Who should we sign?.

[John Madejski's Wallet]

If Gylfi goes, i'd take Mackie from Plymouth

Been impressed with him everytime i've seen him.
Mackie & Tabb in midfield......now that is one short pairing!

[Royal_Delight]

Griffin
Khiz
Bertrand
1 more centre back
1 winger
Craig Mackial Smith
Gary Hooper

Griffin,Khiz and Bertrand NEED to stay if we are to be promoted next season.

And since Ivar is leaving, one more centre back wouldn't hurt IMO. Maybe as a back up to Pearce?

A winger as a back up to Kebe/McAnuff as HRK still needs time to prove himself. Henry may leave next season.

CMS and Gary Hooper would make a good strike partner-ship IMO. A runner and and prolific goal scorer. Long and Church as back-ups to the both of them.

[Thomas L'Heureux]

CMS and Gary Hooper would make a good strike partner-ship IMO. A runner and and prolific goal scorer. Long and Church as back-ups to the both of them.

What about Noel Hunt?

[Royal_Delight]

CMS and Gary Hooper would make a good strike partner-ship IMO. A runner and and prolific goal scorer. Long and Church as back-ups to the both of them.

What about Noel Hunt?

Almost forgotten about him! Either him or CMS. But if we get both of them I am sure McD will know what to do with strikers.

[Smoking Kills Dancing Doe]

Certainly don't think we'd need both and either could cover the wing posistions too.

Plus I think we'll stick with and Long/Hunt as a lone striker with the side built round Sig playing number 10.

[Royal_Delight]

Certainly don't think we'd need both and either could cover the wing posistions too.

Plus I think we'll stick with and Long/Hunt as a lone striker with the side built round Sig playing number 10.

But don't we need a striker that can score 20+ goals a season? Don't think Long or Hunt are capable of that IMHO.

[under the tin]

I fear we will be disappointed regarding:
Zurab ...Wages
Griffin...Not wanting to move south,good/experienced enough to be in a Prem squad.
Bertrand...I think a lower tier Prem club, or a club like Wet Sham will take a punt, and we will be unable to compete with the wages offered.
Factor in the looming depature of Ivar, the retirement of Stretch, and that could mean an almost total rebuild of most of the defence.

I've felt for some time that the club carries too many midfield players, and I think that some we already have will be released to free up funds/wages for specialists at the back.
We certainly need a goal poacher, in the mould of a Curo. Hopefully Noel can fully regain fitness, and assume that mantle.

Who/ what players does Brian need to sign? I think the answer to that question will be determined by developments regarding the players mentioned above.

[Hoop Blah]

On the previso that we don't keep any of the three current loanees, and possibly no Ingimarsson either, I'd like to see some more experience added to the back four.

With that in mind I wouldn't mind seeing someone like Karl Duguid or even Nicky Hunt come in at right back. Another one I've liked the look of over the last couple of seasons is Doncasters full back with the slap head, O'Conner I think his name was. He's played both right and left back for us and so might be useful just because of his versatility.

I'd still prefer to see any new centre back that comes in being blessed with some proper pace. We're still a bit lacking at the back for true pace and although you can get by without it, the likes of Sonko and Primus have shown us over the years how having that extra yard can get you out of so many difficulties. Not sure who'd fit the bill on this, but there must be plenty of them about, and one that springs to mind (if he's fit) would be Gabiddon from West Ham.

Upfront I think we need a bit of a physical presence to compliment the likes of Long and Church. I'd love to see someone like Jason Roberts come and lead the line for us. Rumours are that Beattie might be on his way to Blackburn, so Roberts is probably going to have to leave to get a decent amount of football and not only is he big , strong, quick and with a decent record in front of goal, he seems a genuine type of guy who'd fit into the type of honest player we've had success with over the years. A similar yet cheaper option would be Iwelumo, or whilst on the subject of Wolves players Vokes.

I do worry that there is too much talk of us walking the division if we keep this side togthers etc etc. That's the kind of attitude we took after finishing 8th in the Premier League, and we all know how the nest season went!

We have to look to improve and not just make do with what we've got.

[Maguire]

We should sign some defenders to replace the three (good) loanees we have at the moment.

After that, prolly a striker and make do with the rest. Should be enough for a play-off shot.

[Wycombe Royal]

Certainly don't think we'd need both and either could cover the wing posistions too.

Plus I think we'll stick with and Long/Hunt as a lone striker with the side built round Sig playing number 10.

But don't we need a striker that can score 20+ goals a season? Don't think Long or Hunt are capable of that IMHO.

Why do we? Have Newcastle? Have West Brom?

In fact the closest STRIKER to reaching 20 goals in the Championship (and there are two of them Hooper and Maynard) still need 3 more in their last two games.

[westendgirl]

Certainly don't think we'd need both and either could cover the wing posistions too.

Plus I think we'll stick with and Long/Hunt as a lone striker with the side built round Sig playing number 10.

