I've seen and heard a lot of discussion about our squad, and that we would need an overhaul if a new manager was to arrive. Some i agree with, and some i don't. Looking through our squad, we have the makings of a very good team. we have though, been rather unfortunate this season with injuries. My thoughts on the current squad are... GK - Bart is a good championship player, slightly overrated, but definitely good enough. Gerken is a decent enough 2nd choice as back up. Defence Knudsen - decent back up, but not good enough for regular 1st team (Keep) Webster - High potential, if staying fit will/should be a regular Chambers - Excellent motivational skills, but best days are long gone (sitting on the fence with this one) Spence - Squad player at best. Has one decent game every 5 - Release/sell Kenlock - Looks ok, average at best, maybe keep as back up Emmanuel - won't be good enough for a promotion team, way too immobile (get rid of) Midfield Huws - Still young, if stays (gets) fit will be an excellent player for us - definitely keep Adeyami - Had high hoped for this lad. Has the makings of a good player, but like McG, is made of glass (keep - but only if fit) Skuse - I think he'd be an excellent coach, so i'd keep him for another year, then retire him to coach the kids Ward - Still young, and i'm sure there's a very good player in him somewhere. Maybe with better coaches can blossom into a very good player (keep - for another year to see how he progresses) Hyam - Oh dear, need to rule with head rather than the heart. I so wished he could be fully fit regularly, as he could've been the heartbeat in our team. Unfortunately he has to be released Bishop - Same as Hyam, looked potential premiership class a few seasons ago, but seems like he will break down at any time - Possibly give him one more season to prove his fitness Bru - Good player, but not for us - release Forwards McG - Don't renew his contract. Way overrated, decent on the ball, but doesn't score or create enough Sears - Confidence has totally been shot, needs to be released, or sold to a lower champ club. Waghorn - Decent squad player, will do a good job, but is not prolific enough - keep for now Garner - Same as Waghorn, keep but only as an impact sub Youngsters Dozzell - is a must to keep, hopefully he gets over his injury and doesn't end up as another Bishop/Hyam Downes - Very impressed with this lad, has all the hallmarks of an excellent player Nydam - very comfortable on the ball, excellent potential (although not sure on his preferred position) So, out of the 22 listed, i'd get rid of Spence, Emmanuel, Ward, Hyam, Bru, McG and Sears. We therefore would need to replace with two full backs, a centre half, two wide men (proper wingers) and a number 9. Unfortunately we wouldn't get much for any of the players released, maybe 1/2 million for the lot. So to buy 6 players, 6 decent first teamers, would require IMHO, at least 10m - Now, is ME going to bankroll that? Judging by past history, i doubt it.
Agreed with most of this, although I'd keep Teddy Bishop and Grant Ward for next season, to see what the potential new manager can do with them because as you point out, they are technically capable. While you listed mostly deadwood to be released, and I'd agree with the rest of the names you've put forward, the new manager may look to move on Chambers and Skuse, who were long-term McCarthy favourites and are ageing and technically limited players. With the loanees also departed, it leaves us thin of numbers in what is already a fairly small squad and I believe we'll be needing more than six players. While a small squad allows academy players the opportunity to clock some first team minutes (and I'd like to see Dozzell, Nydam, and Downes involved), we'd need quality reinforcements to remain competitive, particularly if we have any ambition of breaking into the top six. Either way, with the outgoings and lack of squad depth, I believe we can afford to cal it a squad overhaul, particularly as I think there will be a strong likelihood of first team players also departing who the new manager (if he comes), will look to move on. As a devil's advocate argument, if McCarthy was to stay on next season, I think it will be a similar squad with the loanees being replaced and maybe only Hyam, Bru, Sears, and McGoldrick being moved on.
Re: Ward - i think i contradicted myself. If/when a new manager comes in, i'd agree with you in keeping him for another season to see what the new manager/coach can do with him.
