Getting the ‘outs’ right is just as important as getting the ‘ins’
With six new names for Dougie to integrate into his game-plan, departures from the Reebok seem likely… No more so than in the attacking department.
With Kevin Davies already seeking pastures new, the addition of Beckford brings the count of strikers back in line with last terms numbers. Tom Eaves` form at the end of last season, however, gives the manager a fresh, welcomed headache. Does he send the youngster back out on loan to continue his development, or does he ‘cash-in` on one of the more senior members of staff? If he decides on the latter- selling Sordell or Ngog- will he generate the players` worth after last years lukewarm scoring tallies?
The last thing Dougie wants to do is let one of his younger hit-men leave- Sordell, 22, Eaves, 21, Ngog, 24- and they find their scoring boots. Our manager has done a superb recruiting job to date at the Reebok, but must be extra careful with his striking corps this summer, especially if there are departures- we don`t want another Al Habsi-gate on our hands, hey Mike?
With 5 strikers bustling for 2 centre-forward positions at most in the starting 11 next season, if he gets things wrong, Dougie will be judged more on the plates he lets fall rather than the ones he continues to spin.