8 minutes ago, blackdog said:

I'm pretty certain the shot was from Tommy Gore how Southall saved that I'll never know, I remember the Bury fans going mad because he had been on loan with them earlier on , it was a bit lairy on the car park after if my memory serves me well.

I wouldn't swear to it but I think Bury actually sold him to Everton. I'm 99% sure it was Tommy Gore, it was was certainly a great strike and to be fair deserved to be a goal.

2 minutes ago, JRC said:

I wouldn't swear to it but I think Bury actually sold him to Everton. I'm 99% sure it was Tommy Gore, it was was certainly a great strike and to be fair deserved to be a goal.

Your correct I've checked up on Wiki, Bury sold him to Everton and then he came on loan to us only played 9 games but he certainly left his mark.

2 hours ago, Guitar Ray said:

No way on earth we won’t get a player in to at least cover Stockley.  Could be a loan, if we’re lucky someone experienced.  We bought Jerry in for some physicality up top last season but he wasn’t ready.  Forwards are always in huge demand and we’ll be down the pecking order so chances are we’ll have to be patient.

I see the Waine signing as a low risk punt.  In the right role he could be great, but as we’ve seen with Tolaj and Paton, to name 2, any player needs to be in their best position to be fully effective.

We have 5 forwards now in Waine, Stockley,  Curtis, Tolaj and Paton. Plus Shipley who has some experience there. I think one has to leave to add one. Despite any talk Waine hasn't joined at Tolaj's replacement; if he leaves there will be money spent. Unless players leave I think that's the squad for August.  Maybe some loans later in the window. 

It's been a strange window, although we entered it with no obviously weak area. 7 in, one just replacing himself in the squad permanently. Of the others only Humphreys and probably Gabriel look sure fire starters, with Clark stiff competition for the latter. Marosi and Amos likely to be close. Gordon will be behind Headley, although both have played further forward. Not fully sure Gordon is ahead of Shorrock.  Really not sure where Shipley fits into last seasons formation. Waine certainly not an obvious signing but Moore must see something he likes if they were in discussions before last season ended. Very much doubt he was first choice but somewhere on Moore's list of targets.

Is Moore going to stick with 3 5 2; or is his master plan somewhat different? Is Paton this seasons scoring sensation or an unfortunate flop? Does Moore really see John as part of his back 3, or at wingback? Can George Byers stay fit all season? Will the highly talented Rico Richards get the starting spot his talent deserves, if so where? What is a realistic target position in our first season back in League 1. Plenty more discussion for the next month and a day before we start to get some answers. What is clear the owners have backed Moore and this is now very much the squad he has chosen.

JRC summing it up nicely for me. A lot of unknowns which just adds to the excitement. Up to DM to get a tune out of the squad, he certainly has options. For me a loan Stockley back up and maybe a CB but I’m feeling good about this. 

Best dressed team award already in the bag. 
 

UTV

7 hours ago, JRC said:

Thought you were hallucinating but it's true. Prior to this signing I thought Crosby was building a decent side. It's not Lowe's fault but he can barely run now. Maybe useful for 5 minutes at the end of a game to shore up the midfield protecting a lead. Maybe ok as a backup to Smith. Seems a decent enough fellow. 

Can only see him being signed with a potential for him to gain his training badge or for what he can offer off the pitch not on it. Never expected him to be playing league football after last season. 

Fate worse than death after he left us I'm afraid...a few seasons at South Staffordshire's premier promotion bottlers!

Oh that's not good

im really happy that weve gone for stability in this league we are in a far better position in my opinion than we were last time we went up and im really happy with the business weve done. a special thanks must go to the owners who have clearly backed the manager and must take a huge amount of credit for building something special here. this club is in a million times better shape than it was under our last stewardship. 

I count a team of 29 players. The only weakness as I put them down is possibly centre back cover (even then Hart probably needs to go).
 

This list of mine includes youth players in Davies, Lomax, Shorrock, Agnero.

 

There might be a loan in there somewhere to come in but certain players would have to go if we recruit any more. 
 

