30 Jul 2014 23:53:39
I'm trying to work out the pieces of the jigsaw.

The rumours are that we are close to getting Cavanda, a RB who can fill in at LB. That would probably leave us needing two CBs (assuming Diakite and Roberge are moved on), possibly one who could play at FB also.

Zouma is out of the reckoning if we are getting Atsu on loan from Chelsea (max one player on loan from an EPL side). Van Dijk has been mentioned but the money is on him going to Southampton. I assume Vergini has to be a candidate for the CB/FB role.

In midfield, I would say we need two CMs (assuming N'Diaye and Cabral go). Jack Rodwell is the only name I've heard for one of these roles so is there anyone else or could one of N'Diaye or Cabral take that second spot?

Then it is apparent Gus is keen on a LW having pursued Rodriguez and now Atsu. With Giaccherini already on the left and the still possible arrival of Borini who can play there, does that leave us unbalanced or can we assume one of those three aren't in the current thinking?

If Borini does come in, could one of the three play RW or is there someone else waiting in the wings (sorry!)?

So where does that leave us:

GK: Mannone
GK: Pantilimon
GK: Pickford?

RB: Jones
RB/CB: Vergini?
CB: Brown
CB: O'Shea
CB: (van Dijk?)
LB: van Aanholt
LB: Cavanda

CM: Cattermole
CM: Bridcutt
CM: N'Diaye / Cabral?
CM: (Rodwell?)
CM: Larsson
CM: Gomez

LW: Atsu?
LW: Giaccherini
LW/CF: Borini
RW: Johnson
CF: Fletcher
CF: Altidore
CF: Wickham

Selected others: Diakite (out?), Roberge (out?), Mavrias, Ba, Moberg-Karlsson (out?), Whatmore, Graham (out?)

Does that look a strong enough squad? I think so but the big question marks are over two of the key roles; van Dijk and Rodwell.

Maybe we are not as far away as some are thinking?

1.) 31 Jul 2014
I agree with some of the thingd you have pointed out yet some players I think may be given more of a chance by Gus. Watmore for example, has shown bags of talent and a real desire to try and break into the first team. Alfie I think will also try and get more gametime under Gus so I think he may stay.

But here is where I get confused. All the teams around us are building on what they had last season, yet with us what we are doing is chasing down the loanees we had and trying to make them permanent, good move yes, but eventually we will end up with the exact same team that struggled last season bar the exceptions of those who have moved on like Gardner and Bardsley. Personally I feel that maybe after PDC's mad reign of terror in the transfer market, that we are being overly safe about these transfers. Yet I am glad that we aren't spending big on mediocre players again, always a start.

Whether we will get Rodwell or this player or that player needs tp be sorted within a week as Gus said to really work with what he has. West Brom is right around the corner and we need to act fast if we are to try and stay away from the drop again.

2.) 31 Jul 2014
31 Jul 2014 09:52:47
i can understand the loan delays as clubs look at players during pre season matches before loaning the surplus ones out so I expect well fill our loan quota later rather than earlier!

3.) 31 Jul 2014
I don't understand all the panic tbh but this squad only looks good if we make all the signings that you've noted. without them I don't feel our squad has improved from last year