While the loss of Tommy Elphick was not seen by all as too much of a problem of a departure to replace, the decision to sell Matt Ritchie has come as more of a shock. I am sure Ritchie will do well at Newcastle he has been a great player to watch over the last few years and it will be strange not to see him on the pitch.
Matt Ritchie could well have left last January so I would imagine that AFCB have been doing a fair bit of scouting on wingers. Why have AFCB agreed to the sale? May be because they have looked at the great season Matt had in the promotional year from the Championship and then felt that he did not quite score or set up nearly as many goals in the Premier League.
The worry is that the big clubs have already been eyeing up Callum Wilson and keeping hold of him is a huge priority if AFCB are to keep a consistency in their squad. Benik Afobe, Lewis Grabban and Josh King will also be trying to win a starting spot, and competition for them has just risen with the signing of Lys Mousset who may find it his job to play on the right where Ritchie was ever present.
If there were to be more players sold though, it would free up some funds for additions in defence where I believe the fans would like to see some new names. The signing of Nathan Aké may seem defensive, but Eddie has made it clear that he can also play as a centre-back or even as a central midfielder as AFCB are likely to use him.
The spine of the team is always important and with Wilson, Arter, Surman, Cook and Francis most likely to find their places still open for them, I wonder if AFCB are missing a trick or if they still have plans for landmark signing that will make them a far harder side to beat. I feel that Emerson Hyndman may keep Shaun MacDonald or Eunan O'Kane off the bench, but it will be tough for him to walk straight into this side.
Euro 2016: Wales won't freeze like the English
The Cherry Chimes' Newsletter is out today.Matt Ritchie could well have left last January so I would imagine that AFCB have been doing a fair bit of scouting on wingers. Why have AFCB agreed to the sale? May be because they have looked at the great season Matt had in the promotional year from the Championship and then felt that he did not quite score or set up nearly as many goals in the Premier League.
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| How much fixing do AFCB need? |
If there were to be more players sold though, it would free up some funds for additions in defence where I believe the fans would like to see some new names. The signing of Nathan Aké may seem defensive, but Eddie has made it clear that he can also play as a centre-back or even as a central midfielder as AFCB are likely to use him.
The spine of the team is always important and with Wilson, Arter, Surman, Cook and Francis most likely to find their places still open for them, I wonder if AFCB are missing a trick or if they still have plans for landmark signing that will make them a far harder side to beat. I feel that Emerson Hyndman may keep Shaun MacDonald or Eunan O'Kane off the bench, but it will be tough for him to walk straight into this side.
Euro 2016: Wales won't freeze like the English
Cherry Chimes' July Newsletter brings you the best stories on the blog and the thoughts behind them from last month, plus there is a special Newsletter article entitled: Getting the balance right
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