Who's heading out?

[Barney]

Not heard many rumours of possible outgoings, aside from the everlasting Murphy and Done saga. Adkins has also said that he is not looking to move anyone on at this moment in time.

We need at least 4 players to be sold to make room for what we need to bring in, so when is it going to be the right moment in time? More importantly, who's going to want to purchase these players? So it seems we have to wait for the right moment in time, then rely on the fact that they're wanted by another club, that proposition being somewhat doubtful. It all seems rather unachievable to me.

Assuming we sign the players needed this will, of course, leave us with a bloated squad (of 37), as if it wasn't already, most of which without a chance of first team football.

 

[Woodwardfan]

It will help your thread if you name the 33 you mention that we already have.

 

[Bladebri]

I would have thought by now NA would have known who is on the leaving list, but you are right who and when would they be taken by another club, unless he has money to spend on the players we require, who knows. But the squad has to be wittled down, I don't think we can sustain a squad of this size.

 

[BouncinBlade]

Not heard many rumours of possible outgoings, aside from the everlasting Murphy and Done saga. Adkins has also said that he is not looking to move anyone on at this moment in time.

We need at least 4 players to be sold to make room for what we need to bring in, so when is it going to be the right moment in time? More importantly, who's going to want to purchase these players? So it seems we have to wait for the right moment in time, then rely on the fact that they're wanted by another club, that proposition being somewhat doubtful. It all seems rather unachievable to me.

Assuming we sign the players needed this will, of course, leave us with a bloated squad (of 37), as if it wasn't already, most of which without a chance of first team football.

Pint glass half full.

 

[AnonymousBlade1995]

Burton are interested in Flo who i think would be a good addition to the squad with him now being fit

 

[blader]

Get rid of anyone over 23 who wasn't a regular/pivotal player in last season's team. That should count for about 10-12 of the 33

 

[Barney]

It will help your thread if you name the 33 you mention that we already have.

1 GK Mark Howard
2 DF Craig Alcock
3 DF Bob Harris
4 MF James Wallace
5 DF John Brayford
6 MF Chris Basham
7 MF Ryan Flynn
8 FW Jamie Murphy
9 MF Stefan Scougall
10 MF Jose Baxter
11 FW Marc McNulty
12 GK George Willis
13 FW Matt Done
14 DF Neill Collins
15 DF Harrison McGahey
16 MF Paul Coutts
17 DF Jay McEveley
18 MF Jamal Campbell-Ryce
19 FW Michael Higdon
20 MF Louis Reed
21 FW Diego De Girolamo
22 DF Kieron Freeman
23 DF Terry Kennedy
24 MF Connor Dimaio
25 FW Che Adams
26 MF Ben Whiteman
27 MF Otis Khan
28 MF Kieran Wallace
29 MF Florent Cuvelier
30 MF Dominic Calvert-Lewin
31 MF Callum McFadzean
32 - George Long

32 there but I think 1 more was out on loan at the time of the list on wikipedia but you get my point.

 

[ChipButtyBlade]

1 GK Mark Howard
2 DF Craig Alcock Out
3 DF Bob Harris
4 MF James Wallace
5 DF John Brayford
6 MF Chris Basham
7 MF Ryan Flynn
8 FW Jamie Murphy
9 MF Stefan Scougall
10 MF Jose Baxter
11 FW Marc McNulty
12 GK George Willis
13 FW Matt Done
14 DF Neill Collins
15 DF Harrison McGahey Loan Out
16 MF Paul Coutts
17 DF Jay McEveley
18 MF Jamal Campbell-Ryce Out
19 FW Michael Higdon Out
20 MF Louis Reed
21 FW Diego De Girolamo
22 DF Kieron Freeman
23 DF Terry Kennedy
24 MF Connor Dimaio Loan Out
25 FW Che Adams
26 MF Ben Whiteman
27 MF Otis Khan Loan Out
28 MF Kieran Wallace Out
29 MF Florent Cuvelier
30 MF Dominic Calvert-Lewin Loan Out
31 MF Callum McFadzean Loan Out
32 - George Long

32 there but I think 1 more was out on loan at the time of the list on wikipedia but you get my point.

 

[HighfieldBlade]

There's talk of Murphy leaving? God, I hope not, I think he's a cracking player.

 

[Jon Bon]

"Who's heading out? Who's being back heeled into third division obscurity? It's time to vote out your weakest links.."

