I reckon the boat might have a better turning circle than old Naby.
Can't ping a crossfield ball or put away a classy finish nearly as well though.
Unlikely to get bullied by our local rivals striker and lose in the last minute either - I don’t think nabby is the answer and tbh if we don’t sort our strike force out, we will be pissing in the wind this year anyway so just hoping all focus is on that atm
we were linked to him at the end of last season until he signed on with Bristol again. If I remember rightly, their fans were pretty pleased about it too.
BR fans pleased on the basis of SEVEN appearances last season?
Threads reverted to type again because we’ve not had a signing for a week or two.
a) not one single team in our league has done all it’s business. b) we did hit the ground running, we signed 6 players many weeks/months before the window shutting. c) as others have said you judge the window when it’s shut.
Signing Stockton, will be like overpaying for the player who looked good in a poor team in the World Cup. One hot season isn’t worth a load of money.
Like Kermogant and Mendonca. Best striker we can prob afford…
Mendonca's record prior to joining us is worlds better than Stockton and Kermongant was a cheap gamble (and his record prior to Leicester was something Stockton could dream of)
This Bristol Rovers left back doesn’t sound good. You’ve got to question why we didn’t just extend the contract of our 4th top goal scorer from last season (Ben Purrington) if this is the best we can do.
This Bristol Rovers left back doesn’t sound good. You’ve got to question why we didn’t just extend the contract of our 4th top goal scorer from last season (Ben Purrington) if this is the best we can do.
Because Purrington would want to be first choice where the Bristol lad will be brought in as back up.. to develop.
This Bristol Rovers left back doesn’t sound good. You’ve got to question why we didn’t just extend the contract of our 4th top goal scorer from last season (Ben Purrington) if this is the best we can do.
Because Purrington would want to be first choice where the Bristol lad will be brought in as back up.. to develop.
How much more time does a 24-year old need to develop?
So I think we have the following contracted as first team players for the season:
Goalkeepers
31
Nathan Harness
GK
13
Craig MacGillivray
GK
1
Joe Wollacott
GK
Defenders
28
Sean Clare
RB/RWB/CM/CB/ RM?
?
Mandela Egbo
RB
24
Ryan Inniss
CB
5
Sam Lavelle
CB
6
Eoghan O'Connell
CB
2
Steven Sessegnon
RB/LB
Midfielders
23
Corey Blackett-Taylor
LW
4
George Dobson
CDM
8
Jake Forster-Caskey
CDM
21
Scott Fraser
CAM
11
Alex Gilbey
CM/CAM
7
Diallang Jaiyesimi
RW
14
Charlie Kirk
LW
12
Conor McGrandles
CM
10
Albie Morgan
CM/CAM
19
Jack Payne
CAM
Forwards
22
Chuks Aneke
CF/SS (Super Sub not 2nd Striker)
33
Miles Leaburn
CF
9
Jayden Stockley
CF
To me this points to a need for: A dynamic forward with pace and technical ability (What Chuks was meant to be) instead of the super sub, injury prone big lump he has become. They don't need to be 10 ft tall.
A proper left back maybe a young one on loan or an out of favour player, to be back up & competition for Sessegnon who starred as the primary there against Accrington. Clayden isn't it and I don't know if any of the other younger players are yet.
A Right Wing option to challenge DJ we have Kirk and CBT on the left (with Clayden an option too) and DJ on the right. Personally think there's potential for any decent dribbler/crosser to play there as cover, but we need a proper intentional option.
We also are going to want other players, but I think the above three are the critical ones that we need to get right. I'd say the forward is probably the most important on the list.
So I think we have the following contracted as first team players for the season:
Goalkeepers
31
Nathan Harness
GK
13
Craig MacGillivray
GK
1
Joe Wollacott
GK
Defenders
28
Sean Clare
RB/RWB/CM/CB/ RM?
?
