Sounds simple, but we need a Szmodics type midfielder who can turn possession into goals and if the forwards aren't delivering, then get angry and do it yourself.
GK – New first choice (I’d be giving Dillon Phillips a call
and seeing if he buys into Jones vision) and one of Isted AMB to stay. I’d pick
AMB as likely cheaper and I think has a higher ceiling even if his recent form
was bad.
CB – Happy with Gillesphey, Jones, REG. Think Hector will go
even though he can do a job so someone will need to replace him. I think Jones
likes Thomas’ versatility so will keep him. Ness/Mitchell depends on Jones view
of them.
RWB: If Jones rates Ramsey then happy with what we have
here. Tennai more than good enough 2nd choice/competition and REG as
back up beyond that.
LWB: Could potentially do better than Edun as back up to Small
but how many seasons of the last 10 have we actually had 2 left backs? For that
reason I’d be tempted to stick with him and see if Jones can improve him.
CM: this is the most interesting. I am assuming Dobbo has
already left and Fraser will be gone. Watson isn’t fancied neither it seems is
Fiorini. Camara I think isn’t worth the risk unless he is very cheap.
If we want to have the option to play the diamond I think we
need:
One Pratley type to replace Dobbo for those tougher away
games on bad pitches, so we can play Cov slightly further forward.
Cov & Taylor cover the deeper lying passer type role so
McGrandles will likely leave (though I do think he might just suit Jones
style).
One maybe two box-to box types, one that could play at the
top of the diamond too (Bakinson could be the back-up one if he is cheap)
One number 10 (who ideally could also play as a winger if we
need to change it up)
Anderson.
That’s 7 for 4 positions plus back ups. It relies on flexibility
and REG can step into midfield if we play the diamond ala Bielik.
Wingers: I’d keep Tupac around as having no wingers would be
a risk, him and a number 10 who can play wide at least gives us half an option
of switching it up.
Strikers: if we are playing 2 up top we need 4 plus Aneke.
So May, Kanu, Leaburn and one new big guy plus Chuks.
That adds up to the 25 that Jones said he wanted (actually 26 assuming we have a 3rd keeper but shhh).
On reflection (and I know it doesn't work like that ) but i would rather keep our current crop of CB's with no changes and replace Edun than change Hector/Thomas for a new CB and keep Edun as back up LWB.
REG/ Jones/ Gillesphey/ Ness/ new Hector/ Mitchell
Coventry/ Taylor B2B/ Anderson Creative/ A.N.Other midfielder
Winger forward
May/ Leaburn/ kanu/ Target man/ Aneke
That, plus the Assimwe's that'll get some cup time is fair I'd say. Stick it into that block of starters, squad players and prospects:
Small, REG, Gillesphey, Coventry, May, Aneke
Isted, Jones, Watson, Ramsey, Taylor, Leaburn
Ness, kanu, Mitchell
Get the right quality GK, b2b, creative type midfielder in to go in the first group then the other two pools aren't so shabby to come in alongside as and when needed.
Hopefully we can shift McGrandles and Fraser for some pennies to offset, and,maybe even Edun. I'm not as convinced as many that Leaburn's off to every top 4 club in Europe for millions, if anything I'd be more worried about bigger clubs coming in for Kanu.
The main thing NJ has taught us in his short reign so far is that there are some good players in this squad, you don’t outplay Derby away from home with new manager bounce. I don’t think an entire overhaul is necessary.
We need to fine tune certain areas, keeper is an interesting point made by a few already. I’d like a fee spent to bring in a real commanding centre back and I’d sign REG up on a perm. Watson has shown some form but I think we need a serious RWB.
I’m not fussed if and when Dobson goes, Coventry is an improvement, we need to build our midfield around him. Bakinson is a good squad player, he did that role with Wednesday so no reason why he can’t do it for us now. It’s that creative midfielder we need now, again I’d love to see a fee spent on one.
Up top I don’t see Ladapo here next season, so he’s got to be replaced, another experienced head would fit nicely with Kanu and Leaburn in the squad.
REG signed about a three and a half year deal on signing.
