All things considered...

[MaxiRobriguez]

Yes we may all be fretting about the lack of new faces to arrive, but in reality, we only need 2, maybe 3 players to complete the squad.

Clearly a left back is necessary and a left midfielder would also be a requirement, but beyond that, we're looking at players to sit on the bench. We could do with a new striker (possibly loan move whilst Garner gets some match experience) and a defender to play back up for Wilson and Morgan, but these will only sit on the bench.

Even if we start the new season with no signings, which I expect is an unlikely scenario, if we keep in the top 10 by Christmas which should be minimum expectation with our current squad, we can then try again in January for these two positions.

Worst case scenario here is what most of us we're dreaming of only 3 years ago.

 

[nffc_1865!]

On the contrary I genuinely believe that with the squad we have now, we would continue from where we left off at the last season. Losing games left, right and center. Relegation fodder. Whilst all other clubs will have strengthened we would be slightly weaker and without that unbeaten run from last season, we'd be nowhere near the Top 10.

 

[matt1982]

I take your point but I'd say more like 4 or 5 to give more strength in depth, especially given the departures of Perch and Garner. We had the smallest squad in the championship last year, to get where we did was remarkable, but to push on, you need another 4/5 quality additions to take you to that next level. These aren't easy to come by, admittedly, and that's why it's taking a long time, as well as the distraction of the World Cup. Whether these all come now, or some now, some or more in January, what will be, will be. But let's look at it:

Goalkeepers - fine

Defence - Only have 5 senior defenders (with Bennett leaving on loan to regain fitness somewhere) to choose from: Gunter, Chambers, Morgan, Wilson, Lynch (whether you include Cohen is arguable and Moloney I don't count as a senior option yet) which is nowhere near enough over the course of season, so you're looking at at least 2 additions here: left back and experienced centre back to push Wes and Kelvin.

Midfield - fairly well covered, but left winger a must as Tyson proved last season he was not nor ever will be good enough in that position (striker if anything at all). This would also allow Cohen to play centrally more often too but over the course of the season, McKenna will need a rest, that is why we are pursuing the likes of Pratley to cover for him and be more dependable options esp away from home than the likes of Moussi and Lewis. Therefore probably 2 additions in this area.

Attack - With departure of Garner and McGoldrick out for 3 months, leaves us a bit short up top as well as imo Adebola is past it too and this will be prob be his last season. You have Tyson but he has never been a reliable goalscorer in his career and cannot be depended upon. Therefore you're looking at 1 addition in this area.

 

[earthworm]

On the contrary I genuinely believe that with the squad we have now, we would continue from where we left off at the last season. Losing games left, right and center. Relegation fodder. Whilst all other clubs will have strengthened we would be slightly weaker and without that unbeaten run from last season, we'd be nowhere near the Top 10.

Well, I for one hope you're 'orribly wrong in your assessment.

 

[gladiator]

Well, I for one hope you're 'orribly wrong in your assessment.

Well this squads which is now weaker could only manage 2 draws away from home in the last 11 games the rest were defeats. The squad now as it stands will be bordering on the relegation zone; we just don't have enough quality and strength in depth to compete.

As soon as injuries pop in like last night at trannie Morgan, Wilson and Chambers all out , look what happened, yes I know it was a friendly , but will still had no one to cover leaving us to use Cohen, Gunter at CB and McCleary at the back , how can we go in to a season like this?

 

[MaxiRobriguez]

We had two different teams playing at the same time. Our resources in either game were half what they would usually be. Let's not get too idiotic, we're not going to go down. We don't have Sonner, Powell or Eaden this time round.

 

[RICH1977]

my worrys echo those above, our jan-may away from was the 2nd worse in the league last season if I remember rightly and it was only our home form that kept us up there. that type of form comes once in a while so with that in mind without depth we will strugle.

hope im wrong

 

[Al LeftLion]

Arg... must stop opening threads.

 

[andover red]

As soon as injuries pop in like last night at trannie Morgan, Wilson and Chambers all out , look what happened

You can't legislate for injuries to three players in the same position at the same time. If we had enough players to cope with that without weakening the squad we would need something like thirty FIRST TEAM players. We can't afford that and half of them would want to leave because they would never get a game.

Take the strikers for example - the one position where we did have that amount of cover last season. Billy rotated them regularly to keep them match fit and motivated, but that meant Earnie was rgularly dropped which many fans didn't like. It also meant that Garner hardly ever played up front, which a load more fans didn't like.

Coping with intense periods of injury and suspension is why you have back up like Lynch and youth team players.

 

[Rich]

It's why you need a back up player who has versatility and can player do a decent back up level of multiple positions.

We have a player that fits that bill, don't we?

 

[Tutts]

It's why you need a back up player who has versatility and can player do a decent back up level of multiple positions.

We have a player that fits that bill, don't we?

:think:

Lee Camp?