Summer transfer priorities

Not impressed with any of our centre backs, all far too slow, don't win enough headed balls fired into our box and dreadful distribution.
Kelly, Platt and Stubbs are all very average and I wouldn't be bothered if they all left us.
The one proviso is of course good replacements.

 

Platt should stay, Dominant in the air and a good all round defender in the box, Lacks pace but chips in with goals which is all you need at this level, We need 2 new CBs or one if Oggy returns which would be a bonus

 

Kev being Kev

 

Someone has been reading my posts.

 

Platt has 2 league goals in 2 season with us !
I'd like to keep him though

 

Pace in midfield has been an issue for a few seasons.
Every summer it gets highlighted and like last year we end up with Smallwood and Gilliead playing most of the games.
It’s no secret I’m not Smallwoods biggest fan but credit where it’s due,these last few games where he has been asked to do what he’s best at,he’s looked alright.
Somebody at the side of him(not Gilliead) with a bit of pace (both physical and mentally quick) is an absolute priority.
If this recurring issue isn’t sorted I don’t think we are finishing in the top 3.

 

Pacy CB that can actually pass the ball.

Box to box CM, energy and drive that can chip in with goals unlike Gilliead and Smallwood.

 

Mansfield got bang lucky with Flint. From around that area and out of contract but I agree. All our successful teams have had that type of player.

 

That's a fair comment.

I wasn't happy earlier in the season when he was excluded by Mark Hughes and I like him as a league 2 defender. He is robust and always gives his all.

However, on Saturday I felt his lack of composure on the ball was quite evident. It's a tough balance because you do need strong players like Platt at this level, especially if we have pacier options in other positions at the back.

 

And that’s why I’m saying what I suggest. We can do better.

 

Not bad…..We need similar but Flint just signed an extension for another year.

 

Are keeping with 3-5-2? If so pacey CB or two, influential midfielder or two, LWB and sort out Young future or reinvest money. Re sign Halliday, Walker and Pointon. Lose McDonald, Smallwood (unless lower salary), Stubbs, Taylor, Odusina, Hendrie etc. Aim for a decent younger squad of quality around 25 personnel. Easier said than done.

 

Don’t you start.

The comment from Twitter was likely debunked yesterday. Some young lad putting two and two together and guessing that an on loan player still under contract returns to his parent club and says good luck for the future. That’s meaningless in my book. Time will tell. It’s 50-50 nothing more.
The best way to answer really was GA said players would have their meetings Tues and Wed so it’s impossible for a kid on Twitter to say he knows he’s not coming back, because he’s not even our player. He’s guessing, that’s all.

 

There wasn't anything to debunk. The lad on twitter posted Oyegoke's insta message and simply questioned whether it might mean he's played his last game for us.

 

Mansfield also signing Jonson Clarke-Harris it seems.

 

Might, speculate, guess, suggest, indicate, could, may, it’s a big list for a wild guess. I could speculate by saying Cookie may have played his last game for us because he waved to the crowd after the game. It’s bull…. You know and I know Sam.

 

Looking at the stats we can’t go into the season with Smallwood and Gilliead again. Painful pairing.

4 assists between them.
4 goals between them.

Not good enough for any level that.

 

He likes his naughty tweets ! Good striker though.

 

Gilly back up squad player and excellent sub as he can cover multi roles. One year , Smallwood I would be happy to keep on a reduced deal, as he can do decent job sat directly in front of a back 3

 

I think after the retained list is released, new contracts offered and those told to find new clubs - the squad will be...

GK - Walker, Doyle
RB - Halliday
LB - Richards
CB - Platt, Kelly, Wadsworth
CM - Smalwood, Gilliead, Pattison
AM - Walker, Pointon Odour
ST - Cook, Kavanagh, Young, Smith

Priority then is the below with a back up RWB at some point.
CB x3
LWB x1
CM/AM x2

Cook, Kavanagh, Young, Smith might be ok as a quartet next season. With Ibbitson as 5th choice.