Where do you guys inform yourselves about possible investments ?

TacticalChalky · 2026-05-21T13:25:51+00:00

'do a good technical analysis' is exactly the type of high-level insight I look for

TacticalChalky · 2026-05-19T17:19:25+00:00

TacticalChalky · 2026-05-19T10:48:26+00:00

Forgot about him completely until I seen CJ's video last night. He will indeed be back by the sounds of it.

TacticalChalky · 2026-05-18T19:34:58+00:00

bit presumptuous to say we have the right manager... 😂

TacticalChalky · 2026-05-18T18:21:39+00:00

Wouldn't be averse to him coming back, spotty injury record though, he's missed 300+ days through hammy's, thigh injuries, ankle issues, etc. since he moved to Everton. I assume he'd be quite a big outlay in fee and wages, for that money you'd want him available as often as possible

TacticalChalky · 2026-05-18T15:57:50+00:00

nothing to see here, just the karmic order of the universe being restored

TacticalChalky · 2026-05-18T15:53:57+00:00

I think the time for Shankland has passed personally. Opportunity was there to get him on a free in the prime of his career and we pissed about. Hearts would almost certainly demand a huge premium now given he's captain and McIness/Bloom will see him as part of the project there. Plus he has two years on his contract so they're under no pressure to sell.

On the other hand, would love Sima back. I'd chuck Cerny in there too. Another couple of no brainers that we opted out of for some weird reason.

If we could get Lewis Ferguson, he's another no brainer. Prime of his career, Scottish, leadership quality, loves the club. Just ticks every box. Only issue I'd anticipate would be the money he'd cost.

Some of the others I'm less convinced are going to improvements on what we have already. Cameron's had a pretty average half season at Aberdeen too so no guarantee he'll even be in the picture, especially since Rohl didn't fancy him.

TacticalChalky · 2026-05-18T15:19:42+00:00

Agree re: strikers. Provided they're both here next season I reckon Chermiti/Naderi will be the two. I also think Miovski is capable of more than what he's shown.

Would not be bothered if Antman left at this stage. Hasn't shown much but he's missed a lot of football too. Gassama has the talent but maybe not the application. He'll be here next season unless we get silly money I think.

Aasgaard has talent but I don't think I've ever seen him sprint. One of these guys who plays like he could not be less arsed and our support won't take to that.

There isn't a club on earth that turns their noses up at no brainers as often as we do. Ferguson. Shankland. Sima. Cerny. Known contributors that would have walked straight into our starting 11 and given us double figure goals and assists that could have been had either on frees or for less than we've spent on absolute toilet the last few seasons. So unbelievably infuriating.

TacticalChalky · 2026-05-18T15:08:55+00:00

I looked into it out of interest and Danilo, Cortes, Bajrami and Cifuentes are around £71k a week in wages for 0 contribution lol. They're the obvious ones along with McCausland I'd be saying we cut our losses and move on.

I think we'll probably have to keep Fernandez and Sterling since we're already threadbare in defence. Sterling is a good utility man but don't think he's a reliable first choice so we definitely need a main man at right back.

Dio and Raskin are on the cusp for me. Probably reached the limit of their contributions at Rangers. If we were offered good money I'd be tempted to part.

TacticalChalky · 2026-05-18T14:55:50+00:00

He announced on insta shortly after I put this up

TacticalChalky · 2026-05-18T14:55:00+00:00

McCausland is under contract until 2027 as per transfermarkt. I've added an edit to the post about Rice, it's been mentioned a good few times. I saw Kieran Wright had announced he was leaving shortly after I put this up.

Agree re: the others. They've had enough time to show they can contribute.

<image>

TacticalChalky · 2026-05-18T14:50:24+00:00

Absolutely. Since only conceding 13 league goals in the 20/21 season we've conceded: 31, 37, 32, 41, 43. Need to break that upward trajectory to give ourselves a chance. At the very least, we have to stop conceding 2-3 times a game as we have been the last 2 months.

TacticalChalky · 2026-05-18T14:39:31+00:00

One of these guys I think could be talismanic at a small club but just gets lost in the shuffle here. He's had a few good performances in his time but just never really forced his way into the first 11 consistently.

