Transfer Rumour 25/26 Summer Transfer Window (79 Viewers)

[Deity]

Our striker scores a goal every other game and we scored more than any non parachute club bar Norwich. The defence was awful. I get people like Kitching but the facts are we need better.

Don’t come on here with logical answers like that …. Fans want work rate and aggression combined with slow turning circles and errant passing …

 

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[shmmeee]

Don’t come on here with logical answers like that …. Fans want work rate and aggression combined with slow turning circles and errant passing …

Fans think defenders should look like bare knuckle boxers. So Bidwell Thomas and Kitching get praise and MvE still gets called defensively suspect despite being better than all of them.

 

[Gibbo]

Fans think defenders should look like bare knuckle boxers. So Bidwell Thomas and Kitching get praise and MvE still gets called defensively suspect despite being better than all of them.

I think that is a fair description of my view, as a fully signed up member of the Jake Bidwell fan club.

My cult hero - see other thread - was Jim Holton "6 ft 2 and eyes of blue, big Jim Holton's after you".

But before you deride it and demand namby pamby defenders who wear gloves and pass the ball, remember Kyle McFadz was also in that school, and he has never been properly replaced

 

[TomRad85]

Fans think defenders should look like bare knuckle boxers. So Bidwell Thomas and Kitching get praise and MvE still gets called defensively suspect despite being better than all of them.

Not sure about that. Most people rate MvE highly surely? Those that don't can't be taken seriously.
In the defensive unit, GK and LB must be top priority. If the option is there to improve further I'd go for the LCB also. I think the defensive issues are more nuanced than you suggest though. Kitching didn't even get in the team until December-ish did he? How do our defensive stats compare to other teams when Thomas and Kitching started in a back 4 together? I don't know the answer but some people on here are good at pulling stats so that would be interesting to see. They also had to play with a comically bad keeper behind them towards the end of the season.

Anyway, if the option is there to upgrade with someone like Doyle, then absolutely let's do it but I reckon it's a good 4 or 5 on the priority list.

 

[TomRad85]

I think that is a fair description of my view, as a fully signed up member of the Jake Bidwell fan club.

My cult hero - see other thread - was Jim Holton "6 ft 2 and eyes of blue, big Jim Holton's after you".

But before you deride it and demand namby pamby defenders who wear gloves and pass the ball, remember Kyle McFadz was also in that school, and he has never been properly replaced

I'd have to think most people are over Bidwell now. He's declined enormously. The performance at Derby was an all timer.

 

[Terry_dactyl]

Not sure about that. Most people rate MvE highly surely? Those that don't can't be taken seriously.
In the defensive unit, GK and LB must be top priority. If the option is there to improve further I'd go for the LCB also. I think the defensive issues are more nuanced than you suggest though. Kitching didn't even get in the team until December-ish did he? How do our defensive stats compare to other teams when Thomas and Kitching started in a back 4 together? I don't know the answer but some people on here are good at pulling stats so that would be interesting to see. They also had to goal with a comically bad keeper behind them towards the end of the season.

Anyway, if the option is there to upgrade with someone like Doyle, then absolutely let's do it but I reckon it's a good 4 or 5 on the priority list.

Good points as I’ve actually rated Kitching this season and hadn’t noticed him being especially slow.
Having said that, getting Doyle in would be an upgrade. Kitching to the bench and Lati sold. It’s progress.
Personally I’d keep Binks just think he could get better…and has a good skill set to build on. I said the same about Tyler Walker…

 

[shmmeee]

Not sure about that. Most people rate MvE highly surely? Those that don't can't be taken seriously.
In the defensive unit, GK and LB must be top priority. If the option is there to improve further I'd go for the LCB also. I think the defensive issues are more nuanced than you suggest though. Kitching didn't even get in the team until December-ish did he? How do our defensive stats compare to other teams when Thomas and Kitching started in a back 4 together? I don't know the answer but some people on here are good at pulling stats so that would be interesting to see. They also had to goal with a comically bad keeper behind them towards the end of the season.

Anyway, if the option is there to upgrade with someone like Doyle, then absolutely let's do it but I reckon it's a good 4 or 5 on the priority list.

Too much is made of the keeper for me. Dovin was outstanding and saved his defence a lot, I’m not sure that’s a positive for his defence.

LCB is priority 1 for me. If we don’t improve our defensive record we don’t go up. Thomas needs someone who can coach him in game. GK is important but only for half the season. Push came to shove I’d go again with the rest of the first XI. Or even better a coach on par with Lawrence who can set us up better. It may be that Lampard just plays like this of course, in which case we need to evolve the front line beyond “cross it and hope” if we want to just outscore teams and not keep flailing against a low block at 0-1.

 

[AFCCOVENTRY]

Too much is made of the keeper for me. Dovin was outstanding and saved his defence a lot, I’m not sure that’s a positive for his defence.

