I'm unfortunately resigned to relegation now, so thought I'd take a look into the work needed for next season. A losing culture seems to have developed in the squad, perhaps originating in that 2nd half of Hill's 1st season. I don't blame Hill 100% for that - he started off brilliantly, but when things turned sour he became impossible to support. Flicker was a great motivator when it was us against the world, but was probably just too inexperienced at this level. Either way, this talk of smaller budgets is frustrating, and any notion of 'staying up is enough' needs to be banished immediately. I've heard many of the players trotting this line out, including Cranie and even Steele. Needs to stop. The Squad: Goalies: Steele - great shot stopper and improving in other areas. A fixture here and we'd be mad to get shut. No opinion on Turner/Dibble. Defence: I think that Cranie is a great CB, but this losing culture needs to end. I also think he will be on high wages and in high demand - can't imagine he would still be here even if we wanted him to be. Kennedy would probably be passable in league 1, but we need to get any traces of hoofball out of the team - get shut! Would be amazing to get Ramage back, but unfortunately won't happen will it. Hunt and Mclaughlin could be good but we haven't seen much - only get them back if it's permanent. M'voto should be class in league 1, and Nyatanga might get his mojo back after a full season - decent CB pairing? Maybe a new 1st choice center back would be handy. Etuhu the new RB? Versatile and handy player either way. Is Andrai Jones still around? Midfield: Needs tampering with big time. No creativity or spark. Need a new midfield based on smooth, intelligent football. Dawson would do a great job in league 1, but if he does and we get promoted he will be back to 'a toiler' again. Think he has to go unfortunately. Woods hasn't shown anything - release. McCourt isn't going to feature and will be on high wages. Getting on a bit too - will be gone. Cywka has some great attributes and could tear up league 1, but is too inconsistent. A victim of the clear out. Frimpong has had a couple of good games amongst a few shockers, but is young, inexperienced and has struggled with injuries. He has performed at a higher level and I think is worth another year and full pre-season to show what he can do. Mellis can also do a lot better than this season has shown. Still young, and would do well in the league below to regain his confidence - keep. Digby should be a regular if fit - build the midfield around him. RNL should also be given a real crack if he can ever stay fit. Seems like Clark isn't going to cut it though. Jennings might be a whole lot better after a full season - looking forward to it as he needs to improve a lot for the championship. O'brien is vital for team spirit etc. Lawrence and Bobby are both classy players who I would like to see stay and Bobby in particular is versatile. Might be worth getting shut to make room for the young though. Hope Bobby can stay as a coach or something. Forwards: O'grady should be lethal in league 1 and is a bit of a talisman, but we need to stop hoofing it to him. Rose should be useful as one of our strikers - hopefully will get chances when O'grady or our new striker are out of form/injured. Proscwich and Pedersen will be gone and nobody will mourn. Essentially, what I think everyone wants is a team that we all recognise and that really cares about the club, with some youth products playing a key part. Hopefully we can play some exciting football too. It might even be that relegation is a blessing in disguise.
Dawson wants keeping if we go down. He was brilliant for Orient at that level. We can flog him if we come back up
Re: you do not say if you want Wilson to stay or go He's not done so well this season, that's for sure. He does know League 1 very well though and has a proven track record there. Coming in mid season was always going to be tough, and he seems to have us playing well away from home. I just think the squad is sadly lacking. If we were to have a real new-build then I think he's as good a man as any to do it - keep him on!
Dint you here Ben's audiboo the other night?, If not I suggest you have listen. He said it will proberbly depend if our better players (Steele Crainie O'Grady Jennings) want to stay. Player power n'that..We wont be able to stand in there way..
Yeah I heard it. Would like to think Steele will stay around though. Not even sure who'd come in for Steele or Jennings - neither has really pulled up any trees. We have Jennings on another 2 years of contract so can definitely stand in his way. Steele and COG have another year too - no huge urgency to sell. Cranie will be gone and I for one won't cry about it
Cranie Why do people rate him? He's on the short side for a centre back, and he seems to have no ability to motivate the back four as a commanding CB should. What happened with that free kick near our own area yesterday? Words seemed to be exchanged before Kennedy has to run twenty yards in Cranie's direction to tap it back to Steele. What was all that about? Cranie's whole aura/attitude seems to smack to me of "I'm too good for this". Well I'll tell you what, I wouldn't have him in League One. O'Grady A real grafter, but his lack of pace, strength or skill on the ball has been woefully exposed this season. No wonder Jones wasn't bothered for keeping him. He may be our top scorer, but if he is our ONLY scorer then we'd be needing a lot lot more. His presence encourages a braindead, lump-it-to-him style of football from which we've not prospered all season. He wouldn't cut it in League One. Cywka Lightweight - as evidenced by his virtual non-involvement yesterday. A player of some skill, but no presence. Dawson Severely limited player who lacks skill and judgement. Kennedy One-footed plodder who reverses the direction of many of our attacks and is a truly woeful crosser/passer of the ball (unless it accidentally drops in the net). Mellis Needs a week of shifts down t'pit to try and make him man up. Waste of a talent. Woods/Lawrence/Ramage/McCourt Tired has beens/never weres who should hold no place in the future of the club. Those who say any of the above will be off to another Championship club are dreamers for me. They have not ben good enough for that level and won't become so, because they all have severe limitations. Stick with Steele, Digby, RNL, Jennings and hope we can pick up youth/European players/one or two experienced heads who are not burnt out (like many of the above) and maybe we could build a team to at least survive in League One.
Agree with a lot of that. Harsh on O'Grady I think - don't think he can play on his own up front but with a good 2nd striker he will score a lot next year. The hoofball will be solved was Kennedy + co are out of the picture! Ramage would be great for us too! Can't imagine we'll get him back though. Lawrence could just be a cut above the rest in League 1 - worth keeping him too imho Think there's more than just those few. M'Voto, Nyatanga and O'Brien spring to mind
Would go with MVoto and Tangs. But Jimbo is another "trier" who seldom achieves much. His body language before kick-off yesterday (even when applauded by the Ponty) suggested his days are numbered.
Agree he's a little iffy at this level, but yes he does try hard and I think would look a lot better in the league below Would we be able to replace everyone? I don't think so, and O'Brien is someone for the fans to really get behind too. Definite keeper for me