Squad Thoughts

[Reading Rebel]

9 minutes ago, GlenSTFC said:

I said we as in the fans, obviously the board and management know!

Why is there any doubt? We’ve been told it’s basically a formality waiting on the suits to sign it off. Still a joke it’s 5 months later and still not confirmed though, will it actually happen before the new season kicks off??!!

So our budget for next season has been set by our new owners even though it's not 100% certain they are our new owners until it's all been signed off?

Is there any doubt? Unless the club have been told different and until it's in writing I'd say there's always a doubt.

Edited May 8, 2023 by Reading Rebel

[GlenSTFC]

The club have publicly stated they expect no issues and will be continuing with their plans for the season gone and beyond. So to me that says all is agreed and the new board have been working together since January and I’m sure they’ve agreed a budget with Scott, otherwise he wouldn’t be in a position to offer new deals to the current squad or the 3 offers he’s made so far. 

[Footyfan007]

1 hour ago, GlenSTFC said:

Would love Temi back but as he’s under contract and it’s unlikely we’d pay a fee for him our only chance is another loan. Which is fine but depending on the length and recall option could make it tricky keeping a settled side. 
I think the following players will be let go: Hall, Hunt, Dobson, Walsh, Benyon, 

1 hour ago, SloughFlyer said:

Most seasons I have put my thoughts via various threads on the squad from last year moving into next year and having been absence recently from the forum and having just caught up, its pleasing to read from Scott that there maybe some announcements on retained players soon.

This season it has been more challenging to complete the squad lists and thoughts with all the changes etc, but I've come up with my thoughts below.

I'm 100% certain there will be some controversal ones as always, but if I'm going to be more active again, would anyone expect anything less😉

Loans

Will Dennis, Lucas Woodhouse, Temi Eweke, Matt Burgess, Francis Amarty, George Alexander - goes without saying that a few of these are outstanding footballers and we would be lucky to keep some of them, others not so much. Will Dennis has already indicated no return for him (which is a shame). Lucas Woodhouse from the 1st spell we had him would be an excellent retention, but didn't seem to come back the same player. Matt Burgess, didn't really see enough of him, but didn't come across as good enough for me. Francis Amarty - seems to be a big swell of love from the fans for him, but I have said all along since he left us, he isn't good enough for Step 2 (let alone Step1). For me his attitude isn't close to being what you want from a player at this level and I wouldn't want him back. George Alexander - shame to read Scott's comments on him with Bromley as he is clearly a cut above our level and would have him back in heartbeat. Temi Eweke - brilliant player and if there is even a possibility to sign him, we should be moving heaven and earth to get him to lead the back line next year.

GK

Rhys Forster - interesting one as I was surprised when we loaned him out to get Will Dennis (proved to be a good move). Not to sure if he would want to stay with us next year although all the right noises were made at the time of his loan to Ascot and he now has a Wembley final to look forward to. I would 100% keep him - BUT - I don't think he will stay and there will be a new face/s between the sticks next year.

DEF

Gabe George - Since Scott took over, Gabe is, IMO, the most improved player within the squad. I think the 3-5-2 wingback role suits him down to the ground and hiving that option moving forward would put him in my squad straight away.

Shane Bush - was MoM in the game we sponsored this year and I though was outstanding, growing into the role as CB over the few months he was with us. Good in air, mobile, good vision and touch - what more to be said, 100% retain.

Josh Jackman - Normal Josh performances for the most part and added some goals (joint golden boot) puts him in the squad for next year straight away for me. Not totally sold on him as Captain (more of a vice for me when you compare him to some of our previous Captains), but thats niether here nor there for retention.

Joe Dandy - quality young footballer IMO and always gives 100%. Another mobile player and very much in the modern centreback mold. 100% retain for me.

Matt Hall - not too sure what happened with him. I thought he made an very solid start early under Scott's leadership, got injured and then seemed to fall off/out of favour. I thought he showed good potential to make a CB place his own at this level and certainly as a squad player, I think he would make my squad.

