I still can’t see which of the remaining players under contract are going to be our core/top players next season that will get us out this league, other than Dobson and Leaburn. AMB, Ness, Campbell and Mitchell are all promising youngsters, but it’s very hard to say Ness for example, is ready to be a promotion winning centre back. Then we have the likes of Fraser and CBT, neither strike me as consistently good enough. Egbo may fit the bill at RB, but if you take a number like 6 or 7 really good players, just getting that is going to be hard enough based on where we’re starting.
At the moment, for me, only Dobson and Leaburn fit that really good category. After that it’s unknown potential and inconsistency. You could argue a CBT or a Fraser suddenly becomes more consistent/effective with 2 or 3 more really good additions, but I can’t see it in either of them to be honest.
I really couldn’t care if I don’t see any of the out of contract players play for us again, but I think the bigger worry is who/where are the JRS’ going to come from?
Last time we went up only really the center halves and Aribo ended up being our core/best players from the year before.
We need about 7. But they need to be very good.
6/7 is a good base, at the moment for me, I think we have 2. It may be more than 2 in other people’s opinions, but we definitely don’t have 6/7. As you say, they have to be very good.
The Bowyer season we did exceptionally well with Bielik and Cullen on loan, and last season we did very well with JRS. Great loans are possible as well, so that could be 2 of the 6/7 needed
@Swisdom probably got it bang on yesterday. We’ll sign three or four permanent deals and rely on getting lucky with three or four loans. I really don’t see that as getting us near where we want to be. For starters we need two strikers and we can’t wait until the PL teams announce their squads to fill those places. We have to be ambitious and buy. Even then, that still leaves us with holes all over the pitch. We need seven plus senior players to come in and probably three loans on top. Can’t see it.
Yep, 2 half decent new strikers would be a statement of intent from new owners, why has our recruitment been so rubbish!
Any team is as good as its midfield.The year we went up we had a choice of Cullen,Pratley.Williams,Beilic and Aribo.OK,Dobbo fills the Pratley role,Fraser possibly for Wiliams,but where do we get another Cullen,Beilic or Aribo from.
And then you also have to replace JRS with someone who can score/assist ~25 goals. Now you can see where @Cafc43v3r ‘s (probably accurate) assessment that we’re going to need seven very good additions comes from.
Based on our recent recruitment performance I would be pretty surprised if we were able to bring in more than three very good players in one window. The state of the squad is such that it will take at least a couple of seasons to get into a competitive state.
Probably right,I think we hit the jackpot with JRS the kid is a diamond,but we have a history of getting good loans from London clubs,Gallagher,Cullen,Beilic,so maybe another couple could be unearthed.If only we could find the magic potion to keep Aneke and CBT fit,that would go a long way to solving the goal scoring problem,especially if Miles can kick on next year.
Our midfield is a real issue I think. We concede so many goals because half the time there's little to no resistance ahead of our defence. Bielik and Cullen were so good going forward, but also brilliant at breaking up play.
Dobson is great at tackling, not so great going forward. Fraser can be good going forward, but is useless defensively. Morgan is Morgan so can either be useful or useless depending on what sort of game he's having. Henry doesn't look anywhere near ready for first team football, let alone a promotion push.
Any team is as good as its midfield.The year we went up we had a choice of Cullen,Pratley.Williams,Beilic and Aribo.OK,Dobbo fills the Pratley role,Fraser possibly for Wiliams,but where do we get another Cullen,Beilic or Aribo from.
And then you also have to replace JRS with someone who can score/assist ~25 goals. Now you can see where @Cafc43v3r ‘s (probably accurate) assessment that we’re going to need seven very good additions comes from.
Based on our recent recruitment performance I would be pretty surprised if we were able to bring in more than three very good players in one window. The state of the squad is such that it will take at least a couple of seasons to get into a competitive state.
Probably right,I think we hit the jackpot with JRS the kid is a diamond,but we have a history of getting good loans from London clubs,Gallagher,Cullen,Beilic,so maybe another couple could be unearthed.If only we could find the magic potion to keep Aneke and CBT fit,that would go a long way to solving the goal scoring problem,especially if Miles can kick on next year.
can't rely on keeping Aneke fit. In my opinion, we need to act as if we don't have him at all in this window
^^^^ agree, we should ignore that Chuks is option at all and if by some miracle he is then it's a bonus.
