Kjetil Osvold's Cat
Kingsley Black
Just repeating what I said on the Forest-Valencia thread to be fair, but I'd say:For me we're in need of 4 more as a minimum and this is based on Mangala having signed.
LWB as we don't know how long Richards will be out for and I'm not sure Toffolo is up to the level of week in week out top flight football. (Moreno)
CM as we need a nasty bugger in there who will break up play and keep it simple. (Carvalho or Camara)
Attacking midfielder (either wide or central) to have a threat in the opposition box, preferably one that can deliver a dead ball. (MGW or Cornet)
Striker so someone who will give defences a headache. Ideally one with a killer instinct but these costs tens of millions. Would be happy for Davis to sign or Dennis.
Basically we need a squad when it's not going well we have some options to bring. I'm sure that every other team we play this season will have 20 senior players in their match day squads and can call upon 5 good subs that impact games. As things stand we're relying on Taylor, Cafu, Laryea etc and kids off the bench, players not even good enough last season.
So if we add the 4 positions I mentioned we're looking at for a regular match day squad if everyone is available:
Henderson
Hennessey
Worrall
Cook
Mckenna
Niakhate
Biancone
Williams
Richards
Toffolo
NEW LB
Yates
O'Brien
Mangala
Lingard
NEW DCM
NEW AM
Johnson
Surridge
Awoniyi
NEW ST
Actually makes 21 that so with a new LB you might expect Toffolo to drop out. Then there's Colback, Cafu and the more fringe players beyond that. Obviously it's still fairly small as one or two injuries and you're into putting bomb squadders on the bench.
- Agree a wing-back (probably left given Richards being injured, even though Williams can play both sides) would be useful but I'd prefer a loan from aboard or something rather than spending much on him at the moment.
- Much prefer another 'football player' rather than a 'nasty bugger' in midfield - breaking up play doesn't have to be dirty and hopefully O'Brien and Mangala can be good enough at that as well as using the ball well, even alongside each other, although Yates won't be out long and if we do get a playmaker type then we'd be well stocked for midfielders I think. Ramsey on a free would be ok, Garner obviously a good option, maybe Wijnaldum or Winks worth considering I'd say - one of those for example.
- MGW would still be good if feasible. I'd see Cornet more as a forward than an AM. I'd really like McAtee on loan - seems a quality young player, knows where the net is too, and could bring a lot to the table this season I think in terms of enthusiasm, imagination, incisiveness. I'd like both him and MGW if possible of course.
- Think Dennis might be the best option now for attack, given being able to play predominantly as /supporting player creator as well as striker/scorer, wide as well as central. Another striker on loan (not from the Premier League if we did take McAtee on loan) would be useful though, for cover at the very least.