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Squad Changes; thoughts?
Topic Started: May 18 2014, 10:19 PM (9,052 Views)
Setenza
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Knitting with only one needle
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Was mentioned in the cup thread, but thought worth own topic...

Any thoughts on squad changes over the summer?


I think we're fine in goal, Cierzniak and McCallum seems a decent mix. Maybe a few more starts for McCallum if Cierzniak form drops.

Gunning I think probably time to move on. He's a good player, but think needs focus and clearly not had that past few months. So we'll need to replace him. We need to give Souttar some games, and think some experience alongside him would be good. So an experienced central defender would be my first choice.

Assuming we've Dillon, Butcher also, that might do.

Full backs seem ok, not sure we'll make any changes there.

Midfield I think is generally fine, but we could do with someone to keep the pressure on Paton / Rankin. From the U20s, presume Connolly, Smith and Fraser might start to feature more, which will be further options from from midfield.

Gomis is ok to have in the squad, but not sure he'll ever force his way back into the starting line up, so think we might replace him.

Not sure Graham is going to make the grade in the premier league, so I think we'll need another striker also while we find out, as I'm assuming El Alagui is not returning and no idea on Oyenuga.

Presume Hilson won't make much impact if he returns from loan and still has a contract.


Overall, I think we're still in pretty good shape. Of course, we may need to replace anyone who is bought...





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Hamish
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Ian McCall
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Gunning seemingly gone, according to quotes in the Courier this morning - of which the following doesn't read too brilliantly, but the writer also had a wee dig at him.

He said: “This is probably going to be my last game for the club. I have spoken to the manager.” Asked how much United had done for him during his time at Tannadice, he replied: “Yeah...I have done a lot for the club as well, so there you go.”

Given some of the goals the Tangerines have lost this season due to dodgy defending, manager Jackie McNamara would likely have been looking to tackle that area of the team anyway.

A commanding centre back, in the style of Webster, would be good but hard to find. Rankin and Paton are probably as good as we could get in the front of the defence, given resources. I dream of a better keeper, but we are where we are.

Stephen Thompson was talking prior to Saturday about the first transfer fee being paid for eight years. I'm guessing that will be the development compensation for the Rangers youngster.

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vvhatsthatonyourback
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wild eyed
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Don't imagine there will be many changes unless we sell anyone, and with that weird descending obligation to pay the bank a percentage of any transfer fee, our motivation to sell must be rather low even if someone like GMS can leave for free next summer.

A left back of some kind should be a priority, even a youngster from elsewhere, as Robertson seems to be the most likely to be bought for a sum we can't refuse, and the player we would miss most bearing in mind our lack of cover in that area.

A centre back to replace Gunning and maybe even Butcher would be good. Anyone think Butcher will appear in tangerine ever again?

Even I have lost patience with Graham. Whatever the merits of his general play, and I think there are many, his finishing leaves too much to be desired.
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Setenza
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vvhatsthatonyourback
May 19 2014, 08:39 AM
A left back of some kind should be a priority, even a youngster from elsewhere, as Robertson seems to be the most likely to be bought for a sum we can't refuse, and the player we would miss most bearing in mind our lack of cover in that area.

I'm not sure unless Robertson does actually go. We do have cover there at a stretch in Dillon and Wilson. I'd rather see us strengthen elsewhere. Same with right back. Watson / Dillon / Wilson will do.

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reekie
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lum raker
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Setenza
May 18 2014, 10:19 PM
Was mentioned in the cup thread, but thought worth own topic...

Any thoughts on squad changes over the summer?


I think we're fine in goal, Cierzniak and McCallum seems a decent mix. Maybe a few more starts for McCallum if Cierzniak form drops.

Gunning I think probably time to move on. He's a good player, but think needs focus and clearly not had that past few months. So we'll need to replace him. We need to give Souttar some games, and think some experience alongside him would be good. So an experienced central defender would be my first choice.

Assuming we've Dillon, Butcher also, that might do.

Full backs seem ok, not sure we'll make any changes there.

Midfield I think is generally fine, but we could do with someone to keep the pressure on Paton / Rankin. From the U20s, presume Connolly, Smith and Fraser might start to feature more, which will be further options from from midfield.

Gomis is ok to have in the squad, but not sure he'll ever force his way back into the starting line up, so think we might replace him.

Not sure Graham is going to make the grade in the premier league, so I think we'll need another striker also while we find out, as I'm assuming El Alagui is not returning and no idea on Oyenuga.

Presume Hilson won't make much impact if he returns from loan and still has a contract.


Overall, I think we're still in pretty good shape. Of course, we may need to replace anyone who is bought...





I dare you, no I double dare you, to post this in Eastfudball.

