Angry_Pirate

I almost fully agree with that squad in principle, think the GK, Defense and Strikers are all bang on. I would definitely look to offload both of Whittingham and Gladwin in exchange for a proper cm to be our main player in there, allowing Evans, Smallwood and Bennett to compliment (if only there was a Jermaine Jones type player out there). Beyond that, i think we still need a proper winger in that squad and there may be better options over Oztumer. Add a couple of last minute loans too (forward, winger and cm) and we're in a good starting position.

True, but he has had 3 years on "premier league" wages of averaging around £35k per week (taking into account the probable 25% relegation wage drop for half that period). That's a solid £6m he wouldn't have dreamed of earning without BRFC in those 18 months. On the flip side he has gone from playing every week injury free and scoring 1 in 2 (33 in 66) here to almost 1 in 7 (13 in 85) at Villa and Boro. Maybe he will be more open to a pay cut to return here? I won't get my hopes up.

Fully agree, there weren't too many outstanding prospects in L1, but he definitely impressed me at Ewood in December. The way i see it about 1/4 of our 'squad' needs upgrading/released. Caddis, Ward, Whittingham, Gladwin and Feeney being the standout 5 for me. Two being out of contract. Based on the last 46(92?) games, players like Adelakun are 100% an upgrade on the Feeneys, Whittinghams and Gladwins of our squad so we should - and probably will - look for these options early (similar to when Bowyer went out early and pre-contracted Eastwood, Judge and Chris Taylor - just with hopefully much better results). Rothwell, Camps, Niasala, Maddison, Nolan are all young (26 and under), fairly cheap/free, low wages, 100% attainable targets coming off outstanding seasons that would improve our squad (No, i don't think we should get all of them). After that i think we would only need a quality starting Winger or two plus some proper competition for DG and we would be set for battling it out for 9th come may 2019. Also, all this talk of Tammy Abraham is fantastic if not rather amusing. 1% chance . Someone like i dunno, Rudy Gestede, who has played 35 games in 2 years for Middlesborough and scored 13 goals in 4 seasons might be more interesting - not sure on his injury history now or how much £ he would cost in loan, transfer fee or wages? Rudy with Armstrong, Dack and (Chapman?) feeding off him would be something!

As of now we're starting next season with this team (the ones in bold being those i think are a guarantee for opening day unless some John Terry/Ronaldinho type signing falls our way - it wont) Raya Nyambe Lenihan Mulgrew Williams/Bell Smallwood Bennett/Evans NEW Dack Armstrong Graham One of Bell and Williams will start, and depending on our signings will depend if Bennett plays CM or W, but i think he starts. Graham will get his contract and also start though i expect there will be some better competition brought in as Samuel showed he isn't a striker (though "useful" as a RW). Armstrong i see us chasing and him starting LW if signed. I think we need to focus on the wide midfield positions first - then look for an upgrade on the likes of Feeney, Hart, Whittingham, Gladwin, Caddis and Ward who are all surplus to requirements and will likely be offered out if not out of contract anyway. Ignoring loan departures if we can get those 6 out, and 6-8 in (W x 2, CM, CF, CAM and CB) ill be happy as the U23's deserve some consideration before we look to loan any players under the age of 21 (Harper!). I honestly would be amazed if 8 of the team that started the final day (Dack making it 9) don't start the first game next season (Injuries depending).

I think there is a consensus here that we get rid of the 5 players who contributed nothing this season: Caddis, Ward, Feeney, Gladwin, Whittingham. Beyond that, Antonson probably shouldn't return and I agree that Conway has been great, but he just screams SPL player to me now. That's 7 out, plus 3 more loans in Payne, Chapman and Armstrong who are not ours (I would try to keep all 3). That' potentially 10, plus I think we can demote Nutall back to U23's or loan out. If we get a cash offer of 50% value for Samuel he should be allowed to leave too. Where I would debate my opinion on the respective abilities and qualities of the likes of Williams, Bell, Raya, Nyambe, Evans and Smallwood. I feel all deserve their chance in the Championship, especially if we get most of the other names mentioned previously off the books.