(That long since we've had any, couldn't find the thread)

Alan Nixon: "Top Liverpool starlet Cameron Branagan will Ben allowed out on loan in Jan.

Bolton lead the race for the 20 year old midfielder"

Edited December 11, 20169 yr by Ratwhite

So transfer window opens today.   I'll give it 48 hours before one of the BEN regulars writes in with a evatt out if we havent announced 2 major signings!

6 hours ago, Wanderlust said:

What I like about JDB is that he has great touch, competes well, is an instinctive striker not afraid of having a shot and with his back to goal the ball sticks - unlike Dan who let the ball bounce off him and then had to chase around trying to get it back. JDB may be getting on but that sort of quality is very expensive to replace.

Its going to be an interesting window. 3 months ago I’d have been looking to move MJ on but he redeemed himself as a stand in CB so I fear for Thomason who has improved but maybe not enough if we can get steel with quality in midfield.

We could be looking at a very different team by the time the season starts.

No doubt this will have a thread of its own before long, but I'll stick my neck out and say the 1st starting line up will be:

DEF: Jones, Iredale (or Williams), Santos, Johnstone, Toal

MF: Morley, Dempsey, Sheehan

CF: Charles and JDB (or Adeboyejo)

Injuries permitting, I'd be amazed if any new signings got ahead of those in the short term.

Maybe Jones under threat if we sign a wonder kid again.

Just signed 18 year old Charlie Hayes-Green from the Liverpool academy. Left-footed Centre half and according to a mate who's good mates with him, he's quite good and had offers to go play in Italy 

45 minutes ago, Johnnyrotten said:

No doubt this will have a thread of its own before long, but I'll stick my neck out and say the 1st starting line up will be:

DEF: Jones, Iredale (or Williams), Santos, Johnstone, Toal

MF: Morley, Dempsey, Sheehan

CF: Charles and JDB (or Adeboyejo)

Injuries permitting, I'd be amazed if any new signings got ahead of those in the short term.

Maybe Jones under threat if we sign a wonder kid again.

Who's playing Right Wing-Back in that? If we don't have a Bradley replacement by then, it'd be Randell.

26 minutes ago, Cheese said:

Who's playing Right Wing-Back in that? If we don't have a Bradley replacement by then, it'd be Randell.

Jones for me.

9 minutes ago, Johnnyrotten said:

Jones for me.

Doubt it.

I'm not sure a wing-back cutting in really suites our shape so I'd think if it's a choice between the two he might go for Jones

On jones, ive gone from nowt special, to aye hes a good un, to must start

Right hand side of the back three, he offers that ability to double up with the wingback

Be amazed if he doesnt start, should we continue with wing backs

I'm wondering who we'll sell in the transfer window.

We badly missed Gethin and his advancing runs in the playoffs. He definitely starts every game for me, be it right centre back or right wing back. 

Toal I cannot leave out either, although poor in both games against Barnsley (perhaps not match fit).

Which has me puzzled over Johnston. My Player of the Season. Final year of his contract isn’t he? Rumoured interest in January; £1m+ offers and I think we can listen.

Shame to lose a left sided centre half, but we have Iredale coming back, who I wasn’t raving about in his first season, but could always fill in and will perhaps be better there.

Randell Williams I really am not convinced by yet, lacking match fitness or otherwise. Will hate it if we move him to the right side too, whether he’s better there or not. Completely upsets our balance when we have players on the wrong side.

John is clearly bad news, so would happily get shot of him and have someone new in.

Hope I’m wrong about Victor too. Considering we’re a good footballing side that wants to dominate possession, his touch has been largely horrendous. I don’t see where he fits in with what we try and do.
Really don’t like to write players off, but I’d snap someone’s hand off if they offered half of what we apparently paid.

Absolutely left field but we’ve been in for Charlie Scott. Midfielder formerly in Uniteds youth set up with Rashford 

Playing for Kitchee in Hong Kong. Us Wigan (surprise surprise) and Stockport enquired but they’ve given him a pay rise to keep him 

1 hour ago, Casino said:

On jones, ive gone from nowt special, to aye hes a good un, to must start

Right hand side of the back three, he offers that ability to double up with the wingback

Be amazed if he doesnt start, should we continue with wing backs

Definitely one of the first names on the Team Sheet. Not primarily as a Wing Back though. If we use him there, it will only be because we're short of options.

12 hours ago, Cheese said:

Definitely one of the first names on the Team Sheet. Not primarily as a Wing Back though. If we use him there, it will only be because we're short of options.

To be fair throughout his career he's been a RB/RWB. He can only play centre half in a back 3 which I think for us is his best position, but I wouldn't be against starting him at RWB if we haven't got anyone else in by the start of the season.

22 minutes ago, Arrested development said:

To be fair throughout his career he's been a RB/RWB. He can only play centre half in a back 3 which I think for us is his best position, but I wouldn't be against starting him at RWB if we haven't got anyone else in by the start of the season.

Hes like a young Kyle Walker!  

Like iredale. But hus injury record aint the best, and for me to let Johnstone go and have Iredale first choice is a gamble. Johnstone has been consistent

39 minutes ago, Arrested development said:

To be fair throughout his career he's been a RB/RWB. He can only play centre half in a back 3 which I think for us is his best position, but I wouldn't be against starting him at RWB if we haven't got anyone else in by the start of the season.

I'd be very disappointed if at any point next season we start with Jones at RWB and Iredale at LWB (in the same game)

7 minutes ago, Zico said:

I'd be very disappointed if at any point next season we start with Jones at RWB and Iredale at LWB (in the same game)

Randell in nets?

Jones-Santos-Toal are nailed on to be the first choice back three. It's arguably the one area where we are stronger than everyone else in the division, especially with GJ to rotate in where necessary. Don't see that being messed with.

We'll sign another RWB. Randell and Iredale can battle it out for the other side.

2 hours ago, Ratwhite said:

Like iredale. But hus injury record aint the best, and for me to let Johnstone go and have Iredale first choice is a gamble. Johnstone has been consistent

JOHNSTON

13 minutes ago, Tombwfc said:

Jones-Santos-Toal are nailed on to be the first choice back three. It's arguably the one area where we are stronger than everyone else in the division, especially with GJ to rotate in where necessary. Don't see that being messed with.

We'll sign another RWB. Randell and Iredale can battle it out for the other side.

I'd have thought Toal Santos Johnston 

3 hours ago, Zico said:

I'd be very disappointed if at any point next season we start with Jones at RWB and Iredale at LWB (in the same game)

We all see it different but in some ways I'd be quite disappointed to see any line up that doesn't include Jones at RWB and Iredale LWB!  They are the best options from the current squad (discounting John).  Of course if we sign better, that all changes eg Bradley over Jones obviously, but as things stand I'm very happy with those 2.  Just not the flimsy Williams and especially not on the right, as said above it ruins the balance and anyway he's not good enough offensively or defensively wherever he plays.

2 hours ago, Cheese said:

JOHNSTON

Could do with John Stones tbf 

2 hours ago, Zico said:

I'd have thought Toal Santos Johnston 

I wouldve done, but i think jones while not being as obviously good, offers something the others doesnt

Evatt, understandably, trusts santos to deal with anybody breaking on us so the centre backs are expected to support the attacking effort

No other centre back offers so much in and around the other box

16 minutes ago, Casino said:

No other centre back offers so much in and around the other box

He’s our very own John Stones 😊

But what if we sell Santos, who does seem to have attracted interest? I’d fit Toal in there and use Jones on the right alongside him. I think Toal is much better centrally than on either side.