I have been. Moved two banana trees to the other side of the garden.Cut some ivy down.Picked some courgettes. Water the the Thai aubergines.Cleaned the hedgehog box out,refilled all the feeding stations
The issue is not naming 16 outfield players in a match day squad.
The issue is naming 16 "senior" outfield players in a competitive Championship match day squad. There are up to a dozen more names you could have sitting on the bench but none will fit the second criteria
If appears some know better that Bowyer.
Bowyer has classified Bonne as a project and positioned Morgan as not yet ready for the Championship. Wiredu must fall into the same category.
At this point in time we have 14 senior outfield players for a match day squad and one of those is already out injured.
1 (Taylor) is the number of the out & out forwards in the squad 2 (Forster-Caskey and Page) are returning from season long injuries 2 (Pearce and Prately) are the only proven game managers and leaders* 3 more (Solly, Pearce, Williams) carry significant career injury profiles 5 ((Forster-Caskey, Pearce, Pratley, Solly, Williams) only have any notable Championship experience 6 is the number of additions required to meet the stated requirement of 2 players per position 6 is normally the number of weeks targeted as settling down a new squad 6 is the number of league games in August 8 players are entering the last year of their contract.
9 is the number of days before our first competitive fixture
* I acknowledge Lockyer and Oshilaja may step into such roles
The squad has lost players who represented 48% of last years league one campaign appearances.
14 senior players left the payroll in June.
3 (Forster-Caskey, Purrington, Williams) have been brought back 3 (Lockyer, Oshilaja, Aneke) have been added
Bonne has been brought in from the National League
Bonne and Purrington incurred transfer fees
The club received compensation for the departures of Aribo and Fosu
The achievement of Championship status increases the clubs central revenue by£3-4mn or £60-80k per week.
You are perfectly entitled to determine whatever expectations you like for the coming season.
May I politely suggest however people respect the above is the profile against which Bowyer and Gallen are having to work. They are likely to need every gram of support supporters can offer.
Two final numbers;
4 represents the number of roles Gallen is currently undertaking as Head of Recruitment, Chief Scout, CEO and Financial controller.
2% represents the participation of our beneficial owner.
It is a long season. Can Bowyer Jackson and Marshall build, coach, manage and develop the squad over the coming months to survive the campaign - none of us can be certain - either way. I am sure we all wish them well but I doubt the journey will be for the faint hearted.
What price we don’t have a full bench at Blackburn like last season don’t no if you can bet on this
No chance of that happening IMO
Phillips Dijksteel Lockyer Pearce Sarr Purrington Pratley Williams Aneke Bonne Taylor
Amos Oshilaja Solly Morgan Lapslie Forster-Caskey Wiredu
That's with zero signings in 8 days
Swap Bonne for JFC IMO for an away game in the Champ.....
That's why I went with the back 5, I'd argue it should be JFC in for Sarr or Pearce and the diamond midfield with Bonne and Taylor up top, but I feel *if* we didn't get anyone in we'd go for the back 3 and wingbacks
Bonne was a national league striker last year - we need to give him time. Can’t be starting with him in the Championship yet.
He will be up front with Taylor and will have Aneke following up and he knows how to score goals. Throw him in the deep end straight away.
What price we don’t have a full bench at Blackburn like last season don’t no if you can bet on this
No chance of that happening IMO
Phillips Dijksteel Lockyer Pearce Sarr Purrington Pratley Williams Aneke Bonne Taylor
Amos Oshilaja Solly Morgan Lapslie Forster-Caskey Wiredu
That's with zero signings in 8 days
Swap Bonne for JFC IMO for an away game in the Champ.....
That's why I went with the back 5, I'd argue it should be JFC in for Sarr or Pearce and the diamond midfield with Bonne and Taylor up top, but I feel *if* we didn't get anyone in we'd go for the back 3 and wingbacks
Bonne was a national league striker last year - we need to give him time. Can’t be starting with him in the Championship yet.
So out of the current squad who would you start up front with?
For away at Blackburn? Aneke just off Taylor.... if we went into it with no additions then we will be playing for a draw. Get some better players in (ie a midfield) then we can look at other options
I’d go for a team that might make it difficult for Blackburn :
amos,
Dijksteel, Lockyer, Pearce, Purtington
JFC
Lasplie, Pratley
Williams Aneke,
Taylor.
