What is needed this Summer

[cookieg]

I very much see this season as a missed opportunity to really progress. It's great to have had results against some of the big teams but we have consistently failed against teams below us which has cost us being in a secure euro spot. We look tired due to lack of rotation, we can't beat a low block and we don't score anywhere near enough goals especially from midfield. I really don't know why Marco ignores our youth players as we could have blooded a few of these for next year. I really can't see Spuds being interested in Marco as he isn't a big enough name to please the fans but if he does go he goes and we move on. I'm sure SK has done his homework on the next manager.

[WindyCity]

I've posted recently that FFC needs to get younger, bring in some youth.  I know a club such as FFC has some challenges in so doing, sacrificing some experience perhaps.  But with all the outgoings (Willian, TC, Reed, Jimenez?, Vinicius, Tete?, Pereira?, Traore?, Wilson? et al) there is plenty of room for getting some forward players with some spring in their legs.  We still have some experience and good players in the back four and midfield.  Do we have any youngsters ready to make the jump?  King?  Any others?  We see all the time on many teams players in their late teens/early 20's getting plenty of pitch time.  Would like to see FFC bring in some youth/speed at those forward spots and even forward mids.

[WindyCity]

I very much see this season as a missed opportunity to really progress.

Yep, totally agree.  And that's the most frustrating thing about this season.  Sure, some great results, but mostly missed opportunities to really progress/grow.

[Craven Mad]

Perhaps the best thing we could get this summer is a New Manager as I believe Marco may have reached his limit atvFFC

With five games to go, we are just five points from matching our highest ever premier league points total.

Whilst i don't think Silva has "reached his limit" with us in any way, the points total stuff is just meaningless vanity IMO, the real measure is where we finish in relation to peer clubs, ie Brighton, Brentford, Bournemouth, Forest, Wolves, Palace, Everton, Wolves, West Ham.

Okay, that's fair enough.

From your list we're currently third; one point behind Bournemouth (whose net spend in the past two years is nearly £140m more than ours) and nowhere near this season's biggest overachievers in Forest.

That's not too bad IMO.

[legana]

I just hope those behind any transfers are more ambitious than many fans.

Not wishing to have a dig at others but it is frustrating to be told players are out of our league and will go to a top club but then these players are linked with West Ham, Everton, Palace, etc. I understand we need to be realistic and consider FFP but surely those clubs also have similar restrictions.

I think this has been a very good year but perhaps we feel underwhelmed because Forest have done so well with their ambitious signings taking them to another level.

[FFC1987]

I know a lot of people suggested him a few seasons back, but I still think Hamer would be a fantastic signing and diversify our midfield. Works really hard and presses well, loved a forward pass, loves a shot so definitely something our current midfield seen partly afraid to do. We need more goals from our central midfield.

Overall, we need a good clear out of the back end of the squad, some exciting young players to fill that some of those slots and trying to keep our big performers.

Most importantly, keeping Silva, and give him what he needs to close those fine margins we've been close but too far away from.

[Angus Telford]

Perhaps the best thing we could get this summer is a New Manager as I believe Marco may have reached his limit atvFFC

With five games to go, we are just five points from matching our highest ever premier league points total.

Whilst i don't think Silva has "reached his limit" with us in any way, the points total stuff is just meaningless vanity IMO, the real measure is where we finish in relation to peer clubs, ie Brighton, Brentford, Bournemouth, Forest, Wolves, Palace, Everton, Wolves, West Ham.

Okay, that's fair enough.

From your list we're currently third; one point behind Bournemouth (whose net spend in the past two years is nearly £140m more than ours) and nowhere near this season's biggest overachievers in Forest.

That's not too bad IMO.

Don't disagree.

I think if we finish 1st (albeit now impossible to catch forest) or 2nd out of that lot I might call it a "great" or "excellent" season.

As we are, 3rd, "not too bad".

If our form now tapers away and we finish 4th/5th of that group then it'll be a totally mediocre or "ok" season at best IMO.

And in those latter scenarios the points total is therefore just a bit of a red herring.

[hovewhite]

Most important thing is Silva staying or going we do not need a dragged out scenario where he goes a couple of weeks before the season starts hopefully behind the scenes we have plans for both scenarios.
Back up keeper 💯 needed we have been lucky with Leno staying fit
Replacement for Diop
Replacement for Tete
Replacement for Vinicius
Replacement for Reed
Replacement for Andreas
Possibly a replacement for Robinson
Also rumours Bassey is wanted by Newcastle,Villa, Spurs and Untied
Muniz new contract
Going to be a busy summer with loads of rumours and business to be done.

Why's Diop being replaced, are there rumours he's leaving?

He can't get in the squad for some reason I like him he probably is our best defender when it comes to defending but his distribution is 💩

While Anderson can distribute but is defending is 💩

spot on.do think diops concentration on the pitch has improved 100% though

[Bill2]

Some midfield players who can score goals.

