Player Announcements 21st June

[Reading Rebel]

42 minutes ago, 3spirit said:

Just one thing ,RR,when you say in your second paragraph 'we know we can't afford a proven 15/20 goal striker', how do we know? !

To me it's not a case of affordability,it's a case of our managers chosing to not buy a 15/20 goal striker, as they favour spending their budget on bolstering other positions throughout the team, rather than on the front line. That's why I view it as a 'cop out' as since we got promoted into National South, we have had a half hearted approach to signing any real quality upfront.  Yes, we've made use of some good youngsters ,the loan system and wheeling out Ben Harris each season but when are Bakes and Unders going to be daring and actually forsake the midfield muchness, and sign a quality forward?

If Elliot Benyon was 5 years younger, and Ben Harris was a new recruit, I might be more enthusiastic but to me the squad is lacking in this main key area, that of the art of scoring goals. 

The good thing is I don't see Slough going down this season, and the signing of Dobbo, and Goddo ! should give us fans plenty of excitement but I can't help feeling that Bakes and Unders have done the bare minimum in addressing the 'forward' situation, and have back tracked somewhat, from what I had hoped for this season.

I seem to recall Unders saying that we'd love to get a proven top scorer but they are expensive and command top money.

Yes we could sacrifice players of the quality of Aaron Kuhl, Johnny Goddard and George Wells but I think the team would be a lot weaker if we did  and hardly any of the budget left to replace them with even half decent players.

In recent seasons I struggled to see where our goals were going to come from but now I think we have a lot more creativity in the side and crucially this will hopefully lead to more goals.

Edited June 22, 2022 by Reading Rebel

[Reading Rebel]

28 minutes ago, CookhamRebel said:

I’ve never once said I do not rate Josh Jackman, if I didn’t I wouldn’t have sponsored him for this coming season.

He is also Vice Captain. Pushing Jackman into a right wing position would completely nullify his natural game.

How do you know another striker is not coming in??? Bakes & Unders have not confirmed anything yet. 

Another striker?

You can never know for sure but I doubt it very much.

[Stuntman Mark]

I'm very happy with the business announced yesterday. I will reserve judgement on the new lads until I've seen them play a few times but they look great signings on paper. My only recollection of them from last season was Benyon's worldie against us on Boxing Day. To get two players with lots of experience of this level from teams who were in the hunt for promotion last year is a real coup for the club I think. 

Brilliant news on Aaron Kuhl and the return of Hollis, Dobbo, Wells and Ben. Hopefully they can recapture their best form for the club and no doubt one or two will be going into the season with a point to prove. I think the squad looks the strongest we've had going into a season for a couple of seasons and maybe still time to unearth the odd gem in preseason like we did with George Hunt last year. Always a chance one or two of the under 23s will kick onto the first team like Alfonso last year. 

I'm really looking forward to the new season and Barry Island away now. COYR!

[GlenSTFC]

Jon/Neil, will there be an interview talking about the new signings (and any further activity)?

[Neil Baker]

At some stage Glen, let us have a break ?

This is always a busy time as a manager, so myself and Jon have a weekend away now, and then when we are back I am sure we will catch up with Ade when we are back in training.

[REBEL MATTERS]

7 minutes ago, Neil Baker said:

myself and Jon have a weekend away now, and then when we are back I am sure we will catch up with Ade when we are back in training.

You and Jon going anywhere nice  

[Neil Baker]

Annual Vilamoura weekend trip with a few friends ??

[Guest Wycombe Rebel]

21 minutes ago, Neil Baker said:

Annual Vilamoura weekend trip with a few friends ??

Enjoy! I’m off to Majorca for a week on Saturday morning ??

[Irishadrian]

With all the talk almost obsession with a new high scoring rate striker I wonder if many  have missed that the lads have quietly put together what must be one of next seasons tightest defences? Doesn't matter a bit how many goals your flash harry striker scores imo if your defence is useless  I'm happy to be successful next season with a series of 1-0 wins in the mix!

[GlenSTFC]

13 minutes ago, Irishadrian said:

With all the talk almost obsession with a new high scoring rate striker I wonder if many  have missed that the lads have quietly put together what must be one of next seasons tightest defences? Doesn't matter a bit how many goals your flash harry striker scores imo if your defence is useless  I'm happy to be successful next season with a series of 1-0 wins in the mix!

So what would be your preferred starting 11? Mine would be…

North

Jackman, Hollis, Pruti, Wells

Dobson, Kuhl, Davies, Lench, Goddard

Benyon

Either Davies in front of the back 4 or Goddard/Lench just behind Benyon.

 

 

[Guest Wycombe Rebel]

25 minutes ago, GlenSTFC said:

So what would be your preferred starting 11? Mine would be…

North

Jackman, Hollis, Pruti, Wells

Dobson, Kuhl, Davies, Lench, Goddard

Benyon

Either Davies in front of the back 4 or Goddard/Lench just behind Benyon.

