Balham
S24SU Seer
Last season, I posted a "war and peace" (thanks Pinchy ) effort on the squad. It's here (http://s24su.com/forum/index.php?threads/an-interesting-summer-awaits-the-squad-next-season.34405/) - I don't intend to quote the whole thing..!
Mainly my thoughts are on the squad... bold indicates players who have played for the first team this season; italics mean that a player is out of contract in June.
The gist is that the departures list is far longer than the arrivals - Clough has allowed the squad to swell with deadwood and the first job this summer - after SIGNING SOME BLOODY CENTRE HALVES - is to trim those who aren't going to play next year.
Goalkeepers:
Howard: swinging between exceptional and poor, Howard has continued to frustrate with his inconsistency. Undoubtably United's #1 at the moment but a worrying tendency to concede soft goals from long distance suggests that his back injury is causing more problems that let on.
Willis: once again, a potential breakthrough year for George Jr. He should aim to be on the bench week by week.
Eastwood:talented U18 keeper who has made a couple of appearances for the U21s. Might spend some time on loan at a Conference side next season
Defence:
Harris: Whispering Bob has been solid since joining at the end of January 2014 on an initial 6 month deal. He's out of contract but I can't see him leaving.
Brayford: signed for a big fee in January after an prolonged chase, last season's talisman has struggled to replicate the form shown in 2013/14, a situation not helped by the constant changes in the back line. Rumoured to be out injured until Christmas which is a huge blow
Kennedy: waited patiently through a horrific spell of injuries to get his chance. The only question mark over an extended deal for him is whether his knees can stand up to the rigours of professional football. It'd be a huge shame if the answer was no.
Freeman: a strange situation in August saw Freeman's move to the Lane fall through but he signed permanently in January. Played well in an unfamiliar right wing role before reverting to his usual full back slot at the end of the season. Only 22, he's talented enough to nail down the right back slot next season.
McGahey: started the season as first choice but hasn't made a league appearance for United since a disastrous showing as a makeshift right back against Port Vale on Boxing Day. Undoubtedly talented, he's perhaps suffered under the weight of expectation as Maguire's replacement.
Banton, Evans: two academy centre halves who have signed pro deals.
Midfield
Coutts: signed with glowing reviews from Derby and Preston fans, it's clear that Coutts is still feeling the effects of 18 months out with a career-threatening injury. Hopefully a decent pre-season will allow him to get back up to speed as he has the potential to be one of the best midfielders in League One.
Basham: struggled early in the season with the move from Blackpool and the birth of his baby but matured into the first name on the teamsheet. Filled in admirably at centre half and contributed one of the moments of the season with his "Bashambauer" turn against Southampton.
Scougall: the raw potential we saw last season hasn't been realised with Scougall struggling this time around. Small and weak, he looks to have lost some belief but hopefully a summer break will sort that. If Wallace and Coutts are fit next season, though, he'll have to be content with providing a different option off the bench.
Wallace J: the heartbeat of Tranmere's rise to the top of League One, in his few appearances for United he's looked a class act. Unfortunately, he's suffering some serious repercussions from his knee injury with muscular problems limiting his game time. Hopefully some intensive physio work over the summer can sort those out as a midfield three of Basham, Coutts and Wallace would be exceptional at League One level.
Murphy: finished the season with 12 goals in all competitons, a contract extension and a new baby. Probably our most valuable asset now so we can only hope that he can be convinced that he can get into the Scotland squad for Euro 2016 while in League One.
Flynn: a decent season from Flynn without ever pulling up trees; he's frequently been voted as S24SU man-of-the-match but often as the best of a bad bunch.
Campbell-Ryce: an odd signing on a two year deal, Campbell-Ryce is a typical League One winger, capable of beating a man but then swinging in a dreadful cross. Ended on loan at Notts County and it wouldn't surprise me if he was released from the last year of his deal.
Cuvelier: showed some genuine ability in his limited appearances but ended the season on loan at Burton then injured. Hopefully a decent pre-season will allow him to show the ability which led to Belgian age-group recognition.
