SBAndy
Well-Known Member
Feels counterintuitive but I’d probably be up for keeping BTA as long as he was happy being bit-part. But he won’t.
Wright probably needs moving on for the fee. Simms probably needs moving on for the wages.
Wright (6 Viewers)
- Thread starter Nick
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Feels counterintuitive but I’d probably be up for keeping BTA as long as he was happy being bit-part. But he won’t.
Wright probably needs moving on for the fee. Simms probably needs moving on for the wages.
I think you may be right on Wright if Simms was open to competition then BTA and Bassette would have been seen as it, Wright on the other hand has EMC to contend with.
KenilworthSkyBlue
Well-Known Member
I don't see Simms being here at the end of the summer given FL essentially froze him out of the two PO games and his regression this season has been pretty clear for all to see so it's probably time he moved on and sought other opportunities elsewhere.
BTA I just can't really fathom why he was signed but out of the two I'd reluctantly choose him to stay. Realistically though, he'll want regular game time so if that's the case he could also go.
If both go for decent fees which I'd imagine will be a non-negotiable from the club's perspective a striker needs to be brought in that can actually play with his back to goal, can hold the ball up and create space for others, and is at the very least competent with both his head and feet.
Then bring in a someone that can compete with Sakamoto at RW while also being able to play centrally if needed for cover.
I get the frustration with Wright but unless a club tables an inflated bid I don't really get the logic of wanting him moved on. Goals are the hardest thing to replace in players.
BTA I just can't really fathom why he was signed but out of the two I'd reluctantly choose him to stay. Realistically though, he'll want regular game time so if that's the case he could also go.
If both go for decent fees which I'd imagine will be a non-negotiable from the club's perspective a striker needs to be brought in that can actually play with his back to goal, can hold the ball up and create space for others, and is at the very least competent with both his head and feet.
Then bring in a someone that can compete with Sakamoto at RW while also being able to play centrally if needed for cover.
I get the frustration with Wright but unless a club tables an inflated bid I don't really get the logic of wanting him moved on. Goals are the hardest thing to replace in players.
so if MVE doesn’t make that mistake, we’d be playing Saturday, but it’s wright getting all the shit, standard thinking from some of our fans, don’t get why we always have to blame someone, he’s been brilliant for us, 19/20 goals a season but doesn’t run around enough 
KenilworthSkyBlue
Well-Known Member
I don't really get the clamour for Sargent.
As talented as he is, he's very injury prone and his ankle issues are a bit of a concern.
Not someone even if we had the money I'd slap a big fee down for personally.
SBAndy
Well-Known Member
Best make those 10 minutes count then!
robbiethemole
Well-Known Member
Callum Wilson and Adam Armstrong both available on frees???
Sky Blue Goblin
Well-Known Member
Armstrong contract is out in 2027
Mucca Mad Boys
Well-Known Member
I just find the notions put forward by you and others ridiculous, to be frank. Haji Wright has one of the best MPG in the league so unless we’re spending £10-15m on a striker, we’re not getting much better. You’ve think our team was a bottom half outfit rather than a playoffs by the way some people go on.
Far too weight has been put on Simms not playing in the playoffs, Lampard has started him upfront the most out of all of our strikers. I’ll be surprised if he leaves.
I’ll maintain that it’s the tactics/tactical roles for some players that needs to be changed rather than the personnel.
TomRad85
Well-Known Member
You think what other people are putting forward is ridiculous but you think Lampard will change tactics rather than personnel? He'll put his stamp on the team this summer.
He’s not going to make wholesale changes. The team finished 5th, not like we need to do anything radical
TomRad85
Well-Known Member
Right. I didn't say he'd make wholesale changes, think we'll see a bit more than what people think though. Especially up front where the likes of Simms and BTA are simply not good enough.
Sky_Blue_Daz
Well-Known Member
Who would you like to see city try to sign ?
