Shankland should be our No.9

If you're going to make Shankland captain, play him where he scores. Stop shoehorning him as a No.10. One up top, two natural wingers and a proper 10 gives us balance and bite.

There’s a simple argument here: Curtis Shankland is a striker and should be treated as one. If he’s going to wear the armband, he needs to be picked regularly and in the role that suits him best. Trying to force two out-and-out forwards into the same system or slotting him in as a makeshift No.10 has cost us rhythm and, frankly, goals.

Play one up top, give a proper No.10 a chance

I’d rather see the team set up with a single striker, two genuine wingers and someone playing in the 10 role. That lets the striker stay central, occupy defenders and get service from wide areas. Curtis came through our academy with creative instincts — why not let him operate as the deeper creator at times and as the focal point at others? It’s about roles and clarity. Players perform when they know what’s expected.

Wingers, cover and competition

We’ve signed a youngster from PSV who looks like a left-wing option and Gassama can be the backup. Yokota on the right is fine, but he needs real competition — someone of the same level or better. Too many of our wide areas depend on one player matching form and fitness. Competition sharpens everyone.

Squad priorities for the coming weeks

With Chermiti out for the foreseeable, we do need a short-term cover up front. A loan for a striker makes sense as cover only. Outside of that I’d be pushing for: left-back competition for Rommens, a first-choice right-back, an experienced centre-half and a central midfielder who offers a bit of creativity. I’m wary of loan-only deals unless there’s an option or obligation involved — we don’t want another summer where players simply return to parent clubs and we’re short again.

Finally, some squad housekeeping: if McCrorie was brought in as a utility option the plan has to be clear, and Sterling becoming surplus prompts a fresh right-back signing. These are the small, sensible moves that give the manager choices without destabilising the dressing room.

Big couple of weeks ahead. Sort the roles, back the captain in the right position and stop tinkering for tinkering’s sake.

Written by Coisty83: 17 August 2026