To round out the defence for me (and I have no knowledge of the A23 set up) I would be looking to sign Temi as a full Slough player (or loan him for the season with no recall ability), sign an experienced LB (more defensively soild than Gabe and someone for Gabe to learn from) and possibly an academy RB to learn from Josh.

MID

Matt Lench - we all know my feelings on Lench from earlier in the season. I do believe however, as the season moved on, he grew as a player and started to put in good performances (when he was dropped slightly deeper IMO) and did enough to be retained (I know, pick yourselves up off the floor). The only thing I would say, is don't let him anywhere near deadball situations as his free kicks and corners are rubbish.

Scott Davies - probably keep him around as I've heard the manager is quite fond of him!!!!

George Hunt - I think this was one of the biggest shames of the season when he was loaned to Gosport. Whilst I 100% understand why, I think he should have been given more time in the starting 11 as since he joined us, I think he has been developing and moving in the right direction every season. 100% retain for me (although I suspect he will not be back as we won't be able to give him what he wants at this stage).

Tyrese Owen - another one that didn't get too much of a chance towards the last month of the season (except off the bench really). I think from what I saw, there is a footballer in there, but would be more suited to an attacking midfield spot behind 1 or 2 strikers. Would retain to give options moving forwards, but wouldn't be surprised if he didn't stay.

Jonny Goddard - no idea why everyone seems to be so high on him. He came to us having been dropped from the team in the play off finals. Now, there is no way of knowing why that move happened, but I would expect if St Albans wanted him, he would still be there. I don't think he performed to the levels of expectation he came in with and I'm certain there are better options out there, so I'd wish him the best and let him go.

For me the retention of Lench, Davies, Hunt and Owens gives us 1 starter in Lench, 1 tweener in Hunt (would be a starter for me) and Scott and Tyrese as squad players (to allow Scott to focus on more of the management side not on performance as I think there could be an argument to be made that Scott could have won player of the season). Midfield would be an area that needs a good rebuild for me and would be an area Scott would be well versed in being able to spot the right talent in. Add a couple of academy players in and then 2 quality level players (a big ball winning midfield is something we have been missing for a long time IMO) and a more creative, attacking option as well and that would be a decent midfield IMO.

ATT

Ogo Obi - been an advocate for him since seeing him at Hanwell 2 seasons ago and still think he has the potential to be a good stiker at this level (with his legs and effort being a second striker off of a poacher type would suit him down to the ground IMO). Would 100% retain.

Imran Kayani and Louis Walsh - I have put these 2 together as I believe they both have good potential and could grow into decent footballers at Step 2. The problem for me is more based on where and how they play the game v Slough's formation. It appears (and this might change obviously depending on squad next year) the Scott prefers the 3-5-2/5-3-2 formation, which doesn't allow wingers v wingbacks and for me both of these 2 are wingers rather than strikers. I think they have both shown promise, but not sure if they are worth keeping if we aren't going to give them playing time to develop. Possibly worth keeping and loaning out to see how they develop.

Elliott Benyon - has been, IMO, diabolical this season. Another player dropped from the other play off final team, and its not hard to see why. Scored 1 goal from December and apart from running about a bit, didn't seem to add much of anything on the pitch at all (also started to turn into Ben Harris #2 towards the end of the season, just throwing himself about trying to win freekicks but not as good as Ben at it!). Would let him go ASAP.

Attack is the biggest area of improvement clearly needed in our squad (as was evident by our right back being joint top goal scorer with a loan player that played 7 games for us and a poor version of an attacking midfielder). This will be a tough one for Scott and for me will dictate how we do next season. If we are looking to play 2 up front again next season, retain Obi, sign 2 new forwards (perhaps 1 on loan) and perhaps add an academy prospect as well could stand us in good stead.