I’ve seen posts about Wilson and Armstrong
Wilson too injury prone and costly
Armstrong hasn’t done much at WBA
I think Morris from Luton could do job but attitude and reaction from our fans may not mix
TomRad85
Well-Known Member
It's literally how a club like ours keeps moving forward, by selling at peak value. It ultimately comes down to whether Lampard thinks he could do more with, let's just use £13 million as a random example number, than he gets out of Wright.
I don't know the answer to that and I don't mind if Wright stays, but given EMC seems to be something of a Lampard favourite on the left and that Wright doesn't look brilliant playing through the middle, it's certainly a possibility.
TomRad85
Well-Known Member
I don't know really, that's up to Lampard and Austin isn't it. Find fan suggestions a bit cringe at times but the one I've been saying I'd look at for ages is Salech from Cardiff. There's plenty of suitable players out there I'm sure.
He’s got 8 goals in his last 9 starts down the middle ? I’m not sure what some fans expect of him,he scores goals, keep him another season, finds his way into the World Cup squad then his price goes up even more, he’s still getting nearly 20 goals next season barring injury, why the rush to break up a team that with a better defence prob would have at least got to the final,
Mucca Mad Boys
Well-Known Member
More tactical tweaks than fundamental changes. We’ve changed tactics 2-3 times under Lampard, how we played 4-2-3-1 when he first game in was v different to how we ended the season and of course there was the 5-3-2 system in Jan-Feb.
Wright, Simms and BTA have all proved they can score goals in the Championship. It’s our work in the final third that needs working on a bit.
TomRad85
Well-Known Member
No one's talking about breaking up the team so there is that, we're literally talking about the forwards. Some people seem to be giving way too much credit for our season to BTA and Simms, frankly I'd be surprised if we weren't actively trying to move them both on.
The only controversial one would be Wright, again it's just a forum discussion on the benefits, or not, of doing that.
TomRad85
Well-Known Member
Sadly for you I'd be amazed if Simms and BTA were still here if we can somehow find a buyer stupid enough to give us our money back.
Just seems a bit harsh on wright Been one of our best players, just seems he’s getting the blame, unfairly, can see simms or BTA being sold, but can’t sell wright, unless he wants to go ?
TomRad85
Well-Known Member
I have said it's slightly reactive on Wright, I accept that on my part too, his recent performances had me fuming.
Generally speaking he's been one of my favourite players for the best part of 2 years but I do see an argument for flogging if the money is right. Depends what Lampard wants i suppose.
said before, wright and torp just started to link up well, no coincidence wrights goals dried up soon as torp got injured, then he got moved out to the left, lampard won’t want to sell him, knows he’s got a quality player,
TomRad85
Well-Known Member
Well we did have people talking about selling Torp, that one is bonkers I'll give you that. Quality player who offers something a bit different to our other midfielders.
HuckerbyDublinWhelan
Well-Known Member
2bf - MVE assisted both goals. So I’d suggest he’d made up for it.so if MVE doesn’t make that mistake, we’d be playing Saturday, but it’s wright getting all the shit, standard thinking from some of our fans, don’t get why we always have to blame someone, he’s been brilliant for us, 19/20 goals a season but doesn’t run around enough
my problem with Wright is - I can forgive the lacklustre last month because I thought he was a big game player. He has done in the past.
when it came to our biggest 2 games he disappeared. It’s more disappointment with him not being what we know he can be
my Point was why’s wright getting the stick but MVE cost us and isn’t ? maybe give credit to Sunderland for keeping him quiet, it was 2 games and we hardly made a chance for him ? , took Ballard out the game for EMC’s goal, nobody’s mentioned that ?
Captain Dart
Well-Known Member
I don't think Lampard has figured out the best way to play with Haji as the central striker yet. Maybe EMC being fit will result in a more productive partnership.
