Assuming promotion, which of the current squad would you keep... and why?

[Guest Col city fan]

Apologies if this has been done before but I thought I'd vary it slightly.

If we go up, which players of our CURRENT squad would you keep, and why? I know it's hard to tell who would make the step up, but have a go. Try to put them into three categories: 'keep for sure', 'unsure' and 'wouldn't keep'.

Let me make it clear, again.. this IS NOT attempting to have a pop at any players. It's a bit of fun and it would be interesting to see who we think may do well, and who we think may not.

I'll kick-off:

Keep for sure:

Kasper... for me, the best keeper in the championship will make the step up

Moore... a super young talent.. destined only to improve

RDL.... has pace, gets forward well (maybe slightly suspect positionally) but has the attributes to make the grade

Big Wes... his lack of pace (he'd be up against some rapid strikers) will be made up by his strength and composure

Schlupp.. has all the attributes to be coached as a modern day left back/ left wide man.

James... so composed, can surely only get better

Drinky... many fans player of the season.. has a great engine.. as good as Cleverley IM

Vardy... first touch greatly improved, finishing much better and VERY quick

Unsure:

Wasyl... periodic lack of composure could be found out by quick-thinking strikers

Knocky... flair, creativity thwarted by lack of pace. I can't see him beating many Prem full backs.

Mahrez... too soon to tell really IMO.

Wood... still young, developing.. shortage of pace may be an issue.

Nugent... his goals to chances ratio may well be a greater issue in the Prem where we'll likely get fewer chances.

Miquel... still young.. I've a feeling he'll get much better with experience.

Wouldn't keep:

King.. perhaps the most contentious of all, I see King getting over-run by quicker and more physical opponents

Dyer.. I never thought I'd say this, but Dyer is pretty much all pace. This may well not be enough in the Prem

Konch.. not a Premiership full back IMO. Too prone to error which could well be very costly.

Phillips.. due to age really, still a good player in the Championship. Would now struggle in the Prem IMO.

GTF.. not of Prem quality.. too slow for me.

Logan.. to be fair, very hard to tell. We'll probably need a better replacement in the Prem.

Anyway, opinions please.. and add anyone I've missed..

[LanguedocFox]

Apologies if this has been done before but I thought I'd vary it slightly.

If we go up, which players of our CURRENT squad would you keep, and why? I know it's hard to tell who would make the step up, but have a go. Try to put them into three categories: 'keep for sure', 'unsure' and 'wouldn't keep'.

Let me make it clear, again.. this IS NOT attempting to have a pop at any players. It's a bit of fun and it would be interesting to see who we think may do well, and who we think may not.

I'll kick-off:

Keep for sure:

Kasper... for me, the best keeper in the championship will make the step up

Moore... a super young talent.. destined only to improve

RDL.... has pace, gets forward well (maybe slightly suspect positionally) but has the attributes to make the grade

Big Wes... his lack of pace (he'd be up against some rapid strikers) will be made up by his strength and composure

Schlupp.. has all the attributes to be coached as a modern day left back/ left wide man.

James... so composed, can surely only get better

Drinky... many fans player of the season.. has a great engine.. as good as Cleverley IM

Vardy... first touch greatly improved, finishing much better and VERY quick

Unsure:

Wasyl... periodic lack of composure could be found out by quick-thinking strikers

Knocky... flair, creativity thwarted by lack of pace. I can't see him beating many Prem full backs.

Mahrez... too soon to tell really IMO.

Wood... still young, developing.. shortage of pace may be an issue.

Nugent... his goals to chances ratio may well be a greater issue in the Prem where we'll likely get fewer chances.

Miquel... still young.. I've a feeling he'll get much better with experience.

Wouldn't keep:

King.. perhaps the most contentious of all, I see King getting over-run by quicker and more physical opponents

Dyer.. I never thought I'd say this, but Dyer is pretty much all pace. This may well not be enough in the Prem

Konch.. not a Premiership full back IMO. Too prone to error which could well be very costly.

Phillips.. due to age really, still a good player in the Championship. Would now struggle in the Prem IMO.

GTF.. not of Prem quality.. too slow for me.

Logan.. to be fair, very hard to tell. We'll probably need a better replacement in the Prem.

Anyway, opinions please.. and add anyone I've missed..

