the docherty, pavel abbot , daily era and crofts / foley was the worst i can remember although yes, in the early eighties when i first started going a fair amount, the likes of berry and tydeman were pretty uninspiring, as was the huge ground with not many fans in it meaning not much atmosphere - we're not far off a good team here with a good owner, good fanbase and a great stadium - TS needs to just go that extra bit now and we can take off again
The side we sent out against Walsall in 2010 was pretty heartbreaking. Elliot, Francis, Doherty, Fortune, Fry, Jackson, Semedo, Racon, Wagstaff, Anyinsah, Benson. If we've ever put out a worse backline than that I'll be shocked. We lost 1-0.
The back four: Francis went on to Captain a side in the Premier. Doherty had been a Spurs player but was on borrowed time by the time he was at the valley. Fortune kept Shearer quiet in a game and was quite steady, plus he sent the Palace down so plus point straight away. Fry came from West ham from memory and had fitness problems.
No where near being the worse back four but Doherty was slower than Ben Watson and was baggage for the rest of the defense to carry.
Past performance is meaningless. Both Doherty and Fortune were totally past it, Doherty was past it before he even signed for us. Francis was totally useless for us and Matt Fry was probably the slowest full back we've ever had. He went on to play 6 games in League Two and then drop down to the conference. Their pedigree is irrelevant, when they stepped out for us they formed a terrible backline. Unless you can think of a worse one?
Do we know who the player training with us is yet?.....that @DOUCHER mentioned.
Was thinking it could be Viv Soloman-Otabor & that our medical / coaching team are trying to get him up to fitness before we agree a contract with him.
Could be a useful addition based on what he produced at Wigan last yr.
Do we know who the player training with us is yet?.....that @DOUCHER mentioned.
Was thinking it could be Viv Soloman-Otabor & that our medical / coaching team are trying to get him up to fitness before we agree a contract with him.
Could be a useful addition based on what he produced at Wigan last yr.
just asked my mate for an update on that - will report back when i know anything
6 more needed in my opinion. I hope we can get that many without taking 4 loans additional to Famewo. I think we should try and keep one or two loan slots open for January - usually easier to get a loan than a permanent signing in January.
No.1 priority is a left back. - Purrington is solid but can overlap Kirk and deliver, so I'm saying a prem loan as priority will be to have 2 wing back type.
I can see us getting away with signing another 3 - 2 at a push on top of a LB if Schwartz isn't washed up and we think Deji can do a job.
For real depth we need to have more, but so far we have only signed players we want and I like that policy even if we do miss out more often.
Disagree. Attacking central midfield is where we need to prioritise. We need a playmaker. I’d rather spend big on that position than get in a LB when we know Purrington won’t let us down. In fact I’d give the LB slot up to one of the loans spots.
Definitely. I feel the missing AM is probably just about the only weak link in the first team.
So here are the top ranked L1 "Assisters" from last season - I am only showing those aged 24 and under. Those who got promoted are presumably not an option but interesting to see Josh Sims on the list... Aaron Morley struck me as a defensive midfielder but his assists and heatmaps from last season suggest he is more of a number 10 and he could be well worth a look. At 21 years of age he fits the bill. Cracking distribution and very intelligent player but not the greatest defensively.
8 Assists Josh Sims Malik Wilks Charlie Kirk T Lowery
7 Assists J Powell (Burton) S Dembele (Posh) A Morley (Rochdale) J Yates (Blackpool)
6 more needed in my opinion. I hope we can get that many without taking 4 loans additional to Famewo. I think we should try and keep one or two loan slots open for January - usually easier to get a loan than a permanent signing in January.
I think someone said earlier we only have 2 slots available unless we sell someone
I know I'm going to get absolute pelters for this but looking at the highlights of Kirk slamming balls across the area maybe Ronnie has a future? He must be looking at that and thinking he would fill his boots
reading through some of the stuff today, it seems that Kirk can also play in a nr 10 role but without doubt, for me a midfield general / playmaker is the most important remaining piece of the jigsaw and where the resources need to go
We definitely need a more attacking LB if we're going to play a 433 with the 2 winger cutting inside. You need to challenge their defence, so that they don't know whether to cover the winger or overlapping full back
I've a suspicion that Morgan, Clare and Dobson will be competing for 2 places, as we'll need a goal scoring midfielder to make the system work. That might be Gilbey, but I think we'll bring someone in
I know I'm going to get absolute pelters for this but looking at the highlights of Kirk slamming balls across the area maybe Ronnie has a future? He must be looking at that and thinking he would fill his boots
We definitely need a more attacking LB if we're going to play a 433 with the 2 winger cutting inside. You need to challenge their defence, so that they don't know whether to cover the winger of overlapping full back
I've a suspicion that Morgan, Clare and Dobson will be competing for 2 places, as we'll need a goal scoring midfielder to make the system work. That might be Gilbey, but I think we'll bring someone in
yep, pacey left back next on my list after the midfield general then its prem loans for cb, pacey striker/goalscorer and another winger
6 more needed in my opinion. I hope we can get that many without taking 4 loans additional to Famewo. I think we should try and keep one or two loan slots open for January - usually easier to get a loan than a permanent signing in January.
