Leighton Town - Preview, Interview & Discussion

[3spirit]

Whether we get promoted or stay as we are, I would imagine there will always be a few changes.

 

I've always thought that the teams at the top of this division can normally hold there own with the teams in bottom half of the premier division.

 

I agree,RR and I wouldn't think there will be wholesale changes whether we are promoted or not but I do think if we do make promotion,the question of ambition or consolidation will show up by the signings we make.

I would like to think that if we did get promoted,we would add quality,experienced players at Premier division level or above to bolster our chances of staying up.Not necessarily straight away but possibly as the season progresses.

Got to get there first,though !    

[Jon Underwood]

Think it's fair to say we'll be looking to improve the squad over the summer no matter what happens at the end of this season but it certainly won't be wholesale changes. We feel that over the course of this season we have improved the squad and we are delighted with our lads at the moment and the run we've had since Christmas. There are still a few areas where we believe we could strengthen and already have a few names in mind to speak to in May once this season is done.

 

With the announcement we expect to make tomorrow though we're hoping to confirm that another of our planned 'summer targets' will be on board earlier than expected which will be a real positive for us.

[readingrebel]

Think it's fair to say we'll be looking to improve the squad over the summer no matter what happens at the end of this season but it certainly won't be wholesale changes. We feel that over the course of this season we have improved the squad and we are delighted with our lads at the moment and the run we've had since Christmas. There are still a few areas where we believe we could strengthen and already have a few names in mind to speak to in May once this season is done.

 

With the announcement we expect to make tomorrow though we're hoping to confirm that another of our planned 'summer targets' will be on board earlier than expected which will be a real positive for us.

 

 

Looking forward to hearing who the player is.

 

I gather he hasn't signed yet. 

[Neil Baker]

He has signed transfer forms, however we just need the other club to sign the paperwork, and we are hopeful this will be completed by tomorrow.

[HorshamRebel]

Have a read of the Leighton report on their website. That person definitely doesn't like watching them play considering some of the comments made.

Even the praises sound like put downs

[Ian]

Hearing that we are planning for next year with a broadly similar squad is great news. With one or two quality additions, plus getting Foulser fit and Rummy back on his return to the UK that's as good a squad as we've had in a long time, in my opinion.

[Mark44]

For anyone who is interested my updated projected final table is as follows:

 

1) Rugby 90

2) Daventry 89

3) Dunstable 86

4) Kettering 81

5) Barton 81

6) Slough 80

7) Royston 74

8) Northwood 71

9) Beaconsfield 69

 

Very close between the top 6 and so if our form continues looking good for those playoffs

[readingrebel]

With Adam Foulser out until possibly Christmas and Rummy not back until November, I would say we will have to plan next season without Fouls and Rummy and then bring them in as two quality additions to the squad when they are available. 

[michaelSTFC]

Agreed, RR. Their returns should be bonuses to a squad already well put together and not expected. I'm confident Neil and Jon will get it right. The speed at which they have filled voids this season with quality gives me confidence.

[3spirit]

Hearing that we are planning for next year with a broadly similar squad is great news. With one or two quality additions, plus getting Foulser fit and Rummy back on his return to the UK that's as good a squad as we've had in a long time, in my opinion.

 

I can't agree with you,Ian,on this. We had some quality players in Steve Bateman's reign and some of his squads on paper I would say were better than the one we have now.

 

The difference,though,is that our current squad is managed better and tactically the team play better as a unit,which didn't always get achieved with Steve's teams.  

 

In my opinion,if we got promoted there are at least 4 or 5 players[or possibly,a couple more depending on budget]  I would let go. 

However,in this division we do have a very good squad compared to others around us.  

[Neil Baker]

I think our only concern is North Greenford, and not what "if's" and whatever division we are in come the end of the season, we will deal with.

[Ian]

I can't agree with you,Ian,on this. We had some quality players in Steve Bateman's reign and some of his squads on paper I would say were better than the one we have now.

 

The difference,though,is that our current squad is managed better and tactically the team play better as a unit,which didn't always get achieved with Steve's teams.  

 

In my opinion,if we got promoted there are at least 4 or 5 players[or possibly,a couple more depending on budget]  I would let go. 

However,in this division we do have a very good squad compared to others around us.

 

You rarely do agree with me, Stuart!! I agree that on paper some of the previous squads might have been better players but it's not played on paper! My assessment of the quality is also based on criteria other than their pure playing ability. Attitude and application comes into that for me and on that basis there's many of this squad I'd rather have than some historically.

