One player doesn't make a squad. It doesn't even make a team.....unless of the quality of Dennis Wise.
So which squads are better than ours?
So which squads are better than ours?
Well there's no way of telling until May but I believe all of them sides could finish above us and I wouldn't be shocked
Do you want me to go through every team one by one?? I think our squad is okay At the minute, i think we will finish around 10th. I don't think our squad is as good as others do in comparison to these other teams. Only time will tell
As you've highlighted them as better squads it would be good for you to at least indicate how you think each one is better, an area they look stronger/more dangerous than us.
Yes the squad listed in the link does include a lot of unproven youngsters, many of which might not feature. I do think we are lucky to have them and they will be an asset this season, with one or two of them likely to have real break through seasons, but we don't want to be in a position of relying on them too much like we were perhaps last season-we want to be able to put them in and take them out at the right time and manage their development.
But for our core 18-20 I think we are looking at:
GK - Burge, O'Brien
RB - Grimmer, Dion KE (Willis)
CB - Willis, McDonald, Hyam, (Stokes)
LB - Stokes, Haynes
CM - Doyle, Kelly, Stevenson
LW - Jones
RW - Vincenti, (Jones)
CAM - McNulty, (Jones)
ST - Biamou, Beavon, K.Thomas, Ponticelli
Not too shabby and with the youngsters as backup. Still need a quality wide left player and someone else who can play the no.10 role for me. I'm not sure about Jones as a regular starter yet in a promotion winning side and he doesn't seem to have an established position yet, being a totally left footed player who has played most of his career on the right, but he could be a good backup/impact sub.
Pearson could be signed as a CB who can play at RB too; Robins seems to like him and I wouldn't be averse to his signing as another defensive option. Until then we have versatile defenders in Stokes and Willis who can move around to cover and I do personally think Stokes is an even better CB than he is a LB, I just hope he can stay fit.
I do think that Thomas will go, Turnbull will find a club due to his reputation from earlier in his career (despite what we saw last season) and Reid will probably hang around like a bad smell and get used now and again in emergencies. Who knows, he might turn it around at the lower level, but it seems unlikely. Hopefully the sale/departure of Thomas, Harries and Turnbull will at least give us a bit of cash to strengthen with and free up some wages. Then we can bring in 2-3 quality players in the wide midfielder/forward areas and perhaps a CB, maybe with a loan or two in there amongst them.
Agree with your assessment. I think we look stronger than we did this time last year but still want more pace in the side.
Think we signed 7 youth players on pro forms Shipley and Camwell look okay and we'll have to see about the rest
Finn and Devon KE sound lively too and you can see with the shape of the squad as it stands at present how those 4 and probably Maycock could feature with one or two knocks amongst the core senior squad.
Are we looking at a case of either or with Pearson and Turnbull? With so few days for him to leave and no reported interest I think he'll be here next season.
The main concern is that statistically a first time promotion out of this league compared to those above is harder. I assume that is due to the limited difference the lower you get. No one knows yet how good the squad is. Last time we signed a load of new players post relegation it was a disaster - though admittedly the buffoon Thorn was in charge.
We need a fast start and need to look a threat by the end of September
We need a fast start and need to look a threat by the end of September
It's not about keeping up the numbers, we need to ensure the quality is there.
Currently there are three players with the futures unceratin;
Turnbull
Reid
Thomas
I believe if we retain these three players past the end of the window we wouldn't need anymore players, but if all three of them were to leave I would add one or two, especially on the wing and CB.
It's beyond me how Luke Berry hasn't got a move to a higher division. If we sold George Thomas I'd have a bit of a bid for him. Akinde is not all that. Only done it at Barnet really.
Well I didn't say they were better I believe they're ones to be worried about. Anyway Astute picked out a few teams so I'll ignore those ones to begin with. I actually don't think Notts county will be up there either.
Cambridge - close to the playoffs last year (also destroyed us) largely thanks to Luke berry. They've kept hold of him so far and have also strengthened. They've signed ibhere who's scored 15 and 12 goals in the last two years at this level. That's a welcome addition and with him, berry and Ikpeazu they have some goals in that team. They've also brought in Forde who will improve them in goal. The issue with them is their manager. Derry is still young and unproven in my opinion. Other Additions include David Amoo and Azeez who could both be okay at this level. Azeez isn't going to be near first choice up front but is very quick off the bench.
Cheltenham - struggled last year but have managed to keep hold of Harry Pell who is a fan favourite there. They've signed a goalscorer in Eisa who's come from the non league. He's impressed there during pre season and could be a handful. I like will Boyle at the back for them too and I think Forster could prove another decent signing for them. Dawson in midfield is another good player and Gary Johnson is a manger we all know.
Swindon - I liked the look of them at the Ricoh last year even though they were on a dreadful run. They have Flitcroft as manager now and will do well if they can avoid off field problems. Ollie Lancashire is a good signing at the back for them. Hussey is another good addition in league 2. Vigouroux is a top keeper. Brophy was fantastic against us at their place last year and if he plays like he did that day will be good in league 2. They've also signed Ben Purkiss from port vale and I believe he was their captain? Linganzi has joined from Portsmouth as well. Their problem is going to be goals. We don't have many goals in our team either in all honesty
Wycombe - Again up there last year and have kept pretty much all of there players. They've not strengthened too much to be fair but will be there or there abouts next year. I like ainsworth as manager. Akinfenwa, Kasket and Weston is a good front three. Jombati is a decent full back. One addition they have made is A goalkeeper who is loved at Cheltenham and very good player.
