So what have we got so far?

[norwaysaint]

GK:

Davis

 

Well we all know we need a new goalie, we could do with one for now and a decent prospect.

 

Right back:

Clyne

Richardson

Butterfield

Stephens

 

That's not a bad choice, one we hope is at the right standard, one we know can do a job, one emergency back-up and one prospect.

 

 

left back:

Fox

Harding

Dickson

Shaw

 

Not including Buttner. Not quite so strong, Fox can do a job, Harding isn't expected to rise to this level, Dickson wasn't seen as good enough last season, Shaw is still just a prospect.

 

CBs:

Fonte

Hooiveld

Seaborne

 

Clearly no strength in depth, we need back-up and we need somebody good enough to challenge Fonte and Jos for their place.

 

Right mid/wing:

 

Guly

De Ridder

Puncheon

Chambers

 

There's nothing there that leaves you too happy. Guly's done his best work up front, Puncheon's not reliable and Chambers is just a prospect.

 

Left:

Lallana

 

Am I missing someone? Is it just him?

 

 

Strikers:

Lambert

Rodriguez

Sharp

Lee

 

I like all of these and would expect at least two of them to make the step up well.

 

 

Looks like we still need a GK and a centre back. We'd also like a more strength down the left and somebody on the right. Seems like we need loads, despite having a good team last year. and quite a lot of players. Are we carrying too many average ones now? I didn't even include some.

[krissyboy31]

Am I missing someone? Is it just him?

Don't know about that but you missed the entire centre midfield.

[merrimd]

GK:

Davis

 

Well we all know we need a new goalie, we could do with one for now and a decent prospect.

 

Right back:

Clyne

Richardson

Butterfield

Stephens

 

That's not a bad choice, one we hope is at the right standard, one we know can do a job, one emergency back-up and one prospect.

 

 

left back:

Fox

Harding

Dickson

Shaw

 

Not including Buttner. Not quite so strong, Fox can do a job, Harding isn't expected to rise to this level, Dickson wasn't seen as good enough last season, Shaw is still just a prospect.

 

CBs:

Fonte

Hooiveld

Seaborne

Stephens (has played both pre season games here)

 

Clearly no strength in depth, we need back-up and we need somebody good enough to challenge Fonte and Jos for their place.

 

Right mid/wing:

 

Guly

De Ridder

Puncheon

Chambers (Plays centre mid)

Cork (Some of his better performances last season came from here)

 

There's nothing there that leaves you too happy. Guly's done his best work up front, Puncheon's not reliable and Chambers is just a prospect.

 

Left:

Lallana

Puncheon (Is left footed I think?)

Am I missing someone? Is it just him?

 

 

Strikers:

Lambert

Rodriguez

Sharp

Lee

 

I like all of these and would expect at least two of them to make the step up well.

 

 

Looks like we still need a GK and a centre back. We'd also like a more strength down the left and somebody on the right. Seems like we need loads, despite having a good team last year. and quite a lot of players. Are we carrying too many average ones now? I didn't even include some.

 

I can also see us playing much narrower across the middle, allowing the full backs to use the width, so therefore maybe not so much need for out and out wingers.

 

Maybe.

[Saint Charlie]

Need an attacking midfielder ie Lens, de Bruyne type

 

2 x CB

1/2 x GK

[farawaysaint]

Tadanari Lee is known for playing left wing.

[HurleyBurley]

Guly did his best work up front? Do you attend the matches or just watch the results come in? Guly is one of this clubs best passers and is very comfortable on the football... He's a midfielder who we had to deploy up front last season because we had no option. He's a far better player in midfield than up front

[Dalek2003]

There is still quite a lot of strengthening to do if we are to have a good chance of consolidation in the forthcoming season.

[S-Clarke]

We need 1 GK. 2 centre backs, 1 LB and a RW/AMC type.

 

That would be that.

[BlakeySFC]

Still think we need 2 CB's, 2 GKs, 1 RMF and 1 LMF personally.

[NY Saint]

Have we released Spiderman and Hammond? Still think Morgan at least CDAJFU in the middle.

[SNSUN]

Still think we need 2 CB's, 2 GKs, 1 RMF and 1 LMF personally.

 

This, but if we only signed one keeper, I wouldn't be too disheartened. We need two CB's though - 2 good ones, the last time we were in the Premier League we got relegated because of dodgy CB's. We can't afford that again.

[Saint Garrett]

GK:

Davis

 

Well we all know we need a new goalie, we could do with one for now and a decent prospect.

 

Right back:

Clyne

Richardson

Butterfield

Stephens

 

That's not a bad choice, one we hope is at the right standard, one we know can do a job, one emergency back-up and one prospect.

 

 

left back:

Fox

Harding

Dickson

Shaw

 

Not including Buttner. Not quite so strong, Fox can do a job, Harding isn't expected to rise to this level, Dickson wasn't seen as good enough last season, Shaw is still just a prospect.