It is clear that Ward is a technically competent player, so I'd like to think a new manager could coach him into using his ability properly and develop as a footballer. I know a few on here do not rate him at all, I recall San Diego saying something about him not having any vision, which I think was a bit harsh. Ultimately, he needs a regular run of games out wide, in his natural playing position, rather than in central midfield. That, alongside improved coaching and playing as part of a pacey, attacking / counter attacking side, and I think he'd be an effective player at this level. Looking over that squad, our central midfield is well stocked with some very good footballers. Huws, Skuse, and Adeyemi are the more experienced pros, and the first two players look good together (jury remains out on Adeyemi). Then you have Dozzell, Nydam, Downes, and Bishop (if he can remain fit) to provide some youthful quality. Picking two or three out of that lot will be difficult, but I'm guessing in a midfield duo, you'd have Skuse / Downes and Adeyemi / Bishop / Huws, then Dozzell / Huws / Nydam in a more advanced role. I think if we have a strong area on the field, it's in the middle of the park. The weak areas, as you highlighted Stretchy, are noticeably out wide. We lack a good, solid right-back and enough quality wingers, which always seem to be the weaknesses in a McCarthy squad, until the issues are papered over with loans and short-term deals. I'd keep Knudsen and Kenlock for another season, although I share your concerns with Kenlock's ability. I'd retain Spence as back up, as he's generally been above average this season, and bring in a first team right back. As for wingers, we will probably have to rely on that stardust from a Premier League loan, repeating the knack of getting a genuine star player to enhance the team. I'd then bring in a right winger to compete with Ward and either give Rowe opportunities or bring in another left winger to push for the first team. Could we potentially convert Nydam to a winger for versatility? Regarding the strikeforce, I'd keep Waghorn and Garner, move out McGoldrick and Sears, promote Ben Morris, and sign a striker from League One / Two, hopefully with pace and a record for goals.
True, I do rate Waghorn. He is without a goal in 12 matches now, which is a troublesome statistic, however he has impressed every time I've seen him and creates opportunities. Plus, he's been mostly playing wide right or behind the striker, so that's going to have an effect on your scoring form. Out of him or Garner, it's Joey who concerns me the most. A physical player who has given us some much needed nastiness up front, but he is rather one-dimensional and has a habit of going missing during the big games.
An issue i have with our "forwards", is none of them are out and out strikers. They can all do a job there, but we need,as i said earlier, a typical #9. I do like Waghorn, but is he a striker? is he a wide midfielder? I dunno - i like players in their right position, but unfortunately Mick likes jack of all trade players. Same with Ward, what is his best position? We do too much accommodating, whereas we need players i n their best position.
I don't think we have the luxury to "Keep for now" or to "Keep only as impact sub" We won't be able to make wholesale changes, not at the level that is needed and will likely look to add 1 or 2 players of 1st team capability each summer, so the vast majority of this squad will be with us again next season unless we go for an even thinner squad
So here's what I've seen from watching matches this season - GK - as stretchy says, keep Bart and Gerken Defence - Knudsen would make a better CB than FB Spence the same as Jonas Chambers not good enough Webster hopefully can stay fit with a new manager with a new training regime Kenlock can improve with regular playing time, I mean playing every week regular game time. Gets forward and is more effective at it than Jonas Emmanuel would probably also make a better CB than FB Verdict - Need new RB and RCB. Play Kenlock for the rest of the season to help him improve. Midfield - Skuse is one of the reasons we have such a slow build up play, maybe keep for when we need to close a game out but not a starter Adeyemi keep, he's looked good in the minutes I've seen him play Huws the same as Adeyemi Hyam keep for the squad for now Bishop keep and hope he can stay fit under a new training regime Downes, Nydam and Dozzell are obviously to be retained Carayol looked bright and could be worth a longer deal, not seen enough yet Gleeson has played with his head up and his eyes forward and could be worth retaining for squad numbers Ward, OK here we go - said it already, he doesn't have the skill to beat a man or the vision to make telling plays. I can see why Tottenham let him go. There's only really pace to work with when it comes to Grant. He's certainly not a winger and we have better options for the middle. Verdict - need two proper wingers, Carayol could be one of them Forwards - Garner annoys the tits off me, he's always falling over and whining like a bitch. Try concentrating on playing the game and not winding people up mate Waghorn needs to be told to stay up top. He runs about ALL over the pitch, probably because he feels like he needs to do everyone's job for them Sears could return to form if played up top with another Murphy type striker, not to be used on the wing McG can leave, poor decision making at vital times Verdict - Need a new striker to play alongside Waghorn or Sears. Overall verdict - I would like to see us search for the players that could make us go back to 4-4-2. We have enough for the middle of the park, a midfield duo of Adeyemi and Huws is good enough at this level but we need decent wingers to help keep opposition full backs on the defence and feel uncomfortable getting forward too much. Full backs who keep wingers occupied would be great too. We're overrun down the flanks too often because there is no danger from us out wide. We also need a proper number 9 who is more interested in scoring goals than winning free kicks. It wouldn't be so bad if we had a really good free kick taker to take advantage of the situation but all too frequently the dead ball is wasted and you're left wishing we'd had a shot on goal instead. Garner is one of the reasons we have a low shot count because he spends all his time on the floor. Currently we have no connection between defence and attack. Two holders to protect a poor back line and no real threat means the likes of Waghorn and McG are traipsing all over the pitch trying to get the ball. It also means the other team has room to play and their wingers and full backs are not scared of getting forward. This needs to change. Shopping list - RB Two wingers Striker Preferably a new right sided CB to replace Chambers. We shouldn't need to play with two holding midfielders if we have decent defenders. There are a number of academy lads who should be eased into the first team as soon as we are safe. I also hope that a new manager brings new training techniques and a playing style that is not so hard on the players, we really should be making the ball do the work and not the legs. Watching Fulham this season really made this sink in. Their players hardly moved with the ball. They received it and then passed it on, nice way to not get tired. Our injury list over the last two or three seasons has been detrimental to making any kind of real challenge for promotion and needs to be addressed.
