I know we're ahead. I'm very positive about our transfer business. But I don't think we yet have a squad capable of challenging for the top 2.
The clubs who will finish in the top 2 possibly don’t yet have squads that can challenge for the top 2 either.
Ipswich, Peterborough, Barnsley and Wednesday all looking strong at this point. And I still like Bolton's squad, personally.
They are the team to beat, as it stands IMO.
Agreed, something to note, they have built this team over the last 3 windows, adding quality in every one. Did ok last season, but they'll be top 6 next season.
I know we're ahead. I'm very positive about our transfer business. But I don't think we yet have a squad capable of challenging for the top 2.
The clubs who will finish in the top 2 possibly don’t yet have squads that can challenge for the top 2 either.
Ipswich, Peterborough, Barnsley and Wednesday all looking strong at this point. And I still like Bolton's squad, personally.
They are the team to beat, as it stands IMO.
Agreed, something to note, they have built this team over the last 3 windows, adding quality in every one. Did ok last season, but they'll be top 6 next season.
I thought it was strange that they released their captain, and one of their star players, after the window closed last season. But it actually made them better. Its a funny old game, sometimes.
I know we're ahead. I'm very positive about our transfer business. But I don't think we yet have a squad capable of challenging for the top 2.
The clubs who will finish in the top 2 possibly don’t yet have squads that can challenge for the top 2 either.
Ipswich, Peterborough, Barnsley and Wednesday all looking strong at this point. And I still like Bolton's squad, personally.
They are the team to beat, as it stands IMO.
Agreed, something to note, they have built this team over the last 3 windows, adding quality in every one. Did ok last season, but they'll be top 6 next season.
I thought it was strange that they released their captain, and one of their star players, after the window closed last season. But it actually made them better. Its a funny old game, sometimes.
Recruitment strategy seems spot on, bit like Peterborough's. Picking up strong talent from the lower leagues.
With the height we now have in our squad,we need to ensure that when we get set pieces we have someone capable of accuracy,none of this near post stuff,or popping the ball tamely into the keepers hands.Old fashioned corners aimed for near the penalty spot will bring rewards.
With the height we now have in our squad,we need to ensure that when we get set pieces we have someone capable of accuracy,none of this near post stuff,or popping the ball tamely into the keepers hands.Old fashioned corners aimed for near the penalty spot will bring rewards.
When you and I played together, Ray, you couldn't reach the penalty area with your corners 🤣🤣🤣
The team that got promoted under Bowyer still needed work after the season started and before the deadline, so I have no issue with nothing happening in the next 2 weeks, as long as we don’t end up with the Leko, Lee & Arter type scenario. I am quietly confident this won’t happen so fingers crossed we will have a decent squad/first XI by the end of the window.
the only thing I would caution is that we do need a real bit of quality to come in still. I don’t look at that team and think, we just need a few for cover, I look at it and think, we need better, so the likes of DJ for example is cover
Yann signed after the season started too, and was the final piece of the jigsaw that gave that team the extra it needed. As long as we have a team good enough to pick up points and keep us in touch at the top then a bit of business a few weeks into the season is fine, especially if waiting that bit longer gets you real quality like Yann or Bielik, for example.
The problem last season was that the squad was full of holes when the season started. This year’s still needs additions but we can, for example, put a full squad of senior pros and still have a few experienced players left out completely.
Good interview on Radio London. TS addresses the Brian J sacking and transfers. Doesn’t expect any new signings in next two weeks. Will be busy as the deadline approaches.
Good interview on Radio London. TS addresses the Brian J sacking and transfers. Doesn’t expect any new signings in next two weeks. Will be busy as the deadline approaches.
Good interview on Radio London. TS addresses the Brian J sacking and transfers. Doesn’t expect any new signings in next two weeks. Will be busy as the deadline approaches.
I know we're ahead. I'm very positive about our transfer business. But I don't think we yet have a squad capable of challenging for the top 2.
The clubs who will finish in the top 2 possibly don’t yet have squads that can challenge for the top 2 either.
Ipswich, Peterborough, Barnsley and Wednesday all looking strong at this point. And I still like Bolton's squad, personally.
Most of the top teams have needed far less rebuilding than us.
And are not undergoing the same kind of playing style identity metamorphosis.
However, at this point last season Ipswich looked strong, but it didn't happen for them. We're all on the same points and GD at the moment, so I'm remaining optimistic for now.
Ipswich have already had a successful change in management and playing style, and had a far better team at the end of last season than we did. At the moment they're well ahead of us on paper...
