Hi guys, me again! 
Striker suggestions offered some interesting debate and new players that I hadn't thought about, so hopefully that could do the same. Pretty clear that LWB will be an area of work for the club this summer. Thompson has done well defensively, with Penney being a bit 'injury-hit' as of late.
Here is a list of mainly left wing-backs who are either offensively or defensively strong. I'll probably signal which for each. Some right wing-backs, but I'm honestly good with KVY supporting Burns. What we need is a 'left wing-back Burns' if our Burns runs on empty. So, here goes.
LOANS ->
(LWB) Alvaro Fernandez, 19, currently at Man United. Pretty obvious really, someone McKenna will know pretty well. Tipped for big things at United, lots of fans suggesting he is ready to be in the first-team squad at least.
(LB) Josh Ruffels, 28, currently at Huddersfield Town. Only 5 appearances since leaving Oxford in the summer. Stuck behind Toffolo who has been good this year. Could get perm, but at 28? Ideally a year-loan to push for promotion.
(LB) Reece James, 28, currently at Blackpool. 17 games for B'Pool after joining from Donny. Capable on both the left and the right. B'pool's sights are high, they may boost their wing-back positions in the summer.
(LWB) Luke Garbutt, 28, currently at Blackpool. We all know him. Proper set-piece specialist. Been out since January with an injury, close to a return. Similar to James, may struggle for first-team football next season.
(LWB) Juan Larios, 18, currently at Man City. Exciting wing back, described by City fans as the 'next Joao Cancelo'. Very quick, very positive, comfortable on the ball.
(LWB) Emmanuel Longelo, 21, currently at West Ham. Reportedly a target for us in Jan alongside Forest and Wycombe. Back injury affected it. We moved for Thompson? Ex-forward turned wing-back, very positive player.
(LB) Joel Lopez, 19, currently at Arsenal. Been in-and-around the Arsenal first team since January. One of their stand-out players at U23 level.
(LB) Tayo Adaramola, 18, currently at Crystal Palace. Player in a similar mould of Tyrick Mitchell. Impressive showing against Stoke City in the Fa Cup last month.
POSSIBLES ->
(RWB) Josh Key, 22, currently at Exeter. Linked with Sunderland back in August. One to look at if McKenna isn't a fan of KVY. Can guarantee he will be a L1 player next season.
(LB) Ali Koiki, 22, currently at Northampton. Another linked with Sunderland, in January. Out of contract in June. Pompey heavily fancy him. Loves a dribble apparently.
(LWB) Cohen Bramall, 25, currently at Lincoln City. One I wanted last season, injuries have stopped him playing in the Champ. Pacey, direct who can put in a killer cross.
(RB) Nathan Byrne, 29, currently at Derby. We know the issues at Derby. Byrne been one of their most consistent players. Someone you'd look at if you lost Burns and wanted attacking threat predominantly down the left.
PUSH THE BOAT ->
(LWB) Nicky Cadden, 25, currently at Forest Green. My pick. The best wing-back outside League One, probably one of the best outside of the Championship. 6 goals and 9 assists.
(RWB) Kane Wilson, 22, currently at Forest Green. My pick if we lose Wes Burns in the summer. 3 goals and 13 assists. Probably a Championship player in League Two.
(LWB) Brandon Fleming, 22, currently at Hull. With their new owners, they'll be spending to push for promotion. Might become available, has been one of the best wing-backs in the Championship in 2022.
(LWB) Jay Dasilva, 22, currently at Bristol City. Obvious Bristol City links, but he hasn't been very good since January. Regulary falls in their top 3 performers in each game.
(LWB) Scott Malone, 31, currently at Millwall. Rowett says he is the best wing back in the Championship. Experienced option you could tempt with a solid pay-day.
There's a lot of solid options for McKenna, Ashton and Williams to work with for next season. If we go big on a striker (which we should), then we don't need to spend much at wing-back because there is a lot of cheap talent around.
Let me know what you guys think, or if you have players of your own  |  |
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