Mandela Egbo
RB
24
Ryan Inniss
CB
5
Sam Lavelle
CB
6
Eoghan O'Connell
CB
2
Steven Sessegnon
RB/LB
Midfielders
23
Corey Blackett-Taylor
LW
4
George Dobson
CDM
8
Jake Forster-Caskey
CDM
21
Scott Fraser
CAM
11
Alex Gilbey
CM/CAM
7
Diallang Jaiyesimi
RW
14
Charlie Kirk
LW
12
Conor McGrandles
CM
10
Albie Morgan
CM/CAM
19
Jack Payne
CAM
Forwards
22
Chuks Aneke
CF/SS (Super Sub not 2nd Striker)
33
Miles Leaburn
CF
9
Jayden Stockley
CF
To me this points to a need for: A dynamic forward with pace and technical ability (What Chuks was meant to be) instead of the super sub, injury prone big lump he has become. They don't need to be 10 ft tall.
A proper left back maybe a young one on loan or an out of favour player, to be back up & competition for Sessegnon who starred as the primary there against Accrington. Clayden isn't it and I don't know if any of the other younger players are yet.
A Right Wing option to challenge DJ we have Kirk and CBT on the left (with Clayden an option too) and DJ on the right. Personally think there's potential for any decent dribbler/crosser to play there as cover, but we need a proper intentional option.
We also are going to want other players, but I think the above three are the critical ones that we need to get right. I'd say the forward is probably the most important on the list.
Egbo has played right wing and was apparently very good.
So I think we have the following contracted as first team players for the season:
Goalkeepers
31
Nathan Harness
GK
13
Craig MacGillivray
GK
1
Joe Wollacott
GK
Defenders
28
Sean Clare
RB/RWB/CM/CB/ RM?
?
Mandela Egbo
RB
24
Ryan Inniss
CB
5
Sam Lavelle
CB
6
Eoghan O'Connell
CB
2
Steven Sessegnon
RB/LB
Midfielders
23
Corey Blackett-Taylor
LW
4
George Dobson
CDM
8
Jake Forster-Caskey
CDM
21
Scott Fraser
CAM
11
Alex Gilbey
CM/CAM
7
Diallang Jaiyesimi
RW
14
Charlie Kirk
LW
12
Conor McGrandles
CM
10
Albie Morgan
CM/CAM
19
Jack Payne
CAM
Forwards
22
Chuks Aneke
CF/SS (Super Sub not 2nd Striker)
33
Miles Leaburn
CF
9
Jayden Stockley
CF
To me this points to a need for: A dynamic forward with pace and technical ability (What Chuks was meant to be) instead of the super sub, injury prone big lump he has become. They don't need to be 10 ft tall.
A proper left back maybe a young one on loan or an out of favour player, to be back up & competition for Sessegnon who starred as the primary there against Accrington. Clayden isn't it and I don't know if any of the other younger players are yet.
A Right Wing option to challenge DJ we have Kirk and CBT on the left (with Clayden an option too) and DJ on the right. Personally think there's potential for any decent dribbler/crosser to play there as cover, but we need a proper intentional option.
We also are going to want other players, but I think the above three are the critical ones that we need to get right. I'd say the forward is probably the most important on the list.
Egbo has played right wing and was apparently very good.
Yeah but that means we're again shoehorning Clare in as a RB.
So I think we have the following contracted as first team players for the season:
Goalkeepers
31
Nathan Harness
GK
13
Craig MacGillivray
GK
1
Joe Wollacott
GK
Defenders
28
Sean Clare
RB/RWB/CM/CB/ RM?
?
Mandela Egbo
RB
24
Ryan Inniss
CB
5
Sam Lavelle
CB
6
Eoghan O'Connell
CB
2
Steven Sessegnon
RB/LB
Midfielders
23
Corey Blackett-Taylor
LW
4
George Dobson
CDM
8
Jake Forster-Caskey
CDM
21
Scott Fraser
CAM
11
Alex Gilbey
CM/CAM
7
Diallang Jaiyesimi
RW
14
Charlie Kirk
LW
12
Conor McGrandles
CM
10
Albie Morgan
CM/CAM
19
Jack Payne
CAM
Forwards
22
Chuks Aneke
CF/SS (Super Sub not 2nd Striker)
33
Miles Leaburn
CF
9
Jayden Stockley
CF
To me this points to a need for: A dynamic forward with pace and technical ability (What Chuks was meant to be) instead of the super sub, injury prone big lump he has become. They don't need to be 10 ft tall.
A proper left back maybe a young one on loan or an out of favour player, to be back up & competition for Sessegnon who starred as the primary there against Accrington. Clayden isn't it and I don't know if any of the other younger players are yet.
