For me I think a proper 10 and a quality striker are a minimum.weasel wrote: ↑Tue Aug 22, 2023 2:45 pm As I said those 7 have enough quality to be at the very least squad players at this level. Shackleton has shown that he didn't look out of place in the prem or in the promotion winning team. Dan James more than good enough at this level. Drameh player of the year for 2 teams in the championship. Cresswell did reasonably well for Millwall, Poveda yeah probably not a starter but certainly a useful squad player with the ability to create something as a sub, Gray more than good enough and yes will need looking after, Gelhardt has shown enough in the past to suggest he is at the very least a good championship player.
And it isn't like they have to be better than championship level. We also have to consider the 'quality' that they are replacing. Poveda or Aaronsen, depsite the difference in cost I'd see Poveda as more likely to make an impact in this division, has a bit more toughness about him. Cresswell or Koch/Llorents, I'd take Cresswell for this team and certainly have Rodon over either of them. Shackleton or McKennis, I'd have Shackleton every day of the week. Gray or Roca, Gray hands down. Ampadu or Adams, Ampadu for me. Drameh or Kristensen, again Drameh.
The only ones to have left at this point that I feel would make the team better are Rodrigo, Harrison and possibly Adams. We are still really in the position of needing players that we needed last season, namely a left back and striker. The players that have gone have basically been replaced. We have James, Gnonto, Sini and Summerville for the wide positions so Harrison won't really be missed. Obviously if Sini, Summerville and Gnonto all leave then yes we need to replace them but at present we have 4 excellent wingers.
Keeper situation fine.
Left back - at present Byram and Firpo I'm happy enough with that as Firpo should be good enough at this level and may well suit Farke's system given he is much better going forward than defending. Would be great if we signed a really decent left back but not a problem at present as we have those 2.
Right back - I'm fine wiwth Ayling and the only reason he has been exposed is because Farke wants him to be very attacking. As Farke's system beds in it should work better with the covering for him when he attacks, we saw evidence of it improving against WBA when Ampadu was slotting into centreback to allow Rodo to cover. We also have Drameh and Shackleton that can play there and Byram if those 3 were all injured and Firpo was fit.
Centrebacks - Well we have 4 that are decent enough. Yes Cooper is injury prone but how many centrebacks do we have to buy to cover for all eventualities? We have 4 and Ayling in emergency.
So no real need there. If Drameh or Firpo leave then bring in another or if someone as good as Aarons ibecomes avaialble then look to sign him.
Central Midfield and yes we are light. A definite need for at least 1 solid central midfielder, maybe 2. Am happy with Ampadu, Gray and Shackleton but clearly we cannot rely on them all playing every match. Hopefully Dallas will be back at some point but that would just be a bonus if it did happen. Not sure with Gyabi or Greenwood. So yes at least 1 signing required here.
Wingers - At present we have 4 top quality wingers in James, Sini, Cree and Gnonto - if that changes then maybe we need to buy but we alos have Shackleton and Poveda that can play there as depth. So for now no need to buy until the situation changes.
No.10 A lot depends on what happens with Gnonto, Sini and Summerville as if they all stay then chances are we play one of them there, or Gelhardt.
Striker - And here is where we need the second key signing. Bamford we can't rely on, same as Dallas will be a bonus if we get much from him. Rutter who knows what will happen with him, Gelhardt not really a 9 and Joseph unproven.
So for me it is a central midfielder, or 2 that we need with maybe 1 being more of a number 10. We also need another striker.
Farke will want signings, if we can improve any position then it would be silly not to. Him saying that he wants players everywhere though may be a bit more diplomatic than him saying he needs a player in just 1 area and upsetting the players int hat position.
I think we've seen enough even with Summerville, Sini and Gnonto in vs Cardiff we are still struggling offensively at times.
A club needs that type of Hernandez, Buendia type when you are playing Park the bus sides every week, someone to thread the eye of the needle.
Agree on cm, I am minded to go with 2. I think we certainly don't have a sitting Ampadu type and I don't see much Klich box to box type someone able to chip in with goals and assists as well as the dirty stuff. People like Vrancic and McLean were vital for Farke at Norwich doing that.
So for me that's 4 as a minimum.
And then full back does worry me on both sides.
I don't trust Ayling and Firpo, they may do a job but history tells us they will fook up numerous times just depends whether we get punished.
And Byram has looked very solid tbf but he isn't a true left back and any player with his injury record can't be relied upon.
So I think 5-6 really If we are looking for an ideal squad and you could make a case for another cb as well.
You could get by with 2 or 3.
But realistically and looking at the amount of business other teams have done I think it would leave us short and likely at best hoping to scrape 5th or 6th rather than the top as we hoped.
...That Ayling goal and "You couldn't script it 
" - Dirty Leeds B@stard.