For me this all just feeds into the issue I have been at pains to point out when it comes to The Chuks Paradox.
A lot depends on what formation we play next year. However if you are a quality striker, but potentially going to be 2nd choice behind Leaburn if we are only playing one up top - you could then find yourself further down the pecking order if Aneke is (a miracle I know) fit.
It would take a brave manager to not use a fit Aneke as your substitute off the bench/rotation option.
I imagine a 'quality' striker who has other options for a team where either they guaranteed to play two up top, or they would be a clear second choice - would be more inclined to go to that team then us (money talks though).
However it would be a brave move to spend a chunk of your budget on a player who you may not end up utilising much if Leaburn and Chuks are fit. I'd rather if went as a 4-3-3, that we had Leaburn, A Chuks quality player that is not Chuks, a decent 'squad' budget level striker, and maybe a yoof. But we can't do that.
Our midfield is a real issue I think. We concede so many goals because half the time there's little to no resistance ahead of our defence. Bielik and Cullen were so good going forward, but also brilliant at breaking up play.
Dobson is great at tackling, not so great going forward. Fraser can be good going forward, but is useless defensively. Morgan is Morgan so can either be useful or useless depending on what sort of game he's having. Henry doesn't look anywhere near ready for first team football, let alone a promotion push.
To me this highlights the problem. He makes nearly 50% more tackles than pretty much every other player in the division and we still ship a lot of goals.
As an individual metric its positive as a team metric its a shocking indicator of issues elsewhere.
Our midfield is a real issue I think. We concede so many goals because half the time there's little to no resistance ahead of our defence. Bielik and Cullen were so good going forward, but also brilliant at breaking up play.
Dobson is great at tackling, not so great going forward. Fraser can be good going forward, but is useless defensively. Morgan is Morgan so can either be useful or useless depending on what sort of game he's having. Henry doesn't look anywhere near ready for first team football, let alone a promotion push.
To me this highlights the problem. He makes nearly 50% more tackles than pretty much every other player in the division and we still ship a lot of goals.
As an individual metric it’s positive as a team metric it’s a shocking indicator of issues elsewhere.
Raki was superb going forward but I think he was very poor at tracking back. Clair seemed to press quite closely to a right winger that seemed to me to leave quite a gap between him and the CH - especially when that CH was Inniss. If the back joined in we were highly vulnerable. Obviously the left back position has been a problem whenever Sess was unavailable and the two CH positions have frequently been different pairings all season. If we had a decent back four that stayed fit I think Dobbo would provide the cover we need which would give any other midfielders the time and space to do their job. I would like to keep Egbo, Sess and Hector, but we need at least equal talent as back up.
I'm surprised they haven't announced the departure list yet. Surely it'll be beneficial for those players to put it out there that they're available. I see no reason to be quiet about it.
I'm surprised they haven't announced the departure list yet. Surely it'll be beneficial for those players to put it out there that they're available. I see no reason to be quiet about it.
I’m sure it will be out at some point this week. And those players agents have probably been offering their players out for weeks/months so probably makes no difference to them
Nathan Harvey has been released too. Know it’s a lot lower level but looked excellent in his games on loan at Chatham at the end of the season. Hope he goes on to do well
Midfield is the biggest problem and has been for a few years now - it will not be possible to get promotion with Albie as a starter
I don't think anyone is suggesting we could. Last time we got promoted with Lapsie, Marshall, JFC (who made about 5 appearances) and a 18 year old Morgan as some of our midfield options.
Nathan Harvey has been released too. Know it’s a lot lower level but looked excellent in his games on loan at Chatham at the end of the season. Hope he goes on to do well
Wollacott, Maynard-Brewer and Harness all Infront of him and 2 of those are still young too, so not much chance of making it with us anyway I guess
Here's how I see it. Going to try to keep it realistic, i.e. we're not going to sign JRS, we're not going to get Chuks to terminate his contract, etc. Also, this is for players who had at least a somewhat consistent first team presence this season (plus Deji, who seemed to fall off a cliff for some reason), so doesn't include players coming through like Rylah, Kone, etc.
