Squad depth

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super J

Super J
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Squad depth

So at the moment our squad looks like this with the positions they can play:

Goalkeepers
Hamer (Loan)
Seb Brown
Simon Brown (Out on loan)

Right Backs
Newton
O'Connor
Pead

Left Backs
Dickson
Wood
Johnson

Centre Backs
Wilson (loan)
Bennett (loan)
Philips
Osborne
Johnson

Centre Mids
Bean
Smith
O'Connor
Pead
Artus (loan)

Left mids
Poole
Dickson
Wood

Right Mids
Williams
Ademola

Strikers
Elder
MacDonald
Connell
Ademola
Montague

Is our squad strong enough?
Do we have enough cover for injuries and suspensions?
 

Squad depth

If we have reasonable luck with injuries I think the squad looks ok. There is the loan system if we are really pushed. IMO the squad is a great improvement on this time last year. 6 or 7 injuries would scupper most teams at our level, so given some luck I feel we should be ok
 

Squad depth

KO on loan to Woking is my prediction. Woking need a CB and the games would be good for him.
 

Squad depth

If Andy Scott didn't rate Osborne and planned to send him out on loan then I doubt whether he would have started him in such a big game against Bury, albeit the whole Mills fiasco.

My main concern is having half our centre backs on loan from other clubs. Our most successful seasons in the last few years have been built around solid centre back partnerships who played together the whole season, ie- Turner/Sodje Powell/Ingimarsson, etc.
 

Squad depth

looks stronger than in previous seasons. We'll always be vulnerable. Based on nothing stronger than my weary and battered memory I think we're less vulnerable to losing loanees this season but centreback definitely a worry. Still if MacDonald IS actually the messiah who gives a ****. CHAMPIONES :bound:
 

Squad depth

super J said:
My main concern is having half our centre backs on loan from other clubs. Our most successful seasons in the last few years have been built around solid centre back partnerships who played together the whole season, ie- Turner/Sodje Powell/Ingimarsson, etc.
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Hereford.
That is all.
 

Squad depth

I think we need one more season-long loan at CB, hopefully Wilson, then we'll have a strong enough squad, that can be supplemented by loanees in the event of an injury crisis: better to have 20 who are up to the task than 23 or 24 cheaper players who can't make the grade
 

Squad depth

VTG said:
Hereford.
That is all.
Click to expand...

And how have they started, two games, two defeats. I know it is early but the loan players that got them promoted are no longer there (I think). I just don't want us to be in a situation where loan players contribute to the majority of our sucess and then when we go up we are left with a thin squad and new team for the new season.
 

Squad depth

super J said:
So at the moment our squad looks like this with the positions they can play:

Goalkeepers
Hamer (Loan)
Seb Brown
Simon Brown (Out on loan)

Right Backs
Newton
O'Connor
Pead

Left Backs
Dickson
Wood
Johnson

Centre Backs
Wilson (loan)
Bennett (loan)
Philips
Osborne
Johnson

Centre Mids
Bean
Smith
O'Connor
Pead
Artus (loan)

Left mids
Poole
Dickson
Wood

Right Mids
Williams
Ademola

Strikers
Elder
MacDonald
Connell
Ademola
Montague

Is our squad strong enough?
Do we have enough cover for injuries and suspensions?
Click to expand...

More depth there than I have seen for years so I wouldn't worry
 

Squad depth

Brain-dead Bee said:
I think we need one more season-long loan at CB, hopefully Wilson, then we'll have a strong enough squad, that can be supplemented by loanees in the event of an injury crisis: better to have 20 who are up to the task than 23 or 24 cheaper players who can't make the grade
Click to expand...

From what my Bristol friends tell me perhaps we will be able to keep Wilson permanantly as he appears surplus to requirments and his contract runs out at the end of the season, you would think if they rate him they would have put him on a long contract like we have with Osborne i also suspect he is the lowest paid in our squad
 

Squad depth

I hope that we can keep Wilson. My worry on Saturday was that our performance was built on the solid work of two Centre Backs who were only with us for a month.
 

Squad depth

super J said:
And how have they started, two games, two defeats. I know it is early but the loan players that got them promoted are no longer there (I think). I just don't want us to be in a situation where loan players contribute to the majority of our sucess and then when we go up we are left with a thin squad and new team for the new season.
Click to expand...
If you've read abee's financial reports on here, you'll know that we must get out of this league this season by any means possible that don't cost us too much. If that means taking on loanees in key positions for just this season, then so be it.
And FYI we started the season with two defeats too ;)
 

Squad depth

VTG said:
If you've read abee's financial reports on here, you'll know that we must get out of this league this season by any means possible that don't cost us too much. If that means taking on loanees in key positions for just this season, then so be it.
And FYI we started the season with two defeats too ;)
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As I said it is early in the season so you cannot judge after two games, but I still tip Hereford to be relegated.

I haven't read the financial reports but that wasn't my point, I was just stating that having two centre backs on loan can only be a short term fix, if we have no chance of signing either permanently then that is not good for the long term.

If getting out of the division is so important, then surely getting relegated the season after with a whole new team will make things a lot worse?
 

