Full Squad Review

[torryowl]

17 hours ago, Pulsar said:

Not being funny to the OP but i stopped reading after the Dawson comments where it was stated he won't make any mistakes but won't pull off any miracle saves either.

Both statements are wrong imo.

There were quite a few games where he pulled off miracle saves only to be let down by making mistakes.

I know this is a forum about opinions but when someone says tbe opposite of what actually happened then i can't proceed to read the rest. 

Plus the fact we don't know our full squad just yet and things will change upto August and beyond.

 

I will say this though, we will do just fine this season under SB.

how many is quite a few ?...…..I had dawson down for 2 possibly 3 goals last season ..

[Pulsar]

1 minute ago, torryowl said:

how many is quite a few ?...…..I had dawson down for 2 possibly 3 goals last season ..

 

 

I had him down for more than you can remember.

Plus, definition of 'a few' = a small number.

He also stated Dawson didn't make any.

 

Is that alright for you?

[james o connor]

20 hours ago, Birley Owl 1867 said:

None as they'd never be on the pitch

I swear it’s bred into most wednesdayites . Crock obsessed , it’s a epidemic ! 

[SallyCinnamon]

Westwood

 

Odubajo Iorfa Lees Borner Bidwell

 

Bannan Cattermole Aneke/Onomah

 

Fletcher NEW ST

 

I think this is the formation we will go with next season, similar to what he did with Villa. Reckon Bruce wants some power and steel adding to midfield. Aneke been linked, if we manage to sell the likes of Rhodes/FF I think attention will switch to Onomah as Bruce is a huge fan. A feeling Bruce will bring a forward in on loan and we might see Aarons return as another option off the bench. Harris and Aarons are both injury prone so we can’t rely on just one winger coming in. Really can’t see Hector coming back unless we manage to sell some assets. 

 

This is obviously all depending on our embargo situation. I pray Chansiri sees some sense and lowers the valuation of some of our players to give Bruce more to work with. 

Edited June 20, 2019 by SallyCinnamon

[fred mciver]

We are so unbalanced with forwards at present it's staggering. And Paxo's still  here.

[handworth52]

excellent post. regards what we have under contract at min and the usual players who will spend a fair amount of time in the treatment room I honestly think we would struggle to stop up , getting westwood etc contracts sorted , getting in the 6 players steve bruce wants and avoiding too many injuries then top 6 for sure.  I will be glad to see the back of the carlos era what has left its legacy and im hoping the football league will drop the embargo and not hit us with a points deduction which would be fatal. 

[dorian gray]

On 19/06/2019 at 01:23, Bez said:

Goalkeepers:

 

Under Contract:

Cameron Dawson

Joe Wildsmith

 

Rumoured:

Keiren Westwood (Offered Contract)

 

Potential Targets:

Bartosz Bialkowski (£1.5m - Ipswich)

Quentin Beunardeau (£750k - Aves)

Remi Matthews (£1m - Bolton)

 

REVIEW:

Dawson showed, in the first half of last season, they he is a decent lower Championship keeper.  He won't make mistakes but won't pull of miracle saves either.  His kicking needs serious work and Wednesday don't want to rely too much on him.  He makes an excellent backup.

Wildsmith is a League One keeper and would do well to head to pastures new at some point.

Wednesday need a number 1 keeper urgently and have offered Westwood a new contract.  If he signs it, he will once again be a top tier starter.

If Westwood heads elsewhere, the Owls could target Bialkowski or Matthews who both shone in relegated teams or look to Portugal with highly rated Beunardeau.

 

 

 

Right Back:

 

Under Contract:

Dominic Iorfa

Ash Baker

 

Rumoured:

Liam Palmer (Offered Contract)

Moses Odubajo (Free Agent)

Adam Matthews (Free Agent)

 

Potential Targets:

Todd Kane (Free Agent)

Reece James (Loan - Chelsea)

 

REVIEW:

Iorfa looks a decent cheap signing by Bruce and had an immediate impact last season.  He looks like Bambi on ice, but offers height and strength.  Behind him, the team only has Ash Baker who had a hit and miss first season in the first team.

Liam Palmer has been offered a contract to compete with Iorfa and provide left back cover after finishing the season strongly.

There are strong indications that Moses Odubajo has signed with the club after leaving Brentford.  Much injured but talented, he could compete with Iorfa or play on the right wing.

Failing that, Adam Matthews could be a back up option.  

 

 

 

Left Back:

 

Under Contract:

Morgan Fox

Matt Penney

 

Rumoured:

Jake Bidwell (Free Agent)

 

Potential Targets:

Jay Dasilva (Loan - Chelsea)

Achraf Lazaar (Loan - Newcastle)

 

REVIEW:

Left back is a serious weakness for the team that needs addressing.  Fox hasn't performed well and Matt Penney started well but faded before his injury.

