Right then, who should we sign?

[splutcho]

I have no issues with Johnson playing there after the season he's had, but if that's not working we have no other plan for that position.

 

[GJP]

I'm not a Whittaker detractor....but I do worry about the cover there when he often gets caught too far up the pitch. 

It's part of his job to get forward, though.

 

[Suffolk Canary]

I agree about the strikers - but it does seem harsh on Cam Jam and Grabban. Hoops surely won't stay, bearing in mind his lack of game time in the lower league this season. One quality goal scorer could be worth his weight in gold (look at Defoe at Sunderland for example...crucial goals at crucial times.)

Very true. For all of the hard graft Hooper, Jerome and Grabban will put in in the Prem, at the end of the day all the need from a striker is to put the ball in the bloody net.  Everyone thought it was crazy when Sunderland paid £14m for Defoe, but he saved them £130m by keeping them up. 

 

[Killiecanary]

It's part of his job to get forward, though.

Yes it is...same as Olsson. But Whitaker does have some issues with positioning (and to be fair gets less cover from Redmond than Olsson does from BJ) and I think is a little slow in transition at times. I don't think at all that Whittaker has had a poor season (and always believed that the stick he got at times was shocking)

But is RB an area I think could do with strengthening for the Premier League? Yes, I still do. Who would be better? No idea! That's why we're lucky to have Wee Alex!

 

[KeiranShikari]

Whitts has been quality this season, surprised people are so quick to want a change. We do need another one though presuming Martin will remain at cb.

Really don't think Hooper will leave. We wouldn't sell him to a rival club because we know he can score at that level. Jerome was often used as a winger under Pulis so I'm pretty sure he'll score next season. Grabban is the wildcard at that level for me. I honestly thing the only way Hooper goes is if we sign another clinical type, like Rhodes.

 

[Canaryboy]

Now...?? I will be surprised if BJ doesn't start there in the PL. This really was a weird season wasn't it??

I think we could definitely do with a wide player or two, even if Alex Neil wants to give BJ a chance there. 

We've lost Snodgrass and Pilkington since we were last in this division, Elliott Bennett probably isn't the player he was before his injury, and we all know that Hoolahan is wasted if forced to play out wide. I don't know what sort of player Lafferty is supposed to be, but I do know that he looked really awkward as a left winger. 

I'd be disappointed if we didn't sign at least one wide player, I think the wings - left wing in particular - is the one area of the pitch where we don't have strength in depth. I'd like us to sign two wide players to be honest.

Josh Murphy would perhaps be an option there if he'd featured more this season, but I think he needs to go out on loan and play. He has now played less football than his brother. 

It would also be nice to have the option to play Redmond through the middle, an option that we won't have unless we have somebody else to play right wing. 

 

[Canaryboy]

Whitts has been quality this season, surprised people are so quick to want a change. We do need another one though presuming Martin will remain at cb.

I don't know why Whittaker gets the amount of stick that he does, but I do think that we lack a pacey player at right back, neither Whittaker or Martin are blessed in that department.

It was an obvious weakness for us last time around (in the Premier League). As I said on another thread (possibly earlier in this one), it is a real shame that Swansea snapped up Kyle Naughton in January. He'd have been a great signing at £5m. 

 

[GJP]

Yes it is...same as Olsson. But Whitaker does have some issues with positioning (and to be fair gets less cover from Redmond than Olsson does from BJ) and I think is a little slow in transition at times. I don't think at all that Whittaker has had a poor season (and always believed that the stick he got at times was shocking)

But is RB an area I think could do with strengthening for the Premier League? Yes, I still do. Who would be better? No idea! That's why we're lucky to have Wee Alex!

I would say Whittaker's positioning is quite good, probably better than Olsson's. But of course Olsson does have that pace to help him out.

Depending on who were playing I'm sure AN will advise the fullbacks how far forward he wants them going.

 

[KeiranShikari]

Agree that we need another winger. Can't see EB or either of the Murphys really playing much, If Bennett is still here next season it'll be to keep a good guy in the dressing room. Can see him joining Hughton at Brighton. 

 

[BroadstairsR]

I actually think that Gary Hooper could leave KS, and, furthermore, he will likely be the only player we have who would want to go at his own volition.

He is a more than decent striker and probably deserves a place in a mid-table Premier League squad, but he has never seemed to quite fit in at Carrow Road. There is an element of disaffection about him. I feel that he expected more from his move to Norwich than to be third choice striker in a Championship team. Indeed, he originally talked of the move as a step towards him achieving international status.

He has shown some classy stuff with us and is undoubtedly a sharp striker, but I always feel that his effort is on his own terms.

We will likely gain financially on him as he will excite suitors like the other two promoted sides and even the Aston Villas, if they lose Benteke (another mood-ball.)

