It's hard to judge us at the moment, as the loan players who comes in won't be just to "flesh out the squad" they'll be mainly 1st teamers, expected to start. Add Bielik and Curren (or the equivalent) plus a striker to the 1st team and it will look very different.
As we know loans are always a gamble. We’ve come unstuck enough times to know that. Bielik and Cullen were exceptional and if we can’t get them back which to me is unlikely, I seriously think that we will struggle to get anyone as effective as those two were.
A very different level admittedly but when I was managing youth and senior teams, at this time of the year, if you had managed to say goodbye to a lot of the ‘dead wood’ in your squad and were in a lean position able to add half a team, you were in a very good position. That’s how o see us - the quality is about to be added and I wouldn’t be surprised if taylor’s contract isn’t improved once all that is done - to give him some sort of parity as I see him as the talisman of this squad
A very different level admittedly but when I was managing youth and senior teams, at this time of the year, if you had managed to say goodbye to a lot of the ‘dead wood’ in your squad and were in a lean position able to add half a team, you were in a very good position. That’s how o see us - the quality is about to be added and I wouldn’t be surprised if taylor’s contract isn’t improved once all that is done - to give him some sort of parity as I see him as the talisman of this squad
Agree in some circumstances, but for us we've lost three of our best players in Aribo, Cullen and Bielek. I can't personally see how we're replacing them with equal or more quality. In bowyer and Gallan we trust, but there's only so much that can be done.
A very different level admittedly but when I was managing youth and senior teams, at this time of the year, if you had managed to say goodbye to a lot of the ‘dead wood’ in your squad and were in a lean position able to add half a team, you were in a very good position. That’s how o see us - the quality is about to be added and I wouldn’t be surprised if taylor’s contract isn’t improved once all that is done - to give him some sort of parity as I see him as the talisman of this squad
We lost some of our best players in Bauer, Aribo, Cullen and Bielek, hardly deadwood.
A very different level admittedly but when I was managing youth and senior teams, at this time of the year, if you had managed to say goodbye to a lot of the ‘dead wood’ in your squad and were in a lean position able to add half a team, you were in a very good position. That’s how o see us - the quality is about to be added and I wouldn’t be surprised if taylor’s contract isn’t improved once all that is done - to give him some sort of parity as I see him as the talisman of this squad
We lost some of our best players in Bauer, Aribo, Cullen and Bielek, hardly deadwood.
Vetokele, Reeves, Marshall, Parker, Fosu, a couple of the youngsters that didn't make the grade, there was also a lot of Deadwood let's be honest
So from the 2011/12 team we only had the below who had previous Championship experience
Michael Morrison | Leon Cort | Andy Hughes | Johnnie Jackson Danny Haynes | Bradley Wright-Phillips | Yann Kermorgant
From the current squad:
Jason Pearce | Chris Solly | Ben Purrington | Naby Sarr Darren Pratley | Jake Forster-Caskey
So there is basically one player difference in terms of that experience, now that team in 2012/13 finished 9th with the signings of Kerkar | Gower | Fuller | Wilson | Dervite
Again the two in bold the only two signings that had previous Championship experience
Or to view it another way Solly isn't the player he was in the championship, he wasn't even the player he was when we were still in the championship. Pearce has lost his place and been sold by ever championship club he has played for and has just finished his 4th consecutive season in league 1. Ben Purrington couldn't get in a poor Rotherham team last season. Naby had a mare in the championship last time he played in it. Pratley dropped down a league because he is getting on and JFC was let go by Brighton and signed for a middle table league 1 side.
Now their championship experience isn't much of a ringing endorsement.
BUT saying all that Solly, Pearce and Pratley are all men you would "you would want in the trenches" with you and will be valuable on pitch and dressing room NCOs for Bowyer. Every club needs players like this. I would worry if all 3 were on the pitch at the same time for to long throughout the season though.
As said already on this thread sometimes a player, manager, system, club etc just click and I get the feeling that is Purrington with us. Naby is obviously 3 years older, wiser, happier and more confident. Reading between the lines on JFCs new contract the talent has never been in question, other things have. I expect a much improved player to the one in his Brighton days.
So from the 2011/12 team we only had the below who had previous Championship experience
Michael Morrison | Leon Cort | Andy Hughes | Johnnie Jackson Danny Haynes | Bradley Wright-Phillips | Yann Kermorgant
From the current squad:
Jason Pearce | Chris Solly | Ben Purrington | Naby Sarr Darren Pratley | Jake Forster-Caskey
So there is basically one player difference in terms of that experience, now that team in 2012/13 finished 9th with the signings of Kerkar | Gower | Fuller | Wilson | Dervite
Again the two in bold the only two signings that had previous Championship experience
To say that Sarr has championship experience is stretching it somewhat - can't have played more than half a dozen games at that level before being sent back to France on loan. Also whilst the Chris Powell team ended up 9th it was a real struggle for much of the season and a good run at the end of the season flattered to deceive as the following season proved. Worth also noting that our 20 goal striker - BWP did not adapt well to championship despite having played there before.
