Squad next season

[Christ in Shades (art)]

May 4, 2024 21:29:44 GMT 1 k1man999 said:

Need to try and assemble a squad or basis of one that could also compete in championship
So if promoted not a total build just adding bits of quality with solid foundations.

If that's the case, we'd have to get rid of these lot and start again.

[Terrier Ramone]

May 4, 2024 17:34:31 GMT 1 kwami-hodouto said:

We really need a goal scoring creative midfielder. Who was the last midfielder we had that scored over 10 goals in a season?


Elliot Lee has scored 16 goals from midfield for Wrexham this season. Yes, it was in league two, but I would be very surprised if he isn't very effective for them next season.

Jack Rudoni scored 12 goals in League 1, with a relegated team, just before he joined us.

Ben Wiles scored 8 goals (10 in all competitions) the last time he played in League 1.

[Tinpot]

My assessment of the squad: I've assumed that our loanees are all returning to their parent clubs.

Goalkeepers:

Lee Nicholls
Chris Maxwell
Jacob Chapman
Giosue Bellagambi

I'm fairly happy with the goalkeeping department, even taking into account the assumption that Nicholls is leaving. If we're getting a new coaching team and they want to bring in a 3rd choice goalkeeper who is also doing a coaching role we could do with a 3rd if Bellagambi isn't up to much, but Maxwell as first choice & Chapman on the bench is fine for Lg1. Also, if Chapman & Maxwell are both unavailable we have the option of emergency loan. Verdict - Perfectly fine as long as we don't lose more than 1 keeper.

Full Backs:
Ben Jackson
Josh Ruffels
Jaheim Headley
Yuta Nakayama
Ollie Turton
Brodie Spencer

Assuming we can keep hold of Spencer (and also assuming that Yuta & Headley leave), I'm not unhappy with the options at fullback. Verdict - Perfectly fine as long as we keep hold of - or adequately replace - Spencer

Centre Backs:
Helik
Lees
Pearson
Balker
Ayina

I can't see us keeping hold of Helik, but the others we should. Balker is an interesting one. Unlikely to get a move due to barely playing. Might be brilliant after a preseason to get him fit enough for English football. Or might be piss weak.mVerdict - Would ideally like to see a left sided CB. Plenty of options on the right, especially with Turton also able to play that role if we're in a 3.

Central Midfield
Hogg
Kasumu
High
Wiles
Austerfield
Rudoni
Diarra
Iorpenda

Rudoni is likely to get a Championship move. Diarra ain't staying. Iorpenda might get the odd game here & there but unlikely to play anything more than a very minor role. Hogg should be on the bench as the guy to bring on with 20 minutes to go to see the game out. Kasumu should be a decent player for Lg1, but unless we bolster the midfield he's going to be alongside any two of Austerfield, High & Wiles. Verdict - I wouldn't be happy going into League 2 with that midfield, let alone Lg1. Just awful.

Wingers
Sorba
Jones
Koroma
Rowe
Mahoney

With Mahoney, Sorba & Rowe likely to leave, that leaves us with the painfully inconsistent Josh Koroma and the permanently injured Pat Jones. I am not even aware of any kids coming through that look anything like. Verdict - Arguably even worse than in the centre of midfield. I say, "arguably" on the grounds that Jones & JK could be a decent wing pairing occasionally, but it's another area that we're painfully weak. Unless we're planning to play a wingerless formation all season we desperately need strengthening here.

Strikers:

Danny Ward
Kyle Hudlin
Kieran Phillips
Tyreece Simpson
Kian Karratt
Bojan Radulovic
Rhys Healey

Well, if anyone wanted to know the meaning of "quantity over quality"... Ward is a player I rate more highly than most Town fans do when he is fit. The last 4 words of that are important. Hudlin likely to leave. He was worth a punt but it's time to say goodbye & I wish him luck. Phillips is 24 and still only a "prospect". Time to cut this one loose. Simpson still has another 2 years on his contract, and did nowt at Northampton. Hopefully another loan for him if we can't sell. Healey - should be great if we can keep him fit. The last 6 words of that are important. Harratt - I haven't got a clue. I can see him having a storming season next season, but I can also see him not managing a single minute & getting binned off, or anything in between. Radulovic - another that could go either way. Technically very good and the best finisher we've had since Rhodes, but lacks pace and strength. Might fail horribly, or he might spend the summer eating steak, pumping iron & sharpening his elbows and become very useful. Verdict - I genuinely have no idea. There are reasons to be optimistic here, and reasons for pessimism too. On balance, I'd like to see a striker that can play the lone CF role brought in. That way we have an option should the others fail horribly, or a strike partner if we want to play 2 up front.

[k1man999]

May 4, 2024 21:34:43 GMT 1 Christ in Shades (art) said:

May 4, 2024 21:29:44 GMT 1 k1man999 said:

Need to try and assemble a squad or basis of one that could also compete in championship
So if promoted not a total build just adding bits of quality with solid foundations.

If that's the case, we'd have to get rid of these lot and start again.

I'd be OK with that but unfortunately not realistic, there's not one player I'd be sad to lose, which previous relegations/disappointments there's always been a couple I'd like to keep.

[Christ in Shades (art)]

May 4, 2024 21:40:54 GMT 1 Tinpot said:

My assessment of the squad: I've assumed that our loanees are all returning to their parent clubs.

Goalkeepers:

Lee Nicholls
Chris Maxwell
Jacob Chapman
Giosue Bellagambi

I'm fairly happy with the goalkeeping department, even taking into account the assumption that Nicholls is leaving. If we're getting a new coaching team and they want to bring in a 3rd choice goalkeeper who is also doing a coaching role we could do with a 3rd if Bellagambi isn't up to much, but Maxwell as first choice & Chapman on the bench is fine for Lg1. Also, if Chapman & Maxwell are both unavailable we have the option of emergency loan. Verdict - Perfectly fine as long as we don't lose more than 1 keeper.