 

CBs:

Fonte

Hooiveld

Seaborne

 

Clearly no strength in depth, we need back-up and we need somebody good enough to challenge Fonte and Jos for their place.

 

CM

Schneiderlin

Davis

Cork

Hammond

Ward Prowse

 

 

Right mid/wing:

 

Guly

De Ridder

Puncheon

Chaplow

Chambers

 

 

There's nothing there that leaves you too happy. Guly's done his best work up front, Puncheon's not reliable and Chambers is just a prospect.

 

Left:

Lallana

 

Am I missing someone? Is it just him?

 

 

Strikers:

Lambert

Rodriguez

Sharp

Lee

 

I like all of these and would expect at least two of them to make the step up well.

 

Red not good enough IMO. Wouldn't be too bothered if Shaw and Stephens were our 2 3rd choice wing backs, and Ward Prowse our 5th CM, but wouldnt want to have to rely on these lads week in week out.

[VectisSaint]

We need 2 GKs and 2 CBs, anyone who does not think we need 2 GKs must be accepting that Tommy Fivepast will be in the squad. You cannot go into a PL season with 2 GKs, it would be suicidal. Likewise 2 CBs, I am not convinced Seaborne is up to PL level (I was not totally convinced he was NPC level and his injury must make him even more doubtful). The OP seems to think Harding cannot step up to PL level, Adkins clearly thinks differently, otherwise he would not be in Switzerland (he would be mixing with Forte, Barnard and Dickson in the stiffs). Harding is perfectly good enough for PL, especially as backup for Fox. We appear light down the left, not sure that i agree about Chung playing on the left, seemed to play for us in centre upfront, although his goal was from the left.

 

So from my POV we are almost certainly looking to sign 5 more players: 2 GK (one youngster), 2 CBs and 1 LM. Otherwise I think we are very well set up.

[Saint Garrett]

Harding was average in L1, pretty woeful in the NPC, and will be embarrassed next season if he plays in the prem.

[sfc1971]

Guly did his best work up front? Do you attend the matches or just watch the results come in? Guly is one of this clubs best passers and is very comfortable on the football... He's a midfielder who we had to deploy up front last season because we had no option. He's a far better player in midfield than up front

 

Totally agree. Guly will shine in the Prem in his most natural position now we have the strength up front.

[Saint Garrett]

If Guly wants to play, then he could have a huge part to play this season, but if he's not up for it, it's like playing with 10 men.

[norwaysaint]

Guly did his best work up front? Do you attend the matches or just watch the results come in? Guly is one of this clubs best passers and is very comfortable on the football... He's a midfielder who we had to deploy up front last season because we had no option. He's a far better player in midfield than up front

 

As I don't get to see many matches I just based it on the impressions I had and gladly concede to others who know better. Guly's surely going to get limited chances up front anyway.

 

Yes, somehow I missed the midfield of Davis, Hammond, Schneiderlin, Cork, Chaplow and Ward Prowse, which seems pretty good to me, at least as good as we had last time around in theory.

Is Chambers centre mid? Stuff I'd read before made me think he played on the right, but don't mind being wrong.

 

Would be very happy if Lee can alternate with Lallana on the left.

[SaintBobby]

There is still quite a lot of strengthening to do if we are to have a good chance of consolidation in the forthcoming season.

 

"Quite" a lot? I'd say we need to start from scratch.

 

Lallana might just cope in the Prem - the rest of them are strictly Championship players.

[Mattio]

I reckon we need 2 CB a RM and a GK and a LB on loan and we'll be ok up to Xmas, didn't JayRod play on the wing at some point? Maybe that's the sort of role he'll be in at SMS?

[Sidney Fudpucker the 3rd]

"Quite" a lot? I'd say we need to start from scratch.

 

Lallana might just cope in the Prem - the rest of them are strictly Championship players.

 

I couldn't agree more. I really don't think we stand a cat in hells chance with that squad and I'm not convinced that any of our signings so far are anything better than championship quality. It looks like Nigel is building for a future in the Championship, not the Premiership. If we're to stand any chance of staying up we need some experienced premiership players. Starting with 1 or 2 centre backs.

[westofshannonsaint]

"Quite" a lot? I'd say we need to start from scratch.

 

Lallana might just cope in the Prem - the rest of them are strictly Championship players.

 

if I looked through your post history, would you have suggested this time last year that SRL would not good enough for the championship?

 

How many of our players were in last years championship team of the year? Surely the best players in the championship cdaj in the prem? although, it might be a bit of a risk putting them all in one team.

 

Also, How many of our squad came to us when offers from prem teams were on the table? & How many first teamers has NC sold (anyone other than OX)?

 

...Evolution, not Revolution...there are obvious gaps in the squad, but based on our recent history I believe these gaps will be plugged.

 

what are the loan rules in the prem? does a loan window open after the transfer window closes? We've done well with loans (with option to buy) recently.

[1885]

I'm very surprised NA is talking about aiming to qualify for Europe.

The current squad might be good enough not to go down again right away, but I think Europe's a little bit unrealistic.