So from the 2011/12 team we only had the below who had previous Championship experience
Michael Morrison | Leon Cort | Andy Hughes | Johnnie Jackson Danny Haynes | Bradley Wright-Phillips | Yann Kermorgant
From the current squad:
Jason Pearce | Chris Solly | Ben Purrington | Naby Sarr Darren Pratley | Jake Forster-Caskey
So there is basically one player difference in terms of that experience, now that team in 2012/13 finished 9th with the signings of Kerkar | Gower | Fuller | Wilson | Dervite
Again the two in bold the only two signings that had previous Championship experience
To say that Sarr has championship experience is stretching it somewhat - can't have played more than half a dozen games at that level before being sent back to France on loan. Also whilst the Chris Powell team ended up 9th it was a real struggle for much of the season and a good run at the end of the season flattered to deceive as the following season proved. Worth also noting that our 20 goal striker - BWP did not adapt well to championship despite having played there before.
Could say the same about David Button who only played a handful of loan games at this level prior to joining us
A very different level admittedly but when I was managing youth and senior teams, at this time of the year, if you had managed to say goodbye to a lot of the ‘dead wood’ in your squad and were in a lean position able to add half a team, you were in a very good position. That’s how o see us - the quality is about to be added and I wouldn’t be surprised if taylor’s contract isn’t improved once all that is done - to give him some sort of parity as I see him as the talisman of this squad
We lost some of our best players in Bauer, Aribo, Cullen and Bielek, hardly deadwood.
Vetokele, Reeves, Marshall, Parker, Fosu, a couple of the youngsters that didn't make the grade, there was also a lot of Deadwood let's be honest
Yah, clearly we've cleared a lot of deadwook off the books but the points stands that we've lost - and not yet replaced - some of our best players, to claim it's a 'very good position' is utter madness.
Recruitment thus far in terms of numbers required has been a disaster. That’s not to say it will end up that way but at this point it’s awful.
There are a number of reasons possible but its hard to look past having a tiny budget as being the main problem.
Im sure LB/SG are working tirelessly but I’m really hoping that we are not pinning all our hopes on PL loans to plug the huge gaps. Fine if it works as with Bielik and Cullen last year but if it doesn’t come off then we can write this season off already.
I realise this info is from Transfer Markt website but if you look at our first team squad = 17 players with a value of £4.19 million as compared to Blackburn Rovers with a squad = 26 players and value of £27.14 million you can see what we could well be up against.
For interest Millwall have = 20 players valued at £15.89 million
If we can get one of Cullen or Beliek back I'd be delighted. Love both of course but they made the difference. Also signing Jonny will be great.
I've been really impressed with Albie Morgan think he is just going to get better and better. Along with JFC back fit if we can get the above back we'll be in a better position in midfield compared to where we were for Sunderland away last season
I realise this info is from Transfer Markt website but if you look at our first team squad = 17 players with a value of £4.19 million as compared to Blackburn Rovers with a squad = 26 players and value of £27.14 million you can see what we could well be up against.
For interest Millwall have = 20 players valued at £15.89 million
I realise this info is from Transfer Markt website but if you look at our first team squad = 17 players with a value of £4.19 million as compared to Blackburn Rovers with a squad = 26 players and value of £27.14 million you can see what we could well be up against.
For interest Millwall have = 20 players valued at £15.89 million
I wouldn't pay too much attention to those valuations. They're usually as much as £10m-15m undervalued. Hang on, that reinforces what you're saying.
Comments
Now their championship experience isn't much of a ringing endorsement.
BUT saying all that Solly, Pearce and Pratley are all men you would "you would want in the trenches" with you and will be valuable on pitch and dressing room NCOs for Bowyer. Every club needs players like this. I would worry if all 3 were on the pitch at the same time for to long throughout the season though.
As said already on this thread sometimes a player, manager, system, club etc just click and I get the feeling that is Purrington with us. Naby is obviously 3 years older, wiser, happier and more confident. Reading between the lines on JFCs new contract the talent has never been in question, other things have. I expect a much improved player to the one in his Brighton days.
Not good enough, yeah, fair enough but how soon we discard our heroes.
The squad currently is nowhere near strong enough or deep enough.
We'll have to see how it looks on 8 August but so far, not enough bodies or experience.
Meanwhile Millwall sign a championship experienced Icelandic international.
There are a number of reasons possible but its hard to look past having a tiny budget as being the main problem.
Im sure LB/SG are working tirelessly but I’m really hoping that we are not pinning all our hopes on PL loans to plug the huge gaps. Fine if it works as with Bielik and Cullen last year but if it doesn’t come off then we can write this season off already.
One person to blame here. Roland Duchatelet.
For interest Millwall have = 20 players valued at £15.89 million
I've been really impressed with Albie Morgan think he is just going to get better and better. Along with JFC back fit if we can get the above back we'll be in a better position in midfield compared to where we were for Sunderland away last season
Bowyer and Gallen have earned themselves the benefit of the doubt but it’s very difficult to see how the squad is going to be competitive.
Thanks Redhenry!
As you were....