02 Nov 2018 19:59:13
Evening Ed. Do you think that we will be able to thin the squad and free up some wages for transfers in January?

{Ed007's Note - I'm hoping we can, a clear out is long overdue and we'll need space in the squad for new additions over the next 2 windows.}

1.) 02 Nov 2018
02 Nov 2018 21:10:18
I hope so too. Even though we are coming on to some good football, we still need an injection of new blood.

{Ed007's Note - Lustig's contract is up in the summer and I can see him moving on, Benkovic will likely head back to Leicester, Boyata's for the off in January or the summer and a replacement for Gordon a must over the next 2 windows - let's hope Lawwell doesn't do what he done with RD in his second season after we lost both VVD & Denayer.}

2.) 02 Nov 2018
02 Nov 2018 22:07:27
I wouldn’t be too hasty about cleaning out squad players. I remember a couple of years ago thinking ‘why does McGregor even get a game’? Look at him now. I also remember a couple of weeks ago, quite a few were suggesting Ryan Christie wasn’t good enough. Again, he’s looking very promising at the moment. If we do release some and sign others, they have to be better than the ones that are leaving.

{Ed007's Note - Scott Allan, Compper, Gamboa, de Vries, Izaguirre, Bitton, Hayes..... which of those players should we wait and see what happens with?}

3.) 02 Nov 2018
02 Nov 2018 23:14:33
If I knew the answer to that one, I’d be sitting in the dugout tomorrow.

{Ed007's Note - Hahaha But you know what I mean, there's a few quid in wages that are offering diddly squat on the park, the problem is the cost of paying them off or finding anyone stupid enough to buy them. Allan, Gamboa, Izaguirre and de Vries contract's are all up so that's a good start but Compper, Bitton and Hayes will be hard to shift, it's a shame the way things have worked out for Hayes right enough.}

4.) 02 Nov 2018
02 Nov 2018 23:20:12
Benyu!

{Ed007's Note - I forgot about him...

5.) 03 Nov 2018
02 Nov 2018 23:43:17
All the players, that ed has listed up there have age against them, apart from Allan, who has never been given a real chance, but the rest of them must be moved on,

6.) 03 Nov 2018
03 Nov 2018 00:13:49
I do know what you mean but suppose we do move those players on and replace them. The new guys are probably going to be doing the same as they ones who just left. We can only put 11 players on the field and we need decent squad players that are willing to work hard in training and wait on the sidelines till they get a chance.

Suppose N’tcham loses his place to one of the new guys. Will he be willing to sit it out till he gets his chance again or will he look for a move elsewhere? That’s the dilemma if you’re looking to bring new players in and stability is vital to a winning squad.

7.) 03 Nov 2018
03 Nov 2018 09:28:31
I think Izzy will be kept next year as we need cover In case Teirney injured. Bitton is a player the gaffer seems to like so I expect Jim to still be around as well.

8.) 03 Nov 2018
03 Nov 2018 11:48:08
I like Bitton. In the early stages of BR’s tenure, he was a first choice midfielder and he only lost out because McGregor stepped up and N’tcham came in and both improved the team. He could still do a job when required and he offers us cover in other positions and who’s to say he won’t hit form and win his place back? Agree about Izzy as well. I like the fact that guys who were previously first choice players are now squad players. That’s some level of strength in depth.