The squad we have is capable of keeping us in a similar position in this Division, but playing football in a more entertaining manner .The problem is,and has been for quite some time,Mick/Terry and their inability to instil any sort of plan or tactics to do anything other than try and shut down the game.Yes there are members of the squad I'd like to see gone,but I won't go over old ground as to who they are.
You'd keep Hyam? To me he has to go. Never fit and how often is he good enough? 14/15 was the last time this lad was properly fit and in form - absolute waste of wages.
I agree westy, same could be said for bishop. I hope not though, and hope he regains full fitness, but if give him another season
I said keep just to keep the shopping list down and not deplete the squad too much. We're not going to go out and get a bunch of new players so I prioritised what I thought we needed most. Like most of our regular sick notes, I hope a new manager with new training techniques etc will help prevent injuries. We are well stocked for the CM positions so it wouldn't bother me at all if he was released. Gleeson is probably a better replacement from what I've seen so far.
If we appoint a progressive manager who wants to develop a young squad and promote academy players I don't think we need a squad overhaul. Whatever happened to working with the players you've got, whilst we haven't exactly got world beaters, we have players who have potential to be better footballers. Given the number of promising CM's we have at the club, I would actually like to see us go to a 532 wing back system, this would make the most of players like Nydam, Downes, Bishop, Dozzell with a few more experienced players in there as well but also give a chance to our promising young fullbacks. It also would mean we could play 2 strikers in a partnership something this season which has been to our detriment especially to the likes of Sears and Waghorn. It also means we don't really have to get many wide players because it they won't fit into the system and I also actually think in a back 3 the likes of Skuse (anyone remember when we played Holland as a sweeper?) and Knudsen would actually do a decent job there. I'd go for a team like this: Bart Emmannuel, Webster, Chambers, Knudsen, Kenlock Nydam, Downes, Dozzell Garner, Sears Imagine if we had a new manager came in to develop that team, yes we'd expect mistakes but that's part of football and development, to me that looks like quite a balanced team. I do think despite me championing Skuse and Knudson as CBs, I'm not sure they'd be great in a flatback 4 which ultimately I would expect us to use from time to time so we probably need at least 1 new CB. If there is any chance of us getting Carter-Vickers on a longer term deal that would be awesome but I think he is destined for greater things. I have no problem with playing Emmanuel and Kenlock at fullback,we've played Iorfa, Spence and Knudsen there all season, I don't think they could do any worse and with the right manager I've seen enough in them to think they could be half decent. But I'd say get rid of Spence and get another RB in either for cover or a good first teamer. Don't need strengthening in midfield at all, we just need some of the players to keep fit. If Hyam can prove his fitness I wouldn't be adverse to him staying, I think he's a pretty good at breaking up play unfortunately whenever Mick has played him he's tried to make him an attacking midfielder which he certainly isn't. Yes we probably need at least 1 left winger if we go 442 from time to time. Uptop if Sears can find his form again in a 2 and Waghorn also, I think we'd need 1 new striker and that's if McGoldrick goes. So by my reckoning I'd say get rid of Spence, Bru and McGoldrick and keep the rest (though not sure about Gleeson or Carayol)
This is so true, I've seen many of the players in our team have good games usually at the start of their time at the club before it get coached out of them. With a different manager it might be different.
Interesting idea, and certainly has an emphasis on the academy lads. However, I'm not the biggest fan of Kenlock, so I'd go for Knudsen at left wing back, bring in two new centre backs and have them play with Webster in a back three, leaving Chambers and Kenlock on the bench. Emmanuel should be given an opportunity as he is in good form now and starting regularly with Rotherham. Agreed regarding new cover at right back. Regarding the midfield three, I think we'd need to have Huws in there. I'd drop Nydam for him. Skuse can also come in for games where we need more experience. As mentioned, Bishop and Adeyemi can play a part but Hyam has always been average (at best) and should drop down a level or two. I'd have Garner and Waghorn up front. Sears is not a prolific player and may struggle to adapt to a new formation and playing style. I'd get rid of him and McGoldrick then look to bring in / promote a couple of quick strikers.
