Right i've just posted this on another thread but it has just highlighted to me exactly what we need to replace. So far we have lost our top 4 goal scorers. Cody - 25 Bayo - 11 Barcham - 6 Palmer (Presumed he going) - 5 (in all comps) thats 47 goals a season that need to be replaced and remember that wasnt enough to get us into the playoffs. from the back to the front as i see it we conceded quite a few sloppy goals but it doesnt look like we'll have the money to make many changes there and hopefully with a full preseason under their belt king, richards and lawrence can hopefully form the basis of a solid defence. maybe the additon of a rb/cb/rm coving player for fuller would be useful although i suppose j.payne could fit that mould to an extent. however obviously we will need to bring in a good solid goalkeeper to help them, someone who they have confidence in to come get crosses and corners etc. plus a back up if hakes isnt up to the task. midfield we seem to be set bar the pace that hess is looking for. for me if oli was fit for the season and with rooney on the other side we could start the season without additions although i think we do need atleast one pacey winger as hess has stated. cm i think were fairly set and with spiller and weston able to flert out onto the wings we should be alright espically if maher resigns. however this senario obviously takes oli away from the striker role. As for the striker force atm it seems that oli (therefore we need another winger) and payne would be our first choice and no offence to either of them but i highly doubt thats a promotion challanging front 2 let alone a 20 a season strike force replacing a 30+ pairing. this the position im most worried about if were going to push for promotion we need to find a jacko or something special from non league probably that isnt going to take a season to get going. all in all its very worrying and bar a typical gills injury crisis we could still be really struggling. thoughts?
not forgetting that our playing budget has been slashed so it's not like we can replace the players that have left with equals (in terms of pay) so all in all fairly worrying but i'm going to give Hess time to root out some gems from the free transfer market (maybe grimes?) or non league before i panic. This could end up being a positive because i've watched every home game this season and some of the football that has been played has been awful, hoof ball straight to the big man. Maybe with the injection of pace on the wings and some new men upfront and in goal we can build a more fluid passing team that has faith in the keeper not to make a mistake every time an opportunity presents itself. We'll soon see anyway. Oh and i like the look of stefan payne! i think if he's given a few games and builds some confidence he could be a nifty little player
nice contribution to the thread hoadie... as for our strikers, im very fearful if we cant get anyone in. oli hasnt been in form since the promotion season 2009, rooney has skill but largely hasnt fulfilled that when brought on, not this season anyway, and payne has no experience at this level. we will be relying heavily on curtis weston to improve his own goalscoring tally, plus a load of goals from the likes of richards from corners. anybody know what happened to that young ashley miller?
miller is still with us and it looks like he'll prob play a part on the bench this year with the slimmed down squad, espically if we get a few injuries
I agree with Carras, unless we manage to bring in a decent striker maybe ashley grimes as he's from millwall which is fairly close and on a free? but i definitely expect a bench full of youngsters next season, especially with our luck with injuries!
Fair point, torquay and stevenage both get playoffs on a much smaller budget then ours but its all down to hess as to whether he has the tactical ability and a good eye for transfers. We'll soon see with who he brings in as i reckon he must be in talks with a few players with the intent of signing them soon before they reject us for morecambe
ill be disappointed if maher goes elsewhere. thisll be the 3rd time in a row weve offered him a deal when he was out of contract with his current club, proof if he needed it we rate him highly
I think you're a long way off the mark their, Kentish. Our best defensive performances last season came when Maher was playing, protecting the back four. However, it is also true that Payne is very much the future. So maybe best to concentrate on turning him into a defensive midfield GOD.