I don't think we'll see anywhere near the turnover some think/hope for, deadwood out and 4/5 new players in
Have to disagree. As it stands we will lose the following bodies in Hector, Thomas, Campbell, Ness, Fiorini, Bakinson, Ladapo, Camera, Dobson, Payne and L. Watson. Now some we don’t want to keep, some are not good enough but all currently part of the squad. I’m sure we’d want to move on McGrandles, Fraser and Henry too so that’s currently 14 players moving on. Two or three may resign but after that we’d need more than 4/5 newbies.
Anyone suggesting we don’t need a lot of new players is delusional , in my view . Jones isn’t enough of a genius to take this lot up . A proper goalkeeper is essential , we need a really good centre half to replace Hector . Maybe two if Jones wants to play 4 at the back . We hope Ramsay is good enough and we need to replace Small. We need another durable midfielder , 2 if Dobson goes . We could also do with someone with some creativity . If Leaburn stays , we need another starting striker; we need 2 if he goes .
Starting keeper , Isted/AMB
Ramsay, Watson, Asiimwe, Small, New
New,Jones, Thomas , Gillesphey, REG, Mitchell
Coventry, Dobson, Anderson, New, New, TC
Leaburn, May, Kanu, New , (aneke)
out: Hector, Ness, Edun, Taylor, McGrandles, Payne, one of the keepers, all the loans .
Anyone suggesting we don’t need a lot of new players is delusional , in my view . Jones isn’t enough of a genius to take this lot up . A proper goalkeeper is essential , we need a really good centre half to replace Hector . Maybe two if Jones wants to play 4 at the back . We hope Ramsay is good enough and we need to replace Small. We need another durable midfielder , 2 if Dobson goes . We could also do with someone with some creativity . If Leaburn stays , we need another starting striker; we need 2 if he goes .
Starting keeper , Isted/AMB
Ramsay, Watson, Asiimwe, Small, New
New,Jones, Thomas , Gillesphey, REG, Mitchell
Coventry, Dobson, Anderson, New, New, TC
Leaburn, May, Kanu, New , (aneke)
out: Hector, Ness, Edun, Taylor, McGrandles, Payne, one of the keepers, all the loans .
Before NJ, I was thinking we had to bake a new cake but it is looking like we may only have to ice it.
Agree, and the cherry on the top will be getting possibly an upgrade on Harry or Ashley between the sticks with one of them moving on.
A replacement for Captain George IF he moves on in the summer; I may be in a minority but Dobson and Coventry can play together in midfield as was proved with their partnership against Cheltenham and both their creativity with Conor's ball to Watson and the great long pass(no it wasn't a hoof ball 😤)from George to Bakinson who surprised us all with good control and finish.
Is Leaburn still committed to Cafc or did offers come in before the latest injury which is why he looked unhappy on the pitch ? I'd love to see Miles work with Nathan 🤞
As the biggest fan of Kanu who knew he would improve his strength and adapt his game to because a big part of Cafc (as long as we don't cash in) then along with May and Leaburn who will be the other striker to make up the 4 with the wild card of Chuks to play his max of 10 cameo's a season; sad but true.
Freddie Ladapo would need to prove his self especially at the valley after a disappointing stay so far other than one cracking strike.
Having Small and big Mac as left sided players and Watson and Ramsey on the right it feels we are getting a balance.
Coventry would be my new Captain whether Dobson stays or not.
Shame that Louie Watson's work rate off the ball wasn't considered good enough by Apples or Nathan as he has good feet and can play the sharp pass in around the box. If Louie Watson could up his fitness then Coventry, Watson, Anderson and either Bakinson or Camará could fight it out for the starting 11. Terry Taylor remains a doubt and I haven't seen enough of him to pass judgement. Like many I want Dobson to stay but he needs to be 100% committed to getting Cafc into the Championship.
Leave the decision on Tyreese Campbell to the Manager as despite his decent assists record, is he good enough to be the winger, plan B player ?
I still think we need 9/10 new players, which players get moved on NJ will decide, I hope!
9-10?
Not sure we need anywhere near that many. GK, CB, 2-3 midfielders (depending on who leaves) and a new striker. That's 6 at most.
What 3-4 other positions do you think we need to fill?