I think someone said earlier we only have 2 slots available unless we sell someone
I think the limit only applies to players registered. I'd therefore guess that JFC won't be registered until January. I'd probably let Schwartz go and not bring in a second choice keeper. That would increase it to 4 spots available for say 5 signings, so 1 would have to be under 20.
EDIT - I don't think goalkeepers are included at all. You are allowed to have 22 outfield players.
if u look at the midfield and assume 2 players for every spot, i see a job share for dobson and watson (watson the understudy) golby and clare (clare probably the understudy), then morgan and ??? our star signing - morgan the understudy
6 more needed in my opinion. I hope we can get that many without taking 4 loans additional to Famewo. I think we should try and keep one or two loan slots open for January - usually easier to get a loan than a permanent signing in January.
Out of interest, which 6 of our current squad do you not want to play this season? Squad cap is in place.
We definitely need a more attacking LB if we're going to play a 433 with the 2 winger cutting inside. You need to challenge their defence, so that they don't know whether to cover the winger of overlapping full back
I've a suspicion that Morgan, Clare and Dobson will be competing for 2 places, as we'll need a goal scoring midfielder to make the system work. That might be Gilbey, but I think we'll bring someone in
yep, pacey left back next on my list after the midfield general then its prem loans for cb, pacey striker/goalscorer and another winger
Tbf mate I would say a goalscorer needs to be before that with the main resources we know we can defend its the goals that need to be brought in and aneke NEEDS replacing especially the goals !!
6 more needed in my opinion. I hope we can get that many without taking 4 loans additional to Famewo. I think we should try and keep one or two loan slots open for January - usually easier to get a loan than a permanent signing in January.
Out of interest, which 6 of our current squad do you not want to play this season? Squad cap is in place.
You are allowed 22 outfield players in your squad.
6 more needed in my opinion. I hope we can get that many without taking 4 loans additional to Famewo. I think we should try and keep one or two loan slots open for January - usually easier to get a loan than a permanent signing in January.
Out of interest, which 6 of our current squad do you not want to play this season? Squad cap is in place.
You are allowed 22 outfield players in your squad.
Including Kirk, i make it 22 outfield already, that’s why I was asking if someone wants 6 more in, which 6 will they exclude.
Considering his constant comments on academy, Adkins isn’t going to dump all the youth out of the squad from the Wednesday game.
Edit: just seen the posts saying under 21s don’t count, so can ignore what I’ve said about the younger academy players.
A quick note for those saying we need more additions (which I quite agree with)... we now have only two senior squad places remaining unless we see exits (Dempsey, Davison, Schwartz). We have four matchday loan places left which can stretch that but any incoming player needs to be born pre 2000 to qualify as an U21 and not eat into our two spots. Goalkeepers (of any age) do not count.
I counted it as 19 over 21s, meaning we have 3 places?
Either way, players who are just over the 1st January 2000 are potentially vulnerable. I was surprised Dempsey was given another contract as he's over 21 and would take up a place. Interesting that he didn't feature yesterday, maybe he'll be loaned out or moved on
6 more needed in my opinion. I hope we can get that many without taking 4 loans additional to Famewo. I think we should try and keep one or two loan slots open for January - usually easier to get a loan than a permanent signing in January.
Out of interest, which 6 of our current squad do you not want to play this season? Squad cap is in place.
You are allowed 22 outfield players in your squad.
Including Kirk, i make it 22 outfield already, that’s why I was asking if someone wants 6 more in, which 6 will they exclude.
6 more needed in my opinion. I hope we can get that many without taking 4 loans additional to Famewo. I think we should try and keep one or two loan slots open for January - usually easier to get a loan than a permanent signing in January.
I think someone said earlier we only have 2 slots available unless we sell someone
Sorry, genuine question, whch is this rule because of? I'm losing track of some of this stuff these days.
