McFadzean is creaking? He's been unbelievable for the last two seasons. And had a poor moment against Blackpool and then a bad half (along with all of his teammates on Saturday).We will have a lot of wages saved. Waghorn Kelly Walker and Kane must be on reasonable wages
Of the team that played yesterday very few likely will remain. Mcfazdean- but he’s creaking - sheaf, Eccles (not really a first team regular) possibly hamer. I wonder if godden will move on as well
I and tens of thousands turned up on Saturday, some at huge expense time and effort, shame it can't be said of those fucking frauds that masqueraded as footballers.Yeah, Godden has lost it. Dabo never had it. Bidwell, looks ordinary too. To be fair on Saturday everyone was useless, even McNally who has been immense since January.
Trying to be optimistic we've got quite a few first year scholars playing regularly for the U21's already. It's a bit early to get too excited but that does bode well.Vik will obviously go, but I really can't see Hamer going anywhere. I'm old enough to remember Summer 1983 when Bobby Gould had to sign a whole new team, on the whole that worked out ok. Different nowadays, of course. Even If we get a shitload of money for Vik and keep everyone else, it will still be difficult to have the financial clout to strengthen in all the areas we realistically need to.
Shame the Academy isn't producing like it has in the past. OK, Burroughs and Howley play, but there are no stars coming through as per Wilson, Maddison, etc.
Trying to be optimistic we've got quite a few first year scholars playing regularly for the U21's already. It's a bit early to get too excited but that does bode well.
It does, I agree. Would love to see players like Rus and Cashman get pushed towards the first team squad a little. Rus in particular.
Cashman's surely done nothing to warrant a first team squad place?It does, I agree. Would love to see players like Rus and Cashman get pushed towards the first team squad a little. Rus in particular.
I’d be surprised if Cashman ever makes a first team appearance for us - he’s already 22 and seems miles off.It does, I agree. Would love to see players like Rus and Cashman get pushed towards the first team squad a little. Rus in particular.
It does, I agree. Would love to see players like Rus and Cashman get pushed towards the first team squad a little. Rus in particular.
It was more that we've got a lot of 16/17 year old playing under 21's, so a fair bit above the level they'd probably be expected to be at that stage. Can't assume that progress will continue but does give a chance that in a couple of years we might have a few academy prospects ready.The u23s is miles off the intensity and standard of first team football, they are literally training matches. It's probably the reason why Robins apparently runs training sessions at high intensity as u23 gives limited opportunity to assess player readiness otherwise.
That's very true. Personally, I don't think he'll make it with us, which is a shame as he has bags and bags of skill and talent. Another Kev Thornton in the making, I think.I’d be surprised if Cashman ever makes a first team appearance for us - he’s already 22 and seems miles off.
Also explains why the likes of Howley look miles off the speed of thought needed when they first break through.The u23s is miles off the intensity and standard of first team football, they are literally training matches. It's probably the reason why Robins apparently runs training sessions at high intensity as u23 gives limited opportunity to assess player readiness otherwise.
Also explains why the likes of Howley look miles off the speed of thought needed when they first break through.
Also for that matter explains why injured players on the way back don't waste their time playing in them, if there's no match fitness to be had from them.Yeah I’ve watched a few of these games - it’s played at real low intensity levels
Cashman's surely done nothing to warrant a first team squad pla
Also for that matter explains why injured players on the way back don't waste their time playing in them, if there's no match fitness to be had from them.
That was as much punishment though, wasn't it?Hamer played for the U21s at the Higgs in the Autumn. Might have been after his sending off at Brum.
That was as much punishment though, wasn't it?
They were great - I remember when Newcastle were top of Division 1 they seemed to bring hundreds just to watch a reserve match.Hamer played for the U21s at the Higgs in the Autumn. Might have been after his sending off at Brum.
I remember the good old Central League days at HR. Free to get in and there used to be loads of first teams on both sides playing.
