Transfer News, Gossip & Speculation Transfer Rumours Etc part 2.....2024/25

[SUFCGoals]

I want to see us in the play-offs, scoring more goals and seeing signings that have a good impact. If we're mid table, plodding along with poor signings after 10 games then he should go

Yes we need to be in the playoffs by the 10 game mark next year but if we don't sign anyone and are scoring less goals but winning 1-0 I wouldn't mind.

 

[SUFCGoals]

Yep, this is the issue Kev and COSU will have at the end of the season.

IMO too many bang average players have been rewarded extended deals on sentiment alone. As I've mentioned previously, someone in COSU is going to need to brush up on their "by mutual agreement" negotiating skills this spring/summer to give us a shot at clearing the decks a little.

We are overloaded with players who in truth shouldn't be part of the starting XI of a club which needs to genuinely be chasing promotion next season. There won't be any free passes or allowances from the supporter base next season. We need to be in at the very least a play-off birth come Christmas....or the fans will turn big time.

Over to you COSU, clear the decks (Somehow) and show us some ambition with quality signings, early doors. The fans will respond in kind with season card sales. If not, expect a fairly healthy drop in sales...

I'm interested to hear who you consider to be bang average

 

[AlfaShrimper]

Get Bim back. At all costs

 

[RobB11]

Daniel Kanu is not getting much of a chance at Charlton! Is it beyond possibility to get him in for a season long loan in August? A permanent transfer would be unaffordable for us!

I think he’s struggled with injuries.

 

[Chrisb]

Get Bim back. At all costs

Would love to see him back but not at all costs.

 

[Chrisb]

We really need to starting getting our target in early this time around yes there will always be competition but let’s hope we can have some luck this time around . And add real quality to give us a real go for next season

Think it was more about being under an embargo than luck that has cost us our preferred targets several times over.

 

[Callumturner22]

Think it was more about being under an embargo than luck that has cost us our preferred targets several times over.

Yeah of course we started later then everyone else .

 

[shrimperjon]

Rumour from where may I ask?

someone within the club

 

[stewart]

Now we wont be making the playoffs and so many people here have had there dreams crushed, is now the time for management to sort the weed from the chaff and also put out feelers for replacements, lets for once not leave everything to the last minute, let the players we wont be keeping or even under contract are not part of MHER and co plans for next season so if they able to find another club we are willing for them to leave, We really need that hard man / general/leader in midfield and in CD some pace out on the flanks who are able to deliver a ball properly to our strikers and a striker that does know where the back of the onion bag is given the proper service .

 

[Blues4LifeDan]

someone within the club

An EFL move in the summer or an imminent move to another NL side?

 

[fbm]

Like mentioned above I’m still confused why we offered long term contract to so many players . We thanks them for there loyalty yes of course but some of them should have got short term deal

I don't think there's anything confusing... it was to reward them for what they did to keep us alive. Whilst there's no room for sentiment in business, you should do business the right way. Short term deals are no reward for footballers.

It was totally correct in my opinion for COSU to do what they did.

They have a 5 year plan, not a 5 minute plan so unless we are bottom of the league come October I very much doubt that the management will be under threat. After years of turmoil the club needs to right itself both on and off the pitch. It takes time and patience. Good times are coming, of that I'm certain.

 

[Smiffy]

I'm interested to hear who you consider to be bang average

I'm perhaps being a bit harsh on a couple here, but IMO the following (based on this season) would struggle to hold down a regular starting XI spot in a team genuinely going for promotion. That's not to say any of these wouldn't make useful squad players, or perhaps could turn things around over the summer.

Crowther
Gubbins
Noor
Bridge
Miley
Wood
Waldron
Walker
Hopper

 

[Blues4LifeDan]

I'm perhaps being a bit harsh on a couple here, but IMO the following (based on this season) would struggle to hold down a regular starting XI spot in a team genuinely going for promotion. That's not to say any of these wouldn't make useful squad players, or perhaps could turn things around over the summer.