Full Backs:
Ben Jackson
Josh Ruffels
Jaheim Headley
Yuta Nakayama
Ollie Turton
Brodie Spencer

Assuming we can keep hold of Spencer (and also assuming that Yuta & Headley leave), I'm not unhappy with the options at fullback. Verdict - Perfectly fine as long as we keep hold of - or adequately replace - Spencer

Centre Backs:
Helik
Lees
Pearson
Balker
Ayina

I can't see us keeping hold of Helik, but the others we should. Balker is an interesting one. Unlikely to get a move due to barely playing. Might be brilliant after a preseason to get him fit enough for English football. Or might be piss weak.Verdict - Would ideally like to see a left sided CB. Plenty of options on the right, especially with Turton also able to play that role.

Central Midfield
Hogg
Kasumu
High
Wiles
Austerfield
Rudoni
Diarra
Iorpenda

Rudoni is likely to get a Championship move. Diarra ain't staying. Iorpenda might get the odd game here & there but unlikely to play anything more than a very minor role. Hogg should be on the bench as the guy to bring on with 20 minutes to go to see the game out. Kasumu should be a decent player for Lg1, but unless we bolster the midfield he's going to be alongside any two of Austerfield, High & Wiles. Verdict - I wouldn't be happy going into League 2 with that midfield, let alone Lg1. Just awful.

Wingers
Sorba
Jones
Koroma
Rowe
Mahoney

With Mahoney, Sorba & Rowe likely to leave, that leaves us with the painfully inconsistent Josh Koroma and the permanently injured Pat Jones. I am not even aware of any kids coming through that look anything like. Verdict - Arguably even worse than in the centre of midfield. I say, "arguably" on the grounds that Jones & JK could be a decent wing pairing occasionally, but it's another area that we're painfully weak. Unless we're planning to play a wingerless formation all season we desperately need strengthening here.

Strikers:

Danny Ward
Kyle Hudlin
Kieran Phillips
Tyreece Simpson
Kian Karratt
Bojan Radulovic
Rhys Healey

Well, if anyone wanted to know the meaning of "quantity over quality"... Ward is a player I rate more highly than most Town fans do when he is fit. The last 4 words of that are important. Hudlin likely to leave. Worth a punt but time to say goodbye. I wish him luck. Phillips is 24 and still only a "prospect". Time to cut this one loose. Simpson still has another 2 years on his contract, and did nowt at Northampton. Hopefully another loan for him. Healey - should be great if we can keep him fit. The last 6 words of that are important. Harratt - I haven't got a clue. I can see him having a storming season next season, but I can also see him not managing a single minute & getting binned off. Radulovic - another that could go either way. Technically very good and the best finisher we've had since Rhodes, but lacks pace and strength. Might fail horribly, or he might spend the summer eating steak, pumping iron & sharpening his elbows and become very useful. Verdict - I genuinely have no idea. There are reasons to be optimistic here, and reasons for pessimism too. On balance, I'd like to see a striker that can play the lone CF role brought in. That way we have an option should the others fail horribly, or a strike partner if we want to play 2 up front.

If Ward stays fit he would score at League One level, he is actually quite a good finisher, his long range shooting and finishing is excellent, especially at the lower level and with one year left on his contract I'd be more than happy for him to play a bit part.

[bigtruck]

May 4, 2024 21:47:16 GMT 1 Christ in Shades (art) said:

May 4, 2024 21:40:54 GMT 1 Tinpot said:

My assessment of the squad: I've assumed that our loanees are all returning to their parent clubs.

Goalkeepers:

Lee Nicholls
Chris Maxwell
Jacob Chapman
Giosue Bellagambi

I'm fairly happy with the goalkeeping department, even taking into account the assumption that Nicholls is leaving. If we're getting a new coaching team and they want to bring in a 3rd choice goalkeeper who is also doing a coaching role we could do with a 3rd if Bellagambi isn't up to much, but Maxwell as first choice & Chapman on the bench is fine for Lg1. Also, if Chapman & Maxwell are both unavailable we have the option of emergency loan. Verdict - Perfectly fine as long as we don't lose more than 1 keeper.

Full Backs:
Ben Jackson
Josh Ruffels
Jaheim Headley
Yuta Nakayama
Ollie Turton
Brodie Spencer

Assuming we can keep hold of Spencer (and also assuming that Yuta & Headley leave), I'm not unhappy with the options at fullback. Verdict - Perfectly fine as long as we keep hold of - or adequately replace - Spencer

Centre Backs:
Helik
Lees
Pearson
Balker
Ayina

I can't see us keeping hold of Helik, but the others we should. Balker is an interesting one. Unlikely to get a move due to barely playing. Might be brilliant after a preseason to get him fit enough for English football. Or might be piss weak.Verdict - Would ideally like to see a left sided CB. Plenty of options on the right, especially with Turton also able to play that role.

Central Midfield
Hogg
Kasumu
High
Wiles
Austerfield
Rudoni
Diarra
Iorpenda

Rudoni is likely to get a Championship move. Diarra ain't staying. Iorpenda might get the odd game here & there but unlikely to play anything more than a very minor role. Hogg should be on the bench as the guy to bring on with 20 minutes to go to see the game out. Kasumu should be a decent player for Lg1, but unless we bolster the midfield he's going to be alongside any two of Austerfield, High & Wiles. Verdict - I wouldn't be happy going into League 2 with that midfield, let alone Lg1. Just awful.

