Will that be it?

[Jan Age]

By far the biggest in the division. It might have changed quite a bit now but I looked at the squad lists a bit back for the 10 clubs I though might be challenging and the average was 24. We had 33 at the time, that is now 36 I think. Nearest was Peterborough with 30. It can't be sustainable and has to be a limiting factor on what the current manager is allowed to do.

I tend to agree with you in that it must be limiting what the current manager can do in terms of signings and the impact his coaching methods can have when expected to work with such a large number. The fact none have been moved on (even on loan) speaks volumes about the quality of some of those 30+.

 

[Revolution]

One issue not mentioned in this thread, which is relevant, is injuries. The following players are currently injured (I may have forgotten someone as Adkins mentioned 10 injuries):

Baxter
JCR
Harris
Alcock
Brayford
Done
Coutts
Flynn
Kennedy

People will have their own views about these players, but at least some of them (a) will not be out for long and(b) would improve the first XI.

Centre half is a massive problem but with some of these guys to come back soon I bet Adkins won't be doing too much save via loans.

Btw is it just me or is this a ridiculously high number of unfit players given we have just had a 10 week break?

 

[sheffielder]

I would like one more in midfield, a real leader. Someone along the lines of McCall or Cowans, then I would be looking at loaning or selling quite a few. This will allow us to dip ino the loan market for quality with the savings.

 

[breeny]

I would like one more in midfield, a real leader. Someone along the lines of McCall or Cowans, then I would be looking at loaning or selling quite a few. This will allow us to dip ino the loan market for quality with the savings.

Wallace may well be that person...

 

[Worksop II]

Wallace may well be that person...

He certainly gives you the impression he is that old

 

[Jan Age]

One issue not mentioned in this thread, which is relevant, is injuries. The following players are currently injured (I may have forgotten someone as Adkins mentioned 10 injuries):

Baxter
JCR
Harris
Alcock
Brayford
Done
Coutts
Flynn
Kennedy

People will have their own views about these players, but at least some of them (a) will not be out for long and(b) would improve the first XI.

Centre half is a massive problem but with some of these guys to come back soon I bet Adkins won't be doing too much save via loans.

Btw is it just me or is this a ridiculously high number of unfit players given we have just had a 10 week break?

Yes that hasn't been taken in to consideration... From that list I would suggest:

Harris
Brayford
Done
Flynn

Would come straight back in.

This may account for the lack of players going out at the minute as we have this many injuries and no cover if players are sent out.

However I still think at CB regardless if all fit we are still one short. Plus it would be nice to get a 'mean' midfielder as a bonus (as mentioned by others)

 

[William Henry Foulkes]

As far as reinforcements go?
Or has saturday's result shocked everyone at the club to the core - and we will see more through the door (both in and out)?

False dichotomy. (Had to say it.)

There are other possibilities apart from everyone at the club ((even the tea-lady who's usually pretty level-headed)?) being shocked to the core.

 

[metalblade]

I can't see us bringing in any more players until we get rid of quite a few, the loan of Edgar has done it's job of quietening down the vociferous criticisms of the fans after the opening day disaster. As it stands the squad is way too large for league one just a pity most of it is also mediocre.

 

[Bartleby]

If the players don't like it and are kicking off or moping, make them train with the kids like Jackett did at Wolves. It's infinitely better than not bringing players in and relying on useless twats.

The financial limits will be set by the board and based on income plus what they're prepared to invest.

http://www.financialfairplay.co.uk/latest-news/the-benefactor-model-permitted-in-league-1-and-2

making them train with the kids doesn't solve the problem of the squad size being way too large though. An the financial limits of the board must be tested with that wage bill regardless of FFP. We could almost field an extra side compared to other clubs in this division (admittedly not a very good one!).

 

[BushBlade]

Btw is it just me or is this a ridiculously high number of unfit players given we have just had a 10 week break?[/QUOTE]
No, it's not just you. It was a problem all last season imo.

 

[BushBlade]

making them train with the kids doesn't solve the problem of the squad size being way too large though. An the financial limits of the board must be tested with that wage bill regardless of FFP. We could almost field an extra side compared to other clubs in this division (admittedly not a very good one!).

Yes we could but if we can't get rid of them and they're not good enough what is the alternative?

 

[Fiery Blade]

I would like one more in midfield, a real leader. Someone along the lines of McCall or Cowans, then I would be looking at loaning or selling quite a few. This will allow us to dip ino the loan market for quality with the savings.

Cannot imagine ANYONE along the lines of McCall or Cowans wanting to ply their trade in the Third Division !!
With the money around in football nowadays these guys play Championship football at worst or go abroad !

 

[Cyprus Blade]

Yes we could but if we can't get rid of them and they're not good enough what is the alternative?

Hire a hitman and pocket the insurance ?

As for training with the kids Collins did that from November to March and a fat lot of good that did.

The injury list is high and it was throughout last year. Bad luck played its part but I also think there was something not right in the training and conditioning which I think Adkins is better equipped than Clough and Garner were to resolve.

 

[BushBlade]

Hire a hitman and pocket the insurance ?