If all 5 loan signings are returned and we release say 7 players that's a total of 12 that need replacing. So bringing in 9 including loans looks about right.
I still think we need 9/10 new players, which players get moved on NJ will decide, I hope!
9-10?
Not sure we need anywhere near that many. GK, CB, 2-3 midfielders (depending on who leaves) and a new striker. That's 6 at most.
What 3-4 other positions do you think we need to fill?
If all 5 loan signings are returned and we release say 7 players that's a total of 12 that need replacing. So bringing in 9 including loans looks about right.
Loan signings - 2 don't play and the other 3 aren't starters. So they're hardly essential team members that need replacing. What 7 are we releasing? DJ, Fraser, Payne etc? None of them need replacing as they're not part of our team.
Plus even if you don't factor in the above we still have a squad of over 20 players. There's no way at all that we will need to replace 12 players.
New Keeper 10000%. I don't really rate either, Isted gun to my head if I had to choose.
Desperately need a center back with a bit about them, I know the obvious choice but there are others like him. I am quite happy with REG, Gillesphey and Jones, but with injuries and a long old season, I'd prefer a better option. I'd like Thomas to extend his stay as he has improved massively and suits a back 3. I'd be intrigued to see how Hector gets on under Jones, but as thing stand, I'd sell. Ness out on loan.
I think Dobson is gone and tbf, Coventry might fill that void, he's starting to look a real player. Lot of hope for Terry Taylor and of course young Karoy. We need a more attacking minded mid though, and assuming Oxford don't go up, I'd test their resolve on Cameron Brannagan who is still one of the best in this league and would score the goals we need from the middle.
Wing backs, we look quite healthy. Small & Edun and then Watson & Ramsey. Fairly healthy there. I'd be more inclined to sign a player who can play both sides of the wing back role and I think we'd be quite happy.
Finally attackers, Ladapo is a no from me, we need younger and hungrier. Kanu, May, Aneke and Leaburn (assuming he stays) are very decent attacking options at this level. I think we need one more though and here's where I'd look at mayhe Will Evans of Newport. 27 soon, notched up 20 goals in a pants Newport side, deployed as a left winger usually but a big player with pace and can play up top as well. Really puts himself about and would suit a Nathan Jones side imo.
All in all, I think we have the nucleus of a decent side watching the last few games, I reckon 6 or 7 players of real quality and we will be right up there.
- Goalie - Centre back - full back - attacking mid, and a mid to partner Coventry - 2 strikers, one target man (for when Chuks can't play) and an all rounder like Kanu but a bit more experience.
I would think that most of the loan players will go back and NJ said he wants a smaller squad, which means not many new players coming in, once he has decided which other players he wants out
I think Jones will very much have his own ideas and I can see a lot more ins and outs than some people are expecting. It’s a squad he’s largely inherited and I doubt he’s happy with more than 50% of them. Unlikely he’ll be able to transform the squad in the summer but I can see the next three windows being fairly busy. Starting this summer.
I think NJ s knowledge of players is far superior to his predecessors which is to our advantage ..my shopping list ..
A top class keeper ..isted as backup ..I don't rate AMB
Wing backs are fine
Not bothered about Hector so 1 new centre back as well as Mitchell
Dobson is off as will be fraser and mcgrandles and Henry not up to it ,camara can't be relied on ,Fiorini a waft
So we have Taylor, Coventry, Anderson so maybe 4 needed ..I'd take bakinson and not forgetting that AM might play as a10 on occasions..I'd want one more horrible tough tacker and a 10 and keep Tupac
In Jones we trust
A target man for kanu to play off ,keeping Myles and chuks ..it see Myles as a regular starter unless he starts showing more hunger
The real priorities as I see them are a 10 and the keeper
I'm happy to leave Phillips. His career since moving on from us really has no theme at all. Whether that was down to a poor agent or him/both just wanting to maximise £££.
We need players on the upward trajectory.
Small's career was very much on a downward trajectory but look at his impact.
Yann the same.
Kirk on the other hand had done well in league 2 and league 1 with a smaller club so was on an upward trajectory, supposedly.
What we need are good, hungry players. Sometime previous failure creates that hunger and desire to succeed.