 

Tend to agree with most of this, other than that I don't know that Knocky's lack of pace matters too much: he can change the face of a game by his vision.

 

And isn't Miquel on loan?

[Corky]

Keep:

 

Kasper- Definitely a Premier League keeper in waiting

De Laet- Attacking instincts will be required

Moore- Lots of potential

Konchesky- Experience of Premier League will be useful

Knockaert- Will have more time on the ball to show his skills

Drinkwater- Fine player and heartbeat of team

James- Excellent midfielder, strong, determined and won't be bullied

King- We might play a midfield three at times and his defensive work will help

Vardy- Pace will be a handful

Nugent- 50 goals for the club, certainly worth at least being a squad member

Morgan- Strength and power

 

Unsure:

 

Dyer- Like him a lot but being so one-footed and limited in terms of trickery might hinder him at a higher level.

Mahrez- Positive about him, haven't seen enough to really know

Wood- Great finisher but will his all-round game aid us?

Was- Looks very competent but playing on the edge style may prove costly

Schlupp- Might need a new left-back

 

Rid:

 

St Ledger

Whitbread

Phillips (Will retire)

Hammond (Back up for this season)

GTF (See Hammond)

[chris_lcfc_85]

Its massively tough and will vary lots of opinions.

 

I think Knocky and Mahrez will be fine for Prem, when you have the skill they have, im sure they can develop even more.

Im unsure on Wood and Nugent but i do feel Wood's physical side and age gives him more chance of doing it in the Prem and I think a Wood/Vardy strike force would be ok.

 

I'd still have King and Konch too. Konch's experience will be huge! Plus he could still perfom at Prem level.

Looking at some of the full backs in the bottom half of the Prem, i think we'll be fine.

 

Dyer i'd have as an impact player too, pace is massive last 20 mins of games

[chris_lcfc_85]

Plus we MUST get rid of a whole host of dross for a start like:

 

Waghorn

St Ledger

Gallagher

Futacs

Danns

Whitbread

Hammond

[ealingfox]

You cannot ignore the frequency with which Dyer scores against PL or bigger teams - Fulham and Man City this season, Man City before, he even bagged against Real Madrid. He's not all pace, he's got great positioning going forward as well. Add to that his work rate and he would make a decent fist of it in the PL, I'm sure of it. Pace and positioning will bring you chances at any level of the game.

[WinslowFox]

Plus we MUST get rid of a whole host of dross for a start like:

 

Waghorn

St Ledger

Gallagher

Futacs

Danns

Whitbread

I shudder when I look at this list and think some of them players are still stealing a living from our club!!

I just hope Sven didn't give any of the players a wage increase for promotion!!

[Leicester_Numan]

I'd keep everyone except, Logan, Bakayogo, Whitbread, St Ledger, Danns, Gallagher and Waghorn. The only one I'd be sorry to see go is Waghorn, it's a shame things just didn't quite work for him here

[LCFC FOX]

KEEP

 

Kasper - A fantastic goalkeeper for us, deserves it

De Laet - Young and has lots of pace. Will only improve

Morgan - Our Captain and deserves it

Moore - One of our own

Wasyl- Would make a good backup 

Konch - Experienced, would be a good backup for LB

James - Excellent for us, young, will only improve

Drinkwater - Same as James

King - Would make a good backup, I would want to lose Kingy. He deserves it.

Dyer - IMO he would be great coming off the bench for the last 20 against fullbacks. 

Knockaert - Been good for us, can change a game if he's on his game. 

Mahrez - Young, skillful, pace and will improve

Vardy - pace and I think would still be good in the prem

Nugent - Deserves a new one year contract, good little poacher

Wood - I still think he should be first choice with Vardy atm. I think he would be great if he played a lot. 

 

GET RID 

 

Logan - Need a better back up

St Ledger - Free transfer

Whitbread - Free transfer

Danns - Free transfer

Futacs - Free transfer

Waghorn - Free transfer

Gallagher - still has another season with us I believe? Try and get rid or another season out on loan.

Schlupp - A six month loan deal to a championship side, then decide in January 

GTF - Free Transfer

Phillips - Free Transfer 

Bakayogo - Not good enough try and let him go

 

SIGN 

 

GK

LB

CB

CM

RW

ST

[Finnegan]

Keep all starters and give them an opportunity out of principle. Fewer changes to the team the better, consistency and togetherness are vital. The quality between the bottom of the prem and the top of the Championship is greatly exaggerated.

