Next season

Pondering how the squad will look, and whether my sense of impending doom is well placed.

My assumption is Max goes to balance the books. Todd clearly wants out, but not sure anyone in the bracket he thinks he is worth will be interested, given the utter garbage he’s serving up. Dimi may want out back to Greece, maybe Tzolis too, but I assume we persuade them to stay. Rashica will have had two consecutive relegations, so I doubt he gets a transfer to another top tier team. Also assuming Krul stays, as he will prefer to play and no Prem team will start him. All loans go back. Sarge might go back to civilian life at the end of his “win a year as a footballer” prize, but I’m assuming we keep him and I’ve listed him as a striker, contrary to the evidence.

GK: Krul, Gunn, Barden

FB: Byram, Gianoulis, McCallum, Mumba

CB: Hanley, Gibson, Omabamidele, Zimbo, Famewo

MF: Rupp, Dowell, Cantwell, Sorensen, PLM, McLean

Wingers: Placheta, Rashica, Tzolis, Onel

Strikers: Pukki, Idah, Sarge, Hugill

Having mapped that out, not as terrible as I assumed, if this is where we end up. But success at champs level will be totally dependent on Pukki scoring 20+ again, as not one of the other strikers have any goals in them. And the midfield and winger units look lower on quality than previous vintages.

I see this as a play off team, not a top 2 team. Much less confident we bounce straight back. Maybe there’s some talent about to break through from the yoofs?

Posted By: Under soil heating, Dec 29, 11:37:42