Refreshing the squad.

I suppose the signing of the left back and now a new keeper is part of what Clarke wanted and spoke about a couple of weeks ago.
To keep playing the same 11 almost every game especially after hitting a mental block in the last 3 would be potentially the end of our season.
New players with a fresh desire could put us back on track.
Some players might be too comfortable at the moment and the influx of new players is always welcome.
As a fan and defender of Killip on this board I'm sure as a pro he will accept the new challenge given to him and continue to keep focused whether in the first 11 or on the bench.If the coach feels it time to freshen up the goal keeping position so be it.
I fully expect 2 or 3 more new signings to get us back on track and achieving a top 6 spot.

 

I'm sticking with my initial pre season of 9th, I'm OK with that it is what it is, think Birmingham, Wycombe, Huddersfield and Wrexham will be 4 of the 6, just don't think we are strong enough to grab 1 of 2 spots available, defensively too brittle and not clinical enough.
You never know we might pull in some good firepower over these next few days, but feel it's a case of the owners know we won't go down in what's a challenging season this time round, but it's too much of a stretch to spend to trouble the top 6

 

Only 2 points adrift with loads of games to play.I,m still confident of top 6.

 

Too many other strong sides in good form, particularly Orient. I’d also say Bolton will be up there plus there’s Stockport looking strong and Blackpool finding form after a couple of good signings. Just don’t think we’re anywhere near strong at both ends of the field.

 

We lost 12 games from 46 last season and just made the playoffs on 76pts, we've lost 10 in 28 games so far averaging 1.5pts per game, with 18 games to go we are on course for 69pts, it won't be enough.
We haven't shown any signs of being consistent, win 4, lose 3 the teams above us seem far more capable, top 2 miles off, if Huddersfield win their game in hand be 9pts off them, currently 10pts off wrexham and defeat at Stockport would leave us 8pts behind them, big gaps to start closing with just over a 1/3rd of the season to go.

 

Lots of twists and turns yet.3 games ago the other teams would have been making the same claims about us.

 

I’m hopeful but not confident. I usually expect we’ll be ‘there or thereabouts’ based on it usually being the case at this level, but I’m not sure this season.

 

Also, Charlton appear to be slowly crawling up the table unnoticed.

 

Yes, forgot about them too.

 

I've just studied the table.I have an incline that the board will look at the goals scored column and collectively we are roughly the same as other teams.I think they will loan a centre half to shore up the defence.We ain't going to see a decent striker who we buy as opposed to loan anytime soon !.

 

Surely based on that then, the priority should be a centre half?

And of course we'll only be signing a striker on loan in this window, who realistically will be available on a permanent transfer other than fringe players from Championship clubs.

 

Whilst I admire your optimistic view, it is just that, the reality is we've taken 5pts off the current top 6, the stats clearly paint a different picture.

 

I always reckon on losing no more than 12 games to have any chance of the play offs and that assumes hardly any draws.

 

Clarke has said he is always looking to refresh all parts of the field. I can think of one on the bench, himself

 

Would have been nice to see a bit of a shake up this window and some more of the fringe lot sent out and a few more in. Would definitely have liked to see a winger and proper 9 come in this window as I would love to see us try and play a back four. But we already have too many in side so need some out before we can bring more in.

Going for a 4231 would be much better than this current system in my opinion.

 

But what do we have available for Saturday?

Out current Forwards:

Jalo - Injured
Watters - Went off injured on Tuesday
Humphrys - Went off injured on Tuesday
Cosgrove
Dallas

 

I bet fans of the clubs you mentioned were saying that 3 games ago about us after winning 4 on the spin. Just shows what can happen 3 games later.

With 18 more games to play plenty can and will happen.

 

I understand that all the recruitment team must roll a dice and throw a six at the same time before we can bring in a striker
Unfortunately the sporting director holds the only dice .

 

Controversial but I don't think Connell has been the same player since Wembley (withstanding his injury) and would sell him.

 

Certainly not the same player since Duff left but I would not sell him myself.

Firstly, we know how good he can be, just needs to get back to his best. I don't think being captain helps, he seems to be trying to do too much and be the star but gives it away too much, just needs to simply his game a bit.

But secondly and most importantly, I don't trust they would bring us in anyone near as good to replace him.