[Surlyc]

I'm not sure I agree with the position that an overhaul is needed. I think we need to prioritise two primary targets: a new box-to-box midfielder (to replace Reed and compete with Lukic) and a new winger (to replace Adama and compete with Wilson/Sessegnon/Iwobi). If Tete leaves then we would need a new RB and any unexpected departure (e.g. Robinson) would also need to be replaced; the only player I potentially wouldn't replace would if Andreas left, with Josh King and Smith Rowe obvious contenders for that gametime.

For the squad I'd like to see a new experienced goalkeeper (to compete with Benda) and then whatever young/upside players we can can find to fill out the squad (and replace/back-up Nelson/Robinson/Muniz).

Of course, if the mythical 20 goal a season striker is available then we should do it. But I think a continuation of our steady evolution strategy of 2-3 established signings and 3-4 squad players (incl. loans) each summer is sufficient for us to continue pushing on.

[Jim©]

Perhaps the best thing we could get this summer is a New Manager as I believe Marco may have reached his limit atvFFC

Not sure what to say to that whilst also staying within the posting parameters for this forum.

[WindyCity]

I just hope those behind any transfers are more ambitious than many fans.  Not wishing to have a dig at others but it is frustrating to be told players are out of our league and will go to a top club but then these players are linked with West Ham, Everton, Palace, etc. I understand we need to be realistic and consider FFP but surely those clubs also have similar restrictions.

I think this is a terrific point.  At what point does FFC put the big boy pants on and go after really good players, spend the money if necessary, and try some salesmanship?  Why do we seem so confined as to only entertain players "on the cheap"?  Willian, Traore, Jimenez, Sessegnon, Solomon all players obtained most likely because of the costs involved rather than the quality of player obtained.  You can't tell me that there aren't any quality players out there that would welcome a 'challenge' on a team pushing for Europe and the chance to play regularly on a team in a great league, even if European football isn't presently available nor can be guaranteed in the future.  Is the recruitment team salesmen at all?  Play in the Prem, on a competitive team, in a great city and location.  This can't be sold to players of quality?  And yes, as you pointed out, how do the teams around us seem to get some of these great players?  They have the same FFP restrictions to comply with as we do. 

[WindyCity]

Ha...speaking of getting players "on the cheap"...Would there be any interest in a player like Hojlund?  Can probably be had for 25m-30m.  Still very young (22).  Maybe all he needs is change of scenery and a different coach.  Just a thought.....

[Craven Mad]

Ha...speaking of getting players "on the cheap"...Would there be any interest in a player like Hojlund?  Can probably be had for 25m-30m.  Still very young (22).  Maybe all he needs is change of scenery and a different coach.  Just a thought.....

No doubt that Man Utd have some decent players who are underperforming, and I was I calling for us to sign Antony before his Betis move, but Hojlund genuinely looks out of his depth in this league and I really don't think is up to the required standard tbh...

[Deuce]

Ha...speaking of getting players "on the cheap"...Would there be any interest in a player like Hojlund?  Can probably be had for 25m-30m.  Still very young (22).  Maybe all he needs is change of scenery and a different coach.  Just a thought.....

No doubt that Man Utd have some decent players who are underperforming, and I was I calling for us to sign Antony before his Betis move, but Hojlund genuinely looks out of his depth in this league and I really don't think is up to the required standard tbh...

The player at United with the lowest wage is likely to one of our top earners. Even if the players are underperforming at United, there is still the wage to be sorted and we shouldnt be paying through our nose just to get average players like Anthony or Højlund.

Personally I hope we go for players age 20-25 and keep off the finished articles for once. We desperately need to get younger players into the first team for them to gel nicely and be ready to fill any gaps in the future.

Leno, 33
Tete and Castagne, 29
Pereira, 29
Jimenez, 33
And also with Iwobi, Andersen, Lukic and Wilson are 28 and in their general prime age. Count Diop and Traore into that age group as well.

Not old by any means, but its definitely time to think 2-3 years ahead and now is a good time to replace one or two older, outgoing players with younger ones that can come in so they have time to develop and gel with the rest of the side

[hopper]

Surprising link from a journalist at Bild that we would like Palhinha to come back. I'd take him back in a heartbeat.

[Twig]

Surprising link from a journalist at Bild that we would like Palhinha to come back. I'd take him back in a heartbeat.

Not so sure.

[Twig]

I totally agree with those who say we must find a way to prise open teams that sit in a low block and play on the break. We also need defenders quick enough to live with quick attackers playing on the break!

[demeant0r]

I'd have Pal back in a heartbeat too but I'd it not time to look for younger players?

[hopper]

Surprising link from a journalist at Bild that we would like Palhinha to come back. I'd take him back in a heartbeat.

Not so sure.

Thing is if we have all three of Lukic, Berge and Palhinha that would give us three excellent midfielders that can be used for different situations.

I agree we've developed well without him, but there have been some match states where I still think he would be the perfect person to come on for us.