SkyBlue_Bear83
Well-Known Member
If Wright scores we would be playing Saturday, Wright did nothing over 180 minutes.so if MVE doesn’t make that mistake, we’d be playing Saturday, but it’s wright getting all the shit, standard thinking from some of our fans, don’t get why we always have to blame someone, he’s been brilliant for us, 19/20 goals a season but doesn’t run around enough
MVE made a mistake but also assisted our two goals with great play. Without MVE we lose 1-0 before ET
SkyblueTexan
Well-Known Member
Having had a couple of days to step away and think about things, I am reconsidering whether making wholesale changes to our front line is feasible and necessary.
We all saw how Mark Robins (a former striker) was able to coach Wright and Simms (with Adi’s and Lawrence’s help) into becoming scorers of 19 goals apiece last season. We also saw Robins turn Gyokeres from an average striker into the world beater he is today.
However this season the performances and goal scoring of Wright and Simms tailed off precipitously. Yet we saw how Lampard (a former midfielder) was able to work his magic with Rudoni and Torp. I’m just wondering if we need improvements in tactics/coaching and formations to bring the best out of Wright and Simms.
Obviously every player has a price and if we get a good offer for Wright, Simms or anyone else (hopefully not Rudoni) we should consider it. But I’m just thinking of alternate ways for us to become a better team by retaining a strong nucleus and building on it.
We all saw how Mark Robins (a former striker) was able to coach Wright and Simms (with Adi’s and Lawrence’s help) into becoming scorers of 19 goals apiece last season. We also saw Robins turn Gyokeres from an average striker into the world beater he is today.
However this season the performances and goal scoring of Wright and Simms tailed off precipitously. Yet we saw how Lampard (a former midfielder) was able to work his magic with Rudoni and Torp. I’m just wondering if we need improvements in tactics/coaching and formations to bring the best out of Wright and Simms.
Obviously every player has a price and if we get a good offer for Wright, Simms or anyone else (hopefully not Rudoni) we should consider it. But I’m just thinking of alternate ways for us to become a better team by retaining a strong nucleus and building on it.
Covkid1968#
Well-Known Member
He needs to be kept…. We know he will bring 20 goals if his head is in the right space… so surely it’s about concentrating on that rather than selling and hoping the next striker can deliver.
For Simms he is young enough to coach and develop… so why wouldn’t we?
For Simms he is young enough to coach and develop… so why wouldn’t we?
HuckerbyDublinWhelan
Well-Known Member
I think the difference is Wright had one opportunity to do something and he fluffed it. Had he scored that nobody would give 2 shits about his performance. MVE is the best example cost us - but provided 2 goals
I have given Sunderland credit in the other threads, I felt they had a game plan and it worked.
on paper Wright is our best player, he hasn’t looked that since we played Sunderland in the league. On his day the guy is unplayable - we know that and we expected more from him.
im confident he comes back next year and bangs in 20 goals. Doesn’t stop me being disappointed that our star player failed to live up to his high standard when it mattered most
Cally Fedora
Well-Known Member
Agree with some above. Hoping we cash in on Wright is absolute lunacy. He’s our best forward by a mile, he’s a proven goal scorer in the league we’re in. If we signed a forward this summer and they did exactly what Wright has done last two years we’d be delighted. So why get rid?
KenilworthSkyBlue
Well-Known Member
On the contrary I can see the club trying to move a fair amount of players on this summer to be honest.
As I've said in other threads this isn't Lampard's team, it's Robins'. This window offers FL an opportunity to mould it to more his liking and how he wants it to play by bringing in the right players for him .
While the squad did get to 5th it also has several glaring weak spots and as it stands is still very lopsided. There are too many players which just aren't good enough or haven't shown enough and really we need better depth across the board.
If there are takers, which obviously will be difficult to find in some cases, you would've thought the club will look to move on at least 6-7 permanently.
KenilworthSkyBlue
Well-Known Member
At 24 I wouldn't really say he's that young. He should be putting in consistent performances by now.