[Don Juan DeMarcus]

I think our only concern is North Greenford, and not what "if's" and whatever division we are in come the end of the season, we will deal with.

Couldn't agree more. The most important game of the season is always the next one.

[3spirit]

I think our only concern is North Greenford, and not what "if's" and whatever division we are in come the end of the season, we will deal with.

 

That's your job,not mine ! 

 

I'm only giving my opinion freely on what I've seen now and in the past and cannot say things that I don't believe are true to me,as Ian has,with his belief that this is the best squad we have had for awhile.

 

Not trying to upset you,Neil ! lol ! but we have had some quality players in the recent past.

 

To be truthful,often we failed to get the best from them,played them out of their best position and wasted their talents.If we had used them in a better way,you wouldn't be here now as a Slough Town joint manager,Neil but we didn't,so you are ! ! ! 

[3spirit]

You rarely do agree with me, Stuart!! I agree that on paper some of the previous squads might have been better players but it's not played on paper! My assessment of the quality is also based on criteria other than their pure playing ability. Attitude and application comes into that for me and on that basis there's many of this squad I'd rather have than some historically.

 

Ian, I didn't say that I'm not chuffed with what our managers are doing or the types of players they're bringing to the club.I think they are a credit to Slough and overall I agree with your view about attitude and application.

Neil and Jon are the best thing to happen to our club for years.Finally we have manager/s who know how to manage.For years we haven't had this.

 

I believe if Neil and Jon are given the same resources as Steve Bateman had, it won't be long before we are in the Premier division and among the better teams there.

 

In my opinion,though,there's no getting away from the fact that Steve Bateman brought quality players to the club and definitely players like Adam Martin,Charlie Mpi,Elliot Buchanan,Jerome Anderson,Paul Coyne,Simon Sweeney and Chris Seeby would enhance our current squad greatly.

 

However,I do recognise that these sort of personalities may not be conducive to getting the happy,balanced,together squad we currently have or even fit in with the tempo or pattern of play that Bakes and Unders wish to employ.  

Edited March 24, 2014 by 3spirit

[readingrebel]

Ian, I didn't say that I'm not chuffed with what our managers are doing or the types of players they're bringing to the club.I think they are a credit to Slough and overall I agree with your view about attitude and application.

Neil and Jon are the best thing to happen to our club for years.Finally we have manager/s who know how to manage.For years we haven't had this.

 

I believe if Neil and Jon are given the same resources as Steve Bateman had, it won't be long before we are in the Premier division and among the better teams there.

 

In my opinion,though,there's no getting away from the fact that Steve Bateman brought quality players to the club and definitely players like Adam Martin,Charlie Mpi,Elliot Buchanan,Jerome Anderson,Paul Coyne,Simon Sweeney and Chris Seeby would enhance our current squad greatly.

 

However,I do recognise that these sort of personalities may not be conducive to getting the happy,balanced,together squad we currently have or even fit in with the tempo or pattern of play that Bakes and Unders wish to employ.  

 

 

Yes, Steve Bateman did bring some quality players to Slough but after 4 seasons those players proved to be expensive failures.

 

Until we get our new ground I think we should never return to paying silly money for players at this level of football.

 

IMO most of our current players would get into previous Slough teams. 

[lino]

When you say present players would get into most Slough teams, which era were you alluding to. By that statement we must assume they would all be in a Slough Greats eleven,or you haven't seen many Slough players from the past ?

[3spirit]

Yes, Steve Bateman did bring some quality players to Slough but after 4 seasons those players proved to be expensive failures.

 

Until we get our new ground I think we should never return to paying silly money for players at this level of football.

 

IMO most of our current players would get into previous Slough teams. 

 

I understand your view point about breaking the bank for players but think one or two luxury costing players can be the difference when it comes to winning titles,if you get them performing to their best.

 

It's pretty impossible to compare players of the past to players currently,as age has altered the perceptions of individual players.

I could name the best players we have but won't as it's not fair to the others but Ian and I was comparing squads not individuals.

 

I stick by what I've already said, that had we had Bakes and Unders at the helm with the money Steve B had at his disposal,we wouldn't still be in the Central division.

Also, I do feel that the way Neil and Jon operate,in that they build a team without the 'star' mentality is the right way to go.    

[Neil Baker]

Are you still here Lino/Hotspur....

[Curtis]

'If you are depressed, you are living in the past. If you are anxious, you are living in the future. If you are at peace, you are living in the present.'