Ok, just sat through the Nelsen video presser so a few things related to player moves and speculation.
- Whole year hamstrung by financial mess left by previous regime.
- QPR loanees et al were attempts to find somebody who would stick.
- 3-6 starters coming, including 2 DP's and at least 3 "battle hardened MLS players" who would start.
- Off season about more then just the DP's.
- Young player base important for building the future.
- Rey is staying - he was name checked.
- Bendik is the starter.
- Ecks, Koevs, & Frei are all gone. End of speculation.
- Caldwell would have changed the season if he arrived earlier.
- He could have brought in players for short term success but didn't for the sake of long term financial stability.
- Bloom is next years starting RB.
- 3-5 players out on loan over the winter.
- Specifically mentioned he is looking forward to the young guys coming back filled out a bit more.
My player speculation out of all that:
3 to 5 of Hall, Osorio, Bekker, Henry, Morgan, and Welshman going out on loan overseas. Those that don't may not be in long term team future.
Of the 3 hardened MLS players who would start, I expect 2 midfielders and possibly a CD, to groom to be the top CD when Caldwell retires. Maybe a LB.
I get the strong feeling Nelsen would like to have the option of a 5-4-1 and a 4-5-1 along with the 2 banks of 4.
I don't think Osorio is considered the short term solution for AM, nor is Bekker. Long term - definately. I could see us with Bekker and Osorio in midfield in 2017, with a DM (I am assuming Laba is off to Europe by then...a good destroyer who can deal with an English language league would be worth a lot in the EPL).
Expect an MLS experienced AM.
At least 1 of the DP's being asked about is London based.
Earnshaw might be asked to stick around for one more season as relief but I could see him being gone by January.
Rey is staying.
Convey is too.
Lambe, I think he's gone.
Dike is not the long term attacking solution.
Elmer and Braun should be gone (if we are going to speculate about money on a roster player, 200K for a non starting LB is just waste)