Next Season's Squad.

[NewCorkSeth]

Now that it is more or less confimred that we have another season in the Championship what does everyone think of the squad in preparation for next year? There is a lot of talking points already given the loan army have been not only essential in our survival but have also thrived while here.

Lets try keep this thread to discussion of which of our permanent squad members should be retained and which positions need to be reinforced/are a priority going into 19/20.

Currently our squad is as follows:
(RED = Contract Expiring)
GOALKEEPERS
A. Jaakkola
S. Walker
L. Ward
L. Southwood
RIGHT BACKS
A. Yiadom
C. Gunter
T. Watson
LEFT BACKS
J. Obita
T. Blackett
O. Richards
CENTRE BACKS
L. Moore
P. McShane
J. O'Shea
T. McIntyre
T. Holmes
G. Osho
D. Gravenberch
CENTRE MIDS
A. Rinomhota
L. Kelly
D. Meyler
R. East
M. Olise
RIGHT WING
Y. Meite
G. McCleary
A. Popa
ATTACKING MIDS
J. Swift
S. Aluko
J. Barrett
LEFT WING
M. Barrow
C. Harriott
STRIKERS
J. Dadi Bodvarson
S. Baldock
D. Loader
M. McNulty
A. Novakovich
S. Smith

So It seems clear to me that we have a problem in virtually every position.

We need a senior goalkeeper, a senior CB, minimum 2 CMs, AMC cover and cover on the wings.

Add into that that our striking options (while somewhat decent) have been a huge problem for us this season as injuries have really hampered our attack. Do we go into next season hoping Bodvarson stays fit and Novakovich makes the impact we all pray he does or do we prioritise getting in a proper striker?

For me it seems (astonishingly) the only areas we don't need to invest are at Right and Left back, where we look surprisingly good.

[dontbedaft]

Surely there are more out of contract than that? I think that I had heard Harriott, Smith and perhaps even Popa mentioned as being in their last years.

[Hound]

I’d happily see us with this lot from our current players stay into next season
keeper
L. Ward
L. Southwood
RIGHT BACKS
A. Yiadom
C. Gunter
T. Howe

LEFT BACKS
J. Obita
T. Blackett
O. Richards (loaned)

CENTRE BACKS
L. Moore
T. McIntyre
T. Holmes
G. Osho

CENTRE MIDS
A. Rinomhota
R. East
M. Olise
RIGHT WING
Y. Meite
G. McCleary
ATTACKING MIDS
J. Swift
LEFT WING
M. Barrow
C. Harriott
STRIKERS
J. Dadi Bodvarson
D. Loader (loaned out)
A. Novakovich

Supplemented by some 5 or 6 shrewd signings. Be delighted if everyone else left

[dontbedaft]

Harriott was signed in Aug 2016 on a "three year deal" so I think that he'll be out of contact in June - https://www.readingfc.co.uk/news/2016/a ... -harriott/

Popa was only signed in Jan 2017 but I am not sure how long a deal he was given

Sam Smith is on a long term contract - https://www.readingfc.co.uk/news/2018/f ... -contract/ - 2021!!

[muirinho]

Harriott was signed in Aug 2016 on a "three year deal" so I think that he'll be out of contact in June - https://www.readingfc.co.uk/news/2016/a ... -harriott/

Popa was only signed in Jan 2017 but I am not sure how long a deal he was given

Sam Smith is on a long term contract - https://www.readingfc.co.uk/news/2018/f ... -contract/ - 2021!!

Summer 2020 for Popa.

[NewCorkSeth]

Surely there are more out of contract than that? I think that I had heard Harriott, Smith and perhaps even Popa mentioned as being in their last years.

Ooops forgot to highlight Harriott! Thanks. I've seen nothing on Smith or Popa.

[Hound]

Smith and Watson were both given pretty excessive contracts in hindsight

Gourlay was an absolute clown with contract lengths

[NewCorkSeth]

I’d happily see us with this lot from our current players stay into next season
keeper
L. Ward
L. Southwood
RIGHT BACKS
A. Yiadom
C. Gunter
T. Howe

LEFT BACKS
J. Obita
T. Blackett
O. Richards (loaned)

CENTRE BACKS
L. Moore
T. McIntyre
T. Holmes
G. Osho

CENTRE MIDS
A. Rinomhota
R. East
M. Olise
RIGHT WING
Y. Meite
G. McCleary
ATTACKING MIDS
J. Swift
LEFT WING
M. Barrow
C. Harriott
STRIKERS
J. Dadi Bodvarson
D. Loader (loaned out)
A. Novakovich

Supplemented by some 5 or 6 shrewd signings. Be delighted if everyone else left

What's the issue with Tennai Watson?