As for training with the kids Collins did that from November to March and a fat lot of good that did.

The injury list is high and it was throughout last year. Bad luck played its part but I also think there was something not right in the training and conditioning which I think Adkins is better equipped than Clough and Garner were to resolve.

To be fair, re your first paragraph, I was answering a specific question; what if the current players get pissed off and disruptive because we're signing their replacements?

Absolutely agree with your second point.

The main thing I'm trying to get across is that we either sign more players, better than the ones we've got (and I fully appreciate why that might not be acceptable to the board) or we accept that Adkins has a difficult job on his hands and that it will probably take two seasons to get us up. And when we don't go up this season not blame NA because he hasn't got a magic wand and understand that it is down to matters beyond his control, that it is because of decisions that can only be made at board level.

 

[1danewhitehouse]

I think the fact that we can name 3 full teams (with everyone fit) as below shows our squad is bigger than it needs to be.

-------------------Howard
Brayford—Collins—Edgar—Freeman
Flynn-----Basham----Wallace-Murphy
--------------Sharp---Done


---------------------Long
Alcock-----Wallace----McEveley—Harris
JCR---------Baxter-----Reed--------Scougall
--------------Sammon—Adams


--------------------Willis
Diamio---McGahey---Banton—McFadzean
--------Coutts-Cuvelier-Woolford
------McNulty---Higdon—De Girolamo


I think the problem is that the gulf between that first team and the third one is not as big as it should be. Especially in some positions. We have such striking options that the likes of McNulty, Higdon and DdG can’t even make the second string there yet we have the likes of Howard and Collins in the first team. A lack of balance, overloading in certain areas and lacking quality in others is an issue. I would be happy to move on about 5 or 6 permanent and another 4 or 5 on loan to bring in maybe a keeper and either a CB or DM of real quality to the squad.

The good news is that the likes of Howard, McEveley, Alcock, Collins, JCR, Baxter, McFadzean, Cuvelier, Coutts and Higdon are all out of contract next summer which should mean a big clear out and hopefully a few more appropriate signings in.

 

[Sothall_Blade]

One issue not mentioned in this thread, which is relevant, is injuries. The following players are currently injured (I may have forgotten someone as Adkins mentioned 10 injuries):

Baxter
JCR
Harris
Alcock
Brayford
Done
Coutts
Flynn
Kennedy

People will have their own views about these players, but at least some of them (a) will not be out for long and(b) would improve the first XI.

Centre half is a massive problem but with some of these guys to come back soon I bet Adkins won't be doing too much save via loans.

Btw is it just me or is this a ridiculously high number of unfit players given we have just had a 10 week break?

Cuvelier being the 10th injured player.

It seems odd to me that there has been no mention at all of when the likes of Alcock, Coutts and Flynn might start/resume training and possibly become available.

 

[Esablade]

Cuvelier being the 10th injured player.

It seems odd to me that there has been no mention at all of when the likes of Alcock, Coutts and Flynn might start/resume training and possibly become available.

Believe Adkins has mentioned Flynn a bit, tends to duck out on the other two...

 

[Jan Age]

To And when we don't go up this season not blame NA because he hasn't got a magic wand and understand that it is down to matters beyond his control, that it is because of decisions that can only be made at board level.

Agree that we shouldn't blame NA he should be given the full term of his contract to sort out the inherited rubbish from previous regimes. The issue with the board is not they aren't supportive it's just that they are too supportive to the point that they just allow managers to sign players at will with no attention to the balance of the squad ( as mentioned above). Which to some extent has left us with the mess we have.

 

[sheffielder]

Cannot imagine ANYONE along the lines of McCall or Cowans wanting to ply their trade in the Third Division !!
With the money around in football nowadays these guys play Championship football at worst or go abroad !

I mean that type of player at that stage of their career. Someone who can manage a game and the players around him. You're right that the quality won't be the same as mentioned, however that TYPE of player is what I think we need now.

 

[Come from away]

One positive is that it looks like Wallace is coming back into form and staying fit to play.

 

[Bartleby]

Yes we could but if we can't get rid of them and they're not good enough what is the alternative?

I don't know, I don't understand why we have this problem seemingly more than at other clubs? Do we give longer contracts out than most? I though the thing with Iain Turner last season seemed a good idea, a 1 year contract, experienced journeyman as backup to Howard while Long was out on loan, then just let him go.

Also did they not bring in a cap of 25 on squad sizes in the premier league a few years ago? Why on earth is that not applied across all the leagues?

 

[BushBlade]

I don't know, I don't understand why we have this problem seemingly more than at other clubs? Do we give longer contracts out than most? I though the thing with Iain Turner last season seemed a good idea, a 1 year contract, experienced journeyman as backup to Howard while Long was out on loan, then just let him go.

Also did they not bring in a cap of 25 on squad sizes in the premier league a few years ago? Why on earth is that not applied across all the leagues?

Combination of two things; we keep changing managers and we keep letting them sign players. The second is an almost inevitable outcome of the first, particularly with our 'lucky dip' approach to choosing managers.