The Championship 2013/14

[Bruce Rioja]

I don't dispute Knight has weaknesses in his game. However, he's better than Ream. By some way.

You're really into tallest dwarf territory there, Chief.

[SmokinFrazier]

Ream was fine yesterday, better than Knight, and that's considering he's not been in the team for such a long time which you have to bare that in mind when judging his overall performance. He would have been physically rusty and not as quick mentally either. All players need regular performances before they can reach their full playing potential, which isn't something Ream has had for us except during his strong partnership with Wheater.

That not something training should take care of then, Smoky? Assuming they do play football in training these days as well as have talks on structure and cohesion, of course.

Training helps but it's not done in the same intensity as a proper match, so players can keep fit but not match fit. Even reserve matches aren't good enough preparation, unfortunately, so there's no real way to prepare for a first team game. That's why players aren't at their best at the start of the season, because despite all the training and pre-season friendlies, it takes them a few first team games before they're up to speed.

[Bruce Rioja]

Match fitness can't be gained at Euxton, Tango, and you know it.

[bedwetter2]

I'm not as disappointed at the outcome as I thought I would be. On reflection, our form would have been unlikely to take us through the play-offs to promotion so in some ways it was best to cut the adventure short to reduce the pain of defeat. In my opinion.

The club now have to deal with the absolute priority of gaining automatic promotion next season. In doing so they will need to support DF (and LL) to the hilt. The playing squad needs a ruthless assessment of the strengths and weaknesses therein and judging by the recent comment attributed to DF, some of that work has already been done with some transfer targets identified. Presumably this also means that current members of the playing squad are also likely to receive their marching orders quickly.

The biggest need, IMHO, is identifying a striker who can actually score and has plenty of faith in his own ability to carry out his role successfully. We need a Walker or McGinlay far more than we need a N'gog or Sordell. Perhaps the answer is in youth for once teaming, say Zach Clough, with Eaves.

I believe DF will try to get Jedinak from Palace as his contract is just about up and he would be an ideal captain, something which Spearing may not quite have the presence for, even if he would come back on a permanent basis.

The largest area for replacement is the woeful defence. If Alonso goes, we will not have one player who is capable of consistency through a Championship season and be able to hold his own in the Premiership. It's a big task and I don't envy the task in hand for Dougie.

[gizmothevoomer]

Just have had a look at which premiership players are out of contract this summer, I have put a few names down below who may be decent signings for us below.

Thomas Hitzlsperger
Zoltan Gera
Richard Dunn
Titus Bramble
MAHAMADOU DIARRA ( On a pay per play basis )
Franco Di Santo
Paulo Ferreira ( Maybe out of our price range )
Sebastion Squillaci

Any thoughts anyone?

[Enoch]

I'll wager an internet bullseye we don't sign any of them.

[gizmothevoomer]

I'll wager an internet bullseye we don't sign any of them.

Probably not but but could they do a job for us? And should we be looking at any of them?

[Bruce Rioja]

Just have had a look at which premiership players are out of contract this summer, I have put a few names down below who may be decent signings for us below.


Richard Dunn
Titus Bramble

Any thoughts anyone?

Yes. Are you on fecking drugs?

[Burnden Paddock]

Just have had a look at which premiership players are out of contract this summer, I have put a few names down below who may be decent signings for us below.


Richard Dunn
Titus Bramble

Any thoughts anyone?

Yes. Are you on fecking drugs?

+1

Surely, you're on the wind up with those 2 gizmo??

[Wandering Willy]

Just have had a look at which premiership players are out of contract this summer, I have put a few names down below who may be decent signings for us below.


Richard Dunn
Titus Bramble

Any thoughts anyone?

You've only yourself to blame.

Pariah.

[officer_dibble]

Franco di santo if we dont keep craig davies. But we will!

[SmokinFrazier]

I think Richard Dunne would be pretty good in the Championship. He's got his limitations but they wouldn't be exposed too much in this league.

[officer_dibble]

We need a quickish centre half though. Its wheater/knight plus one for me.

[LeverEnd]

We could sign Bramble to make Knight look like Beckenbauer.

[Bruce Rioja]

I think Richard Dunne would be pretty good in the Championship. He's got his limitations but they wouldn't be exposed too much in this league.

We already have Zat Knight to fill the utterly clueless 4ucknugget centre back position.

[SmokinFrazier]

I'd have Dunne rather than Knight, personally, but I dislike how limited these players are in some areas. How many times do Knight and Mills just give the ball away with stupid passes to absolutely nobody? The lack of speed with Knight, Wheater and Mills is frightening, and Dunne would be no different. They're just big lumps who can do the basics well. At least Dunne has leadership qualities though, unlike Knight who probably needs his hand held when crossing the road.

But yeah, I'd like us to sign a defender who can defend, organise their teammates, pass the ball more than 5 yards and doesn't make a sloth look nippy. I guess that's too much to ask for in this league.

[Bruce Rioja]

I'd have Dunne rather than Knight, personally, but I dislike how limited these players are in some areas. How many times do Knight and Mills just give the ball away with stupid passes to absolutely nobody? The lack of speed with Knight, Wheater and Mills is frightening, and Dunne would be no different. They're just big lumps who can do the basics well. At least Dunne has leadership qualities though, unlike Knight who probably needs his hand held when crossing the road.

But yeah, I'd like us to sign a defender who can defend, organise their teammates, pass the ball more than 5 yards and doesn't make a sloth look nippy. I guess that's too much to ask for in this league.

Dawson then! That's the benchmark - certainly never, ever, ever Richard Dunne!!! And certainly no-one ever by dint of them being a bit better than Zat fecking Knightmare!!!

[Mitch]

Season starts 3rd August, that's early

[Annoyed Grunt]

Season starts 3rd August, that's early

Really?

[Tombwfc]

Just have had a look at which premiership players are out of contract this summer, I have put a few names down below who may be decent signings for us below.

Thomas Hitzlsperger
Zoltan Gera
Richard Dunn
Titus Bramble
MAHAMADOU DIARRA ( On a pay per play basis )
Franco Di Santo
Paulo Ferreira ( Maybe out of our price range )
Sebastion Squillaci

Any thoughts anyone?

I doubt we'd be able to afford the vast majority of those players even if they took a 50% pay cut.

Other than Kev I don't think there are many big earners out of contract (and we've still got people like a 32 year old Keith Andrews walking home with 15k+ a week for the next two years), so there's going to be limited room for maneuver for Dougie. It'll be bargain basement signings unless we shift one of our remaining sell-able assets (Ngog, Chungy).