DJ and Kirk are surplus to requirements but are going to be hard to shift out. I suspect loans at best. No idea who other exit might be but I wouldn’t be totally shocked if Dobson was moved on if the deal suited the club and we had a suitable replacement in our sights. ( Marc Leonard ?).
Could be mustard. Could be Smith/Levitt. Would rather give one of our own kids a chance tbh.
Yeah wont complain if we sign him and he turns out well - But equally don't want him getting in the way of Anderson.
We needed four Strikers last season, but Leaburn stepped up to be one of those that we didnt need to go out and buy - Dont always need to look to the Transfer / Loan Market.
Sometimes just need to have the balls to trust a kid
Still lots of “ins” needed, imo, if we’re going to have a serious tilt at promotion. A right back, two left backs, a striker, and I don’t think we have enough cover in central midfield.
When everyone is fit, the first XI is decent, I think, (although still no left back) but a couple of injuries could seriously weaken us. We need to pray we keep everyone fit and available because that has been a feature of every promotion winning season in my life time, but we also need to try and plan for the eventuality that we will get injuries because experience teaches us that is very likely. It’s why I’m nervous about signing someone like Sess - a good player but one who’s history suggests he’ll be in the treatment room too frequently for what we need from him.
Two first team ready players for every position has to be the target, sprinkled with a few potentially ready youngsters and wildcard alternatives that maybe don’t fit the preferred system but allow us a plan b (like CBT and Campbell).
I suspect we may need to see a few leave first though and there’s still plenty that could (e.g. Kirk and DJ) and some others who might trigger a need for further signings should they move on (e,g. McGranndles, Payne).
Like many of the last few summers, we’ve made an ok start to our transfer dealings, but are we going to do the extra bits that will turn it from a decent summer to a great one? Recently it’s the last 20% (the hardest but if any project) that we haven’t got right. Hopefully this year is different. If it isn’t, I predict we won’t be getting promoted. The squad certainly isn’t quite there for that yet, but should at least improve a bit on last season.
If Mr Methven is even half-competent as a spin merchant, there will be at least three impressive new signings announced this week to confirm the brilliance of the new ownership structure, win over the sceptics and bury any awkward questions about who owns what and why it' s all concealed within a secret offshore tax haven.
This will be shortly followed by a season ticket last-minute special offer, to help pay for the new signings.
A ' steady Eddie' type left footed left back who can also fit in at left centre back.
A specialist left wing back if we are playing 3 5 2.
A left footed forward player to replace JRS.
An Andy Hughes type utility player who could cover right back and midfield.
A Mark Bright type veteran striker who could take some of the pressure off Miles Leaburn and Alfie May.
Agreed. If we play 3-5-2 rather than 4-3-3, isn't may the JRS replacement
I see May ( a year too late ) as Washington's replacement. Think we need a left footed forward so that we can mix it up and change formation when appropriate.
We need a striker more than anything else. With no sign of Leaburn being on the recovery road we can't go through August and maybe September with one fit striker and expect to be anywhere near the top-and what if May gets a knock?
Seems really important we get a striker, L(W)B and R(W)B in this week, I feel the rest can come in a little later.
Hopefully the silence is deafening and work is well underway, I can’t believe for a second the new owners have spent 12m+ to start the season as is
After those three it’s less obvious where we’d make further signings.
There’s a good case for another player in each of those positions.
In central midfield Fraser, Dobson, Camara, McGrandles, Anderson, Henry and Payne may be seen as enough. Bringing in another player either means upgrading on Fraser or Dobson (not convinced we’ll try) or signing a squad player which will block Anderson and Henry’s progress (not convinced by Henry but Holden might be). So that might only happen if someone leaves.
Similar situation at centre back, we have six players in Jones, Hector, Thomas, Mitchell, Elerewe and Ness. Any of the latter three could be loaned out which might leave room for a signing.
For me the only way we sign a winger is if they can also comfortably play up front.
No matter how good the "kids" are I would always feel more comfortable if we had senior players in place. Last season we got a bit lucky with how well Leaburn and Campbell did but at times they were playing because they were literally the only players in their positions we had.
Anderson and Asiimwe might end up forcing their way past the "senior" players which is great. Playing them because we don't have a senior alternative is bad IMO.
