Match Thread Away V Carlisle Saturday 13th March 3.00pm

We've certainly had a purple patch but it's not been sustained. For the last five or six games we've struggled to create very much even in games which we've won. My contention is that the current squad is essentially a mid table squad which would struggle to maintain a promotion push next year without serious reconstruction.

 

How do you come to that conclusion. 13 points from 16 under stuart , 34 from 17 with the management duo. leads you to think we would have picked up a few more points in those early games and been closer to the play offs.

 

I agree with you re the last five or six games. But I think we only need 4 or 5 in the summer. But they have to be quality players who are good enough to get into the first XI, not bench warmers. The likes of Donaldson, Clarke and Stevens need to be replaced with much better. So I don't think it needs to be a big rebuild, certainly not after the work done in January.

 

I agree. 4 or 5 out of the six in front of the defence, all of whom are better than what we have now, is precisely what we need. That's what I call a major reconstruction.

 

Let's see how we go for the rest of the season.

 

Hasn't it been five or six games since T&S got the job full time? Do we think this has any effect on our recent results?

 

Completely agree.

During the run we mostly weren't out playing teams, we were just solid and getting the rub of the green at important times. We were still struggling to create chances but importantly we were clinical whilst our opponents couldn't take the few chances we allowed them.

The run was a huge improvement from under McCall but didn't necessarily warrant the number of points we earned and because lots of games were won by very fine margins it never looked like being sustainable.

Unlike you though, I do like Andy Cook and would like to see us take him permanently. He's got that good mix of physical presence, a decent touch and scores goals. He'd be more than good enough to play the majority of games in a promotion side. I also think either Vernam or Crankshaw would play an important part of we could get the balance right on the other side.

For me our problems stem from the midfield options. We need some experience and know how in there as we don't dominate the central area enough, even with 5. If we were stronger in those areas it would allow us play a second striker at times or at least dominate the ball and get everyone upfield, perhaps even allowing Paudie to come forward and create overloads like Bolton did with their centre halves.

My summer shopping priority list would be a couple of experienced CM's, another wide left player and a good right back. I'd also be looking to offer Cook a contract.

We definitely need more quality although I don't think we're a million miles away. Just a few excellent additions in the right areas could transform this team.

 

Pleased to see Cheltenham conceding a goal from a long throw in.

 

Danny Simpson on trial at Sheff Weds after being released from the Dogs. 34 year old right back. Better than AOC I’ll warrant.

 

Mods - as this has started to turn into a recruitment topic maybe move the relevant posts to the 'Summer Recruitment/Transfers' thread?

 

Does it really affect you or anyone else on the board? The game has gone so it's not like it's careering wildly off topic?

There's enough moving about of posts and sometimes it makes it difficult to follow conversations so imo, in a case where the thread is pretty much dead anyway it seems to make more sense to leave them.

 

I don't think a 34 year old fits into the current way of thinking that the CEO, Recruitment manager and two team managers have at present.

 

There's always room for a couple of 34 year olds in a squad. Would you turn down a Gary Jones at 34 signing on for next year?

 

To quote Paul Weller when asked if the Jam would ever reform "Absolutely, categorically, f**king, NO"

 

We just two 30+ players so it seems to fit perfectly?

The younger recruits aren't having the same impact.

 

It made me laugh - do not do unto others as they would do unto you!

 

Yeah but he didn't have Gary Jones in the band.

 

If Swindon are coming down again I'd rather have Paul Caddis back - a mere 32. But I personally think AOC has done a great job for us and if we do have to switch it around in midfield (if Cooke is out for a while) I could see Hosannah or FCD at RB and AOC as DM