Next Season's Team (12 Viewers)

[wingy]

He came back from international duty earlier in the season having scored 2 goals, had Lampard eulogising about him, I thought hes going to fly, and he proceeded to under perform for 2 months.


So yes, youd think he'd be massively motivated, but humans are complex as we know, and I definitely think that applies to him.

Either of them really, Simms also.

 

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[stupot07]

Most of the idiots in here have forgotten what the did to Premiership side Wolves!

One off cup games are completely irrelevant.

 

[Martw]

You wouldn’t start Rudi?

Good spot - I would of course but I’d also buy a back up

 

[HJones23]

I’d expect us to do the bulk of our shopping in Europe looking at players aged between 21-24, supplement that with a few older heads down the spine of the team and I think we will have a good mix to give it a crack.

 

[Captain Dart]

Every time there is a thread like this multiple posters express their belief half or more of the squad is going to be replaced.

If you had listened to Doug King's recent interview you might have cottoned on to the fact he wants to keep the bulk of the squad together, so he and presumably Lampard and Austin think that is achievable.

I think it will be the usual sort of numbers for recruitment but of higher quality.

 

[stupot07]

Every time there is a thread like this multiple posters express their belief half or more of the squad is going to be replaced.

If you had listened to Doug King's recent interview you might have cottoned on to the fact he wants to keep the bulk of the squad together, so he and presumably Lampard and Austin think that is achievable.

I think it will be the usual sort of numbers for recruitment but of higher quality.

To be fair though, Doug's hardly going to say he's going to overhaul the squad in an interview whilst the seasons hasn't finished and hadn't confirmed promotion and the title is still to play for.

I do agree though, I think from looking at the prompted teams signings over the last 5 years, we're going to be at the lower end like Brentford with think we will be at the lower end of signings (~6-8), rather than a major rebuild like a Sunderland or Forest

 

[ccfc1234]

I think anyone who expects us to replace 50% of the starting lineup is going to be disappointed this summer. Of the current squad, I’d expect the following to start next season playing regularly:

JDS
MVE
Thomas
Grimes
Onyeka
Rudoni
Sakamoto
Mason-Clarke

I’d also expect these to be playing regularly/on the bench:

Dovin
Kitching
Latibeaudiere
Torp
Eccles
Simms
KKH

I think we will ship out:
Wright
BTA
Woolfenden
Allen
Wilson
Bidwell
Brau

And obviously we won’t be going in for Esse or Yang

Markelo? 4.5 million signing in Jan, assume our scouts felt he was premier league quality given where we were in the league when we brought him.

 

[mrfr]

Markelo? 4.5 million signing in Jan, assume our scouts felt he was premier league quality given where we were in the league when we brought him.

Knew I’d missed someone. He’d be in that second group I imagine, he doesn’t look like he’s quite the finished article yet, but clearly has potential.

 

[Pusb1]

If Eccles, Simms, Lati are anywhere near out PL 'Squad' even as rotation options - we're beating Derby's lowest points tally...

 

[Hincha]

Every team in this thread has us lining up in a 4-2-3-1 but I just don't see us surviving playing a back 4.

For the first game:

GK
Thomas CB CB
MvE Grimes Onyeka LWB
Rudoni ST EMC

Over the course of the season there will be replacements for Grimes & EMC

 

[matesx]

If Eccles, Simms, Lati are anywhere near out PL 'Squad' even as rotation options - we're beating Derby's lowest points tally...

correct... I'd rate only 7 of our current squad as good enough.

 

[Hobo]

Sunderland being 2 points off europe should give every city fan hope we can get it right next year as our base is much better than theirs was

Its all about getting the right player profiles in (hot 2020s word )

Its all about powerful pacey players in that league

14 players £155 million in transfer fees. Then agents fees wages and wage increases for existing players.

 

[Moff]

Whilst there will be a number of additions, I feel a majority of the first 11 will still be around next season.
Although we haven't the number of players of quality of Premier league clubs, Lampard has brought in a great team spirit and work ethic, and will want that to continue.

All bottom three clubs in the Premier league have more quality on paper, but if you cant work as a unit and play as a team, you're buggered and we have that spirt, and just need to add the right players, with the right qualities to the team.

 

[AFCCOVENTRY]

Whilst there will be a number of additions, I feel a majority of the first 11 will still be around next season.
Although we haven't the number of players of quality of Premier league clubs, Lampard has brought in a great team spirit and work ethic, and will want that to continue.

All bottom three clubs in the Premier league have more quality on paper, but if you cant work as a unit and play as a team, you're buggered and we have that spirt, and just need to add the right players, with the right qualities to the team.

It’s all about a balancing act at the end of the day and we’ve got to trust the club will do the right thing to the best of our ability.

The fact is this now new territory and the next phase in growth for the football club.

 

[shmmeee]

Every time there is a thread like this multiple posters express their belief half or more of the squad is going to be replaced.

If you had listened to Doug King's recent interview you might have cottoned on to the fact he wants to keep the bulk of the squad together, so he and presumably Lampard and Austin think that is achievable.

I think it will be the usual sort of numbers for recruitment but of higher quality.

What you are calling half the squad is the usual number of recruits especially post promotion.

 

[Sky Blue Goblin]

Every team in this thread has us lining up in a 4-2-3-1 but I just don't see us surviving playing a back 4.

For the first game:

GK
Thomas CB CB
MvE Grimes Onyeka LWB
Rudoni ST EMC

Over the course of the season there will be replacements for Grimes & EMC

I think Lampard will alternate between a 4-2-3-1 and a 3-4-3 depending on who we are playing and where.

As such think it’s important we build for both tactics.