According to them, a new keeper is an absolute must, as is an entire back-line (barring Robertson).
Oh, and someone better than Paton.
And two new strikers.
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reekie
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Regarding the squad....

Goalkeeper seems fine, Rado's occasional brain-farts aside.
McCallum just signed a new deal so he must be doing something right.

With GG gone, we could do with another centre-back.
I liked what little I saw of Butcher and hope that he'll feature regularly this season. He strikes me as a Darren Dodd type, which is exactly what we need.
Dillon was excellent yesterday and is good to have at the club.
Souttar will be a bit older and wiser.

However....

Right-back is somewhere we could do with strengthening I think.
Jackie intimated that he felt Watson was destined for a more central role, which may solve the centre-back problem but leaves us with Wilson if that happens.
Not good.

We've been very lucky regarding injuries to Robertson and Çiftçi.

So, these are the three positions I'd focus on.

If there's a decent youngster to cover Andy, then fine. Otherwise, we need to bring someone in.

Up front, we basically have Nadir. It's a disaster waiting to happen.
I really hope Graham gets a few goals early on next season, otherwise it's curtains for him, I'm afraid.

No Europe's probably a blessing if we're honest.
A long rest and then a good pre-season for all should see us in fine fettle.
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Setenza
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reekie
May 19 2014, 09:59 AM
I dare you, no I double dare you, to post this in Eastfudball.

According to them, a new keeper is an absolute must, as is an entire back-line (barring Robertson).
Oh, and someone better than Paton.
And two new strikers.
So long as I can add how we don't need any people our team with the sole purpose of kicking other players, or who're just big hard tough guys....
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reekie
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lum raker
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I know. Depressing, isn't it?
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Setenza
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To be fair, not as depressing as those who'd replace Mackay-Steven with Mackay.

Or who those who give Souttar and Gauld a hard time.

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Naebody
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It'd be nice to get a centre back who's solid enough to talk Souttar through games. That'll mean experience, probably, though a season-long loan of Good would also do the trick. I'd not be disappointed if Brian Easton wanted to head up the A90 either.

Charlie Telfer, I'm guessing, is an eventual replacement for either GMS or Armstrong. Hopefully we'll get another season out of those two though. Sensible also to go shopping as early as possible for Robertson's replacement. And if a new keeper turns up at the door of Tannadice with his own gloves then super, but it's not really a priority.

Frankly, I've not been that encouraged by Jackie's signings. It's forgivable to make gambles that don't pay off (in that category: Graham, Erskine, Oyenuga, Butcher). More worrying are his mid-season signings of freebies that end up warming the bench (ie. Gomis, Farid, Wilson). For 2014/15, I'd like to see us focus on retaining the core of the team and giving kids like Moore, Connolly, Spark and Fraser a go whenever gaps appear.
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TheDean
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Naebody
May 19 2014, 12:30 PM
It'd be nice to get a centre back who's solid enough to talk Souttar through games. That'll mean experience, probably, though a season-long loan of Good would also do the trick. I'd not be disappointed if Brian Easton wanted to head up the A90 either.

Charlie Telfer, I'm guessing, is an eventual replacement for either GMS or Armstrong. Hopefully we'll get another season out of those two though. Sensible also to go shopping as early as possible for Robertson's replacement. And if a new keeper turns up at the door of Tannadice with his own gloves then super, but it's not really a priority.

Frankly, I've not been that encouraged by Jackie's signings. It's forgivable to make gambles that don't pay off (in that category: Graham, Erskine, Oyenuga, Butcher). More worrying are his mid-season signings of freebies that end up warming the bench (ie. Gomis, Farid, Wilson). For 2014/15, I'd like to see us focus on retaining the core of the team and giving kids like Moore, Connolly, Spark and Fraser a go whenever gaps appear.
With Moore just undergoing skin cancer treatment that might just take a while.
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Cobardon
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I'd take Kenny McLean in a heartbeat. (I'm assuming one of our front players will be off sooner rather than later and that Erskine and Gardyne are off).

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Conan the Destroyer
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Cobardon
May 19 2014, 11:58 PM
I'd take Kenny McLean in a heartbeat. (I'm assuming one of our front players will be off sooner rather than later and that Erskine and Gardyne are off).

Can we leave the phrase "in a heartbeat" to Howling Mad? Gets right on my pip.
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vvhatsthatonyourback
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wild eyed
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Ah, the close season. I forgot how the important issues are addressed then without the silly distraction of actual football.
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Naebody
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vvhatsthatonyourback
May 20 2014, 08:31 AM
Ah, the close season. I forgot how the important issues are addressed then without the silly distraction of actual football.
Enjoy this bit. We're a maximum of seven days away from any combination of Robertson, Armstrong and Ciftci being considered for the honour of winning their dream move to Porkhead.
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