In our last episode we secured our place in the Premier League for the 24/25 season. The herculean task of staying there starts now.
In this episode we will cover the changes around the club both on and off the field as well as the tactics created to try and keep us in the top flight.
Club Improvements
I was delighted to see this was the first email we received after promotion was confirmed. What an unbelievable sum of money we will earn over the course of the season.
I was keen to ensure this jackpot would be utilised properly. So the first thing I did was request we set up an Under 18's team and improve the youth recruitment. This was one of my main objectives of this journey and I cannot wait to see the first academy graduate take to the field in the Light and Dark Blue Quarters first team.
The U23's have also been instated to the Professional Development Leagues which will finally give the team some structure and competition.
We also expanded the backroom staff, hiring 2 more scouts and 2 more coaches as well as a whole team of staff to work with the U18's.
If I am honest I think we are probably 4 or 5 seasons ahead of ourselves and the squad, although clearly suited to the Championship is well short of the quality required for the Premier League. This means we need to dip some toes in the transfer market and see how we can recruit to the survival cause.
The Budget
Although being in the Premier league brings all forms of riches clearly the board had the same desire as me to ensure we do not become a club who falls victims to over reaching financially to ensure survival.
If we are going to survive we aren't going to do it by splashing mega money on players. We are Given £15 million in the war chest with a generous 500k wage budget.
Transfer Ins & Outs
Lets Start with the incoming transfers and there are a few familiar faces and some I am sure we will be getting to know very well.
Ryan Gauld - Once labelled the Scottish Messi his career in Portugal has stagnated and his contract was up at Farense and on a free transfer this is a fairly low risk acquisition.
Jack Clarke - One of last seasons promotion heroes was transfer listed on his return to Tottenham. The pacey winger deserves his shot at the premier league as much as we do and at £3 million falls well within our budget.
Darren Rye - A young centre back on loan from Villa to offer back up to the 1st choice pairing.
Ethan Laird - Another returning from last season. Very similar situation to Clarke and a much welcomed recruit at right back.
Jack Stephens - Experienced centre back who has played at the highest level for a while. He was easy to acquire as he wanted to leave West Ham after their relegation.
Carel Eiting - A utility central midfielder who is happy playing as a defensive midfielder or a more advance playmaker. Ideal if we need to change up tactics or suffer any injuries in the centre of the park.
Mich'el Chorley - A technically gifted forward who can play out wide on the left or in behind the front man. Was well sought after on the loan list and delighted Spurs have trusted us with this fantastic young talent.
Emmanuel Gyabuaa - Another strong midfield utility player. The Italian U21 international will add a strong base to the midfield.
Kelsey Ewan - Signed on a free from Rangers hoping his development is quick as he has the potential but at 20 years old it needs to happen very soon. One for the U23's for the time being.
Josh Adam - an exciting Scottish young attacking midfielder signed from Man City via tribunal. Massive potential and will take some part in the first team this season.
Vassi - Signed from Las Palmas after graduating from the Real Madrid academy. He's a pacey right winger who will offer competition for places out there with Jack Clarke.
Not mush to report in the way of departures. We said goodbye to bit part midfielder Toni Moya who has been with us since the start of the Journey. We also sent a few youngsters out on loan.
As it stands the biggest move we have made in the transfer market is keeping hold of Belgian talisman Max Verhelst. The transfer window is still open and we have a couple more deals still in the works however keeping him is going to be pivotal to our season.
Tactics
I have also decided that we need to make a few changes to the system. Most of the signings were made with this tactic in mind and it is a lot different from our 4-3-3 from last season.
The full backs are now asked to hold their defensive positions more which then removes the need for a holding midfielder to be sat as cover in front of the centre backs
The wingers are now true wingers, being asked to stay wide, get behind the lines and offer width at all times.
I plan to deploy Verhelst as a False 9 this season with a Shadow Striker behind him. This will require Verhelst to drop deep to receive the ball, distribute it either wide to the wingers or to his shadow striker who will be bombing on.
This is a change I feel will offer us an outlet so we do not get pinned in for 50/60 minutes every game.
There may be a need to change it back to the system last season when playing against the biggest of teams but lets be honest, we are not expected to get results away to the top 6 so why not have a go at them.
Pre Season
I wont go into detail on the individual matches during pre season but I will show you the results.
A bit of a mixed bag of results as expected. I've given them a completely new tactic to learn and some new faces to learn it with. But I am confident that once familiarised we will see results with this bunch of lads.
That's all for this episode. Thank you for joining me as we prepare for our debut season in the Premier League.
Next time we have the small matter of our first league match as well as the League Cup second round.
Cheers
Panda