2018-19’ Squad

McGowen - Being eased back into it, for me possible captain this season
McCarten - Wouldn't be surprised if he was sent out on loan, however still see him having long term potential
Vince & Reeves - if we sign Matty Lund i expect at least one of them will be moved on.
Jones - hopefully he can have a big season and live up to the initial expectations, for me this season is make or break for him.

 

I'd like to think we will give Jones another chance this season as we're going to need decent back up players as last season proved, and with us still needing 2 strikers when Wyke leaves I can't see us getting 3 if Jones went also.

 

I think Shay will stay. He will be back up but a good one at that. Reeves rumoured to be on good money and could fetch a decent fee for us imo. Vince for me should stay, we need an experienced head around the club.

 

We have Killgallon for that. Something about Vince's demeanour hasn't been right for a while, don't think he wants to be here anymore and we don't need players like that bringing everyone else down. Plus he's been pants for ages so....

 

Wild speculation but it's possible he was looking at individual link ups/performances within each of the games rather than push the boat out and simply put all the pieces together at once.

 

I’ll reply with a question: from the players that started against PA, how many realistically will be in the First XI if all players are fit?

(If it’s above zero I’d be surprised and that probably gives an idea as to where Shay is in the pecking order).

 

We’ve got 33 players (including the development players), think we could do with trimming it by a couple.
I’d like to see NKP go. Similar to Vince just not good enough last season. Probably loan out Patrick and Devine.
Would like to see us give Reeves and McCartan a chance and see how they perform. Was impressed with Reeves until he got injured before Christmas last year.

 

If NKP was to go who would replace him? The reports i’ve been hearing on Isherwood is that he’s crap.

 

If we are planning on running a development squad long term then we shouldn't be counting them as first team squad players. Yes they may get promoted to the first team as the year goes by but we shouldn't be banking on them.

 

Disagree about NKP. He had a good first season here and showed us what he is capable of. Unfortunately, due to our poor recruitment last summer, he was forced to play on the right side of central defence, and his form suffered as a result of this, in my opinion.

Not sure he would make the starting X1 at the moment, however, he is very useful cover for left centre back and left back.

So keeps for me.

McCartan could go for me. Undecided on Reeves, but I reckon he will move on this summer, back down south

 

with Vince gone, please not Lund as a replacement. I thought he was terrible during his time with us. Went missing for huge periods in nearly every match. We can do better than him.

 

Probably right TB

 

But most of the time he was played out of position on the left by Mr Hoofball. He was never able to gt into games at all as the ball went whizzing past him.
The one game I saw where he was played in his correct central midfield position he looked much better, got forward well and scored a good goal from a one-two with Wyke. He could be good attacking CM cover/competition for Payne.

 

Hes a downgrade on Lachlan Barr seen him play and struggle against lower opposition.. Willing to give him a chance to improve but it needs to be drastic!

 

Can’t counter that because non of us saw him in his best role .. you are right clearly. May answer why a lot of people see a footballer in him. I am puzzled about the personnel and formation planned. We have riches of players who can play various roles. Would he be a replacement for the “old” Vince? Intriguing to say the least?

 

Agreed.

While the club aren't designating players to first team/development squads, there will be this blurring of the lines.

Riley is first team I guess, not sure about the left back?

 

After Wembley and all the outgoings, I was seriously underwhelmed with the incomings.

We clearly had a weaker squad than we’d had in the previous season. It was plain to see and ultimately a poor summer proved to be our undoing.

This year we appear to have a stronger squad than we had latterly under Grayson. I certainly feel a lot more positive than I did in the 2017/18 close aeaaon.