I still think we need a CM of the same sort of quality as Dobson amd Fraser. 2 left full/ wing backs, 1 right sided one and 2 strikers. Being greedy I want an experienced center back, even if it was someone that could help the u21s and provide cover so we aren't forced to play kids.
It’ll interesting to see how it all develops, including who’s sold and loaned out with what appears to be a bigger budget than recent years.
I don’t think luck fully explains it, especially in the case of Leaburn. He did better than expected but he was correctly judged to be ready to be a first team player.
We could waste budget bringing in average back up players if a youngster is capable, but what we don’t want is too many of them covering as it becomes a problem if they’re all playing due to injuries and suspensions. That’s where Holden needs to get the balance right.
Having the pathway is part of the reason we get the majority of our promising kids signed up on pro contracts.
They need to be judged individually rather than a blanket rule that every youngster must have two senior players ahead of them. Sometimes they’re clearly ready and need the opportunity in order to develop and keep them at the club.
But the point with Leaburn is two fold. He hadn't even played a full season of U21 football, in fact he made his u21s debut at the end of the previous season. By October he was our best number 9. Was he good enough to play? Yes clearly. Should he of had to play 90 minutes every week because there were no viable alternatives? Certainly not.
He should have been a bonus not the be all and end all.
Very, very, few first or second year pros can play 30+ games a season. Gomez didn't, he was dipped in and out.
You have also got, hopefully this year, the pressure of being expected to win every game.
Having the "kids" on the bench also stops them playing 90 minutes for the u21s which doesn't help their development either.
The aims for this season should obviously be promotion and doing the right thing for protect, grow and nurture this wonderful crop of 18 and 19 year olds we have.
There are people that would have had Barker in the match day squad for the last 3 seasons and have played Deji for the last 2 seasons.
TLDR: If they get in on merit it's a bonus, if they are plan A or even B you’re setting your self up to fail, and doing them no favours either.
Overall I agree, it was one of my frustrations in the RD years when players like Charles-Cook and Kennedy were thrown in. My point though is there are negatives by going too far the other way. Russell Slade is a good example - he didn’t give Aribo a proper chance and instead thought he could rely on the experience of Jackson, Crofts and Foley in midfield.
This is where Holden’s judgement comes into it. While we don’t want Charlie Barker types padding out the squad and playing when they’re not up to it, neither do we want to sign too many in the mould of Jack Payne, i.e. they aren’t quite good enough to regularly start and if it blocks a youngster ready for game time who has a lot of potential.
I’m not calling for any young player to play 30+ games, but there’s a clear difference between say Leaburn who is ready to contribute and Henry who needs game time out on loan. Leaburn’s progress would have been slower had we signed a couple of Bonne level strikers. Bringing in too many back ups doesn’t do much to improve our promotion chances either.
It’s an all about getting the balance right and being brave enough to create the space for youngsters to get opportunities. It’s got to be because the player is ready and not because it’s the cheap option or because we have no one else - I’m saying there may be one or two seen as ready to do that, as there usually has been in our recent history.
i don't expect anybody to be signed as back up this window. The first 11 needs improving by 4 or 5 players still - once that's sorted, we can start looking at taking punts and developing players etc - 4 or 5 first team ready loans and perms, offload as much dead wood as we can and promote the best couple of youngsters - the addition of a proven centre forward with some physical presence will compliment both may and leaburn as first choice and enable kanu to be used as a bit part if he doesn't go out on loan and the same for chucks on the rare occasions he may be available.
You would only sign one LWB? I would say as well as the 4 or 5 first team players we still need another left wing/full back, 4th striker and IMO a senior center back, unless we can get one better than Hector, Ness and Jones which I would be surprised, but excited, about.
DJ and Kirk need to go because a they aren't good enough and b there isn't a place for them in system and they aren't good enough to be wild cards.
i haven't said i would only sign one LWB but what i would do is concentrate on getting the best starting 11 we possibly can rather than having 2 players for every position - when push comes to shove at the business end of the season its about who has the best 11, not the best 22
We need a striker more than anything else. With no sign of Leaburn being on the recovery road we can't go through August and maybe September with one fit striker and expect to be anywhere near the top-and what if May gets a knock?
I think we’ll see three leave and five or six come in.
