Squad & tactics (2025/26)

[r0cafella]

Just now, Optimistic Nut said:

 

I'd take a left-footed version of Tino (LB who can also play RB) if we preferred just getting one full-back this summer to.improve elsewhere. We'd still have Miley who can play RB.

I think leftbacks that can play right backs are pretty rare honestly, generally speaking it's easier to find a right back than it is a left back. 

 

Miley is someone who i see as a last resort option at fullback, would rather we focus on getting the best out of him in his actual position. 

[Nucasol]

28 minutes ago, r0cafella said:

What's the bare minimum in terms of incomings we are expecting?

 

1st choice keeper

Rotational/starting RB

Rotational left back Lb

Sandro replacement

Gordon replacement

 

That about right?

Technically you could lose the keeper until Pope goes but we all seemingly think that’s a given. Additional player trading might give them scope to refresh other positions like upgrading Murphy (e.g., Big Nick, Tino, Willock going).

 

Then there’s the left-field moves created if we get an offer that’s too good to turn down for Barnes, Hall, Wissa or Elanga.

[nufcjmc]

1 minute ago, r0cafella said:

Yeah I discounted replacements for Willock because he's less likely to go on Sandro and wanted to give myself a gauge of what to expect on a minimal basis  

 

Trying to buy the lad that went to Brighton made sense, Murphy isn't getting any younger and Elangas limitations are obvious. 

 

The renewal of Fabi meant we are happy to kick the centre half can down the road. 

yeah sorry I didnt read the part where you said minimum. 

 

Willock getting an extension (not sure he would be willing to anyway) would be a mistake in my mind he's not good enough and we need to just cut our losses to get a fee but then again we cant afford a 27 year old walk for nothing.... 

 

I agree the lad that went to brighton made sense with Murphy 31 and in his final year (we gave him better terms recently but didn't extend which I found interesting). My comment was more if we had to list key areas and priorities purely based on the fact we have 2 bodies in that area (however bad you believe them to be) and on the assumption of a limited budget this summer it didn't make sense to target RW first when we have other areas with no depth in currently. 

 

I also agree with you re CB's not that I am happy about it Botman is yet to prove his long term ability to stay fit I know nothing of our youth prospects waiting in the wings so will assume there are none so come next summer we will be either extending BDB and Schar again or needing 2 CBs in one window which doesn't sound like good planning in the long term. 

[r0cafella]

2 minutes ago, nufcjmc said:

yeah sorry I didnt read the part where you said minimum. 

 

Willock getting an extension (not sure he would be willing to anyway) would be a mistake in my mind he's not good enough and we need to just cut our losses to get a fee but then again we cant afford a 27 year old walk for nothing.... 

 

I agree the lad that went to brighton made sense with Murphy 31 and in his final year (we gave him better terms recently but didn't extend which I found interesting). My comment was more if we had to list key areas and priorities purely based on the fact we have 2 bodies in that area (however bad you believe them to be) and on the assumption of a limited budget this summer it didn't make sense to target RW first when we have other areas with no depth in currently. 

 

I also agree with you re CB's not that I am happy about it Botman is yet to prove his long term ability to stay fit I know nothing of our youth prospects waiting in the wings so will assume there are none so come next summer we will be either extending BDB and Schar again or needing 2 CBs in one window which doesn't sound like good planning in the long term. 

Yeah, all of these factors are what I considered when I came up with those positions. We could probably get away with say buying just 1 fullback but it would be risky . 

[nufcjmc]

16 minutes ago, r0cafella said:

Yeah, all of these factors are what I considered when I came up with those positions. We could probably get away with say buying just 1 fullback but it would be risky . 

I suspect based on nothing in particular that we will get more signings than what we imagine beyond the bare minimum but some will be more in there young/limited first team experience/need time to bed/ cheaper players to fill the squad while it may not immediately raise the quality of the first 11 if we can phase them in slowly over the next 12 months it would allow us to spread our budget wider into more key areas.

 

I know squad padding isn't something we want as we want to raise the quality of our first 11 based on last seasons sub par performance I just think if we throw all our money into say 2 big fees and leave nothing for the rest of the squad it will do more harm than good. 

 

The downside of this approach is should we get a major first teamer injured you may be relying on someone a little raw and not quite "howe ready" to step up. 

 

 

 

 

Edited yesterday at 07:46 by nufcjmc

[andycap]

Hope we go this formation at the start of the season and give everyone a lift. 

[andycap]

Just shows how light we are on players couldn't even make a full second eleven. 😂 

[p_cowell141]

Said at the end of last season, and am sticking by it. We need so many players this season. 

 

GK - (New No. 1)

GK - Jouen

RB/LB - Krafth replacement

RB - Tripper replacement

CB - Schar succession planning

CB - Burn succession planning

CDM - Tonali replacement

CM - Joelinton succession planning

CM - (creative midfielder we've been crying out for) 

LW - Gordon replacement 

RW - someone young as an alternative to Murphy and Elanga so we don't all go postal next season

ST - Since Woltemade/Osula/Wissa won't be leading the line next season (sure I read that somewhere) 

 

1/12 players signed so far... 

 

 

 

Edited 39 minutes ago by p_cowell141

[The Prophet]

Just now, p_cowell141 said:

Said at the end of last season, and am sticking by it. We need so many players this season. 

 

GK - (New No. 1)

GK - Jouen

RB/LB - Krafth replacement

RB - Tripper replacement

CB - Schar succession planning

CB - Burn succession planning

CDM - Tonali replacement

CM - Joelinton succession planning

CM - (creative midfielder we've been crying out for) 

LW - Gordon replacement 

RW - someone young as an alternative to Murphy and Elanga so we don't all go postal next season

ST - Since Woltemade/Osula/Wissa won't be leading the line next season (sure I read that somewhere) 

 

1/12 players signed so far... 

 

 

 

 

 

If you think we need twelve players this summer, you're setting yourself up for disappointment.

[p_cowell141]

1 minute ago, The Prophet said:

 

If you think we need twelve players this summer, you're setting yourself up for disappointment.

We need 12 players this summer. 6 will go or already have gone (Trippier, Ruddy, Pope, Gordon, Tonali, Krafth). Add a striker which is needed after last season, we have 2 x 35 year old CBs, and no fullback cover (and 2 x rather injury prone fullbacks). Any fewer than 10 new signings is unacceptable. 

 

Of course, more needed if Hall/Livramento go, and fewer if we start promoting youth to the first team (though with Howe, I don't think we can rely on this...) 

[The Prophet]

3 minutes ago, p_cowell141 said:

We need 12 players this summer. 6 will go or already have gone (Trippier, Ruddy, Pope, Gordon, Tonali, Krafth). Add a striker which is needed after last season, we have 2 x 35 year old CBs, and no fullback cover (and 2 x rather injury prone fullbacks). Any fewer than 10 new signings is unacceptable. 

 

Of course, more needed if Hall/Livramento go, and fewer if we start promoting youth to the first team (though with Howe, I don't think we can rely on this...) 

 

We don't need twelve players.

 

We need a keeper, full back cover, (assuming Tonali goes) a midfielder and a Gordon replacement. 

 

Then if we flog anyone else, we'll need a replacement, perhaps bar Willock.

 

The lack of Europe means there's not as much urgency to restock the squad. If you're starting point is twelve players, you're just setting yourself up for disappointment.

[Toon No9]

9 hours ago, andycap said:

Hope we go this formation at the start of the season and give everyone a lift. 

Surely Miley must be a starter next season?