Ole's latest words on ccfc official site

I've been very happy with the business that ole has completed in such a short time this off season but a bit concerned by his latest words.

He said he's not just going to buy lots of strikers but there need to be decisions made around who stays and goes.

I've not got a problem with this but doesn't it sound like our purchasing is over? We need a few more players to compete effectively in the championship and a couple of good midfielders and a left back are still required in my opinion.

What do others think?

Tans Tache wrote:
He outlined how he wanted to embed his footballing philosophy next year, and that he wanted the team to start gelling first and foremost. He added it was important that everyone worked together, and that everyone bought into his and the owners vision for the club. He also said how important it was to be smart in the transfer market - and that if he is going to take risks they won't cost millions.wonder what he meant He also said he was looking at an international centre back and a full back from a Premier League team.

I think it possible that in other positions Ole or Tan needs to see players leaving before any more are brought in.

We are not short of numbers and probably already could do with trimming the squad by about 10 players. New strikers were going to come in regardlessly under Ole because it the key area for him and his managerial style.

Other positions might have to wait until we have shipped a few players out first.

I don't it is necessarily a case of shipping players out, but rather which ones will be tempted to leave. The remark regarding the CB, I am sure, is made in the light of Caulker's probable departure. We have Turner and Cala as first team regulars anyway, but I am wondering whether Hudson is not seen by OGS as the rock he once was and an experienced leader at the back is needed to replace him.

As to the FB, I am guessing a left back, as we are overloaded on the right.....KTC, Brayford, SuperKev & Fabio, who can also cover the left. As Slumdog Snr pointed out, Luke Coulson has been released, which was a surprise to me, as, from the little I saw of him, he looked every bit as promising as Declan John.

I don't think there's any doubt that a number of players will have to go because even in 'weaker' positions such as centre back, we have Turner, Hudson, Cala, Nugent and Connolly with the promising Yorwerth and Oshilaja as well - not to mention Caulker who I assume will go.

I had meant to mention Matt Connolly, who is more than iseful at Championship level and got a few goals as well.  Presumably, Tom James is also in the mix, having got a few minutes against Chelsea.  Can't see any point in having played him unless he had a future.

Connolly has never managed to convince me either at right back or in the centre back position which some people have said is his more natural role. He will also have suffered, like Hudson, from a season of inactivity.

It could well be that with plenty of options in place that Ole will wait to see who pushes themselves forward as the strongest candidate preseason but I am also sure he will have a list of players he will be willing to let go of now if the right offer came in.

It doesn't surprise me that Ole is considering another centre back as I am sure he expects Caulker to be gone before September 1st but I am guessing he would prefer to offload at least one if not both of Hudson or Connolly first.

I think Connolly is much better at CB than full back. He was pushed out there during the injury crisis two seasons ago when both Hudson & Turner were playing well at CB.

He is by far the most comfortable of the three on the ball and that may well appeal to OGS. Ole has made a point of saying recently that Connolly is finally over the injury problems, so I think he is in his plans one way or another.

Hudson & Caulker to leave for me, with a ball playing replacement to come in.

Looking at the games last season I think that we must have struggled both defensively and offensively because of som sort of imbalance in midfield, either not supporting the defender enough or the striker. Who would give is the balance we need in a 4 or 5 man midfield; should we play a cdm, a cm and a cam behind one or do we have the players for a 2 man cm pairing?

At Championship level, Whitts, Gunnarsson, hopefully Mutch can all play centrally. Mutch & Kimbo was the combination that looked the best in the promotion season, but Kimbo is going to have to toughen up to hold down a regular place.

Not forgetting the Norwegian contingent, Eikrem & Daehli............  

Gunnarsson was shocking this season though, I'd hate to think he'd be the defensive midfielder in the almost certain absence of medel.

Perhaps there are other options like using cala, who can actually pass instead?

Ideally I'd like us to get someone who can support the likes of mutch and whits by adding some bite and linkup ability.

To be honest I can't think of many championship level midfielders who would fit my description I just think that's what we need.

Gunnarsson struggled at PL level as did many of the squad. He was more than capable at Championship level, which is why I think he will be in the mix again.

Quite like the idea of Cala playing defensive midfield. He's come across as the kind of David Luiz of our defence - on his day he is a rock but he's prone to spontaneous outbreaks of stupidity that cost you. Putting him slightly further forward therefore would make sense as there is then two players behind him ready to sort out whatever he screws up.

Would like to see Daehli start over Kim, purely because I don't think Kim has a future in the premier league - Daehli does.

I agree that Cala could be useful in that role. He's got a goal or two in him as well, so overall he may be more effective than Medel was.

As to Kim v Daehli, we have a Championship to get out of, so I don't care who plays, so long as they deserve to. However, if promoted, then there will have to be a cull, unlike last time and players with doubtful PL capabilities should be packing their bags.

Loyalty is all well & good, but look where it got us last season! Half the squad and the manager should have gone last summer.