But don't we need a striker that can score 20+ goals a season? Don't think Long or Hunt are capable of that IMHO.

Why do we? Have Newcastle? Have West Brom?

In fact the closest STRIKER to reaching 20 goals in the Championship (and there are two of them Hooper and Maynard) still need 3 more in their last two games.

Also I recall reading (and checking) that we have scored the 5th highest number of goals this season and that was before the 2 last night so scoring goals without a single striker getting 20+ is not that essential as long as there are plenty of others chipping in 5 to 10 goals in a season.

[Hoop Blah]

I think it's more a turn of phrase WR, we need a goalscorer capabale of 20 goals a season.

Personally I don't think Long, Church or Hunt are that player. Newcastle have both Carroll and Ameobi who at this level are 20 goal a season forwards.

If we play 4-5-1 as we have done this year, the wingers and the 'Number 10' will have to all chip in with their fair share to support whoever, or whichever combinations, play as the 1 upfront on their own.

Kebe has been nothing short of brilliant in his goals return during our upturn in form over the last 15 games or so. Do I think he can continue that over a full season having seen what he's like for the last couple of seasons? No.

McAnuff isn't that great a goalscoring winger either, so the centre forward/forwards are going to have to carry a lot of the goalscoring burden. For me that means we need someone else to add to what we've got.

[Woodcote Royal]

Upfront I think we need a bit of a physical presence to compliment the likes of Long and Church. I'd love to see someone like Jason Roberts come and lead the line for us. Rumours are that Beattie might be on his way to Blackburn, so Roberts is probably going to have to leave to get a decent amount of football and not only is he big , strong, quick and with a decent record in front of goal, he seems a genuine type of guy who'd fit into the type of honest player we've had success with over the years. A similar yet cheaper option would be Iwelumo, or whilst on the subject of Wolves players Vokes.

I do worry that there is too much talk of us walking the division if we keep this side togthers etc etc. That's the kind of attitude we took after finishing 8th in the Premier League, and we all know how the nest season went!

We have to look to improve and not just make do with what we've got.

This is not the same set of circumstances as the one that saw us needlessly relegated.

Whilst Coppell should have invested then, buying a striker now would be pointless when we clearly favour one up front and should have Hunt back from i njury to add to what we already have.

This time we have emerging talent and for once we should allow Long and Church to develop whilst investing any funds by filling the inevitable gaps that will appear in our defence over the summer.

[sandman]

Messi IMO

No way. Did nothing against Inter last night.

[Harpers So Solid Crew]

I feel sure that the defence will be the priority over the summer, however I cannot believe that MaccyD will not be looking at other positions as well, just because Church and Long have done ok, does not mean that we cannot sign better players, and that has to always be the aim, to keep improving the team, hopefully players will come along and put off that challenge, as SC managed to maintain, but in all reality we can improve, and at this point in time I trust BM to do that.

[savage 4 england]

I doubt we have enough money to strengthen our attacking options.

We'll be lucky to afford a new defence.

[royalsteve]

Tony Rougier is the answer to our clinical problems.

The butt of many jokes

[royalsteve]

I feel sure that the defence will be the priority over the summer, however I cannot believe that MaccyD will not be looking at other positions as well, just because Church and Long have done ok, does not mean that we cannot sign better players, and that has to always be the aim, to keep improving the team, hopefully players will come along and put off that challenge, as SC managed to maintain, but in all reality we can improve, and at this point in time I trust BM to do that.

we need strength of those on the fringes.....we have church, long and donkey (i mean raisak).....i dont think they will set fire to the league

[daveewington]

We need a poaching striker. Hooper possibly..or alternatively Mackail-Smith looked like he was playing to get a move to us when he played against us on Saturday.

I can see Ivar moving to Bristol City to be with Coppell again, especially if they offer a 2 year deal. So we need a centre back as well.. I don't have a suggestion though!

I think signing Griffin would be a sound piece of business he is very solid at this level.

In my opinion signing Bertrand or Villi permanently is unrealistic, whilst both would be great signings. Maybe renew Bertand's for next season??

[Smoking Kills Dancing Doe]

I think it's more a turn of phrase WR, we need a goalscorer capabale of 20 goals a season.

Personally I don't think Long, Church or Hunt are that player. Newcastle have both Carroll and Ameobi who at this level are 20 goal a season forwards.

If we play 4-5-1 as we have done this year, the wingers and the 'Number 10' will have to all chip in with their fair share to support whoever, or whichever combinations, play as the 1 upfront on their own.

Kebe has been nothing short of brilliant in his goals return during our upturn in form over the last 15 games or so. Do I think he can continue that over a full season having seen what he's like for the last couple of seasons? No.

McAnuff isn't that great a goalscoring winger either, so the centre forward/forwards are going to have to carry a lot of the goalscoring burden. For me that means we need someone else to add to what we've got.

Will be alright when Sig smashes 30+ next season.