So based on signing and we have apparently kept everyone from last season except coops, brown,breeze and Josh our squad should look something like -
Sanna
Gards Bodie. Ben. Lea.
Dawson. Davidson Powell. Andrews
Bakkor. Titch
Plus. Sheens. Moyo. Jackson. Koral. Walker
Don’t know if I have missed anyone and I guess we will have a couple of other faces as well but not heard anything yet, so what do we think of the squad so far is it good enough to challenge and where else do we need to strengthen ? I would like to add a good centre half and goal scoring winger to make the squad really competitive
If we can replace Sheehan and Powell with good central midfielders, then I would be confident with the additions already of a push for the playoffs! But having watched the league last season not one central midfielder springs to mind!? That I would say sign him.
I like Sheens and if he gets fit and stays injury free I’m happy with him, losing powell is a blow in one way because he scored a fair few goals and stood in well at centre back when needed but his discipline was poor, also would be sad if Ben did not sign ! I think he will be good again with a better keeper and decent left back to work with. oh we’ll maybe not going as well as I had hoped but I’m sure pritch has something up his sleeve.
Im just hoping we dont have as many trialists in the pre season games, last year we had far too many and by the first game of the season the side at Buxton had probably hardly played alongside each other which showed during the first few league games hence the poor start!
Not sure there was much upheaval last pre season in terms of the squad tbh. just checked back and the starting line up at Buxton had 8 out of 11 who finished the previous season with us!
We do need to strengthen but Pritch only has a certain budget and whilst the club can attract players it needs the financial clout or backing to make sure those players stay.
Andy I went to most friendlies last year and 8/11 might have played 1st game but not in the friendlies it was frankly hopeless full of hopeless trialists who we never saw again that was the issue.
I believe Pritch wasn’t helped by several players going on holiday during key periods of the pre-season, and as such, wern’t 100% fit at the start of the campaign.
Pre-season training and match friendlies are so important these days to ensure we start the new season up and running.
Unfortunately, as players are not paid until the season starts, the club cannot dictate when a player chooses to take his holidays!
What I would like to see is our First XI playing in all the friendlies with trialists only coming on as subs so show what they can do within the actual team. Half a dozen trialists playing is no guide to anyone but a couple playing would show if they are up to it. You know me, “Same team as last week” is my motto.
WHS.
Rabbit has training started yet ? And in response to WHS any trialists needs a fair crack in preseason but as suggested 2-3 in the 11 maybe enough this allows the squad to form and helps the trialists settle, as we will be a bit stronger getting beaten by rubbish teams helps no one and sets the wrong tone which what most happened last season although I know circumstances were not all the clubs making.