Reed: tailed off as the season went on but that's to be expected of a 17 year old playing 30+ games in a season. He's a bright prospect, that's for sure.
Dimaio: hasn't progressed as hoped with his few appearances being out of position on the right flank or cameos from the bench. Should look to secure a loan spot somewhere in League Two next season.
Whiteman: academy central midfielder who signed his first pro deal back in December.
Forwards:
Done: since signing in January, Done's work-rate has endeared him to the Blades faithful. He'll be a big player for us next season and should be looking for 25+ goals, most of which will probably be bundled in from a yard out.
Baxter: probably the player with the biggest gap between talent and application in the squad. Hugely frustrating, he could be the best player in the league...if he could be bothered.
McNulty: without doubt a natural finisher but his all-round game lacks and he has been repeatedly singled out for criticism by Clough. Needs to work harder and may benefit from a loan spell as most of his opportunities next season will be from the bench.
Higdon: signed with a reputation as a natural goalscorer but has lacked discipline and fitness. A huge (!) disappointment.
Adams: burst onto the scene with two great finishes against Spurs in the League Cup before finishing the season with our final goal in the ridiculous game at Swindon. Needs to improve his decision making but the raw talent and phyical attributes are there. Should be a big player next season.
Calvert-Lewin: came on for a couple of cameos but looked incredibly raw and nervous. A decent pre-season training with the first team will help him, as would a loan spell.
Khan: academy winger/forward who made a couple of senior substitute appearances last season but hasn't featured this. Needs a decent summer.
McDonaugh: albeit at a lower level, the Nor'n Irish U21 international impressed at Matlock and should look to impress on loan at a higher level next season.
Targets:
It goes without saying but when the five recognised centre halves at the start of the season were either sold (Maguire), released (Butler), dropped (Collins, McGahey) or injured (Kennedy) to the point where we played the vast majority of games with a makeshift back line, we absolutely have to sign at least two quality centre halves. This is where Simon Clough and his team need to earn their keep - they should be scouring the released lists when they come out.
A new goalkeeper wouldn't go amiss with question marks over Howard and Long and Turner likely to leave.
Up front is the other main gap, with a physical presence required against the majority of League One defences to complement Done's pace and movement. Steven Davies is the likely arrival and with the right service could prove a very good player for us. Another name is O'Grady but that would require a fee and considerably higher wages.
This season's decent player who we don't really need signing is probably going to be Holt. A goalscoring midfielder is a useful asset but I'm not sure where he'll fit in the side next season.
Departures:
Turner: signed as a back up with Long out on loan, Turner ended up playing a number of games with Howard out injured. He is, however, poor under the high ball and is beaten all too easily at his near post. A short term signing who should be allowed to leave
Long: Out on loan for almost the entire season, first with Oxford where he spent most of his time benchwarming then latterly with Motherwell where he's had mixed reviews. It wouldn't surprise me if he moved on in the summer and a fresh start will do him good.
Collins: bombed out of the side after the first Swindon defensive horror show, he spent the last two months on loan at Port Vale. His time at United is surely up.
McEveley: signed at the end of August as cover for Harris, McEveley ended up spending most of the season at centre half where he performed to the best of his ability but unfortunately, his concentration and decision making just aren't up to scratch to play there consistently. At 30, he'll want first team football.
Alcock: signed as first choice right back, started the season at centre half then ended as, probably, fouth choice. It wouldn't surprise me if he moved on in the summer.
McFadzean: off the field issues aside, McFadzean Jr has not proven that he is good enough to play for United. He'll slip down the pyramid now.
Doyle: Club captain who finally saw the team finish in a higher position than the previous year - the first time in his five seasons at the Lane. Phased out as Clough's revolution continued, he'll leave on good terms with the immortality of his "cockney walk" celebration at West Ham living on in Unitedite's memories.
Davies: in last season's thread I said that I wouldn't be surprised if Davies joined but that I didn't think he was good enough. In my opinion, that was a correct assessment: you cannot take anything away from Davies' professionalism but he's bulking out an already bloated squad.
