Pub Talk: ‘The squad looks like it will need to be dismantled in the summer’

What did you make of our results and performances against Everton, Wolves and Bournemouth?

Meirion Williams: It seems as if we are just limping to the finish line. A credible draw at Everton and coming back from a losing position against Bournemouth were both good results. Add to that the away loss against Wolves where we missed some absolute sitters against a team that knew beating us and then Ipswich would mean if they won both, they would be safe for another year so I guess it wasn’t a bad result. It is very much now getting to the end of the season and regrouping for next year as our season is really over.

Dawud Marsh: It’s very much like a working pre-season for Potter. He is obviously looking at players in the squad with a mind of who should stay or be asked to leave. Some have been given the chance to prove themselves and have fallen short – Ferguson? And some need playing time after returning from injury – Fullkrug. We have nothing to play for but surely some players need to step up to secure a place in the squad for next season, but seem happy to cruise towards the finish line. It’s not going to be pretty for the final games, that’s for sure.

David Meagher: The season has stumbled to a disappointing halt. We threw away victory at Everton and home to Bournemouth to sloppy late goals. We were atrocious at Wolves and deserved nothing. Even worse, the squad looks like it will need to be dismantled in the summer as it simply is not a Potter- friendly group. In short, we are nowhere just now.

David Blackmore: It was hugely disappointing not to have taken three points from our games against Everton and Bournemouth after getting ourselves into winning positions and the less said about our trip to Wolves the better. I think we all just want the season to finish and that shows on the pitch and with the atmosphere at home, albeit the away support is as vocal as it always is.

Based on what you’ve seen this season, who do you think will be the key men in Potter’s side next season?

Meirion: It’s a tough one because we don’t know who will be left. Potter will pick his own side and to do that he will need to sell before he can buy and I wouldn’t be surprised if most of our players become available should the right price come in. Bowen is clearly a cut above the rest in my eyes and we might find it difficult to keep him. As for the rest, I think we could see a mass shake up if we can get buyers for some of the deadwood in the squad.

Dawud: Bowen for sure and the club have to go out of their way to keep him. JWP for me as he shouldn’t have been loaned out, Soucek for his commitment and we need someone like him in the squad especially with younger players coming in. Wan Bissaka, Todibo, Scarles have impressed. I’m hoping Fullkrug will settle and build on his great return to the squad. But Potter will need to have a long term plan as there are so many players who need to move on – Paqueta, Kudus, Areola and lots of players across the squad. But Potter will only be able to buy if he sells, and we don’t want to have too many new players all at once.

David M: Frankly, I would see most of our side moving on. Kudus and Paqueta in search of a new challenge. For the rest, only Bowen, Kilman and Wan-Bissaka look likely to play a big part. The rest will move sideways I guess. We need a completely new midfield.

David B: Bowen and Wan Bissaka have had great seasons and I’m really looking forward to seeing how they might be able to play together assuming we do move Jarrod back out wide. I’ve been really disappointed with both Kudus and Paqueta recently and it’s felt like they’ve been passengers for the majority of this campaign but maybe next season will be different?

Do you think Aaron Cresswell deserves a testimonial?

Meirion: I like Aaron Cresswell and he has been a good servant to the club. Is he worthy of a testimonial? I’m not sure. They’ve been many more deserving players in my eyes. For example the ginger Pete was released with no testimonial. No matter how loyal you are, it doesn’t seem to hold wash. Add to that the fact that we don’t own the stadium and therefore we would have to rent it for a testimonial. I see those sort of games a little bit of a thing of the past.

Dawud: The owners don’t care about the players, nor respect those who have given the club a long service. Cresswell has been excellent for us and he is well respected in the team and by the fans. I think he deserves a testimonial but the owners won’t want to do that. That’s a shame as I feel those who have put in a long service and given so much to the club should have a testimonial, despite having to rent the stadium for it as Meirion mentions.

David M: Yes, Cressy has been a wonderful servant. Bowen will probably reach testimonial status but few other players will stay at a volatile club like West ham for more than a few seasons. That said, is there any point to testimonials any more – they used to provide a nice retirement purse but players hardly need that these days?

David B: I think Cresswell deserves a testimonial but I appreciate there will be issues securing the stadium for an extra game. Personally, I think his service warrants going that extra mile but equally, we know the owners probably don’t agree. Why doesn’t he have it at another London stadium? Sure it would be unusual but how about Fulham or QPR or Brentford?

We’ve got Brighton, Southampton and Spurs coming up. How do you think we’ll do?

Meirion: It’s all dependent on which West Ham will turn up. We normally struggle against Brighton so I doubt we’ll see much return from that one. Southampton should be three points all the way and draw the Spurs game so I expect to see a minimum of four points from those three fixtures.

Dawud: Brighton will be competitive and that will be a tough game for us. I’d be happy with a draw. Southampton are down but have still played with passion and they may want to try and finish with a bit of pride, however I’m expecting a win. Spurs have been awful this season and I think the players should be up for this, even if we don’t have anything to play for. I’m expecting a win there as well. Potter should know his strongest team and best set up and we should play for 90 minutes in this match, instead of who we have been playing recently with the second half seeing us play much better after substituting three players at half time.

David M: Brighton have our number and I don’t expect much from that. We should beat a poor Southampton side with ease. Spurs – anything might happen.

David B: I really don’t know where to begin with my prediction. I can see us losing all three, and winning all three. But I’m going to go for this; Beat Brighton, lose to Southampton and get hammered by Spurs. Then we’ll have to endure seeing Spurs fans singing on social media about how we get battered everywhere we go.

With Liverpool seemingly strolling to the title, who do you think will get the European places, and get promoted from the Championship?

Meirion: It has been a pretty poor Premier League this year. Fulham beating Liverpool shows that they are not a quality team through and through. They’ve won the league because there has been a lack of competition. As for the European places, I would love to see Forest getting there but it looks likely that it will be Arsenal, Manchester City, Newcastle and maybe even Chelsea in the Champions League next year. As for the teams coming up, I originally thought the automatic place would be taken by the two Yorkshire clubs but I would love to see Burnley take one of those automatic places and Leeds in the playoffs and losing out. As for the playoffs, that is anybody’s guess. Selfishly, I’d like to see Coventry promoted as that’s a nice local away game for me next season.

Dawud: It’s been a strange season with Man United, City and Spurs all under performing. Liverpool have run away with it because other teams have lacked consistency and even Arsenal, who just don’t have what it takes to take the title nor win a domestic trophy.

David M: Apart from Arsenal, it’s very close between the next five clubs for a top four finish. I hope Forest don’t blow it. I hope Leeds and Burnley make the automatic spots and the tragic Blades mess up in the playoffs. Frankly, the other sides at the top of the Championship look unlikely to survive the step up to Premier League level.

David B: I would love it, absolutely love it – said in my best Kevin Keegan impression – if Man City blow up and don’t finish in the top five and Forest, Newcastle and Villa do. But this is the time of season where City always finds another gear to keep winning and Chelsea could sneak in. There could also be a scenario where we get 11 teams in Europe next season. Now that would be wild! I agree with David with the teams coming up that it doesn’t really matter because they’ll all be going down again next season.