Wingers
Sorba
Jones
Koroma
Rowe
Mahoney

With Mahoney, Sorba & Rowe likely to leave, that leaves us with the painfully inconsistent Josh Koroma and the permanently injured Pat Jones. I am not even aware of any kids coming through that look anything like. Verdict - Arguably even worse than in the centre of midfield. I say, "arguably" on the grounds that Jones & JK could be a decent wing pairing occasionally, but it's another area that we're painfully weak. Unless we're planning to play a wingerless formation all season we desperately need strengthening here.

Strikers:

Danny Ward
Kyle Hudlin
Kieran Phillips
Tyreece Simpson
Kian Karratt
Bojan Radulovic
Rhys Healey

Well, if anyone wanted to know the meaning of "quantity over quality"... Ward is a player I rate more highly than most Town fans do when he is fit. The last 4 words of that are important. Hudlin likely to leave. Worth a punt but time to say goodbye. I wish him luck. Phillips is 24 and still only a "prospect". Time to cut this one loose. Simpson still has another 2 years on his contract, and did nowt at Northampton. Hopefully another loan for him. Healey - should be great if we can keep him fit. The last 6 words of that are important. Harratt - I haven't got a clue. I can see him having a storming season next season, but I can also see him not managing a single minute & getting binned off. Radulovic - another that could go either way. Technically very good and the best finisher we've had since Rhodes, but lacks pace and strength. Might fail horribly, or he might spend the summer eating steak, pumping iron & sharpening his elbows and become very useful. Verdict - I genuinely have no idea. There are reasons to be optimistic here, and reasons for pessimism too. On balance, I'd like to see a striker that can play the lone CF role brought in. That way we have an option should the others fail horribly, or a strike partner if we want to play 2 up front.

If Ward stays fit he would score at League One level, he is actually quite a good finisher, his long range shooting and finishing is excellent, especially at the lower level and with one year left on his contract I'd be more than happy for him to play a bit part.

Ward has already played 74 games at Lg1 level and scored a whopping 14 goals. He is 100% not who we need next season.

[garyroberts'leftfoot]

May 4, 2024 21:55:28 GMT 1 bigtruck said:

May 4, 2024 21:47:16 GMT 1 Christ in Shades (art) said:

If Ward stays fit he would score at League One level, he is actually quite a good finisher, his long range shooting and finishing is excellent, especially at the lower level and with one year left on his contract I'd be more than happy for him to play a bit part.

Ward has already played 74 games at Lg1 level and scored a whopping 14 goals. He is 100% not who we need next season.

How many of them were as a striker compared to on the wing?

Healey, Bojan and Ward is adequate for a challenge next season. The midfield (both central and wide) is the problem.

[goodbet]

May 4, 2024 21:47:16 GMT 1 Christ in Shades (art) said:

May 4, 2024 21:40:54 GMT 1 Tinpot said:

My assessment of the squad: I've assumed that our loanees are all returning to their parent clubs.

Goalkeepers:

Lee Nicholls
Chris Maxwell
Jacob Chapman
Giosue Bellagambi

I'm fairly happy with the goalkeeping department, even taking into account the assumption that Nicholls is leaving. If we're getting a new coaching team and they want to bring in a 3rd choice goalkeeper who is also doing a coaching role we could do with a 3rd if Bellagambi isn't up to much, but Maxwell as first choice & Chapman on the bench is fine for Lg1. Also, if Chapman & Maxwell are both unavailable we have the option of emergency loan. Verdict - Perfectly fine as long as we don't lose more than 1 keeper.

Full Backs:
Ben Jackson
Josh Ruffels
Jaheim Headley
Yuta Nakayama
Ollie Turton
Brodie Spencer

Assuming we can keep hold of Spencer (and also assuming that Yuta & Headley leave), I'm not unhappy with the options at fullback. Verdict - Perfectly fine as long as we keep hold of - or adequately replace - Spencer

Centre Backs:
Helik
Lees
Pearson
Balker
Ayina

I can't see us keeping hold of Helik, but the others we should. Balker is an interesting one. Unlikely to get a move due to barely playing. Might be brilliant after a preseason to get him fit enough for English football. Or might be piss weak.Verdict - Would ideally like to see a left sided CB. Plenty of options on the right, especially with Turton also able to play that role.

Central Midfield
Hogg
Kasumu
High
Wiles
Austerfield
Rudoni
Diarra
Iorpenda

Rudoni is likely to get a Championship move. Diarra ain't staying. Iorpenda might get the odd game here & there but unlikely to play anything more than a very minor role. Hogg should be on the bench as the guy to bring on with 20 minutes to go to see the game out. Kasumu should be a decent player for Lg1, but unless we bolster the midfield he's going to be alongside any two of Austerfield, High & Wiles. Verdict - I wouldn't be happy going into League 2 with that midfield, let alone Lg1. Just awful.

Wingers
Sorba
Jones
Koroma
Rowe
Mahoney

With Mahoney, Sorba & Rowe likely to leave, that leaves us with the painfully inconsistent Josh Koroma and the permanently injured Pat Jones. I am not even aware of any kids coming through that look anything like. Verdict - Arguably even worse than in the centre of midfield. I say, "arguably" on the grounds that Jones & JK could be a decent wing pairing occasionally, but it's another area that we're painfully weak. Unless we're planning to play a wingerless formation all season we desperately need strengthening here.