Keep (under contract): AMB, Wollacott, Ness, Egbo, Dobbo, Fraser, Payne, Mitchell, Deji, Campbell, CBT, Leaburn, Kanu, Aneke (he's not going anywhere, he's not going to agree to terminate his contract, but we can't rely on him), McGrandles (thanks @seth plum)
Sign (Out of Contract/On Loan): Hector, Sess (I don't think he's attainable), Thomas, Henry, Kane (but I think he's probably gone)
Move on (Out of contract/loan ending/try to get rid): ::takes deep breath:: Inniss, Killkenny, Penney (bless), Harness, JRS (would obviously keep but won't happen), Bonne, Kirk, Lavelle, DJ (think he's out of contract)
Not sure but leaning "No": Morgan, Clare. I think both could be good players at this level, but both are tactically lacking and their best position/role isn't entirely clear/nailed down. It may be best for everyone, especially Albie, if they move on. But given how much both played down the stretch, I also wouldn't be surprised if both are at least offered new deals, if not signed up for next season. I won't be too bothered either way, but if we sign them, we need to also sign players who are better.
Loan out: Henry, Kanu, Deji. I think it's really important for their development that they play men's football, especially since Deji just doesn't seem fancied at the moment. I might add Mitchell to this category, but he seems like he's ready to be a fourth choice CB at this level starting next season.
That leaves: GK: 2 (our strongest position) RB: 1 (+1 if we keep Clare and/or Kane) CB: 3, but need one more who is capable of being first choice LB: 1, but realistically 0 given I don't think we sign Sess. We need two. DM: 1, we need cover, Dobbo will not play almost every game again next season CM: 2 need two more first choice CM, maybe one who can play as the holding player. Can mix and match a bit here. But we need quality more than quantity. Wing: 3 I'm counting Payne as a winger here. This is another one where we need quality, not quantity. A first choice RW and we look pretty strong here. ST: 1 Kanu needs to go on loan unless we play two up top regularly, and Aneke can't be trusted. I also don't think Miles will be here next season, so we need at least two.
That 6/7 signings that we need. Some can and probably should be loans, given that's a good way to get quality players we might not otherwise have the ability to sign. The good news is if we can resign a couple of players we have the framework for good depth. But this summer, we need quality, not quantity, and a lot of quality at that. That's going to be tough to get.
Here's how I see it. Going to try to keep it realistic, i.e. we're not going to sign JRS, we're not going to get Chuks to terminate his contract, etc. Also, this is for players who had at least a somewhat consistent first team presence this season (plus Deji, who seemed to fall off a cliff for some reason), so doesn't include players coming through like Rylah, Kone, etc.
Keep (under contract): AMB, Wollacott, Ness, Egbo, Dobbo, Fraser, Payne, Mitchell, Deji, Campbell, CBT, Leaburn, Kanu, Aneke (he's not going anywhere, he's not going to agree to terminate his contract, but we can't rely on him)
Sign (Out of Contract/On Loan): Hector, Sess (I don't think he's attainable), Thomas, Henry, Kane (but I think he's probably gone)
Move on (Out of contract/loan ending/try to get rid): ::takes deep breath:: Inniss, Killkenny, Penney (bless), Harness, JRS (would obviously keep but won't happen), Bonne, Kirk, Lavelle, DJ (think he's out of contract)
Not sure but leaning "No": Morgan, Clare. I think both could be good players at this level, but both are tactically lacking and their best position/role isn't entirely clear/nailed down. It may be best for everyone, especially Albie, if they move on. But given how much both played down the stretch, I also wouldn't be surprised if both are at least offered new deals, if not signed up for next season. I won't be too bothered either way, but if we sign them, we need to also sign players who are better.
Loan out: Henry, Kanu, Deji. I think it's really important for their development that they play men's football, especially since Deji just doesn't seem fancied at the moment. I might add Mitchell to this category, but he seems like he's ready to be a fourth choice CB at this level starting next season.
