My pile - Douglas Malarczyk Tabb Coke Hyam Bru Varney Stewart ( hopefully contract up ) Knudsen I wouldn't be too upset to see go Toure One of Smith/Berra - may seem harsh but I'm fed up of two left footers at the back Loanees obviously not coming back Murphy - again harsh but should a reasonable bid come and we can shift his heavy wages I think we could do better McGoldrick - would need to be a decent offer again but wouldn't be too sorry made of glass.
Goalkeepers Bart is in impressive form and I've always rated him, so I'd stick with him inbetween the posts. This isn't really an area that needs strengthening, compared to our problems elsewhere, so I'd stick with Gerken as the second choice. Defenders I've been saying it for a couple of years, but I really think we need a new right-back and recent months has really highlighted this problem, for me. We need a player comfortable on that flank, in distribution, defensive positioning, and link-up play with the attackers. Chambers is a decent defender, sure, but limited, and recent form has identified him as one of our weak links. I'm of the opinion that Knudsen is a decent player and has a bit of potential, so I'd stick with him at left-back, while keeping an eye on Matt Clarke. As for central defence, Berra, Chambers, and Smith look fairly solid, although I'd start the former two and stick Smith on the bench because of his lack of composure on the ball. So overall, new right-back needed. If I had to sell one of them, I'd agree with Westy to an extent, and offload Smith. If someone comes in for Malarczyk, I'd let him go too. We shouldn't offer a deal for Digby, not good enough for Barnsley, not good enough for us. Promote the youth a bit, but also cast around for a useful, versatile defender is one becomes available. Midfielders This is arguably the area where we need the most investment, particularly out wide. In the centre we do have options. For defensive-minded midfielder (and I'm of the opinion we need one in the team), we have either Skuse or Hyam, with the former getting the nod. For our more attacking/creative options, we've got both Bishop and Bru, and also Dozzell and McDonnell from the academy. Out wide is where we have our problems, particularly when all the loanees return. We have to spend a bit of money here for guaranteed quality, so one on each flank, maybe snap up Feeney on a free if he becomes available, and then bring in a good loanee similar to the Fraser mould. As for departures, I'd ring the changes here by offloading Tabb, Douglas, Coke, and Toure straight away, they're just mediocre dross. Strikers This is an area that looked strong at the start of the season, but has disappointed this campaign. I'd play Sears in his more natural position as striker and I'd look to keep McGoldrick, as he is our most technically proficient striker who looks comfortable on the ball. Yes, his injury record and fitness issues are worrying, so if a team came in with a good offer, I'd sell. I agree with Westy that Murphy needs to go, he's getting on now and his form has severely curtailed. I'd get rid of Varney, simply because I don't rate him. I'd keep Pitman as an impact player. So looking at all that, I'd buy in a quick forward, maybe from the lower leagues who's available for a cheap-ish price, similar to the Freddie Sears deal. So my ideal squad would look something like this (apologies, it's a repost): GK: Bart (Gerken) RB: New signing (Emmanuel) CB: Berra (Yorwerth) CB: Chambers (Smith) LB: Knudsen (Clarke) CM: Skuse (New signing/Hyam) CM: Dozzell (Bru) RW: New signing (Feeney) LW: New signing (Loanee) AM: Bishop (Loanee/New signing) ST: Sears (Pitman/New signing)
I feel I ought to expand on my last flippant remark I'm not too sure if our players are bad players or are simply coached wrongly while employing questionable tactics I don't believe our signings (whether signed or loanees) arrive already known for their lack of tactical awareness and their non expressive style of football, these things are impressed on them by our dynamic duo MM and TC It would be interesting to hear from the more dedicated fans than me how our reserve teams and the academy play. Do they employ the same non football tactics as our first team or are they coached differently If it's the latter then it makes you wonder if that is a factor in their lack of progress to the first team as it seems that anyone showing signs of playing with a degree of freedom are soon dropped No I firmly believe that player for player we don't have a bad team just have a bad manager and a poor coach
I agree that the squad isn't a bad one. We have a decent spine with three relatively reliable and solid centre-backs (at this level), Skuse is a decent defensive midfielder, we have a scattering of talented attacking players in Bishop and Bru, and up front we have three good strikers (when they're fit, on-form, and played in the correct position). I certainly think that, when the loanees all return to their parent clubs, we have glaring deficiencies out wide, and that really needs to be addressed in the summer if we want to push on, and ideally it needs to be addressed with proper investment this time. Realistically, would I expect this squad to be challenging for promotion? Probably not. But the issue isn't necessarily our league position or our expectations; for me, it's the negative, overly-cautious style of play, it's our incredibly poor recent form, and it's the rather blasé, financially austere running of the club from those at the very top hiking ticket prices and keeping investment to a minimum. The hope is, and I think it's an achievable one, that with a few wise additions, this squad can make a sustained and credible run to the play-offs. This is a club that has a decent youth structure which, while it doesn't stack up well compared to the likes of Norwich or West Ham, does contain a couple of promising players that should be given a go in the first team. Now can McCarthy achieve that, is the question? If he doesn't join another club, then we have to acknowledge that it would be very expensive to fire him and he doesn't seem like the type to resign, and with that compensation package, why would he? While we do occasionally play attractive football under McCarthy, all it takes is one defeat to revert back to cautious, long-ball, negative tactics that has, in my opinion, dogged us lately. There is also an acknowledgement that he's worked under limited resources, would another manager fare any better? The hope this summer, for me, is McCarthy moves to another club, we bring in a more progressive coach who advocates a more attractive playing style, but that the new man is backed and financially supported with a competitive transfer budget that enables him to bring in the quality we need to push on and be in serious contention for a promotion slot.