I think its important to realise early doors that clearly the A23 guys will want to get some places in the squad filled with academy guys (similar to 2 seasons ago with Goueth, Lawal, Kayani and Tenconi) and this should be embraced as this is, IMO, the future of "smaller" non-league teams. It is also important to see the value of loans, as we have found out in the large part this season how much they can improve the squad overall.

As I said at the start, I'm sure there will be controversy on some of my comments above, but thats what I've seen this season. It will be interesting to see what other people have to say and reasons behind their thoughts on the team and squad moving forwards.

Looking forward to next season already and also throughout the summer when the squad is announced.

Sorry to report SF,  GH has moved on and signed elsewhere, which is now on social media.  Thx for your nice comments.  Loved his time at his local club and very grateful to the opportunity that he was given at Slough by the previous managers. 

[GlenSTFC]

11 minutes ago, Footyfan007 said:

 

Hunt has signed for Hampton, be interesting to see how he does there.

[Reading Rebel]

8 minutes ago, GlenSTFC said:

Hunt has signed for Hampton, be interesting to see how he does there.

Just this minute seen that.

Presumably not in Scott's plans for next season.

[Reading Rebel]

29 minutes ago, GlenSTFC said:

The club have publicly stated they expect no issues and will be continuing with their plans for the season gone and beyond. So to me that says all is agreed and the new board have been working together since January and I’m sure they’ve agreed a budget with Scott, otherwise he wouldn’t be in a position to offer new deals to the current squad or the 3 offers he’s made so far. 

So why no news of the new owner/fans forum if it's all done and dusted?

[rebelbrewer]

George Hunt has signed for Hampton. I'm personally disappointed about that.

[GlenSTFC]

Just now, rebelbrewer said:

George Hunt has signed for Hampton. I'm personally disappointed about that.

I’m not, from what I saw of him I just didn’t feel he offered enough. Sure he ran about and gave 100% but his passing range wasn’t great and not sure he’d scored many either.

11 minutes ago, Reading Rebel said:

So why no news of the new owner/fans forum if it's all done and dusted?

Because they’ve chosen to wait until it’s official to have this meeting. I think you’re overly stressing about this RR!

[Reading Rebel]

2 minutes ago, GlenSTFC said:

I’m not, from what I saw of him I just didn’t feel he offered enough. Sure he ran about and gave 100% but his passing range wasn’t great and not sure he’d scored many either.

Because they’ve chosen to wait until it’s official to have this meeting. I think you’re overly stressing about this RR!

 With the take over presumably our budget has gone up? if so Scott is currently offering players x amount of money not knowing 100% that the new ownership will go through.

It just seems a crazy way of going about things.

[Ian g f]

Eastbourne have announced the sale of their club the official announcement will be made by the end of May so 1 month 

[GlenSTFC]

Just now, Ian g f said:

Eastbourne have announced the sale of their club the official announcement will be made by the end of May so 1 month 

Sounds like a big investment and possibly turning them full time. 

[Guest Wycombe Rebel]

My opinion is keep Rhys, Gabe, Joe, Josh, Lenchy. Obviously Scotty!

Possibly Shane, Johnny and Elliot but I wouldn’t say they are starters next season.

The rest can go!

[Curtis]

We started this season with quite an ageing squad and without anybody that looked like a 15 goal striker….. probably due to the budget restraints.

For the coming season I hope we have a squad of four or five experienced players & then make the rest of the squad up with young, talented, enthusiastic, & ambitious players that want to use us as a stepping stone to a future career as full time professional players.

Scott has brought in numerous loan & dual registration players since he took over and I think in the likes of Dennis, Eweka & Alexander he has set a benchmark with regard to the level of quality we will require to do well in the coming season, and I’m convinced he will find them.

[Reading Rebel]

1 hour ago, Curtis said:

We started this season with quite an ageing squad and without anybody that looked like a 15 goal striker….. probably due to the budget restraints.