A Right Wing option to challenge DJ we have Kirk and CBT on the left (with Clayden an option too) and DJ on the right. Personally think there's potential for any decent dribbler/crosser to play there as cover, but we need a proper intentional option.
We also are going to want other players, but I think the above three are the critical ones that we need to get right. I'd say the forward is probably the most important on the list.
The Palace kid is presumably seen as the right wing option given our interest is (or was) confirmed, so I would say that at least we know that the SMT agree with.
I'd be inclined to agree with both of those others too, though it does look increasingly like loans will be utilised there.
If the budget allows I'd not be opposed to seeing another CB as well given Iniss inevitably due an injury soon, but it's not as pressing.
So I think we have the following contracted as first team players for the season:
Goalkeepers
31
Nathan Harness
GK
13
Craig MacGillivray
GK
1
Joe Wollacott
GK
Defenders
28
Sean Clare
RB/RWB/CM/CB/ RM?
?
Mandela Egbo
RB
24
Ryan Inniss
CB
5
Sam Lavelle
CB
6
Eoghan O'Connell
CB
2
Steven Sessegnon
RB/LB
Midfielders
23
Corey Blackett-Taylor
LW
4
George Dobson
CDM
8
Jake Forster-Caskey
CDM
21
Scott Fraser
CAM
11
Alex Gilbey
CM/CAM
7
Diallang Jaiyesimi
RW
14
Charlie Kirk
LW
12
Conor McGrandles
CM
10
Albie Morgan
CM/CAM
19
Jack Payne
CAM
Forwards
22
Chuks Aneke
CF/SS (Super Sub not 2nd Striker)
33
Miles Leaburn
CF
9
Jayden Stockley
CF
To me this points to a need for: A dynamic forward with pace and technical ability (What Chuks was meant to be) instead of the super sub, injury prone big lump he has become. They don't need to be 10 ft tall.
A proper left back maybe a young one on loan or an out of favour player, to be back up & competition for Sessegnon who starred as the primary there against Accrington. Clayden isn't it and I don't know if any of the other younger players are yet.
A Right Wing option to challenge DJ we have Kirk and CBT on the left (with Clayden an option too) and DJ on the right. Personally think there's potential for any decent dribbler/crosser to play there as cover, but we need a proper intentional option.
We also are going to want other players, but I think the above three are the critical ones that we need to get right. I'd say the forward is probably the most important on the list.
I think the two we’re after will be a CB (perhaps one who can cover LB) and a winger (JRS?). With Deji out on loan that makes Ness 4th choice and with Inniss as one of the 3 he’ll get game time.
Garner said 2 or 3 so that’ll either be a LB or striker. With Stockley as captain if a striker come in it may be one who can also play out wide, otherwise we can’t guarantee enough game time.
Some of this may also depend on who we can move on. JFC or Gilbey is expected but I wouldn’t be surprised if DJ or Kirk go too.
So I think we have the following contracted as first team players for the season:
Goalkeepers
31
Nathan Harness
GK
13
Craig MacGillivray
GK
1
Joe Wollacott
GK
Defenders
28
Sean Clare
RB/RWB/CM/CB/ RM?
?
Mandela Egbo
RB
24
Ryan Inniss
CB
5
Sam Lavelle
CB
6
Eoghan O'Connell
CB
2
Steven Sessegnon
RB/LB
Midfielders
23
Corey Blackett-Taylor
LW
4
George Dobson
CDM
8
Jake Forster-Caskey
CDM
21
Scott Fraser
CAM
11
Alex Gilbey
CM/CAM
7
Diallang Jaiyesimi
RW
14
Charlie Kirk
LW
12
Conor McGrandles
CM
10
Albie Morgan
CM/CAM
19
Jack Payne
CAM
Forwards
22
Chuks Aneke
CF/SS (Super Sub not 2nd Striker)
33
Miles Leaburn
CF
9
Jayden Stockley
CF
To me this points to a need for: A dynamic forward with pace and technical ability (What Chuks was meant to be) instead of the super sub, injury prone big lump he has become. They don't need to be 10 ft tall.
A proper left back maybe a young one on loan or an out of favour player, to be back up & competition for Sessegnon who starred as the primary there against Accrington. Clayden isn't it and I don't know if any of the other younger players are yet.