Unfortunately Nuggets I really can't see anyone coming in for MM and we will therefore be stuck with him for the foreseeable. You only have to look at the "performance" against Portsmouth to see the lack of strength in depth (not necessarily all MM's fault although he has never complained about his squad,far from it) but far more worryingly the lack of a cohesive game plan or the idea that players were bought into the team with a specific role or instruction as to how they were expected to play.It really was worse than pub league (and that I do lay at MM and TCs' door).That was the worst example this year, but I frequently vent here about the utterly woeful excuse for football we are served up by Hoofy McCarthorse. The biggest mistake this season was extending his contract as I feel he is now in a completely comfortable position with no desire or need to improve things.I just wonder what would have happened if he'd been told."Push on to the end of the Season and if you get us in the playoffs we'll talk about a contract extension/budget for next Season or if there's no improvement you're on your way"?
Fair shout Yorkie. I maintain there are far worse managers to be stuck with than Mick! But we'll see what happens. You'll all be THRILLED to know Douglas has triggered a one year extension. Clear as day that won't be on a reduced rate either - I bet he's on a fair penny. I didn't realise until I read today our wage bill has actually increased £4 mill since 13/14. That's " bonkers ".
Indeed, the Villa rumours appear to have died down lately, and you can't exactly blame them for wanting to cast the net a little wider. I'm not even sure just how credible those rumours actually were anyway. Unfortunately, McCarthy being snapped up by another club is the only credible 'out' we have in our situation. I completely agree that the long-term contract was a rash and premature move, several of us on here (myself included) said so ourselves. With the benefit of hindsight, it's looking like an impediment to future progress. As Westy said, there are far worse alternatives than McCarthy to have to put up with for the near future, I understand that. As much as I want us to push on as a club, I don't think we'd have to worry about complete, abject failure under Mick, I think that we'd always be a side pushing for the play-offs under him. I just feel this is all the culmination of a lack of interest, investment, and long-term planning at the top. We have no real on-field, long-term plan or playing philosophy implemented from the top down and no real effort from the board to get fans on their side. Evans hasn't even come out and made a public statement about where he sees the club going! Mick has had to deal with the squad he has, and it's a squad that has been constructed on next-to-nothing. So in terms of strength in depth, we were always going to struggle this season, particularly with injuries. I just want to wash this season away, strip out the deadwood, and change the playing style. If Mick can do that, great, but from what I've seen of this manager at Portman Road, I don't think that's what we're going to get, and we're going to be treading water for the foreseeable future.
It's clear to me that Mick has trouble dealing with players with ability. He surrounds himself with plenty of hard working, honest type blokes who probably don't come knocking on his door bitching about playing time or style of play because they are happy just being in the team. Any maverick types, those who ignore his instructions to get rid of the ball and actually try playing on the grass don't seem to last very long and it's a shame. We've had some decent wingers, young lads with potential, come swinging through the revolving door but none have wanted to run about enough to please Mick and so get moved on pretty sharpish. He limits himself by the player he chooses to use on a match day. As for a new owner, I'd definitely be up for that. I don't like ME or what he's doing to the club. Some have said that maybe he doesn't want us promoted. Our debt to him is only increasing (good for him) and he would have to invest some of the promotion money into the club if we were to get to the prem. The media suite would need expanding, a 3G pitch installed (not sure if that's a requirement yet) and undersoil heating is mandatory. The final straw for me sticking up for Marcus was when he introduced having to pay to be a mascot. I find this action totally unacceptable. How the hell are you going to get the next generation of fans involved when you can't even be a mascot unless you cough up 200-odd quid? I was ****in' livid when i read about that.
It's something I would've considered setting up for my son the next time I'm on the island, not a chance now you have to pay for it.
Joking aside it is crazy............the club should give some tickets to a local school and have one of the kids as mascot.
The club has totally lost touch with the supporters and it feels as though the fans are being fleeced at every available opportunity.
He doesn't make it easy for himself does he? He's running his mouth off again about not taking a player being booed off. So for those of you who go, boo the best players and you'll give Mick no choice but to sub someone else......sorted.
Yeah i read that SD but decided to say nothing as i would only get shouted down and told im being to bloody picky!!
I saw that and tbh I can see what he is saying and kind of agree........but he should be smart enough to know not to say that out loud especially how things are at the minute..........and I did agree that fans shouldn't be booing an 18 year old....