Strikers:

Danny Ward
Kyle Hudlin
Kieran Phillips
Tyreece Simpson
Kian Karratt
Bojan Radulovic
Rhys Healey

Well, if anyone wanted to know the meaning of "quantity over quality"... Ward is a player I rate more highly than most Town fans do when he is fit. The last 4 words of that are important. Hudlin likely to leave. Worth a punt but time to say goodbye. I wish him luck. Phillips is 24 and still only a "prospect". Time to cut this one loose. Simpson still has another 2 years on his contract, and did nowt at Northampton. Hopefully another loan for him. Healey - should be great if we can keep him fit. The last 6 words of that are important. Harratt - I haven't got a clue. I can see him having a storming season next season, but I can also see him not managing a single minute & getting binned off. Radulovic - another that could go either way. Technically very good and the best finisher we've had since Rhodes, but lacks pace and strength. Might fail horribly, or he might spend the summer eating steak, pumping iron & sharpening his elbows and become very useful. Verdict - I genuinely have no idea. There are reasons to be optimistic here, and reasons for pessimism too. On balance, I'd like to see a striker that can play the lone CF role brought in. That way we have an option should the others fail horribly, or a strike partner if we want to play 2 up front.

If Ward stays fit he would score at League One level, he is actually quite a good finisher, his long range shooting and finishing is excellent, especially at the lower level and with one year left on his contract I'd be more than happy for him to play a bit part.

I said before this season started that we would see 8 games from Ward and then never see him again. I think he was on the field more than 8 games but I am not sure that he actually contributed in more than 8.

[Werlinger]

End of Loan: Matos, Burgzorg, Edwards.

Release: Nakayama, Hogg, Harratt, Diarra

Sell:
Nicholls
Rudoni
Thomas
Koroma
Headley (if attitude is an issue)

Keep: (unless we get any offers for them)

Maxwell
Ruffels
Turton
Spencer
Pearson
Lees
Helik
Balker
Jackson
Kasumu
Wiles
Jones
Healey
Radulovic
Ward

[rougeboy31]

May 4, 2024 21:40:54 GMT 1 Tinpot said:

My assessment of the squad: I've assumed that our loanees are all returning to their parent clubs.

Goalkeepers:

Lee Nicholls
Chris Maxwell
Jacob Chapman
Giosue Bellagambi

I'm fairly happy with the goalkeeping department, even taking into account the assumption that Nicholls is leaving. If we're getting a new coaching team and they want to bring in a 3rd choice goalkeeper who is also doing a coaching role we could do with a 3rd if Bellagambi isn't up to much, but Maxwell as first choice & Chapman on the bench is fine for Lg1. Also, if Chapman & Maxwell are both unavailable we have the option of emergency loan. Verdict - Perfectly fine as long as we don't lose more than 1 keeper.

Full Backs:
Ben Jackson
Josh Ruffels
Jaheim Headley
Yuta Nakayama
Ollie Turton
Brodie Spencer

Assuming we can keep hold of Spencer (and also assuming that Yuta & Headley leave), I'm not unhappy with the options at fullback. Verdict - Perfectly fine as long as we keep hold of - or adequately replace - Spencer

Centre Backs:
Helik
Lees
Pearson
Balker
Ayina

I can't see us keeping hold of Helik, but the others we should. Balker is an interesting one. Unlikely to get a move due to barely playing. Might be brilliant after a preseason to get him fit enough for English football. Or might be piss weak.mVerdict - Would ideally like to see a left sided CB. Plenty of options on the right, especially with Turton also able to play that role if we're in a 3.

Central Midfield
Hogg
Kasumu
High
Wiles
Austerfield
Rudoni
Diarra
Iorpenda

Rudoni is likely to get a Championship move. Diarra ain't staying. Iorpenda might get the odd game here & there but unlikely to play anything more than a very minor role. Hogg should be on the bench as the guy to bring on with 20 minutes to go to see the game out. Kasumu should be a decent player for Lg1, but unless we bolster the midfield he's going to be alongside any two of Austerfield, High & Wiles. Verdict - I wouldn't be happy going into League 2 with that midfield, let alone Lg1. Just awful.

Wingers
Sorba
Jones
Koroma
Rowe
Mahoney

With Mahoney, Sorba & Rowe likely to leave, that leaves us with the painfully inconsistent Josh Koroma and the permanently injured Pat Jones. I am not even aware of any kids coming through that look anything like. Verdict - Arguably even worse than in the centre of midfield. I say, "arguably" on the grounds that Jones & JK could be a decent wing pairing occasionally, but it's another area that we're painfully weak. Unless we're planning to play a wingerless formation all season we desperately need strengthening here.

Strikers:

Danny Ward
Kyle Hudlin
Kieran Phillips
Tyreece Simpson
Kian Karratt
Bojan Radulovic
Rhys Healey

Well, if anyone wanted to know the meaning of "quantity over quality"... Ward is a player I rate more highly than most Town fans do when he is fit. The last 4 words of that are important. Hudlin likely to leave. He was worth a punt but it's time to say goodbye & I wish him luck. Phillips is 24 and still only a "prospect". Time to cut this one loose. Simpson still has another 2 years on his contract, and did nowt at Northampton. Hopefully another loan for him if we can't sell. Healey - should be great if we can keep him fit. The last 6 words of that are important. Harratt - I haven't got a clue. I can see him having a storming season next season, but I can also see him not managing a single minute & getting binned off, or anything in between. Radulovic - another that could go either way. Technically very good and the best finisher we've had since Rhodes, but lacks pace and strength. Might fail horribly, or he might spend the summer eating steak, pumping iron & sharpening his elbows and become very useful. Verdict - I genuinely have no idea. There are reasons to be optimistic here, and reasons for pessimism too. On balance, I'd like to see a striker that can play the lone CF role brought in. That way we have an option should the others fail horribly, or a strike partner if we want to play 2 up front.

I didn’t mind what I saw of Simpson last season. Very quick and strong. Not much technical ability but could be ok for a bit part player.

[theterrier42]

May 4, 2024 22:07:56 GMT 1 rougeboy31 said:

May 4, 2024 21:40:54 GMT 1 Tinpot said:

My assessment of the squad: I've assumed that our loanees are all returning to their parent clubs.

