Excited for next season

[PeteBlade]

All we need to do is sign this lot, job done! (well, re-sign Butler of course, and Billy is already here)

I'd prefer to leave Darren Fergerson where he is!

 

[FriethBlade]

I'm with cave on this one, performing when it's too late is better than not performing at all but this is a squad that has had an awful season.

Biggest problem as I see it is the team that starts next season will be worse than the one playing now as Baptiste won't be back and Adams will be sold.

How will we go up with a worse team than we have now ?

 

[pommpey]

I'm with cave on this one, performing when it's too late is better than not performing at all but this is a squad that has had an awful season.

Biggest problem as I see it is the team that starts next season will be worse than the one playing now as Baptiste won't be back and Adams will be sold.

How will we go up with a worse team than we have now ?

Don't say that Freith. It's not the spirit. Just buy your season ticket, click your heels together three times, close your eyes and say, "There's no way like the Blades way ... "

pommpey

 

[Darthblade]

After the most boring, dull, pointless, un-ambitious, shambles of a season since... Well, the last one, the shoots of recovery are well on their way.

Still with a lot of work to do but the work has already begun. We now have a new shape, an exciting one which gets the best out of our players. We have got rid of a lot of the deadwood and bad eggs with a summer of changes to come.

If we can sign Baptiste in the summer anything is possible, he really is that good. He affects everyone around him in a positive way, if we could only sign one player this summer he has to be it.

Of all this with their contracts running out, sort out Long, McEveley and Flynn with an extra year (albeit the last 2 on less wages) as they're all good professionals and have all played their part in our revival. Add those few bits of quality in each area that we need, a 'big man' option upfront who can actually head the ball. A 'leader' at the back to to inbetween Baptiste and the left centre back. A creative midfielder and a top drawer winger if we want to change things.

I've been the most pessimistic of the lot this year, but even I'm starting to think we're on our way back now.

There's still some work to do but it's looking a lot rosier than it did 2 months ago. And don't rule out the play offs either, if we win the next two it could be down to goal difference, who knows!

UTB

I shall become excited about next season when;

a) I've seen the ( hopefully very short ) retained list
b) I've seen the ( hopefully very long ) released list
c) I've seen the big smile on NA's face when hes asked the question ..... "have you been GIVEN ( not promised ) a budget realistic enough to challenge for automatic promotion this season Nigel" ?, by the moronic reporter from radio Piggy.
d) I've seen the eight or nine required new signings, actually in SUFC kit and playing in pre-season friendlies to "team bond" before the start of the season.

UTB & FTP

 

[Darthblade]

As soon as I read the story about Baptiste, where a clever get touched his wife's arse in a bar, and he chinned the bloke and knocked him out with one punch, I knew he was the sort of bloke we needed in the back line, no nonsense!, OK we might not be able to sign Baptiste, but someone like him with the same attitude is what is needed for starters.

Every team needs a hard nut (more than one if possible), and he is a good start.

If we can't afford Baptiste, then someone similar please.

Same physicality and mentality in midfield, no nonsense, hard as nails.

Hopefully we are already scouting these types.

What is this "scouting" thing of which you speak ??

UTB & FTP

 

[beatific blade]

I wouldn't get too excited yet. We've still not won back-to-back league games in 2016... and it's almost May

 

[Kev Gee]

Its best to wait and see who comes and goes before deciding on next season.

I reckon there will be a long retained list.

 

[Darthblade]

Its best to wait and see who comes and goes before deciding on next season.

I reckon there will be a long retained list.

I hope that you are wrong mate, because if the retained list contains more than about 5 of our current senior players in the first team squad, we can look forward to an even longer self-imposed exile in this agricultural division .....

UTB & FTP

 

[CarlMcBlade]

Everyone of our squad can do a job at this level, that's why we were favourites. But non of em turned up till 40 games in. Adkins can try his 3-5-2 on new blood for me.

 

[Esablade]

I hope that you are wrong mate, because if the retained list contains more than about 5 of our current senior players in the first team squad, we can look forward to an even longer self-imposed exile in this agricultural division .....

UTB & FTP

This was the first team squad v Chessie.

