Who makes it in the Prem? (19 Viewers)

[Hobo]

Scumberland spent 160 million

nobody said it would be cheap, I think they spent it quite wisely though. Add on the increase in wages across the squad and it quickly becomes a money sink hole.

 

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[procdoc]

Realistically we would have to change most of the team to stay up

 

[sotvtoday]

It's a great question.

IF we go up, there will be some players who surprise us (good and bad). I'm not convinced that any of them will be good enough to be honest, but I think Frank will have a good idea.

 

[Otis]

It's a great question.

IF we go up, there will be some players who surprise us (good and bad). I'm not convinced that any of them will be good enough to be honest, but I think Frank will have a good idea.

And unfortunately, if we go up and are beaten soundly most weeks, there will suddenly be calls to sack Lampard.

Sad, but true.

 

[sotvtoday]

And unfortunately, if we go up and are beaten soundly most weeks, there will suddenly be calls to sack Lampard.

Sad, but true.

I think that Sunderland have given us a bit of hope. Also it's a while since the 3 relegated teams have performed so badly. Hoping that the gap isn't as great as we fear.

 

[AOM]

I strangely think Simms is more likely to do some damage in the Prem than Wright.

Simms is a bit more of a throwback to an older era of centre forward that isn’t utilised as much in the Prem anymore.

I don’t think Wrights pace / touch wil count for as much in the Prem.

To be fair he caused both the Wolves and Man Utd defences all sorts of problems in the FA cup run.

Still relatively young as well

 

[AOM]

Who I think would be ready now -

MVE
Rudoni
Rushworth
Wright
Grimes

Those with potential -

Torp
Thomas
Mason-Clark
Sakamoto
Simms

The Jamie Allen category as I'd love to see him play in the Premier League even for a minute purely for sentiment -

Allen

 

[covboy9]

Frank will know

 

[CCFC96]

Think this thread was done previously so would be interested to see if I've changed my mind on any without realising but:

Players who could start first game:
Rushworth
Dovin
MvE
Thomas
Grimes

Players who could be starters/will definitely be useful squad players:
Torp
Rudoni
Haji
EMC
Sakamoto

Players who could maybe be useful squad players:
Kitching
KKH
Wolf
JDS
Simms
BTA

Players who should probably be moved on:
Allen
Eccles
Bidwell
Brau
The rest

 

[Sick Boy]

Rushworth
MVE
Wright
Rudoni
Simms

 

[bigfatronssba]

Can't help but think this is a bit disrespectful

We currently have a group of players giving everything to get us promoted. They are our team for the foreseeable.

 

[Jamesimus]

Can't help but think this is a bit disrespectful

We currently have a group of players giving everything to get us promoted. They are our team for the foreseeable.

Not my intention, but I feel it’s up for discussion. Maybe most will end up playing their part in the Prem if we get that far?

 

[bigfatronssba]

Not my intention, but I feel it’s up for discussion. Maybe most will end up playing their part in the Prem if we get that far?

Oh I know it wouldn't be the intention for it to come across like that.

I just mean we should be a bit careful, as I'm sure some of the players must look at this forum.

It isn't great for them to read that their reward for getting us promoted is to be sold to Derby County

 

[TomRad85]

Not my intention, but I feel it’s up for discussion. Maybe most will end up playing their part in the Prem if we get that far?

The entire first 11 (and possibly more) makes the matchday squad imo, we can't afford to replace that many nor do we want to spread the money too thin.

 

[bigfatronssba]

The entire first 11 (and possibly more) makes the matchday squad imo, we can't afford to replace that many nor do we want to spread the money too thin.

I suppose the question is do we take the relegation, then use £100m to build an absolute monster of a Championship team, and come back up and then stay up?

 

[Jamesimus]

The entire first 11 (and possibly more) makes the matchday squad imo, we can't afford to replace that many nor do we want to spread the money too thin.

The 1st 11 could still get better and might surprise a few of us I guess

 

[Jamesimus]

I suppose the question is do we take the relegation, then use £100m to build an absolute monster of a Championship team, and come back up and then stay up?

So far that method does not appear to be working for Ipswich!

 

[bigfatronssba]

So far that method does not appear to be working for Ipswich!

That is true.

It would be something for Doug to consider. Crystal Palace is a good example of it working out. I seem to remember them yo-yoing a bit

 

[TomRad85]

I suppose the question is do we take the relegation, then use £100m to build an absolute monster of a Championship team, and come back up and then stay up?

You don't aim for relegation, there is no way a manager like Lampard would think that way, but you have to be ready for it of course. Having loads of players still around that have already achieved promotion would be helpful, see Ipswich as an example of what not to do.

