Written by bigfatolly
Just looking at our squad in the program and what each one brings to the starting 11 and bench, how they have done this season, and their future at the club.
1 Artur Boruc – not featured at all in the League, but still a good back up number 2 or 3 keeper, I would be happy if he got another year – IN Squad Player
2 Simon Francis – patchy season by his standards, I don’t think he is a good right back anymore, and probably behind S Cook and Ake now as a centre back. I don’t think he is a good leader as captain, but again, would be a good backup squad player if we recruited in his position – IN Squad Player
3 Steve Cook – again a patchy season compared to last year but I think he is getting a good understanding with Ake, and despite the bedwetting over his mistake against Southampton, I think he should be our captain going forward – IN Starting 11
4 Dan Gosling – Very up and down season, didn’t feature at all at the start, but his inclusion coincided with a good run after Christmas that gleaned a lot of points. Out of all our centre midfielders, he scores a few goals, but ultimately going forward I don’t think he is good enough as a regular starter in this league – IN Squad Player
5 Nathan Ake – He has had a great season and is the jewel in our squad, a shoe-in for Player of the Year, and the only question is can we keep hold of him beyond this summer. We should build the team around him – IN Starting 11
6 Andrew Surman – Started the season fairly well and bagged his first two Premier League goals for us before losing his place after Christmas. Still a quality player but for me, too slow and not enough in his locker going forward to be a regular starter. A good player to have in the squad and dressing room – IN Squad Player
7 Marc Pugh – I love Marc, absolute club legend, but I think this has been one season too many in this league, his lack of pace and engine has really shown this season and at his age, I think he needs to drop down a league to finish his career and get regular starts. I think he is out of contract too, sorry Pughy, thanks for your service – OUT
8 Harry Arter – I really don’t know what’s gone on this season, if it’s psychological, injuries, or he has just fallen out of favour with Eddie. He started the season as a regular but lost his place after Christmas after a lot of poor performances. I want him to stay and have a fresh start, but we do need to recruit for this position. A fit and firing Harry is what I want to see – IN Squad Player
9 Benik Afobe – A really poor season and lost confidence after plenty of chances and no goals or memorable performances. He then made questionable comments in the media after joining Wolves on loan – OUT
10 Max Gradel – Hasn’t featured all season, and couldn’t break in last season. For whatever reason, Eddie hasn’t been able to get the best from him so it’s best if he moves on – OUT
11 Charlie Daniels – Started the season well but despite starting every game looks leggy and off pace now in this league and his lack of pace getting back has been exposed many times. We really need a quality recruit in this position, still worth keeping as a backup – IN Squad Player
12 Aaron Ramsdale – Not started a game yet and obviously one for the future, currently out on loan, will need the same again for his development – OUT LOAN
13 Callum Wilson – Admirably forced his way back into the team after his injury, but has been very up and down, and has not scored since Chelsea. Still has a lot to offer and well worth keeping but I think he will be in and out unless his form improves – IN Starting 11/Squad Player
14 Brad Smith – Hasn’t forced his way in, and hasn’t impressed in his cup cameos. He is still young and can improve, but I think he needs a Championship loan to gain confidence – OUT LOAN
15 Adam Smith – I think he has had a good season generally and has really been missed since his injury, again I think we need to recruit in this position but he would be my number one right back – IN Starting 11
16 Lewis Cook – Started the season on the bench, but took his chance when he got it and has played the most Premier League minutes of all our centre midfielders. Another jewel in our squad and needs equal quality around him – IN Starting 11
17 Josh King – A poor season by the standards he set last season but to be fair, he rarely plays in his best position. Has still scored goals despite this and is still young and can improve further – IN Starting 11
18 Jermain Defoe – Again I don’t think we have used Jermain in the right way, but he has scored important goals that have gained points. Still well worth keeping as the young players can learn from him – IN Squad Player /Starting 11
19 Junior Stanislas – A real enigma as he is so inconsistent and is regularly injured. Has a good strike rate for a winger and I think he is our best winger now. First winger on the team sheet for me if fit – IN Starting 11
22 Emerson Hyndman – Another for the future but hasn’t forced his way onto the bench this season and has underwhelmed in the Cups. Needs games so – OUT LOAN
23 Connor Mahoney – Looked a good acquisition preseason and is another for the future. As Hyndman needs to play to develop so – OUT LOAN
24 Ryan Fraser – Patchy season but has been played out of position. Has scored goals when used correctly and I think is our second best winger – IN Starting 11
26 Tyrone Mings – Injured for most of the season, will he ever get fit and develop? I certainly hope so as he is versatile and could claim a left back or centre back position – IN Squad Player/Starting 11
27 Asmir Begovic – I think generally he has had a good season, despite the odd mistake he has kept us in a lot of games and will be number one going forward – IN Starting 11
29 Rhoys Wiggins – Obviously brought in as a cheap back up but has never started or been on the bench. Had a bad injury on loan at Birmingham and may be out of contract – OUT
31 Lys Mousset – For me personally, he has been this seasons success story and has been a real impact sub, bagging his first Premier League goals, much more to come and he is young, well done Lys – IN Starting 11/Squad Player
32 Adam Federici – Not featured this season and seems to be number 4 keeper now, nearly left for Forest but got injured – OUT
33 Jordon Ibe – Our most frustrating player, he has improved, he also has bagged his first goals from us, but for me too inconsistent to start every game but young and well worth keeping – IN Starting 11/squad player
38 Bailey Cargill – Looked promising but has fallen behind Jack Simpson now and I can’t see him getting in the team going forward – OUT
41 Jack Simpson – A surprise inclusion and took his chance well in cup appearances, one for the future may need a loan to develop – IN Squad Player/LOAN
NO SQUAD NUMBER
Lewis Grabban- a great season in the Championship, scoring many goals but ultimately no future here – OUT
So there you have it, our squad laid bare, in my opinion, we need six players in the summer to replace those I have predicted will leave, and to increase competition in positions that are very light.
Can Eddie and our scouting team find the right recruits going forward?
Only time will tell……
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