Both Lennie Lawrence and Curbs looked to sign hungry players, including those who'd lost their way and stagnating - but desperate to prove themselves again.
What I'm sure Nathan Jones doesn't wants is a big squad: is it really 35+ odd players we have used in all competitions this season !
But definitely not a small squad as the way Jones wants to play is with athleticism, fight, skill, commitment over 100+ minutes if need be so injuries will occur even with the best medical staff. Plus we have Chuks who is a special case !
Middle side squad* with just the talented youngsters to step up if need be to emulate both Anderson and Kanu from this season and Leaburn from last season.
*Is that 24 with just 1 or 2 youngsters stepping up to make the bench in case of 8 injuries which is possible ?
What I'm sure Nathan Jones doesn't wants is a big squad: is it really 35+ odd players we have used in all competitions this season !
But definitely not a small squad as the way Jones wants to play is with athleticism, fight, skill, commitment over 100+ minutes if need be so injuries will occur even with the best medical staff. Plus we have Chuks who is a special case !
Middle side squad* with just the talented youngsters to step up if need be to emulate both Anderson and Kanu from this season and Leaburn from last season.
*Is that 24 with just 1 or 2 youngsters stepping up to make the bench in case of 8 injuries which is possible ?
Jones himself said he wants 25 players, 3 being GKs.
One big question is if and how much the 888 plan will be forced on him. The flaw with it is you can’t guarantee enough academy players coming through each season to consistently have 8 in the squad.
We’ve used 40 (most in the league) according to transfermarkt, Bolton the least with 25. Of course that includes the January ins and outs who’ve featured, currently we have about 27/28 I think.
So far in all competitions we've used 46 players this season. 2 short of our record 48 players we used last season. Still a few games to go though to break that.
I think NJ s knowledge of players is far superior to his predecessors which is to our advantage ..my shopping list ..
A top class keeper ..isted as backup ..I don't rate AMB
Wing backs are fine
Not bothered about Hector so 1 new centre back as well as Mitchell
Dobson is off as will be fraser and mcgrandles and Henry not up to it ,camara can't be relied on ,Fiorini a waft
So we have Taylor, Coventry, Anderson so maybe 4 needed ..I'd take bakinson and not forgetting that AM might play as a10 on occasions..I'd want one more horrible tough tacker and a 10 and keep Tupac
In Jones we trust
A target man for kanu to play off ,keeping Myles and chuks ..it see Myles as a regular starter unless he starts showing more hunger
The real priorities as I see them are a 10 and the keeper
Eh? He’s been injured for months. Has his ‘hunger’ ever been questioned?
I think NJ s knowledge of players is far superior to his predecessors which is to our advantage ..my shopping list ..
A top class keeper ..isted as backup ..I don't rate AMB
Wing backs are fine
Not bothered about Hector so 1 new centre back as well as Mitchell
Dobson is off as will be fraser and mcgrandles and Henry not up to it ,camara can't be relied on ,Fiorini a waft
So we have Taylor, Coventry, Anderson so maybe 4 needed ..I'd take bakinson and not forgetting that AM might play as a10 on occasions..I'd want one more horrible tough tacker and a 10 and keep Tupac
In Jones we trust
A target man for kanu to play off ,keeping Myles and chuks ..it see Myles as a regular starter unless he starts showing more hunger
The real priorities as I see them are a 10 and the keeper
Eh? He’s been injured for months. Has his ‘hunger’ ever been questioned?
Actually that's a typo is meant I dt see him as a regular start ..and yes I do mean he has got to show a greater appetite for hard work and eagerness to learn..I have Kanu ahead of him now
So far in all competitions we've used 46 players this season. 2 short of our record 48 players we used last season. Still a few games to go though to break that.
46 players is crazy ! Ok, one of them was Doris the tea lady who came on in the cup for 10 minutes and put in a sweet performance. I thought when she did a tunnel Jump, she was milking it a tad.
I think Nathan Asiimwe will end up as a RCB in a back three rather than wing back, he's big, strong and quick. Him and Mitchell are both very good prospects that I expect to be in and around the first team next season.
