we start another season with the squad smaller than last season and still needing crucial new players at left back, center back. Particularly one who is comfortable with the ball at his feet. Also we need two good experienced strikers who can play in Garners formation and can play 90 mins+ a game and not break down and be out for weeks. Making up a load of academy players to the first team is not making up the numbers. This sounds like the start of last season. I am crossing every finger and toe that I am proved wrong.
The squad was far too big last season Had players like Matthews, Gunter, Castillo, Soure, and others I probably can't remember who weren't good enough. Had players who didn't fit the system. Started the season with youth players who weren't ready in the bench.
Our squad is much stronger this season. Even up front where we're still light, we're better. Need a left aided defender and probably two attackers. But this is a very solid squad, especially in midfield.
That midfield that got completely overrun and outchallenged for 45 minutes by Accrington today?
Sessegnon, CBT and the goalie the only real upgrades from that line-up
I’d say 4 positions are stronger but the overall squad is a huge difference and that’s without jfc Aneke or Egbo being on the bench, will be interesting to see who misses out once we bring another 2/3 really hope it’s some decent attackers and we could be on to something.
we start another season with the squad smaller than last season and still needing crucial new players at left back, center back. Particularly one who is comfortable with the ball at his feet. Also we need two good experienced strikers who can play in Garners formation and can play 90 mins+ a game and not break down and be out for weeks. Making up a load of academy players to the first team is not making up the numbers. This sounds like the start of last season. I am crossing every finger and toe that I am proved wrong.
The squad was far too big last season Had players like Matthews, Gunter, Castillo, Soure, and others I probably can't remember who weren't good enough. Had players who didn't fit the system. Started the season with youth players who weren't ready in the bench.
Our squad is much stronger this season. Even up front where we're still light, we're better. Need a left aided defender and probably two attackers. But this is a very solid squad, especially in midfield.
That midfield that got completely overrun and outchallenged for 45 minutes by Accrington today?
Thats Football!!
One week a team can look like world beaters, the next week your baffled as to how they cant beat a mid-table or relegation side... Doesnt make them bad Footballers... Its frustrating, but is something everyone should be used to seeing from time to time... It just happens a lot less for the better sides.
Genuinely find it baffling and amusing at the same time, how black and white people can view the sport.
I'm not sure the worth of comparing our side with that on the opening day of last season, as everyone knows that our squad then was awful, hence we started the season in relegation form.
The question isn't whether we are comparatively better, which obviously we are, but whether we are good enough to be genuine promotion contenders.
Personally I think our squad is really unbalanced. When have 3 midfielders on the bench, and can still leave JFC out completely, never mind youngsters like Henry, there's something wrong.
I'm not sure the worth of comparing our side with that on the opening day of last season, as everyone knows that our squad then was awful, hence we started the season in relegation form.
The question isn't whether we are comparatively better, which obviously we are, but whether we are good enough to be genuine promotion contenders.
Personally I think our squad is really unbalanced. When have 3 midfielders on the bench, and can still leave JFC out completely, never mind youngsters like Henry, there's something wrong.
Agree on the question, I can see signs that point to us improving on last season, but like you I'm not sure if it'll be enough.
On the squad you're right, which is why one or two players are expected to move on. We were never going to miss out on signing McGrandles and Payne just because JFC or Gilbey were still here.
we start another season with the squad smaller than last season and still needing crucial new players at left back, center back. Particularly one who is comfortable with the ball at his feet. Also we need two good experienced strikers who can play in Garners formation and can play 90 mins+ a game and not break down and be out for weeks. Making up a load of academy players to the first team is not making up the numbers. This sounds like the start of last season. I am crossing every finger and toe that I am proved wrong.
The squad was far too big last season Had players like Matthews, Gunter, Castillo, Soure, and others I probably can't remember who weren't good enough. Had players who didn't fit the system. Started the season with youth players who weren't ready in the bench.
Our squad is much stronger this season. Even up front where we're still light, we're better. Need a left aided defender and probably two attackers. But this is a very solid squad, especially in midfield.
That midfield that got completely overrun and outchallenged for 45 minutes by Accrington today?
I think it's very possible that as the season goes on, two out of those three, maybe all three, aren't considered our strongest starting midfield. I think JFC IF he stays (big if), McGrandles, and Payne might be the first choice three when the latter two are fully fit.
I don't think Morgan and Fraser matched up well against Accy away due to lack of physicality and defensive abilities, plus I don't think either has really shone for us up until now. But both were excellent in the first half breaking the lines and causing them fits, and that resulted in the goal. Dobbo is still adjusting to the system but he was our POTY last year.
I'm not sure the worth of comparing our side with that on the opening day of last season, as everyone knows that our squad then was awful, hence we started the season in relegation form.