[Hound]

Been dropped by Wimbledon. Time to move on I think

[RoyalJones]

Mannone, Jaakkola and Walker to go in the summer I think. Southwood to be understudy and Ward to be third choice would be ideal. Signing Martinez would be great, we need a new #1 either way.

Chris Gunter may look to move on in the summer after being left out of the starting eleven. Watson could compete with Yiadom depending on his progress at AFC Wimbledon this season. Howe is also doing well with the U23s.

Jordan Obita and Tyler Blackett could compete for the left back spot. Richards might benefit from a loan in League One. Hopefully Obita comes back soon.

I would look at signing Matt Miazga on a perm deal if possible. He's formed a great partnership with Moore. Paul McShane and John O'Shea will probably leave at the end of the season. McIntyre and Osho will probably be promoted to the first team properly next season. Gravenberch is destined to leave.

I think the centre of midfield needs a rebuild in the summer. Rinomhota is becoming one of the first names on the team sheet. Meyler will hopefully go at the end of the season. Kelly could benefit from a loan. Barrett, East and Olise will probably be promoted to the first team. I hope we can get Baker back again, even if it's just another loan. Swift might be off at the end of the season with interest from Leeds United, I hope we can get rid of Aluko. God knows what salary he's on. Ejaria will probably go back to Liverpool. I would like to see more of Ezatolahi.

McCleary seems to be improving, I hope he can get back to his best. Popa will probably go. Harriott may also go. I hope Mo Barrow stays, he's a game changer. We may need a winger or two to provide more of an attacking threat for next season.

Baldock and McNulty are likely to go in the summer. Loader and Smith will benefit from loans. Novakovich to stay I hope. I also hope Oliveira stays.

LIKELY DEPARTURES: Mannone, Jaakkola, McShane, O'Shea, Gravenberch, Meyler, Aluko, Popa, Baldock, McNulty

POSSIBLE DEPARTURES: Walker, Gunter, Watson, Swift, Harriott

POSSIBLE LOAN DEPARTURES: Richards, Kelly, Smith, Loader

We need:
Martinez/#1 goalkeeper
Miazga/new CB
Back up CB or promote McIntyre and Osho
Ezatolahi/new CDM
Baker/new CM
More creativity in the attacking midfield area
A winger or two
Oliveira/new ST

[Crowbar6753]

Baker and Miazga are a must to be signed, i know this is a big ask but they looked like they enjoyed every minute of their time here and are loved by the fans and fellow staff and players and this will give us the edge in being able to sign them i think.
Miazga's partnership with Moore has been crucial to our late season success, as has Baker's partnership with Rino in midfield. Every successful team is built from the back, it breeds confidence in all the other players and allows them to play the way they can without worrying whats happening behind them.
I have my doubts regarding Olivera and would probably let him go back to Norwich and give Novakovich a chance to see what he's all about. I think between Novakovich, Loader and Meite we have a solid core of attackers. Let's face it, Meite has 13 goals to his name in a poor season!! Loader will come good, there's a good player in there and when he finally scores i really think he could be a very good player, and Novakovich has been scoring for fun in the lower Dutch leagues.

[Sutekh]

Left back spot might be a problem. After 2 years failing to come back from a serious injury it must be a concern that Obita might not be able to play to the same level again. Will still have Blackett who has improved well this season but with Richards really needing regular game time to finish his development then left back becomes a position where cover is required.

[CountryRoyal]

I’d happily see us with this lot from our current players stay into next season
keeper
L. Ward
L. Southwood
RIGHT BACKS
A. Yiadom
C. Gunter
T. Howe

LEFT BACKS
J. Obita
T. Blackett
O. Richards (loaned)

CENTRE BACKS
L. Moore
T. McIntyre
T. Holmes
G. Osho

CENTRE MIDS
A. Rinomhota
R. East
M. Olise
RIGHT WING
Y. Meite
G. McCleary
ATTACKING MIDS
J. Swift
LEFT WING
M. Barrow
C. Harriott
STRIKERS
J. Dadi Bodvarson
D. Loader (loaned out)
A. Novakovich

Supplemented by some 5 or 6 shrewd signings. Be delighted if everyone else left

This but include Swift in get rid. (Gunter can stay as squad player )

[Snowflake Royal]

Gk:
??
Walker - if we can get money for him sell and extend Anssi
Southward (sp?)
Jaakkola - don't renew unless above
Mannone - shift as a priority

RB:
Yiadom
Gunter - if we can get money and Watson is fit and recovered or Howe is ready then sell

LB:
Blackett
Obita - fitness assessment, if not fully fit by mid July replace
Richards - loan out
Gunter - see above

Cb:
Moore
??
Blackett
McIntyre, Osho, Holmes, loan one, keep the others for back up
McShane - don't renew
O'Shea - don't renew

Cm:
Rinomhota
??
East
Holsgrove
Frost ?
Meyler - shift even at the cost of paying up contract
Kelly is gone whether I agree or not realistically.

