A bit previous I know, but with renewed hope after Saturday and relative safety assured, thoughts have turned to next season's squad.
With time on my hands and insomnia and LOTS of assumptions.
Starting with a BIG clearout -
Helguson, Hall, Agyemang, Pellicori, Borrowdale all out on loan (some with views to perm), thus showing a statement of intent from the club.
Add to that -
Alberti, Quashie, Vine & Mahon (contract up).
9 in total. Might even bring in a million between them to add to the rumoured war chest.
Balanta's contract also up (allegedly), but I've a hunch he'll get a short extension based on NW liking youth.
Ramage likewise re: contract (?), but based solely on 1 game at CB and a stay of execution for the fans new favourite ! (I expect to be slaughtered !)
Players IN based on recent rumours and random NW comments -
Tosic, based entirely on Saturday, gets a contract, cheap. (until a better option, or Spurr)
Taarabt, start with a cheeky £2m bid, agree £2.5m with add ons when he single handedly wins the 2018 World Cup Final at the Emirates, coz Wembley was unplayable and he always wanted to play there anyway !)
Simpson, £1m tops, good money for Arsenal's 7th choice.
Speroni, Clynne, Danns, Ambrose - The Palace Four, unlikely to get all four, but let's go with it. NW likes players he knows well & trusts. £4m the job lot. Sorry Palace, but you need the money and Administrators have a legal obligation.
Another NW man, mentioned a while back, Montgomery, ideal replacement for Mahon, younger and more importantly having just shelled out £7.5m.....he'll be free.
New Centre Half ? Big Danny seems to crop up alot and he's NW's type of Centre Half, like Claude Davis, Chris Morgan, and Damien Stewart, so if the latter does not make a full recovery, every chance I guess.
But for now, I'd rather Sean St. Ledger, another £1m as he's got 3 years left.
2 strikers -
Hooper £1m and one of the following (dependant on what's left in the kitty) Maynard (Expensive), Henderson (Mid Price), Boyd or Maclean (Cheaper).
Seeing as my budget only has £1.5m left in it and NW likes a big target man, I'll go with Henderson.
Total 11 players & £11m and the squad looks like this -
Speroni, Cerny, Putnins
Clynne, Leigertwood, St. Ledger, Ramage, Gorkks, Stewart, Connolly, Tosic.
Ambrose, Rowlands, Danns, Montgomery, Faurlin, Buzsaky, Cook, Ephraim.
Taarabt, Henderson, Hooper, Simpson, German, Balanta
Would you be happy with that ?
Surely Play Off quality ?
Would Automatic be achievable ?
Captain ?
With time on my hands and insomnia and LOTS of assumptions.
Starting with a BIG clearout -
Helguson, Hall, Agyemang, Pellicori, Borrowdale all out on loan (some with views to perm), thus showing a statement of intent from the club.
Add to that -
Alberti, Quashie, Vine & Mahon (contract up).
9 in total. Might even bring in a million between them to add to the rumoured war chest.
Balanta's contract also up (allegedly), but I've a hunch he'll get a short extension based on NW liking youth.
Ramage likewise re: contract (?), but based solely on 1 game at CB and a stay of execution for the fans new favourite ! (I expect to be slaughtered !)
Players IN based on recent rumours and random NW comments -
Tosic, based entirely on Saturday, gets a contract, cheap. (until a better option, or Spurr)
Taarabt, start with a cheeky £2m bid, agree £2.5m with add ons when he single handedly wins the 2018 World Cup Final at the Emirates, coz Wembley was unplayable and he always wanted to play there anyway !)
Simpson, £1m tops, good money for Arsenal's 7th choice.
Speroni, Clynne, Danns, Ambrose - The Palace Four, unlikely to get all four, but let's go with it. NW likes players he knows well & trusts. £4m the job lot. Sorry Palace, but you need the money and Administrators have a legal obligation.
Another NW man, mentioned a while back, Montgomery, ideal replacement for Mahon, younger and more importantly having just shelled out £7.5m.....he'll be free.
New Centre Half ? Big Danny seems to crop up alot and he's NW's type of Centre Half, like Claude Davis, Chris Morgan, and Damien Stewart, so if the latter does not make a full recovery, every chance I guess.
But for now, I'd rather Sean St. Ledger, another £1m as he's got 3 years left.
2 strikers -
Hooper £1m and one of the following (dependant on what's left in the kitty) Maynard (Expensive), Henderson (Mid Price), Boyd or Maclean (Cheaper).
Seeing as my budget only has £1.5m left in it and NW likes a big target man, I'll go with Henderson.
Total 11 players & £11m and the squad looks like this -
Speroni, Cerny, Putnins
Clynne, Leigertwood, St. Ledger, Ramage, Gorkks, Stewart, Connolly, Tosic.
Ambrose, Rowlands, Danns, Montgomery, Faurlin, Buzsaky, Cook, Ephraim.
Taarabt, Henderson, Hooper, Simpson, German, Balanta
Would you be happy with that ?
Surely Play Off quality ?
Would Automatic be achievable ?
Captain ?
Comment