The question isn't whether we are comparatively better, which obviously we are, but whether we are good enough to be genuine promotion contenders.
Personally I think our squad is really unbalanced. When have 3 midfielders on the bench, and can still leave JFC out completely, never mind youngsters like Henry, there's something wrong.
Agreed, and it sounds like Gallen and Garner agree as both have talked about outgoings as well as incomings. I suspect at least one, maybe two of the central midfielders will leave. It'd be great if Henry could go to L2. I would personally much rather move Morgan on than JFC, but Garner doesn't seem to agree with me. I still feel like Morgan only does it in flashes.
I think we need another attacker, ideally two, and a left sided defender. Remember, the window doesn't close for another month. And a lot of Prem/Champ loan signings are done later in the window. So I'm not overly fussed. If on Sept 2 we haven't signed attack or defensive cover, then I'll worry. But right now I think we have the foundations and system for a promotion push.
The only worry with waiting till the last few days of the window is that we have key matches against promotion rivals (Derby, Weds, Wycombe, Plymouth) before then. We’re gonna need to have a front 3 that operates a lot better than the front 3 did today if we’re gonna get a good return from these fixtures.
We drew our first game last season (with an almost identical front 3 that didn’t work) & then went on to have a disasterous month. Need to ensure we don’t give ourselves a mountain to climb again this year.
I'm not sure the worth of comparing our side with that on the opening day of last season, as everyone knows that our squad then was awful, hence we started the season in relegation form.
The question isn't whether we are comparatively better, which obviously we are, but whether we are good enough to be genuine promotion contenders.
Personally I think our squad is really unbalanced. When have 3 midfielders on the bench, and can still leave JFC out completely, never mind youngsters like Henry, there's something wrong.
Agreed, and it sounds like Gallen and Garner agree as both have talked about outgoings as well as incomings. I suspect at least one, maybe two of the central midfielders will leave. It'd be great if Henry could go to L2. I would personally much rather move Morgan on than JFC, but Garner doesn't seem to agree with me. I still feel like Morgan only does it in flashes.
I think we need another attacker, ideally two, and a left sided defender. Remember, the window doesn't close for another month. And a lot of Prem/Champ loan signings are done later in the window. So I'm not overly fussed. If on Sept 2 we haven't signed attack or defensive cover, then I'll worry. But right now I think we have the foundations and system for a promotion push.
JFC is by no means a guaranteed 1st team player but he won't play for the next few weeks. Not because Garner doesn't like him.
I'm not sure the worth of comparing our side with that on the opening day of last season, as everyone knows that our squad then was awful, hence we started the season in relegation form.
The question isn't whether we are comparatively better, which obviously we are, but whether we are good enough to be genuine promotion contenders.
Personally I think our squad is really unbalanced. When have 3 midfielders on the bench, and can still leave JFC out completely, never mind youngsters like Henry, there's something wrong.
Agreed, and it sounds like Gallen and Garner agree as both have talked about outgoings as well as incomings. I suspect at least one, maybe two of the central midfielders will leave. It'd be great if Henry could go to L2. I would personally much rather move Morgan on than JFC, but Garner doesn't seem to agree with me. I still feel like Morgan only does it in flashes.
I think we need another attacker, ideally two, and a left sided defender. Remember, the window doesn't close for another month. And a lot of Prem/Champ loan signings are done later in the window. So I'm not overly fussed. If on Sept 2 we haven't signed attack or defensive cover, then I'll worry. But right now I think we have the foundations and system for a promotion push.
JFC is by no means a guaranteed 1st team player but he won't play for the next few weeks. Not because Garner doesn't like him.
I'm not sure the worth of comparing our side with that on the opening day of last season, as everyone knows that our squad then was awful, hence we started the season in relegation form.
The question isn't whether we are comparatively better, which obviously we are, but whether we are good enough to be genuine promotion contenders.
Personally I think our squad is really unbalanced. When have 3 midfielders on the bench, and can still leave JFC out completely, never mind youngsters like Henry, there's something wrong.
Agreed, and it sounds like Gallen and Garner agree as both have talked about outgoings as well as incomings. I suspect at least one, maybe two of the central midfielders will leave. It'd be great if Henry could go to L2. I would personally much rather move Morgan on than JFC, but Garner doesn't seem to agree with me. I still feel like Morgan only does it in flashes.
I think we need another attacker, ideally two, and a left sided defender. Remember, the window doesn't close for another month. And a lot of Prem/Champ loan signings are done later in the window. So I'm not overly fussed. If on Sept 2 we haven't signed attack or defensive cover, then I'll worry. But right now I think we have the foundations and system for a promotion push.
JFC is by no means a guaranteed 1st team player but he won't play for the next few weeks. Not because Garner doesn't like him.
