leaving January?

[GJP 79]

[quote user="star_manic"][quote user="GJP"]

[quote user="Jimmy Smith"]Oli Johnson, Lappin, Smith, Wilbraham, C Martin, Ward all contenders to leave[/quote]

I''d be very surprised if Lambert had even considered letting Ward go. First choice centreback last season highly valued by Lambert for the part he played in our promotion.

Something would have to go pretty badly wrong for us to turn our back on him before he''s had a chance to show what he can do in the Prem.

[/quote]...........if we get another central defender he would slip down to sixth choice when all are fit (if martin continues in centre ) and is too slow to cut it in the premiership. do we need six central defenders in a squad limited to 25?. can''t see it myself so would expect him to be on his way.[/quote]

Ward was clearly first choice centreback for us last season.

 

Started the season in the team, stayed in the team until he was out for a short spell injured and then immediately replaced Zak Whitbread on his return to fitness.

 

As I''ve said on here before, he seems to be the most underrated player of our promotion campaign.

 

Will certainly be a bit part of Lambert''s plans when he''s back to full fitness and anyone who doesn''t think he''s got a future at the club will end up finding themselves in the wrong.

[andyc24_uk 59]

The problem with Ward is, when will he be fit again? We were told he was supposed to be back ages ago, but whatever is keeping him in the treatment room doesn''t seem to be going away any time soon... given that Ward''s contract runs out in the summer, then if he''s gonna have a whole season of being in and out of the physio room, or if he''s gonna take weeks to get up to 100% ready, then regardless of how good he might be, he''s not much use to us unfortunately... If he''s not back fully fit and up to Premiership speed inside the next 3-4 weeks, I can see PL deciding he has to cut his losses and replace him come January. Harsh on the lad, but unfortunately PL''s job is to do what''s best for the club...

[Tumbleweed 106]

I really doubt many will leave. Its not just about ability but the squad and what the effect is. Lambert has built a squad and within that a team with spirit and determination and by all accounts a great sense of unity. I doubt he will do what others have done and jeopardise that. So that also means I doubt he will bring in many new faces to queue jump those who have delivered him his success. I see two at most.

Having said that I''d not be surprised to see Oli Johnson go on loan or out and just maybe Wilbraham. The latter is a conundrum- I actually like him and would like to see him have a run of a few games. However the PL is too big a risk to do this in and there is no way he will oust both of Morro and Holt unless both get crocked. With Jackson in the wings and Vaughan hopefully back early next year it is difficult to see Johnson getting much game time as I suspect that Wilbo will be ahead of him if Doomsday comes and the two big men are injured at the same time..

I also like Chris Martin, but not as an out and out front man. I prefer him sitting in the "hole" behind a striker, as Hoolahan does. So I see him as the back up to Wes.

Apart from Johnson, the other position I think we could afford to loan or sell is one of Lappin and Surman. Lappin is not a left back and has often been quoted as saying that he prefers left midfield, which is where Surman sits. The only time I saw Surman this season was as a sub at home to Stoke and he looked out of it, not closing down, giving space and not getting forward with much vigour. handed the initiative on that side to Stoke. Bennett is nailed on in that space so as back up I''d probably choose Lappin who is more solid. Drury as specialist LB, is back up to Tierney, but I shudder at what will happen if Drury is needed against some of the pacey wingers  he will come across. Lambo might strengthen cover here.

I don''t see any of the CBs changing except maybe Delaet going back once Ward and Whitbread return. He just looks too shaky for me.

Smith, K is still young and may go on loan but I think he is close enough that he can do a job at a push if two of the 3 key midfielders get knocks. However I do think we need some strengthening here- with two wide men we have to plug the holes in midfield that Prem players are good st skipping through. At the moment David Silva, for example, would have a field day.

So I don''t see massive activity but if there are to be departures, mine, at most, are:

Johnson, O on loan

Surman out

Delaet returned

In:

Left back to phase in for Drury

Central combative midfielder to help out Johnson, Crofts, Fox

[Rudolph Hucker 0]

I don''t see why any should leave.

Aaron Wilbraham will ride out his enhanced contract and appears to be valued around the Club by PL and Drury is seeing out his time.

Lappin will wait to see where we are next season.

There are players who need to move on for personal development and for Korey Smith I hope this just means a loan deal.

Oli Johnson needs a new Club and so does Chris Martin. In the case of Martin I have long felt he needs a complete change of location to develop. He is a clever player in the Hoolahan mould but like Wes doesn''t meet the Premier League ideals of pace or size; ideally both.

I think the issue of the upcoming transfer window could be hanging on to Pilkington and possibly Tierney with the worst case scenario being a late exit of either and therefore not adequately replaced.

[Gingerpele 0]

GJP,

''then immediately replaced Zak Whitbread on his return to fitness.''

No he didn''t he played alongside Zak Whitbread....

[Yorkshire Canary 118]

Anyone who cannot make the subs bench must be vulnerable

[GJP 79]

[quote user="Gingerpele"]GJP, ''then immediately replaced Zak Whitbread on his return to fitness.'' No he didn''t he played alongside Zak Whitbread....[/quote]

No, he didn''t. He replaced Whitbread on his first game back.

[Yellowbeagle 0]

[quote user="AJ Wizard"]Surely everyone remembers McNasty saying that Lambert WILL have money to spend in January. It doesn''t mean players HAVE to leave.[/quote]

I agree. I dont think he''ll be under pressure to push anyone out the door but PL did say when intervied in the EDP the other day that one or two may go out. There might also be one or two wanting to leave if not involved, i could see Surman maybe wanting to go to Southampton if he doesnt get a few more games, of course he may have meant loaning players out aswell.

[Lambo 0]

[quote user="GJP"]

[quote user="Gingerpele"]GJP, ''then immediately replaced Zak Whitbread on his return to fitness.'' No he didn''t he played alongside Zak Whitbread....[/quote]

No, he didn''t. He replaced Whitbread on his first game back.

[/quote]

 

What time of the season are we talking about here cos for a good chunk of the season and definately the last 4/5 months Ward and Zak were the 1st choice CB pairing.

[Lambo 0]

[quote user="GJP"]

[quote user="Gingerpele"]GJP, ''then immediately replaced Zak Whitbread on his return to fitness.'' No he didn''t he played alongside Zak Whitbread....[/quote]

No, he didn''t. He replaced Whitbread on his first game back.

[/quote]

 

What time of the season are we talking about here cos for a good chunk of the season and definately the last 4/5 months Ward and Zak were the 1st choice CB pairing.