Squad Next Season (1 Viewer)

[SkyBlueCRJ]

That’s because it doesn’t

Jesus wept. So we don't get compensation then?

 

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[Nick]

Plus, Thomas, Sterling, Bright and (Doyle). In brackets as he isn't really a starter anymore. That's half of our starting XI.

Bright has only been here 2 games!

11 minus Burge, Willis, Thomas and Sterling isn't half. Even adding Bright in it isn't.

If we start planning now (like the talks of us getting a centre half agreed) and get them in at the start of the window it isn't too bad. We know the sort of players we need and can even get loans lined up too.

 

[SkyBlueCRJ]

Bright has only been here 2 games!

11 minus Burge, Willis, Thomas and Sterling isn't half. Even adding Bright in it isn't.

He'll likely be a starter though between now and the end of the season so I think he counts and it's not like we have a suitable replacement waiting in the wings. Plus, you neglected the fact I mentioned Doyle. Granted, he's been dropped adding Doyle surely counts as at least half as he's captain.

There you have it. 5 1/2 x2 = 11. Quick maths.

 

[Nick]

He'll likely be a starter though between now and the end of the season so I think he counts and it's not like we have a suitable replacement waiting in the wings. Plus, you neglected the fact I mentioned Doyle. Granted, he's been dropped adding Doyle surely counts as at least half as he's captain.

There you have it. 5 1/2 x2 = 11. Quick maths.

Watching every game this season there isn't anything that says Doyle retiring would be any sort of loss. Kelly would be much more of a loss.

So, if both Burge and Willis go as well as the loanees we would need a couple of wingers, goalie, a centre half and a centre mid. Probably going to be less of a rebuild as last year.

I'll wait and see who goes and who doesn't before panic stations, getting rid of Ogogo, Brown and Andreu will likely free up a nice chunk of wages as well.

 

[skybluegod]

Well I think that's a question for MR and the playing staff unfortunately. My guess is, if there is a better option out there that MR could perhaps develop then he'd bring him in in a heartbeat E.g. similar to Mason. But it just depends on who's available really.

I agree can't stand that phrase either and judging from our transfer policy, it's unlikely we'd bring in a 'proven' striker anyway. Although I do think 1/2 will be moved on anyway even if another isn't brought in as for instance, I can't see there being room for Biamou and JCH playing in the same team as effectively they do a similar job.

Yep agree, but if Grimmer goes, then it will have to be 2 Rb's in as from what I have heard, Hickman, probably isn't going to be the answer...

Which one's do you think would be moved on?

Chaplin- Clearly not being moved on
Hiwula- Would doubt this.

So:
Ponti- can see him going, unless he does well second half of the season
Baka- Strange signing if he isn't going to be used, i know he has been injured, but seems like he has a lot to do to get back in?
Biamou- Big injury to come back from? Questions about if he could step up in the first place
JCH- on his day he's outstanding- but that day is 1 in 5

So can see any of those 4 going... as it is somewhere we need to look to freshen up... it could just take one player to transform the team mind you.

 

[Nick]

Yep agree, but if Grimmer goes, then it will have to be 2 Rb's in as from what I have heard, Hickman, probably isn't going to be the answer...

Which one's do you think would be moved on?

Chaplin- Clearly not being moved on
Hiwula- Would doubt this.

So:
Ponti- can see him going, unless he does well second half of the season
Baka- Strange signing if he isn't going to be used, i know he has been injured, but seems like he has a lot to do to get back in?
Biamou- Big injury to come back from? Questions about if he could step up in the first place
JCH- on his day he's outstanding- but that day is 1 in 5

So can see any of those 4 going... as it is somewhere we need to look to freshen up... it could just take one player to transform the team mind you.

I'd look to get ruthless with players like Camwell, Hickman and Maycock as well. If they are getting to 20 and are nowhere near getting on the bench for us it's probably in both interests to do what Finn did.

We are overloaded with strikers though.

 

[letsallsingtogether]

If that was the case, it surely would've been leaked?

Why when do we ever hear anything that goes on in the dressing rooms as football fans?
Very rarely.

 

[Grendel]

Jesus wept. So we don't get compensation then?

The rules seem pretty clear. If a contract expires of a player under 24 and he’s offered an identical terms contract then compensation is entitled. He’s on a contract at 24

 

[skybluegod]

I'd look to get ruthless with players like Camwell, Hickman and Maycock as well. If they are getting to 20 and are nowhere near getting on the bench for us it's probably in both interests to do what Finn did.

We are overloaded with strikers though.

Agree to an extent... I read a really good article from Klopp about a year or so ago, and he actually said we shouldn't expect young players to be ready until around 21, but once it gets to that point they should be pushing for the first team.

I would be tempted to keep Maycock, and see how he does in pre-season... Agree on the others, but have to add Addai, surely he needs to be moved on now?