Nathan Jones will turn them into better players. I think we will re-sign them both myself and think they both have the potential to improve. Campbell has had some very nice moments and Ness looked pretty solid last season. The managerial merry go round will not have helped either of them. A bit of patience and more hard work required.
Thierry Small 2024 (+1 year option) - KEEP + extend Richard Chin 2024 (half season loan to Bath) RELEASE
Central Midfielders
Karoy Anderson 2027 (+1 year option) KEEP
Tyreeq Bakinson 2024 (half season loan from Sheff Wed) - RETURN and do not sign
Panutche Camara 2024 (season loan from Ipswich) - RETURN and do not sign
Conor Coventry 2027 - KEEP
George Dobson 2024 - RE-Sign if viable
Lewis Fiorini 2024 (half season loan from Man City) - WHO? RETURN
Terry Taylor 2026 - KEEP and REVEAL (like a new signing)
Louie Watson 2024 (season loan from Luton) - RETURN and do not sign
Scott Fraser 2025 (half season loan to Hearts) - SELL OR RELEASE Aaron Henry 2025 (+1 year option, half season loan to Wealdstone) - KEEP + loan until January
Conor McGrandles 2025 (half season loan to Lincoln) - SELL
Attacking Midfielders/Wingers
Tyreece Campbell 2024 RENEW
Diallang Jaiyesimi 2024 (season loan to St Johnstone) - RELEASE
Jack Payne 2024 (season loan to MK Dons) - RELEASE
Strikers
Chuks Aneke 2025 - SELL (if possible - mins per season vs budget spent VERY REGRETTABLY makes no sense)
Daniel Kanu 2027 KEEP
Freddie Ladapo 2024 (half season loan from Ipswich) - RETURN and do not sign
Miles Leaburn 2025 - KEEP and extend (asset value in mind)
Alfie May 2025 (+1 year option) - KEEP Connor Wickham 2024 (Short Term Loan) - TOO EARLY TO SAY
By my math and based on above preferences, I reckon we need 6-8 new players for in the region of a 24 man squad next season. 15 leavers. If we are going to charge for promotion next season NJ will know what to do, but that said he and the Board may go for a two year strategy toward that aim, half the further rebuild next summer and winter, the final pieces the following season, who knows… All I can now see is that we are in a building process and it is feeling more positive.
Comments
I think we need
GK – New first choice (I’d be giving Dillon Phillips a call and seeing if he buys into Jones vision) and one of Isted AMB to stay. I’d pick AMB as likely cheaper and I think has a higher ceiling even if his recent form was bad.
CB – Happy with Gillesphey, Jones, REG. Think Hector will go even though he can do a job so someone will need to replace him. I think Jones likes Thomas’ versatility so will keep him. Ness/Mitchell depends on Jones view of them.
RWB: If Jones rates Ramsey then happy with what we have here. Tennai more than good enough 2nd choice/competition and REG as back up beyond that.
LWB: Could potentially do better than Edun as back up to Small but how many seasons of the last 10 have we actually had 2 left backs? For that reason I’d be tempted to stick with him and see if Jones can improve him.
CM: this is the most interesting. I am assuming Dobbo has already left and Fraser will be gone. Watson isn’t fancied neither it seems is Fiorini. Camara I think isn’t worth the risk unless he is very cheap.
If we want to have the option to play the diamond I think we need:
One Pratley type to replace Dobbo for those tougher away games on bad pitches, so we can play Cov slightly further forward.
Cov & Taylor cover the deeper lying passer type role so McGrandles will likely leave (though I do think he might just suit Jones style).
One maybe two box-to box types, one that could play at the top of the diamond too (Bakinson could be the back-up one if he is cheap)
One number 10 (who ideally could also play as a winger if we need to change it up)
Anderson.
That’s 7 for 4 positions plus back ups. It relies on flexibility and REG can step into midfield if we play the diamond ala Bielik.
Wingers: I’d keep Tupac around as having no wingers would be a risk, him and a number 10 who can play wide at least gives us half an option of switching it up.
Strikers: if we are playing 2 up top we need 4 plus Aneke. So May, Kanu, Leaburn and one new big guy plus Chuks.
