Starting XI

Given that a fair few of our players will leave, a hope that we are able to re-invest a decent chunk of the money, a realism over players we are likely able to sign put the line-up you'd like to see.

I will kick off by saying I can't see any of the loanees returning with the possible exception of Aaronsen as there may be no takers. As such I will include him in my squad but he doesn't make my starting XI although it may suit him playing in this 'lower' league. I expect Rutter, Summerville, Gnonto and Messlier to leave - I hope we get fees for all of them as I wouldn't expect Summerville and Gnonto to have loan clauses. Rutter may have a loan clause though given his wages - in all honesty though I wouldn't mind him leaving on loan and then coming back an improved player as he can learn and improve elsewhere. Rodon will likely return but it may be in our budget to get him though I could see Ipswich going in for him. Firpo may leave, likely he will have a loan clause, though there is a chance he stays. As such I am going to say that Firpo and Rodon leave and Rodon signs elsewhere rather than returning.

GK Alex McCarthy
LB
RB
CB Struyjk
CB Ampadu
DM Gruev
CM Gray
LW Jack Clarke
RW Dan James
FW Joseph
FW Piroe

GK - I'm sure McCarthy came to us on loan many moons ago and did well. He is out of contract and likely Southampton will buy someone. As such his choice is likely to be on the bench in the prem or look to come to a club where he can start (he was originally back up at Saints). As such I would look to sign him as would be a freebie and he is experienced and has dealy with the pressure of playing at ER.

Fullbacks is a tricky situation. I'd keep Byram as a more than capable back-up for both sides but obviosuly we cannot rely on the fitness. If Firpo stays I m fine with him at left back but I think he will go and at least we now have a chance of recuperating some money for him. I really can't say I have noticed any decent full backs so will take suggestions on those positions.

CB Struyjk is fine at CB if he is over his injuries. I'd keep Ampadu there mainly because we have 3 DMs and I'd be looking to only play 1. I would expect Cooper and Cresswell to go so we need back-up or a starter and we then push Ampadu into midfield.

DM Given I have Ampadu staying in defence I'd go with Gruev. Kamara always seemed just to be a player we knew we could get but was our back-up plan. Tidy enough but we need more in our midfield than Gruev and Kamara have. I'd then have Gray as a more orthodox midfielder and hope he can add goals and creativity to the side.

LW I'd be tempted to go for Clarke, he won't be cheap and he may have lower prem sides after him. However the opportunity to return here might appeal to him and the chance to come to a big club rather than meander in the lower reaches of the prem fighting relegation. If not then the lad at Preston might be worth a punt as he looked handy against us.

RW and hopefully Dan James stays

FW Piroe - let's see how well he plays as the focal point of our attack. When he was in the side with Dan James he was playing more as a 10. James is less greedy than Summerville and Gnonto and similarly if we got someone like Clarke he is an intelligent player who can create plenty for a good finisher.

FW Joseph - sod all the no.10 stuff and play with two strikers. If they both get 20+ it gives us a great platform.

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