I'd add quality and depth to almost everywhere money allows but namely I'd like a solid top flight goal scorer to play with Vardy (Hull have done brilliantly with Jelavic and Long) and something more on the wings.

The fringes (Waghorn and Co) can all go. Probably keep King.

[Leicester_Numan]

KEEP

Kasper - A fantastic goalkeeper for us, deserves it

De Laet - Young and has lots of pace. Will only improve

Morgan - Our Captain and deserves it

Moore - One of our own

Wasyl- Would make a good backup

Konch - Experienced, would be a good backup for LB

James - Excellent for us, young, will only improve

Drinkwater - Same as James

King - Would make a good backup, I would want to lose Kingy. He deserves it.

Dyer - IMO he would be great coming off the bench for the last 20 against fullbacks.

Knockaert - Been good for us, can change a game if he's on his game.

Mahrez - Young, skillful, pace and will improve

Vardy - pace and I think would still be good in the prem

Nugent - Deserves a new one year contract, good little poacher

Wood - I still think he should be first choice with Vardy atm. I think he would be great if he played a lot.

GET RID

Logan - Need a better back up

St Ledger - Free transfer

Whitbread - Free transfer

Danns - Free transfer

Futacs - Free transfer

Waghorn - Free transfer

Gallagher - still has another season with us I believe? Try and get rid or another season out on loan.

Schlupp - A six month loan deal to a championship side, then decide in January

GTF - Free Transfer

Phillips - Free Transfer

Bakayogo - Not good enough try and let him go

SIGN

GK

LB

CB

CM

RW

ST

Don't forget that Phillips may well be staying on as coach for the strikers

[Bert]

Kasper - Need I say anymore?

RDL - Has become very consistent and has all the attributes to succeed as a full back in the premier league.

Konch - We all know he's staying having signed a new contract.

Morgan - Our Captain

Moore - Best player we've produced since King. Has the potential to go right to the top.

Wasyl - Experienced, capped 60 times for Poland. Surely he has the pedigree to be good enough in the prem.

Dyer - Pace alone will be a big threat. Deserves his shot there with us.

Knocky - A match winner, and sooner or later with or without us he will be there.

Mahrez - He's only just signed for us.

Drinky - He's been arguably out best player. Will be able to make the step up.

James - He oozes class and will certainly be good enough.

King - He will be a Valuable squad player.

Schlupp - Potential, versatile.

Nugent - Has prem experience, good team player.

Vardy - He's been quality all season and if he carries on like this he will do well in the prem.

Wood - Our most natural finisher, still young and will become a decent premiership striker in time.

Most importantly - Pearson, Shakey and Walsh. Masterminding what's been our best season at this level in a long time.

Add to that squad 5/6 good acquisitions and we will make a good fist of staying up I think.

[LCFC FOX]

Don't forget that Phillips may well be staying on as coach for the strikers

That would be good. I can see him becoming a bit like Chrissy P

[Mark_w]

Kasper Schmeichel

Ritchie De Laet

Liam Moore

Wes Morgan

Paul Konchesky

Anthony Knockaert

Riyad Mahrez

Lloyd Dyer

Danny Drinkwater

Matty James

Andy King

David Nugent

Jamie Vardy

Chris Wood

 

Should all be part of our squad if we get there. We'd therefore need a new GK (Backup), RB (Backup), LB (First Choice), CBx2 (Backup/First Choice), LM (First Choice), CM (Backup), ST (Backup).

[Far Post Gerry]

That's the beauty of our squad right now; no major surgery needed. Just a couple out and a couple in. We'd survive quite easily, imho.

[foxer]

Apologies if this has been done before but I thought I'd vary it slightly.

If we go up, which players of our CURRENT squad would you keep, and why? I know it's hard to tell who would make the step up, but have a go. Try to put them into three categories: 'keep for sure', 'unsure' and 'wouldn't keep'.

Let me make it clear, again.. this IS NOT attempting to have a pop at any players. It's a bit of fun and it would be interesting to see who we think may do well, and who we think may not.

