Not what I want, but realistically what we 'need' maybe.........
GK:
We have Brynn & Dieng on the books, although not amazing that is reasonable enough as to not be panicking and rushing to sign someone. If we get a new improved No. 1, great, if not a third choice is needed. +1
RB:
We have Brittain as a nailed on starter, with no real options other than Ayling who hasn't got the legs, and Dede who is unproven and been out injured. Need a signing, an athletic youth option maybe to bed in (signing type will depend on whether we wanta RB or a RWB I suppose)? +1
CB:
Probably our strongest area (unfortunately for Fry). We have Malanda & Jones as reliable starters, Ayling who Kim obviously rates as a ball playing CB, but a bit suspect defensively, maybe better as a RCB in a three ideally. I'll include Borges in here too, Kim hasn't worked with him yet, but as he likes a ball playing CB he could maybe utilise him similar to how he uses Ayling on the right (though obviously not together, and again probably better in a three). Outside of that we have Edmondson as a more agricultural option to bring on if teams are going direct against us, I'm also hopeful Hunt who we paid a decent fee for will be around the squad this season too. I think McCormick will be moved on as he'll be near 7th choice if Fry stays. +0 currently, maybe lose Edmundson if Fry signs on.
LB:
At the cursed monkey paw position of leftback, we don't really have anyone other than Borges, he'd probably be adequate cover but isn't dynamic enough going forward in either pace or attitude for what KH will want IMO. Bangura is good enough from the brief flashes I've seen of him, but I'm now convinced he needs to drop to a less intense level / league for his own good. Munroe is a possible bench option, but if we sign a starter a loan may benefit him more, again McCormick could be considered an emergency bench option I suppose. So definitely +1, we need a starter
CM:
We have first name on the teamsheet Morris, and that's about it! If Kante has triggered a permanent we need a DMC to cover Morris. McCabe is here but he seems to have been utterly bombed out since coming back from a poor loan. Unfortunately for Gibbo's pockets we need +3 cover for Morris, replace Hackney and another, (or +2 if McGree / Castledine are to be used in CM)
Right Forward / Attacking Midfielder:
We have Whittaker to start who has strengths (& obvious weaknesses). Although not utilised there as yet Castledine can play anywhere across the front three. Theoretically Sarmiento can play there too along with Hansen. I'd like to see a mix up / opposite attributes in all of our forward recruitment we have too many similar players. +1 starter, right footed with pace, power and skill.
No. 10 / Central Attacking Midfield / Deep Lying Striker:
Probably McGree as a starter, but he is unreliable, Castledine and Sarmiento as bench options along with possibly Strelec if we can get some physicallity in front of him. +0 on current squad, we need to lose players from 'behind the striker' forward positions to sign more IMO
Left Forward / Attacking Midfielder:
We have Conway to start once fit who also has obvious strengths & a few weaknesses. Castledine & Sarmiento can play there off the bench too, probably Burgzorg as well unless we are moving him on. Again I'd like to see a different type of forward to our current selection to compete with Conway (or free him up to be an option at No 9). +1 starter, left footed with pace, direct runner good crosser.
Central Striker:
We have Strelec, who I believe can score goals for us with time and space, what he can't do is occupy Champo centre backs, beat them then score. He needs a more physical or pacey player around him to develop a working partnership. It doesn't work with Conway. As with the two wide positions I'd like another 'type' here. Either an out and out speed merchant who is a good finisher (Archer under Carrick sort of thing), or a physical beast who can bully and occupy the defenders more than our small weak forwards can currently (McBurnie for Hull last season). Late in games we've rarely had an out ball, especially after Burgzorg was loaned out. +2 but possibly +1 'marquee' signing if we sign a left wing option and Conway returns to being a central striker.
So about 8/10 signings depending on formation (ie three at the back or utilising McGree and Castledine as CM's, or Conway as a 9), and obviously any outgoings we wanted to keep may need replacing too.
The big issue may be moving on players who aren't quite good enough that we want to improve upon. It's not too far fetched to say we have Dieng, Edmondson, McCormick, Borges, Bangura, Kante, McCabe, Hansen, Burgzorg and Sene who the manager doesn't want, maybe a loan for Ibeh too. Crazy to think that's an upper League 2 / lower League 1 first XI pretty much.
Lots of work to do Kieran, crack on!
I know, TLDR!
