I am very concerned - squad size

[Nick]

Nothing intelligent to say then Nick?

Obviously not the only 1 ;)

[oldhoop]

Obviously not the only 1 ;)

Deluded as well then mate?

Why bother?

[CroydonCaptainJack]

What a knee jerk from the ol fella, would imagine until we get some transfer money in from the likes of Austin Fer or Phillips we won't see an increase in activity. 4 in by the middle of June is a cracking start, relax yourself
Btw, I thought you had flounced off to LFW in a huff?!?! Welcome back ;)

Just seen an identical thread on there!

[Rangers77]

Plenty of time for another crock of s hit to come in......

[oldhoop]

Just seen an identical thread on there!

That's cos I posted it on there too!

I guess that's OK?

[CincyHoop]

Well according to JJB, another defender will sign today!

[Bluehoop]

Watch some cricket, tennis and golf, by the time the Brits/English competitors have let us down in each of the above, have a look at where we're at and then panic if necessary.
You're too long in the tooth now (no disrespect intended ) to worry about it in mid-June

[QprQpr]

This is the biggest recruitment R's have ever had to do so the task is much, much greater than anything ever experienced.

I cannot remember 11 players leaving before the end of June and we would all agree that there is probably at least 3 more offski. (also will Henry re sign and will we ever see Sandro again?)

So to get 14-18 players in (I still maintain we will need a squad of at least 28) is a massive shout.

I question whether the club is set up to do this - effectively, efficiently and in a timely manner with an inexperienced manager and DoF? That's all!

Be careful for stating the obvious you may get branded a troll by a member of the mod team.

The squad is indeed worryingly thin and they need to get their act together sharpish if we don't want to be in same position as previous seasons.

After all ramsey did say all business will be done by end of the month, that's not looking likely now.

[oldhoop]

Ah QprQpr at last someone who gets the point I'm trying to make.

All this "don't worry, loads of time" shows that some have forgotten all too easily the wreckage of previous transfer windows and ensuing first game defeats/drubbings which are a direct result of being undercooked and unprepared at the start of the season because of the last minute approach.

A few in so far hasn't yet touched the sides.

If we get another 7/8 in by the end of next week then great but I suspect we will still be woefully short come the start of the season.AGAIN!

As far as being a troll? The WUM can do one!

[West London is Rss]

Oldhoop has a very good point... lets not underestimate the job in hand to turn over this mass amount of players and build a competitive team.
Players like Mackie, JET are all welcomed IMO. We need a squad...

[blue and white]

I think we have to be realistic the first weeks in July will be busy too. There is only so much the club can do. I am guessing some loans will be sorted out in Sept to cover the shortfall

[1QPRDK]

We only have;

2 keepers - Green & McCarthy (1 needed)

5 defenders - Hill, Caulker, Onuoha, Suk-Young & Traore (at least 4 more needed)

8 Midfielders - Phillips (staying?), Henry (re-signing?),Hoillet, Fer (staying?), Sandro (???), Luongo, Gladwin & now Mackie (before departures 2 more needed)

2 Forwards - Austin (soon to go) & JET (3 needed)

A total squad of 17 (plus possibly the youngsters Greco-Cox, Doughty, Ehmer and Furlong)

That looks extremely, worryingly, thin!!!

Bear in mind the extra games in the Championship and no 25 man restriction boy do we need some extra resource!!!

At least 10 more players and pronto.(plus replacements for any further leavers)

This has all the hallmarks of another disaster and I am completely not taken in by the "new world" mantra. We have had 11 leavers so far and have recruited just 4. (if Mackie goes ahead) with bigger squads in the Championship we are woefully short of numbers and the season is 6/7 weeks away.

Please please lets not go into another season with just a couple of forwards, the successful clubs have at least 5 we surely can't fall into that trap again, can we?

Come on Les get your finger out or we will struggle to stay in this division let alone contend for promotion!

I´ll grant you that we need more players, but it´s still early days. If Mackie comes I think he would prefer to be seen as a forward, and you forgot Faurlin and Diakite in midfield (questionmarks I know).

Personally think we need around 6-7 senior players still (1 keeper, 3 defenders, 0-1 midfielder and 2 forwards)

Fill the rest with youth and we will be fine.

[maidstone_hoop]

I think it's a fair point by old hoop but just a little to early to be massively panicking.

I think irons are in the fire but this time a lot of work being done behind the scenes and not released to the press. It is a big overhaul bit we still have 2 -4 weeks to get it sorted.
As ideal as it would be to have all signings wrapped up in the next 2 weeks it's not a big thing if 2 or 3 take 2 or 3 weeks after that.

I also think some of the major signings we will look to make upfront and defensively won't happen until the futures of fer, Sandro, Charlie, onohua, caulker and Matty are sorted. We need those deals and decisions on their future to happen before we start going hammer and tong in the transfer market.

Valid point old hoop but personally wouldn't worry to much right now. Would like to revisit this in a couple,of weeks time and see if we have brought in 3 or 4 more on top mackie and whether the futures of some of the other I ,entombed above are any more clearer.

[stainrodisalegend]

I certainly take the point about the need for a bigger squad. My greater concern is the possible lack of ability in the first 11, assuming a few of our better players leave, some of them probably last minute. I can understand why the board are waiting to see which of our more valuable assets leave before they consider buying decent replacements. But my fear is that these players being welcomed as "handy additions to the squad" are actually next season's starting 11. We got up last time (just) with basically a Prem squad and the time before with one truly outstanding individual. It is based on nothing more than intuition but even if we do raise a fair bit in transfer fees, I just can't see the board splashing out on the likes of Rhodes. A lot of fans claim they will be happy if we finish mid-table this year bringing on young players from the lower leagues. Having witnessed reactions to defeats on this board - even in the Prem - I wonder whether fans really will be so patient about losing games in the Championship.

[maidstone_hoop]

I certainly take the point about the need for a bigger squad. My greater concern is the possible lack of ability in the first 11, assuming a few of our better players leave, some of them probably last minute. I can understand why the board are waiting to see which of our more valuable assets leave before they consider buying decent replacements. But my fear is that these players being welcomed as "handy additions to the squad" are actually next season's starting 11. We got up last time (just) with basically a Prem squad and the time before with one truly outstanding individual. It is based on nothing more than intuition but even if we do raise a fair bit in transfer fees, I just can't see the board splashing out on the likes of Rhodes. A lot of fans claim they will be happy if we finish mid-table this year bringing on young players from the lower leagues. Having witnessed reactions to defeats on this board - even in the Prem - I wonder whether fans really will be so patient about losing games in the Championship.

It's all ifs and buts atm mate. If we keep caulker and ned we have one of the best cb pairings in the league at championship level. Keep Phillips and arguably the best winger in the league imo...add green or McCarthy into the mix and goalkeeper wise we are very solid too.

I believe when Charlie's gone we will see a marquee signing to replace him on top of someone like gray. The club have always been ambitious under tf and I reckon we will continue to be. I think the signings we have got atm are good sensible signings, for the future and in mackie good experience. However I expect more quality to be added if we sell fer, Austin, Matty ect but if we do t well we don't need a massive over haul.