Long, Basham, Flynn (Cuvelier 76), Coutts, Sharp, Done (Woolford 88), McEveley, Baptiste, Adams (Calvert-Lewin 83), Edgar. Hammond.
Unused: Howard, Sammon, McGahey, Whiteman


Of the senior players whose contracts are up in the summer, I've highlighted the one's I reckon will get an extension to their contract on reduced terms...


Cuvelier's is up also...dunno if he's classed as as 'senior' or whether we'll renew though?

I'm assuming 'seniors' not currently in the first team squad, I've JCR, Baxter etc won't be getting renewal's.

So that's four senior players from the first team squad I reckon will be retained( I know Hammond isn't our player to retain, but I'll count him in)...maybe five if we give Howard another year as back-up to Long?

Happy with that?

Edit: Bash here till 2017 so three seniors counting Hammond...

 

[Ricky]

Hope Howard doesn't get retained. He's shit. Plus I'd prefer a decent, experienced keeper Long can actually learn from and at least share the workload with. Someone like Joe Murphy or Matt Gilks. There are always decent keepers available on frees.

Pretty sure Basham's got another year. Will be interesting to see where he plays next season - I just can't fucking wait.

 

[Esablade]

Hope Howard doesn't get retained. He's shit. Plus I'd prefer a decent, experienced keeper Long can actually learn from and at least share the workload with. Someone like Joe Murphy or Matt Gilks. There are always decent keepers available on frees.

Pretty sure Basham's got another year. Will be interesting to see where he plays next season - I just can't fucking wait.

Yep, you're right Re: Bash..so that's three seniors ..

 

[Champagneblade]

Having an interest in the financial side, I'm looking forward to seeing less wasted funds and a more lean approach to squad management.

I'd like us to sign players more with a view to the role they will play rather than in some cases because we fancy them as a player.

A squad of 29 all in, inclusive of young pros should be sufficient to combine depth of experience and a path to the first team.

That gives you room for 4 keepers, one if which may be loaned out, 2 players competing for each role and perhaps 4 to 5 first year pros who we should hope to see push on towards the end of next season to make the occasional sub appearance.

Losing 20 players through the season should remove some financial burden and we should focus on first team regulars.

It's probably no coincidence results have improved as daylight to the match day squad has improved.

We then need the discipline to retain this approach otherwise the decent input from McCabe and the Prince will never be felt as it will just be utilised to support the excess waste who are not playing.

Decisions need to be made on the likes of Scougall, DeGirolamo, Woolford and Coutts of the contracted players. Either they have an active role to play or their agents need to be given the nod. Otherwise they will just block the pathway to the first team. Likewise serious thoughts have to be given to whether Flynn can do better than 25 games per season and whether this money would be better allocated elsewhere.

 

[BushBlade]

Having an interest in the financial side, I'm looking forward to seeing less wasted funds and a more lean approach to squad management.

I'd like us to sign players more with a view to the role they will play rather than in some cases because we fancy them as a player.

A squad of 29 all in, inclusive of young pros should be sufficient to combine depth of experience and a path to the first team.

That gives you room for 4 keepers, one if which may be loaned out, 2 players competing for each role and perhaps 4 to 5 first year pros who we should hope to see push on towards the end of next season to make the occasional sub appearance.

Losing 20 players through the season should remove some financial burden and we should focus on first team regulars.

It's probably no coincidence results have improved as daylight to the match day squad has improved.

We then need the discipline to retain this approach otherwise the decent input from McCabe and the Prince will never be felt as it will just be utilised to support the excess waste who are not playing.

I'd be happy with less than that. In our first season down here we had a very small first team squad, you could pretty much name our first team every week. Our only weaknesses were lack of decent cover for central defence, KMac and Evans (and a poor keeper).
We just need a good 11 of players fit enough to play most games plus quality cover for our key positions. The rest can be filled by young players either from our academy or released from other bigger clubs, like the ones we are trialling.

 

[Esablade]

I'd be happy with less than that. In our first season down here we had a very small first team squad, you could pretty much name our first team every week. Our only weaknesses were lack of decent cover for central defence, KMac and Evans (and a poor keeper).
We just need a good 11 of players fit enough to play most games plus quality cover for our key positions. The rest can be filled by young players either from our academy or released from other bigger clubs, like the ones we are trialling.

I think that's the model Adkins has been hinting at with his frequent 'players need to be able to play a full season' statements.

