Nicky Cadden

I think if we're playing the wingback system we need another left back. (Maybe a loan for injury/loss of form). We're a playmaker in midfield short and two strikers. 4 players and I'd be happy. Obviously we'd need to sell Styles and Helik or Anderson.

I'm still amazed at the depth of the squad though even allowing for the departures. It looks to me like we've bought well and depending on who comes in up front actually strengthened.

 

In theory another left back would be great but given the fact its taken us this long since Pinillos to sign one permanently I wouldn't hold my breath on another one coming just yet. We also have players that could fill in if needed, I know it is way better to have players who are natural in that position play there but as cover we do have Jordan Williams, Connell, Oduor and even Thomas maybe that could go into that role if Cadden got a knock for example.

main focus has to be on getting some strikers.

 

Happy for Kitching to be the left back cover

 

I really don't think we need anymore left backs. As mentioned, Kitching can cover as well as Oduor and we have Winfield once he's back from injury.

Our squad is still way too big for L1.

I'd say we need to get shut of 2 centre halfs and we still have far too many forwards. They might not be seen as great options, but we still have more than we need.

 

I agree. However, the players left apart from the obvious ones will be on reduced terms. To be frank I can't see why we've handed out so many contracts to younger players to fill the bench. Unless it's fear of letting one or two slip through.

 

The problem that will always exist are so many offers come in late in the window. I hope we've got rid of more of the players before a ball is kicked, but I can see it being nearer the end of the transfer window when we've tried all we can to nudge up prices but when push comes to shove, we have to accept what we can for Helik and Styles and whoever else has attracted decent interest.

The fall back position is we sell one or two more this window and then try and see whats what in January and if we're near the top 6 or if we need to do a deeper cull so we're at break even in season 23/24.

The issue will always be cash. With ST money paid largely up front, clubs are more flush at the start of the season but have to make most of that money stretch so enough cash is in place to see the season out.

 

I agree. I'm happy with the signings made as we've covered positions where we're likely going to have to sell. Like you say though, until some players are sold we've got too big a squad.

I wonder if we're gambling signing players on expectation that most if not all of the likes of Styles, Collins, Helik and Anderson will be sold.

 

The £1m equity injection was framed as being able to bring in new players early. And as such I'd expect that privately at least they know which players they need to offload or have agreed to let go.

The signings of 2 additional centre halves suggests we might let 2 go. Or, we're seemingly blocking off Sraha's route to the first team.

 

I write in Barnsley all time on social media FB etc. But I seem to go all posh on 'ere?!?

 

Which forwards do you think fall in to the 'too many' category? Because I think we've only got two. Admittedly, I don't rate either of them and if anyone offered us money for Iseka or Cole I'd snap their hands off, but that's all we've got. I suppose we've got Oulare but he's out on loan for the season, so we can't use him even if we wanted to.

The only other forward listed on the official site is Marsh. He's our only alternative to Cole and Iseka. He's just turned 19, hardly any experience, not worth any money and his wages will be negligible. I guess we could try to offload him to a non-league team on a free, but if we do I don't see what the academy is for. He's part of the U23 squad but got a few appearances last season because the team was such a mess.

The official site also lists Aitchison, but he played in midfield for Forest Green, so you'd think that's his best position.

 

We've currently got Leya Iseka, Cole, Oulare (loaned out but still being paid for, likely to a significant degree), Aitchison, Marsh, Bremang and Thompson. There's been no official comment on Adeboyejo, but I suspect he's likely to be at pastures new. We've also seen Thomas and Oduor played around a front 3 at times.

Actually, I've just looked on the website and it's changed with Thompson and Adeboyejo are no longer listed. So I'm happy not to include them.

That's 6-8. If Jalo gets a few sub outings that's 7-9.

I don't disagree with you in terms of your assessment of the players, but we can't get beyond the point we've way too many players on our books who we're paying for at a 3rd tier club with a revenue level of £7-8m.