Originally Posted by
AucklandRover
Difficult question.
Yes - I suppose I'd have to say half full. The reason I find it tricky is that I don't really think "expectations" count for much.
In fact, the unpredictability is part of the fun.
I reckon we might do all right even after a massive clear-out, as long as an experienced keeper and centre-back are signed.
That would mean something like:
GK: A.N. Other/Fisher
DEFENCE: Nyambe/Lenihan/A.N.Other/Bell/Wharton/Carter (and one more from Grayson/Magloire/Platt/Thompson)
MIDFIELD and WINGERS: Evans/Travis/Downing/Buckley/Rankin-Costello/Davenport/Rothwell/Chapman
FORWARDS: Dack/Armstrong/Gallagher/Brereton/Butterworth/Vale.
Now, I don't think for a minute that all those I've missed out will leave. I'm just saying things wouldn't look too bad if they did.
Ideally, we'd get a new left-back as well, but I'm sceptical about the funding, and I'm hoping that Bell finally comes good!
In particular, we do seem to have a lot of flexibility there, in midfield and up front.
I've seen talk of us buying a Tugay type. Where the hell from - and at what cost?!
I'd rather rely on our own youngsters. The core group of Travis, Buckley, Rankin-Costello and Davenport looks pretty decent to me, and we have to be realistic about signings.
How would we go with that squad? No idea, although I'd again guess at about tenth. Money doesn't always talk, anyway. Look at the 50 million Stoke spent!