22 Jul 2026 17:15:22
Currently and excluding JWP, Todibo, Fulkrug and Cornet this is what we have in every position:

Hermandsen/Areola

AWB/KWP. Mav/Kilman. Diouf/Scarles

Potts/Souchek/Magassa/Kante/

Bowen. Lamadrid
Taty/Pablo

Assuming now nobody else needs to be sold I think we need 2xCB, I x creative midfielder, 2 wingers and another forward. The young youth keeper can be the 3rd keeper and 3 promotions from the youth.

The other 3 for a squad of 26. On this basis I make a number of observations:

1) The above named players are more than good enough to succeed in the Championship
2) None of them now need to be sold
3) I’m sure the 6 needed have already been identified and being worked on
4) There is absolutely no need to panic!

Imo we will be promoted! COYI.

1.) 22 Jul 2026
22 Jul 2026 18:49:48.
Soucek may be six weeks away. Nuno has no trust in Kilman, and will only play him if there's nobody else, which is the current situation.

That leaves your squad at 14 players, hmmm. Many needed, I would say... Further to that, whilst no one else needs to leave, they may wish to leave up to September; that's a long time.

Over the last few seasons, promoted teams have averaged about 75 goals.

Who is going to score that many goals?

We certainly need creativity in mdf, maybe two attacking midfielders.

Definite Cb pairing, needed, tbh. I'm not sure about earthy Fearon, Myers, etc. Hope I'm wrong, we shall see.

For sure we need players in, we will have the money one way or another.

If WH don't get players in, we are not getting out of this division.

2.) 22 Jul 2026
22 Jul 2026 19:11:59
Keep an eye on Golambeckis. Very highly rated young CB.

3.) 22 Jul 2026
22 Jul 2026 20:53:24
No, Joyful, that leaves my squad at 16, as Kilman is unlikely to leave and therefore will still be part of the squad, and Soucek is out for 6 weeks, not the season. The point I'm trying to make is players will be bought, and with Sullivan and co gone, I'm more confident than ever they will be the right players.

There will be youth players in the squad to fill the gaps, as there were last season, no doubt about it. Whether they are capable is another matter. There is one way to find out.

4.) 22 Jul 2026
22 Jul 2026 21:12:14
That's the worrying point!

5.) 22 Jul 2026
22 Jul 2026 22:04:40
I just watched the game against Stevenage this evening. The first half featured a lot of the 1st team, who played okay. We were 2.0 up. After the break, all were replaced mainly by the youth team, with Kolembekis playing a lot of the game until he was taken off injured. He had a good game. The youth team were excellent, their ability to keep the ball and not needlessly give it away stood out. Some really good performances, namely Orford, Fearon, Ajala Bucart (can't remember the name properly).

I know it was pre-season and lower-league opposition, but Stevenage are not far off the Championship. So, I feel a lot of people's dismissive attitude towards the youth players is misplaced. Lots of people slagged off Kante last term when he first got a chance, and they were way off, as he looks a class player and played in the first half.

6.) 22 Jul 2026
22 Jul 2026 22:32:28
I'm a bit caught between here, Hammer. I 100% want to see the youth given opportunities, but I think it needs to be very controlled, ie bringing them on with 15 mins left when we are 2-0 up. I don't think we should be over relying on them for sure, we need a squad capable of promotion, and blood the youth where we can.

7.) 23 Jul 2026
22 Jul 2026 22:47:58
Evening Robbo, that was my point with the line up of the squad, where we're at now. Some of the youth will be needed due to the amount of games and squad size, but imo probably only about 3 or 4. There is no evidence that we're going to be over reliant on them.

I think the Championship is a much better opportunity to give them a crack than the PL is, so with them and the right (not rushed) purchases, I think we'll be in a good place to push on.

8.) 23 Jul 2026
23 Jul 2026 06:02:20
Totally agree, Robbo, and in no way am I suggesting wholesale change, but we definitely need to give some of them a chance, because I definitely think there are a few there that can find a pass, like Fearon and Orford. I watched them a few times last season, and they weren't bad, but seemed much better yesterday.

Very well coached, I'd say. The other issue with youth, and in regards to the Championship, is physicality; they need to be able to handle themselves.

9.) 23 Jul 2026
23 Jul 2026 06:22:21
The other player whose name I couldn't remember was Battrum, he was very good.

10.) 23 Jul 2026
23 Jul 2026 08:05:44
I think our squad currently lacks pace and creativity.

Awb and Diouf have been linked away, and Mavro hasn't committed yet.

So at cb we will need 2-3, depending on Mav, as well as potentially 2 new full backs.

Golambeckis looks good, so hopefully his injury isn't too bad, but I do think most of the youth will start the squad as 3rd choice.

Orford looks far too good for youth football, but needs to make the step. He can do everything, but does get caught on the ball sometimes when he makes the step up.

He is capable of progressing the ball well, something our midfield currently lacks.

I think we need 2-3 wingers, and ideally 2 creative midfielders, an 8 and a 10.

Youth can take the pressure off a bit, with lots of games to play, but it is risky relying on them.

As for Battrum, when I've seen him play at youth level he's always been playing fb, but actually looked good in midfield last night.

11.) 23 Jul 2026
23 Jul 2026 08:50:50
Forgot about striker also.

12.) 23 Jul 2026
23 Jul 2026 11:48:04
I went to the game last night. During the first half, we played well within ourselves. During the second, Stevenage tired massively due to all the ball chasing they did.
Our squad is comfortably good enough to win the championship.

If Nuno can ship Cornet and Fulkrug away, then it'll be a pretty good pre-season.
We can't get rid of everyone, so Kilman and JWP will need to stay. Personally, I think JWP may be a key player this year.

13.) 23 Jul 2026
23 Jul 2026 15:21:57
Knew you'd be buzzing to see JWP back. He may do a job, but he hasn't suddenly gained pace. If he does play, we need to hope he can actually play the ball forward in the Championship, but I have my doubts.

Have to disagree on our squad being comfortably good enough to win the Championship. It's unbalanced, injuries could exacerbate that more.

This isn't going to be easy.

Some teams will park the bus and fight for everything, some will get after us. We currently don't have the creativity to unlock defences, we also lack pace.

Squad needs a lot of work, we also need players with potential to step up if we do get promoted.

Am I missing something? Our only first choice winger is Bowen? And we are going to have extra games.

14.) 23 Jul 2026
23 Jul 2026 20:12:58
I believe with the young players beginning to come through we 'should' have enough. Regarding JWP, he looks like a man who's had a good pre-season. Personally, thought he and Bowen were head and shoulders above everyone on the pitch last night. He is paceless, but he's always got goals... something we need.

15.) 24 Jul 2026
24 Jul 2026 08:37:34
I'm personally not a JWP fan but will be delighted if he ends up having a stellar season! He might just be at the right level in the Championship, who knows. Good for us if it proves to be true.

16.) 24 Jul 2026
24 Jul 2026 08:56:27
Maybe he found his level against League 1 opposition, but we will have to see how he does. He doesn't give the ball away easily, and he keeps it simple. I'll give him that; it's a shame he rarely passes forward, as that would probably negate the fact players run past him with ease.

Personally, I think Magassa, Potts, and Kante are all ahead of him.

I don't think those players will get bullied in the Championship. Then I'd rather see Orford and Fearon get opportunities instead of JWP.

Bowen's corners have been quality, so we aren't desperate for his set pieces.

The main thing that midfield is missing is creativity and someone to progress the ball.