Goalkeepers:

Lee Nicholls
Chris Maxwell
Jacob Chapman
Giosue Bellagambi

I'm fairly happy with the goalkeeping department, even taking into account the assumption that Nicholls is leaving. If we're getting a new coaching team and they want to bring in a 3rd choice goalkeeper who is also doing a coaching role we could do with a 3rd if Bellagambi isn't up to much, but Maxwell as first choice & Chapman on the bench is fine for Lg1. Also, if Chapman & Maxwell are both unavailable we have the option of emergency loan. Verdict - Perfectly fine as long as we don't lose more than 1 keeper.

Full Backs:
Ben Jackson
Josh Ruffels
Jaheim Headley
Yuta Nakayama
Ollie Turton
Brodie Spencer

Assuming we can keep hold of Spencer (and also assuming that Yuta & Headley leave), I'm not unhappy with the options at fullback. Verdict - Perfectly fine as long as we keep hold of - or adequately replace - Spencer

Centre Backs:
Helik
Lees
Pearson
Balker
Ayina

I can't see us keeping hold of Helik, but the others we should. Balker is an interesting one. Unlikely to get a move due to barely playing. Might be brilliant after a preseason to get him fit enough for English football. Or might be piss weak.mVerdict - Would ideally like to see a left sided CB. Plenty of options on the right, especially with Turton also able to play that role if we're in a 3.

Central Midfield
Hogg
Kasumu
High
Wiles
Austerfield
Rudoni
Diarra
Iorpenda

Rudoni is likely to get a Championship move. Diarra ain't staying. Iorpenda might get the odd game here & there but unlikely to play anything more than a very minor role. Hogg should be on the bench as the guy to bring on with 20 minutes to go to see the game out. Kasumu should be a decent player for Lg1, but unless we bolster the midfield he's going to be alongside any two of Austerfield, High & Wiles. Verdict - I wouldn't be happy going into League 2 with that midfield, let alone Lg1. Just awful.

Wingers
Sorba
Jones
Koroma
Rowe
Mahoney

With Mahoney, Sorba & Rowe likely to leave, that leaves us with the painfully inconsistent Josh Koroma and the permanently injured Pat Jones. I am not even aware of any kids coming through that look anything like. Verdict - Arguably even worse than in the centre of midfield. I say, "arguably" on the grounds that Jones & JK could be a decent wing pairing occasionally, but it's another area that we're painfully weak. Unless we're planning to play a wingerless formation all season we desperately need strengthening here.

Strikers:

Danny Ward
Kyle Hudlin
Kieran Phillips
Tyreece Simpson
Kian Karratt
Bojan Radulovic
Rhys Healey

Well, if anyone wanted to know the meaning of "quantity over quality"... Ward is a player I rate more highly than most Town fans do when he is fit. The last 4 words of that are important. Hudlin likely to leave. He was worth a punt but it's time to say goodbye & I wish him luck. Phillips is 24 and still only a "prospect". Time to cut this one loose. Simpson still has another 2 years on his contract, and did nowt at Northampton. Hopefully another loan for him if we can't sell. Healey - should be great if we can keep him fit. The last 6 words of that are important. Harratt - I haven't got a clue. I can see him having a storming season next season, but I can also see him not managing a single minute & getting binned off, or anything in between. Radulovic - another that could go either way. Technically very good and the best finisher we've had since Rhodes, but lacks pace and strength. Might fail horribly, or he might spend the summer eating steak, pumping iron & sharpening his elbows and become very useful. Verdict - I genuinely have no idea. There are reasons to be optimistic here, and reasons for pessimism too. On balance, I'd like to see a striker that can play the lone CF role brought in. That way we have an option should the others fail horribly, or a strike partner if we want to play 2 up front.

I didn’t mind what I saw of Simpson last season. Very quick and strong. Not much technical ability but could be ok for a bit part player.

No no no. Simpson has barely scored for Northampton. He would be better as a prop for the Giants. Get rid

[Tinpot]

May 4, 2024 22:07:56 GMT 1 rougeboy31 said:

May 4, 2024 21:40:54 GMT 1 Tinpot said:

My assessment of the squad: I've assumed that our loanees are all returning to their parent clubs.

Goalkeepers:

Lee Nicholls
Chris Maxwell
Jacob Chapman
Giosue Bellagambi

I'm fairly happy with the goalkeeping department, even taking into account the assumption that Nicholls is leaving. If we're getting a new coaching team and they want to bring in a 3rd choice goalkeeper who is also doing a coaching role we could do with a 3rd if Bellagambi isn't up to much, but Maxwell as first choice & Chapman on the bench is fine for Lg1. Also, if Chapman & Maxwell are both unavailable we have the option of emergency loan. Verdict - Perfectly fine as long as we don't lose more than 1 keeper.

Full Backs:
Ben Jackson
Josh Ruffels
Jaheim Headley
Yuta Nakayama
Ollie Turton
Brodie Spencer

Assuming we can keep hold of Spencer (and also assuming that Yuta & Headley leave), I'm not unhappy with the options at fullback. Verdict - Perfectly fine as long as we keep hold of - or adequately replace - Spencer

Centre Backs:
Helik
Lees
Pearson
Balker
Ayina

I can't see us keeping hold of Helik, but the others we should. Balker is an interesting one. Unlikely to get a move due to barely playing. Might be brilliant after a preseason to get him fit enough for English football. Or might be piss weak.mVerdict - Would ideally like to see a left sided CB. Plenty of options on the right, especially with Turton also able to play that role if we're in a 3.