 

[1danewhitehouse]

As soon as I read the story about Baptiste, where a clever get touched his wife's arse in a bar, and he chinned the bloke and knocked him out with one punch, I knew he was the sort of bloke we needed in the back line, no nonsense!, OK we might not be able to sign Baptiste, but someone like him with the same attitude is what is needed for starters.

Every team needs a hard nut (more than one if possible), and he is a good start.

If we can't afford Baptiste, then someone similar please.

Same physicality and mentality in midfield, no nonsense, hard as nails.

Hopefully we are already scouting these types.

I think it’s also imperative that whoever we sign for that position (if not Baptiste) is quick too. Both flanking CBs in the 352 need to be reasonably quick. McEveley’s not fantastically quick but not too slow for a CB (slow compared to a lot of full backs mind).


I’d sign Edgar up if his wages are reasonable as he’s proved to be well suited to the sweeper role in this system too.

 

[1danewhitehouse]

It wasn't Marlon King that he chinned was it? If so even more reason to sign him.

If it had been Marlon King he should get the next statue in the car park!

 

[1danewhitehouse]

All we need to do is sign this lot, job done! (well, re-sign Butler of course, and Billy is already here)

I’d have Bentley, Henry, Taylor, Possibly Williams and Mousinho from that lot. No ta to the rest.

 

[1danewhitehouse]

Its best to wait and see who comes and goes before deciding on next season.

I reckon there will be a long retained list.

Don’t think it will be that long.


Long

McEveley

McGahey

Flynn


For what it’s worth, I’m very skeptical about retaining McEveley and Flynn but suspect we will.


Who else would we retain? The other out of contract players are


Howard- possibly on reduced terms as No 2 but not convinced

Harris- Already loaned out, can’t see him being retained

Kennedy- Will surely be released

JCR- Already loaned out, can’t see him being retained

Cuvelier- Surely not done enough for a new contract with his injury record

J. Wallace- Surely has no future here with his injury record.

Baxter- Released if not sacked by then

McFadzean- Already been told he will be released


That’s 8 that will surely go. Collins, Higdon, Alcock, Khan and Dimaio have already moved on.


Sammon will be gone too. I fear we won’t get Baptiste back.


I suspect we’ll sign Hammond up and possibly Edgar.


We’ll still have Scougall, Freeman and McNulty that I’m sure NA will be looking to try to move on.


That leaves us with a much smaller squad and hopefully a bit of room to bring in maybe 4 better players that can get into the first team.

 

[1danewhitehouse]

Hope Howard doesn't get retained. He's shit. Plus I'd prefer a decent, experienced keeper Long can actually learn from and at least share the workload with. Someone like Joe Murphy or Matt Gilks. There are always decent keepers available on frees.

Pretty sure Basham's got another year. Will be interesting to see where he plays next season - I just can't fucking wait.

Kelvin Davis might be a possibility I reckon as a player/coach. Adkins talked in the 5 years on video about what a leader he is. He’s about 100 years old now so might not play much but would be a good influence in the dressing room and one that Long could certainly learn from.

 

[1danewhitehouse]

Having an interest in the financial side, I'm looking forward to seeing less wasted funds and a more lean approach to squad management.

I'd like us to sign players more with a view to the role they will play rather than in some cases because we fancy them as a player.

A squad of 29 all in, inclusive of young pros should be sufficient to combine depth of experience and a path to the first team.

That gives you room for 4 keepers, one if which may be loaned out, 2 players competing for each role and perhaps 4 to 5 first year pros who we should hope to see push on towards the end of next season to make the occasional sub appearance.

Losing 20 players through the season should remove some financial burden and we should focus on first team regulars.

It's probably no coincidence results have improved as daylight to the match day squad has improved.

We then need the discipline to retain this approach otherwise the decent input from McCabe and the Prince will never be felt as it will just be utilised to support the excess waste who are not playing.

Decisions need to be made on the likes of Scougall, DeGirolamo, Woolford and Coutts of the contracted players. Either they have an active role to play or their agents need to be given the nod. Otherwise they will just block the pathway to the first team. Likewise serious thoughts have to be given to whether Flynn can do better than 25 games per season and whether this money would be better allocated elsewhere.