AM
Swift - sell if we can get good money and replace
Barrett / Frost / Olise

RW
Meite
McCleary - sell if we can get money, but decent back up
Harriott
Loader - loan if possible, but right loan
Aluko - shift if at all possible.

LW
Barrow
McCleary - see above
Harriott
Olise / Barrett
Loader - see above

ST
Meite
Novakovich
Bodvarsson / Baldock / McNulty - sell whichever one we can get money for, two if we get Oli and won't lose Nova
House - loan / unders

I think we need:
Keeper - Martinez ?????
Centre back - Miazga???
Midfielder - Baker ??
Midfielder - Ezatolahi ??
AM - Ejaria ???
ST - Oliveira ?
And probably a winger, side not crucial, preferably left. It's basically the spine of the team we need to add to, the most in midfield.


I know Loader isn't a winger, but I think that's his best bet for integrating into Championship level in the short term. He just doesn't meet the standard upfront or in behind right now and I don't see improvement. I think he'll find it easier on the wing with a more straight forward role

[Linden Jones' Tash]

A fit Oliveira is a must.

We've been crying out for a 'proper' centre forward since Murray or Sa.

Build the team around him

[NewCorkSeth]

To clarify my understanding of a few things:

1: Mannone loan is a loan to buy hence why I didnt include him. From my understanding they are obligated to buy him at the end of their season.

2: Joey van den Berg is also on a loan to buy deal.

3: I was hoping we would not discuss the obviously excellent loan players we have and focus on what position is a priority to improve. Let's assume for the purposes of this thread that none of the loanees return to us next season. That way we can identify where truly we are weakest.

Imo the glaring holes in the squad are at CB. Going into next season with only Moore as a senior player in that position is dangerous.

I think after that CM is a problem. With only Rinkmhota, Kelly and Meyler there (with the latter 2 certainly up for sale imo) it's a pretty key area to look at over the summer.

[NewCorkSeth]

Left back spot might be a problem. After 2 years failing to come back from a serious injury it must be a concern that Obita might not be able to play to the same level again. Will still have Blackett who has improved well this season but with Richards really needing regular game time to finish his development then left back becomes a position where cover is required.

I cant agree. Blackett has been at his best under Gomes. Going into next season with him, a recovering Obita to back him up and Richard's covering makes it one of our strongest positions.

Also Gunter I guess.

[windermereROYAL]

We`ll be among the bookies favourites to go down, wouldn`t it be nice to have a comfortable mid table season. or even better a surprise play-off push?

[NewCorkSeth]

Gk:
??
Walker - if we can get money for him sell and extend Anssi
Southward (sp?)
Jaakkola - don't renew unless above
Mannone - shift as a priority

RB:
Yiadom
Gunter - if we can get money and Watson is fit and recovered or Howe is ready then sell

LB:
Blackett
Obita - fitness assessment, if not fully fit by mid July replace
Richards - loan out
Gunter - see above

Cb:
Moore
??
Blackett
McIntyre, Osho, Holmes, loan one, keep the others for back up
McShane - don't renew
O'Shea - don't renew

Cm:
Rinomhota
??
East
Holsgrove
Frost ?
Meyler - shift even at the cost of paying up contract
Kelly is gone whether I agree or not realistically.

AM
Swift - sell if we can get good money and replace
Barrett / Frost / Olise

RW
Meite
McCleary - sell if we can get money, but decent back up
Harriott
Loader - loan if possible, but right loan
Aluko - shift if at all possible.

LW
Barrow
McCleary - see above
Harriott
Olise / Barrett
Loader - see above

ST
Meite
Novakovich
Bodvarsson / Baldock / McNulty - sell whichever one we can get money for, two if we get Oli and won't lose Nova
House - loan / unders

I think we need:
Keeper - Martinez ?????
Centre back - Miazga???
Midfielder - Baker ??
Midfielder - Ezatolahi ??
AM - Ejaria ???
ST - Oliveira ?
And probably a winger, side not crucial, preferably left. It's basically the spine of the team we need to add to, the most in midfield.


I know Loader isn't a winger, but I think that's his best bet for integrating into Championship level in the short term. He just doesn't meet the standard upfront or in behind right now and I don't see improvement. I think he'll find it easier on the wing with a more straight forward role

I get that you're listing the positions players are capable of covering in a pinch but it makes more sense to limit them to one position so we can see where the holes are. They can only fill 1 position in a team sheet.

Meite is fully capable of covering up front but is a right winger now and I expect he will play there under Gomes. Listing him as our second striker distorts where our needs really do lie.

[NewCorkSeth]

Been dropped by Wimbledon. Time to move on I think

He did manage 20+ games though. We know hes adecent player and really he just needed fitness and game experience.

I'd prefer him over Howe.