part is trying to explain when people ask me, ‘Why don’t you sign at a club in England? I tell them: Nobody wants me ‘, and they can’t figure it out."

[YorkshireRoyal99]

The fact that Jack Wilshire was out of contract for about 7 months before going to play in the Danish league you tiresome goon.

I don't get your point about "last resort". That doesn't mean he's a bad footballer, which is what we would be after.

The likely reason clubs didn't go for him is because of his injury record and wage demands. I'm not sure why you've made it out as the Danish league is some sort of derogatory.

Below is from an interview with Jack Wilshire confirming nobody wanted him, he wasn't in talks, it wasn't about money or injuries. Nobody wanted him.

That's the assumption I was talking about. But fair enough.

[muirinho]

If you're playing in Denmark there is a reason you are playing in Denmark. No thanks.

Are you this perma-whiny in real life, or is it only on here?

I wouldn't have thought of Wilshere myself, but there's logic behind it certainly. If for nothing else, a decent free-kick-taker is going to be essential next season

Not sure how pointing out the Danish league isn't very good is whiny. Pretty factual information.

Just seems like everything you post is negative. I mean - if the Danish league is sub-standard, it's still the case that Wilshere could have spent the last months on a golf-course instead. You're not even glass-half-empty - you're - glass-is-full-of-poison.

[Lower West]

Drinkwater was unwanted too......

[Nameless]

Drinkwater was unwanted too......

No one would give Andy Carroll a contract......