No, I can’t see it winning either .
Dillon deserves to start the season but given the lack of midfielders and our new centre backs with our current squad I'd expect we'd go 5-3-1-1 with lapslie dropping to the bench for Sarr
The issue is not naming 16 outfield players in a match day squad.
The issue is naming 16 "senior" outfield players in a competitive Championship match day squad. There are up to a dozen more names you could have sitting on the bench but none will fit the second criteria
If appears some know better that Bowyer.
Bowyer has classified Bonne as a project and positioned Morgan as not yet ready for the Championship. Wiredu must fall into the same category.
At this point in time we have 14 senior outfield players for a match day squad and one of those is already out injured.
1 (Taylor) is the number of the out & out forwards in the squad 2 (Forster-Caskey and Page) are returning from season long injuries 2 (Pearce and Prately) are the only proven game managers and leaders* 3 more (Solly, Pearce, Williams) carry significant career injury profiles 5 ((Forster-Caskey, Pearce, Pratley, Solly, Williams) only have any notable Championship experience 6 is the number of additions required to meet the stated requirement of 2 players per position 6 is normally the number of weeks targeted as settling down a new squad 6 is the number of league games in August 8 players are entering the last year of their contract.
9 is the number of days before our first competitive fixture
* I acknowledge Lockyer and Oshilaja may step into such roles
The squad has lost players who represented 48% of last years league one campaign appearances.
14 senior players left the payroll in June.
3 (Forster-Caskey, Purrington, Williams) have been brought back 3 (Lockyer, Oshilaja, Aneke) have been added
Bonne has been brought in from the National League
Bonne and Purrington incurred transfer fees
The club received compensation for the departures of Aribo and Fosu
The achievement of Championship status increases the clubs central revenue by£3-4mn or £60-80k per week.
You are perfectly entitled to determine whatever expectations you like for the coming season.
May I politely suggest however people respect the above is the profile against which Bowyer and Gallen are having to work. They are likely to need every gram of support supporters can offer.
Two final numbers;
4 represents the number of roles Gallen is currently undertaking as Head of Recruitment, Chief Scout, CEO and Financial controller.
2% represents the participation of our beneficial owner.
It is a long season. Can Bowyer Jackson and Marshall build, coach, manage and develop the squad over the coming months to survive the campaign - none of us can be certain - either way. I am sure we all wish them well but I doubt the journey will be for the faint hearted.
What price we don’t have a full bench at Blackburn like last season don’t no if you can bet on this
No chance of that happening IMO
Phillips Dijksteel Lockyer Pearce Sarr Purrington Pratley Williams Aneke Bonne Taylor
Amos Oshilaja Solly Morgan Lapslie Forster-Caskey Wiredu
That's with zero signings in 8 days
Swap Bonne for JFC IMO for an away game in the Champ.....
That's why I went with the back 5, I'd argue it should be JFC in for Sarr or Pearce and the diamond midfield with Bonne and Taylor up top, but I feel *if* we didn't get anyone in we'd go for the back 3 and wingbacks
Bonne was a national league striker last year - we need to give him time. Can’t be starting with him in the Championship yet.
He will be up front with Taylor and will have Aneke following up and he knows how to score goals. Throw him in the deep end straight away.
The issue is not naming 16 outfield players in a match day squad.
The issue is naming 16 "senior" outfield players in a competitive Championship match day squad. There are up to a dozen more names you could have sitting on the bench but none will fit the second criteria
If appears some know better that Bowyer.
Bowyer has classified Bonne as a project and positioned Morgan as not yet ready for the Championship. Wiredu must fall into the same category.
At this point in time we have 14 senior outfield players for a match day squad and one of those is already out injured.
1 (Taylor) is the number of the out & out forwards in the squad 2 (Forster-Caskey and Page) are returning from season long injuries 2 (Pearce and Prately) are the only proven game managers and leaders* 3 more (Solly, Pearce, Williams) carry significant career injury profiles 5 ((Forster-Caskey, Pearce, Pratley, Solly, Williams) only have any notable Championship experience 6 is the number of additions required to meet the stated requirement of 2 players per position 6 is normally the number of weeks targeted as settling down a new squad 6 is the number of league games in August 8 players are entering the last year of their contract.
