I think we will go for another 'old head' at the back, but Im not sure when Butler's contract is up? We have been linked with Weir again. We maybe need another younger CH as cover.
There have been rumours that people are interested in Harding, if he goes I think we should try and get someone in there, but finding a good left back is not easy at all. I dont think we need anyone up front, Cresswell was a big loss for us in the final I think, but with Hulse/Cresswell/Blake/Healy I think we are ok, especially if Beckford has a good preseason. I think we need something in midfield, maybe a younger/fitter right midfielder to go along with Stone (assuming he wasnt on just a 1 year contract and is therefore staying). On the left Lewis is ok. Derry is a given, and I also think Douglas is too. I agree we need someone else in there along the same lines as Miller, maybe with a bit more physical presence. I'd love to see Koumas come if he is on a free by now (must be?) to cover the left off with Lewis, and I think he could possibly do a job in the middle too. As for my expectations for next season - I hope we develop as a footballing side - this, I think, will make our players look better to the doubters. For example, Crainey wont need to continually try 50yd crossfield balls, Douglas will look better (I agree he had a tidy game yesterday), Lewis will look better - f#ck it, they will ALL look better. However, I dont think our style will change too much, and in some ways it doesnt need to. If we have a decent start to the season (unlike last year) we will be up the top of the table, and hopefully we can develop that confidence we had after last xmas that will mean we continue to be difficult to beat, but also score goals and win games. The two most important ingredients for next season = confidence and the ability to break down and beat sides who come looking for a draw at ER. Financially KB should have a few million to spend on some players this summer, following the £1.3m gate receipts from yesterday, plus the extra cup revenue we got and, hopefully, a slight resurgence in season ticket sales. I expect our average gate to be back up to the mid to late 20's next season.. and back above the 30's if we have a good start to the season. > -----Original Message----- > From: [EMAIL PROTECTED] [mailto:leedslist- > [EMAIL PROTECTED] On Behalf Of Sean Emmott > Sent: 22 May 2006 10:45 > To: Leeds List > Subject: [LU] Where now? > > I think next season is the crucnch one for Blackwell. If he doesn't get > us > promoted then we need to be lookeg for a new manager next May. > > So far, we have been moving forward on and off the pitch over the last 2 > years. He has to maintain that. > > The first thing is to adjust the squad so we can be sure of being able to > play 4-4-2. Too often this season i think we have had to set our > formation > according to which players were available. > > We need to be looking for at leat one decent centre half. Either as cover > for Gregan or to replace him. Kilgallon needs to be a starter at centre > half now. The four fullbacks we have are adequate at this level, so > looking > to replace them shouldn't be a priority. > > Midfield. I think we have to assume that Bakke won't be playing (whether > it's because we can't afford him, because Blackwell doesn't want him or > Bakke wants out). We need a decent right sided midfielder/winger, and I > wouldn't mind seeing us replace Lewis (although we'd miss his free kicks). > In the centre of midfield it looks like Douglas will be coming in. > Hopefully not for too much money, because Ideally you'd like a better > player > alongside Derry in the midfield. Douglas worked hard for us yesterday, > and > looked one of the most gutted players - but you'd hope for someone better > there. > > I wouldn't change the strikers. > > I'm still optimistic - but it all depends on whether we can continue > improving at the rate we have been... I predicted play off defeat at the > beginning of the season (amid hoots of derision from some other listers. > I > also predicted Bate's takeover, for what it's worth). No predictions for > next season yet - we'll see what happens with transfers over the summer. > > Cheers, > > Sean > > > > _______________________________________________ > the Leeds List is an unmoderated mailing list and the list administrators > accept no liability for the personal views and opinions of contributors. > Leedslist mailing list > [email protected] > http://list.zetnet.co.uk/mailman/listinfo/leedslist _______________________________________________ the Leeds List is an unmoderated mailing list and the list administrators accept no liability for the personal views and opinions of contributors. Leedslist mailing list [email protected] http://list.zetnet.co.uk/mailman/listinfo/leedslist