 

[shmmeee]

Do any teams use a back three in the PL these days? A bit of googling suggests only teams that have gone down in recent years.

 

[FergieTheFinisher]

I’m sure Lampard has been mulling over what would happen and who could possibly make the step up, as well as how a team like ours would need to set up in order to have the best chance of survival for the last few months.
i personally feel if we think there is a good chance they may make the grade as a squad player we should give them a chance, after all they have got us here. But this does need to be tempered with some harsh reality of what survival would look like.
So for me someone like Eccles and DaSilva should be given the chance, whereas Bidders, Allen, Wilson etc, are not likely to be.
Regarding CB’s, I think it comes down to whether we setup with 3 or 2, but I think we’ll need to buy 2 new first team ready CB’s if we consider playing 3 at the back. Happy to leave it to Lampard to decide which of our current squad CB’s won’t make the cut.
Apart from that I think concentrating on a top quality spine of the team would make sense.

To be honest quality recruitment is what is likely to make or break our season. So do we think Deano can step up and operate well in this new market? He’s done well at Champ level but…..

 

[hazuk]

One off cup games are completely irrelevant.

He also started the recovery against Utd in the semi-final - Simms has a decent record for us against PL opposition

 

[stupot07]

He also started the recovery against Utd in the semi-final - Simms has a decent record for us against PL opposition

They are one off cup games. Even if you point to Wolves and Man United, our two subsequent games against PL opposition was a 4-1 loss at home to Ipswich, and a 2-1 loss at home to Tottenham reserves.

 

[shmmeee]

They are one off cup games. Even if you point to Wolves and Man United, our two subsequent games against PL opposition was a 4-1 loss at home to Ipswich, and a 2-1 loss at home to Tottenham reserves.

We also lost against Man Utd. Who were fucking dreadful at the time.

 

[Paxman II]

I think we undersetimate some of our own players. It will depend on how we set up and play. I take comfort from the fact a player like Esse has been largely ineffective in the championship and certainly can't lace EMC's boots. Wright may be very effective as he has physicality and will have more protection. Sakamotto can turn anyone inside out and place a delicious ball on someones head. EMC is growing and a bit more coaching will see him adapt well. Torp has all the atributes and will just get better as he is afforded a bit more time on the ball. Grimes and Oneyka will need to step up a level and I hope they can. Thomas, MVE are ready made. For Rushworth we need to break the bank.

 

[stupot07]

Anyone who thinks our strikers are going to get more protection in the PL obviously don't watch many games, Gyokeres gets battered all game every game and gets nothing from the referees.

 

[hazuk]

They are one off cup games. Even if you point to Wolves and Man United, our two subsequent games against PL opposition was a 4-1 loss at home to Ipswich, and a 2-1 loss at home to Tottenham reserves.

Simms didn't play against Ipswich and only had about 20 minutes versus Spurs in the cup, so he has effectively got 3 in just over two games against Premier League opposition.

FWIW, I still think he could be a good option next season, and I don't really understand the rush to get rid of him. I don't think replacing him is that straightforward. If you want more all-round play, you are usually paying a lot more, and if you stay within a similar budget, do we end up within someone better or that offers us something different?

 

[Ccfcisparks]

Anyone who thinks our strikers are going to get more protection in the PL obviously don't watch many games, Gyokeres gets battered all game every game and gets nothing from the referees.

The strikers may not but i certainly predict we will have more penalties and yellows/reds on sakamoto reviewed

 

[SBAndy]

They are one off cup games. Even if you point to Wolves and Man United, our two subsequent games against PL opposition was a 4-1 loss at home to Ipswich, and a 2-1 loss at home to Tottenham reserves.

May as well get Tavares back in because he played well v Man Utd.

 

[SBAndy]

Do any teams use a back three in the PL these days? A bit of googling suggests only teams that have gone down in recent years.

Not sure on this season but Brentford often switched between a 3 and 4 under Thomas Frank and given he seems to be quite a big inspiration in Lampard’s management style I expect him to do the same.

 

[Winny the Bish]

I just don't see how anyone can watch a Premier League game in 2026 and think players like Grimes, Dasilva, Torp etc would be anything but liabilities with their lack of athleticism.

 

[clint van damme]

We also lost against Man Utd. Who were fucking dreadful at the time.

Though they were the eventual winners

 

[Cally Fedora]

I just don't see how anyone can watch a Premier League game in 2026 and think players like Grimes, Dasilva, Torp etc would be anything but liabilities with their lack of athleticism.

I don’t think Torp or Dasilva will feature much

 

[Warwickhunt]

Do you think he was unmotivated, knackered or unlucky?

Don't suppose we will ever know! He could have issues outside of football! We just don't know at all. Just hope FL can get him through it for the last 4 games.

 

[Albo]

With Spurs very likely to be relegated I'm sure a few of their players would be available.
My question is, How much is Udogie in the window ?

 

[Sick Boy]

We will see a much changed 11

Not very much changed overall squad. If that makes sense

Yeah the idea that we only need 3 signings for the starting 11 is madness.

 

[KNSB]

If Eccles, Simms, Lati are anywhere near out PL 'Squad' even as rotation options - we're beating Derby's lowest points tally...

I wouldn't want them to be starters with any regularity, but its worth noting that Luke O'Nien (who in my opinion is and has always been a terrible player) has played 9 times for Sunderland this season.

I appreciate this is anecdotal but I think it does demonstrate that you don't need to be an absolute world beater to contribute on some level.

Plus if we don't get fair offers for them, you'd assume they will be included in the squad with a view to playing if called upon....

 

[fernandopartridge]

If that's our starting line up next season we're in for a really difficult season.

We are in for a difficult season if we sign an entirely new team. I genuinely do not understand what you are expecting.