Someone has said that we would not sell him to a PL rival. This might be the case, but top championship clubs, especially with the parachutes, have the dosh.

Getting £6m for GH would help solve the problem of our need to go out there and buy a top class, quality gem. It would assist with the funding and would therefore allay the fears that our three main men, to a man, are, although pretty good, somewhat lacking in the Premier League context. That actually might be a bit harsh on Jerome, but not on Grabban.

 

[Yellow Fever]

I also have a feeling that Hooper might move on to get more playing time. 

Another rumour in the papers is Efe Ambrose of Celtic:

Aged 26 and 6'3", Wiki says: "Ambrose often played as a defensive midfielder for the Nigeria national football team and can also play as a centre back or right back, doing so in the Israeli Premier League at FC Ashdod. A ball playing centre-half, Efe is known for his composure in possession. He is also noted for the multiple somersaults he performs in celebration when he scores a goal."

Obviously a player AN would know from the SPL. An advantage that the can play at CB, RB or DM. My concern is that he is right-sided rather than left-sided with the ability to play LB as well. Could be a good shout though. 46 caps for Nigeria is impressive. A younger Yobo?

 

[The Great Mass Debater]

Whitts has been quality this season, surprised people are so quick to want a change. We do need another one though presuming Martin will remain at cb.

Really don't think Hooper will leave. We wouldn't sell him to a rival club because we know he can score at that level. Jerome was often used as a winger under Pulis so I'm pretty sure he'll score next season. Grabban is the wildcard at that level for me. I honestly thing the only way Hooper goes is if we sign another clinical type, like Rhodes.

Whittaker has done well this season, but the important point is that this was in a league lower. He's now 2 years older than when he was found to be vulnerable defensively in the premiership to pace and skill. No doubting his on-the-ball ability is good, but I would seriously question him defensively in the Premier League

 

[kirku]

Whittaker has done well this season, but the important point is that this was in a league lower. He's now 2 years older than when he was found to be vulnerable defensively in the premiership to pace and skill. No doubting his on-the-ball ability is good, but I would seriously question him defensively in the Premier League

I've got similar thoughts. He's decent enough as a Premiership squad player but I'd have serious doubts if he's our 1st choice RB. Much like Johnson...

 

[derehamyella]

I wonder if old Tony at QPR could be leant on a little to part with  Charlie Austin, they paid aound 4 mill for him a couple of years ago, has always scored in whatever team, finished premier's 3rd top scorer.

I would not be to too unhappy with him .. 

 

 

[splutcho]

I think he'll be going for about £10m. Probably out of our price range.

 

[ZLF]

rumours grow that hooper wont be here next season.

A loan away and even a QPR swap move have been mentioned - which may make austin more affordable.  Realistically though he will end up at a better mid table prem team.      As for price - for the right player i can see us breaking our record - although it wont be with the same fan fare.

That hooper was unable to convince any of the three managers he worked under that he was deserving of a run as starting striker (the longest run only came when RvW was injured) highlights both the limits of his ability, application & consistency in both the prem but more alarmingly at champs level too.

 

[Din]

I'm hoping that the squad looks something like this for next season:

Ruddy

Rudd

Matthews

Martin

Whittaker

Olsson

Toffolo (Or possibly a New LB and loan Toffolo to a Championship team)

Bassong

New CB

R.Bennett

Turner

Redmond

E.Bennett

Johnson

New LM

Josh Murphy

Howson

Tettey

Dorrans

O'Neil

Odjidja-Ofoe

(Possibly a New CM)

Hoolahan

Andreu

Jerome

Grabban

Hooper

New ST

Loza

Loaned Out:

Miquel (Championship)

Jacob Murphy (Championship)

McGrandles (League 1)

Thompson (Championship)

Sold:

Van Wolfswinkel

Lafferty

 

[Suffolk Canary]

I think he'll be going for about £10m. Probably out of our price range.

More importantly, he would never come to another team that will be battling relegation. He'll be looking much higher than that, and rightly so. Quality player

 

[KeiranShikari]

Yeah, zero chance of us signing Charlie Austin.

I honestly wouldn't be surprised to see us break the 10m transfer fee barrier though. If not this summer then certainly next, presuming all goes well. 

 

[ZLF]

a lot depends on who we sign but I see no reason when Neil wont take us to between 10th and 15th.   We beat the two promoted teams twice and there are a lot of prem teams in turmoil at the bottom of the prem.       Striker,  4 quality defenders and tettey & bj position options and we can comfortably push for 10 wins and safety by next March or so.

As such I dont think we will be a side fighting relegation - but your points stands that he will be looking for an established side to support his push for an england place.    But take out the top 4 sides and his options are limited.