6 more needed in my opinion. I hope we can get that many without taking 4 loans additional to Famewo. I think we should try and keep one or two loan slots open for January - usually easier to get a loan than a permanent signing in January.
Out of interest, which 6 of our current squad do you not want to play this season? Squad cap is in place.
You are allowed 22 outfield players in your squad.
Including Kirk, i make it 22 outfield already, that’s why I was asking if someone wants 6 more in, which 6 will they exclude.
6 more needed in my opinion. I hope we can get that many without taking 4 loans additional to Famewo. I think we should try and keep one or two loan slots open for January - usually easier to get a loan than a permanent signing in January.
I think someone said earlier we only have 2 slots available unless we sell someone
Sorry, genuine question, whch is this rule because of? I'm losing track of some of this stuff these days.
Squad is capped to 22 outfield players, of which 8 have to be home grown. Believe it was brought in alongside the salary cap. The latter was scrapped but this hasn't been and actually, I don't think it's unreasonable.
6 more needed in my opinion. I hope we can get that many without taking 4 loans additional to Famewo. I think we should try and keep one or two loan slots open for January - usually easier to get a loan than a permanent signing in January.
Out of interest, which 6 of our current squad do you not want to play this season? Squad cap is in place.
You are allowed 22 outfield players in your squad.
Including Kirk, i make it 22 outfield already, that’s why I was asking if someone wants 6 more in, which 6 will they exclude.
Considering his constant comments on academy, Adkins isn’t going to dump all the youth out of the squad from the Wednesday game.
The priority is one thing. Promotion. Anything that hinders that including having players from the academy in the squad has to be wrong. The youngsters coming through will get their chance when they’re good enough. None of those currently on the fringe with the exception of Elewere should keep better players out of the 22.
6 more needed in my opinion. I hope we can get that many without taking 4 loans additional to Famewo. I think we should try and keep one or two loan slots open for January - usually easier to get a loan than a permanent signing in January.
I think someone said earlier we only have 2 slots available unless we sell someone
Sorry, genuine question, whch is this rule because of? I'm losing track of some of this stuff these days.
A team can only register 22 players in their squad that are over 21. We currently have 22 so unless we lose some we only have 2 places available
6 more needed in my opinion. I hope we can get that many without taking 4 loans additional to Famewo. I think we should try and keep one or two loan slots open for January - usually easier to get a loan than a permanent signing in January.
Out of interest, which 6 of our current squad do you not want to play this season? Squad cap is in place.
You are allowed 22 outfield players in your squad.
Including Kirk, i make it 22 outfield already, that’s why I was asking if someone wants 6 more in, which 6 will they exclude.
Comments
Was thinking it could be Viv Soloman-Otabor & that our medical / coaching team are trying to get him up to fitness before we agree a contract with him.
Could be a useful addition based on what he produced at Wigan last yr.
Aaron Morley struck me as a defensive midfielder but his assists and heatmaps from last season suggest he is more of a number 10 and he could be well worth a look. At 21 years of age he fits the bill. Cracking distribution and very intelligent player but not the greatest defensively.
8 Assists
Josh Sims
Malik Wilks
Charlie Kirk
T Lowery
7 Assists
J Powell (Burton)
S Dembele (Posh)
A Morley (Rochdale)
J Yates (Blackpool)
I've a suspicion that Morgan, Clare and Dobson will be competing for 2 places, as we'll need a goal scoring midfielder to make the system work. That might be Gilbey, but I think we'll bring someone in
EDIT - I don't think goalkeepers are included at all. You are allowed to have 22 outfield players.
Either way, players who are just over the 1st January 2000 are potentially vulnerable. I was surprised Dempsey was given another contract as he's over 21 and would take up a place. Interesting that he didn't feature yesterday, maybe he'll be loaned out or moved on
Matthews, Gunter
Purrington
Inniss, Famewo, Pearce
Watson, Dobson, Morgan, Gilbey, Clare, Dempsey
DJ, Kirk, Washington
Stockley, Schwartz, Davison, Ghandour
EDIT - Excluding JFC so happy to count it as 20.
Sorry, genuine question, whch is this rule because of? I'm losing track of some of this stuff these days.
We have 18 senior outfield players according to the EFL definition.
The 2021/22 limit is 20.
This will be reduced to 21 and 20 in subsequent seasons (2021/22 and 2022/23 season respectively).
Players aged under the age of 20 are exempt from these restrictions."
So guess we have 21 players allowed over 21.