Crowther
Gubbins
Noor
Bridge
Miley
Wood
Waldron
Walker
Hopper

I think it's harsh on Miley. A culmination of injuries and suspension has contributed massively to him not delivering the heights of previous seasons. That's not to say he can't replicate that again and that he's totally finished. A good preseason, back to to full fitness, we will see him back to his best. I think we've missed him massively, particularly at the back. He used to cover the spaces vacated by the wingbacks so well and it often went unnoticed. As good as Morton has been, he doesn't do that, it's not his game. It's why opposition players are getting into those areas so often. No one in the midfield is shielding the back 3.

I still feel Bridgey has a lot to offer but needs that Wes player to do so. I really think Parillon can bring that back out of him but I equally wouldn't be surprised if he became a squad player next season if he was to stay.

Gubbins has been the biggest disappointment tbh. To play so many games at league 2 last season, I had high hopes. He's neither looked good defensively, or on the ball. Again, it's been very stop, start for him, but he's been hugely disappointing nonetheless.

I've backed Walker for the majority of the season and was really happy that we managed to get him in the summer. I'd seen him tear teams apart at daggers and was excited to see him. However, his finishing has been awful and he barely uses his pace productively. Not just that, but he is now really struggling to impose himself in games in any capacity. Tuesday we were pretty much playing with 10 men in the first half and fair play to Kev for noticing and hooking him off at halftime.

The rest on your list, I agree with you.

 

[Avl1983]

I honestly expected a really good season from Crowther, when we first signed him I thought he looked great, he was leading the team from the back, strong in defence and looked dangerous at the other end. Sadly it hasn't been that way this season. Hopefully he can continue to improve. He looks like he's lost his confidence.

 

[amsemp]

Looking at the players contracted for next season (EDIT: Ralph and Bridge are both out of contract, but would hope we extend both, and I think would both want to stay) - assuming we don’t lose anyone and the rest of the out of contract players don’t re-sign (Wood, Waldron and Bonne) don’t think we’re a million miles away. This is where we’re at:



In red is where I think we need new signings.

Not convinced Crowther is a central centre back like Kensdale/Golding, but provides decent cover for Taylor. That means we need 2x ball playing centre backs. Or potentially 1x ball playing centre back and 1x right sided centre back if Kev is happy for Crowther to deputise a first choice ball playing centre back.

Midfield is pretty much settled, the only addition needed for me is a first choice left wing back. Bridge just hasn’t been at it and needs competition. Would really like a strong signing in that area.

Hopper shouldn’t be a first choice target man in my opinion, but he’s a decent squad player/deputy for a first choice target man. We really need our Cardwell replacement in the form of a good, first choice target man for next season. I also think we could do with a 5th striker to give us more cover for the times we want to play 3-4-3. Four strikers leaves you a bit thin on the ground if you plan on occasionally playing three up top.

So all in all, I think we should extend Ralph and Bridge’s contracts, meaning we’d need 5 signings in the summer:

2x centre backs
1x left wing back
2x strikers

Looking decent on paper though and I don’t think we’re a million miles away from having a really good squad. Just really, really need to get some key signings right in the summer. A strong central centre back, left wing back and target man are an absolute must and could completely transform us if we get them right.

 

[Holy Joe]

Looking at the players contracted for next season - assuming we don’t lose anyone and the out of contract players don’t re-sign, I don’t think we’re a million miles away. This is where we’re at:

View attachment 35914

In red is where I think we need new signings.

Not convinced Crowther is a central centre back like Kensdale/Golding, but provides decent cover for Taylor. That means we need 2x ball playing centre backs. Or potentially 1x ball playing centre back and 1x right sided centre back if Kev is happy for Crowther to deputise a first choice ball playing centre back.

Midfield is pretty much settled, the only addition needed for me is a first choice left wing back. Bridge just hasn’t been at it and needs competition. Would really like a strong signing in that area.

Hopper shouldn’t be a first choice target man in my opinion, but he’s a decent squad player/deputy for a first choice target man. We really need our Cardwell replacement in the form of a good, first choice target man for next season. I also think we could do with a 5th striker to give us more cover for the times we want to play 3-4-3. Four strikers leaves you a bit thin on the ground if you plan on occasionally playing three up top.