Pretty small squad if this is the case or at least we can expect to see 2-3 step ups (eg Anderson) on the bench every week. I would have hoped 5-6 if none leave, 7-8 if 2 or 3 go.
DJ and Kirk must be on their way out and I would also give Kanu a year or 6 months in League 2.
Holden prefers working with a small squad.
That might have been the case when he took over halfway through the season, but I wouldn't want to see it being his policy for the entire year.
Even then we nearly ran out of players in some positions - at CB Ness missed the last few weeks and we ended up with Hector and Thomas, Dobson needed a break and we ended up playing Aaron Henry in his position in the Cheltenham game and we lost Chuks Aneke and Miles Leaburn for a few games.
Numbers wise things were creaking by May. With new owners we need to have strength in depth otherwise the top six ambition will look wildly optimistic, again.
Still lots of “ins” needed, imo, if we’re going to have a serious tilt at promotion. A right back, two left backs, a striker, and I don’t think we have enough cover in central midfield.
When everyone is fit, the first XI is decent, I think, (although still no left back) but a couple of injuries could seriously weaken us. We need to pray we keep everyone fit and available because that has been a feature of every promotion winning season in my life time, but we also need to try and plan for the eventuality that we will get injuries because experience teaches us that is very likely. It’s why I’m nervous about signing someone like Sess - a good player but one who’s history suggests he’ll be in the treatment room too frequently for what we need from him.
Two first team ready players for every position has to be the target, sprinkled with a few potentially ready youngsters and wildcard alternatives that maybe don’t fit the preferred system but allow us a plan b (like CBT and Campbell).
I suspect we may need to see a few leave first though and there’s still plenty that could (e.g. Kirk and DJ) and some others who might trigger a need for further signings should they move on (e,g. McGranndles, Payne).
Like many of the last few summers, we’ve made an ok start to our transfer dealings, but are we going to do the extra bits that will turn it from a decent summer to a great one? Recently it’s the last 20% (the hardest but if any project) that we haven’t got right. Hopefully this year is different. If it isn’t, I predict we won’t be getting promoted. The squad certainly isn’t quite there for that yet, but should at least improve a bit on last season.
the first 11 is not good enough yet - the midfield 3 r probably there, we r a striker short, a centre half short and 2 full / wing backs and a maverick/ wing wizard - no way is our first 11 promotion material atm
Still lots of “ins” needed, imo, if we’re going to have a serious tilt at promotion. A right back, two left backs, a striker, and I don’t think we have enough cover in central midfield.
When everyone is fit, the first XI is decent, I think, (although still no left back) but a couple of injuries could seriously weaken us. We need to pray we keep everyone fit and available because that has been a feature of every promotion winning season in my life time, but we also need to try and plan for the eventuality that we will get injuries because experience teaches us that is very likely. It’s why I’m nervous about signing someone like Sess - a good player but one who’s history suggests he’ll be in the treatment room too frequently for what we need from him.
Two first team ready players for every position has to be the target, sprinkled with a few potentially ready youngsters and wildcard alternatives that maybe don’t fit the preferred system but allow us a plan b (like CBT and Campbell).
I suspect we may need to see a few leave first though and there’s still plenty that could (e.g. Kirk and DJ) and some others who might trigger a need for further signings should they move on (e,g. McGranndles, Payne).
Like many of the last few summers, we’ve made an ok start to our transfer dealings, but are we going to do the extra bits that will turn it from a decent summer to a great one? Recently it’s the last 20% (the hardest but if any project) that we haven’t got right. Hopefully this year is different. If it isn’t, I predict we won’t be getting promoted. The squad certainly isn’t quite there for that yet, but should at least improve a bit on last season.
the first 11 is not good enough yet - the midfield 3 r probably there, we r a striker short, a centre half short and 2 full / wing backs - no way ois our first 11 promotion material atm
Won’t be anymore CD brought in DH already said that ,, Elewere and Mitchell are now first team squad that gives us 6
Still lots of “ins” needed, imo, if we’re going to have a serious tilt at promotion. A right back, two left backs, a striker, and I don’t think we have enough cover in central midfield.
