So, the new season is just around the corner and United finally appear to be stepping up their activity in the transfer market. Depending on which rumour (s) you believe, Shaun Miller, Tony McMahon, Jeffrey Schulpp and Matt Hill could be added to the squad by the weekend. Irrespective of whether they join or not though, I'm struggling to see why some fans are feeling optimistic about the new season because we still look short in a number of key areas.
Goalkeeper - A crucial position that we still can't be sure is adequately covered. I haven't seen Howard play but a quick glance at a CV suggests he's failed to hold down a permanent no.1 jersey at his previous clubs. George Long, for all his promise, looked a long way short of being ready for the first team when Wilson gave him his chance against Exeter last season. We all know how many points Simonsen cost us last season (and before) so it's vital that we have a commanding 'keeper in place. Rumours that we were looking at Tommy Lee don't look like coming to fruition, though I'm not sure he would have been the answer either.
Right flank - Lowton has gone, barring a last minute change of heart Willamson looks set to move to pastures new. At this moment in time, we have brought in a second choice full-back from Walsall (Westlake) to fill this void. Reports are that Westlake has promise but has lost his way. Maybe Danny can help him rediscover his touch but it's not a signing that inspires optimism. Aside from the play-off games, our defence struggled to keep clean sheets in the second half of the season. Ryan Flynn could possibly play on the right wing but doubts remain whether he is going to be good enough to be a first-team regular and he seems unlikely to be amongst the goals like Lowton and Williamson were. Jordan Chappell, who has been on the fringes for a couple of years now, may finally get his chance. We were so strong down the right-hand side last season but at present this has to be a real area of concern.
Centre back cover - A priority for Wilson by his own admission, particularly now Morgan has finally called time on his career. Does the (possible) arrivals of McMahon and Hill, full-backs by trade, suggest that Wilson will draft them in as make-shift centre halfs if either Maguire or Collins get injured. Is Terry Kennedy good enough to be given his chance and could he become a regular if Harry were to be sold? The only option we have is LFJ at centre back which strikes me as being a potential white knuckle ride.
Left wing - For a while now we've lacked pace and guile down the flanks. It would be surprising if we managed to hold onto Stephen Quinn beyond August's transfer window, but even if we did we still lack conventional 'wingers'. Is Erik Tonne good enough? Given that he's been on the fringes and couldn't force his way into York City's side you'd have to speculate 'no', but in brief cameos he looks to have some ability and an eye for goal. Given that we've lost Evans, Willamson and Lowton it's a concern as to where our goals are going to come from, especially as Doyle and McDonald are not famed for hitting the back of the net.
Upfront - So far, only Cresswell, Porter and Coffie are confirmed. I expect Cresswell and Porter to vye for one place with Coffie and, possibly, A.N.Other battling for the other spot upfront. Cresswell and Porter are much maligned but I think they remain decent foils at League One level IF played alongside a potent striker who can fire 20 goals. I've no idea if Coffie will be that man. He's only a baby (just 19) and he represents a gamble. He does look to have lots of pace and power so it might prove to be an astute one but we'll have to wait and see.
Other players who could force their way in are Shaun Miller, who is apparently signing later today. A one-season wonder who has slipped to become Crewe's fifth choice striker last season doesn't inspire confidence for all of his once bright potential. We've also been linked with Jeffrey Schulpp (on loan) who could be a key addition if he can reproduce the goals he netted in a short stint for Brentford last season.
So, all in all, despite some welcome activity in terms of incomings, I still think we're going into the new season with a lot of 'i's to dot and 't's' to cross. We're far weaker without Lowton, Willamson and Evans. We can't be sure that our goalkepper is going to be good enough, upfront I fear we'll struggle for goals as Coffie could be too wild and raw, plus we don't have a good enough supply line from out wide. Of course there are positives - Macdonald staying and so too Maguire and Quinn for now.
Goalkeeper - A crucial position that we still can't be sure is adequately covered. I haven't seen Howard play but a quick glance at a CV suggests he's failed to hold down a permanent no.1 jersey at his previous clubs. George Long, for all his promise, looked a long way short of being ready for the first team when Wilson gave him his chance against Exeter last season. We all know how many points Simonsen cost us last season (and before) so it's vital that we have a commanding 'keeper in place. Rumours that we were looking at Tommy Lee don't look like coming to fruition, though I'm not sure he would have been the answer either.
Right flank - Lowton has gone, barring a last minute change of heart Willamson looks set to move to pastures new. At this moment in time, we have brought in a second choice full-back from Walsall (Westlake) to fill this void. Reports are that Westlake has promise but has lost his way. Maybe Danny can help him rediscover his touch but it's not a signing that inspires optimism. Aside from the play-off games, our defence struggled to keep clean sheets in the second half of the season. Ryan Flynn could possibly play on the right wing but doubts remain whether he is going to be good enough to be a first-team regular and he seems unlikely to be amongst the goals like Lowton and Williamson were. Jordan Chappell, who has been on the fringes for a couple of years now, may finally get his chance. We were so strong down the right-hand side last season but at present this has to be a real area of concern.
Centre back cover - A priority for Wilson by his own admission, particularly now Morgan has finally called time on his career. Does the (possible) arrivals of McMahon and Hill, full-backs by trade, suggest that Wilson will draft them in as make-shift centre halfs if either Maguire or Collins get injured. Is Terry Kennedy good enough to be given his chance and could he become a regular if Harry were to be sold? The only option we have is LFJ at centre back which strikes me as being a potential white knuckle ride.
Left wing - For a while now we've lacked pace and guile down the flanks. It would be surprising if we managed to hold onto Stephen Quinn beyond August's transfer window, but even if we did we still lack conventional 'wingers'. Is Erik Tonne good enough? Given that he's been on the fringes and couldn't force his way into York City's side you'd have to speculate 'no', but in brief cameos he looks to have some ability and an eye for goal. Given that we've lost Evans, Willamson and Lowton it's a concern as to where our goals are going to come from, especially as Doyle and McDonald are not famed for hitting the back of the net.
Upfront - So far, only Cresswell, Porter and Coffie are confirmed. I expect Cresswell and Porter to vye for one place with Coffie and, possibly, A.N.Other battling for the other spot upfront. Cresswell and Porter are much maligned but I think they remain decent foils at League One level IF played alongside a potent striker who can fire 20 goals. I've no idea if Coffie will be that man. He's only a baby (just 19) and he represents a gamble. He does look to have lots of pace and power so it might prove to be an astute one but we'll have to wait and see.
Other players who could force their way in are Shaun Miller, who is apparently signing later today. A one-season wonder who has slipped to become Crewe's fifth choice striker last season doesn't inspire confidence for all of his once bright potential. We've also been linked with Jeffrey Schulpp (on loan) who could be a key addition if he can reproduce the goals he netted in a short stint for Brentford last season.
So, all in all, despite some welcome activity in terms of incomings, I still think we're going into the new season with a lot of 'i's to dot and 't's' to cross. We're far weaker without Lowton, Willamson and Evans. We can't be sure that our goalkepper is going to be good enough, upfront I fear we'll struggle for goals as Coffie could be too wild and raw, plus we don't have a good enough supply line from out wide. Of course there are positives - Macdonald staying and so too Maguire and Quinn for now.
