Is Allardyce the man to secure promotion next season ?

[Barrera]

I hope he stays because I think this close season will see potentially the biggest shift out and in of players we have seen for a long time and we need someone who is skilled at wheeling and dealing and who is a great judge of a player. I can’t think of anyone else who is better qualified the question is though does Sam want to do it and will Lai back him.

Goalkeepers
Probably Johnstone will go if nothing else to help finance players coming in
Lonergan can go, indeed why is he here?

Defenders
Gibbs off to America
Ivanovic, too old and due to retire
Peltier, at best journeyman although I suppose he may stay
Kipre, surely not good enough even for the top of the Championship

Midfield
Phillips, will he go?
Livermore, who would take him?
Grosicki, on his way somewhere
Gallagher, too good for the Championship
Sawyers, who would take him?
Field, doesn’t want to come back
Mainland-Niles, too good for the Championship
Yokuslu, definitely too good for the Championship
Pereira, will we be able to keep him?

Forwards
Robson-Kanu, can’t see him getting a contract extension
Zohore, please someone take him
Austin, please someone take him
Diagne, still not sure

Yes, whoever is the boss in the summer has got an awful lot to do and this is not a role for an inexperienced Manager, or one without a track record of getting players in.

I am sure this squad would will the Championship but I reserve judgement though on whether we will come straight back or not once the deals have been completed. If they aren’t with that amount of changes you could see us going straight through the Championship unless the Manager gets the financial support needed.

Good summary. Massive job this summer. Would definitely keep Big Sam. Just a question of money. Will he be given a big enough budget? Will he be given a large bonus incentive? If the answer to both questions is YES, we will go straight back up next season.

[kettering_baggie]

I wasn’t too pleased when Sam was appointed but I have warmed to him but if the board doesn’t back him, he will go. I would also like us to make Yokuslu an offer to stay that he can’t refuse. So, I hope Sam stays and keeps the best players. I’m not confident, though!

[SwedishBaggie]

Tbh, some of the worst performances I’ve seen from us in the PL have been under BS:

Villa 0-3
Leeds 0-5
Arsenal 0-4
Man C 0-5
Fulham 2-2
Sheffield U 1-2

Don’t forget, out vs Blackpool in the FAC.

Games that should have been won, and where we underperformed:

Newcastle 0-0
Palace 0-1

So, not overly impressed by BS.

And, really poor 1st half vs Wolves to add to this...

[BaggieSingh]

I think we'll sell Periera and Johnstone, generate £25-30m and give it to Sam with the mandate to take us back up.

And I think that would be a competitive budget for him.

Its clear he doesn't fancy Livermore and Sawyers.

I think we have no hope of getting Yokuslu permanently. Nor Gallagher or AMN. And I think there are better strikers than Diagne.

What will be interesting, if he does stay next season, is what he does with Diangana and Grant. Big money signings who haven't really had a sniff under him this season.

There is a big rebuild job ahead for whoever it is.

If Johnstone n Perriera go we should get 40m+

[boingy]

Big Sam has started to make a huge difference over the last 8 Games. Easily mid table form, so he has turned us into a Premier league outfit. Unfortunately he came in too late. If we had had him at the start of the season there is no way we would be where we are right now. Highest scorers in April. last 8 games something like won 3 drawn 3 lost 2 as opposed to losing every match with the odd draw. I would definitely keep him for next season. It took him a while to get rid of the losing mentality but he has achieved that. Just too late.