Chief Keef

Surprised there haven’t been any links away for Silko Thomas or Wanya Marcal as of yet. Don’t seem to be anywhere in the managers plans.

We need to make sure conceding early goals doesn’t become a habit. Don’t think we’ve really even seen how Marti wants us to approach games properly yet as in both league games we’ve been chasing pretty much the whole game. He seems to be very proactive in changing things and generally I think the changes have worked. But maybe that just suggests these players should be starting in the first place. You would hope that scoring first would open up a lot of space for our quick wingers to exploit.

He looks like exactly what we need regardless of any outgoings. There are players out there at what you would think would be affordable prices but at this stage I doubt we have the capacity to sign anyone other than direct replacements. If Winks goes then Zeneli would be perfect. Svit Seslar would be my pick to replace Bilal and again I doubt he’d cost us more that £3/4m. But I’m not sure those in charge have thought that far ahead yet.

I think since we lost Morgan and Fuchs, then Kasper, in back to back summers we’ve lacked any real leaders in the squad.

He seems terrified and has done since he came here. Which means he doesn’t really suit the role Cifuentes wants him to play him as it means he has a responsibility to make things happen. Seems he’s only played as an 8 to help press, but doesn’t seem to effective at that at the moment either.

I will never understand hating or disliking a player solely based on their ability. A lot of the players here were heroes two years ago and two bad managerial appointments later that’s seems to have flipped on its head. It’s clear that this is a group of players that is very low on confidence, and they’re certainly not being inspired by their fan base. Not saying that they have to be but it does compound the negativity especially when players look terrified of trying anything remotely risky out of fear, just look at Skipp’s performances. I’ve seen a few posts on here about accepting a scenario in which we don’t go up but the academy players are given minutes and developed. That would imply they would accept a few bad performances and losses, but now that it’s actually happened the same grace isn’t given. Any anger should be directed at those running the club, as ultimately they alone are responsible for the decline we’ve seen over the past few years.

I don’t think Soumare as a 6 with Skipp and BEK/Alves as 8s works. If Skipp has a role in this team it’s to just sit in the middle and protect the defence, his role looks too complex for him to handle at the moment. Then we need to see the 10 play more central and closer to the striker, similarly to how BEK did after Winks came on against Wednesday. Alves is drifting too wide and too deep at the moment and I noticed Bilal do the same in the first half on the weekend. Should give Soumare more freedom and less defensive responsibility as well which I think will suit him.

I would love to see this, but can only see it working with a better defensive midfielder than what we currently have available. Who could probably only come in if Winks is sold.

If he is used this season I hope it’s as an 8 and not a 6. He isn’t diligent enough defensively to play the role he was given on Sunday and doesn’t look comfortable playing out the back in this system. His main quality is driving forward with the ball and I feel that would be used to better effect in the position Skipp is currently occupying. Should winks leave especially it would make more sense to have Skipp play in the 6 where he can just be used to break up play and not much else.

As much as I would like one I can’t see us going in for another striker unless Daka leaves.

Would be a good opportunity to test an Okoli/Nelson partnership. Would also rather see Skipp start over Winks again to rest him for Saturday. Hoping Alves gets an opportunity to impress and force his way into the matchday squad.

I can imagine a scenario where there are no incomings, if Justin/Coulibaly leave and no else does we have the numbers across all positions to get through the season. It’s probably a squad good enough to compete in this division and challenge for promotion but would need significant work if successful. However if BEK and Winks leave we could be in trouble. Yesterday made it clear those two are pivotal to our midfield and I’m not sure I trust those in charge to replace them adequately.

BEK and Brownhill as 8s with Winks behind would dominate this league

He’s probably going to be in their first team plans this season but Freddie Potts on loan would be great

Agreed. You’d hope Spezia not getting promoted would mean we could have a realistic chance at him too.

So much space out wide for them

Would love Salvatore Esposito and Oliver Sorensen to replace outgoing midfielders. Both can play 6/8/10 and get goals/assists, something our current midfield lacks since KDH left. Would think both are attainable as well if we raise some cash with a few expected sales.

Of course - it would be great for Skipp to end up being a success here and this season is probably his best chance. Maybe a place in a working system and lower quality opposition is what he needs to bring back his confidence and kick start his career here. But to do that I think he will have to prove himself to start over Winks as I don’t like the idea of them playing together. And you’re right RE Ayew - he gets a lot of stick because he symbolises the clubs decline in recruitment and long term vision. But he’s far from being the biggest problem in the squad and I don’t think playing out wide suits him at this stage of his career. I think he could be a valuable member of the squad if used as a 9 or 10 this season.

Salech from Cardiff would probably be my first choice out of players I’m aware of. Right sort of profile and given his numbers in a poor Cardiff side last season you would hope he could get 20 in our team.

5 years ago? I think it’s clear to anyone who saw him play for us last season he’s not the same player he was that one season, whether it’s down to injuries or confidence I don’t know. But saying everyone was diabolical isn’t a valid defence of him it’s a cop out. What does he actually offer based off of what you saw last season? Even Soumare for all his faults can show moments of courage, take the ball from the defence and drive the team forward. Skipp seems to hide when he’s on the pitch and hasn’t shown he can affect games, with or without the ball. And as for Page I’m not sure how you can’t see the potential he has. Granted he’s still so young and it is only pre season, but his performances in these games have been impressive for someone having their first taste of games in the first team. He and the other youngsters coming through have done enough so far to be taken seriously and not just be labelled “ball boys”.

There is no way Skipp should start over Ndidi, Soumare or even Page based on what we’ve seen so far from him. Unless his performances significantly improve I don’t feel confident about us mounting a serious challenge for promotion with him in the starting 11.

If Cifuentes does come in and opt for a 3 man midfield I think this would be the biggest focus of the summer. Oliver Sorensen, Josh Brownhill and Adem Zorgane would be my picks and would hope they would all be achievable even in our current state.

Svit Seslar as an attacking midfielder should El-Khannouss leave. 2 goals and 8 assists in 12 games in the conference league this season for NK Celje.

His goal and overall performance in the 5-3 win over Utd.

Whilst I feel like we need big man who can play with his back to goal, I would love for us to go for Mathias Kvistgaarden. Looks like he can score any type of goal.