9 is the number of days before our first competitive fixture
* I acknowledge Lockyer and Oshilaja may step into such roles
The squad has lost players who represented 48% of last years league one campaign appearances.
14 senior players left the payroll in June.
3 (Forster-Caskey, Purrington, Williams) have been brought back 3 (Lockyer, Oshilaja, Aneke) have been added
Bonne has been brought in from the National League
Bonne and Purrington incurred transfer fees
The club received compensation for the departures of Aribo and Fosu
The achievement of Championship status increases the clubs central revenue by£3-4mn or £60-80k per week.
You are perfectly entitled to determine whatever expectations you like for the coming season.
May I politely suggest however people respect the above is the profile against which Bowyer and Gallen are having to work. They are likely to need every gram of support supporters can offer.
Two final numbers;
4 represents the number of roles Gallen is currently undertaking as Head of Recruitment, Chief Scout, CEO and Financial controller.
2% represents the participation of our beneficial owner.
It is a long season. Can Bowyer Jackson and Marshall build, coach, manage and develop the squad over the coming months to survive the campaign - none of us can be certain - either way. I am sure we all wish them well but I doubt the journey will be for the faint hearted.
What’s with the short post?
All that and he still forgot the partridge in a pear tree.
In that Taylor article it talks about a permanent transfer and they expect to get more than the 300k they paid. That rules us out, especially since he is 29 so no resale value.
I hope so. I don’t want him! Perfect example of a player that people remember as good but then wake up and we find out he has not scored more than 2-6 goals in three seasons, will be 30 during the coming season, costs a fee, gets injured and is not even wanted by his own team in the very division we are now competing. Jesus, talk about desperate.
As @jac52 pointed out, with no further departures and additions to the team (which won't happen, we will have players in before Blackburn away) to give us the best chance of getting a result, we need to be solid.
Phillips Lockyer Pearce Sarr Dijksteel Pratley Forster-Caskey Purrington Aneke Williams Taylor
How weak is that midfield and attack in that 18? It wouldn't even be competitive enough in League One. It shows we really need a lot of work yet before we can see the light at the end of the tunnel.
The issue is not naming 16 outfield players in a match day squad.
The issue is naming 16 "senior" outfield players in a competitive Championship match day squad. There are up to a dozen more names you could have sitting on the bench but none will fit the second criteria
If appears some know better that Bowyer.
Bowyer has classified Bonne as a project and positioned Morgan as not yet ready for the Championship. Wiredu must fall into the same category.
At this point in time we have 14 senior outfield players for a match day squad and one of those is already out injured.
1 (Taylor) is the number of the out & out forwards in the squad 2 (Forster-Caskey and Page) are returning from season long injuries 2 (Pearce and Prately) are the only proven game managers and leaders* 3 more (Solly, Pearce, Williams) carry significant career injury profiles 5 ((Forster-Caskey, Pearce, Pratley, Solly, Williams) only have any notable Championship experience 6 is the number of additions required to meet the stated requirement of 2 players per position 6 is normally the number of weeks targeted as settling down a new squad 6 is the number of league games in August 8 players are entering the last year of their contract.
9 is the number of days before our first competitive fixture
* I acknowledge Lockyer and Oshilaja may step into such roles
The squad has lost players who represented 48% of last years league one campaign appearances.
14 senior players left the payroll in June.
3 (Forster-Caskey, Purrington, Williams) have been brought back 3 (Lockyer, Oshilaja, Aneke) have been added
Bonne has been brought in from the National League
Bonne and Purrington incurred transfer fees
The club received compensation for the departures of Aribo and Fosu
The achievement of Championship status increases the clubs central revenue by£3-4mn or £60-80k per week.
You are perfectly entitled to determine whatever expectations you like for the coming season.
May I politely suggest however people respect the above is the profile against which Bowyer and Gallen are having to work. They are likely to need every gram of support supporters can offer.
Two final numbers;
4 represents the number of roles Gallen is currently undertaking as Head of Recruitment, Chief Scout, CEO and Financial controller.