Wallace K: an odd signing, joining from Ilkeston at the same time as Adams but he hasn't shown any evidence of being good enough for a promotion-chasing League One side. Ended the season on loan at Conference side Lincoln which is probably more his level.
Mainly my thoughts are on the squad... bold indicates players who have played for the first team this season; italics mean that a player is out of contract in June.
The gist is that the departures list is far longer than the arrivals - Clough has allowed the squad to swell with deadwood and the first job this summer - after SIGNING SOME BLOODY CENTRE HALVES - is to trim those who aren't going to play next year.
Goalkeepers:
Howard: swinging between exceptional and poor, Howard has continued to frustrate with his inconsistency. Undoubtably United's #1 at the moment but a worrying tendency to concede soft goals from long distance suggests that his back injury is causing more problems that let on.
Willis: once again, a potential breakthrough year for George Jr. He should aim to be on the bench week by week.
Eastwood:talented U18 keeper who has made a couple of appearances for the U21s. Might spend some time on loan at a Conference side next season
Defence:
Harris: Whispering Bob has been solid since joining at the end of January 2014 on an initial 6 month deal. He's out of contract but I can't see him leaving.
Brayford: signed for a big fee in January after an prolonged chase, last season's talisman has struggled to replicate the form shown in 2013/14, a situation not helped by the constant changes in the back line. Rumoured to be out injured until Christmas which is a huge blow
Kennedy: waited patiently through a horrific spell of injuries to get his chance. The only question mark over an extended deal for him is whether his knees can stand up to the rigours of professional football. It'd be a huge shame if the answer was no.
Freeman: a strange situation in August saw Freeman's move to the Lane fall through but he signed permanently in January. Played well in an unfamiliar right wing role before reverting to his usual full back slot at the end of the season. Only 22, he's talented enough to nail down the right back slot next season.
McGahey: started the season as first choice but hasn't made a league appearance for United since a disastrous showing as a makeshift right back against Port Vale on Boxing Day. Undoubtedly talented, he's perhaps suffered under the weight of expectation as Maguire's replacement.
Banton, Evans: two academy centre halves who have signed pro deals.
Midfield
Coutts: signed with glowing reviews from Derby and Preston fans, it's clear that Coutts is still feeling the effects of 18 months out with a career-threatening injury. Hopefully a decent pre-season will allow him to get back up to speed as he has the potential to be one of the best midfielders in League One.
Basham: struggled early in the season with the move from Blackpool and the birth of his baby but matured into the first name on the teamsheet. Filled in admirably at centre half and contributed one of the moments of the season with his "Bashambauer" turn against Southampton.
Scougall: the raw potential we saw last season hasn't been realised with Scougall struggling this time around. Small and weak, he looks to have lost some belief but hopefully a summer break will sort that. If Wallace and Coutts are fit next season, though, he'll have to be content with providing a different option off the bench.
Wallace J: the heartbeat of Tranmere's rise to the top of League One, in his few appearances for United he's looked a class act. Unfortunately, he's suffering some serious repercussions from his knee injury with muscular problems limiting his game time. Hopefully some intensive physio work over the summer can sort those out as a midfield three of Basham, Coutts and Wallace would be exceptional at League One level.
Murphy: finished the season with 12 goals in all competitons, a contract extension and a new baby. Probably our most valuable asset now so we can only hope that he can be convinced that he can get into the Scotland squad for Euro 2016 while in League One.
Flynn: a decent season from Flynn without ever pulling up trees; he's frequently been voted as S24SU man-of-the-match but often as the best of a bad bunch.
Campbell-Ryce: an odd signing on a two year deal, Campbell-Ryce is a typical League One winger, capable of beating a man but then swinging in a dreadful cross. Ended on loan at Notts County and it wouldn't surprise me if he was released from the last year of his deal.
Cuvelier: showed some genuine ability in his limited appearances but ended the season on loan at Burton then injured. Hopefully a decent pre-season will allow him to show the ability which led to Belgian age-group recognition.
Reed: tailed off as the season went on but that's to be expected of a 17 year old playing 30+ games in a season. He's a bright prospect, that's for sure.