[ExSt Peter Saint]

As has been said on a few threads already, it's a bit simplistic to look at the squad through positions in a 4-4-2, as it's pretty unlikely we'll play that way much of the time. Defence yes, I'm pretty sure we'll play with four and CB is the weakest link there in terms of depth, as I do think Shaw will start pushing Fox for the LB spot this year. I haven't seen Stephens at CB, but am encouraged by what I've heard so far. Just wouldn't like him or Seaborne to be regular starters.

In midfield, we have more defensively capable players, such as Schneiderlin, Hammond, Davis, Cork and Ward Prowse and then the more attacking players, such as Lallana, Guly, Puncheon, Chaplow, DeRidder, Chambers.

Then we have the strikers, some of who will also be utilised as attacking midfielders; Lambert, Jay Rod, Sharp, Lee and maybe other youngsters. Unless we're going to play with a traditional formation, you'd expect them to be able to adapt and play across it pretty well. I do think another really high quality attacking midfielder who can play left or right and get in behind defences is needed, but otherwise it's just GK and CB that worry me.

[Doctoroncall]

As has been said on a few threads already, it's a bit simplistic to look at the squad through positions in a 4-4-2, as it's pretty unlikely we'll play that way much of the time. Defence yes, I'm pretty sure we'll play with four and CB is the weakest link there in terms of depth, as I do think Shaw will start pushing Fox for the LB spot this year. I haven't seen Stephens at CB, but am encouraged by what I've heard so far. Just wouldn't like him or Seaborne to be regular starters.

In midfield, we have more defensively capable players, such as Schneiderlin, Hammond, Davis, Cork and Ward Prowse and then the more attacking players, such as Lallana, Guly, Puncheon, Chaplow, DeRidder, Chambers.

Then we have the strikers, some of who will also be utilised as attacking midfielders; Lambert, Jay Rod, Sharp, Lee and maybe other youngsters. Unless we're going to play with a traditional formation, you'd expect them to be able to adapt and play across it pretty well. I do think another really high quality attacking midfielder who can play left or right and get in behind defences is needed, but otherwise it's just GK and CB that worry me.

 

Nicely put, I agree with all that.

 

The youngsters will start to push hard for places which will be good for competition. It's interesting that there hasn't been as many rumours regarding any centre backs as we're had other positions.

[david in sweden]

some people seem to suggest the advent of Luke Shaw will blow off the Buttner deal...! (maybe ?)

 

but now that we have signed the young goalie....we 'll need another experienced international one.. as proper back-up for KD,

 

and .......the two centre backs.....and the extra striker !

 

That'll do nicely thank you.

[Saint Garrett]

I don't think we'll sign another striker. Think we'll go with what we have got and re-assess in January. Though a player who can play RW/LW/AM would be handy...kind of a step up from De Ridder. 2 centre backs and one keeper are a must though.

[david in sweden]

"Quite" a lot? I'd say we need to start from scratch.

 

Lallana might just cope in the Prem - the rest of them are strictly Championship players.

 

 

 

 

 

.....that's because they've not played in the Prem. before.........as for the standard.....I expect we'll see that by the end of August.

[david in sweden]

I don't think we'll sign another striker.

 

 

maybe not BUT.......if the current stories running about Lens are true, we shouldn't miss the opportunity.

[Mowgli]

It does not appear to have been picked up on any other thread but Jack Stephens talks on the official site about his chances for the first team. He talks about the competition from Fonte, Jos and Seabourne. So can we conclude from this that the club no longer view Stephens as a right back and that he was more than just filling in when he partnered Seabourne in defence last week? If so that certainly gives a bit more balance to our squad options. In fact I would go as far to say that the current squad is a good one to start the season. Over the course of the next few months there may be one or two who find the step up is too much so we can use the January transfer window to strengthen in those areas.

[positivepete]

As has been said on a few threads already, it's a bit simplistic to look at the squad through positions in a 4-4-2, as it's pretty unlikely we'll play that way much of the time. Defence yes, I'm pretty sure we'll play with four and CB is the weakest link there in terms of depth, as I do think Shaw will start pushing Fox for the LB spot this year. I haven't seen Stephens at CB, but am encouraged by what I've heard so far. Just wouldn't like him or Seaborne to be regular starters.

In midfield, we have more defensively capable players, such as Schneiderlin, Hammond, Davis, Cork and Ward Prowse and then the more attacking players, such as Lallana, Guly, Puncheon, Chaplow, DeRidder, Chambers

 

Then we have the strikers, some of who will also be utilised as attacking midfielders; Lambert, Jay Rod, Sharp, Lee and maybe other youngsters. Unless we're going to play with a traditional formation, you'd expect them to be able to adapt and play across it pretty well. I do think another really high quality attacking midfielder who can play left or right and get in behind defences is needed, but otherwise it's just GK and CB that worry me.

 

Agree we will not be playing 442 next season. Interesting also to note that Shaw has been playing in a more advanced role in all his appearances so far