We need a few more signings before the season starts and they need to be quality signings or we'll really struggle this season IMO. Infact i think with the current squad we've a good chance of going back down.
We've spent nothing again except for the Collins fee which will have been small. The players we've added are unproven at this level apart from Collins and Connolly who couldn't get a game at there respective clubs. The players we had last year struggled through the second half of last year and relied on Beckford's goals to win us promotion.
The defence worries me, full back was a massive problem for the whole of last year. Crowe wasn't good enough for league one. Hughes was forced to do a job but was terrible at times, he's far too slow and it's Larry's fault as Hughes is never a full back. Connolly was poor at Derby so i've heard and was farmed out on loan. Bessone i cant comment on as i haven't seen him play but if he isn't good enough we're stuffed because Parker is injured constantly and White has looked promising but could get badly exposed moving up a level. Still think we need a better centre back to start with Paddy when he's fit, Collins did a job last year but Naylor's career is on it's last legs Bromby is okay as a sub but not a regular.
Midfield was lightweight last season and we lost games because we were over-run in there, the only player that could put a tackle in was Doyle and he's gone. The friendlies this week have seen Howson, Killa and Johnson in the midfield, if Grayson thinks he will get away with relying on them 3 to win the midfield battle during games this season then more fool him as it will be him who's out of a job by Christmas. They couldn't run the midfield in League One so they certainly wont do it in this division. Kilkenny is a good passer and can create things but to play him we need someone sitting and it cant be Howson or Johnson. Neither offer anything playing out wide and we've got better players than them out wide anyway in Snoddy, Sam and Gradel. It's a shame that Montgomery from Sheff U didn't join us as he's just the type of player we need but someone has to be brought in for that position and possibly another for when we get injuries.
Upfront we need a proven goalscorer who's done it in this league, Paynter may score plenty like last season but it's a massive risk. He's had one good season in League One and they'll be massive pressure on him to fill the loss Beckford. Becchio will battle away but this is a level too high for him IMO, i hope i'm proved wrong but again, would of liked to see someone brought in. Somma and Grella will be subs and given the odd chance to prove themselves but you cant expect them to be a hit straight away. Why they didn't go all out to get Billy Sharp or Hooper in i dont know, atleast they've scored goals in this division before.
Grayson hasn't spent anything again and if he's been given nothing then you cant blame him if we have a poor season but why come out and say he's got money if the right players are available and then not spend anything when the squad clearly needs quality adding to it.
