I think we've got the basis of a squad that can push on. Obviously need quality additions in forward areas mind.
Recruitment in the midfield will be huge as we can’t lose the traits of Smallwood and Slater but also can’t control a game when other teams press us high or sit deep. Barnsley and Derby showed that for the pressing and WBA for the sitting deep
If the players are reading this I just want to say, and I hope others join me, that I have no expectations whatsoever of a win on Saturday. There hopefully that does the trick
I think they'll both be in the squad next season. Less sure about Doc. I'd be waving a decent contract in front of Honeyman also. Then it comes down to bringing in others who will really compete for their places, ideally with a bit more composure and quality on the ball.
Yeah out of all the out of contracts I’d be keeping Honeyman and Smallwood around I think. Eaves whilst he is proving more effective in the hold up still holds little to no threat in front of goal and that was with service yesterday so unless he was willing to accept being a squad player I’d say our goodbyes
He's had the option to drop down and play when he wasn't starting already this season. Honestly, it's a position we need to strengthen but if he's willing to fight for it as he has been so far then I'd give him another year. I do wonder whether we'll manage to resist moving KLP on, we know Longman will be here, but Wilks might well not be, and wouldn't be surprised to see Williams out on loan either. Depending on KLP and Allahyar's loan situation we could easily see ourselves bringing as many 5 into the forward line, 2 or 3 centre mids - we need to sort right-back out at the very least if Josh isn't going to feature and I'd favour an experienced centre half or two also. That's a lot of business to do.
Better blend of youth, experience and quality. I take the point however that we possibly now have a better squad overall than for most of the previous season - the season before that promotion. We had a core of grafters then also who stepped up with a bit of quality and experience added. Our current lot are younger with more potential too.
It's probably gonna be a battle vs Luton. I don't care if we win lose or draw. If we put on a show and are beaten by a better side. As long as we put on a show. Big crowd. Go and perform.
It's a completely different era now. We took a chance on a young striker and it paid off. A lot of that squad had been there a while and were bedded in, hopefully we'll have the same next season. Next season will be the third season or more (assuming they don't leave) that we've had: Ingram, Jones, Docherty, Honeyman, Macca, Coyle, Elder, Slater, Fleming, Emmanuel, Wilks, Eaves, KLP and Greaves, so the dressing room know each other really well. FWIW I think Elder, Smallwood and Wilks will head to Peterborough. Smallwood will be offered a better contract given his age than I think we would offer him and we have a decent replacement in Slater. Wilks doesn't look like he has much of a future here so wouldn't be surprised to see McCann snap him up. Elder I think is 50/50, but Shota seems to prefer Fleming who is homegrown AND playing out of his skin. Cheap option to keep around, but with Jake Leake and Matty Jacob waiting to push up to the first team, it's a position we're not too bad in. We could always sign cover there anyway. Doc could be allowed to go, but I think there's more to come from him still as this is his first Championship season and I don't think he's done too badly all things considered.
As long as we don't panic and start trying to be defensive like we have done previously, I think we'll make a good go of it. We have the pace and skill in the forward areas to trouble Luton, what we need to do is have the confidence to take them on properly and not knock it about sideways.
I won't lie, I think Doc is done here. He's so far off technically what is needed as a box-to-box midfielder at this level that I don't think he's worth bothering with. Smallwood I'd like to see us trigger the option at least, he's had a good season and deserves it. It seems like a no brainer that one anyway. Elder is a weird one, he's fine back up for this level but if we've got serious aspirations we probably need someone who can push Fleming. BF has been outstanding since he's come in but he's still young and probably will go through a sticky patch. It's a really difficult balance, but we do need to be brutal. I'd have Coyle out the door too personally, providing Emmanuel is okay.
He's not though. He's a decent L1 player but that's about it. He's in a similar mould to Elder but Callum's crossing is much better.
Elder reminds me of Ricketts. Coyle more Rosenior. Both full backs both with different strengths and weaknesses. Coyle won't be out of place in an ambitious squad next year. Maybe not always first choice but he'll contribute plenty over a season
Pretty fair assessment I would say, they may well keep Smallwood, but next season is more likely to be a bit part player with Slater getting the nod for the holding midfield role.
Sorry his ball control isn’t good enough and like BF doesn’t pick up the men running behind well enough for me . They are both decent going forward but those weaknesses need addressing - if they are keep them .