Chesterfield - they have done some really good business and will be very strong next year. Ugwu is good signing, better than biamou in my opinion more of a goalscorer. Scott wiseman is a great singing at right back as well as O'grady upfront. Joe anyone is a decent keeper too. In my opinion their best signing is Reed from Sheffield United. Very highly rated central midfielder who is proven above this level.
Exeter - also up there last year. Rubén Reid is a player we all know. David wheeler is another top player who they have managed to keep hold of. Tisdale is a great manager, one who I'd loved to have had here. They really found form in the second half of last season. However they have lost Ollie Watkins but there is still time for them to sign more
I believe Luton, Mansfield and Lincoln will be top 3. In terms of our squad we lack goals. Hopefully McNulty can hit form. I think biamou will take a while to adjust at this level like he did at Sutton. I'd like another good centre half, we are short there and I see McDonald similar to Willis and Turnbull. They've all had good spells but alongside an older, bigger and more dominant centre half. With eachother they might struggle. Kelly and vincenti have both been signed on the back of bad injuries along with stokes we don't know how well they will recover from that.
As I said quality.
Reid....not too fussed unless he pulls his head out of his arse.
Turnbull...not even sure if he would be my 1st choice.
Thomas....would like him to stay. But also not relying on him being 1st choice.
If's, maybe's, think and could be. All in a normal season.
None of them had a good season last year. How many scored more than 1.5 goals a game?
They would all need to vastly improve. We are better than you think. So lets agree to disagree and come back to this later on in the season.
None had a good season? Exeter and Carlisle were play offs, Cambridge and Wycombe just behind. You remember what happened to us last season right?
Yes. We won at Wembley to win a trophy they were all involved in. We also played in the Division above. Our performances improved when we got our present manager.
Yes Exeter and Carlisle were 5th and 6th. 5 points above 12th. 6 points below 4th and 14 points below 3rd. So they were closer to 12th than the team above them. And nowhere near the automatic promotion places.
What a well put together response. With the exception of Cheltenham I think you are right on all of those teams, they should be challenging. Eisa at Cheltenham is the kind of player I would have loved us to sign. Low cost gamble who has been ridiculously prolific in non league.
I do, however, think you are underestimating the team Robins has built. I think we have a chance. Like most we could still do with a couple of players but don't think we'll be far off. As you say, goals is my main concern at the moment.
I am less concerned after looking at last seasons table. I still say that we need a proven goalscorer for this level. But teams made the playoffs scoring just 1.5 goals a game. Carlisle made 6th scoring 69 and having 68 against them.
Only 1 promoted team had a 20+ striker. Not essential but it obviously helps.
League two is gonna really surprise a few, it's not as clear cut as we're gonna stroll it.
We've recruited well but others are too, some sides have that 15+ goal scorer on there ranks while we are hopeful of McNulty or Biamou braking that mark.
I think we're a few players light of where I ideally see us while I'd be happier shipping Reid and Turnbull on and bringing in Pearson to be that physical central defender. We still need a natural wide left forward who's got 7+ goals in his boots to compliment vincenti on the right to help with goals.
A set piece man too would be nice, to hit the top corners.
Still time but loans looking more likely the closers to August we get, unless another club recruits a player meaning they allow our target to move on be it a small fee or free.
We've recruited well but others are too, some sides have that 15+ goal scorer on there ranks while we are hopeful of McNulty or Biamou braking that mark.
I think we're a few players light of where I ideally see us while I'd be happier shipping Reid and Turnbull on and bringing in Pearson to be that physical central defender. We still need a natural wide left forward who's got 7+ goals in his boots to compliment vincenti on the right to help with goals.
A set piece man too would be nice, to hit the top corners.
Still time but loans looking more likely the closers to August we get, unless another club recruits a player meaning they allow our target to move on be it a small fee or free.
You have put together a well researched post, but my first impression was, without being too critical, that you have concentrated mainly on the good points of the opposition but only the negative points of us.
I indeed think we have a strong squad and with 2/3 more signings potentially a very strong squad with plenty of depth (something we lacked as well as obvious quality)
I think Pearson signing or not depends on Jordan Turnbull, I think if Turnbull stays then Pearson may not be signed.
I think Pearson signing or not depends on Jordan Turnbull, I think if Turnbull stays then Pearson may not be signed.
Why do people keep saying 'not worthy of a contract'?. There could be many reasons why he was not signed. We have no idea what the reason was.
Because he clearly wasn't, no matter what the reason is (and one can speculate if they wish), Mark Robins didn't feel giving him a contract was something that would have benefitted us, i.e not worthy of a contract.
yup. steve is knowledgable but he shits himself about league 2.
not saying cov will walk it, just dont think our opposition is very good.
* i know nothing about league 2 i should add
I personally don't shit myself about the prospect of league two.... but I'm wise to the fact that the level is inconsistent and anyone can beat anyone on there day.
These are league two players and league two players who we have signed now who like the other sides we face will be inconsistent hence why they are league two players and have errors in there games.
I'm hopeful of a play off place at least as are at least 12-14 other sides in the league as a minimum start of season target.
We're still short of the full package to cement our place in the top 3 in my mind currently and I'm hoping we have a few players emerge as the leagues top performers over this season to help our cause.
Feeling positive tho a week out from the start!
Nah fairplay you might be right. Im just being ootimistic. We sre thr champions(checkatrade) after all!
Interesting quotes from Moorhouse today, basically saying that City had a deal with Glenavon that if the striker impressed we could have him on a free. Robins offered Moorhouse a contract but Glenavon went back on their word and started demanding a fee.
What a shame and gutting for the lad too, I would imagine. I can't see him being very happy with his club. You never know something may come of it.