Dimaio: hasn't progressed as hoped with his few appearances being out of position on the right flank or cameos from the bench. Should look to secure a loan spot somewhere in League Two next season.
Whiteman: academy central midfielder who signed his first pro deal back in December.
Forwards:
Done: since signing in January, Done's work-rate has endeared him to the Blades faithful. He'll be a big player for us next season and should be looking for 25+ goals, most of which will probably be bundled in from a yard out.
Baxter: probably the player with the biggest gap between talent and application in the squad. Hugely frustrating, he could be the best player in the league...if he could be bothered.
McNulty: without doubt a natural finisher but his all-round game lacks and he has been repeatedly singled out for criticism by Clough. Needs to work harder and may benefit from a loan spell as most of his opportunities next season will be from the bench.
Higdon: signed with a reputation as a natural goalscorer but has lacked discipline and fitness. A huge (!) disappointment.
Adams: burst onto the scene with two great finishes against Spurs in the League Cup before finishing the season with our final goal in the ridiculous game at Swindon. Needs to improve his decision making but the raw talent and phyical attributes are there. Should be a big player next season.
Calvert-Lewin: came on for a couple of cameos but looked incredibly raw and nervous. A decent pre-season training with the first team will help him, as would a loan spell.
Khan: academy winger/forward who made a couple of senior substitute appearances last season but hasn't featured this. Needs a decent summer.
McDonaugh: albeit at a lower level, the Nor'n Irish U21 international impressed at Matlock and should look to impress on loan at a higher level next season.
Targets:
It goes without saying but when the five recognised centre halves at the start of the season were either sold (Maguire), released (Butler), dropped (Collins, McGahey) or injured (Kennedy) to the point where we played the vast majority of games with a makeshift back line, we absolutely have to sign at least two quality centre halves. This is where Simon Clough and his team need to earn their keep - they should be scouring the released lists when they come out.
A new goalkeeper wouldn't go amiss with question marks over Howard and Long and Turner likely to leave.
Up front is the other main gap, with a physical presence required against the majority of League One defences to complement Done's pace and movement. Steven Davies is the likely arrival and with the right service could prove a very good player for us. Another name is O'Grady but that would require a fee and considerably higher wages.
This season's decent player who we don't really need signing is probably going to be Holt. A goalscoring midfielder is a useful asset but I'm not sure where he'll fit in the side next season.
Departures:
Turner: signed as a back up with Long out on loan, Turner ended up playing a number of games with Howard out injured. He is, however, poor under the high ball and is beaten all too easily at his near post. A short term signing who should be allowed to leave
Long: Out on loan for almost the entire season, first with Oxford where he spent most of his time benchwarming then latterly with Motherwell where he's had mixed reviews. It wouldn't surprise me if he moved on in the summer and a fresh start will do him good.
Collins: bombed out of the side after the first Swindon defensive horror show, he spent the last two months on loan at Port Vale. His time at United is surely up.
McEveley: signed at the end of August as cover for Harris, McEveley ended up spending most of the season at centre half where he performed to the best of his ability but unfortunately, his concentration and decision making just aren't up to scratch to play there consistently. At 30, he'll want first team football.
Alcock: signed as first choice right back, started the season at centre half then ended as, probably, fouth choice. It wouldn't surprise me if he moved on in the summer.
McFadzean: off the field issues aside, McFadzean Jr has not proven that he is good enough to play for United. He'll slip down the pyramid now.
Doyle: Club captain who finally saw the team finish in a higher position than the previous year - the first time in his five seasons at the Lane. Phased out as Clough's revolution continued, he'll leave on good terms with the immortality of his "cockney walk" celebration at West Ham living on in Unitedite's memories.
Davies: in last season's thread I said that I wouldn't be surprised if Davies joined but that I didn't think he was good enough. In my opinion, that was a correct assessment: you cannot take anything away from Davies' professionalism but he's bulking out an already bloated squad.
Wallace K: an odd signing, joining from Ilkeston at the same time as Adams but he hasn't shown any evidence of being good enough for a promotion-chasing League One side. Ended the season on loan at Conference side Lincoln which is probably more his level.