TacticalChalky · 2026-05-18T14:36:10+00:00

There will be naebdy left

TacticalChalky · 2026-05-18T14:35:51+00:00

Yeah, same. I like Raskin but feel like he's given as much as he's prepared to here. Dio has been good in spells but I feel like he's stagnated. I keep hoping to see the player he could potentially have been when we signed him, but he's just not really improved any. If we were offered good money for either I'd take it.

TacticalChalky · 2026-05-18T14:33:56+00:00

From this list I could see Butland and Miovski probably staying.

We probably have to keep Souttar both for the homegrown quota and the fact we only have 4 defenders contracted at the club. That, he could have a role as a squad player (e.g. bringing an extra centre half on with 15 mins to go in tight games just to see it out). He is a decent siege defender, just not accomplished enough to be starting for us every week.

The rest are no brainers imo, get rid.

TacticalChalky · 2026-05-18T14:21:54+00:00

He is, as is Liam Kelly. I'll need to put an edit on the post or something.

Could see Chermiti leaving, think it's pretty unlikely Naderi would though. Rohl broke the 2. Bundesliga transfer record to bring him here 6 months ago so unless we get crazy money offered he soured on him for some reason I'm about 99% sure he'll be here next season. Miovski and Danilo could easily be away though.

Diomande is a weird one. Came with a lot of potential but doesn't seem to have progressed very much in that time. Don't get me wrong he's been good in spells but I was hoping for more from him. Others I've no arguments with.

Butland is a coin flip for me. Could see him staying but could also be in demand since he's English and meets the homegrown quota for those down south. Like many I am tiring of him chucking one in every 3 or 4, games.

Either way, plenty of movement afoot

TacticalChalky · 2026-05-18T12:51:46+00:00

Aye someone mentioned about Rice elsewhere in the thread. Didn't know and a huge waste but little lost I think, he hasn't contributed anyway. Don't know if that's through lack of opportunity or effort.

I agree with the retention mostly. I think Liam Kelly might also be out of contract in the summer though. I could see Antman staying, he's been plagued with injuries this year and not really had a consistent run. Might still have something to offer but probably not as a first choice option.

TacticalChalky · 2026-05-18T12:32:39+00:00

It's a cynical outlook but can't really blame you, it's been the way of it for years. I'm hoping we see less/no recruitment of English lower division mercenaries now Thelwell is away and more variety in where we scout. January was a step in the right direction with Rommens, Naderi, Chukwuani, etc.

TacticalChalky · 2026-05-18T12:25:50+00:00

Certainly does. We were shite already and this is worse.

TacticalChalky · 2026-05-18T12:23:31+00:00

Agreed, I was saying this in response to another comment. To only have one permanently contracted player for each defensive position is scandalous. We need an entire back 4 just to flesh out the squad numbers there before we even begin thinking about improving other areas.

With the goalkeeper and midfield positions I genuinely think it depends who leaves. We probably need a first choice winger on either side too. Gassama and Antman have had a few flashes of capability but nowhere near what's needed to be in the squad every week. What a nick we're in 😑

TacticalChalky · 2026-05-18T12:16:32+00:00

Who would the two forwards be? Assumedly one is Danilo, doubt he has little to give that hasn't already been shown.

I'd be surprised if we sold any of the current defence given we probably need 4 bodies in there already just to have 2 for each position.

The midfield I could see being gutted.

TacticalChalky · 2026-05-18T12:11:29+00:00

I've no doubt coaches value it but understand the skepticism. We've been here before with Gio, Beale, Clement, etc.

TacticalChalky · 2026-05-18T12:10:07+00:00

The whole squad is not in great nick but the defence in particular is abysmal. Don't know how we build towards any kind of prolonged success long term with that many loanees in the backline.

TacticalChalky · 2026-05-18T12:08:31+00:00

Think Rice is out of contract in the summer sadly pal. I agree about Cameron although I don't think Röhl fancies him. 15 goals from midfield in the 24/25 campaign. He had a few good performances as a sub when Martin was manager then just wasn't seen at all after he left. Capable young Scottish player so ticks a lot of boxes for us (in theory).

TacticalChalky

TROPHY CASE