2% represents the participation of our beneficial owner.
It is a long season. Can Bowyer Jackson and Marshall build, coach, manage and develop the squad over the coming months to survive the campaign - none of us can be certain - either way. I am sure we all wish them well but I doubt the journey will be for the faint hearted.
FFS!!... Id only just finished reading the last one!!
I have been. Moved two banana trees to the other side of the garden.Cut some ivy down.Picked some courgettes. Water the the Thai aubergines.Cleaned the hedgehog box out,refilled all the feeding stations
What have you been doing the rest of the time? Sitting around drinking tea no doubt.
As @jac52 pointed out, with no further departures and additions to the team (which won't happen, we will have players in before Blackburn away) to give us the best chance of getting a result, we need to be solid.
Phillips Lockyer Pearce Sarr Dijksteel Pratley Forster-Caskey Purrington Aneke Williams Taylor
How weak is that midfield and attack in that 18? It wouldn't even be competitive enough in League One. It shows we really need a lot of work yet before we can see the light at the end of the tunnel.
Only the midfield is weaker than last season all other positions are stronger, so can’t see how you can say it wouldn’t even be competitive in league one, we came 3rd with Parker up front.
We have a full 18, but it's a very imbalanced squad at the moment as we have a full number of defensive options but very little in attack and midfield, unless you include kids or triallists like Harriott
As @jac52 pointed out, with no further departures and additions to the team (which won't happen, we will have players in before Blackburn away) to give us the best chance of getting a result, we need to be solid.
Phillips Lockyer Pearce Sarr Dijksteel Pratley Forster-Caskey Purrington Aneke Williams Taylor
How weak is that midfield and attack in that 18? It wouldn't even be competitive enough in League One. It shows we really need a lot of work yet before we can see the light at the end of the tunnel.
Only the midfield is weaker than last season all other positions are stronger, so can’t see how you can say it wouldn’t even be competitive in league one, we came 3rd with Parker up front.
Because the midfield especially is ridiculously weak in comparison to last season. Stikers too other than Taylor, who although will be fine because he has the attributes to be, still has never played at this level before.
Pratley is an older midfielder who has previously struggled in recent seasons in the Championship and couldn't hold down a place in League One, albeit was extremely valuable at the end and in the play-offs.
Forster-Caskey has just had a year out with an injury that could have ended his career. He hasn't played competitive football for what will be over 15 months when he plays in August.
Aneke was playing in League Two last season and albeit scored a lot of goals and done well, he has never played in the Championship.
Williams is a classy player but has an unfortunate record of injuries. If he can stay fit, he does have the potential to be one of the most influential players in the division. I really do believe that.
Lapslie had a full year of being involved in the first team last season but he was never a player who was going to play regularly or hold down a place in a team looking for promotion, any other club would be looking to loan him out and get him first team experience in League One this season.
Morgan barely played for us, and yes when he did he was very good in possession and Bowyer knows he has that quality. However, he has specifically said that his game out of possession is not good enough and will be hoping to send him out on loan next season.
Wiredu played for Bromley in the National League last season and although he done okay, he didn't set the division alight. Again, another young player of which we cannot be expect him to be apart of a Championship campaign. He could well be, but it wouldn't be fair to expect that.
Bonne played and scored regularly in the National League last season and the season before that with Leyton Orient. However, Bowyer recognises that it's a huge jump up to the Championship especially one for a player who is not necessarily strong.
This is without even thinking of us losing Cullen, Bielik and Aribo. Without the squad depth of players like Reeves. Yes we might have had Parker, but we also had Vetokele and we also had Grant before he was sold. As things stand, the only striker we can rely on is Taylor who has not played at this level before in his career. The midfield explains itself as I've said above.
I'll say it again, we are ridiculously weak in midfield and attack for a team who is going into the Championship and hoping to be able to compete and survive. We will get there, I have no doubt and all faith in Bowyer and Gallen, but lets not kid ourselves because other than the defence and goalkeepers, it's looking rather grim.