It wouldn't be surprising if Penney was given a chance to win the starting spot this season and Palmer will offer cover if he signs a new contract.

Jake Bidwell has been rumoured - a solid left back for QPR who could offer an upgrade there.

 

 

 

Centre Back:

 

Under Contract:

Tom Lees

Jordan Thorniley

Joost van Aken

 

Rumoured:

Michael Hector (Loan - Chelsea)

Julian Borner (Free Agent)

Stuart Findlay (£1m - Kilmarnock)

Jordan Willis (Free Agent)

Chey Dunkley (£1m - Wigan)

 

Potential Targets:

Tomas Kalas (Loan - Chelsea)

 

REVIEW:

Wednesday have some work to do at CB if they are to compete next season.  Michael Hector was a bright star but has departed back to Chelsea - his return would be an amazing addition.

It seems all but certain that Julian Borner is set to sign, perhaps an indication that Hector is not coming back.  

Thorniley and van Aken are big question marks - the former players well in spells and the latter was a big disappointment.  How much playing time they get will be interesting.

Wednesday have been linked with several other players at the position but none as good as Hector.  Whether he comes back to Hillsborough will be an indicator of the success of this transfer window.

 

 

 

Wingers:

 

Under Contract:

Adam Reach

 

Rumoured:

Kadeem Harris (Free Agent)

Stewart Downing (Free Agent)

Benjamin Kololli (£3m - FC Zurich)

 

Potential Targets:

Rolando Aarons (Loan - Newcastle)

Jack Harrison (Loan - Man City)

 

REVIEW:

Finally, Wednesday got some much needed pace on the wing after Bruce brought in Aarons last season.  With only Adam Reach on the books at the position, this is one of the most important positions to address this summer.

The chase for Harris, who left Cardiff, seems to be getting close to a successful outcome and his speed will be valuable.  If he signs, Odubajo may play wide right with Reach on the left, but more options would still be needed.

A return of Aarons wouldn't be the worst option although there are better options such as Kololli if Bruce has cash to spend.  Although Leeds are leading the race for the Kosovan.

 

 

 

Centre Mid:

 

Under Contract:

Barry Bannan

Sam Hutchinson

Joey Pelupessy

 

Rumoured:

Kieran Lee (Offered Contract)

David Turnbull (£3m - Motherwell)

Will Vaulks (Free Agent)

Sam Morsy (£3m - Wigan)

Josh Onomah (£3m - Tottenham)

Lee Cattermole (£1.5m - Sunderland)

 

Potential Targets:

Ovie Ejaria (Loan - Liverpool)

 

REVIEW:

Barry Bannan will lead from the centre of midfield again and how he goes, as so often, Wednesday will go.  Sadly Pelupessy hasn't worked out, unable to handle the physicality of the Championship so Wednesday will seek out new bodies in midfield to rotate with Hutch.

Lee has been offered a prove it contract upon his long awaited return to the team.  If he is close to his old self, he will be a great signing.

Morsy of Wigan would be a great midfield addition, as good as Hutch, he can be the long term engine of the squad.

Rising star David Turnbull would be an amazing signing but Norwich seem poised to steal him.

 

 

 

Forwards:

 

Under Contract:

Fernando Forestieri

Steven Fletcher

Lucas Joao

Atdhe Nuhiu

Jordan Rhodes

Sam Winnall

 

Rumoured:

Chuks Aneke (£1.5m - MK Dons)

Sheraldo Becker (Free Agent)

Charlie Austin (£2m - Southampton)

 

Potential Targets:

Eddie Nketiah (Loan - Arsenal)

 

REVIEW:

Striker is surely not a position needing adding to with the glut of options.  It is much more likely that Bruce gets rid of a few faces.  

Fletcher was on form last season and should continue to be the first choice option, even if Jordan Rhodes returns.  

Fernando needs to find his old form next season although he will likely be under a long ban to begin the campaign.

What is done with Winnall and Joao should be interesting as they could both be assets when in form.

 

 

Current Lineup:

Dawson

 

Iorfa

Lees

van Aken

Fox

 

Reach

Hutchinson

Bannan

 

Joao

Fletcher

Forestieri

 

Estimated Final Position - 16th

 

Predicted Lineup:

Westwood

 

Odubajo

Lees

Borner

Penney

 

Harris

Hutchinson

Bannan

Reach

 

Fletcher

Forestieri

 

Estimated Final Position - 9th

 

Dream Lineup:

Westwood

 

Odubajo

Lees

Hector

Bidwell

 

Harris

Morsy

Bannan

Turnbull

Reach

 

Fletcher

 

Estimated Final Position - 2nd

 

 

I think dawson does pull off 'miracle saves' it's his bread and butter glovework that needed improvement.