A Right Wing option to challenge DJ we have Kirk and CBT on the left (with Clayden an option too) and DJ on the right. Personally think there's potential for any decent dribbler/crosser to play there as cover, but we need a proper intentional option.
We also are going to want other players, but I think the above three are the critical ones that we need to get right. I'd say the forward is probably the most important on the list.
Egbo has played right wing and was apparently very good.
Yeah but that means we're again shoehorning Clare in as a RB.
I think he is the better full back, but it is all about options when you start to need cover.
So I think we have the following contracted as first team players for the season:
Goalkeepers
31
Nathan Harness
GK
13
Craig MacGillivray
GK
1
Joe Wollacott
GK
Defenders
28
Sean Clare
RB/RWB/CM/CB/ RM?
?
Mandela Egbo
RB
24
Ryan Inniss
CB
5
Sam Lavelle
CB
6
Eoghan O'Connell
CB
2
Steven Sessegnon
RB/LB
Midfielders
23
Corey Blackett-Taylor
LW
4
George Dobson
CDM
8
Jake Forster-Caskey
CDM
21
Scott Fraser
CAM
11
Alex Gilbey
CM/CAM
7
Diallang Jaiyesimi
RW
14
Charlie Kirk
LW
12
Conor McGrandles
CM
10
Albie Morgan
CM/CAM
19
Jack Payne
CAM
Forwards
22
Chuks Aneke
CF/SS (Super Sub not 2nd Striker)
33
Miles Leaburn
CF
9
Jayden Stockley
CF
When one of your 3 CB's is Innis you desperately need at least one more. Would be mad not to. Also need a reserve LB.
Midfield looks well stocked but depends on JFC, Gilbey and Kirk.
Upfront very light given Chuks injury record and Leaburn age.
The squad looks like a good start/work in progress but a fair way from promotion material to me. Ideally need 4-5 really decent players in but clear from TS and Garner comments that won't happen.
Almost all the players we have had in the last 2 years, to me come under the definition of;
"You won't get promoted if x is your y, but x being your y doesn't mean you can't get promoted".
I think if you look at Bowyer's squad, and to a lesser extent Powell's, Curbs play off team as well, you probably had 10ish players like that. If not more.
They all had "not good enough for a promotion team" players as well.
What we really lack is players that "if you have him in the side you have a chance". We need 5 of them. Until we get them we are going no where.
I said at the end of the 20/21 season we need to replace out 5 worst with 5 "best" players. I don't think we have 5 "worst" any more, but I don't think we have 5 "best" either.
I think that's spot on. I think it's the general excessively online culture the world has developed that brings with it a potential negative in anything. We're all probably thinking about it too much and having too much of an opportunity to talk about it. Every time we make a signing there's a negative post with a criticism - often justifiable - and that sparks a debate. It's inevitable now. I think about the positivity there was with the Powell squad taking shape and how it would probably be lookd at now with the increase in data knowledge and the ability to go on another team's forum and find the posters who never liked that player and absorb their negative opinion. Look at that Powell squad
Hamer - unwanted by a second division club, 28 L1 appearances across two loan clubs. Morrison - run out of town by Sheff Weds. Taylor - Jut one L1 season, why hasn't he played higher? Hughes - unwanted by a L1 club, old. Stephens - coming off a big injury, perfect for us etc. Hollands - free players? Where's all the Jenkinson money, pay a fee Slater. Green - L1 relegation player. Pritchard - non-league player, Pardew all over again. Yann - well to be fair the Yann signing got a fair bit of flak at the time. Of all our signings that season I'd say Wiggins was the only one where you couldn't possibly find a fault and it was very exciting. It felt like there was less of that at the time because I think we were all just less terminally online, and that allowed us to wait to see what the players had to offer rather than panicking about where they came from. A lot of those signings were game-changers for us though. We'll have to see if the new signings are. If O'Connell shores up our defence, Sessegnon offers defensive strength and progressive play, Payne creates and scores, Fraser rediscovers his form in a new system and CBT benefits from playing higher up then we might be looking very good. I think we're still a goal-scoring gem on the wing away from being a real promotion threat but we've got players in the squad who could be more than the sum of their parts if the system works. One of the problems we've had the past few years is Bowyer's style was all about the mentality of his players, and then Adkins and Jackson were more hand-wavy let's try and do some goals in their style. A good system well drilled and implemented can bring more out of the players you have than having 11 superstars on the pitch, especially at a lower level.