 

[Sothall_Blade]

1 GK Mark Howard
2 DF Craig Alcock
3 DF Bob Harris
4 MF James Wallace
5 DF John Brayford
6 MF Chris Basham
7 MF Ryan Flynn
8 FW Jamie Murphy
9 MF Stefan Scougall
10 MF Jose Baxter
11 FW Marc McNulty
12 GK George Willis
13 FW Matt Done
14 DF Neill Collins
15 DF Harrison McGahey
16 MF Paul Coutts
17 DF Jay McEveley
18 MF Jamal Campbell-Ryce
19 FW Michael Higdon
20 MF Louis Reed
21 FW Diego De Girolamo
22 DF Kieron Freeman
23 DF Terry Kennedy
24 MF Connor Dimaio
25 FW Che Adams
26 MF Ben Whiteman
27 MF Otis Khan
28 MF Kieran Wallace
29 MF Florent Cuvelier
30 MF Dominic Calvert-Lewin
31 MF Callum McFadzean
32 - George Long

32 there but I think 1 more was out on loan at the time of the list on wikipedia but you get my point.

So 21 senior players and 11 juniors.
4 of those seniors have injury/suspension worries.

We do need to lose about four senior players to bring four in.
But personally I don't mind us keeping 11 juniors with potential around on the basis that 3 or 4 might make it.

Most clubs probably have 30+ players if you include their U21's

 

[Woodwardfan]

What's happened with McFadzean whose contract finished last moth?

McDonagh should be added to the numbers though.

The club do not list Collins, Ryce and McGahey so that tells us something perhaps.

32 less 6 development players = 26. That's a good number but as the OP intimates, we are woefully short in key areas. FFP comes into play surely at these sort of numbers. Adkins has a bit of a juggling act and it will be interesting to hear what he has to say on Thursday:-

Questions: Is FFP an issue with a squad of this current size?
: what are the priority positions for new recruits?
: are you happy with the wages and transfer bduget or is it dependant on players leaving first?

BTW. I've just counted some 13 contracts which expire next season plus a couple or more others which have that "year extension available".

Perhaps next year the manager will be better placed to make an impact.

Footnote: Clough signed 16 of those 32 players plus the development players signed in his time.

 

[Lord Bos of Eckington.]

What's happened with McFadzean whose contract finished last moth?

McDonagh should be added to the numbers though.

The club do not list Collins, Ryce and McGahey so that tells us something perhaps.

32 less 6 development players = 26. That's a good number but as the OP intimates, we are woefully short in key areas. FFP comes into play surely at these sort of numbers. Adkins has a bit of a juggling act and it will be interesting to hear what he has to say on Thursday:-

Questions: Is FFP an issue with a squad of this current size?
: what are the priority positions for new recruits?
: are you happy with the wages and transfer bduget or is it dependant on players leaving first?

BTW. I've just counted some 13 contracts which expire next season plus a couple or more others which have that "year extension available".

Perhaps next year the manager will be better placed to make an impact.

Footnote: Clough signed 16 of those 32 players plus some 5 development players signed in his time.

Some good points , but referring to your comment , "that perhaps next year the manager will be better placed to make a impact ." Unfortunately he has to hit the ground running and ensure automatic promotion this season . If not achieved , we have failed yet again , and running out of options . Promotion brings stability , not languishing in league 1.

We do have a good squad , it just needs nurturing , and new players brought in , for the positions , we all know .

Get the players in we require , then review trimming the squad . Adkins does have a juggling act to do , but he is no different to any other manager . Adkins is a good experienced manager , who will get the squad right , and before the start of the season.

The first signing will be a benchmark.

UTB

 

[Silent Blade]

The club do not list Collins, Ryce and McGahey so that tells us something perhaps.

They were out on loan in the last two months of last season and the squad list hasnt been updated since then

 

[metalblade]

Some good points , but referring to your comment , "that perhaps next year the manager will be better placed to make a impact ." Unfortunately he has to hit the ground running and ensure automatic promotion this season . If not achieved , we have failed yet again , and running out of options . Promotion brings stability , not languishing in league 1.

We do have a good squad , it just needs nurturing , and new players brought in , for the positions , we all know .

Get the players in we require , then review trimming the squad . Adkins does have a juggling act to do , but he is no different to any other manager . Adkins is a good experienced manager , who will get the squad right , and before the start of the season.

The first signing will be a benchmark.

UTB

Good points Lord Bos of Eckington. maybe for the first time in a very long time for this club NA will be bringing in players and only then letting one or two who are no longer needed go. Usually how this club works we sell our assets at the last minute then are scratching around for replacements which never materialise. Just for once this club might have got a plan.

 

[Kev Gee]

I would say alcock, j Wallace, k wallace and higdon

 

[FTPE]

I would say alcock, j Wallace, k wallace and higdon

NA is in the telegraph today saying how he's going to nurture j.wallace this season

 

[Kev Gee]

NA is in the telegraph today saying how he's going to nurture j.wallace this season

Oh he def needs nurturing alright!!