That leaves: GK: 2 (our strongest position) RB: 1 (+1 if we keep Clare and/or Kane) CB: 3, but need one more who is capable of being first choice LB: 1, but realistically 0 given I don't think we sign Sess. We need two. DM: 1, we need cover, Dobbo will not play almost every game again next season CM: 2 need two more first choice CM, maybe one who can play as the holding player. Can mix and match a bit here. But we need quality more than quantity. Wing: 3 I'm counting Payne as a winger here. This is another one where we need quality, not quantity. A first choice RW and we look pretty strong here. ST: 1 Kanu needs to go on loan unless we play two up top regularly, and Aneke can't be trusted. I also don't think Miles will be here next season, so we need at least two.
That 6/7 signings that we need. Some can and probably should be loans, given that's a good way to get quality players we might not otherwise have the ability to sign. The good news is if we can resign a couple of players we have the framework for good depth. But this summer, we need quality, not quantity, and a lot of quality at that. That's going to be tough to get.
Generally agree with the assessment above. It may be that Deji's loan to Bromley will have pushed him into first team reckoning, because by all accounts he did really well there (bar his final action). It worked that way for Ness.
I would hope that a loan for Kanu to a National League side would make him look like JRS did in league one and he will then be able to come back season after and really be able to lead the line for us.
Here's how I see it. Going to try to keep it realistic, i.e. we're not going to sign JRS, we're not going to get Chuks to terminate his contract, etc. Also, this is for players who had at least a somewhat consistent first team presence this season (plus Deji, who seemed to fall off a cliff for some reason), so doesn't include players coming through like Rylah, Kone, etc.
Keep (under contract): AMB, Wollacott, Ness, Egbo, Dobbo, Fraser, Payne, Mitchell, Deji, Campbell, CBT, Leaburn, Kanu, Aneke (he's not going anywhere, he's not going to agree to terminate his contract, but we can't rely on him)
Sign (Out of Contract/On Loan): Hector, Sess (I don't think he's attainable), Thomas, Henry, Kane (but I think he's probably gone)
Move on (Out of contract/loan ending/try to get rid): ::takes deep breath:: Inniss, Killkenny, Penney (bless), Harness, JRS (would obviously keep but won't happen), Bonne, Kirk, Lavelle, DJ (think he's out of contract)
Not sure but leaning "No": Morgan, Clare. I think both could be good players at this level, but both are tactically lacking and their best position/role isn't entirely clear/nailed down. It may be best for everyone, especially Albie, if they move on. But given how much both played down the stretch, I also wouldn't be surprised if both are at least offered new deals, if not signed up for next season. I won't be too bothered either way, but if we sign them, we need to also sign players who are better.
Loan out: Henry, Kanu, Deji. I think it's really important for their development that they play men's football, especially since Deji just doesn't seem fancied at the moment. I might add Mitchell to this category, but he seems like he's ready to be a fourth choice CB at this level starting next season.
That leaves: GK: 2 (our strongest position) RB: 1 (+1 if we keep Clare and/or Kane) CB: 3, but need one more who is capable of being first choice LB: 1, but realistically 0 given I don't think we sign Sess. We need two. DM: 1, we need cover, Dobbo will not play almost every game again next season CM: 2 need two more first choice CM, maybe one who can play as the holding player. Can mix and match a bit here. But we need quality more than quantity. Wing: 3 I'm counting Payne as a winger here. This is another one where we need quality, not quantity. A first choice RW and we look pretty strong here. ST: 1 Kanu needs to go on loan unless we play two up top regularly, and Aneke can't be trusted. I also don't think Miles will be here next season, so we need at least two.
That 6/7 signings that we need. Some can and probably should be loans, given that's a good way to get quality players we might not otherwise have the ability to sign. The good news is if we can resign a couple of players we have the framework for good depth. But this summer, we need quality, not quantity, and a lot of quality at that. That's going to be tough to get.
Generally agree with the assessment above. It may be that Deji's loan to Bromley will have pushed him into first team reckoning, because by all accounts he did really well there (bar his final action). It worked that way for Ness.
I would hope that a loan for Kanu to a National League side would make him look like JRS did in league one and he will then be able to come back season after and really be able to lead the line for us.
I hope so with Deji. Last season he looked raw but very promising. He was then sent out on loan very early in pre-season, then wasn't picked when he came back despite us being short on CBs, and then just seemed to be nowhere near the first team by the end of the season. He's only 19, there's still plenty of time for him to develop, I was just surprised that it felt like he took a real step backward this year after a breakthrough year last year. But sometimes that happens, and progress isn't always linear.