Agree absolutely, Blackwell talked about quality over quantity. Clough talked about a squad of 18-20 seniors supported by academy players. Neither put that plan into practice. Had they done, we’d probably be a lot better off now.

 

[Lord Bos of Eckington.]

Kelvin Davis might be a possibility I reckon as a player/coach. Adkins talked in the 5 years on video about what a leader he is. He’s about 100 years old now so might not play much but would be a good influence in the dressing room and one that Long could certainly learn from.

Agree and good point . Kelvin Davies I think is 39 . Could do a good job for us both as back up , first choice and coach . I see nothing wrong with both Hammond and Davies been at the lane , as long as they don't break the bank , feel they need to give something back to Adkins , and still are model professionals who the pathway youngsters can look up to , trust , and seek personal advice.

Long as you say , and IMO would become a better all rounded goalkeeper .

UTB

 

[Ricky]

I doubt Kelvin Davis would move up north at this stage. He's been down south all his career and will be settled.

 

[BushBlade]

I doubt Kelvin Davis would move up north at this stage. He's been down south all his career and will be settled.

I suppose it depends on what he wants for the future and what else he's been offered. If he's desperate to get into coaching and none of the south Coast clubs want him he may consider it but I agree it's unlikely he'll jump at moving to Sheffield, as nice as it is, unless he has little option.

 

[Darthblade]

This was the first team squad v Chessie.

Long, Basham, Flynn (Cuvelier 76), Coutts, Sharp, Done (Woolford 88), McEveley, Baptiste, Adams (Calvert-Lewin 83), Edgar. Hammond.
Unused: Howard, Sammon, McGahey, Whiteman


Of the senior players whose contracts are up in the summer, I've highlighted the one's I reckon will get an extension to their contract on reduced terms...


Cuvelier's is up also...dunno if he's classed as as 'senior' or whether we'll renew though?

I'm assuming 'seniors' not currently in the first team squad, I've JCR, Baxter etc won't be getting renewal's.

So that's four senior players from the first team squad I reckon will be retained( I know Hammond isn't our player to retain, but I'll count him in)...maybe five if we give Howard another year as back-up to Long?

Happy with that?

Edit: Bash here till 2017 so three seniors counting Hammond...

Just been checking Foxy's thread on contracts and it suggests that Basham is contracted to 2017 and that Flynn is 2016 with an option for +1 year.

On that basis I wouldn't retain any of the out-of contract senior players at all and I would also be looking to move on Coutts, Woolford, McNulty, Scougal and definitely send Sammon back to Derby.

I would like to see us move heaven and earth to get Baptiste on a season long loan ( we could never buy him) and if we get him look to get Edgar back but Hammond only if his wages are massively reduced ( perhaps tempt with a coaching role as well ).

There's a lot of work needs to be done in early summer to build a squad which is capable of challenging realistically for the top two next year and personally, I don't believe the Board will back NA sufficiently to do it.

UTB & FTP

 

[Barney]

Don’t think it will be that long.


Long

McEveley

McGahey

Flynn


For what it’s worth, I’m very skeptical about retaining McEveley and Flynn but suspect we will.


Who else would we retain? The other out of contract players are


Howard- possibly on reduced terms as No 2 but not convinced

Harris- Already loaned out, can’t see him being retained

Kennedy- Will surely be released

JCR- Already loaned out, can’t see him being retained

Cuvelier- Surely not done enough for a new contract with his injury record

J. Wallace- Surely has no future here with his injury record.

Baxter- Released if not sacked by then

McFadzean- Already been told he will be released


That’s 8 that will surely go. Collins, Higdon, Alcock, Khan and Dimaio have already moved on.


Sammon will be gone too. I fear we won’t get Baptiste back.


I suspect we’ll sign Hammond up and possibly Edgar.


We’ll still have Scougall, Freeman and McNulty that I’m sure NA will be looking to try to move on.


That leaves us with a much smaller squad and hopefully a bit of room to bring in maybe 4 better players that can get into the first team.

Don't forget Whiteman is also out of contract at the end of the season. He will surely be retained.

 

[1danewhitehouse]

Don't forget Whiteman is also out of contract at the end of the season. He will surely be retained.

He's already been tied down to a contract along with Wright and Eastwood.