The lack of time for Lyle to generate a strike partnership with another striker worries me too. Tomorrow would have been a great opportunity against a decent team, but instead they will have to learn in the league itself
The lack of time for Lyle to generate a strike partnership with another striker worries me too. Tomorrow would have been a great opportunity against a decent team, but instead they will have to learn in the league itself
Couldn't agree more. Once the season starts, the amount of training that involves being able to build a relationship is next to nothing. Everything is about preparation, recovery, set-pieces, small sided games etc. And then you have games that come round very quickly.
It's going to be difficult but I think that Taylor has the ability to bring out the best in those around him, so we have to just wait and see. But I do completely agree with you.
As @jac52 pointed out, with no further departures and additions to the team (which won't happen, we will have players in before Blackburn away) to give us the best chance of getting a result, we need to be solid.
Phillips Lockyer Pearce Sarr Dijksteel Pratley Forster-Caskey Purrington Aneke Williams Taylor
How weak is that midfield and attack in that 18? It wouldn't even be competitive enough in League One. It shows we really need a lot of work yet before we can see the light at the end of the tunnel.
Only the midfield is weaker than last season all other positions are stronger, so can’t see how you can say it wouldn’t even be competitive in league one, we came 3rd with Parker up front.
Defence isn’t stronger either . We’ve gone up a division and lost our one centre half who was genuinely definitely up to playing in this division
Only gossip I’ve got from this evenings work taking the MK Dons to Northampton is Ben Reeves was on the coach and Chuks Aneke should do well with us in Championship. Can’t be bad.
What price we don’t have a full bench at Blackburn like last season don’t no if you can bet on this
No chance of that happening IMO
Phillips Dijksteel Lockyer Pearce Sarr Purrington Pratley Williams Aneke Bonne Taylor
Amos Oshilaja Solly Morgan Lapslie Forster-Caskey Wiredu
That's with zero signings in 8 days
Swap Bonne for JFC IMO for an away game in the Champ.....
That's why I went with the back 5, I'd argue it should be JFC in for Sarr or Pearce and the diamond midfield with Bonne and Taylor up top, but I feel *if* we didn't get anyone in we'd go for the back 3 and wingbacks
Bonne was a national league striker last year - we need to give him time. Can’t be starting with him in the Championship yet.
So out of the current squad who would you start up front with?
For away at Blackburn? Aneke just off Taylor.... if we went into it with no additions then we will be playing for a draw. Get some better players in (ie a midfield) then we can look at other options
Good point, would like to see Aneke as far forward as possible in any formation
Unless they've told Cullen he's effectively number 25 in the squad, won't be starting, won't provide first choice backup and will only sit on the bench if there are injuries and suspensions to then try to force his way into the team.
Could be that's the offer made, take it or leave again.
Grapevine, the answer to your question is HR, hopefully with some legal training, which worryingly SG does not have. Where is Katrein when you need her?
Job of the FC is to administer RDs paltry budget, of say £10m, and as we sign players, advise SG/LB how much is left in the kitty. He will have to explain to RD why we are not meeting the budget because, as an under-resourced side flirting with relegation our revenue is diluted by no walk ins on match day, and stay away STH not buying add ons. Doubt SG knows a debit from a credit.
Comments
WIOTOS
Moved two banana trees to the other side of the garden.Cut some ivy down.Picked some courgettes. Water the the Thai aubergines.Cleaned the hedgehog box out,refilled all the feeding stations
The issue is not naming 16 outfield players in a match day squad.
The issue is naming 16 "senior" outfield players in a competitive Championship match day squad. There are up to a dozen more names you could have sitting on the bench but none will fit the second criteria
If appears some know better that Bowyer.
Bowyer has classified Bonne as a project and positioned Morgan as not yet ready for the Championship. Wiredu must fall into the same category.
At this point in time we have 14 senior outfield players for a match day squad and one of those is already out injured.
1 (Taylor) is the number of the out & out forwards in the squad
2 (Forster-Caskey and Page) are returning from season long injuries
2 (Pearce and Prately) are the only proven game managers and leaders*
3 more (Solly, Pearce, Williams) carry significant career injury profiles
5 ((Forster-Caskey, Pearce, Pratley, Solly, Williams) only have any notable Championship experience
6 is the number of additions required to meet the stated requirement of 2 players per position
6 is normally the number of weeks targeted as settling down a new squad
6 is the number of league games in August
8 players are entering the last year of their contract.
