So finally we are safe and the next step will be for the world and his wife to be linked with a summer move to the mighty Irons.
Squeaky bum time is past for us but get ready for the flood of names appearing in the media which will all allegedly be linked with the Irons.
Inevitably, we and others, will be looking for choice pickings from the relegated clubs and here ClaretandHugh Facebook forum member Michael Miller, presents a comprehensive list of those – among the clubs either staring at or in Stoke’s case already releady gone – of those who may be of interest.
We will bring the final list when the drop zone issue is completed but start with WBA and Stoke.
West Brom
Ben Foster (35 years old) – English, a good, solid keeper – probably better than our present two but his age would go against him – possible back-up.
Boaz Myhill (35) – Welsh but American born, another experienced keeper, but again too old, possible back-up.
Allen_Romeo Nyom (29) – Right-back – French born but representing Cameroon. He impressed me greatly last season when West Brom were under Tony Pulis. He looked class.
Kieran Gibbs (28) – English Left-back. Ex-Arsenal where struggled to maintain a regular spot, again very experienced. A bit injury prone(?)
Johnny Evans (30) – Northern Irish, Centre-back. Ex-Manu, highly experienced and a £3 million Relegation Clause – a non-brainer if he would come to us. Form an orderly queue!
Craig Dawson (27)- English, big Centre-back with a goal-scoring knack – Sean Dyche is also interested apparently.
Claudio Jacob (30) – Argentinian midfielder, making up the numbers?
James Morrison (31) – Scottish midfielder, in demand(?)
Jake Livermore(++) (28) – English midfielder, defensive player, highly experienced but with a chequered history, some personal problem stuff!
Matt Phillips (27)(++) – Scottish midfielder, lively, hard worker.
Chris Brunt (33) – Northern Irish, great left foot, dead ball specialist but getting on a bit!
Salomon Rondon
James McClean (29) – Northern Irish with Republican leanings – not for me!
Oliver Burke (21) – Scottish midfielder, gangly but talented.
Gareth Barry (37) – English midfielder, very experienced and gifted but must be getting near the end of his career.
Gregor Krychowiak (28) – Polish midfielder, much touted in the previous transfer window.
Nacer Chadli (28)(++) – Belgian midfielder, skilful, ex-Tottenham, injury prone?
Jose Salomon Rondon (28)(**) – Venezuelan, hard-worker, form a queue!
Jay Rodriguez (28)(**) – English forward, another no-brainer, form another queue!
Stoke
Jack Butland (25)- English keeper, in demand – big, athletic, form an orderly queue behind Liverpool!
Moritz Bauer (26) – Austrian full-back, impressive.
Erik Pieters (29) – Dutch defender, dogged hard-worker.
Kevin Wimmer (25) – Austrian centre-back, gone missing this year?
Kurt Zouma (23)(++) – French centre-back on-loan from Chelsea, tough, in demand?
Glen Johnson (33) – English full-back, another nearing the end of his career, injury prone?
Bruno Martins Indi (26) – Dutch centre-back, Portuguese-born, tough, hard-working.
Ryan Shawcross (30) – English centre-back, tough, dirty, borderline thuggish, a liability?
Joe Allen
Joe Allen (28) – Welsh midfielder, class player, in demand, form another orderly queue!
Stephen Ireland (31) – Irish midfielder, where has his career gone?
Ibrahim Affellay (33) – Dutch midfielder, ex-Barcelona, another whose career has disappeared!
Charlie Adam (32) -Scottish hardnut midfielder, tough, dirty, perfect for Glasgow Rangers!
Xherdan Shaquiri (26)(**) – Yugoslav-born, Swiss midfielder, highly skilful, clever, class, some brilliant goals, bit of a maverick, (luxury?)
Darren Fletcher (34) – Scottish midfielder, some health issues, must be close to the end!
Badou Ndiaye (27) – Senegalese midfielder, tough, energetic, making up the numbers!
Saido Berahino (24) – English forward, ‘missing in non-action’, career going nowhere!
Mame Biram Diouf (30) – Senegalese forward, hard-working but ineffective.
Peter Crouch (37) – English forward, gangling, much-travelled, near the end!
No thanks to Evans.Even when at manure 8 years ago our attack of Spector and Cole slaughtered him in defence.
Shaquiri could link well with Arnie and Lanzini and replace the latter when injured.Foster is decent but I do hate him for his time wasting!
Erik Pieters would be a very smart player to pick up. Solid defender and LB is a spot we have struggled with both in terms of first team and backup (same obviously can be applied to RB).
Great article Hugh!
Well thought out
If we could get 4-6 of the best of these players, plus the right manager, we may have some chance of stability next season, even if that means an 8-12th EPL finish. That would be a start..
However the long-term solution involves bringing in new owners who are able and willing to put out 200-300 million quid each summer for new signings. I suspect that Albert Trippy Smith and friends may be on the horizon to make us a regular top 6 team and playing Euroropean football
Has a short list of candidates for the recruitment director role been interviewed as yet?
The words bargain buy dosnt sound good it point’s to penny pinching and the owners have had there day with that …it’s time to break the bank and fulfil there promises..
Out of that lot, I wouldn’t mind Shaquiri and Butland, a solid keeper. I really want Adrian to be the main man but I just can’t 100% relax with him in goal.
One thing though Hugh, I wouldn’t dismiss McClean because he has ”Republican leanings”. He doesn’t condone Republican violence, it’s just that as a Northern Irish Catholic, like most of them, he wants a United Ireland – nothing wrong with that. Dismiss him if we don’t think he is good for West Ham, but not for that.
Mauritz Baur & Jack Butland from that lot please. Bin the rest, even Joe Allen & Jonny Evans although if the club are not gonna renew Ginge’s contract then i’d take Evans as a replacement (back up CB).