Planning for League One

Just no experience defensively there at all, would not be surprised to see Johnson be given a contract, with specific clauses I think that would be a good move for both. 150 games in league 1. Experience throughiut, top end with pompey, middle with accy and a relegation fight with fleetwood. Never been relegated , Seen fans arguing both for and against keeping him and I see the argument on both sides.

Certainly an interesting one with crichlow too. I’m not so sure on Kelly myself, if we don’t keep Johnson because of injuries, Kelly has been injured more than him but I do think GA will keep him.

Be certainly some talking points over the next few days, either way whoever we keep. There is a massive job on sharpes hands. Like many have said, think we need a fair few in the door

 

I might be completely wrong about this, but I get the feeling there might be some sort of psychological issue with Johnson linked to his injury history that stops him from being as fully committed as he could be, as I just get a sense that he might be holding back a bit at times. Like I say I could be completely wrong, but he's a quality player so there must be some reason GA hasn't really fancied him.

 

Yep, a RWB (if Johnson goes), a LWB, x2 CBs, x2 CMs and x2 CFs. Possibly an AM as well but we seem fairly well stocked. I want to give Leigh another chance.

Thats a minimum of 8 players IMO. No different to any other season in fairness.

 

It's a PL academy issue. Keep possession at all costs and play a very safe brand of football, usually in front of the oppositions back 4. These young lads can do that at a canter because everyone plays the same way and technically they are excellent. Makes me laugh in the paint pot cup though when so many can't deal with a simple lump into the box and a rough arsed striker elbowing them though as they've literally never seen it before.

It reminds me of 80s European games and the foreign teams struggling to deal with the physicality and pace of the British teams even if technically they sometimes looked like much better footballers.

 

Thinking similar. The first 11 needs a good 5 or 6 L1 standard players and then some game changers in the depth.

Fwiw, I can't see Johnson getting a deal. It would be very strange to offer a guy a contract who struggled to make the bench over the last few months.

 

Yeh i think he goes but seems fans are split. Who knows, if deal works for club and player he may be around next season. Had that bad injury but seemed to keep himself fit and available towards the end of the season. Didnt think he looked bad when he played. Useful as can play RB and RCB.

Maybe more about Hallidays form than Johnson. Capable back up anyway.

Im ok with Bobby, Sarc, Lapslie and Leigh, plus Wright as well. Think CBs and CFs need sorting, with a CM or 2 before we worry about AM.

 

It's the annoying thing about modern football. It's probably why most teams even at our level play a back 3 now too, because of how the game is coached.

In the PL 10 seasons ago, the list of most passes (top 5) were Fabregas, Yaya Toure, Cazorla, Matic & Hazard. All midfielders, creative players who's job is to make something happen mainly. Whereas this season, top 5 are Van Dijk, Saliba, Colwill, Gvardiol & Van Hecke. All CBs, fans are paying record money to watch a slower, less intense product and mainly watching defenders pass it sideways until a gap opens.

But as you say it filters from youth coaching. Then when a L1/L2 club wants loanees, it's lads who only know this way. So eventually even L2 clubs are doing it because any 22 or under you get only plays that way and the results sometimes are brainless football. I know I sound like a dinosaur but football was better when the keepers and CBs moved it to a midfielder and their job was to create. Whereas now midfielders are either tackles of box to box runners, that's about it.

 

I definitely think you are correct about there being something, whether it’s a physiological issue or something else I don’t know . I guess we will never know either, just all very strange the club waited 5 months for him to be fit, got fit, played well then disappeared.

 

Anyone watch Coventry last night ? Switched it off at half time after watching Lampards team endlessly passing across the back three . Bloody got what he deserved ! Oh yes we had 75% possession ? (But not one shot )

 

Watching Leyton Orient v. Stockport play-off semi final.
I'm wondering how many of our current squad could actually make the step up?
We will all have our opinions of course but here's mine.

Byrne, Smith, Wright, Kelly, Wilson, Leigh, Baldwin, Oduor, are a no for me.
On the fence about Kavanagh & Cook (sorry lads n' lasses!!)
Of our loanees that we had - Mellon and Benn are a no too.

Thoughts?

 

Also watching, sadly I think you're spot on

 

Very fair comments Dennis.

 

Hopefully, scraping over the line has made all the management team realise we need some decent additions to avoid a possible instant return
Sparks words of we are going back there gives me some optimism

 

Wrexham and Stockport both flew through league 2.with comparative ease, we scraped over the line on the final day. Unfortunately I think three of the players we have with most scope for league 1 development were loan players, I have doubt Tayo, Shepherd and Khela have the improvement in them to jump up yet I'm not sure most of other players do. Pointon could potentially improve and players like Sarcevic, Halliday and Smallwood could all do a job although I don't think any of them will stand out. I'd love to see big Cooky get some game time although age and recent injury are not on his side. As others have alluded to it would need at least half a dozen new first team regulars to make us competitive next season.

 

For me, there is a core group of 13/14 players that I am happy enough for a L1 squad but we need to add 5 or 6 of real quality then another 2-3 on top of that to boost the options if we want to think about a play off spot.

Work to be done this summer but we are no different to any promoted team - Leeds, Brum, Wrexham, Donny etc. Cant stand still.....

 

Watching Orient v Stockport main difference is it’s quicker and just that extra in the final third however I’ve seen a fair few L1 games this season and a lot weren’t any different quality

 

Tbh I watched the game, it was played at a bit higher pace but didn’t think the quality was anything to write home about. I believe Orient have used the loan market to great effect, something we’ll need to do if we are to have success, but if they don’t go up their team will look a lot different next season. As others have said we probably need 5 or 6 good quality league 1 players if we want to compete for a playoff spot. Not impossible, but it depends of Rupp fancies going for it. When he sees the losses championship clubs make, he may just want to consolidate.

 

Don't think we should be looking at challenging towards the top of the league just yet but also the squad doesn't need a major overhaul. We should be looking at it as a project over the next 3 transfer windows to add the quality we need to really challenge.
As long as we strengthen where we can this window that's fine by me and I'm happy with the majority of the current squad to stay on for now!