SCIAGCrowbar6753SCIAG We’ve been extremely unlucky with injuries this season, and it’s reasonable to expect that we will be less unlucky next season. The same could be said for form.
That said, as it stands out squad will probably look something like…
Southwood (Nyland?)
Yiadom
Dann, McIntyre, Holmes (Thomas?)
(Nobody)
Rinomhota, Laurent
Meite, Ejaria, Hoilett, Azeez (Barker?)
Joao
I’m optimistic that Laurent and Rinomhota will renew. I’m not sure it is worth persisting with the three in brackets. But that gives us twelve senior players, who would just about make a credible XI but no slack for injuries.
At the very least, we will need a left back, an attacking midfielder, and a striker. Halilovic might be an option but I don’t think TInce would be value for money. We probably also need cover for midfield, centre back, and right back, and maybe an upgrade on Southwood. Very tough to get all those players on our budget.
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?