That adds up to the 25 that Jones said he wanted (actually 26 assuming we have a 3rd keeper but shhh).
That means we need to sign 6/7:
1 keeper
1 CB
3/4 CM
1 Striker
Ramsey/Watson
Small/ New (jury out on Edun still)
REG/ Jones/ Gillesphey/ Ness/ new Hector/ Mitchell
Coventry/ Taylor
B2B/ Anderson
Creative/ A.N.Other midfielder
Winger forward
May/ Leaburn/ kanu/ Target man/ Aneke
That, plus the Assimwe's that'll get some cup time is fair I'd say. Stick it into that block of starters, squad players and prospects:
Small, REG, Gillesphey, Coventry, May, Aneke
Isted, Jones, Watson, Ramsey, Taylor, Leaburn
Ness, kanu, Mitchell
Get the right quality GK, b2b, creative type midfielder in to go in the first group then the other two pools aren't so shabby to come in alongside as and when needed.
Hopefully we can shift McGrandles and Fraser for some pennies to offset, and,maybe even Edun. I'm not as convinced as many that Leaburn's off to every top 4 club in Europe for millions, if anything I'd be more worried about bigger clubs coming in for Kanu.
Starting keeper , Isted/AMB
Ramsay, Watson, Asiimwe, Small, New
New,Jones, Thomas , Gillesphey, REG, Mitchell
Coventry, Dobson, Anderson, New, New, TC
Leaburn, May, Kanu, New , (aneke)
out: Hector, Ness, Edun, Taylor, McGrandles, Payne, one of the keepers, all the loans .
Otherwise agree with this.
Not sure we need anywhere near that many. GK, CB, 2-3 midfielders (depending on who leaves) and a new striker. That's 6 at most.
What 3-4 other positions do you think we need to fill?
Agree, and the cherry on the top will be getting possibly an upgrade on Harry or Ashley between the sticks with one of them moving on.
A replacement for Captain George IF he moves on in the summer; I may be in a minority but Dobson and Coventry can play together in midfield as was proved with their partnership against Cheltenham and both their creativity with Conor's ball to Watson and the great long pass(no it wasn't a hoof ball 😤)from George to Bakinson who surprised us all with good control and finish.
Is Leaburn still committed to Cafc or did offers come in before the latest injury which is why he looked unhappy on the pitch ?
I'd love to see Miles work with Nathan 🤞
As the biggest fan of Kanu who knew he would improve his strength and adapt his game to because a big part of Cafc (as long as we don't cash in) then along with May and Leaburn who will be the other striker to make up the 4 with the wild card of Chuks to play his max of 10 cameo's a season; sad but true.
Freddie Ladapo would need to prove his self especially at the valley after a disappointing stay so far other than one cracking strike.
Having Small and big Mac as left sided players and Watson and Ramsey on the right it feels we are getting a balance.
Coventry would be my new Captain whether Dobson stays or not.
Shame that Louie Watson's work rate off the ball wasn't considered good enough by Apples or Nathan as he has good feet and can play the sharp pass in around the box.
If Louie Watson could up his fitness then Coventry, Watson, Anderson and either Bakinson or Camará could fight it out for the starting 11. Terry Taylor remains a doubt and I haven't seen enough of him to pass judgement. Like many I want Dobson to stay but he needs to be 100% committed to getting Cafc into the Championship.
Leave the decision on Tyreese Campbell to the Manager as despite his decent assists record, is he good enough to be the winger, plan B player ?
We all want our Charlton cake and eat it.
So bringing in 9 including loans looks about right.
What 7 are we releasing? DJ, Fraser, Payne etc? None of them need replacing as they're not part of our team.
Plus even if you don't factor in the above we still have a squad of over 20 players. There's no way at all that we will need to replace 12 players.
Desperately need a center back with a bit about them, I know the obvious choice but there are others like him. I am quite happy with REG, Gillesphey and Jones, but with injuries and a long old season, I'd prefer a better option. I'd like Thomas to extend his stay as he has improved massively and suits a back 3. I'd be intrigued to see how Hector gets on under Jones, but as thing stand, I'd sell. Ness out on loan.