NoNot a knee jerk reaction to yesterday, but a genuine question. If the money is there to buy modest improvements, and we’re likely to sell Vik and Gus and maybe even Cal if he comes back well in August, who from those that are left are first teamers other than Sheaf? Maybe Fadz but another year is always a gamble. Maybe Palmer if he can stay fit. Otherwise we need 8-10 first team players in plus 3-5 squad players.
I make it (assuming Vik and Gus go and Cal stays):
GK, CB x 4, RWB, LWB, CM x 2, AM, ST x 3
13 players, and basically a whole team. Is that doable? Too much change in one summer? Is there anyone other than the big four and the kids worth keeping around?
Bidwell, Godden, Allen and Wilson in their final year as squad players, Eccles, Burroughs and maybe Howley as fringe players.
How do we think the summer will go?
Hamer played for the U21s at the Higgs in the Autumn. Might have been after his sending off at Brum.
I remember the good old Central League days at HR. Free to get in and there used to be loads of first teams on both sides playing.
Kelly will be goneBare minimum, even if we renew Dabo Rose and even Kelly:
Wilson/Moore
Dabo/Burroughs
LWB/Bidwell
CB/CB/CB/Fadz/Rose
CM/Sheaf/Eccles/Kelly
O’Hare/Palmer/Allen
ST/ST/Godden
That’s still 7 signings and I’d have serious questions about GK, CM and RWB, and possibly AM with two coming back from injury. You could maybe get away with Tavares and Howley added to that
Kelly will be gone
the only guarenteed starter next year imo is Ben sheaf
1 out of 11
maybe Kasey
I’d definitely get McNally and Doyle backWould say
I think he will, just making the point unless you’re talking about keeping the likes of Walker and Waghorn it’s not making a huge difference to the number of signings we need.
I think we’ll hang onto O’Hare, so that’s 2, I’d try and get McNally and Doyle back as well one way or another which gives a bit more continuity. Still 7 other first teamers plus a couple of subs needed.
But also, if we have a big churn but basically the right players, a season going backwards on the pitch (as long as not too much!) isn't failure.Despite all the rosiness around Wasps & SISU being gone, and the team flirting with the playoffs, this summer's transfer window is still absolutely crucial. If the season tails off now, we lose Gyokeres and Hamer and our new unproven recruitment team don't recruit well, then next season could be brutal. Incremental improvements are all well and good but one bad window can set us back 5 seasons.
But also, if we have a big churn but basically the right players, a season going backwards on the pitch (as long as not too much!) isn't failure.
We're basically relying on not conceding, Gyokeres pulling something out of the bag this season, so to lose Gyokeres will be a big ask to get the team as a whole functioning as effectively. It might need a season for new players to bed in.
If Vic goes I can see us offering Hamer a bumper new deal. I think O'Hare will sign a new deal as at the moment he's got the uncertainty of the injury and I think his suitors will be waiting to see how he recovers from that.
Indeed, which is why a seeming step back in league position next season doesn't necessarily mean we're heading backwards.And if his sale allows us to build something resembling a squad, it’ll leave us much less reliant on one or two players to win us games.
Indeed, which is why a seeming step back in league position next season doesn't necessarily mean we're heading backwards.
And of course, even though Badlan's goneIf we’re spending sensibly, I’d expect us to go for League One and Prem U23 players who will need a season or so to acclimatise to the Championship. Plus Robins always takes a few games to work out his best formation with a new squad of players. I’d be happy with midtable next season if we’ve got the right players in who will develop similar to how Sheaf and O’Hare have.
And of course, even though Badlan's gonenot every signing will be a success.
Flip side it’s a huge opportunityDespite all the rosiness around Wasps & SISU being gone, and the team flirting with the playoffs, this summer's transfer window is still absolutely crucial. If the season tails off now, we lose Gyokeres and Hamer and our new unproven recruitment team don't recruit well, then next season could be brutal. Incremental improvements are all well and good but one bad window can set us back 5 seasons.
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