Todays St.Albans Observer

[EFM The Firm, The Voice]

Seems like Cooky plans to keep the entire squad with maybe two or three new players arriving. This is the same squad which managed 31 points in the last 23 games, oh well we can't complain next season as the expectation has already gone!

[Colin Zeal EFM]

To be honest, I'd rather we keep the current squad.

 

One of our biggest problems over the last five years has been the number of different players used. In my time coming to watch City, the squad must have completely changed about 6 times.

 

We often have good players with the potential to win things, but there's never a settled team out, which makes it a struggle before you even start.

 

 

[GHA EFM]

It's an interesting one. Whilst it is always good to have a settled side, the side that is settled should not be lacking in ability. Thankfully, our side is not lacking in ability. However, they are lacking in performance at the moment. This will need to be redressed before too long, otherwise results at the beginning of next season will go the same way as they have been going recently...not too well.

 

I would've thought that one or two players would leave, though.

[Claire!]

I think that keeping the squad we have at the moment will be good management. Look at it this way, they all know how each other plays and they play really well as a team.

 

Is is always expected that we change teams for the start of every new season?

[EFM The Firm, The Voice]

I think we should keep the nucleaus of the team, but can you really see that lot doing anything as a whole squad. We need to ditch some of the dead wood and bring in more than 2 or 3 players

[GHA EFM]

They play really well as a team? Not against Basingstoke, Canvey away, Aldershot away, Grays, Hendon, Braintree, Billericay, Enfield....etc

[EFM The Firm, The Voice]

Quote:

Look at it this way, they all know how each other plays and they play really well as a team.

They played well as a team early in the season but not for a couple of months.

[Colin Zeal EFM]

Errr... play well as a team, Claire? When, exactly??

 

Yes, Thornsy, I agree the squad needs bolstering up a bit, but just once, I'd like to see how a team that played together the previous season, starts a new one. I can't remember the last time we didn't start the new season with about 8 players making their club debut. <img src="/forums/images/graemlins/frown.gif" alt="" />

 

 

[EFM The Firm, The Voice]

It's not usally the team changing at the start of the season, We normally start well, it's all the activity during the season that f*cks us up.

We had about 7 players making their competive debut the first game of last season and see hpw we started, things went wrong when we started dropping players and changing stuff around.

[GHA EFM]

Very true on both occasions with what you say EFMTFTV. The nucleus of the squad should be kept, a fine blend of experience and youth, whilst those 'not cutting it' should be disposed of.

 

I personally would keep...

 

Wilmot

Hanson

Deacon

Brown

Campbell

Moran

Naylor

Kean

Young

Challinor

Oakes (if he returns)

Seeby

Stannard

Mackail-Smith

Crawshaw

Martin

 

And another midfielder. Adam Parker wouldn't be bad, or Steve Blaney, or one of the two Pipers.

 

I'm still not sure about Gledhill. He shouldn't be allowed to act the way he did in the reserves match, and he shouldn't go mad at the whole of Aldershot, and Hampton didn't help things. He'll need to prove himself. Lodge hasn't really done it for me, whilst De Souza doesn't like sprinting too much. The above is in my humble opinion, once again.

 

[Colin Zeal EFM]

Very true, Mr Thorns.

 

I'd like to know how many different players have worn the first team shirt in the last four years since Dowie first took over. I wouldn't mind betting that we average about 50 a season. <img src="/forums/images/graemlins/frown.gif" alt="" />

 

 

[Rob_the_Saint]

If we can get Smith and Campbell playing a full season that will make a difference, otherwise not too many changes required. Think Cookie should sort out who is doing the coaching though.

[GHA EFM]

Forgot about Rob Smith. Keep him. Don't think I've left out too many others.

 

Maybe bring in Aviator and Zeal in midfield, with Voice up front sniffing for goals...

[HelenC]

I agree that consistancy is a large part of the start of the next season. We always seem to be starting off with so many new players all the time and it takes a while for them to 'gel' together.

 

Isn't Gledhill on a contract? I would like to see Migsy stay but maybe in a different position. A little more midfiled I think. I'm sure Wilmott will still be with us.

 

<img src="/forums/images/graemlins/smile.gif" alt="" /> <img src="/forums/images/graemlins/smile.gif" alt="" />

[Colin Zeal EFM]

Quote:

We always seem to be starting off with so many new players all the time and it takes a while for them to 'gel' together.

Like Thornsy said, it didn't exactly take them a while to 'gel' last season.

What assets do you think De Souza could bring the midfield, Helen?

[GHA EFM]

Helen. I disagree about Migzy. As I said earlier, I haven't seen him break into a sprint when chasing lost causes. Ben Strevens, Craig Mackail-Smith, Robbie Keane. All the best players chase lost causes. De Souza seems to me to be too quick to criticise. He doesn't look like a midfielder to me, he looks like a striker.

 

I personally wouldn't expect to see him at the City next season.

[HelenC]

Really, I agree with you all about Migsy upfront. He never seems to chase things and lets things go to easily. I have just heard a rumour thats all.

 

Nuff said!!

 

<img src="/forums/images/graemlins/smile.gif" alt="" />

[GHA EFM]

You've heard a rumour? What, that he'll be playing in midfield next season? That he's leaving?

 

If he doesn't chase lost causes etc when he's up front, Helen, perhaps he isn't fully committed. If he isn't fully committed, perhaps he shouldn't be playing.

 

Speculate to accumulate, as ever...

[CANV EFM]

there will be only one winner of the league next season....

[Colin Zeal EFM]

If there's a rumour that De Souza may be playing midfield next season, I don't really think it would be part of the Official Secret's Act, Helen.