Right, now the season has reached a conclusion it's now time for the ins and outs required for us to be competitive in the top tier. For me personally...
Goalkeepers-
Stockdale- Offer him a 2 year contract, won us points this season but needs strong competition next year
Maenpaa- Feel sorry for the lad as I rate him as a decent keeper but we need a real contender for the number 1 jersey next year
Walton- Loan him to a high end league one or lower Championship club
NEW KEEPER NEEDED
Defence-
Right Backs- Bruno/Rosenior- Will be able to cover the RB spot effectively imo, no new signings required
Centre Backs- Dunk/Duffy/Uwe/Goldson- These four are strong enough for the Premiership imo if all fit, would be nice to get Tomori back on loan as well as he's a solid player. CB spots sorted.
Left Backs- Bong/Pocognoli- Personally think Bong isn't good enough for the PL. Pocognoli is injury prone and didn't have a good game at all today but overall would be happy to keep him as back up
NEW LB NEEDED
Midfield- Wingers- Murphy/Skalak/March/Knockaert- AK has been class for us this year and clearly deserves a shot in the Premier League, on the other hand I think Skalak has shown very little this season and should be moved on. More complicated with Murphy and March who I believe both have different qualities that we could potentially utilize, would suggest keeping hold of Murphy as he seems like a solid counter attacking player, as for March it's a difficult one, clearly has bags of ability but wonder if he would benefit more for being loaned out and getting regular football at a Championship club as I reckon at the moment he would be a bench player at best in the Prem due to his consistency.
Central Midfielders-Stephens/Kayal/Sidwell/Norwood- Obviously Stephens has been our outstanding performer in central midfield this year, so I'm sure nearly all Brighton fans are hoping that he stays. Sidwell has been fairly solid with his performances especially given that most of our supporters were panicking when Kayal was out so I would offer him a one year contract. Kayal has not hit the heights of last year but injury troubles have plagued him and maybe he hasn't got into a consistent rhythm this year, with a full pre season behind him in the summer I would back him to be good enough for the prem. Norwood has rarely featured this season and despite his start in our historic win against Wednesday I do not believe he has done enough to justify keeping him next season, if we can offload him I would get rid.
NEW WINGER(S) and CENTRAL MIDFIELDER NEEDED
Forwards- Murray/Hemed/Baldock- Murray has been superb especially at the Amex this season and his goals almost definitely secured us promotion, however, given that very mediocre Premiership sides like Palace and Bournemouth have thrown him by the wayside and that he is 33 I would presume he would only be a squad player next season. Hemed has worked hard this year and scored some important goals. His hold up play is never in doubt, although I personally do doubt his ability to convert a high percentage of chances in front of goal. Would be a bit part player for us next season imo. Baldock has improved dramatically this season and I believe his movement and forward runs has helped Murray bag as many goals as he did this season, he has also upped his goals tally in comparison to previous seasons. I would back him to start games for us next season but believe we also need strong competition with a player who plays in a similar role with pace and unselfishness.
TWO NEW STRIKERS NEEDED.
So I make it we'd need to sign 6/7 players at a minimum next year, would be interested to hear others thoughts.
Goalkeepers-
Stockdale- Offer him a 2 year contract, won us points this season but needs strong competition next year
Maenpaa- Feel sorry for the lad as I rate him as a decent keeper but we need a real contender for the number 1 jersey next year
Walton- Loan him to a high end league one or lower Championship club
NEW KEEPER NEEDED
Defence-
Right Backs- Bruno/Rosenior- Will be able to cover the RB spot effectively imo, no new signings required
Centre Backs- Dunk/Duffy/Uwe/Goldson- These four are strong enough for the Premiership imo if all fit, would be nice to get Tomori back on loan as well as he's a solid player. CB spots sorted.
Left Backs- Bong/Pocognoli- Personally think Bong isn't good enough for the PL. Pocognoli is injury prone and didn't have a good game at all today but overall would be happy to keep him as back up
NEW LB NEEDED
Midfield- Wingers- Murphy/Skalak/March/Knockaert- AK has been class for us this year and clearly deserves a shot in the Premier League, on the other hand I think Skalak has shown very little this season and should be moved on. More complicated with Murphy and March who I believe both have different qualities that we could potentially utilize, would suggest keeping hold of Murphy as he seems like a solid counter attacking player, as for March it's a difficult one, clearly has bags of ability but wonder if he would benefit more for being loaned out and getting regular football at a Championship club as I reckon at the moment he would be a bench player at best in the Prem due to his consistency.
Central Midfielders-Stephens/Kayal/Sidwell/Norwood- Obviously Stephens has been our outstanding performer in central midfield this year, so I'm sure nearly all Brighton fans are hoping that he stays. Sidwell has been fairly solid with his performances especially given that most of our supporters were panicking when Kayal was out so I would offer him a one year contract. Kayal has not hit the heights of last year but injury troubles have plagued him and maybe he hasn't got into a consistent rhythm this year, with a full pre season behind him in the summer I would back him to be good enough for the prem. Norwood has rarely featured this season and despite his start in our historic win against Wednesday I do not believe he has done enough to justify keeping him next season, if we can offload him I would get rid.
NEW WINGER(S) and CENTRAL MIDFIELDER NEEDED
Forwards- Murray/Hemed/Baldock- Murray has been superb especially at the Amex this season and his goals almost definitely secured us promotion, however, given that very mediocre Premiership sides like Palace and Bournemouth have thrown him by the wayside and that he is 33 I would presume he would only be a squad player next season. Hemed has worked hard this year and scored some important goals. His hold up play is never in doubt, although I personally do doubt his ability to convert a high percentage of chances in front of goal. Would be a bit part player for us next season imo. Baldock has improved dramatically this season and I believe his movement and forward runs has helped Murray bag as many goals as he did this season, he has also upped his goals tally in comparison to previous seasons. I would back him to start games for us next season but believe we also need strong competition with a player who plays in a similar role with pace and unselfishness.
TWO NEW STRIKERS NEEDED.
So I make it we'd need to sign 6/7 players at a minimum next year, would be interested to hear others thoughts.
