This Summer Window

Can’t see anything happening this week In fact it’s so Barnsley to wait till eve of season.
We need at least 7 or 8 in depending on what happens with Styles & Isseka( can’t see either being still here), you can discount a couple of the loans but even counting them as options we are numbers down, all offered bits with the exception of Martin.

 

I imagine a lot of our recruitment is now dependant on what we can get for Styles, and if we can shift Leya Iseka. No doubt appointing a new manager has delayed things too.

At this point last year we'd only brought in Connell, Cundy and McCarthy. Plenty of time yet.

 

That starting 11 looks very mediocre with not much in reserve. We clearly need some signings. I assume we will end up with 5 loanees and 2/3 permanent signings

 

The only outfield loan player we'll really miss is Bobby Thomas. Replacing him with someone of similar quality could be tricky. The others bar Martin all offered something, but are hardly integral to the way we play or irreplaceable.

 

Agreed but they were numbers especially Isted, we’ve also lost Mads and Luke Thomas so massively depleted

 

To be fair, apart from the playoff final, Luke was pretty poor after his return from injury. Mads is a big loss but he's only one player, in one position on the field.

 

Chien Chien Chien.

Liked by Dreambum

 

I was going to reply to @twillo but you've saved me a job, thanks @Gally. The left back position always comes up, so you can also factor in JW can play on that side if need be, Kitching can play as an emergency LWB, Styles, and Winfield. So that's 5 to cover that position including Cadden. Then on the right, JW and Cotter to cover. Centre back we are overloaded following the new signings, and JW can slot in there too. If we keep the midfield we have backup there too. My primary concern is up top. It would be good to get a solid striker in, but I feel like we always want that. I agree, let the new boss assess what we have first and then make some decisions.

 

I don't think he was poor, I think he just didn't get the opportunity given how good Kane, Connell and Phillips were. A few cameo appearances off the bench is hard to judge him by, but I understand why he was used from the bench given how the first XI picked itself. He was great before his injury in a different system. Don't forget his assist for Kitching for THAT goal, and his assist for Connell that should have got us to the Champ. Really like Thomas, I don't buy it that he was pretty poor after his injury, and I'll miss him.

 

I'll miss him too. Underrated by many Reds fans imo.

He should have taken the shot himself at Wembley. I understand why he passed to Connell but really wish he'd trusted himself.

 

Agree, he should have smashed it. Went for the safe option, and Connell scuffed it.

 

No confidence.

 

All fair points. "Poor" was probably a bit harsh as an overall assessment, although when he came on at Exeter and Burton, he really wasn't very good at all.

I guess it would be fairer to say that he never hit his early season heights after his return. Definitely a good squad player to have, but often flattered to deceive and certainly never justified his reported transfer fee.

 

The starting XI is pretty much the team that finished the season, bar Collins for Isted (which is fine), and - here's the crux - McCarthy and Cundy for Anderson and Thomas. I think McCarthy could come good, and haven't seen anything of Lopata but could be a baller. I hope Cundy comes good. For me, keep the team, get a solid striker (or put a rocket up Iseka), and test out Lopata, Cundy and McCarthy for 2 of the 3 CB positions. If it's not happening, spend some dough on an experienced CB a la Sollbauer, as we can't afford an inexperienced, weak backline. I know Kitching is reliable but I think it really helped him to control his aggression, and venture forward, with Mads next to him.

 

3 from starting line up in Play off final is a fair chunk. Plus loss of loanees that added depth. Defence and forward lines both need work imo. Midfield remains pretty strong.

 

Coming on in two difficult games that we were losing is harsh to judge him on though.

As for the reported fee, was it £1m? I think we've wasted a lot more money than that on players who haven't given us 4 years. I know he had his loan spells away too, but when you factor in his purported personal struggles etc I don't think anyone can say he hasn't given his all. I wish him well.

 

I consider it more two as I trust Collins as much as I trusted Isted, it's a like for like replacement in my eyes. But you're right, key areas of potential weakness are in the back three and up top, and we shouldn't take the losses of Mads and Thomas lightly, or Tedic and Watters, who were reasonable squad players who got us some crucial goals, namely Watters' goal vs Wendies and Tedic's at Wycombe.

 

I have absolutely no issues with Luke's commitment at all. He seems like a very fine young man who wore his heart on his sleeve, and by all accounts did a lot of work in the local community, especially with our younger fans. It just didn't quite work out for him from a footballing point if view here, but I too wish him nothing but the very best. I really hope he smashes it back at Bristol Rovers.

 

Two non league defenders.. and our pre-season is becoming a mess. A cancelled game and 2 changed so no one can see whats going on. We are loking a little tin-pot at the minute. Think we should have brought in Paul Daniels not Neill Collins.. Got to feel for the lad walking in amateur hour.

 

Which 2 games were changed "so no one can see what's going on"?