 

[KABBASVOLLEYAGAINSTFOREST]

2 DFCraig Alcock
14 DFNeill Collins
17 DFJay McEveley
18 MFJamal Campbell-Ryce
19 FWMichael Higdon
28 MFKieran Wallace
31 MFCallum McFadzean

They can all go. Get 2 CBs and 1 striker. Streamline the squad. As long as we have 2 players for every position we should be fine. Our youth players seem good enough to rely on, and will get better the more games they play.

Team 1

------------------New GK----------------
Brayford NEW CB NEW CB Harris
--------------Basham Wallace-----------
---Adams ------Done ---------Murphy--
----------------NEW STR------------------


Team 2

----------------Howard----------------
Flynn Kennedy Mcgahey Freeman
-------------Reed-----Dimaio----------
---Khan---------Diego--------DCL----
------------------Mcnulty-----------------

That still leaves the likes of Scoogs, Baxter and Flo to all challenge too.

Play team 2 in Carling cup, JPT etc and try and have them chomping at the bit to try and get into the first team. If an injury occurs in the first team i'd really like us to actually drop these kids in and rely on them rather than getting in a journeyman 33 year old on loan for a month to cover it.

 

[Woodwardfan]

2 DFCraig Alcock
14 DFNeill Collins
17 DFJay McEveley
18 MFJamal Campbell-Ryce
19 FWMichael Higdon
28 MFKieran Wallace
31 MFCallum McFadzean

They can all go. Get 2 CBs and 1 striker. Streamline the squad. As long as we have 2 players for every position we should be fine. Our youth players seem good enough to rely on, and will get better the more games they play.

Team 1

------------------New GK----------------
Brayford NEW CB NEW CB Harris
--------------Basham Wallace-----------
---Adams ------Done ---------Murphy--
----------------NEW STR------------------


Team 2

----------------Howard----------------
Flynn Kennedy Mcgahey Freeman
-------------Reed-----Dimaio----------
---Khan---------Diego--------DCL----
------------------Mcnulty-----------------

That still leaves the likes of Scoogs, Baxter and Flo to all challenge too.

Play team 2 in Carling cup, JPT etc and try and have them chomping at the bit to try and get into the first team. If an injury occurs in the first team i'd really like us to actually drop these kids in and rely on them rather than getting in a journeyman 33 year old on loan for a month to cover it.

Good approach and a formation which suits us and our current squad. Of course we will all have a few different views about which players should play and where but the fact remains that we do not need many new players and will buy quality in vital positions.

Some of those on the away list are good squad players but would be better playing first team football elsewhere. An optimum senior squad is around 22 tops and as pointed out we have youngsters who should expect some first team football whereas the older ones are in their way.

I think Howard will be given his chance and might well fail.

 

[Lord Bos of Eckington.]

Good approach and a formation which suits us and our current squad. Of course we will all have a few different views about which players should play and where but the fact remains that we do not need many new players and will buy quality in vital positions.

Some of those on the away list are good squad players but would be better playing first team football elsewhere. An optimum senior squad is around 22 tops and as pointed out we have youngsters who should expect some first team football whereas the older ones are in their way.

I think Howard will be given his chance and might well fail.

I keep saying to myself we have a good squad and require a number of additions in key areas. I suppose the concern is , have the players already on the books , the right mental frame of mind / attitude to get through a long tough season.

We did look both mentally and physically tired at certain times last season ,even with a big squad . I think it is still questionable , if we can sustain a constant level of performance at all times.

Its one thing bringing new players in , but IMO Adkins has to use his motivation skills , so all existing players get some self belief back , and start , with a mindset they can beat anybody . We could have 22 or 50 players , but if we don't get the basics right , with the calibre of existing players , we may finish not hitting the ground running .

Points at the beginning of the season are just as important as them at the end.


UTB

 

[Woodwardfan]

I keep saying to myself we have a good squad and require a number of additions in key areas. I suppose the concern is , have the players already on the books , the right mental frame of mind / attitude to get through a long tough season.

We did look both mentally and physically tired at certain times last season ,even with a big squad . I think it is still questionable , if we can sustain a constant level of performance at all times.

Its one thing bringing new players in , but IMO Adkins has to use his motivation skills , so all existing players get some self belief back , and start , with a mindset they can beat anybody . We could have 22 or 50 players , but if we don't get the basics right , with the calibre of existing players , we may finish not hitting the ground running .

Points at the beginning of the season are just as important as them at the end.


UTB

With the best will in the world it is hard to motivate fit experienced players who rarely get a first team game so numbers do matter. However surely certain players will find loan positions elsewhere even if we have to pay a proportion of their wages for a year. Maybe that still counts against FFP.

I'll not comment on the spirit last season.