9 is the number of days before our first competitive fixture
* I acknowledge Lockyer and Oshilaja may step into such roles
The squad has lost players who represented 48% of last years league one campaign appearances.
14 senior players left the payroll in June.
3 (Forster-Caskey, Purrington, Williams) have been brought back
3 (Lockyer, Oshilaja, Aneke) have been added
Bonne has been brought in from the National League
Bonne and Purrington incurred transfer fees
The club received compensation for the departures of Aribo and Fosu
The achievement of Championship status increases the clubs central revenue by£3-4mn or £60-80k per week.
You are perfectly entitled to determine whatever expectations you like for the coming season.
May I politely suggest however people respect the above is the profile against which Bowyer and Gallen are having to work. They are likely to need every gram of support supporters can offer.
Two final numbers;
4 represents the number of roles Gallen is currently undertaking as Head of Recruitment, Chief Scout, CEO and Financial controller.
2% represents the participation of our beneficial owner.
It is a long season. Can Bowyer Jackson and Marshall build, coach, manage and develop the squad over the coming months to survive the campaign - none of us can be certain - either way. I am sure we all wish them well but I doubt the journey will be for the faint hearted.
Lockyer Pearce Sarr
Dijksteel Pratley Forster-Caskey Purrington
Aneke Williams
Taylor
Amos, Solly, Oshilaja, Lapslie, Morgan, Wiredu, Bonne
How weak is that midfield and attack in that 18? It wouldn't even be competitive enough in League One. It shows we really need a lot of work yet before we can see the light at the end of the tunnel.
Pratley is an older midfielder who has previously struggled in recent seasons in the Championship and couldn't hold down a place in League One, albeit was extremely valuable at the end and in the play-offs.
Forster-Caskey has just had a year out with an injury that could have ended his career. He hasn't played competitive football for what will be over 15 months when he plays in August.
Aneke was playing in League Two last season and albeit scored a lot of goals and done well, he has never played in the Championship.
Williams is a classy player but has an unfortunate record of injuries. If he can stay fit, he does have the potential to be one of the most influential players in the division. I really do believe that.
Lapslie had a full year of being involved in the first team last season but he was never a player who was going to play regularly or hold down a place in a team looking for promotion, any other club would be looking to loan him out and get him first team experience in League One this season.
Morgan barely played for us, and yes when he did he was very good in possession and Bowyer knows he has that quality. However, he has specifically said that his game out of possession is not good enough and will be hoping to send him out on loan next season.
Wiredu played for Bromley in the National League last season and although he done okay, he didn't set the division alight. Again, another young player of which we cannot be expect him to be apart of a Championship campaign. He could well be, but it wouldn't be fair to expect that.
Bonne played and scored regularly in the National League last season and the season before that with Leyton Orient. However, Bowyer recognises that it's a huge jump up to the Championship especially one for a player who is not necessarily strong.
This is without even thinking of us losing Cullen, Bielik and Aribo. Without the squad depth of players like Reeves. Yes we might have had Parker, but we also had Vetokele and we also had Grant before he was sold. As things stand, the only striker we can rely on is Taylor who has not played at this level before in his career. The midfield explains itself as I've said above.
I'll say it again, we are ridiculously weak in midfield and attack for a team who is going into the Championship and hoping to be able to compete and survive. We will get there, I have no doubt and all faith in Bowyer and Gallen, but lets not kid ourselves because other than the defence and goalkeepers, it's looking rather grim.
It's going to be difficult but I think that Taylor has the ability to bring out the best in those around him, so we have to just wait and see. But I do completely agree with you.
HG - I think there is a difference of opinion over the terminology.
Who do you think is structuring and agreeing the contracts within a defined budget?
Who do you think will be referring financial proposals re players contracts to Duchatelet?
I am not suggesting he is the CFO.
Could be that's the offer made, take it or leave again.
Job of the FC is to administer RDs paltry budget, of say £10m, and as we sign players, advise SG/LB how much is left in the kitty. He will have to explain to RD why we are not meeting the budget because, as an under-resourced side flirting with relegation our revenue is diluted by no walk ins on match day, and stay away STH not buying add ons. Doubt SG knows a debit from a credit.