Central Midfield
Hogg
Kasumu
High
Wiles
Austerfield
Rudoni
Diarra
Iorpenda

Rudoni is likely to get a Championship move. Diarra ain't staying. Iorpenda might get the odd game here & there but unlikely to play anything more than a very minor role. Hogg should be on the bench as the guy to bring on with 20 minutes to go to see the game out. Kasumu should be a decent player for Lg1, but unless we bolster the midfield he's going to be alongside any two of Austerfield, High & Wiles. Verdict - I wouldn't be happy going into League 2 with that midfield, let alone Lg1. Just awful.

Wingers
Sorba
Jones
Koroma
Rowe
Mahoney

With Mahoney, Sorba & Rowe likely to leave, that leaves us with the painfully inconsistent Josh Koroma and the permanently injured Pat Jones. I am not even aware of any kids coming through that look anything like. Verdict - Arguably even worse than in the centre of midfield. I say, "arguably" on the grounds that Jones & JK could be a decent wing pairing occasionally, but it's another area that we're painfully weak. Unless we're planning to play a wingerless formation all season we desperately need strengthening here.

Strikers:

Danny Ward
Kyle Hudlin
Kieran Phillips
Tyreece Simpson
Kian Karratt
Bojan Radulovic
Rhys Healey

Well, if anyone wanted to know the meaning of "quantity over quality"... Ward is a player I rate more highly than most Town fans do when he is fit. The last 4 words of that are important. Hudlin likely to leave. He was worth a punt but it's time to say goodbye & I wish him luck. Phillips is 24 and still only a "prospect". Time to cut this one loose. Simpson still has another 2 years on his contract, and did nowt at Northampton. Hopefully another loan for him if we can't sell. Healey - should be great if we can keep him fit. The last 6 words of that are important. Harratt - I haven't got a clue. I can see him having a storming season next season, but I can also see him not managing a single minute & getting binned off, or anything in between. Radulovic - another that could go either way. Technically very good and the best finisher we've had since Rhodes, but lacks pace and strength. Might fail horribly, or he might spend the summer eating steak, pumping iron & sharpening his elbows and become very useful. Verdict - I genuinely have no idea. There are reasons to be optimistic here, and reasons for pessimism too. On balance, I'd like to see a striker that can play the lone CF role brought in. That way we have an option should the others fail horribly, or a strike partner if we want to play 2 up front.

I didn’t mind what I saw of Simpson last season. Very quick and strong. Not much technical ability but could be ok for a bit part player.

I was thinking 3 goals & 1 assist all season doesn't suggest he's likely to tear it up.

Happy to be proven wrong though.

[bigtruck]

May 4, 2024 21:59:40 GMT 1 garyroberts'leftfoot said:

May 4, 2024 21:55:28 GMT 1 bigtruck said:

Ward has already played 74 games at Lg1 level and scored a whopping 14 goals. He is 100% not who we need next season.

How many of them were as a striker compared to on the wing?

Healey, Bojan and Ward is adequate for a challenge next season. The midfield (both central and wide) is the problem.

He’s played 481 games. He’s scored 91 goals. Winger or striker that’s shit.

[rougeboy31]

May 4, 2024 22:26:16 GMT 1 Tinpot said:

May 4, 2024 22:07:56 GMT 1 rougeboy31 said:

I didn’t mind what I saw of Simpson last season. Very quick and strong. Not much technical ability but could be ok for a bit part player.

I was thinking 3 goals & 1 assist all season doesn't suggest he's likely to tear it up.

Happy to be proven wrong though.

Don’t think he was ever bought to be our main forward. Don’t want him to be. He’s just different to the others in that he can run past someone. It’s scraping the barrel but thats all I can do.

[boooothy]

I think Turton, Pearson, Healey with one of the goalkeeper will stay.

No one else leaving would be a surprise

[thomo]

Thought Maxwell could have done better with both goals today. Not convinced by him.

[wildhogg]

May 4, 2024 22:28:40 GMT 1 bigtruck said:

May 4, 2024 21:59:40 GMT 1 garyroberts'leftfoot said:

How many of them were as a striker compared to on the wing?

Healey, Bojan and Ward is adequate for a challenge next season. The midfield (both central and wide) is the problem.

He’s played 481 games. He’s scored 91 goals. Winger or striker that’s shit.

He's also unavailable for the majority of the time, which unfortunately means that there won't be anyone silly enough to sign him even if we want to sell. He wouldn't be prepared to walk away from what's reportedly a handsome contract unless we we're willing to pay up. Sadly, we're stuck with him. The 2 year contract offer was absolutely insane.

[NewMill Terrier]

May 4, 2024 21:55:28 GMT 1 bigtruck said:

May 4, 2024 21:47:16 GMT 1 Christ in Shades (art) said:

If Ward stays fit he would score at League One level, he is actually quite a good finisher, his long range shooting and finishing is excellent, especially at the lower level and with one year left on his contract I'd be more than happy for him to play a bit part.

Ward has already played 74 games at Lg1 level and scored a whopping 14 goals. He is 100% not who we need next season.

He is a good solid and experienced pro, that counts for a lot in League 1. Genuinely, he'd be an excellent squad player for us next season.

[uptownfunk]

May 5, 2024 0:14:59 GMT 1 thomo said:

Thought Maxwell could have done better with both goals today. Not convinced by him.

Awful today.

[BlueValour]

May 4, 2024 21:29:44 GMT 1 k1man999 said:

Need to try and assemble a squad or basis of one that could also compete in championship
So if promoted not a total build just adding bits of quality with solid foundations.

Doesn't work that way, sadly. Championship quality players want to play there and won't come to a L1 side on the chance we might get promoted.