[Bez]

Transfer Update

 

Officially Signed:

None

 

Likely:

Keiren Westwood

Liam Palmer

Kieran Lee

Kadeem Harris

Julian Borner

Moses Odubajo

 

Possible:

Jake Bidwell

Michael Hector

Josh Onomah

Rolando Aarons 

 

Unlikely:

Benjamin Kololli

Jordan Willis

Josh Bowler 

 

Missed Out:

David Turnbull (Celtic)

Stewart Downing (Blackburn Rovers) 

[tarn owl]

How many strikers we have under contract compared to wingers makes me laugh. In training do all the strikers stand in one big group and reach pings in crosses and they have 1 giant fight to head it?

[109Waddle]

Not sure if this is the right topic to post in, but presumably the new players will appear at training tomorrow?

[Bez]

Target Info

 

Premier League Loans

Given that Bruce loves a Premier League loan and has great connections, the lack of rumours about this is odd.  

 

It makes me think that the Onomah and Bowler rumours have some truth and that there are targets that we haven’t heard about yet.  

 

Agent Rumours

Some linked players are clearly just agent talk rather that reality.  

 

I think the Turnbull rumour was agent talk to get Celtic to increase their bid or attract English league interest (Norwich).  

 

Same for Kololli, with his agents trying to get Leeds to pay top dollar.  

 

Free Agent talk seems more legitimate but can’t help but feel that Bidwell is agent talk and won’t materialise. 

 

Player Sales

There will be movement out of the club but will be undisclosed prices.  

 

Expect a striker or two to leave plus Wildsmith if someone will take him. 

[GMOwl72]

Fletcher simply won’t fire us to 2nd up top on his own. Crazy thought!

[Ronio]

Was a good thread to read.  

 

This thread is like a more concise version of the transfer rumours thread without all the bickering.  

[Owls-Fan]

On 20/06/2019 at 17:31, SallyCinnamon said:

Westwood

 

Odubajo Iorfa Lees Borner Bidwell

 

Bannan Cattermole Aneke/Onomah

 

Fletcher NEW ST

 

I think this is the formation we will go with next season, similar to what he did with Villa. Reckon Bruce wants some power and steel adding to midfield. Aneke been linked, if we manage to sell the likes of Rhodes/FF I think attention will switch to Onomah as Bruce is a huge fan. A feeling Bruce will bring a forward in on loan and we might see Aarons return as another option off the bench. Harris and Aarons are both injury prone so we can’t rely on just one winger coming in. Really can’t see Hector coming back unless we manage to sell some assets. 

 

This is obviously all depending on our embargo situation. I pray Chansiri sees some sense and lowers the valuation of some of our players to give Bruce more to work with. 

 

Agree with you, I think we might see a similar line up to the below come start of August, based on rumourmill this summer 

 

                            Westwood 

              Iorfa/Lees  Hector   Borner 

  Odubajo.                                      Penney 

     Onomah/Lee   Cattermole  Bannan 

                    Fletcher       NEW 

    

[pazowl55]

Neither of the above lineups accommodate a player who will play 95% of the games.  Adam Reach.

 

Add that to the fact we are short of decent centre halfs. So I am not sure we will play a 3-5-2 formation.

[gurujuan]

1 minute ago, pazowl55 said:

Neither of the above lineups accommodate a player who will play 95% of the games.  Adam Reach.

 

Add that to the fact we are short of decent centre halfs. So I am not sure we will play a 3-5-2 formation.

Unless Reach is to be sold to finance a deal for Hector? With Harris on board, and Aarons still mooted, they’d only be used as impact subs in those systems, which means no room for Reach at all At this stage, it isn’t clear at all, which way Bruce wants to play it

[beswetherick]

I really hope we don’t sign Cattermole. Never rated him. If we do and he comes good for us then I’ll be happy to eat my words, but at this point I feel we can do much better 

[gurujuan]

I can’t see Cattermole arriving, he isn’t good enough Never thought he was strong enough for a defensive midfielder, more of a ratter

[pazowl55]

14 minutes ago, gurujuan said:

Unless Reach is to be sold to finance a deal for Hector? With Harris on board, and Aarons still mooted, they’d only be used as impact subs in those systems, which means no room for Reach at all At this stage, it isn’t clear at all, which way Bruce wants to play it

Reach will play 95% of our games next season regardless of the system we play.

[Owls-Fan]

20 minutes ago, pazowl55 said:

Neither of the above lineups accommodate a player who will play 95% of the games.  Adam Reach.

 

Add that to the fact we are short of decent centre halfs. So I am not sure we will play a 3-5-2 formation.

 

What do you think is Adam Reach’s best position?

 

I don’t think we’ll get much better centre half’s than Hector, Lees, Iorfa, Borner and Thorniley. Maybe one more will come in tho if we are to play 3 at the back