My preferred starting 11 (presuming Beale wants to play 4 at the back or 4-3-3) would be:
Dieng NEW RB Dickie Dunne NEW LB Field Amos Dozzell Willock Dykes Chair
Happy to change Dunne for De Wijs or Barbet if they are here. And if Dykes is a different striker that is fine. But based on who we have currently it just shows how vital it is to get a new set of full backs. With pace. Please.
It does seem very strange that they couldn't agree terms with Yoann but once Warburton left it wasn't a surprise really.
The likes of Yoann Barbet, Dom Ball, and Lee Wallace were all Warburton men and this will be part of allowing Beale to build his own squad.
The issue is that after losing both Wallace and Barbet we are now very exposed down our left side although if Beale plays 4-3-3 or 4-3-2-1 the priority will be getting a left back/wing back.
If we play 4 at the back is the current batch - Dickie, Dunne, de Wijs, Masterson - good enough?
I suppose everything will depend on the system that Beale wants to play and whether he wants to play with 2 or 3 centre backs.
I'm confident that Dunne and Dickie will be the first choice centre backs and we know that if he can keep fit that de Wijs can do a good job. Hopefully, Masterson has come back from his loan spell an even better defender and he will certainly get games.
We could do with signing another centre back as cover but unless we lose either Dunne or Dickie in the transfer window I'm happy with the centre backs we have.
The biggest concern for me remains the left wing back position and the need for a goalscorer. It will also be interesting to find out if Beale sees Johansen as his leader on the pitch next season or whether he wants to bring in somebody else.
If we play 4 at the back is the current batch - Dickie, Dunne, de Wijs, Masterson - good enough?
I suppose everything will depend on the system that Beale wants to play and whether he wants to play with 2 or 3 centre backs.
I'm confident that Dunne and Dickie will be the first choice centre backs and we know that if he can keep fit that de Wijs can do a good job. Hopefully, Masterson has come back from his loan spell an even better defender and he will certainly get games.
We could do with signing another centre back as cover but unless we lose either Dunne or Dickie in the transfer window I'm happy with the centre backs we have.
The biggest concern for me remains the left wing back position and the need for a goalscorer. It will also be interesting to find out if Beale sees Johansen as his leader on the pitch next season or whether he wants to bring in somebody else.
I believe the only left-footed CB is Dunne? So it would be natural for him to move to Barbet's position. Very sad to get confirmation that Joann has gone. He was Mr Consistent in every way and will be a hard act to follow. Wish him well in his future away from the club.
I'm pretty sure Dunne is right footed, but just very comfortable with his left.
Although he is right footed Conor Masterson is also comfotable playing as a left centre back and was a regular in that position for Gillingham last season.
Maybe that is another reason why they have let Yoann leave.
I think reverting to a back four is likely and this is a factor in Barbet’s departure. In a four he’s caught between two positions; gives away too many chances to be a centre-back and lacks the dynamism to be a modern left-back. Don’t get me wrong, good solid footballer who is ideal for a back three. But he leaves me uncomfortable in a four, particularly when he plays centre-back.
My preferred starting 11 (presuming Beale wants to play 4 at the back or 4-3-3) would be:
Dieng NEW RB Dickie Dunne NEW LB Field Amos Dozzell Willock Dykes Chair
Happy to change Dunne for De Wijs or Barbet if they are here. And if Dykes is a different striker that is fine. But based on who we have currently it just shows how vital it is to get a new set of full backs. With pace. Please.
Not playing devil’s advocate, just inquiring. Do you think it’s realistic that all the players mentioned stay? Willock on the right? That midfield three leaves me a little uncomfortable.