 

 

Dandy over Pruti…

Kayani instead of Lench… So Kayani right, Goddard central and Dobson left

[Curtis]

We could go with experience:-

North

Bird Togwell Hollis

Jackman Goddard Davies Lench Dobson

Harris Benyon

Average age : 31.5 

[Irishadrian]

I think the lads will want to get a few of the preseason games out of the way before they think about the line up for the first league game  Too many players that can perform excellently in several different roles and fitness levels will come into the equation imo

 

[Irishadrian]

1 minute ago, Curtis said:

We could go with experience:-

North

Bird Togwell Hollis

Jackman Goddard Davies Lench Dobson

Harris Benyon

Average age : 31.5 

Good side if all fully fit but surely questionmarks over 2/3 imo

[bluerebel]

Firstly I would like to congratulate Bakes and Unders on the work they have done to build this squad.

It is a very strong squad and has a good blend of young and experience. This is indicated by George Hunt not part of the starting 11 in some peoples eyes.

It is also worth noting that we have 6 players who have returned to the club over the last two seasons, Lenchy, Davies, Wellsy ,Dobbo, Hollis and Harris.

There is something about the club and of course the managers that the players like and realise what they are missing when they leave.

Although the midfield looks a bit overloaded there are some players that need to prove their fitness this year and a few "older" ones who would not expect to play every game.

Although some are worried about a "proven"  goalscorer, looking at the midfield, that has goals written all over it. We must also be mindful our defensive record was not the best last year and we must hope to keep more clean sheets this year and the midfield will need to track back.

Goddard is an exciting signing. St Albans noted that he wanted to move to a club that is nearer to where his business is located. As he is the owner of Core Football coaching and a qualified FA coach he could offer a lot more than just a player. His coaching business concentrates on younger children development and could shoe horn into the Academy set up.

All the speculation on who is getting what and how we have " broken the bank" on some of these players is what it is just "speculation" I for one am not interested who is being paid what I am just happy we have a strong squad on paper.

The club and managers have done their bit (admirably) and it is now down to us.

We need to get the gates up and get behind the team from day one. Bring a friend, dad, mum, son, daughter or next door neighbour. 

Can't wait.

Lets get the park rocking this year!!!!

 

 

[Reading Rebel]

16 minutes ago, bluerebel said:

Firstly I would like to congratulate Bakes and Unders on the work they have done to build this squad.

It is a very strong squad and has a good blend of young and experience. This is indicated by George Hunt not part of the starting 11 in some peoples eyes.

It is also worth noting that we have 6 players who have returned to the club over the last two seasons, Lenchy, Davies, Wellsy ,Dobbo, Hollis and Harris.

There is something about the club and of course the managers that the players like and realise what they are missing when they leave.

Although the midfield looks a bit overloaded there are some players that need to prove their fitness this year and a few "older" ones who would not expect to play every game.

Although some are worried about a "proven"  goalscorer, looking at the midfield, that has goals written all over it. We must also be mindful our defensive record was not the best last year and we must hope to keep more clean sheets this year and the midfield will need to track back.

Goddard is an exciting signing. St Albans noted that he wanted to move to a club that is nearer to where his business is located. As he is the owner of Core Football coaching and a qualified FA coach he could offer a lot more than just a player. His coaching business concentrates on younger children development and could shoe horn into the Academy set up.

All the speculation on who is getting what and how we have " broken the bank" on some of these players is what it is just "speculation" I for one am not interested who is being paid what I am just happy we have a strong squad on paper.

The club and managers have done their bit (admirably) and it is now down to us.

We need to get the gates up and get behind the team from day one. Bring a friend, dad, mum, son, daughter or next door neighbour. 

Can't wait.

Lets get the park rocking this year!!!!

 

 

Good post bluerebel.

[Reading Rebel]

2 hours ago, Irishadrian said:

With all the talk almost obsession with a new high scoring rate striker I wonder if many  have missed that the lads have quietly put together what must be one of next seasons tightest defences? Doesn't matter a bit how many goals your flash harry striker scores imo if your defence is useless  I'm happy to be successful next season with a series of 1-0 wins in the mix!

Lets hope you're right Adrian.

With a couple of youngsters in Pruti and Dandy relatively new to this level, keeping clean sheets could prove to be challenging. 

[Irishadrian]

Take your point RR but as Blue Rebel alluded to in his excellent post I expect after the initial 8/10 games when we know which teams are hot and which  are not we will have our perceived best defence against the top teams and  a few changes against the lower  after all every player will expec t some game time or they'll be off.

[3spirit]

13 hours ago, GlenSTFC said:

So what would be your preferred starting 11? Mine would be…

North

Jackman, Hollis, Pruti, Wells

Dobson, Kuhl, Davies, Lench, Goddard

Benyon

Either Davies in front of the back 4 or Goddard/Lench just behind Benyon.

 

 

Just a point Glen,did you mean to have a left winger [Dobbo] on the right side, and the right winger on the left side [Goddard[?

It's hard to say what my preferred starting 11 is, as good players will have to be left out and of course, you need to see who is playing well in pre-season. With the squad we now have I think I would go with a 3-5-2 but that won't happen in real life,as Bakes and Unders prefer 4 defenders at the back.

Anyway my team would be

                                                          North

                                           Hollis      Togwell    Pruti

                              Jackman     Hunt  Kuhl   Lench    Wells 

                                                 Goddard   Benyon

Subs: Dandy,Davies,George, Kayani, Dobson.

Edited June 23, 2022 by 3spirit

[Reading Rebel]

At the moment there are too many permutations to consider so I'll leave any personal team selection until after watching pre season when players form and different formations that have been tried can be taken into consideration.