For the coming season I hope we have a squad of four or five experienced players & then make the rest of the squad up with young, talented, enthusiastic, & ambitious players that want to use us as a stepping stone to a future career as full time professional players.

Scott has brought in numerous loan & dual registration players since he took over and I think in the likes of Dennis, Eweka & Alexander he has set a benchmark with regard to the level of quality we will require to do well in the coming season, and I’m convinced he will find them.

When you say young, talented, enthusiastic and ambitious players do you mean players like in our under 23's who have no experience of playing senior football or just young players in general that are at other senior step 3 to 6 non league clubs?

You might unearth the odd gem or two but in general the best of the talented youngsters will either be at clubs higher up the pyramid or their agents will get them a move to a bigger club.

Personally I think a combination of 4 or 5 experienced players and the rest youngsters will get us relegated.

 

 

[Curtis]

7 hours ago, Reading Rebel said:

When you say young, talented, enthusiastic and ambitious players do you mean players like in our under 23's who have no experience of playing senior football or just young players in general that are at other senior step 3 to 6 non league clubs?

Without it appearing to be the clubs specific strategy, over the last two seasons we have seen the likes of Tenconi, Pruti, Dandy & George comfortably make the move up to senior football & establish themselves as good players at our level.

There will be lots of others out there, either being released from professional academies or late developers currently playing at a lower  level, and there will be lots of young players, the likes of Stevens, Adebayo, Alexander, & Dennis, who will be keen on being loaned out to get the experience of senior football.

Field of Dreams - ‘Build it & they will come’.

 

[Reading Rebel]

1 hour ago, Curtis said:

Without it appearing to be the clubs specific strategy, over the last two seasons we have seen the likes of Tenconi, Pruti, Dandy & George comfortably make the move up to senior football & establish themselves as good players at our level.

There will be lots of others out there, either being released from professional academies or late developers currently playing at a lower  level, and there will be lots of young players, the likes of Stevens, Adebayo, Alexander, & Dennis, who will be keen on being loaned out to get the experience of senior football.

Field of Dreams - ‘Build it & they will come’.

 

By all means introduce some youngsters into the first team squad, which I'm sure we will do via our under 23's, but to have 4 or 5 experienced players in our squad and the rest made up of youngsters is a recipe for disaster.

[Curtis]

Just a thought…… didn’t Michael Edegbe go out on a season long loan to Southall?
 

I think he is only 21, so presumably a decision would need to be made about whether to re-sign him. Southall finished mid table at Step 4, but does anybody know if he started regularly or if he progressed & had a good season?

[Curtis]

1 hour ago, Reading Rebel said:

By all means introduce some youngsters into the first team squad, which I'm sure we will do via our under 23's, but to have 4 or 5 experienced players in our squad and the rest made up of youngsters is a recipe for disaster.

This was the experience we had in the squad at the beginning of last season:-

North

Bird Togwell Hollis

Jackman Goddard Davies Lench Dobson

Harris Benyon

Average age : 31.5 

How did that work out?

[Ian g f]

4 hours ago, Curtis said:

Without it appearing to be the clubs specific strategy, over the last two seasons we have seen the likes of Tenconi, Pruti, Dandy & George comfortably make the move up to senior football & establish themselves as good players at our level.

There will be lots of others out there, either being released from professional academies or late developers currently playing at a lower  level, and there will be lots of young players, the likes of Stevens, Adebayo, Alexander, & Dennis, who will be keen on being loaned out to get the experience of senior football.

Field of Dreams - ‘Build it & they will come’.

 

Didn't Joe Dandy come from senior football also Pruti Tenconi is they only one to make a impact

[Reading Rebel]

8 minutes ago, Ian g f said:

Didn't Joe Dandy come from senior football also Pruti Tenconi is they only one to make a impact

Joe Dandy came from Bognor Regis and Pruti came from Hanwell.

Both young but with senior football experience.