Edgy Red

The most balanced post on here by a long way ?

I don't think that fits Nige's narrative as he signed Naismith

This is one of my big issues with Nige and the way he manages the squad. I don't think Pring did alot wrong when he played and yet the perception is that he has to get back in to his good books. Obviously we don't know all that goes on behind the scenes but we only have a small squad and surely every player is vital. Jay doesn't fill me with huge confidence and he will never justify the fee we paid for him (not his fault i know). I just think Pring would be a really good option.

To be fair, Nige gets spikey at most questions he's asked. I think his attitude reflects the results his team are getting. I like Pring and actually think he would be a better option than JD but i'm not sure we'll see much of him. JD is clearly a better technical footballer but he really does flatter to deceive. Pring has the athleticism and pace to do well in the left wing back role so i hope he does get back to fitness. Whether Nige selects him is another question.

West Brom have been very good and should have scored 2 or 3 more but Watford have so much ability up front that you can never write them off. It has been a proper Champ game between 2 top sides

Sadly, we are a million miles away from this level

I think you've summed it up perfectly. As it stands we lack a bit of extra quality going forward and don't have the strength in depth should we pick up a few injuries, but hopefully we will be more resolute defensively and harder to score against. If Semenyo and Scott continue there improvement and Weimann has another good goalscoring season then we may be able to creep in to the top half but it does look like a mid table side to me (which isn't necessarily a bad thing).

Liam Rosenior

I think you've hit the nail on the head. I applaud everyone's optimism but i'm struggling to see where the vast improvement is going to come from. For large parts of last season we were fairly clueless and it was the reintroduction of Semenyo that changed our fortunes. IF Semenyo returns to fitness fairly quickly and IF Nige manages to improve our defensive organisation then we might be a mid table side, but the division will be very tough again. After all, its the hope that kills us... COYR

You make a great point... where will Nige play him? I still think we've got some business to do yet, but i personally see him as an "all rounder" central midfielder. I'm not saying he's Steven Gerrard, but i think he's an all action dynamic midfielder. He's happy to get on the ball, has an eye for a pass, isn't afraid to get stuck in and can score a few goals. I really hope he's still with us for this coming season and Nige has the courage to just let him play.

Completely agree Dave, it's all about opinions, but for me we do miss so much without Semenyo in the side. Like i mentioned, Weimann had an outstanding goalscoring season last year which he hadn't produced in his career previously, but much of that was down to Semenyo and his running power which allowed us to play more in the final third. Maybe Nige is planning a change in formation, or a more positive approach, but i stick by my prediction that a top half finish would be a big over achievement.

I love your optimism Dave but without Semenyo, the squad (as it stands) lacks offensive power. Whilst i really hope Weimann can replicate last season, his history tells us he won't, especially as I believe Semenyo was the catalyst for many of his goals last season. The Champ looks (on paper) a pretty average league next year and there will be a few surprise teams that make the play offs. I truly hope we massively improve, but i still think Nige will have done really well if he gets us in to the top half.

Semenyo is the only player we have with genuine pace and power and to be without him for any period of time will be hard. I still think we've got quite a bit of business to sort out (both ins and outs) and Nige may be looking to bring in another forward. The first 4 or 5 months of last season without Semenyo were pretty poor and i do think the few positive performances/results at the end have raised expectations. If Nige gets us near the top half next season he will have done well in my eyes.

Excellent summary... When Antoine returned from injury, he made all the difference to the second half of our season. If bids start reaching 15mill, plus add ons, then it will be difficult for the club to turn them down and also Antoine, and more importantly his agent, will also start to see the £ signs. Football is a short career and when Prem teams come calling, it is very hard to keep rejecting the offers. Obviously, at this stage the club will keep repeating that he isn't for sale etc, but if the offers continue to rise then it will be difficult for us to hang on to him.

I like Semenyo and his pace and strength made a huge difference to the 2nd half of our season, however if we receive a big bid (£12 mill plus) and Nige has the opportunity to recruit a couple of forwards, then so be it. I'm not sure he's ever going to be a classic 20 goal a season centre forward (in the Prem) but he certainly has ability. If he stays then i think he will be a real handful in The Champ next season, but if he moves on then hopefully Nige can continue to recruit well.

Just watched part one... some interesting bits and obviously talks about the jail incident and his time at City. I won't ruin it for anyone who hasn't seen it, but it's worth a watch/listen.

I was sat behind him at a restaurant in Benidorm about 6 years ago and he was with his wife having a meal. He seemed like a decent enough guy when a few people recognised him and asked for pictures. Being a referee is a bit of a thankless task to be fair and whilst we all like to give the "bloke in black" some abuse, i'm sure they are all doing the job with the best of intentions. He has always been a character and i think the Premier League will be a poorer place without him.

The riduculous wages and reported signing on fee

FFP.... Can anyone explain how PSG can get away with this? The whole thing is a farce and is open to manipulation by the top teams.

I agree and i think for his own health, the safest option for him would be to call it a day. Surely by now, both Nathan and the club would know what the future holds? If he is unable to play again it would have been great to have given him a send off at the Hull game. He always gave 100% and when fit, was one of the first names on the teamsheet for me.

Apologies if i've missed this in another thread, but does anyone know any more about Bakers situation? If (and i appreciate it's a big If) he was to join in pre season training and be available for us next season, it would be a massive boost. A fit Nathan Baker is a very good Champ centre back and personally i would love to see him back next season.

Excellent summary... i agree that now is probably the time for him to move on, but as i've said before, i wouldn't be surprised to see him do well at another Champ club. He's 27 now so as long as he gets over his injury issues of last season, then i think he will have interest from a number of other clubs.

I think we would have been in a proper relegation battle had he not returned around Christmas time. His pace and power gives us another dimension and allows us to play more in the final third, which in turn, helps both Martin and Weimann. I would love to see him stay but if we start receiving big bids then i fear he will be off.

That would be a decent signing for The Shrews. League 1 will be a strong division again next season but i'm sure Cotts will be aiming higher than he managed this season.

If Nige is hoping to get us in to the top half of the league next season then we need to add 3 or 4 players who will be first team starters. We are likely to lose a fair few from this years group (mainly squad players) but we need to add some quality, or i can only see another season of bottom half struggle. Time will tell but this summers recruitment is huge.