Totally agree. Fully fit squad lastyear would have seen us up. However big reality check this season imagine we had gone up we'd have struggled badly. The cup game was a measure of where we are yes we were set up incorrectly for that game but we were nowhere near the team we were last year. We over achieved lastyear which gave over enthusiasm for this season. Amad, Roberts and Clarke ran riot lastyear absolutely mesmerising at times, however this year all been on Clarke and we've been too predictable. I think they've realised the mistakes getting rid of all experienced players and I expect us to be really good again next season.
Evans back will be a huge boost, seems we are taking our time with him, but hopefully we will see him for a few games this season
I dont think he will get another contract as a player. Getting on a bit, been injured for best part of a season. Doesnt fit the model. Not saying thats right or wrong just a gut feeling.
I would like to think if he can't get his fitness back we will give him another year, maybe not as a starter but as part of the squad
We've missed him terribly this year and would keep him especially as he is taking the rest of his coaching qualifications this year and Triantis looking good in that position in Scotland then Evans could bring his game on and be available to play.
The one pathway (to use a Speaknan-ism) that I’ve not seen is starting to develop our own coaches from ex players. Proctor ain’t that young or inspiring on that front I’m afraid.
Might take a little while that. Of those who've recently retired I can only thinks of Defoe, Catts and O'Shea who I've heard of going into coaching. Catts went home to borough and got binned. Defoe went straight back to the smoke and I just don't see him leaving for a youth job. O'Shea, I had had an absolute gutful of him by the time he left and I wouldn't want him back. Will take a while but I could definitely see O'Nien on the staff in a few years.
True enough, had quite a few years without any really good senior pros in the team. Jordan Henderson is on that wish list for me but suspect he’ll be Liverpool bound when time comes.
Afraid I'm one of those who'd rather he stayed away from the club. Don't think people who value money over football should be passing wisdom on to the younger generation.
I hope he stays but I’m not so sure he will with the way the club operates these days. His experience has been a massive miss.
I hope so. I really do. Whilst I like the model, I love seeing young lads in the team, it's clear we need a couple of older heads like Evans in the team. I didn't have any problem letting Batth, Gooch and Pritch go (I've never been a fan of AP, I don't think he's a team player) but we need to keep Evans and maybe bring in a couple of like-minded senior pros. I'd love to see us bring in an experienced keeper to mentor/push/challenge Patto as well as an older CF who has been round the league and knows how to bully defenders,
I don't think we should overlook that a number of our current squad are now moving into the experienced bracket. If we were to assume that Clarke will be the only departure in the summer...not sure,I know.....the likes of Hume,Ballard,O'9 and Neil are now becoming experienced players. We've lacked a cdm,which is where Corey can fit in,not solely for his experience,just because he's a good player in that role. The area we have real pressing problems with is up front,and needs to be resolved pdq. The dilemma is do we get a Kiefer Moore.....another season on,high wages,no resale value.....might turn out to be a Will Grigg...or, go for another Hemir,and try to get it right this time. It's my view we have intended to play Rusyn on the left,so have discounted him out of the main striker role. Up front is our biggest challenge imo.
Based on what exactly? Our best player in Clarke will leave and the last 3 transfer windows have been a disgrace…
Fully expect Clarke to go in the summer aswel as others but it will require decent sums of money which then will be reinvested on better quality hopefully, which will put us back on track within the 5yr plan.
The only reason you think the windows have been a disgrace is because they haven't propelled us into the top promotion places. It's two forward,one back for us at the minute whilst we assemble this squad.It won't happen overnight.
I keep seeing we're a disgrace/embarrassment/laughing stock, that the SOL is a shiithole, that the owner is a scheming conman, all the best players are leaving and he'll just pocket the money, Dodds is the company spy, etc etc etc ... ... perhaps it's all true and I'm deluded. Fair enough, I'll think I'll stick this way, I couldn't bear all the anguish tbh. Ha'way the Lads!!!
I think most young players wouldn't respect Cattermole. He's a bloke who essentially threw all his potential (and the later years of his career by extension) away because he had no self discipline. He's 36 and could still have been playing to a decent level now if not for his lifestyle choices. Compare with O'Nien who didn't have half of Cattermole's natural talent but has worked his arse off to get to the required standard.
That first season with us you could easily have thought his next move would be to a top four club. He was fantastic. Once he decided he was happy being the king of Tuesday Club that all went away.