Basically no-one wants JFC to leave, but at the same time he's expensive and not an automatic first choice, and we're stacked in midfield so logically if anyone's going to move on it's him
Wow, really surprised with the timing of the Elewere move, especially as we can't recall him for the first 28 days. It was interesting though in one of the pre season matches, where he played RB and Ness played in the middle, so clearly Garner wanted to see how Ness coped there.
Wealdstone is a decent club. With the NL being so strong, and the lack of transfer window rules, it makes sense to loan players there.
Gutted to concede last minute. I’m at a wedding overseas atm, I saw it flash up in my phone that we’d scored and was buzzing only to then check again to see 2-2, some things never change!
I saw the opening half and thought we looked good, Frasers goal was very good and can see goals like that being more frequent for us. If someone offered me the point before the game, I’d of taken it, still early days so we move on and with two or three more additions, I think we will have a good season.
Basically no-one wants JFC to leave, but at the same time he's expensive and not an automatic first choice, and we're stacked in midfield so logically if anyone's going to move on it's him
I’d wouldn’t be disappointed if he left. I’ve never quite got the hype around him, even at this level.
I'm not sure the worth of comparing our side with that on the opening day of last season, as everyone knows that our squad then was awful, hence we started the season in relegation form.
The question isn't whether we are comparatively better, which obviously we are, but whether we are good enough to be genuine promotion contenders.
Personally I think our squad is really unbalanced. When have 3 midfielders on the bench, and can still leave JFC out completely, never mind youngsters like Henry, there's something wrong.
Agreed, and it sounds like Gallen and Garner agree as both have talked about outgoings as well as incomings. I suspect at least one, maybe two of the central midfielders will leave. It'd be great if Henry could go to L2. I would personally much rather move Morgan on than JFC, but Garner doesn't seem to agree with me. I still feel like Morgan only does it in flashes.
I think we need another attacker, ideally two, and a left sided defender. Remember, the window doesn't close for another month. And a lot of Prem/Champ loan signings are done later in the window. So I'm not overly fussed. If on Sept 2 we haven't signed attack or defensive cover, then I'll worry. But right now I think we have the foundations and system for a promotion push.
JFC is by no means a guaranteed 1st team player but he won't play for the next few weeks. Not because Garner doesn't like him.
Not even in cup games?
What is the deal with him then? Is he due a salary increase if he makes another league appearance? Wouldn’t be surprised if the contract extension he signed when he got injured included something along those lines….a higher basic pay if/when he gets back to full fitness and completes X games.
Pure guesswork though….it seems a very strange situation.
Comments
One week a team can look like world beaters, the next week your baffled as to how they cant beat a mid-table or relegation side... Doesnt make them bad Footballers... Its frustrating, but is something everyone should be used to seeing from time to time... It just happens a lot less for the better sides.
Genuinely find it baffling and amusing at the same time, how black and white people can view the sport.
It aint that simple
The question isn't whether we are comparatively better, which obviously we are, but whether we are good enough to be genuine promotion contenders.
Personally I think our squad is really unbalanced. When have 3 midfielders on the bench, and can still leave JFC out completely, never mind youngsters like Henry, there's something wrong.
if we want promotion we need to invest in a Cole Stockton or Tyreece Simpson.
On the squad you're right, which is why one or two players are expected to move on. We were never going to miss out on signing McGrandles and Payne just because JFC or Gilbey were still here.
I don't think Morgan and Fraser matched up well against Accy away due to lack of physicality and defensive abilities, plus I don't think either has really shone for us up until now. But both were excellent in the first half breaking the lines and causing them fits, and that resulted in the goal. Dobbo is still adjusting to the system but he was our POTY last year.
So yes, that midfield.
I think we need another attacker, ideally two, and a left sided defender. Remember, the window doesn't close for another month. And a lot of Prem/Champ loan signings are done later in the window. So I'm not overly fussed. If on Sept 2 we haven't signed attack or defensive cover, then I'll worry. But right now I think we have the foundations and system for a promotion push.
We drew our first game last season (with an almost identical front 3 that didn’t work) & then went on to have a disasterous month. Need to ensure we don’t give ourselves a mountain to climb again this year.
Dr. Fraser Payne in the middle with brother Niles Leaburn on the wing. Lovely stuff
He isn't involved now because he is the most likely to leave, that doesn't mean he is the one Garner would most like to leave.
He isn't "up for sale" and hasn't been transfer listed.
He won't be going to Gillingham or Wimbledon if he leaves.
Absolutely no.
Plus if his leaving means we can bring in a striker or a left sided defender it will strengthen us.
What is the deal with him then? Is he due a salary increase if he makes another league appearance? Wouldn’t be surprised if the contract extension he signed when he got injured included something along those lines….a higher basic pay if/when he gets back to full fitness and completes X games.
Pure guesswork though….it seems a very strange situation.