I think Dobson is gone and tbf, Coventry might fill that void, he's starting to look a real player. Lot of hope for Terry Taylor and of course young Karoy. We need a more attacking minded mid though, and assuming Oxford don't go up, I'd test their resolve on Cameron Brannagan who is still one of the best in this league and would score the goals we need from the middle.
Wing backs, we look quite healthy. Small & Edun and then Watson & Ramsey. Fairly healthy there. I'd be more inclined to sign a player who can play both sides of the wing back role and I think we'd be quite happy.
Finally attackers, Ladapo is a no from me, we need younger and hungrier. Kanu, May, Aneke and Leaburn (assuming he stays) are very decent attacking options at this level. I think we need one more though and here's where I'd look at mayhe Will Evans of Newport. 27 soon, notched up 20 goals in a pants Newport side, deployed as a left winger usually but a big player with pace and can play up top as well. Really puts himself about and would suit a Nathan Jones side imo.
All in all, I think we have the nucleus of a decent side watching the last few games, I reckon 6 or 7 players of real quality and we will be right up there.
- Goalie
- Centre back
- full back
- attacking mid, and a mid to partner Coventry
- 2 strikers, one target man (for when Chuks can't play) and an all rounder like Kanu but a bit more experience.
I'd be happy with that.
A top class keeper ..isted as backup ..I don't rate AMB
Wing backs are fine
Not bothered about Hector so 1 new centre back as well as Mitchell
Dobson is off as will be fraser and mcgrandles and Henry not up to it ,camara can't be relied on ,Fiorini a waft
So we have Taylor, Coventry, Anderson so maybe 4 needed ..I'd take bakinson and not forgetting that AM might play as a10 on occasions..I'd want one more horrible tough tacker and a 10 and keep Tupac
In Jones we trust
A target man for kanu to play off ,keeping Myles and chuks ..it see Myles as a regular starter unless he starts showing more hunger
The real priorities as I see them are a 10 and the keeper
But definitely not a small squad as the way Jones wants to play is with athleticism, fight, skill, commitment over 100+ minutes if need be so injuries will occur even with the best medical staff.
Plus we have Chuks who is a special case !
Middle side squad* with just the talented youngsters to step up if need be to emulate both Anderson and Kanu from this season and Leaburn from last season.
*Is that 24 with just 1 or 2 youngsters stepping up to make the bench in case of 8 injuries which is possible ?
One big question is if and how much the 888 plan will be forced on him. The flaw with it is you can’t guarantee enough academy players coming through each season to consistently have 8 in the squad.
We’ve used 40 (most in the league) according to transfermarkt, Bolton the least with 25. Of course that includes the January ins and outs who’ve featured, currently we have about 27/28 I think.
https://www.transfermarkt.com/league-one/eingesetztespieler/wettbewerb/GB3
46 players is crazy !
Ok, one of them was Doris the tea lady who came on in the cup for 10 minutes and put in a sweet performance. I thought when she did a tunnel Jump, she was milking it a tad.
Full backs: Ramsay, Watson, Asiimwe, Small, NEW
CBS: NEW, Jones, Gillesphey, REG, Ness, Thomas
MID: Coventry, Taylor, Anderson, Campbell, NEW, NEW
Strikers: Leaburn, May, Kanu, NEW
out: Dobson, Hector, Edun, McGrandles, Payne, Fraser, DJ, Ward, Mitchell (LOAN) all current loans go back
The £s will be spent on the midfield 2 and striker…
The squad needs some big changes to compete at the top consistently as it has needed for the past few summers
Michael Hector 2024 RELEASE
Richard Chin 2024 (half season loan to Bath) RELEASE
Aaron Henry 2025 (+1 year option, half season loan to Wealdstone) - KEEP + loan until January
Connor Wickham 2024 (Short Term Loan) - TOO EARLY TO SAY
By my math and based on above preferences, I reckon we need 6-8 new players for in the region of a 24 man squad next season. 15 leavers. If we are going to charge for promotion next season NJ will know what to do, but that said he and the Board may go for a two year strategy toward that aim, half the further rebuild next summer and winter, the final pieces the following season, who knows… All I can now see is that we are in a building process and it is feeling more positive.