So all in all, I think we need 5 signings in the summer:

2x centre backs
1x left wing back
2x strikers

Looking decent on paper though and I don’t think we’re a million miles away from having a really good squad. Just really, really need to get some key signings right in the summer. A strong central centre back, left wing back and target man are an absolute must and could completely transform us if we get them right.

Not all of those are contracted are they? Ralph and Bridge are out of contract?

 

[amsemp]

Not all of those are contracted are they? Ralph and Bridge are out of contract?

Yep, you’re right actually

I would try and keep both I reckon. If we don’t for whatever reason, it becomes a bit more of a rebuilding job with 7 signings needed!

3x centre backs
2x left wing backs
2x strikers

 

[Jai]

Are we anticipating someone moving in for GSM ??

Not sure. His goal output is crazy and obviously very attractive. But I don't think his all-round game warrants a move to a higher level. I actually think he's been quite poor lately, but he's the only one who knows how to score!

We don't need to rip things up. We're not where we want to be, but if you consider form since the turmoil of early season, we'd probably be in the playoffs. We obviously want to be challenging for the top, not just hoping for playoffs, but I still don't see a need to start all over again, and we certainly can't afford to.

We have to remember we are emerging from rubble here and there are still Ron-era drains on resources that will be long-term.

 

[Yorkshire Blue]

Looking at the players contracted for next season - assuming we don’t lose anyone and the out of contract players don’t re-sign, I don’t think we’re a million miles away. This is where we’re at:

View attachment 35914

In red is where I think we need new signings.

Not convinced Crowther is a central centre back like Kensdale/Golding, but provides decent cover for Taylor. That means we need 2x ball playing centre backs. Or potentially 1x ball playing centre back and 1x right sided centre back if Kev is happy for Crowther to deputise a first choice ball playing centre back.

Midfield is pretty much settled, the only addition needed for me is a first choice left wing back. Bridge just hasn’t been at it and needs competition. Would really like a strong signing in that area.

Hopper shouldn’t be a first choice target man in my opinion, but he’s a decent squad player/deputy for a first choice target man. We really need our Cardwell replacement in the form of a good, first choice target man for next season. I also think we could do with a 5th striker to give us more cover for the times we want to play 3-4-3. Four strikers leaves you a bit thin on the ground if you plan on occasionally playing three up top.

So all in all, I think we need 5 signings in the summer:

2x centre backs
1x left wing back
2x strikers

Looking decent on paper though and I don’t think we’re a million miles away from having a really good squad. Just really, really need to get some key signings right in the summer. A strong central centre back, left wing back and target man are an absolute must and could completely transform us if we get them right.

That’s a pretty decent summary.

I’d maybe rearrange the midfield slightly

Whilst Cav and Morton are left-footed they’re more DCM than LCM and we tend to play a DCM, LCM, RCM rather than LCM, RCM, ACM - but maybe Parillon changes that.

Up front I have more confidence in Tom Hopper than I do Kendall and Walker. I’d be prioritising an upgrade over Kendall/Walker, although we need a second targetman for sure.

 

[amsemp]

That’s a pretty decent summary.

I’d maybe rearrange the midfield slightly

Whilst Cav and Morton are left-footed they’re more DCM than LCM and we tend to play a DCM, LCM, RCM rather than LCM, RCM, ACM - but maybe Parillon changes that.

Up front I have more confidence in Tom Hopper than I do Kendall and Walker. I’d be prioritising an upgrade over Kendall/Walker, although we need a second targetman for sure.

Yeah you’re right about the midfield. I think it’s still fairly balanced with Morton/Cav at CDM, Husin/KAF covering one midfield spot and LCP/Coker in the more offensive other midfield spot.

Agree re 5th striker too. I wouldn’t mind seeing 2 new first choice strikers, in the form of a target man and someone with a bit more pace/manoeuvrability.

That would put Hopper and Kendall as the second pair of strikers in the pecking order on paper, behind the first choice front two, and Walker as a 5th option which is probably about right given output/contribution this season.