This squad as it is won't get us top 6. It'll struggle for top half.
The youngsters we are blooding can't replace seasoned professional in League 1.
My unconvinced kicks in once more!
Cheers up. Might never happen. Remember last summer when Jacob Roddy was our only left back, the alarmists were convinced that he was going to BE our left back. The guy never played a serious first team game.
(And to be honest, those "seasoned professionals" you're referring to got us to 13th and are now either retired, playing in Mickey mouse leagues in Cyprus, playing in front of 4,000 every week in the arse end of Scotland, playing in the National League South or just generally without a club.)
This squad as it is won't get us top 6. It'll struggle for top half.
The youngsters we are blooding can't replace seasoned professional in League 1.
My unconvinced kicks in once more!
Cheers up. Might never happen. Remember last summer when Jacob Roddy was our only left back, the alarmists were convinced that he was going to BE our left back. The guy never played a serious first team game.
(And to be honest, those "seasoned professionals" you're referring to got us to 13th and are now either retired, playing in Mickey mouse leagues in Cyprus, playing in front of 4,000 every week in the arse end of Scotland, playing in the National League South or just generated without a club.)
It's not our ex seasoned professionals I'm worried about but those at other clubs!
The team that got promoted under Bowyer still needed work after the season started and before the deadline, so I have no issue with nothing happening in the next 2 weeks, as long as we don’t end up with the Leko, Lee & Arter type scenario. I am quietly confident this won’t happen so fingers crossed we will have a decent squad/first XI by the end of the window.
the only thing I would caution is that we do need a real bit of quality to come in still. I don’t look at that team and think, we just need a few for cover, I look at it and think, we need better, so the likes of DJ for example is cover
Yann signed after the season started too, and was the final piece of the jigsaw that gave that team the extra it needed. As long as we have a team good enough to pick up points and keep us in touch at the top then a bit of business a few weeks into the season is fine, especially if waiting that bit longer gets you real quality like Yann or Bielik, for example.
The problem last season was that the squad was full of holes when the season started. This year’s still needs additions but we can, for example, put a full squad of senior pros and still have a few experienced players left out completely.
I know he’s not in the same league as Sir Yann, however Stockley needs a strike partner IMO of the POACHER standard of BWP - debate ?
With the height we now have in our squad,we need to ensure that when we get set pieces we have someone capable of accuracy,none of this near post stuff,or popping the ball tamely into the keepers hands.Old fashioned corners aimed for near the penalty spot will bring rewards.
When you and I played together, Ray, you couldn't reach the penalty area with your corners 🤣🤣🤣
I shouldnt think so I played centre half,but you are right I did take the odd one and was not very good at it,hope all is well with you.
With the height we now have in our squad,we need to ensure that when we get set pieces we have someone capable of accuracy,none of this near post stuff,or popping the ball tamely into the keepers hands.Old fashioned corners aimed for near the penalty spot will bring rewards.
When you and I played together, Ray, you couldn't reach the penalty area with your corners 🤣🤣🤣
In fairness those lace up leather balls weighed a ton when they were wet.
I know we're ahead. I'm very positive about our transfer business. But I don't think we yet have a squad capable of challenging for the top 2.
The clubs who will finish in the top 2 possibly don’t yet have squads that can challenge for the top 2 either.
Ipswich, Peterborough, Barnsley and Wednesday all looking strong at this point. And I still like Bolton's squad, personally.
Most of the top teams have needed far less rebuilding than us.
And are not undergoing the same kind of playing style identity metamorphosis.
However, at this point last season Ipswich looked strong, but it didn't happen for them. We're all on the same points and GD at the moment, so I'm remaining optimistic for now.
Ipswich have already had a successful change in management and playing style, and had a far better team at the end of last season than we did. At the moment they're well ahead of us on paper...
They were being lauded by all as league champions before a ball was kicked last season as well. What’s the old cliche about paper and grass ? Ipswich will I’m sure be right up there and so they should. I think by the time we’re into the season that we’ll hold our own.
With the height we now have in our squad,we need to ensure that when we get set pieces we have someone capable of accuracy,none of this near post stuff,or popping the ball tamely into the keepers hands.Old fashioned corners aimed for near the penalty spot will bring rewards.
When you and I played together, Ray, you couldn't reach the penalty area with your corners 🤣🤣🤣
In fairness those lace up leather balls weighed a ton when they were wet.
