We are in so much trouble, Doucoure final 12 months. Gana possibly the same, Coleman definitely last 12 months. That's three first team starters from last season probably done in a years time. And we are looking at near wholesale changes right now. Alli has 12 months to be paid, gonner, we want rid of Maupay, Davies has decided on pastures new, Gomes is likely a cut price deal for the door, we cant cover all this this summer, we don't have the cash for such replacements, there's no wunderkind or two in the academy/reserves. Cashing in on Onana and Branthwaite leaves us a step further back again.
This situation appears terminal.
What are we going to do?
Alternative view
Pickford, Branthwaite Tarkowski and Patterson a good basis for a defence over the next 2-3years.
Garner and McNeil appear decent in midfield with potential to develop.
Tom Cannon may be a starter/impact sub after a 12 month further loan.
Except for Maupay, in the next 12 monhs big earners or non-starters will have largely been removed from the payroll.
We’ve had bloated squads over the last few years which seems to be resolving.
There’s no reason why we can’t sign players. Yes we have struggled for the last two seasons but we are still a better proposition than newly promoted teams. Last season both Forest and Fulham signed some decent players.
And we finally may get a board of directors that know what they’re doing. Don’t know when that last happened. We have investors who also want to protect their assets.
The truth is that we are not aiming for top six. What we need are players who by and large are fit for football matches and have room for development.
Thelwell gets some stick- fair enough. But if we repeat last years transfer activity and sign 4 players who are starters (Ghana, Tarks, Onana and McNeil) and in the specific positions that we need we will be much stronger.
It’s a shame that Mina has gone. He weakens the squad but only for probably a quarter of the season.
If Onana goes we’ll have money possibly for two players.
If Gray goes it may be enough for two players.
And even if we want to approach things negatively Sheffield United have financial problems. Its’s a big step up for Luton. I have no idea how Burnley will do. Forest would have been in bigger problems without Brennan Johnson, Bournemouth and Forest were not great. Wolves have Profit and Sustainability issues and were poor for large periods. Fulham did well but second season syndrome? West Ham were really poor for a long time.
As of today 6 players have left for a total transfer fee of 32 million. Between them they managed 27 games 19 of those were short appearances by Tom Davies as a sub.No great loss.
We may have sleep walked into last seasons relegation fight but nobody will be under any illusion this time around.
Dyche may not be the long term solution but for now the team will be fit, have a simple game plan and if needs be will go direct.
And finally if I’m being incredibly optimistic even if we can’t offload Maupay, there is no way by the law of averages that he can continue to butcher chances that are easier to score than miss.