LCB is priority 1 for me. If we don’t improve our defensive record we don’t go up. Thomas needs someone who can coach him in game. GK is important but only for half the season. Push came to shove I’d go again with the rest of the first XI. Or even better a coach on par with Lawrence who can set us up better. It may be that Lampard just plays like this of course, in which case we need to evolve the front line beyond “cross it and hope” if we want to just outscore teams and not keep flailing against a low block at 0-1.

We need a marquee CB signing for sure.

 

[TomRad85]

Good points as I’ve actually rated Kitching this season and hadn’t noticed him being especially slow.
Having said that, getting Doyle in would be an upgrade. Kitching to the bench and Lati sold. It’s progress.
Personally I’d keep Binks just think he could get better…and has a good skill set to build on. I said the same about Tyler Walker…

I don't rate Lati but he's the RCB cover, so if he wants to stay as such then so be it. If you are bringing in someone like Doyle and you have him and Kitching as LCBs then Binks goes for me.

 

[TomRad85]

Too much is made of the keeper for me. Dovin was outstanding and saved his defence a lot, I’m not sure that’s a positive for his defence.

LCB is priority 1 for me. If we don’t improve our defensive record we don’t go up. Thomas needs someone who can coach him in game. GK is important but only for half the season. Push came to shove I’d go again with the rest of the first XI. Or even better a coach on par with Lawrence who can set us up better. It may be that Lampard just plays like this of course, in which case we need to evolve the front line beyond “cross it and hope” if we want to just outscore teams and not keep flailing against a low block at 0-1.

Completely disagree but I respect your opinion.

 

[shmmeee]

I don't rate Lati but he's the RCB cover, so if he wants to stay as such then so be it. If you are bringing in someone like Doyle and you have him and Kitching as LCBs then Binks goes for me.

I think in an ideal world we’d sell Lati but then we’d likely end up with three left footed CBs

 

[TomRad85]

I think in an ideal world we’d sell Lati but then we’d likely end up with three left footed CBs

I think more teams would want Lati than Binks. Is too much made of what footed a CB is these days, especially for a backup? Maybe so.

 

[shmmeee]

I think more teams would want Lati than Binks. Is too much made of what footed a CB is these days, especially for a backup? Maybe so.

I would be averse to selling both of course.

 

[TomRad85]

I would be averse to selling both of course.

Oh same. 100% agree on that.

 

[Terry_dactyl]

I don't rate Lati but he's the RCB cover, so if he wants to stay as such then so be it. If you are bringing in someone like Doyle and you have him and Kitching as LCBs then Binks goes for me.

Ah yeah, hadn’t thought of that. I was just thinking of generic CBs. You’re right.

 

[SHUNT31]

Our striker scores a goal every other game and we scored more than any non parachute club bar Norwich. The defence was awful. I get people like Kitching but the facts are we need better.

I’m a massive fan of Wright but when he’s off it, he’s miles off it. Like I say, it’s like playing with 10 men sometimes and this was more prevalent towards the end of the season. I’m not saying we shouldn’t get rid either, just that we need to upgrade on the others.

 

[TomRad85]

I'll also add while I don't think LCB is a top priority I still think there's a good chance it happens. We're going to have another interesting summer imo.

 

[ccfc1234]

I think more teams would want Lati than Binks. Is too much made of what footed a CB is these days, especially for a backup? Maybe so.

If playing in a back 3 the LCB ideally needs their left foot to be their preferred foot. For formation flexibility it would be good if we kept at least one left footed CB in the squad, but I don't see an absolute need for the left CB in a 442 being left footed and some of the best CB partnerships in history have had two right footed CBs playing alongside each other.

 

[CovLad94]

I can see some money being spent this summer again, Lampard is here and will be backed, excited to see who comes in.

 

[Ccfcisparks]

LB, Number 8 and a quality striker are above me in priority. I wouldnt say no to a quality LCB, but the money is better spent elsewhere to begin.

 

[Trueskyblue20]

If playing in a back 3 the LCB ideally needs their left foot to be their preferred foot. For formation flexibility it would be good if we kept at least one left footed CB in the squad, but I don't see an absolute need for the left CB in a 442 being left footed and some of the best CB partnerships in history have had two right footed CBs playing alongside each other.

Agreed, doesn’t matter as much in a back 4 and we’ve seen Lampard use two right footers at the back before.

Someone like Joe Worrall on loan to sit next to Bobby for instance?

 

[shmmeee]

I’m a massive fan of Wright but when he’s off it, he’s miles off it. Like I say, it’s like playing with 10 men sometimes and this was more prevalent towards the end of the season. I’m not saying we shouldn’t get rid either, just that we need to upgrade on the others.

Who tho? Saka maybe if a decent player comes along, EMC? Not likely. Rudoni? No.

As I see it looking purely at first team we could do with an upgrade on Sheaf/Torp but not a massive one, and at LB, which we seem to have sorted with Angel Brau. Need a stop gap keeper and a LCB the most. After that it’s backup.