Agree about Kanu as well, although I'm thinking more Karlan Grant at Crawley. I don't think Kanu has the technical or physical abilities that Grant has/had (he's still only 25 FFS), but playing senior football and hopefully scoring goals should do him a world of good.
Here's how I see it. Going to try to keep it realistic, i.e. we're not going to sign JRS, we're not going to get Chuks to terminate his contract, etc. Also, this is for players who had at least a somewhat consistent first team presence this season (plus Deji, who seemed to fall off a cliff for some reason), so doesn't include players coming through like Rylah, Kone, etc.
Keep (under contract): AMB, Wollacott, Ness, Egbo, Dobbo, Fraser, Payne, Mitchell, Deji, Campbell, CBT, Leaburn, Kanu, Aneke (he's not going anywhere, he's not going to agree to terminate his contract, but we can't rely on him)
Sign (Out of Contract/On Loan): Hector, Sess (I don't think he's attainable), Thomas, Henry, Kane (but I think he's probably gone)
Move on (Out of contract/loan ending/try to get rid): ::takes deep breath:: Inniss, Killkenny, Penney (bless), Harness, JRS (would obviously keep but won't happen), Bonne, Kirk, Lavelle, DJ (think he's out of contract)
Not sure but leaning "No": Morgan, Clare. I think both could be good players at this level, but both are tactically lacking and their best position/role isn't entirely clear/nailed down. It may be best for everyone, especially Albie, if they move on. But given how much both played down the stretch, I also wouldn't be surprised if both are at least offered new deals, if not signed up for next season. I won't be too bothered either way, but if we sign them, we need to also sign players who are better.
Loan out: Henry, Kanu, Deji. I think it's really important for their development that they play men's football, especially since Deji just doesn't seem fancied at the moment. I might add Mitchell to this category, but he seems like he's ready to be a fourth choice CB at this level starting next season.
That leaves: GK: 2 (our strongest position) RB: 1 (+1 if we keep Clare and/or Kane) CB: 3, but need one more who is capable of being first choice LB: 1, but realistically 0 given I don't think we sign Sess. We need two. DM: 1, we need cover, Dobbo will not play almost every game again next season CM: 2 need two more first choice CM, maybe one who can play as the holding player. Can mix and match a bit here. But we need quality more than quantity. Wing: 3 I'm counting Payne as a winger here. This is another one where we need quality, not quantity. A first choice RW and we look pretty strong here. ST: 1 Kanu needs to go on loan unless we play two up top regularly, and Aneke can't be trusted. I also don't think Miles will be here next season, so we need at least two.
That 6/7 signings that we need. Some can and probably should be loans, given that's a good way to get quality players we might not otherwise have the ability to sign. The good news is if we can resign a couple of players we have the framework for good depth. But this summer, we need quality, not quantity, and a lot of quality at that. That's going to be tough to get.
Generally agree with the assessment above. It may be that Deji's loan to Bromley will have pushed him into first team reckoning, because by all accounts he did really well there (bar his final action). It worked that way for Ness.
I would hope that a loan for Kanu to a National League side would make him look like JRS did in league one and he will then be able to come back season after and really be able to lead the line for us.
I hope so with Deji. Last season he looked raw but very promising. He was then sent out on loan very early in pre-season, then wasn't picked when he came back despite us being short on CBs, and then just seemed to be nowhere near the first team by the end of the season. He's only 19, there's still plenty of time for him to develop, I was just surprised that it felt like he took a real step backward this year after a breakthrough year last year. But sometimes that happens, and progress isn't always linear.
Agree about Kanu as well, although I'm thinking more Karlan Grant at Crawley. I don't think Kanu has the technical or physical abilities that Grant has/had (he's still only 25 FFS), but playing senior football and hopefully scoring goals should do him a world of good.
For his first loan, somewhere local where he's guaranteed to get game time would be good, Somewhere like Bromley.
Interestingly, I was reading today that Grant has been put up for sale by West Brom. He hasn't kicked on from his initial burst onto the scene with them in the Premier League.
