Squad for Next Year

[Phil Old Boy]

This season’s not finished but it has been mentioned in a few posts and deserves a thread of its own.

 

Just wondering what our thoughts are on what type of players may do the business for us over the whole of next season.

 

There were just too many changes made earlier on this season after all those players left during the summer. Those that remained from last year or before were not featuring enough in the team, or not being played in their correct positions. From the new players that came in, only a few have really deserved to put on a yellow shirt. Once the core “old boys” who have served us so well were allowed to play together again, then things started to improve. Maybe if we had stuck with the established players and slotted in the newcomers at the beginning of the season then we might have been closer.

 

When we played Gravesend at their place last season, you could see that they were a fast, hard tackling team but our class shone on the night. Events after that night assisted that we did not go up.

 

After seeing the Aldershot game, they were very fast and our general lack of pace against then was noticeable. Also our class was not quite as good as last season so that could not shine through either.

 

I agree with Jeff KIng that we only need a few additions to the squad to challenge for the title next season. Of those that do come in however, I would like to see a lot more pace added to the team covering for Wardy if he is injured, and maybe another swift defender. In midfield, Dobinson has done well but we need a bit more class in there.

 

Other than that, I can’t see a problem next season but we must concentrate on the defence next year. It’s great to see the goals go in but there are just too many goals conceded and normally the champions of a division concede less. It would be great to have a mix of team that can defend and score goals but to get us into the conf next year, it may need a little something different to what we have been used to watching.

 

[Matt H]

I think the first league game next year, regardless of who comes and how good they are should consist of our strongest line-up this season.

 

Now that for me would be:

 

Potter

JK

Parmenter

Cheners

Ward

Cowan

Protheroe

Minton

N. Gregory

Boylan

Dobinson

 

That is what we should start with. Then gradually bring in the new guys and the others in the squad.

 

The defence is the main worry at the minute. We've most of the players, but unfortunately with Wardy at 30, Crow at 29 etc. none are getting any younger!

 

We are class when we attack, but extremely vulnerable when hit with a counter-attack. It usually takes Wardy's speed to stop the bloke or a good stop by Potter to not concede a goal. Maybe a new tactic should be brought in when Canvey attack to leave more than one player at the back!! Poor Crow had to cover the width of the pitch on occasions in the last minutes of the 'Ricay game.

 

I don't know who's coming but if they are a younger Wardy to partner Cowan then I'm all for it. Plus someone to do the job that Dave Gregory and Mark Brennan should've been able to do. However I think Dobbo or Benno would be able to do that so I don't think there's a need to bring in another player in that position.

 

Other than that I'd keep most of the players we've got with the exception of 3 and two of them play in the same position. Nothing against them I just feel that they're surplus to requirements and we had the players already to do the job that they've failed to do.

 

Matt CIFC <img src="/forums/images/graemlins/grin.gif" alt="" />

[Phil Old Boy]

Yes I would go for the stability to start off with. “Better the devil you know”. Too much of the unknown used for the earlier part of this season. All good coming to the club with a good CV but it’s being able to do it still that matters, and with attitude.

[pabird]

Be interesting to see how many and who where the new stars in the past three years that twinkled briefly before fading into obscurity

I am not against all thats been said so far other than to point out that at any level of modern football there are 11 defenders per side

You think back this season to the number of times the central or left sided defenders have been isolated one on one, Far too often

Most sides work very hard to get their attackers one on one with opposition defenders we give them more opportunities than most

The right side defender normally has JK working his little nuts off tracking back

Defenders should be called on to make the second tackle not the first and if that particular problem is to remain due to us being such an attacking side then 4 at the back is essential which would allow them to cover each other

That is a luxury denied to 3 at the back

If not then we must find 2 players one being central mid-field in front of the defence and the other being a left sided wing back that can defend

We will score less but concede less

 

[Matt H]

pabird, I think that defending left wing-back you mentioned should be Spencer Knight, however we won't know how well he can run and if he's lost any of his pace due to his injury.

 

I still maintain that the central midfielder in front of the defence should be Benno or Dobbo. Both great tacklers and can come out of the tightest situations with the ball.

 

Matt CIFC <img src="/forums/images/graemlins/grin.gif" alt="" />

[Phil Old Boy]

Giving more thought to this.

 

From the existing players for next season, I would have as a starting line up

 

Potter

 

Ward

 

Chenery Gowan

 

Kennedy Bennett Duffy

 

Minton Parmenter

 

Boylan N Gregory

 

Subs: Knight

Protheroe

Dobinson

Berquez

Harrison

 

I would have Kennedy and Duffy playing more defensively to begin with. One alternating with the other to provide a back four when one side of the field is attacking.

 

However, with some additions to the squad how about changing to a more permanent 4-4-2.

