As the land lies... (squad review)
First choice has to be Allsop. His distribution and connection to Klarer, Laird and Cochrane is so important to the way we want to play. Beadle decent back up but with his error prone tendency with the ball, which has littered the past two years of his career, I can't see him starting many league games.
Cochrane's a very solid championship left back however his ability to beat a full back (at championship level) probably holds him back a little. Potentially prone to being beaten for pace and in the air too if he does rotate into the left side of a back three when Laird/Osayi-Samuel push up.
Klarer as solid as a rock but against some really poor League One sides. Very good defender but again another who could be shown up on the transition with a lack of real pace.
Neumann strong, fast etc. but the jury is out. Probably fair to reassess in October.
Laird was pivotal last season, perhaps not in his individual performances but certainly in improving our shape and being the outlet on the right hand side. Him or BOS should be able to offer than again on the right side and both good at Championship level. Probably our only two players with real pace.
Cashin
Paik and Iwata. Not much to add. Both excellent footballers and will have no issues at Championship level. I think Leonard has a role to play in rotation but think his physical traits may hold him back a little in the Championship. Doyle again another in the Pain and Iwata category. Very good player at Championship level.
Gardner Hickman is a decent Championship player however I'm unsure where he fits in this squad. He never made a position his own and never looked hugely comfortable in any position last season in League One. He was arguably his best as a wide attacker but won't have the quality to succeed there at Championship level. Very decent squad man but will struggle for minutes.
Willumson has a lot of doubters to prove wrong. Decent in spells but physicality held him back last season, especially after Christmas. Shouldn't have to worry about the rough and tumble as much this season but his mobility may be an issue. Can't say much at all about Fujimoto until we see him play for an extended period.
Anderson was excellent last season for a variety of reasons. Decent at championship level and will be important in transitioning from L1 to Championship, but I do think if we want to push top half, we ultimately need league leading wingers and he just doesn't have that in his locker.
Gray I have no idea. Good for Everton. Struggled in Germany. Pretty much hopeless in Saudi but it's hard to judge on that. Don't think he'll be outstanding but a good option.
Stansfields pressing will be vital to how we want to play, but will need to improve on his conversion rate in front of goal. Decent at this level but I do think he needs to step up with more goals from open play.
Kyogo clearly a clinical finisher, but it was in a Celtic side which bossed games and made plenty of chances. Will need to create plenty of clear cut chances for him if he is to make a real impact.
I think Jay will score 15. Kyogo 9. I'm not sure where the rest of the goals come from. Perhaps Gray and Anderson get 3 or 4 each but other than that. I think goals will be a real issue.
I think this squad as it stands is good enough to finish 8th-12th. A lot of fans are questioning how good the championship actually is. I get that we eventually walked League One but some sides in that league were absolute dross and the championship is a far higher standard. We need at least one, perhaps two big improvements in attacking positions, and at a minimum another decent left back.
However the 'level above' players we are currently chasing don't seem hugely enthralled by the project and we are having to look for the 'hoping to return to form' players such as Kyogo and Gray. Let's hope to an exciting end to the window and some signings that will help us push for the automatics.