I'll kick-off:

Keep for sure:

Kasper... for me, the best keeper in the championship will make the step up

Moore... a super young talent.. destined only to improve

RDL.... has pace, gets forward well (maybe slightly suspect positionally) but has the attributes to make the grade

Big Wes... his lack of pace (he'd be up against some rapid strikers) will be made up by his strength and composure

Schlupp.. has all the attributes to be coached as a modern day left back/ left wide man.

James... so composed, can surely only get better

Drinky... many fans player of the season.. has a great engine.. as good as Cleverley IM

Vardy... first touch greatly improved, finishing much better and VERY quick

Unsure:

Wasyl... periodic lack of composure could be found out by quick-thinking strikers

Knocky... flair, creativity thwarted by lack of pace. I can't see him beating many Prem full backs.

Mahrez... too soon to tell really IMO.

Wood... still young, developing.. shortage of pace may be an issue.

Nugent... his goals to chances ratio may well be a greater issue in the Prem where we'll likely get fewer chances.

Miquel... still young.. I've a feeling he'll get much better with experience.

Wouldn't keep:

King.. perhaps the most contentious of all, I see King getting over-run by quicker and more physical opponents

Dyer.. I never thought I'd say this, but Dyer is pretty much all pace. This may well not be enough in the Prem

Konch.. not a Premiership full back IMO. Too prone to error which could well be very costly.

Phillips.. due to age really, still a good player in the Championship. Would now struggle in the Prem IMO.

GTF.. not of Prem quality.. too slow for me.

Logan.. to be fair, very hard to tell. We'll probably need a better replacement in the Prem.

Anyway, opinions please.. and add anyone I've missed..

 

Agree with most of what you've said but the one's I've highlighted should be able to make the step up in my opinion.

 

Knocky - for sure will play regularly in the prem for someone.

Mahrez - yes its early days but he looks quality.

Wood - Definitely got a future in the prem imo

 

Kingy - got to be at least a squad player hasnt he? Has done so well for us over the years and has international experience.

Dyer - wouldn't start every week but he will scare a tired right back whenever we bring him on. He also loves scoring against the big teams - Man City, Real Madrid.

[XLM]

IMO to survive in the Premiership you need a premier league spine. Essentially, if Moore isn't quite ready yet, a new, high quality centre back is needed. And a midfielder who has the ability to seriously ping one. Hull demonstrate good buying in that sense. I think we may well need a striker who boasts proven credentials, but in saying that I think Vardy and Nuge could easily compete.

[Buzzell]

Keep:

Kasper

RDL

Konchesky

Morgan

Was

Moore

Schlupp

King

Drinkwater

James

Knocky

Dyer

Nugent

Wood

Vardy

Unsure:

Mahrez

Logan

Out:

Phillips

Hammond

Gallagher

SSL

[Alfie_flowers]

i think knocky should be converted into a false number 9 type of player between the strikers and midfielders... very similar to messi.. just not on his level obv ha ha. maybe he could really make a future at that position.

[muzzy1981]

IMO to survive in the Premiership you need a premier league spine. Essentially, if Moore isn't quite ready yet, a new, high quality centre back is needed. And a midfielder who has the ability to seriously ping one. Hull demonstrate good buying in that sense. I think we may well need a striker who boasts proven credentials, but in saying that I think Vardy and Nuge could easily compete.

 

I agree with this. We don't need too many changes just three key players down the middle. Maybe some dabbling in the french market again might come up with the goods, we need a Michu!

[HitchinFox]

We have a relatively small squad at the moment, so after dispatching the obvious get rids (St Ledger, Whitbread, Danns, Gallagher ... and maybe Waghorn, Hammond and GTF) I actually would give all them a chance to prove themselves in the Prem.

 

We obviously need strengthening in some areas, but I'd keep the squad simply because they deserve it. They deserve their chance. 

 

Could turn out to be a bit naïve, perhaps, but we've seen what a settled team can do when it is given time to play together. Most of the current squad went through hell at Watford last year, only to bounce back and - seemingly, don't want to jinx it - absolutely boss the league. If that isn't a show of character then I don't know what is.

 

I think we have players here that are ready for the Prem and others that have wanted it for quite a while - so are prepared to put in the extra yards and effort.

