Well the window is closed and it appears that Benson, Francis and Docherty (among others who were tipped to leave) are still with us. More importantly, we haven't lost anyone of significance apart from Elliott. We now have too many players and CP has a big job keeping them all happy. I see we played a friendly match against Dagenham & R today using mostly senior professionals with a few juniors coming on as subs, but that's not really the answer. I wonder if the management now regret not entering the Combination. Although it is just a remnant of its former self it would have given the club 10 local matches pre-arranged. At the moment it is hard work finding fixtures as CP recently admitted in an article on the Official website. Most other clubs have pulled out of the Combination because they didn't want the expense of retaining players just to fulfil reserve fixtures, but we have the opposite problem. I am guessing Benson and Francis will leave on loans rather than stick around where they are not wanted until the New Year. And I guess we could cancel Doc's contract by mutual agreement if he can find another club outside the window. It would be the decent thing to do. Several of the younger members of the senior squad will no doubt also be loaned out, hopefully no lower than Blue Square Premier. I don't think they develop well playing at a lower standard than that.
I agree the squad is too big. We now have 5 central defenders plus Osborne when he recovers from injury. Let's hope we have plenty of cup games to keep our second string players happy, although even then there are players like Harriott who expected to be on the fringe of the first team squad but aren't even in the 2nd eleven. During our most successful period we had a comparatively small squad, with players who could play in more than one position. I'm glad the transfer window is closed now, and I hope we use the presenrt squad to cover injuries rather than loanees.
Good post, Eddie. I agree that we should have joined up the reserve league. I think we entered the Kent Cup so that fringe players can get a game. Last season we had mid-season friendlies against the likes of Seaford Town so that LLera could get 90 minutes under his belt. I still think cutting the subs back to five is a pointless rule. Having a couple of the kids on the bench wasn't hurting anyone and offered them some game time if we were holding a comfortable lead in the final 10-15 minutes. Very rare last season, admittedly, but this season it should be different.
How much of an effect does everyone think losing Elliott will have on us ? I hope Hamer slots in well, as it would onnly take a couple of howlers from hamer for us all to think back to elliott leaving. So easily could have been kept by just a few more dollars being coughed up. Dont get me wrong, hamer seems a great fit.. just hoping it doesnt bite us. Cannot emphasise anymore how stoked i have been with the recruitment overall, ultra impressive. It's what i initially said on here in the preseason, that we need a complete cleanout, but i didnt really think we'd sign 18-19 players. Great stuff. I have so much positive feelings for the coming season now, capped off by ordering the away jersey online tonight, hurry up and send it !!
I don't think losing Robbie will have that much of an effect. Sullivan was an able keeper at the end of last season when he filled in and Hamer has been recruited above him as our no.1. He didn't make to much of a horlicks against Reading or Bury and the majority of the team have only played 4 competitive matches in front of Robbie anyhow. He will make a name for himself one way or another!
