25 man squad, how's it shaping up ?

[QPR1976]

Obviously a long time until it needs to be announced at the end of August. There's plenty of time for players to prove themselves in preseason and even in the first 2 games, but I'd imagine Hughes will know his 25 by Swansea and only a long term injury before deadline day would change it.

So,

KEEPERS (3)
GREEN, CERNY, MURPHY
I'd love to keep Kenny, but it looks nailed on he'll be leaving us.

DEFENDERS (7) + FABIO (who at 22, doesn't take up a squad place, but covers RB & LB)
YOUNG, ONOUHA, NELSEN, FERDINAND, HILL, TRAORE, Connolly
So we have 3 potential RB's, 3 potential LB's and 5 potential CB's = Good cover.
But I think Connolly will be replaced and may even leave.

MIDFIELD (8)
DIAKITE, BARTON, FAURLIN, DERRY, PARK, WRIGHT-PHILIPS, TAARABT, SMITH, Ephraim
Will Barton be included if banned until Mid November ?
Will Faurlin be fit to start the season ?
I'm guessing Dyer activated a year extension clause if we stayed up. Is he in Hughes plans ?
The space freed up in defence by Fabio, might be used to retain an extra Midfielder, whilst certain players are AWOL or proving their fitness ?
I'm assuming Buzsaky has left and won't be returning.

ATTACK (6)
CISSE, ZAMORA, JOHNSON, HELGUSON, MACKIE, BOTHROYD or Campbell
Speculation suggests DJ will leave and I can't see Hulse getting in again.

So TF suggested possibly 2 or 3 more signings to come. In my mind -

1 CH (Samba fits the bill)
1 CM We can't afford to use 3 squad places on Barton, Faurlin & Dyer.
1 RW (Hoilett ?) which could evict either Smith or Ephraim.

There is a case for another Striker but only if both DJ & Jay are shipped out.

Thoughts ?

[Felt]

I think we'll bring two or three more players in. I'm not sure a CB should be a priority as we've got four very capable players in Nelsen, Hill, Ferdinand and Onuoha with that as their preferred position. I wouldn't mind seeing another LB or RB as I'm not convinced we've got enough quality in those positions at the moment. I don't think Hughes rates Young and although Onuoha and Traore are serviceable as a RB and LB respectively they're not entirely convincing. A winger seems to be a priority, but as far as CM's go I think we're probably done. Faurlin shouldn't be too far away. Finally I think Campbell and Bothroyd are likely to be shipped out, as well as Hulse and possibly Helguson, so I wouldn't be surprised to see a striker signed. We're desperate for some youth in that position.

[QPR1976]

Fair enough Felt - But for me -
Having shipped out 5 CB's (Hall, Gabbidon, Shittu, Ramage & Peroni) and with Nelsen's fitness record, I think a CB is key. Also Onouha performed far better at RB than at CB last season. I agree Young is 2nd (or 3rd) choice now. Traore is a LB who can overlap down the flank to good effect, rather than a LW who can also defend. He was our best crosser last season though.
Winger wise, I think we're reasonably well suited with SWP, Park, Mackie, Taarabt, Smith, Ephraim (& Traore). However, Hoilett would bring some real qulaity to the squad and even could satisfy your need for youth up front.
CM concerns me. Barton out until Mid/Late November, no guarantee regards Faurlin, or Dyer and Derry isn't getting any younger. Diakite remains a liability regards bookings and suspensions.
Finally, I've no problem with Bothroyd being shipped out, but I'd like to have seen DJ given a decent chance under Hughes, but it seems he's destined for pastures new, whilst Jay was given a fair amount of match time last season, so maybe Hughes prefers him.

I guess we'll know soon enough.

[Felt]

Yeah personally I hope DJ stays, I've always rated him. Bothroyd not so much. I think Smith and Ephraim are probably both on the way out. I agree that we're set for wingers, but the rumoured targets suggest otherwise so who knows? Shittu, Ramage and Perone were never really going to get a game as CB. I think the most important thing is probably that we have two clear-cut first choice CBs and only Mark Hughes knows what his thinking is there - you're right though in that the four I listed all have their weaknesses.

[foggy]

I can add to your thoughts, Smith had talks with Cardiff, but is holding out for the Fake Hoops...

[Jack4QPR]

You left Hulse out?

[dogge]

Also Balanta is still under contract but will surely be shipped down a few divisions.

[QPR1976]

Good luck to Tommy if true.

Yep, bye bye Hulse.

Balanta will go on loan again, I agree.

Seems the 'under 23' rule I mentioned, is 'under 21'.
So Fabio WILL take a space, which probably means 1 of the 2/3 incomings has to be Under 21 ?

[MyWord]

Max Ehmer is still under 21, i can see him playing a part this year, although only a small part.

[dogge]

Bruno Andrade seems to have lots of talent but could do with a year in Championship to get more experience and get some more muscles...

[stanistheman]

I think Hughes might try and move the players in red to other clubs to free up space for further signings. If he does move them out he would have 4 places left to bring in a player to fill each position CB,FB, Midfield and attack.

KEEPERS (3)
Green, Cerny, Murphy

DEFENDERS (5)+

Onouha, Nelsen, Ferdinand, Hill, Traore, Fabio (who at 22, doesn't take up a squad place, but covers RB & LB), Connolly,Young

MIDFIELD (8)
Diakite, Barton, Faurlin, Derry, Park, Wright-Philips, Taarabt, Dyer, Smith, Ephraim

ATTACK (5)
Cisse, Zamora, Johnson, Helguson, Mackie, Bothroyd, Campbell, Hulse

[EYR]

I make it weve got 1 space left if Ki and Hoilett sign.

Green
Murphy
Cerny

Fabio
Dyer
Onohua
Ferdinand
Traore
Hill
Nelsen

Faurlin
Diakite
Taarabt
Barton
Derry
Park
Hoilett
Ki
SWP
Mackie

AJ
Cisse
Zam
Helguson

[w12dave]

I seriously think Mark Hughes will try and push Joey Barton out of the door in Jan or next summer ...just a gut feeling... Hughes don't rate him me think.

even with the sacking rumours Hughes didn't even come out and say anything...maybe i am reading too much into it

[QPRWEBBIE]

Surely an option would be to put Dyer out on loan to gain fitness and if he was to break down again it would not effect our squad