When everyone is fit, the first XI is decent, I think, (although still no left back) but a couple of injuries could seriously weaken us. We need to pray we keep everyone fit and available because that has been a feature of every promotion winning season in my life time, but we also need to try and plan for the eventuality that we will get injuries because experience teaches us that is very likely. It’s why I’m nervous about signing someone like Sess - a good player but one who’s history suggests he’ll be in the treatment room too frequently for what we need from him.
Two first team ready players for every position has to be the target, sprinkled with a few potentially ready youngsters and wildcard alternatives that maybe don’t fit the preferred system but allow us a plan b (like CBT and Campbell).
I suspect we may need to see a few leave first though and there’s still plenty that could (e.g. Kirk and DJ) and some others who might trigger a need for further signings should they move on (e,g. McGranndles, Payne).
Like many of the last few summers, we’ve made an ok start to our transfer dealings, but are we going to do the extra bits that will turn it from a decent summer to a great one? Recently it’s the last 20% (the hardest but if any project) that we haven’t got right. Hopefully this year is different. If it isn’t, I predict we won’t be getting promoted. The squad certainly isn’t quite there for that yet, but should at least improve a bit on last season.
the first 11 is not good enough yet - the midfield 3 r probably there, we r a striker short, a centre half short and 2 full / wing backs - no way ois our first 11 promotion material atm
Won’t be anymore CD brought in DH already said that ,, Elewere and Mitchell are now first team squad that gives us 6
fair enough - probably 5th on the list of importance
I want Mitchell and Elewere to progress but wish it was one rather than both of them alongside Ness’ progress. I think we are going to be found out as soon as Hector and Jones have a spell on the sidelines and need a further senior CB beyond Thomas but in DH we trust.
We need a striker and they need to be good enough to compete with Leaburn and May and be fit enough to start the season in 2 weeks (so need to have been doing a pre-season)
2 wing backs (at least one has to be left sided)
Once we have the above then we have at least 2 players for each position. Ideally we could strengthen further at CB and CM but the 3 above signings are the ones we really need to get right and the striker we need to get asap to start against Orient in 2 weeks time. Overall we are probably 5 signings away
I would expect Campbell and CBT to continue to play as they have in pre-season at LWB for CBT and ST for TC. And having both then gives us the option of going 4-3-3 if needed
I want Mitchell and Elewere to progress but wish it was one rather than both of them alongside Ness’ progress. I think we are going to be found out as soon as Hector and Jones have a spell on the sidelines and need a further senior CB beyond Thomas but in DH we trust.
I’d keep Deji around, he’s looked good in pre-season and is comfortable on the left and right of the 3. I’d look to loan Mitchell out as he hasn’t played much men’s football yet so could maybe do with a ‘toughening up’ non-league loan which Deji has had a couple of. Then we could bring in another experienced centre back
We need a striker and they need to be good enough to compete with Leaburn and May and be fit enough to start the season in 2 weeks (so need to have been doing a pre-season)
2 wing backs (at least one has to be left sided)
Once we have the above then we have at least 2 players for each position. Ideally we could strengthen further at CB and CM but the 3 above signings are the ones we really need to get right and the striker we need to get asap to start against Orient in 2 weeks time. Overall we are probably 5 signings away
I would expect Campbell and CBT to continue to play as they have in pre-season at LWB for CBT and ST for TC. And having both then gives us the option of going 4-3-3 if needed
This is how I see it. But, if we don't get a match fit striker DH may start the season 433, which he does have the players for at least.
We need a striker and they need to be good enough to compete with Leaburn and May and be fit enough to start the season in 2 weeks (so need to have been doing a pre-season)
2 wing backs (at least one has to be left sided)
Once we have the above then we have at least 2 players for each position. Ideally we could strengthen further at CB and CM but the 3 above signings are the ones we really need to get right and the striker we need to get asap to start against Orient in 2 weeks time. Overall we are probably 5 signings away
I would expect Campbell and CBT to continue to play as they have in pre-season at LWB for CBT and ST for TC. And having both then gives us the option of going 4-3-3 if needed
This is how I see it. But, if we don't get a match fit striker DH may start the season 433, which he does have the players for at least.