 

[clint van damme]

Who tho? Saka maybe if a decent player comes along, EMC? Not likely. Rudoni? No.

As I see it looking purely at first team we could do with an upgrade on Sheaf/Torp but not a massive one, and at LB, which we seem to have sorted with Angel Brau. Need a stop gap keeper and a LCB the most. After that it’s backup.

The Torp that was playing when he got injured was an upgrade on the Torp that started the season. I think we'll see big improvement again next season.

Sheaf - sell.

 

[Ccfcisparks]

The Torp that was playing when he got injured was an upgrade on the Torp that started the season. I think we'll see big improvement again next season.

Sheaf - sell.

Sell Sheaf and get an all action box to box.

Although depends on the price.

I wouldnt be selling Sheaf for £4m of less to be honest.

 

[shmmeee]

The Torp that was playing when he got injured was an upgrade on the Torp that started the season. I think we'll see big improvement again next season.

Sheaf - sell.

The question was who in the first team needs an upgrade, I agree Torp might be OK next season

 

[Gibbo]

I'd have to think most people are over Bidwell now. He's declined enormously. The performance at Derby was an all timer.

Not me. Still got a better positional sense than Da Silva and gets in crosses with his left foot. We need a new LB with Bidders as back up and give Da Silva the old heave ho. All that dandy dan dribbling but no end product

 

[Deity]

I think more teams would want Lati than Binks. Is too much made of what footed a CB is these days, especially for a backup? Maybe so.

I think naturally being comfortable with the ball at your feet is a requirement for a modern
Defender who needs to be able to play out from the back. When you put a left footer on the right side you start to undermine your ability to play out to the full backs as they always look to play through their stronger foot.

 

[Winny the Bish]

The Shopping List: GK/FB

Some targets Coventry could & should be looking at. You can thank me later Dean Austin

ccfcanalysis.substack.com

Really like the look of Nazinho as an attacking LB

 

[skyblu3sk]

Too much is made of the keeper for me. Dovin was outstanding and saved his defence a lot, I’m not sure that’s a positive for his defence.

LCB is priority 1 for me. If we don’t improve our defensive record we don’t go up. Thomas needs someone who can coach him in game. GK is important but only for half the season. Push came to shove I’d go again with the rest of the first XI. Or even better a coach on par with Lawrence who can set us up better. It may be that Lampard just plays like this of course, in which case we need to evolve the front line beyond “cross it and hope” if we want to just outscore teams and not keep flailing against a low block at 0-1.

I would say at championship level you expect a team to have a decent chance a game just because of the talent on the pitch. The main difference was every single decent chance seemed to get scored which Dovin put a stop to. We could spend a fortune on the defence and teams will still have chances.

 

[shmmeee]

I would say at championship level you expect a team to have a decent chance a game just because of the talent on the pitch. The main difference was every single decent chance seemed to get scored which Dovin put a stop to. We could spend a fortune on the defence and teams will still have chances.

To play devils avocado tho: our record breaking clean sheet season in ‘23 we did it by never letting the oppo get a shot on goal. Collins and Wilson were poor no doubt and cost us goals above and beyond the average keeper. But equally the record under Dovin was more down to Dovins heroics than the defence in front of him.

 

[covcity4life]

In terms of defence it should be remembered Thomas and kithcing are both young. Both will still be improving and I am confident both will be even better next season

I would replace lati and binks best we can but not too bothered if Thomas and kithcing are our starting CB pairing next year

 

[PVA]

Not me. Still got a better positional sense than Da Silva and gets in crosses with his left foot. We need a new LB with Bidders as back up and give Da Silva the old heave ho. All that dandy dan dribbling but no end product

I don't know how anyone could watch those last few months and prefer Bidwell over Dasilva.

Quite glad we won't have to watch Bidwell float a cross to no one or back so far off the attacker he's in the next postcode again.

Looked like his legs have gone in the last month or two. Maybe he was carrying an injury

 

[Liquid Gold]

I think Lampard liked Kitching knocking in his door and asking to play then cementing himself in the team. I don’t see him looking desperately for a replacement on him.

He’s also one of the few players to actually inject some aggression and protect other players. I like him and think there’s more to come.

 

[skyblu3sk]

To play devils avocado tho: our record breaking clean sheet season in ‘23 we did it by never letting the oppo get a shot on goal. Collins and Wilson were poor no doubt and cost us goals above and beyond the average keeper. But equally the record under Dovin was more down to Dovins heroics than the defence in front of him.

I do think we underplay how much of a hand Wilson has in that season, I'm with you that we kept the number of chances low but I still remember a fair few decent saves. For some reason everything just clicked.

 

[Cally Fedora]

We obviously have a defensive issue. Dasilva is terrible defensively (and was all the way through to seasons end). Bidwell is just the wrong side of the hill. MVE is also poor defensively. Teams get in behind us and we concede lots of stupid goals. Our CH’s are par for the course in the champ. It’s the FB upgrade we need.