[leroy212]

Think turton will be fine at right back, but for the love of god we need a new left back, and have ruffles as back up

[Million Dollar Babies]

What we need is Theo Robinson. Scored 7 for Gloucester this season

[HuddsTerrier]

We have a solid base so build from the back. Yes it’s a bit of dads army but the professional standards will be high and all these players have shown to have heart in the past

Maxwell

Turton
Ruffells
Lees
Pearson

Looks a solid back 5

Hogg (year as a squad player)

Healy (will score a lot)

Jackson, Jones, Ayina, iropenda in the squad and involved regularly

If not named either likely will get better offers (Helik, rudoni, Spencer) or need moving out for a proper reset

The sales should fund a few fees for quality attacking players at that level

Go back to the days of signing players stepping up and seeing playing for Town as the pinnacle of their career to date. People like toffolo, pearson, nicholls, turton etc

Don’t get prospect players in league one. It’s a physical league and you want players with 50 games at least under there belt because there’s a lot of off the ball stuff in the lower league with shit refs missing it

Have 11 lads who are professional and will run hard for 90 mins and you’ve half a chance

Big task ahead

[Flowerdisco]

May 4, 2024 21:40:54 GMT 1 Tinpot said:

My assessment of the squad: I've assumed that our loanees are all returning to their parent clubs.

Goalkeepers:

Lee Nicholls
Chris Maxwell
Jacob Chapman
Giosue Bellagambi

I'm fairly happy with the goalkeeping department, even taking into account the assumption that Nicholls is leaving. If we're getting a new coaching team and they want to bring in a 3rd choice goalkeeper who is also doing a coaching role we could do with a 3rd if Bellagambi isn't up to much, but Maxwell as first choice & Chapman on the bench is fine for Lg1. Also, if Chapman & Maxwell are both unavailable we have the option of emergency loan. Verdict - Perfectly fine as long as we don't lose more than 1 keeper.

Full Backs:
Ben Jackson
Josh Ruffels
Jaheim Headley
Yuta Nakayama
Ollie Turton
Brodie Spencer

Assuming we can keep hold of Spencer (and also assuming that Yuta & Headley leave), I'm not unhappy with the options at fullback. Verdict - Perfectly fine as long as we keep hold of - or adequately replace - Spencer

Centre Backs:
Helik
Lees
Pearson
Balker
Ayina

I can't see us keeping hold of Helik, but the others we should. Balker is an interesting one. Unlikely to get a move due to barely playing. Might be brilliant after a preseason to get him fit enough for English football. Or might be piss weak.mVerdict - Would ideally like to see a left sided CB. Plenty of options on the right, especially with Turton also able to play that role if we're in a 3.

Central Midfield
Hogg
Kasumu
High
Wiles
Austerfield
Rudoni
Diarra
Iorpenda

Rudoni is likely to get a Championship move. Diarra ain't staying. Iorpenda might get the odd game here & there but unlikely to play anything more than a very minor role. Hogg should be on the bench as the guy to bring on with 20 minutes to go to see the game out. Kasumu should be a decent player for Lg1, but unless we bolster the midfield he's going to be alongside any two of Austerfield, High & Wiles. Verdict - I wouldn't be happy going into League 2 with that midfield, let alone Lg1. Just awful.

Wingers
Sorba
Jones
Koroma
Rowe
Mahoney

With Mahoney, Sorba & Rowe likely to leave, that leaves us with the painfully inconsistent Josh Koroma and the permanently injured Pat Jones. I am not even aware of any kids coming through that look anything like. Verdict - Arguably even worse than in the centre of midfield. I say, "arguably" on the grounds that Jones & JK could be a decent wing pairing occasionally, but it's another area that we're painfully weak. Unless we're planning to play a wingerless formation all season we desperately need strengthening here.

Strikers:

Danny Ward
Kyle Hudlin
Kieran Phillips
Tyreece Simpson
Kian Karratt
Bojan Radulovic
Rhys Healey

Well, if anyone wanted to know the meaning of "quantity over quality"... Ward is a player I rate more highly than most Town fans do when he is fit. The last 4 words of that are important. Hudlin likely to leave. He was worth a punt but it's time to say goodbye & I wish him luck. Phillips is 24 and still only a "prospect". Time to cut this one loose. Simpson still has another 2 years on his contract, and did nowt at Northampton. Hopefully another loan for him if we can't sell. Healey - should be great if we can keep him fit. The last 6 words of that are important. Harratt - I haven't got a clue. I can see him having a storming season next season, but I can also see him not managing a single minute & getting binned off, or anything in between. Radulovic - another that could go either way. Technically very good and the best finisher we've had since Rhodes, but lacks pace and strength. Might fail horribly, or he might spend the summer eating steak, pumping iron & sharpening his elbows and become very useful. Verdict - I genuinely have no idea. There are reasons to be optimistic here, and reasons for pessimism too. On balance, I'd like to see a striker that can play the lone CF role brought in. That way we have an option should the others fail horribly, or a strike partner if we want to play 2 up front.

Good assessment that Tinpot
Pretty much agree with all that.
Some people seem to forget we are dropping down a division and some of the players that didn't cut it this season can do a job in league one.
Ward for me is the interesting player.
Not good enough for the championship but league one I reckon he will be fine as long as he stays fit.
We are not going to attract big players simple as.

[Waterloo Terrier]

Concerned by the idea of Maxwell starting next season. Left back and an entirely new midfield is needed. Then a centre half if Helik goes. Going to be a busy summer.

[rockwall]

If we were to start the season with this I'd be happy.

Maxwell

Spencer
Pearson
Balker
New LB

New holding midfielder
Kasumu
New ball playing CM

Healey
Bojan
New winger

Subs

Chapman
Ruffels
Turton
Lees
Wiles
Jones
Ward
Iorpenda
Hogg


That would suggest that the following leave

Nicholls
Nakayama
Helik
Thomas
Diarra
Koroma
Rudoni
Rhodes
Headley

I can also imagine there would be more than 4 additions.
That is just a baseline to work with.


Personally, Hogg, Pearson and Lees are the exact people you need in League 1.