Seriously though, Fox would fit a needed role of left sided, left footed defender. He's played so much in the Champ that I think he'll probably stay there. I also don't think he would want to come back given how much he was scapegoated when he was here, but I wouldn't mind him at all.
Seriously though, Fox would fit a needed role of left sided, left footed defender. He's played so much in the Champ that I think he'll probably stay there. I also don't think he would want to come back given how much he was scapegoated when he was here, but I wouldn't mind him at all.
He’d be a great signing at this level, which is why we have no chance.
Here's how I see it. Going to try to keep it realistic, i.e. we're not going to sign JRS, we're not going to get Chuks to terminate his contract, etc. Also, this is for players who had at least a somewhat consistent first team presence this season (plus Deji, who seemed to fall off a cliff for some reason), so doesn't include players coming through like Rylah, Kone, etc.
Keep (under contract): AMB, Wollacott, Ness, Egbo, Dobbo, Fraser, Payne, Mitchell, Deji, Campbell, CBT, Leaburn, Kanu, Aneke (he's not going anywhere, he's not going to agree to terminate his contract, but we can't rely on him)
Sign (Out of Contract/On Loan): Hector, Sess (I don't think he's attainable), Thomas, Henry, Kane (but I think he's probably gone)
Move on (Out of contract/loan ending/try to get rid): ::takes deep breath:: Inniss, Killkenny, Penney (bless), Harness, JRS (would obviously keep but won't happen), Bonne, Kirk, Lavelle, DJ (think he's out of contract)
Not sure but leaning "No": Morgan, Clare. I think both could be good players at this level, but both are tactically lacking and their best position/role isn't entirely clear/nailed down. It may be best for everyone, especially Albie, if they move on. But given how much both played down the stretch, I also wouldn't be surprised if both are at least offered new deals, if not signed up for next season. I won't be too bothered either way, but if we sign them, we need to also sign players who are better.
Loan out: Henry, Kanu, Deji. I think it's really important for their development that they play men's football, especially since Deji just doesn't seem fancied at the moment. I might add Mitchell to this category, but he seems like he's ready to be a fourth choice CB at this level starting next season.
That leaves: GK: 2 (our strongest position) RB: 1 (+1 if we keep Clare and/or Kane) CB: 3, but need one more who is capable of being first choice LB: 1, but realistically 0 given I don't think we sign Sess. We need two. DM: 1, we need cover, Dobbo will not play almost every game again next season CM: 2 need two more first choice CM, maybe one who can play as the holding player. Can mix and match a bit here. But we need quality more than quantity. Wing: 3 I'm counting Payne as a winger here. This is another one where we need quality, not quantity. A first choice RW and we look pretty strong here. ST: 1 Kanu needs to go on loan unless we play two up top regularly, and Aneke can't be trusted. I also don't think Miles will be here next season, so we need at least two.
That 6/7 signings that we need. Some can and probably should be loans, given that's a good way to get quality players we might not otherwise have the ability to sign. The good news is if we can resign a couple of players we have the framework for good depth. But this summer, we need quality, not quantity, and a lot of quality at that. That's going to be tough to get.
Good post. I think you may have overlooked McGrandles.
Harvey doesn’t surprise me sadly. I was never convinced by him. Very vocal but made erratic decisions when I watched him. Honestly think he’ll go on to be a clock coach or a pe teacher
Mack Reilly I never really “got”. he doesn’t have a trick up his sleeve but was pretty big and powerful but not comfortable enough on the ball to play in the middle.
I wish them both all the best but I didn’t expect them to stay with us
Trying to think who else is left from the U21s group that isn't an U18 , haven't seen Euan Williams or Ryan Viggers mentioned yet , not sure how long Jason Adigun signed for last summer either
Comments
Dobson is great at tackling, not so great going forward. Fraser can be good going forward, but is useless defensively. Morgan is Morgan so can either be useful or useless depending on what sort of game he's having. Henry doesn't look anywhere near ready for first team football, let alone a promotion push.
A lot depends on what formation we play next year. However if you are a quality striker, but potentially going to be 2nd choice behind Leaburn if we are only playing one up top - you could then find yourself further down the pecking order if Aneke is (a miracle I know) fit.
