I like your optimism, and I think some people are underestimating the potential impact that good coaching can have on our current squad. There's already been talk about improving fitness levels and the need to develop both individually and collectively. Defending should be done as a team, starting from the front, and I’m hopeful this approach will bring about the improvements we’re looking for. It’s a new season under a relatively new coach, and in my view, everyone deserves a clean slate. I would have liked to see a bit more movement in defence—particularly a few outgoings and a new right back—but if we’re going with an inverted full-back system, Bland looked promising in that role last season. It’ll also be interesting to see whether MDG can adapt to it.
I don’t think we’ll sign a RW as when Jalo is fit he will be the starter and Farrugia will be second choice there. Would like to sign another LW but if that goes tits up then could be DKD/Cleary out wide and McGoldrick/DKD down the middle. RB is something I think we all would want but if we don’t get one I think we will learn MDG might get caught out too many times there and Bland would fall back into RB. I’m not applauding the window or looking badly on it just yet, but I will say I think when the free market has been so strong we’ve not played it well compared to other clubs. We’ve only Brought in McGoldrick on a free (Cleary too but some compensation will be paid).
Not off me he didn’t. If I remember correctly the dip in results in our relegation season coincided with his injury and then picked up slightly when he came back.
I actually think the additions made look decent, on paper. But there hasn’t been enough of them, especially if we are changing shape/system. On top of that, we don’t seem to have moved on much of what I’d consider deadwood. And, we’ve not sold any of the players I’d say were our best performers. Which all leaves me feeling we’ll see some mad nonsense towards the end of the window, again.
I don't think lofthouse has much of a future here, shame really as I think he hasn't really had enough chances. O'keeffe needs to go too and mael although could do a job at right back should not be first choice. The fact CH preferred dexter at the back end of last season at right back over corey and mael says an awful lot.
Can't imagine anyone will want the deadwood until it gets to panic end of August time which is probably not helping our recruitment at all.
Our squad at present looks awful, apart from the odd individual quality such as DKD, Phillips & Connell, we look very disjointed & unbalanced all over the park. We are still very short in the striker department. Defensively we still look awfully slow & woeful. Especially if we want to play a high press. Full backs are more wing backs, which is a disaster waiting to happen when playing a back 4. We could do with at the very least a new centre back & a right back. We could also do with another box to box midfielder as we are awfully weak in midfield defensively. In short, so far we’ve done nothing to address our multiple flaws from last season in terms of new additions. Let’s just hope the new coaching team can perform miracles if play offs are the aim this season. In reality mid table finish would be a bonus.
I genuinely think we’ve got 3 or 4 players who can cause teams real problems at the top end of the pitch it’s just our Achilles heel of a defence that will hold us back…..would love to be proven wrong.
I think we'll be pleasantly surprised in all honesty. Since Collins came in, the teams have been lacklustre, lethargic and slow. That will exacerbate any shortcomings in terms of quality. Conor has come in and immediately identified this as a glaring issue. He's now rectifying that. I'm still waking up in a cold sweat at the thought of MDG playing RB though
It's not been great so far, but due to our financial situation and the fact we're targeting loans and free signings, it's really difficult for the club to get the squad sorted early. Think most fans would like the window to shut before the season started, but can't see that happening again, as the premier league need to align to with deadlines at other European leagues. So as always, we'll be scrambling around at the end of window when clubs higher up the ladder decide who is available for loan and which of our better players they will try to sign.
It's hardly impacted him in the last few seasons, some players hit their peak at an older age he is one of those.
an opinion. He’s also been asked to perform at a higher division after 2 years in a weaker league. Time will tell.
You say in one thread were awful. Then in the next mention we will be pleasantly surprised. I be very surprised if we're in a relegation dog fight. I must be the Optimistic one Suppose it comes from watching us coming up to 50 years.