 

Potter

 

NewPlayer Chenery Ward Gowan

(Pacey)

 

Kennedy Mints/Parms NewPlayer Duffy/Knight

Boylan N Gregory/NewPlayer

 

[pabird]

I have only seen Spencer play once and can not remember if he can tackle

If you take a rough breakdown on points lost this season to date it looks like this

10 games lost 1 by four goals and 9 by the single goal

9 games drawn conceding 13 goals = 1.44r goals conceded per game

Therefore in crude terms if we had stopped circa 6 or 7 goals being conceded across the whole season we would be right in there now for the Conference

Had we stopped 10 of those goals being conceded we would have been up and away from all opposition

We do not have one or two defenders guilty of throwing away goals but rather it is a team thing

[Matt H]

For a 4-4-2 using players that we have already got I'd have:

 

Potter

 

Ward, Chenery, Cowan, Davidson

 

Kennedy, Protheroe, (favouritism <img src="/forums/images/graemlins/grin.gif" alt="" />)Minton, Parmenter

 

N. Gregory, Boylan

 

SUBS.

Bennett

Dobinson

Berquez

Duffy

Harrison

 

Looking at that we would still have Ross Johnson, Dave Gregory, Bertie Brayley, Mark Graham, Michael Lee & Spencer Knight to cover for injuries, suspensions international call-ups etc. Then I would consider only buying two players, the young, pacey full-back and the defensive minded left-winger.

 

Matt CIFC <img src="/forums/images/graemlins/grin.gif" alt="" />

[YELLOW]

You're assuming that the likes of Scott Forbes, Matt Jones and Mark Brennan will be released during the summer, Matt?

[Matt H]

Were they the three I mentioned in my earlier post or are you Psychic? Or maybe the fact that I didn't include them above was a bit to revealing.

 

Well yes, they are the three I think would be going. I did have a list of about 9 players I thought would be going, but as Jeff has stated that he will be keeping most I shortened it.

 

Matt CIFC <img src="/forums/images/graemlins/grin.gif" alt="" />

[TACKLE1000]

One missing from players going Matt, i am under the impression that a player mentioned in your squads is about 95% sure to be shown the door when his contract expires at E.O.S. Can't elucidate further at the mo, as i promised my source i wouldn't!

[Matt H]

I'm not too good with contract dates T1K so there is only one player I know who's contract expires the end of this season and I'm sure he will be staying next season, cause Jeff wouldn't have named him Captain otherwise!!

 

Matt CIFC <img src="/forums/images/graemlins/grin.gif" alt="" />

[TACKLE1000]

This one definitely is not being named captain and his contract is definately expiring!

[Matt H]

LOL

[TACKLE1000]

I'll tell you in the bar, in a way i hope my source is wrong, but i doubt it.

[Matt H]

Right oh. Can't beat some of the rumours I've heard in the past!

 

Matt CIFC <img src="/forums/images/graemlins/grin.gif" alt="" />

[The Great Eckscape]

I think that certain players, good as they may be, are not putting the effort in during the final weeks of the season when we are challenging. I think we need to stop buying in the ex-pros despite how good they may be, and start buying younger players who have the desire to help Canvey rise through the leagues. Of you ge the few exceptions (Tilson, Minton etc), but I reckon this would give us the extra bite when the going gets tough.

[Matt H]

So last home game of the season, I know lots of rumours about who's coming and going were flying around today. Who's heard what then?

 

I heard that today was the last game for 1 or 2 of the players. Some aren't getting their contracts re-newed, one's walking out ASAP. One is undecided whether to stay or go.

 

What's everyone been eaves dropping on?

 

Matt CIFC <img src="/forums/images/graemlins/grin.gif" alt="" />

[CanveyFan]

In my opinion from the current squad the team should be (in 352)

 

Potter(Class goalie)

Cowan

Ward

Cheners

JK

Duffy

Minton

Dobinson

Protheroe(Is David Beckham better at dead balls than this man)

Berquez

Boylan(do not about this one as I'm not sure whether he'll cut it at this level, hahaha)

 

Subs.

 

Harrison

Lilley(Had a great game and would have had a clean sheet but........I don't even want to talk about it)

Gregory

Parms

Forbes(In my opinion a great player)

[Matt H]

Speaking of Forbes how did he get on crutches? That wasn't from the old achilles injury he got at Hendon was it?

 

Agree Potter as No 1. Keeper. I think it showed today who's the better 'Keeper. After Potter has started most recent games.

 

At least someone agrees that Berquez should start up front and not in the midfield. Only thing I disagree with is I would have Crow for Lilley and Lee for Forbes. Also I would have to fit Spencer Knight in there somewhere too. But hey that's just me!

 

Matt CIFC <img src="/forums/images/graemlins/grin.gif" alt="" />