 

[Nick]

Agree to an extent... I read a really good article from Klopp about a year or so ago, and he actually said we shouldn't expect young players to be ready until around 21, but once it gets to that point they should be pushing for the first team.

I would be tempted to keep Maycock, and see how he does in pre-season... Agree on the others, but have to add Addai, surely he needs to be moved on now?

Forgot about Addai. Not sure how long clubs usually hang onto Keepers as they mature a bit slower and play for longer.

All of them bar Ponticelli and Maycock have been sent out to really low level clubs I think? You would expect players like Hickman to be ripping up the conference by now if he was going to have any chance of playing in League 1 in the next couple of years.

 

[SkyBlueCRJ]

Watching every game this season there isn't anything that says Doyle retiring would be any sort of loss. Kelly would be much more of a loss.

So, if both Burge and Willis go as well as the loanees we would need a couple of wingers, goalie, a centre half and a centre mid. Probably going to be less of a rebuild as last year.

Agreed, luckily Kelly is with us for the long term!

Would it be a similar sized rebuild as last season though? We only lost two core starters last season; McNulty and Stokes. Similarly, we could have more outgoings this season than we did last year as we have more players within the core 18 that are out of contract. Whereas last season it was mainly fringe players that were released. E.g. Sayoud, DKE twins, Reid, Vincenti, Haynes. More of less the majority of the core 18 were retained however.

This summer we have the potential to lose up to 5 of our best players: E.g. Burge, Sterling, Davies, Willis, Thomas. That's not including the other potential departures either who are either likely to be moved on (E.g. Ogogo, Brown) / are out of contract (E.g. Doyle, LOB, Grimmer, Andreu), expiry of loans (E.g. Bright), other potential exits (E.g. JJ, Biamou/JCH). Plus, you'd assume more will surely be axed from the U23 setup.

Our squad is larger than last season so more departures are expected I suppose but I'd still argue MR definitely has more work on his hands from a recruitment aspect than he did last season.

 

[skybluegod]

Forgot about Addai. Not sure how long clubs usually hang onto Keepers as they mature a bit slower and play for longer.

All of them bar Ponticelli and Maycock have been sent out to really low level clubs I think? You would expect players like Hickman to be ripping up the conference by now if he was going to have any chance of playing in League 1 in the next couple of years.

It's strange though, he's 21? Burge was sent on loan to Nuneaton in the conference at the age of 19 and was outstanding at that level. Addai has been to, Hendon FC and Dulwich Hamlet? Very odd to me.

Yep you are right all at low levels... oh except Allassani!

I guess, but then you can have people like Wilson, who it suddenly just clicks for...

 

[SkyBlueCRJ]

Yep agree, but if Grimmer goes, then it will have to be 2 Rb's in as from what I have heard, Hickman, probably isn't going to be the answer...

Which one's do you think would be moved on?

Chaplin- Clearly not being moved on
Hiwula- Would doubt this.

So:
Ponti- can see him going, unless he does well second half of the season
Baka- Strange signing if he isn't going to be used, i know he has been injured, but seems like he has a lot to do to get back in?
Biamou- Big injury to come back from? Questions about if he could step up in the first place
JCH- on his day he's outstanding- but that day is 1 in 5

So can see any of those 4 going... as it is somewhere we need to look to freshen up... it could just take one player to transform the team mind you.

I think it's likely we'll see someone come in who knows this level. E.g. When MR brought in Brown. Hopefully he fairs slightly better than Brown has though....

I can imagine Ponti will go out on loan again. JCH has scored at this level so I doubt he'll leave. It'll be between Biamou and Baka. I doubt either will be moved on permanently but I can see either one joining Ponti on the loan list.

 

[skybluegod]

I think it's likely we'll see someone come in who knows this level. E.g. When MR brought in Brown. Hopefully he fairs slightly better than Brown has though....

I can imagine Ponti will go out on loan again. JCH has scored at this level so I doubt he'll leave. It'll be between Biamou and Baka. I doubt either will be moved on permanently but I can see either one joining Ponti on the loan list.

Yep agree, i meant more the the back-up RB slot if both leave..

JCH has scored at this level, but seems to come in and out of favor a lot... I also think 5 strikers is way too many... I think 2 need to go and one to come through with Bremang coming through being the 5th.

 

[Nick]

Yep agree, i meant more the the back-up RB slot if both leave..

JCH has scored at this level, but seems to come in and out of favor a lot... I also think 5 strikers is way too many... I think 2 need to go and one to come through with Bremang coming through being the 5th.

That's the thing, how long do we give Bremang before he goes out on loan? He's firing them in for the U23's so surely a spell at Nuneaton or something like that might help him.

 

[SkyBlueCRJ]

Yep agree, i meant more the the back-up RB slot if both leave..

JCH has scored at this level, but seems to come in and out of favor a lot... I also think 5 strikers is way too many... I think 2 need to go and one to come through with Bremang coming through being the 5th.

