12 of this 23 are inexperienced youth teamers. Shows how weak the squad still is.
Naturally of course the squad is still weak ...... we're short on numbers.
They'll still be some current players to be moved on and replacements brought in. Plus of course, the 5 loanees - of which we haven't even signed one yet.
Many other League One clubs are in the same position, which as we know is pretty normal for this stage of pre-season.
Right, plus three of our six signings so far have been at CB, a position where we also have some depth in youth as well. That makes I feel particularly imbalanced.
So far I think it's been a solid summer. Bringing Hector and Thomas back, plus signing May, seem like signs of intent. We need FBs, badly. And more forwards. And probably one more quality CM. But you can see this team starting to take shape, especially in the last two weeks.
Very disjointed game, little to cheer in that first half. As for most of last season the delivery into the box has been poor. Corners, free kicks and crossing from wide areas has universally been garbage Dartford have lunged in a couple of times with reckless challenges. Dobbo has been off the pace after he got clattered early on.
Payne’s been lively, Anderson not overly involved but some nice play when he has been. D J not bad but has overplayed at times. Isted looked comfortable, couple of good saves and good distribution with either feet. Defence rarely troubled and good workout with Dartford not afraid to get stuck in resulting in a couple of mass brawls and yellow cards which could easily have been red.
The worry is how weak our squad depth is again. With all due respect there is probably 6-7 players there that should be no where near the first team yet.
I understand we have time and I do think our transfer business has been good so far but we are still 5-8 players off what we need as a bare minimum if we are to go forward and put together a top 6 challenge this season.
We need another ST. That is clearly evident otherwise it is to much pressure on Alfie May not only to score the goals but also stay fit all season. And also puts extra pressure on Leaburn. Based on the past couple of season we can not rely on Chucks to be or stay fit and that is no disrespect to him. I would rather have Chucks as I think he is a cheat code at this level. Even when he is playing 25-30 mins a game.
Looking like a side playing 352 without the players to play it.
This. We've got a lot of CBs, but one fit senior FB and no natural strikers in the squad who have scored league goals.
Meanwhile we have one of the best wide men in the league in CBT, plus TC who we know can look a threat. We also have Kirk and DJ though we know they may not be here come September.
3-5-2 seems like Holden's preferred formation, but when we played it last season it meant playing JRS, the best winger in the lead, as a striker, and he wasn't great in those games.
This team last summer was supposed to be built for pressing and possession. I do think the desire to press is still there but I feel like we have another summer and another change of system.
Only asking any reason heard why Jones and May are not on the team sheet?
Jones was recovering from a minor operation when we signed him. Assume he is still injured. May I assume will play in Spain and as he only signed a day ago maybe this was too soon.
Comments
So far I think it's been a solid summer. Bringing Hector and Thomas back, plus signing May, seem like signs of intent. We need FBs, badly. And more forwards. And probably one more quality CM. But you can see this team starting to take shape, especially in the last two weeks.
We had only one shot on target to there 2.
Dartford have lunged in a couple of times with reckless challenges.
Dobbo has been off the pace after he got clattered early on.
With all due respect there is probably 6-7 players there that should be no where near the first team yet.
I understand we have time and I do think our transfer business has been good so far but we are still 5-8 players off what we need as a bare minimum if we are to go forward and put together a top 6 challenge this season.
We need another ST. That is clearly evident otherwise it is to much pressure on Alfie May not only to score the goals but also stay fit all season. And also puts extra pressure on Leaburn. Based on the past couple of season we can not rely on Chucks to be or stay fit and that is no disrespect to him. I would rather have Chucks as I think he is a cheat code at this level. Even when he is playing 25-30 mins a game.
The 2 Dartford bookings were for new signings, a bit too up for it today.
Meanwhile we have one of the best wide men in the league in CBT, plus TC who we know can look a threat. We also have Kirk and DJ though we know they may not be here come September.
3-5-2 seems like Holden's preferred formation, but when we played it last season it meant playing JRS, the best winger in the lead, as a striker, and he wasn't great in those games.
This team last summer was supposed to be built for pressing and possession. I do think the desire to press is still there but I feel like we have another summer and another change of system.
........ Mitchell Ness Roddy
Asiimwe McGrandles Henry Fraser CBT
......... Kanu Kirk
Jones was recovering from a minor operation when we signed him. Assume he is still injured. May I assume will play in Spain and as he only signed a day ago maybe this was too soon.