Planning for League One

Couldn't help myself watching Nucia v CF Benidorm

 

Should have cocked yer leg on both of 'em.

 

Hand signals though I'm not sure I could direct incoming planes

 

I think people need to watch the play off tonight and see how we need to step up in the next league. While we played Birmingham close earlier this season cast your minds back to when we played Wycombe in the semi final of the cup the previous season, they were a decent team but knew how to manage the game to keep us at arms length. We can make the step up but we need to invest in quality players to consolidate our squad in league one.

 

Plenty of young male holidaymakers have encountered a “Benidorm terrier” on stag do’s and nights out.

 

L1 is the second highest division in the EFL .

 

GK’s

Dillon Phillips – 29 year old goalkeeper released by Rotherham United. Was basically 2nd choice there, and we need a better 2nd choice goalkeeper this campaign. We pushed our luck last season putting all our eggs in the Sam Walker basket, and for now Walker is probably still 1st choice. Think we’re on the lookout for competition and this could be a good option.

Free Agent

DF’s

Samuel Lavelle – Out of contract with Carlisle… I know, I know, but I swear he’s looked a decent player! Charlton paid £300,000 for him a few years ago, only 28 so even if he’s a fringe player could represent value for money.

Free Agent

Matty Pearson – Released by Town, always been a good defender, apparently just not attacking enough for what Town need for a promotion push. We won’t necessarily need that, we’ll need good defenders, which Pearson has always looked. Would be a great coup for our backline rebuild.

Free Agent

WB’s

Kian Best – 19 year old left back unceremoniously released by Preston, described as having a ‘wand of a left foot’ and a highly rated crosser of the ball.

Free Agent

CM’s

George McEachran – 24 years old, most tackles in League Two, good on the ball and likes to pull the strings from deep. Draws a lot of fouls himself with quick feet.

Under Contract (Fee)

Ethan Chislett – Released by Port Vale, game time was affected by a family bereavement, clever player, knows where the net is. Knows where the net is (scored 11 in 23/24 for Vale and 11 for Wimbledon in 22/23). Could be a great replacement for Jamie Walker, probably wouldn’t cost much more, and a quality squad player?

Free Agent

Paul Digby – 6’4 defender/midfielder released by Cambridge United. Supposedly quite feisty and physical, could this be the competition we need for Richie while also giving us an option in defence? We don’t want to get caught short like we did this season, so versatile players are a plus.

CF’s

Nathan Lowe – 6’4 striker at Stoke, Walsall’s entire season hinged upon him.

Loan if available

Unlikely:

Kelly N’Mai – Arguably Salford’s best player towards the end, linked with Peterborough, he’s a winger though and probably costs a bit.

Ollie Pearce – York, scored 31 goals in his first season at NLP level. Downside is he’s 29 already and never played EFL football. No idea what his contract is, and if he’s still under a contract then whether York go up or not would be a huge factor. Price could be silly.

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Just some thoughts on some players. Read/ignore, do as you will! Just figured some of these would be in our price range and fit the bill geographically, too.

 

Let’s get the retained list out first, can’t imagine it’ll be out before Friday but probably be one of them where players start removing city from there social media as already has been done by walker, Oliver, Wilson and Stubbs.

 

The sicko' s from scum road constantly sing about him but he really is "one of their own"

 

So they have let the cat out of the bag and released themselves
No great loss

 

From that list and what we require defence for me will need an experienced head in there and as much as I like Huntingdon I think age will be the reason we don't keep him on so personally I would take Pearson for the experience he would bring. Obviously if we could get Shephard back as well that would be cracking business by the club.

The other one from that list I would take is Kian Best can play LB LWB and LCB in a 3 so versatile and at only 19 will get better and better plus be worth something in the future however that would probably mean Kelly or Crichlow would need to move on or we wouldn't be going back in for Tayo who I think palace would allow us to take back for another season and he would jump at it no doubt.

Not sure on the others tbh but that's my opinion anyway.

 

Pearson not attacking enough?

Scored 5 goals in 29 L1 games last season. Thats a better goals per game ratio than most of our midfield from last term!

Has a career average of around 5 goals a season. Thats pretty dam decent for a CB!

 

TBF 3 of those played for other clubs last season. Pretty standard to change to current club.

 

Do we need another back up keeper as we signed Joe Hilton from Blackburn in January. Assuming of course that we extend Sam Walker's contract.

 

Crichlow seemingly gone.

 

No surprise really. Great lad but can't let sentiment get in the way of what is the right decision imo.

 

Would I have kept him? No but don’t keep Kelly either the free pass that Kelly seems to get is bemusing. Been injured more than anyone, was horrendous numerous times throughout the season. Never played l1 is nearly 27 year old.

 

Personally, I prefer Crichlow to Kelly, who I don't rate at all. But if both went and we improved that position, it would be no skin off my nose. The defence is the most important area to improve.

 

Were we not linked with young CD Stephan Negru from Oxford before he returned on loan to Salford in January.? I believe his contract finishes in May 2025 so will be in for him?