I agree we have a good squad for League 1 but and lacking leaders and inspiration in key positions. If we went into the season with no changes to the squad I think we'd make the play-offs in a stumbling sort of way, but who knows how many heroes emerge once the momentum starts, look how certain players performed for Clough in his first months.

 

[Rollerball]

A lot of the current squad were good enough to beat some very good teams last season and scare the bejeebus out of Spurs, so maybe it is just about motivating and Mr clough was lacking, but then how hard must it be to motivate players that more than match Spurs, Southampton etc 1 game then play fleetwood town as an example next game?
Fill the 2 or 3 glaring holes in the first team and with a little motivation and confidence why shouldn't they get what we all want, goals and performances leading to promotion, I have a good feeling about this season and with the aforementioned signings so should every blade.
Onwards n upwards
UTB

 

[Guesty]

2 DFCraig Alcock
14 DFNeill Collins
17 DFJay McEveley
18 MFJamal Campbell-Ryce
19 FWMichael Higdon
28 MFKieran Wallace
31 MFCallum McFadzean

They can all go. Get 2 CBs and 1 striker. Streamline the squad. As long as we have 2 players for every position we should be fine. Our youth players seem good enough to rely on, and will get better the more games they play.

Team 1

------------------New GK----------------
Brayford NEW CB NEW CB Harris
--------------Basham Wallace-----------
---Adams ------Done ---------Murphy--
----------------NEW STR------------------


Team 2

----------------Howard----------------
Flynn Kennedy Mcgahey Freeman
-------------Reed-----Dimaio----------
---Khan---------Diego--------DCL----
------------------Mcnulty-----------------

That still leaves the likes of Scoogs, Baxter and Flo to all challenge too.

Play team 2 in Carling cup, JPT etc and try and have them chomping at the bit to try and get into the first team. If an injury occurs in the first team i'd really like us to actually drop these kids in and rely on them rather than getting in a journeyman 33 year old on loan for a month to cover it.

You can't make wholesale changes to the team for the JPT, unless, they've scrapped that rule this season.

 

[Mouth of the South]

The way I looked at it was who is currently, or is soon expected to be, good enough to play in a promotion challenging side. Those that didn't make the cut and should therefore be deemed surplus to requirements were:
- Alcock
- Harris
- Flynn
- Scougall
- McNulty
- Collins
- McEverley
- McGahey
- McFazdean
- JCR
- Long

I've not seen enough of some of the development players to form an opinion.
Obviously, shifting all the above players will take time and be disruptive if done too quickly. Improvements in the well-publicised positions of CB and CF should be prioritised in my opinion, followed by a new LB, RM, CM and GK. Unless Woolford is pencilled in to play RM, or Murphy is earmarked to change wings (or be sold!), I'm nor too sure why he's been recruited.

The obvious ommision from my list is Higdon. Obviously, like many others (McNulty, Scougall, Baxter etc), the unflexible formation favoured by NC didn't suit him or his game at all but partnering and being a foil for Done may just allow him to show why he was recruited in the first place, especially with a full pre-season behind him and I'd definitely be minded to give him another shot.

 

[Revolution]

Good points Lord Bos of Eckington. maybe for the first time in a very long time for this club NA will be bringing in players and only then letting one or two who are no longer needed go. Usually how this club works we sell our assets at the last minute then are scratching around for replacements which never materialise. Just for once this club might have got a plan.

Seeing is believing.

 

[raul]

Seeing is believing.

Judge us after 10 games.....

 

[DazBlade88]

I'm surprised to see how many people would move on a player who, for me, is the best left back in League One.

 

[United Aren't Back.]

A lot of the current squad were good enough to beat some very good teams last season and scare the bejeebus out of Spurs, so maybe it is just about motivating and Mr clough was lacking, but then how hard must it be to motivate players that more than match Spurs, Southampton etc 1 game then play fleetwood town as an example next game?
Fill the 2 or 3 glaring holes in the first team and with a little motivation and confidence why shouldn't they get what we all want, goals and performances leading to promotion, I have a good feeling about this season and with the aforementioned signings so should every blade.
Onwards n upwards
UTB

So the sum total of Cloughs 18 months was a few fa cup and league cup wins. Fucking Hereford beat Newcastle in 1972 , Colchester beat L..ds in 71. That does not make us fit to compete in premier league , just cos we beat Southampton. We aren't fit to escape league one so let's remember that.

 

[DazBlade88]

Unless Woolford is pencilled in to play RM, or Murphy is earmarked to change wings (or be sold!), I'm nor too sure why he's been recruited.

What other wingers have we got?

Flynn, Adams, JCR and Murphy. Strength in depth in attacking positions is never a bad thing, and keeps every single of them on their toes.

Add a commanding midfielder to partner Basham, two centre halves and another striker and I think we look alright in every position.