Especially when coupled with those bloody great big steel toe capped hob nail boots I bet...😎
The team that got promoted under Bowyer still needed work after the season started and before the deadline, so I have no issue with nothing happening in the next 2 weeks, as long as we don’t end up with the Leko, Lee & Arter type scenario. I am quietly confident this won’t happen so fingers crossed we will have a decent squad/first XI by the end of the window.
the only thing I would caution is that we do need a real bit of quality to come in still. I don’t look at that team and think, we just need a few for cover, I look at it and think, we need better, so the likes of DJ for example is cover
Yann signed after the season started too, and was the final piece of the jigsaw that gave that team the extra it needed. As long as we have a team good enough to pick up points and keep us in touch at the top then a bit of business a few weeks into the season is fine, especially if waiting that bit longer gets you real quality like Yann or Bielik, for example.
The problem last season was that the squad was full of holes when the season started. This year’s still needs additions but we can, for example, put a full squad of senior pros and still have a few experienced players left out completely.
I know he’s not in the same league as Sir Yann, however Stockley needs a strike partner IMO of the POACHER standard of BWP - debate ?
There is no debate. The strikers we had last season weren't good enough to get us into the top 6 & since then we've lost our joint top goal scorer & replaced him with a player who was average for a League 2 club who were the best at scoring goals.
Unless we draft in a striker who can at least replace Washington we won't get into the play offs, no matter how attacking we are.
The team that got promoted under Bowyer still needed work after the season started and before the deadline, so I have no issue with nothing happening in the next 2 weeks, as long as we don’t end up with the Leko, Lee & Arter type scenario. I am quietly confident this won’t happen so fingers crossed we will have a decent squad/first XI by the end of the window.
the only thing I would caution is that we do need a real bit of quality to come in still. I don’t look at that team and think, we just need a few for cover, I look at it and think, we need better, so the likes of DJ for example is cover
Yann signed after the season started too, and was the final piece of the jigsaw that gave that team the extra it needed. As long as we have a team good enough to pick up points and keep us in touch at the top then a bit of business a few weeks into the season is fine, especially if waiting that bit longer gets you real quality like Yann or Bielik, for example.
The problem last season was that the squad was full of holes when the season started. This year’s still needs additions but we can, for example, put a full squad of senior pros and still have a few experienced players left out completely.
I know he’s not in the same league as Sir Yann, however Stockley needs a strike partner IMO of the POACHER standard of BWP - debate ?
I don’t think we’ll be playing two up front. What we need the most is a wide forward/winger who will score goals. Someone to play either side of Stockley/Aneke inthe front 3. Right now we have Kirk, CBT, and DJ likely to fill those roles. Maybe Kirk is our best hope, but I don’t see lots of goals in any of them.
A third option for the central role would be good too, someone who offers something different to Stockley, is able to play 90 minutes, unlike Aneke, and is better than Davison.
The goalscoring wide forward is the highest priority now though, imo.
I think it is reasonable to feel that the squad is in better shape than last season, certainly than this time last summer.
I also think it's reasonable to feel that there are still gaps in a squad that need to be plugged if we are to challenge at the top of the table.
And the problem is, according to reports on here, TS has said we are unlikely to bring in anyone over the next 2 weeks & most likely signings will be towards the end if the transfer window.
So we could be starting the season with just the strikers we currently have. And like last season when we started with no fit left back we could get off to a stinker.
As Shirley Bassey once sang......" it's all just history repeating"
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https://www.telegraph.co.uk/football/2022/07/10/free-agents-losing-battle-guarantee-riches-old/
This means that many clubs won't be getting certain players until deadline day - I can see why.
The youngsters we are blooding can't replace seasoned professional in League 1.
My unconvinced kicks in once more!
Ipswich have already had a successful change in management and playing style, and had a far better team at the end of last season than we did. At the moment they're well ahead of us on paper...
(And to be honest, those "seasoned professionals" you're referring to got us to 13th and are now either retired, playing in Mickey mouse leagues in Cyprus, playing in front of 4,000 every week in the arse end of Scotland, playing in the National League South or just generally without a club.)
I also think it's reasonable to feel that there are still gaps in a squad that need to be plugged if we are to challenge at the top of the table.
Especially when coupled with those bloody great big steel toe capped hob nail boots I bet...😎
Unless we draft in a striker who can at least replace Washington we won't get into the play offs, no matter how attacking we are.
A third option for the central role would be good too, someone who offers something different to Stockley, is able to play 90 minutes, unlike Aneke, and is better than Davison.
So we could be starting the season with just the strikers we currently have. And like last season when we started with no fit left back we could get off to a stinker.
As Shirley Bassey once sang......" it's all just history repeating"