[shawsie]

May 5, 2024 7:25:28 GMT 1 Flowerdisco said:

May 4, 2024 21:40:54 GMT 1 Tinpot said:

My assessment of the squad: I've assumed that our loanees are all returning to their parent clubs.

Goalkeepers:

Lee Nicholls
Chris Maxwell
Jacob Chapman
Giosue Bellagambi

I'm fairly happy with the goalkeeping department, even taking into account the assumption that Nicholls is leaving. If we're getting a new coaching team and they want to bring in a 3rd choice goalkeeper who is also doing a coaching role we could do with a 3rd if Bellagambi isn't up to much, but Maxwell as first choice & Chapman on the bench is fine for Lg1. Also, if Chapman & Maxwell are both unavailable we have the option of emergency loan. Verdict - Perfectly fine as long as we don't lose more than 1 keeper.

Full Backs:
Ben Jackson
Josh Ruffels
Jaheim Headley
Yuta Nakayama
Ollie Turton
Brodie Spencer

Assuming we can keep hold of Spencer (and also assuming that Yuta & Headley leave), I'm not unhappy with the options at fullback. Verdict - Perfectly fine as long as we keep hold of - or adequately replace - Spencer

Centre Backs:
Helik
Lees
Pearson
Balker
Ayina

I can't see us keeping hold of Helik, but the others we should. Balker is an interesting one. Unlikely to get a move due to barely playing. Might be brilliant after a preseason to get him fit enough for English football. Or might be piss weak.mVerdict - Would ideally like to see a left sided CB. Plenty of options on the right, especially with Turton also able to play that role if we're in a 3.

Central Midfield
Hogg
Kasumu
High
Wiles
Austerfield
Rudoni
Diarra
Iorpenda

Rudoni is likely to get a Championship move. Diarra ain't staying. Iorpenda might get the odd game here & there but unlikely to play anything more than a very minor role. Hogg should be on the bench as the guy to bring on with 20 minutes to go to see the game out. Kasumu should be a decent player for Lg1, but unless we bolster the midfield he's going to be alongside any two of Austerfield, High & Wiles. Verdict - I wouldn't be happy going into League 2 with that midfield, let alone Lg1. Just awful.

Wingers
Sorba
Jones
Koroma
Rowe
Mahoney

With Mahoney, Sorba & Rowe likely to leave, that leaves us with the painfully inconsistent Josh Koroma and the permanently injured Pat Jones. I am not even aware of any kids coming through that look anything like. Verdict - Arguably even worse than in the centre of midfield. I say, "arguably" on the grounds that Jones & JK could be a decent wing pairing occasionally, but it's another area that we're painfully weak. Unless we're planning to play a wingerless formation all season we desperately need strengthening here.

Strikers:

Danny Ward
Kyle Hudlin
Kieran Phillips
Tyreece Simpson
Kian Karratt
Bojan Radulovic
Rhys Healey

Well, if anyone wanted to know the meaning of "quantity over quality"... Ward is a player I rate more highly than most Town fans do when he is fit. The last 4 words of that are important. Hudlin likely to leave. He was worth a punt but it's time to say goodbye & I wish him luck. Phillips is 24 and still only a "prospect". Time to cut this one loose. Simpson still has another 2 years on his contract, and did nowt at Northampton. Hopefully another loan for him if we can't sell. Healey - should be great if we can keep him fit. The last 6 words of that are important. Harratt - I haven't got a clue. I can see him having a storming season next season, but I can also see him not managing a single minute & getting binned off, or anything in between. Radulovic - another that could go either way. Technically very good and the best finisher we've had since Rhodes, but lacks pace and strength. Might fail horribly, or he might spend the summer eating steak, pumping iron & sharpening his elbows and become very useful. Verdict - I genuinely have no idea. There are reasons to be optimistic here, and reasons for pessimism too. On balance, I'd like to see a striker that can play the lone CF role brought in. That way we have an option should the others fail horribly, or a strike partner if we want to play 2 up front.

Good assessment that Tinpot
Pretty much agree with all that.
Some people seem to forget we are dropping down a division and some of the players that didn't cut it this season can do a job in league one.
Ward for me is the interesting player.
Not good enough for the championship but league one I reckon he will be fine as long as he stays fit.
We are not going to attract big players simple as.

We dont need or want "big" players.
Whats needed is sound solid pros sprinkled with some young talent bursting through.
Helik will go - and deserves to. Hes a good championship player and has proved it in 2 poor teams at this level.
Sorba, diarra, headley can all disappear for the right money - none have great consistent quality, albeit i dont have the hatred for sorba some do and he mostly puts in a shift.
The rest wont fetch much lets be honest. Some decent trading needed this summer.

[jasrick]

I might be the only one but I’d like to see new CBs. I’d be concerned if were playing Lees and Pearson together.

[rockwall]

May 5, 2024 7:57:19 GMT 1 jasrick said:

I might be the only one but I’d like to see new CBs. I’d be concerned if were playing Lees and Pearson together.

They will be vital to us in League 1.
Completely different ball game.
If we are to be successful, we really need to keep them.
Not saying we have to play 46 games with them as a pairing. But with Balker, Ayina and an addition we should be sound in central defence.

[Floyds]

May 5, 2024 8:03:02 GMT 1 rockwall said:

May 5, 2024 7:57:19 GMT 1 jasrick said:

I might be the only one but I’d like to see new CBs. I’d be concerned if were playing Lees and Pearson together.

They will be vital to us in League 1.
Completely different ball game.
If we are to be successful, we really need to keep them.
Not saying we have to play 46 games with them as a pairing. But with Balker, Ayina and an addition we should be sound in central defence.

Balker will have to play until 2030 to rack up 46 games for us at the current rate 😊