2022/23 Demarai Gray

[kenada_blue]

4 new ins with no one out would lead a bloated squad.

As it stands: 3 GKPs, 4 FBs, 5 CBs, 6 CMs, 2 Wingers, 3 Strikers. That’s already 23.

If Gnonto and Danjuma come in as being reported, and gray leaves, we then have 3 wingers, with Iwobi also covering that position. And we have 24.

Then an out and out striker is needed to put us on 25 players.

Personally don't class Gbamin and Gomes as part of the "squad" and we'll get next to nothing in terms of fees for them.

So it's a 21-22 man squad ATM.

Of course there will be outs. But if you're talking bloat, it's the areas you want to cull. And one areas isn't in attack as we have 2 strikers (both of which aren't reliable) and 2 real wingers.

We have 3 CB not fit for purpose (Keane, Holgate, Godfrey). 2 midfielders who have no part to play (Gbamin and Gomes). 2 strikers who aren't reliable (Maupay and Dom).

While I'm all for Gray going...there's 6 others players I'd rather see out. But the problem is...no one wants them.

Overall, you replace Gray with Gnonto it's better long term but we're still not improving overall.

 

[GoldenToffee]

We're now at the point where losing Gray, a player bought to be on the fringes and brought on to make an impact from the bench, would be an absolute disaster. Would leave us with one natural winger in the squad, and zero pace in any position.

 

[BlueStevie35]

We're now at the point where losing Gray, a player bought to be on the fringes and brought on to make an impact from the bench, would be an absolute disaster. Would leave us with one natural winger in the squad, and zero pace in any position.

Except we look like replacing Gray’s pace with Gnonto and getting better creativity with Danjuma

 

[ToffeeTim]

I think Gray is entering the final year of his contract so it is the time to sell, especially when we could make a nice profit on his initial purchase. But we need players in first before we can sell a regular first team attacking player. He played up top in our most recent match so definitely needs replaced.

I'm very much in favour of selling players in their final year (also iwobi if no new contract is likely), but we need replacements first. Then we can sell, and get as much money as possible.

 

[GoldenToffee]

Except we look like replacing Gray’s pace with Gnonto and getting better creativity with Danjuma

No indication that any wingers are incoming. We may end up getting him, but appears like we're either dithering or trying to negotiate terms that are barely acceptable to Leeds, such as a free million up front only.

 

[Marius57]

In an ideal world we would be able to move on all the players who do not play. But unfortunately no one will want to bid good money for them, so we will end up selling someone like Gray who plays regularly. The chances are we will end up letting likes of Gbamin or Gomes etc leave later on in the window for low fees or probably more likely on loan.

We need to reduce the squad in pure numbers terms, but in terms of players we are comfortable to have in a match day squad, we are very short right now, especially in attacking areas (yes I will keep saying it till we sign forwards).

He hasn’t played regularly under Dyche though has he? No as far as I recall anyway. But may be wrong.

 

[ToffeeTim]

He hasn’t played regularly under Dyche though has he? No as far as I recall anyway. But may be wrong.

Probably only started half the matches but was involved in pretty much every match. He started in our last game of the season, so he's definitely a first team player.

I've no issue with selling now so he doesn't leave for free, but we definitely need a replacement first.

 

[kiss the crest]

He hasn’t played regularly under Dyche though has he? No as far as I recall anyway. But may be wrong.

No but he does play Maupay alot which is very worrying

 

[Marius57]

Personally don't class Gbamin and Gomes as part of the "squad" and we'll get next to nothing in terms of fees for them.

So it's a 21-22 man squad ATM.

Of course there will be outs. But if you're talking bloat, it's the areas you want to cull. And one areas isn't in attack as we have 2 strikers (both of which aren't reliable) and 2 real wingers.

We have 3 CB not fit for purpose (Keane, Holgate, Godfrey). 2 midfielders who have no part to play (Gbamin and Gomes). 2 strikers who aren't reliable (Maupay and Dom).

While I'm all for Gray going...there's 6 others players I'd rather see out. But the problem is...no one wants them.

Overall, you replace Gray with Gnonto it's better long term but we're still not improving overall.

I haven’t included gbamin. I think Gomes is a better option than we had in Davies and I think Dyche will want to see what he offers in pre season.

I do think gray will leave which gives us a much better outlook financially to actually bring in more forwards (and forwards that Dyche actually wants to play). I think we see both gnonto and Danjuma in with gray out. And then we have 3 wingers and Iwobi for those 2 positions.

Need a striker on top of what we have.

Personally think gray goes and we bring 3 in. So it won’t be 1 in 1 out (other than defence/mid where we are bloated with crap).

 

[ToffeeTim]

 

[Alan Whittle]

How would you feel about Gray signing, if it were to happen?

I remember him having a decent game against us in the FA Cup QF the season before last. That, combined with Wilf doing a maybe / maybe not with his new contract offer explains our interest. It is entirely dependent on Wilf’s attempts to find a club that meets his expectations and even if he does I think that Gray would be an interim solution.
So, if Wilf doesn’t sign, pragmatically it’s sensible but not exiting.

 

[knowing your history]

He hasn’t played regularly under Dyche though has he? No as far as I recall anyway. But may be wrong.

He was played on the last day of the season as CF ahead of Maupay and Simms so as things stand that's all that matters.

Dyche went with McNeill from first game wide left and that move eventually paid off so no issue with that one but squad is so light upfront selling him now would be a big gamble.

Two forwards in (unless Danjuma is going to be used as CF) and then it can happen.

 

[Paul Rideout]

I remember him having a decent game against us in the FA Cup QF the season before last. That, combined with Wilf doing a maybe / maybe not with his new contract offer explains our interest. It is entirely dependent on Wilf’s attempts to find a club that meets his expectations and even if he does I think that Gray would be an interim solution.
So, if Wilf doesn’t sign, pragmatically it’s sensible but not exiting.

I still can't believe you offered him £200k a week and he turned it down.

 

[jazzy]

Well Demarai , you can " contribute " by going to Saudi because we get more money from them

 

[Alan Whittle]

I still can't believe you offered him £200k a week and he turned it down.

He hasn’t turned it down. He just hasn’t accepted it yet while he looks for a club that will offer him;
1. Champions League or Europa League Football.
2. Regular starting.
3. £250k+ per week.