Sorry yeah didn't put that clearly. If both leave I think MR will bring in a RB that knows this level and a prospect similar to Mason.

I really like the sound of Bremang but doesn't that cause further issues if he's promoted up to the first team? He sounds quite similar to what we already have?

Like you said 5 strikers is still far too many so I assume at least two will be moved on. Budget will probably dictate whether another comes through the door. There are other priorities that MR will have to tend to first before bringing another ST in, IMO.

 

[skybluegod]

Sorry yeah didn't put that clearly. If both leave I think MR will bring in a RB that knows this level and a prospect similar to Mason.

I really like the sound of Bremang but doesn't that cause further issues if he's promoted up to the first team? He sounds quite similar to what we already have?

Like you said 5 strikers is still far too many so I assume at least two will be moved on. Budget will probably dictate whether another comes through the door. There are other priorities that MR will have to tend to first before bringing another ST in, IMO.

I do think the strikers, we have are okay for the level, we are just missing something.

Priority has to be 2 wingers, I'm not a huge fan of Bayliss, I do see his talent, but think he doesn't quite suit us, has the ability to make something out of nothing, but don't feel like he helps us to dominate games, i feel like if the midfield goes up a notch, and we can find the right partner up top, for Chaplin/Hiwula, we will be up there next season.

 

[SkyBlueCRJ]

I do think the strikers, we have are okay for the level, we are just missing something.

Priority has to be 2 wingers, I'm not a huge fan of Bayliss, I do see his talent, but think he doesn't quite suit us, has the ability to make something out of nothing, but don't feel like he helps us to dominate games, i feel like if the midfield goes up a notch, and we can find the right partner up top, for Chaplin/Hiwula, we will be up there next season.

Agreed. If MR does find a player that is better than what we already have and could score goals in our current system, then it would be a no brainer to bring him in but he has to fit. It can't be another square peg in a round hole.

I definitely think that's one of the priorities. The midfield has, by large, been poor over the course of the season so far and this needs addressing. The lack of end product from this department has factored into why we're not further up the league. Defence and GK will need addressing too though. Perhaps more than the midfield if there are several departures...

 

[Gazolba]

Our main problem is not scoring enough goals. So you have to decide whether that's down to our strikers or the players who are supposed to be supplying them, or maybe both.
Seems like one major problem is Robins' tactics, which probably won't be influenced by whatever players we have. We need to make the best use of the players we have.

 

[Sky_Blue_Dreamer]

Part of me is wondering if the Doyle thing might be that he has an automatic extension after x amount of games and that's why he's starting to be left out?

LOANS RETURNING
Sterling (could come back in unlikely chance we got promoted)
Thomas
Enobakhare

BROUGHT IN FROM ACADEMY
Burroughs (my tip as a potential breakthrough next year, especially if Bayliss is sold)
N'Gandu
(possibly Bilson as replacement for Addai)

can't really judge the rest but as we've invested heavily in U23 and not many academy players are featuring in U23 I expect majority of 2nd year scholars will be released

OUT OF CONTRACT - RELEASED
Andreu
Beavon
Ford
Green
O'Brien
Stedman
Doyle (offered a coaching role which he may well turn down to continue playing elsewhere).

Addai may well have his year option exercised, although personally I'm not sure why,

OUT OF CONTRACT - RETAINED
Burge
Willis
Davies
Grimmer

I think at least two will sign but Davies and Grimmer might look elsewhere if promised first team football. They may all stay though

UNDER CONTRACT - ALLOWED FREE TRANSFER
Ogogo
Brown
Bosma

UNDER CONTRACT - ALLOWED TO LEAVE FOR SMALL FEE
Bakayoko
Clarke-Harris
Maycock
Eccles
Camwell

STAYING - MAINLY U23 OR LOANED OUT
Allassani (could be more first team depending on pre-season)
Bremang
Hickman (could be more prominent without Sterling and if Grimmer leaves)
Walters
Williams
Drysdale
Ponticelli (though I'd like to see him kept as part of first team squad)

FIRST TEAM SQUAD
Hiwula
Hyam
Jones
Shipley (though for me I'd let him go for a fee if a replacement was found)
Mason
Thompson (unless both Davies and Willis sign, in which case he might be loaned out to L2)
Biamou
McCallum
Westbrooke
Kelly
Bayliss (might be sold if a high bid came in)
Chaplin

GK
Burge
(Addai or Bilson)

LB
Mason
McCallum

RB
(Grimmer)
Hickman

CB
Hyam
Willis
(Davies)
Thompson
Williams
Drysdale

RM
Jones

LM
Shipley
Allassani
Walters

DM
(possibly one of Maycock or Eccles)

CM
Kelly
Bayliss
N'Gandu

AM
Burroughs

ST
Chaplin
Hiwula
Biamou
Ponticelli
Bremang
(one of Bakayoko/JCH unless replacement is found)