Well this is something new. Welcome to Chris Le Friec’s weekly column
Hi, quick note here. This welcome to Chris Le Friec’s weekly column which will go up every Monday from next week onwards. It’ll be a roundup of all things BWFC. So, over to you CLF!
A slight increase of interest this week as we get to the business end of the transfer window.
Although sad at the imminent departure of Tim Ream, it seems certain that the wage will be used says NL.
But what do we need? A striker is a must? Yes we have Madine who couldn`t get any more bad luck! I think crossbars up and down the country are fearing for their lives! But he will come good. He is fantastic in the air and bringing people into play as is Lord Heskey!
What we need is someone to feed off that? For me that is and will be Zach Clough going forward but a little experience would settle my nerves a bit. I know Gary Hooper`s name is tossed about a bit and it seems the scouts are far and wide with players from European Leagues.
A centre back? Wheater is an immense rock and gives everything to the cause but can`t stay fit! I think in Derik we have an astounding game reader and ball playing defender. In my own words we need a “cruncher” willing to put the body on the line! This pairing always seems to work well. Don`t get me wrong we have terrific youth coming through and my first choice pairing would be Wheater and Derik. The likes of Holding and Threkeld will mature.
We need to find that premier league youngster that wants to make a name for themselves I have seen it time and time again two examples for us being Jack Wilshire and Daniel Sturridge.
The good thing about these players is that they were loaned? and no transfer fee.
Premier league clubs have vast academies and too many players? Surely we are connected?
And able to find recruits? Do we need to scour Europe?
On the Horizon:
If all the players bled into the first team last year, pre-season and currently under NL achieve then the future is bright.
I would go as far as saying if the development process continues to improve these players, then there is no reason why we couldn`t achieve similar success to Southampton. In stabilising a solid future for the Wanderers.
Until October last year I hadn`t heard of any of them. Now I switch notifications on my twitter for the under 21`s, read match reports and watch highlights. In fact I watch and read everything wanderers who am I kidding.
Jamie Thomas seems to be bagging goals as does Kaiyne Woolery. And some solid defensive displays particularly Maher, Holding and White
Let`s enjoy this players whilst we have them and get them in the first team. I cant wait to see how they do this year. Who knows if the first team keep firing blanks then we may see a few sooner rather than later.
What baffles me? (Then and now):
This week looking back to two sales from wanderers and it also shows me some concerns currently that we have.
Now Johan Elmander was a club record signing at £8.2 million signed on a three year deal. I very much enjoyed the way he played for us (sometimes) but he did bring goals. My gripe is that he was near enough around his peak and we failed to secure a new contract early enough for him to be sold for a profit, instead leaving on a free?
Now this has recently repeated with Adam Bogdan. Superb keeper that replaced the great Jussi! He hasn`t even reached his peak yet and he arrived for nothing and has left for nothing.
I understand that finances are tight, but if you don`t take a mini gamble in securing your prize assets. Should things go wrong then there is a moveable asset to make a profit on? And bring fresh players in to constantly evolve.
Liverpool in my opinion have gained a goalkeeper of around £5-£8million pound and better than Mignolet.
So how come we do not bear the fruits of our own tree? If finance is the problem, which it is, then why are we not more efficient in tying up contracts and making money from transfers like so many other clubs in our situation can.
Food for thought wanderers!
BY CHRIS LE FRIEC