As last season finished, i think, it was obvious that we needed a number of new players and that some would leave. What positions did you want to be added to the squad, who did not want to keep and who did you want to see the back of? And how happy are you with what we have got? I still think we need a striker, a left winger and a right back.
The left is fine for me- between wiggins, evina and JJ, with harriott in reserve should be good enough. A striker is a must and one more defensive reinforcement would be nice.
For me I'd like a pacy left winger (can't see us getting promoted with Jackson first choice LM, with Harriott and Ruben Bover too young and lightweight to be relied upon), as well as a new RB (I'm all for giving Francis another chance, but on last seasons performance I doubt he is good enough). Also, a pacy striker in the mould of Eccleston as none of our current strikers are capable of running with the ball. If the moneys floating about then possibly also a target man.
Wouldn't be too excited about Adam Smith, I don't know too much about him so he cant be that great Further to my previous post, a few suggestions... RB - Richardson? [I wish], Kishishev? LM - Julian Gray? Bit rubbish I know, I was thinking LuaLua/Demontagnac but both been signed recently by other teams Pacy Striker - Eccleston himself? Doubt he'll come back though so any hungry, pacey young striker would do for me, even a loanee. Target Man - Showunmi? Andy Gray? (I know some didn't rate him but he could possibly do a job in this league. Although family problems would halt a move. Would also like to see Euell signed up. Try not knock the suggestions guys Quite hard to think of decent players who would be within our price-range, willing to drop a league/move to a rival.
I had thought Evina at left-wing, but if Wiggins gets injured it would mean either Jackson at LB, or Jackson at LM. Besides he's still fairly inexperienced. Although if he is pacey, can cross and is consistent then I'd be happy with that.
All I wanted was that the vast majority of the ins and most of the outs would be completed by the Welling friendly. Whatever positions needed to be cleared out and replaced needed to be done by the first week in July. That's happened, and I'm happy with that much. Regarding players to be brought in, either another striker or a RM (with Waggy taking whichever spot isn't filled), and a CB and I'll be happy enough.
I think we still need another cb. I find the Francis redemption a bit strange, but if he's going to stay we don't need to spend on a rb. Striker....lots of euell getting batted around. I don't think that's future enough, with benno and euell we need half a new strikeforce at the end of the season. Get another pace man in there
I got everything I said I wanted at the end of last season - a root and branch clearout. However, I am mindful of the ancient saying - "Be careful what you wish for, you may receive it." WeWant, I believe you may have to reassess your view of both Harriott and Bover, IMO they're both going to be instrumental in our promotion push this season. Inexperienced, yes - out of their depth, no.
Tewks, I'd be more than happy for them both to do a job for us next season. Indeed, I was very impressed with Harriott in his few cameo appearances last season. But the only case I can think of a player their age (and with their inexperience) being part of a League One promotion push was Oxlade-Chamberlain of Southampton, who was frequently courted by the likes of Chelsea, Arsenal etc. and I don't quite think either of them are of that quality yet. I'd be delighted to be proved wrong however.
Initially I wanted a skip hired for a lot of the deadwood we were carrying but believed that Big Mig and Semedo would still have done a job for us. So I was initially disappointed when they both went. Had realised that Bover had been brought in as a development prospect and was therefore please to see that he has strengthened pre season and could well do an outstandign job for us this season. Will reserve comment on Alonso until he plays for us. Other than that CP seems to have been cherry picking some of the best from last year's league 1 to put together a team that will not play hoofball. It is possible they might not gel, but Tuesday and Saturday should give us some indication of how they will play together. Glad to see that Benno has stayed and that McOxo has gone. Still need another striker and I guess Euel may fit a pay per play mold for the first six months. So the answer is that I got a lot of what I wanted, but not all and got some things I didn't want but will have to live with them. The proof of this particular pudding will be in the league table as ever.