I'm under no illusions that we'd be contesting for a European spot, of course, but genuinely think we'd have enough to stay up. A few shrewd moves in the summer and who knows, we could even establish ourselves as midtable mediocrity like Man Utd...

[Guest MattP]

Swop Schulpp for Knocky in your post Col, agree with everything else.

[65RosesFox]

It will be easier and quicker to list the players that I'd get rid of as the majority of them deserve a chance in the Prem with their success this season.

Logan - need a better back up, maybe an old timer with Prem experience ie: Friedel or Given

SSL - not good enough

Whitbread - not good enough

Bakayogo - i'd like us to put in a bid for Cresswell and have Konch as back up

Dean Hammond - only of we can get in a better defensive midfielder

Danns - free transfer, good riddance

Paul Gallagher - was a good servant for the club a couple seasons back but his best days are well behind him and his level is now league one

Schlupp - not good enough as a striker/forward and as above, id have konch as back up at LB

Phillips - i think he's going to retire and start coaching which will be good for the club

GTF - was brought in as back up before Phillips came in. Would like to see him do a job though for a lower championship team

Waghorn - been a marmite player for us but i think he's had enough chances here, would do a job at a mid table championship club where there is less pressure and competition for places.

Futacs - forgot he was still on our books, don't think he'll play in england again

[Haydos]

I have the same worries about Dyer in terms of footballing ability as a few people do and I always have done. The thing is though he seems to prove us wrong over and over and like someone has already mentioned he has given Prem teams problems time and again. He may lack that skill that some players have but pace is one of the most dangerous abilities in the game.

 

I'd give him a chance.

[AdamN]

I'd keep most players. If they get us into the top flight then they deserve their chance to prove themselves at a higher level. It's impossible to tell at this stage who could make the step up and who couldn't.

 

Keep:

 

Schmeichel - we all know what he can do.

Logan - it'd rub me the wrong way if we just shipped him out the moment we got promoted, given how long he's been at the club. He's unlikely to get much game time, and will be on a low wage. If Kasper gets injured then we can always dip into the loan market if needs be.

De Laet - young, still improving. Looks very good at Championship level and could quite conceivably make the step up.

 

Morgan - experienced and reliable 95% of the time. He'd probably struggle against the likes of Suarez and Van Persie but then who wouldn't?

Moore - already looks solid at a young age. Looks like he has a bright future.

Wasilewski - experience could prove vital. Renew contract for 1 year.

 

Konchesky - maybe as a squad player. Certainly wouldn't be a terrible backup.

Schlupp - I'd concentrate on developing him as a left back. He's got all the physical attributes and just needs the defensive side of his game drilled into him. It can be done.

 

Knockaert - looks to be one of our brightest prospects. It'd be madness to get rid.

Drinkwater - calm and composed at this level. Should be able to make the step up. Still young.

James - see Drinkwater.

King - could do a job. Good enough to keep Drinkwater and James on their toes.

Hammond - I wouldn't be expecting him to be challenging for a starting spot but he's another that could provide vital experience when it's most needed. Even if it's only for 5 games a season.

Dyer - has been key in our season so far. Unsure as to whether I'd still want him starting every match but his pace could still be useful, especially as an impact sub. And as has been said, his record against top flight teams is hardly terrible...

Mahrez - still young. Impossible to tell at this stage just how good he is, but he's shown some flashes of brilliance and I trust that Nige and Co have seen something in him that makes keeping him worthwhile. Would be pointless to get rid at this early stage.

 

Vardy - formed an effective partnership with Nugent this season, and if they can keep their understanding up in the Prem then I wouldn't be adverse to seeing them both in the starting XI on day 1.

Nugent - see Vardy. 

Wood - still young. Whether he can displace Vardy and Nugent at this stage depends on how well those two play together. Could be one for the future.

 

Get rid:

 

Phillips - likely to retire. Would keep him around as coaching staff, though.

Taylor-Fletcher - I doubt he's going to get much of a look in.

Miquel - loan expires.

 

Gallagher - never going to be in contention.

St Ledger - as above.

Waghorn - as above.

Danns - as above.

Futacs - as above.

Bakayogo - as above.

 

Obviously we'd need to make a few signings to cover for those going out and to provide extra competition, but on the whole I'd be in favour of keeping the squad largely the same.