 

[TomRad85]

So far that method does not appear to be working for Ipswich!

Snap. It's not something you aim for imo.

 

[bigfatronssba]

You don't aim for relegation, there is no way a manager like Lampard would think that way, but you have to be ready for it of course. Having loads of players still around that have already achieved promotion would be helpful, see Ipswich as an example of what not to do.

I wonder if Lampard, in his initial interview, asked Doug how he would approach a promotion situation?

I agree with what you say, Lampard would not accept relegation as an option

 

[skybluecam]

Looking at what's worked for other teams, being aggressive in the market is the way to go. Might be more about who is available to us to sign rather than who we're looking to replace.

Sunderland are a bit of a blueprint to follow really - bought lots of players proven in top European leagues, a senior leader and a few hot prospects too. Could we attract and secure that type of quality?

 

[prufrock]

Keep

Rushworth
Dovin
Thomas
Kithcing
Woolfenden
JDS
Mve
Kkh
Grimes
Torp
Rudoni
EMC
Saka
Wright

Sell

Allen
Bidwell
Rapha
Wilson
Collins
Lati
Brau

Maybes

Eccles
Simms
Bta
Andrews

The keeps list won't be starting 11 anymore all of them. So opens up a good 7-8 slots for new transfers which could transform us in terms of quality

But personally I think we have a good core to keep to help pad out a decent squad

I pretty much agree with all of this. I also think Eccles and BTA both can go up a level. BTA has found a way to adapt to every level of football so far and I wouldn't back against him to find a way to do it in the prem.

The great thing about our recruitment is that mostly we have got players who arguably have their best years ahead of them. I.e. Bobby and Liam both only 24 I think!

I think Grimes and Tats, maybe DaSilva, are at their peak but mostly I would be looking for the rest to still have their best form ahead of them

I think it is essential that if, and it's obvs still a big if, we were to go up, we need to try take the soul of the team that took us up and add half a dozen players of quality rather than an entirely new starting 11.

On the Ipswich forum the other week and they were bemoaning their lack of connection with most their current players

 

[TomRad85]

I wonder if Lampard, in his initial interview, asked Doug how he would approach a promotion situation?

I agree with what you say, Lampard would not accept relegation as an option

You just do what you can really. Doug gives him the most money he feels he can give, Austin and Lampard try and get the best they can get for that money, Lampard and coaches coach the shit out of them. Chances are we get relegated but I feel like A. We could give it a good shot B. We'd be in a good position if relegated.

 

[PUSB-We_are_going_up]

High Chance
- Rushworth
- Grimes
- van Ewijk

50/50
- Rudoni
- Wright
- Thomas

Slight Chance
- Torp
- Mason-Clarke
- Kitching

Small chance
- Sakamoto
- Dasilva

 

[robbiethemole]

From the Norwich board;-

Loads on the Hammers Forum tonight about Nuno's three targets for 'striker'. First Wright H from Coventry, then our own USA, thirdly Simms E also Covemtry.

Has any itk heard anything about this???

edit{- just looked and there seems to be a lot of chatter on their side

 

[SkyBluePower]

High Chance
- Rushworth
- Grimes
- van Ewijk

50/50
- Rudoni
- Wright
- Thomas

Slight Chance
- Torp
- Mason-Clarke
- Kitching

Small chance
- Sakamoto
- Dasilva

BTA in small chance bracket ?

 

[PUSB-We_are_going_up]

BTA in small chance bracket ?

It was just based on the last starting 11

 

[shmmeee]

Scumberland spent 160 million

Think that’s about what you have to spend if you want to stay up.

 

[Mcbean]

Think that’s about what you have to spend if you want to stay up.

Newcastle spent 260 for a comparison

 

[wingy]

Newcastle spent 260 for a comparison

What on going up or staying there?

 

[Sky Blue Pete]

Rushworth
Mve
Wright

Then squad players or ones that could

Thomas

It would be a massive change around of players if we get up

 

[Londonccfcfan]

Our team this year will be basically be subs and back up squad with a few starters.

Thomas will still be very good ad an attacking defender and huge threat at level.

These are good enough..with better signings around them these will be even better. Premier league gives good players more space and time.

Rushworth
MVE
Rudoni
Wright
Simms.

 

[Sky Blue Pete]

Our team this year will be basically be subs and back up squad with a few starters.

Thomas will still be very good ad an attacking defender and huge threat at level.

These are good enough..with better signings around them these will be even better. Premier league gives good players more space and time.

Rushworth
MVE
Rudoni
Wright
Simms.

Forgot Rudoni yep he would be in the team

 

[Mcbean]

What on going up or staying there?

This season