So I think we have the following contracted as first team players for the season:
Goalkeepers
31
Nathan Harness
GK
13
Craig MacGillivray
GK
1
Joe Wollacott
GK
Defenders
28
Sean Clare
RB/RWB/CM/CB/ RM?
?
Mandela Egbo
RB
24
Ryan Inniss
CB
5
Sam Lavelle
CB
6
Eoghan O'Connell
CB
2
Steven Sessegnon
RB/LB
Midfielders
23
Corey Blackett-Taylor
LW
4
George Dobson
CDM
8
Jake Forster-Caskey
CDM
21
Scott Fraser
CAM
11
Alex Gilbey
CM/CAM
7
Diallang Jaiyesimi
RW
14
Charlie Kirk
LW
12
Conor McGrandles
CM
10
Albie Morgan
CM/CAM
19
Jack Payne
CAM
Forwards
22
Chuks Aneke
CF/SS (Super Sub not 2nd Striker)
33
Miles Leaburn
CF
9
Jayden Stockley
CF
To me this points to a need for: A dynamic forward with pace and technical ability (What Chuks was meant to be) instead of the super sub, injury prone big lump he has become. They don't need to be 10 ft tall.
A proper left back maybe a young one on loan or an out of favour player, to be back up & competition for Sessegnon who starred as the primary there against Accrington. Clayden isn't it and I don't know if any of the other younger players are yet.
A Right Wing option to challenge DJ we have Kirk and CBT on the left (with Clayden an option too) and DJ on the right. Personally think there's potential for any decent dribbler/crosser to play there as cover, but we need a proper intentional option.
We also are going to want other players, but I think the above three are the critical ones that we need to get right. I'd say the forward is probably the most important on the list.
Egbo has played right wing and was apparently very good.
Yeah but that means we're again shoehorning Clare in as a RB.
I think Clare just is a RB at this point. He's never looked right in central midfield, I think there was one game where he looked fairly decent but I've not been convinced. At CB he was passable in a 3 bringing the ball out but his positional awareness wasn't good enough and his weaknesses were exposed by walkabout RWBs. RB seems to suit him though; able to get forward and offer his physicality and pace to an attack, strong enough in one on one situations to stand up to his winger. If he can develop his communication with Inniss/Lavelle then he could offer a lot on the right side of our defence.
Comments
a) not one single team in our league has done all it’s business.
b) we did hit the ground running, we signed 6 players many weeks/months before the window shutting.
c) as others have said you judge the window when it’s shut.
Gonna dig out my Ian Dury collection in anticipation.
To me this points to a need for:
A dynamic forward
with pace and technical ability (What Chuks was meant to be) instead of the super sub, injury prone big lump he has become. They don't need to be 10 ft tall.
A proper left back
maybe a young one on loan or an out of favour player, to be back up & competition for Sessegnon who starred as the primary there against Accrington. Clayden isn't it and I don't know if any of the other younger players are yet.
A Right Wing option to challenge DJ
we have Kirk and CBT on the left (with Clayden an option too) and DJ on the right. Personally think there's potential for any decent dribbler/crosser to play there as cover, but we need a proper intentional option.
We also are going to want other players, but I think the above three are the critical ones that we need to get right. I'd say the forward is probably the most important on the list.
I'd be inclined to agree with both of those others too, though it does look increasingly like loans will be utilised there.
If the budget allows I'd not be opposed to seeing another CB as well given Iniss inevitably due an injury soon, but it's not as pressing.
Garner said 2 or 3 so that’ll either be a LB or striker. With Stockley as captain if a striker come in it may be one who can also play out wide, otherwise we can’t guarantee enough game time.
Some of this may also depend on who we can move on. JFC or Gilbey is expected but I wouldn’t be surprised if DJ or Kirk go too.
When one of your 3 CB's is Innis you desperately need at least one more. Would be mad not to. Also need a reserve LB.
Midfield looks well stocked but depends on JFC, Gilbey and Kirk.
Upfront very light given Chuks injury record and Leaburn age.
The squad looks like a good start/work in progress but a fair way from promotion material to me. Ideally need 4-5 really decent players in but clear from TS and Garner comments that won't happen.