Well as we have expected the reports are starting to circulate today of possible changes the owners and new manager will be making to the playing staff come January. I have read a couple of articles on the BBC and more reliable papers talking about one of the key reasons for getting rid of Hughes being a number of poor signings at vastly over inflated prices. It was not just the poor results against the worst sides in the league or our inability to defend but their lack of confidence in him being able to sign quality players from outside the league to take us forward.
it seems that the Lescott, RSC and Bridge deals are the ones they are least happy with both the price and quality of the players. Personally I think Lescott will come good, we paid twice what he was actually worth but we knew that when we signed him anyway. He did well at Everton just needs a commanding central defender next to him telling him what to do IMO. Bridge is almost certainly going to end up with a top quality left back to compete with for a place as we only have him at the moment that can play in that psoition. I also think Richards and Nedums days could be numbered it would have been nice to keep them but if we bring in a top quality centre half and right back they just will not get any game time from what I can see.
So it looks like :
Central defender
Left Back
Right back
For starters. He likes playing with 2 big men up top so another big centre forward and central midfield player are possibilities. 3 - 5 players not really a major rebuilding job, our squad is still quite small I would expect a fair few players to be leaving anyway, Petrov OR Robinho, Garrido, SIlvinho will be released in the summer anyway Benjani for sure question marks over Nedum and richards as well if we sign suitable replacements or Mancini doesnt fancy them or feel he can improve enough in the short to medium term.
I dont see the overal squad size increasing really just more quailty and cover in the areas its needed. Thoughts ?
Names doing the rounds are Chenneli at centre half, Lahm at left back and Macion at right back but this has already been covered elsewhere.
it seems that the Lescott, RSC and Bridge deals are the ones they are least happy with both the price and quality of the players. Personally I think Lescott will come good, we paid twice what he was actually worth but we knew that when we signed him anyway. He did well at Everton just needs a commanding central defender next to him telling him what to do IMO. Bridge is almost certainly going to end up with a top quality left back to compete with for a place as we only have him at the moment that can play in that psoition. I also think Richards and Nedums days could be numbered it would have been nice to keep them but if we bring in a top quality centre half and right back they just will not get any game time from what I can see.
So it looks like :
Central defender
Left Back
Right back
For starters. He likes playing with 2 big men up top so another big centre forward and central midfield player are possibilities. 3 - 5 players not really a major rebuilding job, our squad is still quite small I would expect a fair few players to be leaving anyway, Petrov OR Robinho, Garrido, SIlvinho will be released in the summer anyway Benjani for sure question marks over Nedum and richards as well if we sign suitable replacements or Mancini doesnt fancy them or feel he can improve enough in the short to medium term.
I dont see the overal squad size increasing really just more quailty and cover in the areas its needed. Thoughts ?
Names doing the rounds are Chenneli at centre half, Lahm at left back and Macion at right back but this has already been covered elsewhere.