It would take a brave manager to not use a fit Aneke as your substitute off the bench/rotation option.
I imagine a 'quality' striker who has other options for a team where either they guaranteed to play two up top, or they would be a clear second choice - would be more inclined to go to that team then us (money talks though).
However it would be a brave move to spend a chunk of your budget on a player who you may not end up utilising much if Leaburn and Chuks are fit. I'd rather if went as a 4-3-3, that we had Leaburn, A Chuks quality player that is not Chuks, a decent 'squad' budget level striker, and maybe a yoof. But we can't do that.
As an individual metric its positive as a team metric its a shocking indicator of issues elsewhere.
Clair seemed to press quite closely to a right winger that seemed to me to leave quite a gap between him and the CH - especially when that CH was Inniss. If the back joined in we were highly vulnerable.
Obviously the left back position has been a problem whenever Sess was unavailable and the two CH positions have frequently been different pairings all season.
If we had a decent back four that stayed fit I think Dobbo would provide the cover we need which would give any other midfielders the time and space to do their job.
I would like to keep Egbo, Sess and Hector, but we need at least equal talent as back up.
surprised that Nathan Harvey is being released too, again another player who looked very positive and astute
Keep (under contract): AMB, Wollacott, Ness, Egbo, Dobbo, Fraser, Payne, Mitchell, Deji, Campbell, CBT, Leaburn, Kanu, Aneke (he's not going anywhere, he's not going to agree to terminate his contract, but we can't rely on him), McGrandles (thanks @seth plum)
Sign (Out of Contract/On Loan): Hector, Sess (I don't think he's attainable), Thomas, Henry, Kane (but I think he's probably gone)
Move on (Out of contract/loan ending/try to get rid): ::takes deep breath:: Inniss, Killkenny, Penney (bless), Harness, JRS (would obviously keep but won't happen), Bonne, Kirk, Lavelle, DJ (think he's out of contract)
Not sure but leaning "No": Morgan, Clare. I think both could be good players at this level, but both are tactically lacking and their best position/role isn't entirely clear/nailed down. It may be best for everyone, especially Albie, if they move on. But given how much both played down the stretch, I also wouldn't be surprised if both are at least offered new deals, if not signed up for next season. I won't be too bothered either way, but if we sign them, we need to also sign players who are better.
Loan out: Henry, Kanu, Deji. I think it's really important for their development that they play men's football, especially since Deji just doesn't seem fancied at the moment. I might add Mitchell to this category, but he seems like he's ready to be a fourth choice CB at this level starting next season.
That leaves:
GK: 2 (our strongest position)
RB: 1 (+1 if we keep Clare and/or Kane)
CB: 3, but need one more who is capable of being first choice
LB: 1, but realistically 0 given I don't think we sign Sess. We need two.
DM: 1, we need cover, Dobbo will not play almost every game again next season
CM: 2 need two more first choice CM, maybe one who can play as the holding player. Can mix and match a bit here. But we need quality more than quantity.
Wing: 3 I'm counting Payne as a winger here. This is another one where we need quality, not quantity. A first choice RW and we look pretty strong here.
ST: 1 Kanu needs to go on loan unless we play two up top regularly, and Aneke can't be trusted. I also don't think Miles will be here next season, so we need at least two.
That 6/7 signings that we need. Some can and probably should be loans, given that's a good way to get quality players we might not otherwise have the ability to sign. The good news is if we can resign a couple of players we have the framework for good depth. But this summer, we need quality, not quantity, and a lot of quality at that. That's going to be tough to get.
I would hope that a loan for Kanu to a National League side would make him look like JRS did in league one and he will then be able to come back season after and really be able to lead the line for us.
Agree about Kanu as well, although I'm thinking more Karlan Grant at Crawley. I don't think Kanu has the technical or physical abilities that Grant has/had (he's still only 25 FFS), but playing senior football and hopefully scoring goals should do him a world of good.
Interestingly, I was reading today that Grant has been put up for sale by West Brom. He hasn't kicked on from his initial burst onto the scene with them in the Premier League.
I think you may have overlooked McGrandles.
Mack Reilly I never really “got”. he doesn’t have a trick up his sleeve but was pretty big and powerful but not comfortable enough on the ball to play in the middle.