Next season's XI plus wishlist

Where do we see our strengths and where do we need to strengthen?

I'd like to see us line up like something like this:



FB cover: Gunter
CB cover: Kaboul
CM cover: Zok
Wide cover: Lennon
CF cover: Bent

Meaning we need to go all out for a top centre-mid and a keeper, but otherwise have what we need. Second priority being another top lefty, a 3rd experienced centreback and a 4th striker.

FB cover: Gunter
CB cover: Kaboul
CM cover: Zok
Wide cover: Malbranque
CF cover: Pekhart

James, I think we will see a lot more changes to the starting eleven than the one you posted. I am quite sure this will be an extremely busy transfer window for us. I think only Berba (if he stays), Keano, Woodgate, Bale and Hutton are certain to stay. All the others (including yes, King and Lennon) will have to prove their worth to Ramos.

I think your view there James is what the tabloids are saying. Afraid I don't give much credence to it. I can't see the team being ripped apart. 3 major signings: a keeper and centre-mid and one more. All for around 10mil each, perhaps going above our transfer record for a CM.

I'm pretty sure you can add Huddlestone, Gunter and Gilberto to that list James

Number 10 wrote:

I think your view there James is what the tabloids are saying. Afraid I don't give much credence to it. I can't see the team being ripped apart. 3 major signings: a keeper and centre-mid and one more. All for around 10mil each, perhaps going above our transfer record for a CM.

If we could get Diego (unlikely) that would be amazing. He was brilliant for brazil vs sweden recently apparently...

DannyBoy wrote:

Stekelenburg/Gomes/Kameni

Hutton - Woody - King - Gilberto

Lennon - Hudd - Diego/Ribery - Bale

Berba Keano

FB cover: Gunter
CB cover: Kaboul
CM cover: Zok
Wide cover: Malbranque
CF cover: Pekhart

I like your CM suggestions.

No JJ?

Steed is our best midfielder and should and will be given preference over Lennon.

DannyBoy wrote:

I'm pretty sure you can add Huddlestone, Gunter and Gilberto to that list James

maybe but they may not get into our starting eleven

Number 10 wrote:

I like your CM suggestions.

No JJ?

Steed is our best midfielder and should and will be given preference over Lennon.

I don't think JJ would play well with Diego/Ribery, and I think the Hudd is far more consistent a player. Actually I think Zokora would play well with either of the two possible new signings. I just don't rate Steed as a wide player to be honest, i'd prefer him played centrally and i'm suprised he's not been given a chance there. However if Diego/Ribery came in, he would not warrant a place there, hence he goes on the bench. I'm being optimistic about Lennon, although have to say I've been very very disappointed in his lack of progress this season. I hope under a Ramos pre-season training he will improve considerably. He's still young and deserves another chance.

My ideal signing this summer: His team are on the verge of a shake-up, he's 29 and may fancy one more challenge, and he's the bee's knees. A long shot but let's go for:

Spoiler:

I was watching Chelsea v Arsenal the other night and was wondering whether we should make a cheeky bid for Ballack and Shevchenko.

James wrote:

I was watching Chelsea v Arsenal the other night and was wondering whether we should make a cheeky bid for Ballack and Shevchenko.

Were you on drugs while you were watching that game?

Starting XI next season:



I've made a pure guess at Capel (Abelda and Kameni are more educated guesses) as I'm not sure what other left mids are out there and realistic targets, apart from Riera.

Janek wrote:

James wrote:

I was watching Chelsea v Arsenal the other night and was wondering whether we should make a cheeky bid for Ballack and Shevchenko.

Were you on drugs while you were watching that game?

I like Cudicini~!! Save him from Chelsea reserve.

I don't really have a wishlist, I just hope that we have a repeat of the Ramos-inspired January (Woody + Hutton the Hun + Gilberto the Average = 18m) rather than the Comolli-inspired August (Bent + Kaboul + KPB = 30m).

Janek wrote:

James wrote:

I was watching Chelsea v Arsenal the other night and was wondering whether we should make a cheeky bid for Ballack and Shevchenko.

Were you on drugs while you were watching that game?

As I told No.10, Jeremy, Linesmann and Tony at the dinner after the Easter Cup, I was watching the game lying on a massage bed in Shenzhen (Ellen was beside me). Whether the environment has affected my judgment is unknown.

Fellow Yids

What about a bid for Bentley , over for comment

Cameron, I think Bentley would be a good addition. I don't mind getting Bentley for Lennon. Bentley is improving all the time and is threatening to be a David Beckham type of player while Lennon has not been improving for the past season.

Well, apparently Ramos is after Ronaldinho!!!!

http://www.telegraph.co.uk/sport/main.jhtml?xml=/sport/2008/03/28/ufnspurs128.xml

14 wrote:

Well, apparently Ramos is after Ronaldinho!!!!

http://www.telegraph.co.uk/sport/main.jhtml?xml=/sport/2008/03/28/ufnspurs128.xml

Nonsense. Lazy journalism.

Number 10 wrote:

14 wrote:

Well, apparently Ramos is after Ronaldinho!!!!

http://www.telegraph.co.uk/sport/main.jhtml?xml=/sport/2008/03/28/ufnspurs128.xml

Nonsense. Lazy journalism.

In my view, Ramos will try to bring on some Latin players this summer to boost up the creativity of the team.

Number 10 wrote:

14 wrote:

Well, apparently Ramos is after Ronaldinho!!!!

http://www.telegraph.co.uk/sport/main.jhtml?xml=/sport/2008/03/28/ufnspurs128.xml

Nonsense. Lazy journalism.

You're probably right but it has me thinking of Berbatov-Ronaldinho combos on a Friday about-to-be-off-work mood.

James wrote:

Janek wrote:

James wrote:

I was watching Chelsea v Arsenal the other night and was wondering whether we should make a cheeky bid for Ballack and Shevchenko.

Were you on drugs while you were watching that game?

As I told No.10, Jeremy, Linesmann and Tony at the dinner after the Easter Cup, I was watching the game lying on a massage bed in Shenzhen (Ellen was beside me). Whether the environment has affected my judgment is unknown.

At least Drogba provided you with a happy ending...

Now there's a horrible thought if ever there was one, that ox would pull the damn thing off!

James wrote:

Cameron, I think Bentley would be a good addition. I don't mind getting Bentley for Lennon.

ME TOO

No body will care who does Ramos kick out if he can keep Berba in the BLUE WHITE ARMY