We need a striker and they need to be good enough to compete with Leaburn and May and be fit enough to start the season in 2 weeks (so need to have been doing a pre-season)
2 wing backs (at least one has to be left sided)
Once we have the above then we have at least 2 players for each position. Ideally we could strengthen further at CB and CM but the 3 above signings are the ones we really need to get right and the striker we need to get asap to start against Orient in 2 weeks time. Overall we are probably 5 signings away
I would expect Campbell and CBT to continue to play as they have in pre-season at LWB for CBT and ST for TC. And having both then gives us the option of going 4-3-3 if needed
This is how I see it. But, if we don't get a match fit striker DH may start the season 433, which he does have the players for at least.
may as alone striker ? no no no
Might be our only option. Is May as a lone striker any worse than playing him with Campbell? But yes we desperately need a striker in this week if we want to hit the ground running this season
We need a striker and they need to be good enough to compete with Leaburn and May and be fit enough to start the season in 2 weeks (so need to have been doing a pre-season)
2 wing backs (at least one has to be left sided)
Once we have the above then we have at least 2 players for each position. Ideally we could strengthen further at CB and CM but the 3 above signings are the ones we really need to get right and the striker we need to get asap to start against Orient in 2 weeks time. Overall we are probably 5 signings away
I would expect Campbell and CBT to continue to play as they have in pre-season at LWB for CBT and ST for TC. And having both then gives us the option of going 4-3-3 if needed
This is how I see it. But, if we don't get a match fit striker DH may start the season 433, which he does have the players for at least.
may as alone striker ? no no no
Might be our only option. Is May as a lone striker any worse than playing him with Campbell? But yes we desperately need a striker in this week if we want to hit the ground running this season
i appreciate that good strikers cost top money but i'd be amazed if we don't push the boat out here - in fact i'd hope for one perm and one loan - goals get you promoted
Comments
We needed four Strikers last season, but Leaburn stepped up to be one of those that we didnt need to go out and buy - Dont always need to look to the Transfer / Loan Market.
Sometimes just need to have the balls to trust a kid
Two first team ready players for every position has to be the target, sprinkled with a few potentially ready youngsters and wildcard alternatives that maybe don’t fit the preferred system but allow us a plan b (like CBT and Campbell).
I suspect we may need to see a few leave first though and there’s still plenty that could (e.g. Kirk and DJ) and some others who might trigger a need for further signings should they move on (e,g. McGranndles, Payne).
Like many of the last few summers, we’ve made an ok start to our transfer dealings, but are we going to do the extra bits that will turn it from a decent summer to a great one? Recently it’s the last 20% (the hardest but if any project) that we haven’t got right. Hopefully this year is different. If it isn’t, I predict we won’t be getting promoted. The squad certainly isn’t quite there for that yet, but should at least improve a bit on last season.
A ' steady Eddie' type left footed left back who can also fit in at left centre back.
A specialist left wing back if we are playing 3 5 2.
A left footed forward player to replace JRS.
An Andy Hughes type utility player who could cover right back and midfield.
A Mark Bright type veteran striker who could take some of the pressure off Miles Leaburn and Alfie May.
If Mr Methven is even half-competent as a spin merchant, there will be at least three impressive new signings announced this week to confirm the brilliance of the new ownership structure, win over the sceptics and bury any awkward questions about who owns what and why it' s all concealed within a secret offshore tax haven.
This will be shortly followed by a season ticket last-minute special offer, to help pay for the new signings.
You heard it here first.
I also think we need better than a veteran up front. We need a Ladapo type ready to compete for a starting place.
(Yeah OK we need a striker).
That might have been the case when he took over halfway through the season, but I wouldn't want to see it being his policy for the entire year.
Even then we nearly ran out of players in some positions - at CB Ness missed the last few weeks and we ended up with Hector and Thomas, Dobson needed a break and we ended up playing Aaron Henry in his position in the Cheltenham game and we lost Chuks Aneke and Miles Leaburn for a few games.
Numbers wise things were creaking by May. With new owners we need to have strength in depth otherwise the top six ambition will look wildly optimistic, again.
fair enough - probably 5th on the list of importance
2 wing backs (at least one has to be left sided)
Once we have the above then we have at least 2 players for each position. Ideally we could strengthen further at CB and CM but the 3 above signings are the ones we really need to get right and the striker we need to get asap to start against Orient in 2 weeks time. Overall we are probably 5 signings away
But, if we don't get a match fit striker DH may start the season 433, which he does have the players for at least.
I think that would be a decent squad to start the new season.
the next 2 weeks are critical.