GK - Cooper / Flavell RB - RCB - Roberts / MDG LCB - Earl / Shepherd LB - Ogbeta / Gent CM - Connell / Bland CM - Russell / Yoganathan CM - Phillips / RF - DKD / Farrugia CF - McGoldrick / LF - Vickers / Cleary So that Leaves us needing 2 x RB 1 x CM 1 x CF With that squad we could get shut of Jackson Smith (Loan) Kyran Lofthouse, Andrew Dallas, Kacper Lopata, Kelechi Nwakali
Starting to feel slightly more balanced would add Earl can play LB DKD CF and also CM rotating with Philips if required in the more attacking role. I don’t think we need another central midfielder personally Still need RB and CF. Is Lofthouse a RB ?
As others have said, I think we'll be playing more of a 4-2-3-1, with DKD behind a centre forward. I'm going to go out on a limb and say I expect DKD to stay. I think the price tag we've put on him is unrealistic to deter bidders, and the board have shown they will hold out for silly money offers, such as Kitching. Unless he gets crocked he'll maintain his value until next summer, or if we're miles off come January we can sell when prices are at a premium. I think the intent was to sell two of Phillips, Connell, and Russell, and use Bland and Yoganathan to cover those departures - maybe Nwakali as well. Depending upon who stays Phillips or Russell would deputise for DKD. We've also got Jalo to come back, I tried looking for an update on his knee injury but couldn't find anything.
We need a different type of midfielder than we already have. Playing 433 or 4132 you need a defensive stopper to protect the back 4, I just don’t see that type of player in the squad. Also a proper no9, again we don’t have that type of player. We won’t sign 2 right backs as Bland can cover. But we’ve gone from having about 12 right backs to having none!
Agree with the three players needed. Right back, ball winning midfielder and centre forward. That’s without us losing a big player before the window shuts, which I’m certain will happen.
Looking at the squad as it stands and the tactics in the last 10 games of last season, I don’t think we will have trouble scoring goals. Might be a good bet on for both teams to score. Agree about us needing a right back. I suspect we will sign 1 (the player from Salford) and then MDG or Bland will cover. Also agree about us needing a central striker. I really hope Luca stays but given we were told sales would be needed, I guess if Phillips and/or Russell don’t leave then someone will need to. If he does get sold then we would need to buy a midfielder who can put their foot in. I really like Bland but feel like it would be a lot to put him in and expect him to perform for say 45/50 games in a season.
We need someone to play LB at Plymouth: Earl has missed most of preseason and Ogbeta can’t play McCann can?
Personally, I’m ok with that being the squad for the season barring a right back which is an obvious weak point. That squad is more than big enough for what we need. The U21s such as Barratt, Graham, McCann, Farrell should cover for injuries as or when they arise. They need to be given a pathway to the first team.
That defence still looking awful. Still need a RB & at least another centre back to partner up with Sheperd. Roberts is ideal back up along with Earl. That midfield still worries me, especially if Connell’s performance levels don’t improve on last season. Also we can’t be relying on 37 year old Mcgoldrick to lead the line all season, we need another out & out striker in. Tovide maybe?
The squad isn't taking shape at all. No right back and the one we've got (Lofthouse) the manager doesn't fancy. I don't get how Connell is included in most 11's. He's probably going to be sold. We need another two centre midfielders because Phillips wants out. Then there's the strikers. Everyone knows we're light up top. Fact is the squad is taking shape with young unheard of punts and an old man up front that might play 20 games if we're lucky. Hopefully we don't lose Russell as that will put massive pressure on Yoganathan. The team might hit the ground running but I can see it being a long, hard season unless Hourihane gets some money to spend. Possibly from the sales of Connell and or Phillips. Lose DKD and we're fc uked.
Connell would be sold for a compelling bid, but Wycombe seem to have moved on and it’s only Wycombe anyway. I think Russell the most likely to be sold as he nears the end of his current contract - that said, he might be resistant to moving and happier to run his contract down for a bigger signing on fee/wage later moving for free. I could also see Phillips going, as I’m not sure he’s going to be a starter every game/week seem to be recruiting replacements in his likely positions. He has longer on his contract but seems to have been considering other opportunities for a while now so perhaps wants out.
I’m I the only one who doesn’t think Bland is ready to play many more than 20 senior games a season? Our midfield last season was ok with the ball but absolutely gash without it, too many players who don’t track runners.
I thought Bland one of our better players after breaking into the team last season - and then he was mostly playing out of position. Definite promise there - I think he should get a chance to stake a claim.
Unsure if you went to the game on Saturday? Bland was brilliant in that defensive role. It was against a lower level team but he has definite promise and I think he’ll crack on this year.
I did go to Harrogate as it’s relatively local to me, also going to York tonight, even more local. I didn’t think he stood out personally, I’ve got to say Harrogate were abysmal so I don’t think you can judge too much. York will be a sterner test tonight, and probably a better viewing angle so I’ll revaluate my opinion later. I’m not saying he doesn’t have promise, he will probably be a decent player eventually, I just don’t think he’s ready to be a regular starter for 40+ games in senior football just yet.
We still only have two midfielders in the squad who are good enough off the ball, Connell and Bland, and they are both holding midfielders who probably should not be starting together. Our best attacking players are DKD, Phillips, and McGoldrick, but Conor has made it clear that he wants to play high pressing football with fast wingers, so we are very likely going to play a 4-2-3-1. DKD and Phillips deserve to play every game, so obviously one of them, hopefully, will leave. Yoganathan and Phillips do not have the physicality to play in a midfield two. Russell does, if he plays a more disciplined role, but we would have to rely on him much more in possession, which is an issue because he plays with his back to goal and does not have the agility to turn quickly with the ball. Last season he could get away with this as he always had a wingback or Mael to play a simple square pass to, but I feel like the Russell from his first season will come back, where he receives the ball and loses it in dangerous positions when under pressure. So no matter what, when we do get rid of a player or two, we urgently need an athletic box-to-box midfielder who has a lot of bite. This player would complement Connell well, as he isn`t quick but reads the game well. What worries me is that with Conor being a new head coach, he might be overconfident that his tactics and preseason work alone will fix the issues we had last season. We really cannot overlook this if we want to have a successful season.
