With us now out of the play-offs and yesterday showing how shallow our squad is, it got me thinking as to where we could end up next season if we don't make the play-offs this year. We've got quite a few players out of contract, a few who are getting older and some who might be angling for a move.
Goalkeepers - If we want to really push for the top of the league then I'm not convinced by Oxley or Smith, but that could be harsh on Oxley given his bad luck with injuries.
Defence - Few concerns here.
1) Coker will probably attract interest from the Championship again, how long will we be able to hold them off for?
2) Ferdinand is only getting older, will he still have it in him to be playing week in, week out by the end of next season?
3) Thompson's contract is up this summer, would hope he will stay but certainly wouldn't be a shock to see a bottom half Championship or top League 1 club make him an offer.
4) White has been crucial whenever we've had injuries, but with his deal up will he be happy to be a reserve choice?
Midfield - Depth needed definitely.
1) Wordsworth and Atkinson's contracts are up but would surely expect them to renew. We have options on Leonard and Timlin.
2) Real lack of depth both in the middle and out wide, we need someone who can come in and replace a McLaughlin style player desperately. Hines has been all but kicked out already and it's no good only having two out and out wingers in the squad. That and having no like for like replacement for Woody has cost us with injuries.
Strikers - Pretty solid here. Keep hold of what we've got, let Mooney and Nouble go, and look to score just as many if not more next season. Keeping Ranger on track could be key as Fortune isn't getting any younger.
Definitely think we have the building blocks in place for a successful campaign next season, especially if we show the kind of intent that we did with some of our signings this season like Cox, Ferdinand, Demetriou, etc. The worry will be if we need to rebuild defensively, even though PB has shown that he can certainly pick a player when it comes to the back four. Provided we can keep hold of our key players and bring in a bit more depth, don't see why we couldn't make ourselves firm contenders for the top six next season, especially given the sides coming down. Rotherham shouldn't be too much of a danger, Wigan could be if financed, Blackburn are in freefall and could depend on the owners.
The only worry I have is that we do have some depth this season, but the players aren't good enough - e.g. Hines, Nouble, Amos, Inniss, O'Neill, Mooney. That's not to say that they're all poor players (some are), but they aren't anywhere near the same quality as the starting eleven. Hopefully, having shown what we can do this season will attract some higher quality players to fill in/replace them next season.
Goalkeepers - If we want to really push for the top of the league then I'm not convinced by Oxley or Smith, but that could be harsh on Oxley given his bad luck with injuries.
Defence - Few concerns here.
1) Coker will probably attract interest from the Championship again, how long will we be able to hold them off for?
2) Ferdinand is only getting older, will he still have it in him to be playing week in, week out by the end of next season?
3) Thompson's contract is up this summer, would hope he will stay but certainly wouldn't be a shock to see a bottom half Championship or top League 1 club make him an offer.
4) White has been crucial whenever we've had injuries, but with his deal up will he be happy to be a reserve choice?
Midfield - Depth needed definitely.
1) Wordsworth and Atkinson's contracts are up but would surely expect them to renew. We have options on Leonard and Timlin.
2) Real lack of depth both in the middle and out wide, we need someone who can come in and replace a McLaughlin style player desperately. Hines has been all but kicked out already and it's no good only having two out and out wingers in the squad. That and having no like for like replacement for Woody has cost us with injuries.
Strikers - Pretty solid here. Keep hold of what we've got, let Mooney and Nouble go, and look to score just as many if not more next season. Keeping Ranger on track could be key as Fortune isn't getting any younger.
Definitely think we have the building blocks in place for a successful campaign next season, especially if we show the kind of intent that we did with some of our signings this season like Cox, Ferdinand, Demetriou, etc. The worry will be if we need to rebuild defensively, even though PB has shown that he can certainly pick a player when it comes to the back four. Provided we can keep hold of our key players and bring in a bit more depth, don't see why we couldn't make ourselves firm contenders for the top six next season, especially given the sides coming down. Rotherham shouldn't be too much of a danger, Wigan could be if financed, Blackburn are in freefall and could depend on the owners.
The only worry I have is that we do have some depth this season, but the players aren't good enough - e.g. Hines, Nouble, Amos, Inniss, O'Neill, Mooney. That's not to say that they're all poor players (some are), but they aren't anywhere near the same quality as the starting eleven. Hopefully, having shown what we can do this season will attract some higher quality players to fill in/replace them next season.
