Originally Posted by
AstonAlex
I tend to agree with the view expressed in another thread that we need to sort out the defence and, if we do that, we won’t be world beaters but we’ll be Top 10. To that end…..
We have one of the better keepers in the division and we just need back up, which probably means someone like Richards, as anyone better would want to play more often.
DA clearly wants Guthrie to stay along with Ray and we will also have Zooms. If he keeps Guthrie it will give flexibility and cover at LB (although I’d prefer JG at CB ) and, if successful, I would release Nugent who, for me, gives of his best but is clumsy – the poor man’s Dugdale. Either way we need an experienced CH to supplement what we have. We also have a vacancy at RB. If we want 8 defenders to provide cover then Ray, Guthrie, Ng and Zooms will need adding to! We may have someone coming through, but short term contracts aren’t the answer – we should have the confidence in our team to be offering 2 or 3 year deals to any new players.
I think we need an experienced midfielder to help the area of the pitch where I think we have most talent – Jones, Ainley, Wintle and Lowery all look decent League 2 players or better but a Hollands type player (better preferably) would be help them develop further.
We don’t seem to be short of forward players either; Cooper sometimes flatters but on other occasions has been our matchwinner; Kirk is probably worth another season and Udoh is signed up. Daggers is the star of the show at the moment and, if we could sign up Bowery I would be happy; can’t see it happening but someone similar would be great (and essential).
So a starting line up in August of Garratt; RB Ray CB Guthrie; Jones CM Ainley; Cooper Bowery Dagnall for me.
We also have the option of supplementing permanent signings with loanees of course. Personally, I would want the loanees to be young forwards or attacking midfielders (like Cooke and Kiwomya) rather than more integral parts of the central spine of the team – that way we won’t miss them if they disappear in January!