It’s a lot people still want another striker as well. I’d love proper Stockley cover too but difficult to find that profile happy to sit on the bench that could make an impact at this level?
 

Players likely to leave IMO or we’d ship:

 

Davies (loan to NL again)

Heneghan

Lomax (loan to NL) 

Shorrock

Hart

Agnero (loan to NL)

Plant

Ojo

Paton

I'm not entirely sure what people were expecting this summer. You’d argue that, with the players we already have under contract, they’re more than good enough to go again – this time in League One.

A midfield of Garrity, Croasdale, Walters and Byers is comfortably League One standard. We've now added Rico and Shipley, who both bring something different to the mix.

Up front, Stockley, Curtis and especially Tolaj are all clearly ready for this level. We've brought in Waine, and I fully expect another forward to come in to push Stockley and add more competition.

The only real concern I had at the end of last season was the goalkeeper and the defence.

From all accounts, Morosi is a solid League One keeper with plenty of experience at this level. He should complement Amos well and offer good competition.

In defence, we've signed two clear starters in Gabriel and Humphreys – both of whom have played regularly in League One or higher. We've also brought in Gordon at left wing-back, which gives healthy competition for Headley and allows Shorrock to either play in a more natural position further forward or go out on loan to get regular minutes. I fully expect Moore to bring in another centre-back as well.

The recruitment and the squad as a whole are night and day compared to 2022/23 - 2023/2024. We were never going to bring in 7 or 8 new starters – that was never realistic. I think some people need to manage their expectations a bit better.

8 hours ago, JRC said:

Thought you were hallucinating but it's true. Prior to this signing I thought Crosby was building a decent side. It's not Lowe's fault but he can barely run now. Maybe useful for 5 minutes at the end of a game to shore up the midfield protecting a lead. Maybe ok as a backup to Smith. Seems a decent enough fellow. 

I always worried if we had to rely on Lowe to start a game but we very rarely had to and he was limited to shoring things up when we were holding the lead close to full time. A good experienced professional, that obviously doesn't kick up a stink if he's not playing and Moore said what a great character he was in the dressing room.....sometimes that is vital for a team to be successful. Tranmere are a well supported club (although I can't stand their match commentators), so I'm hoping they have a successful season.

Forward line I'm content with. CB cover I think we could do with but Moore may see that he has Debra, Cam and Ben for that position. If Deb comes across in the middle if Cam is suspended/injured/rested, then you'd think John would go RCB. I liked the link up between John & Clark last year.

We were a little unlucky with injuries last season! We could have walked the league with a bit more luck on the injury front. Now it seems DM is covering all eventualities so we have to be optimistic. So far the business done seems well thought and appropriate.

GK:

Marosi, Amos, Davies

 

WB:

Gabriel, Mitch, Lomax

Headley, Gordon, Shorrock

 

CB:

John, Debrah

Humphreys, Heneghan

Hall, Hart

 

MID:

Shipley, Byers, Croasdale, Walters 

Garrity, Rico, Ojo, Agnero

 

ATT:

Curtis, Plant

Stockley, Waine

Tolaj, Paton

 

17 minutes ago, Portvale4 said:

I fully expect Moore to bring in another centre-back as well.

Based on the above, weakest part of the squad for me. Could even be a loan option at centre back potentially. 

As I said before we did our signings last summer at League One level despite in League Two... had we stayed up and signed the players we did last summer we'd have still be happy with the business, Byers, Curtis, Stockley, Headley, Amos and Heneghan are all League One level signings, Tolaj, Croasdale and John look like they could easily step up after a season in L2 and we know Garrity and Clark are capable... add in the resurgence of Rhys Walters and we had a very good base to just tweak... evolution rather than revolution.

We still need another good League One centre half for me though... if we lose Humphreys to injury we are back down to a back three that wasn't overly up to anything 18 months ago at this level so I think that is still a crucial addition.

A permanent solid centre half, back up to Stockley (Perm or Loan) and a loan Right Winger and I think we are good to go.

12 hours ago, Griffalo said:

I remember that save - he seemed horizontal 5 feet off the ground .. it was around bonfire night early 80s 

I was there that day.  Brilliant save.