Squad depth

super J said:
If getting out of the division is so important, then surely getting relegated the season after with a whole new team will make things a lot worse?
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Moan moan moan!

FFS we just won 4-0 for the first time in yonks, live for the moment a little :wave:
 

Squad depth

I suspect that Bennett will go back at the end of the month assuming Phillips remains fit.

Maybe we can get a couple out on loan too once the injuries clear up.

If Osborne is not going to be a first choice then perhaps we can find a Conference team that will keep him match fit. It would help if Seb Brown got some matches too but this would mean a new keeper coming in purely to sit on the bench.

I am sure that AS would also like to get Pead off the books too but it's not looking too likely - come on Cheltenham !
 
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Squad depth

would still prefer a stronger midfield player but i'm picky.......
 

Squad depth

GABS said:
Moan moan moan!

FFS we just won 4-0 for the first time in yonks, live for the moment a little :wave:
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I'm not moaning, if you read my post on the Grimsby match reports then you will see I say a lot of good things about the team and performance, in particular our LOAN player Wilson.

I am simply stating that for the long term we need more stability within our squad, ie- not relying on players who aren't ours to get us promoted.
 

Squad depth

super J said:
I'm not moaning, if you read my post on the Grimsby match reports then you will see I say a lot of good things about the team and performance, in particular our LOAN player Wilson.

I am simply stating that for the long term we need more stability within our squad, ie- not relying on players who aren't ours to get us promoted.
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Understand where you are coming from BUT due to our financial situation majority of our players (I think) are only on a 12 month contract anyway not really a lot of difference
 

Squad depth

TOMOGP said:
Understand where you are coming from BUT due to our financial situation majority of our players (I think) are only on a 12 month contract anyway not really a lot of difference
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We presently have six players contracted through June 30 2010. There are other players who have conditions in their contracts ending June 30 2009regarding an extension but these are all individually performance related. The BFC board have placed a cap on the amount of the 2009/10 playing budget that can be pre-committed before next summer to avoid a repeat of the situation that obtained a year ago where the fat end of a million quid was already committed for fifteen (if I recall correctly ) players. Regular readers may remember that this was when we had been told by the former CEO that it was difficult to get players signed unless they were offered two year contracts which sent the at the time uninvolved abee into orbit.
 

Squad depth

On paper the squad looks to have some depth although the age is perhaps a concern with a lot of players with little experience and one wonders how thay will get on over a full season.

I for one have no problem if we get 11 loanees for the season if they get us out of this division and give us a chance next season with perhaps some higher gates which will give us more flexibility on a financial basis.

Of the players on the books it would be good to lose Brown permanently as I would imagine his wages are at the higher end and if he is not succesful on loan presumably this will have to be paid later in the season. As far as Pead is concerned I am happy to have him on the books he has played well in pre season and also played well on Saturday. Last season was a disater for him ( and us) however I seem to remember Heywood was pillories prior to last season and then remember the discussions when he left, perhaps Pead can be a revelation this season.

As for Karleigh it would seem that Scott and Bullivant reckon he has a future, hence the extended contract, and I would imagine they have more idea of his capabilities than us, perhaps it is a case of the ability being there but getting ability and brain to engage at the same time is the problem, a loan period might be good however I think unless he plays with an old experienced defender this shortfall between brain and feet could always be a weakness.
 

Squad depth

In this day and age and with our financial contraints it is necessary to add some quality to your squad with loan signings if possible. I would not want half the first team to be made up of loanees but if you have quality throughout the squad, which I think we do, there is no problem bringing in a couple of players from a higher level to boost the squad/team.

The addition of these players has proved extremely beneficial in recent years, Burgess, Sidwell, Pratley etc.........
 

Squad depth

Our squad appears to be well balanced with cover all over the park. There is a concern whether the side can compete physically in some areas but we won't lack for pace which is very important. Job well done I reckon but the obvious weakness remains at centre back and I think that we need to keep fingers crossed to hope that Phillips stays fit enough and we can keep Wilson.
 

Squad depth

super J said:
I haven't read the financial reports but that wasn't my point, I was just stating that having two centre backs on loan can only be a short term fix, if we have no chance of signing either permanently then that is not good for the long term.
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If we were to sign a player on loan for a whole season, or a player on a permanent basis but on a one year contract, is there any significant difference long term?
:wave:
The lower leagues are full of short term contract players these days, so it is very difficult to have much long term planning.
 

Squad depth

In the words of Kevin Keegam, 'I don't make predictions and I never will'. However, it may well be worth resuscitating this thread when the transfer window closes in January. Oh, and if we could get Wilson for the rest of the year, I would be over the moon.
 

Squad depth

if all were avalible only hamer would be in the starting 11.... but the rest would be a big headache to select....
 

Squad depth

EASTBRISTOLBEE7 said:
Just got back from bulgaria , can anyone tell me why mills pissed off and then joined gillingham on loan ?
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Phillips passed fitness tests and was signed up, so Mills was not needed.............but then we sign Bennett and Wilson for a month...............oh sod it, you work it out!!!
 

Squad depth

I'd like to see Wilson play a couple of more games before we get too OTT about him but certainly a good start.

I wonder how he would fare against a few stronger Div 2 bruisers than Saturday, Butler looked past it to me..
 
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