1 minute ago, valiant_593 said:

With our squad I don’t see us setting up 343 when the season starts. Our squad looks perfect for 352. 

 Nice to have alternative systems, let the opposition play guessing games.

I think last season showed you need a few systems over a 50+ game season.

We did well with 343, looked great with 352, often switched to a back 4 if pushing for goals (and scored a few late winners/equalisers from it).

12 minutes ago, JoeB2 said:

I think last season showed you need a few systems over a 50+ game season.

We did well with 343, looked great with 352, often switched to a back 4 if pushing for goals (and scored a few late winners/equalisers from it).

We have better and  a wider range of players now, so should be more flexible and adaptable, as will the other teams be in L1. Bring it on.

3 hours ago, Splodger said:

I'm sure that the manager knows what he's doing....I don't know if you noticed that he actually got us promoted 🤣...in DARREN WE TRUST 👍

Forgive me, I thought this was a forum for sharing thoughts and opinions.

Edited July 16, 2025Jul 16 by Stockleys_socks

6 hours ago, Fosse69 said:

We have better and  a wider range of players now, so should be more flexible and adaptable, as will the other teams be in L1. Bring it on.

I think we'll have to be; particularly regarding Stockley. We brought in Umolu last season who is quite highly rated and a similar build. He could do some things Stockley can't but couldn't do what Stockley does. Tolaj is pretty good back to goal. To be fair to Curtis he wins a lot of headers and has a good leap. Stockley offers both but lacks the mobility of either. In my time watching we've only really had Ernie Moss, Tom Pope (until he lost the ability to jump), Jamie Proctor (when fit) and possibly Lee Mills that have offered the same skill set as Stockley.  There have been quite a few as good in the air, or as good back to goal. 

Edited July 17, 2025Jul 17 by JRC

On 15/07/2025 at 22:16, Dol Boy said:

Evans has too much baggage and has never fully regained his form after being inside, imo.

Also he is 36 now!!!! Not exactly what we are looking for.

I think some people just forget, especially with the passage of time and assume players can still play at a level they were 3-4 years ago.
 

In football terms that’s a long time and a third of their careers, generally speaking. 
 

I’m guessing the ones saying they’d have him are still riding on his previous reputation and oblivious to his age. When you factor it in it can’t be a serious suggestion for us as a L1 club. If we were struggling near bottom of L2 I’d be able to understand it more that we might want him. 

3 hours ago, JRC said:

I think we'll have to be; particularly regarding Stockley. We brought in Umolu last season who is quite highly rated and a similar build. He could do some things Stockley can't but couldn't do what Stockley does. Tolaj is pretty good back to goal. To be fair to Curtis he wins a lot of headers and has a good leap. Stockley offers both but lacks the mobility of either. In my time watching we've only really had Ernie Moss, Tom Pope (until he lost the ability to jump), Jamie Proctor (when fit) and possibly Lee Mills that have offered the same skill set as Stockley.  There have been quite a few as good in the air, or as good back to goal. 

Marc Richards?

Ronaldo Futcher would be fine

37 minutes ago, Rampant Zebra said:

Marc Richards?

A lot shorter, very strong hold up play. Steve Brooker was similar but a better player. Andy Jones was also a bull of a man with his back to goal. Someone like Beckford was on a par heading wise but his hold up play wasn't as good. Much more mobile than Stockley.

9 hours ago, Stockleys_socks said:

Forgive me, I thought this was a forum for sharing thoughts and opinions.

Im sorry if I hurt you're itty bitty whittle feelings but I never said you couldn't share your thoughts or opinions,you obviously don't take criticism well 🤔🤣

Edited July 17, 2025Jul 17 by Splodger

2 hours ago, ginginator said:

Ronaldo Futcher would be fine

Futcher was an awesome player for us in 88-89, but his invisible friends he used to pass to were rubbish!  To be fair he had played most of his career at a higher level and often his team-mates didn't make the movement he expected them to.

Freddie Lawroe passed his medical at Man City wonder what our sell on clause was

1 hour ago, Southern_Valiant said:

Freddie Lawroe passed his medical at Man City wonder what our sell on clause was

The upfront fee must have been big so you wonder if it was on the lower end of the spectrum. Still, how much have Man C paid for the U17s England captain to have allowed him to leave in this crazy age of transfer fees? £5m? £10m? When do Vales 2024 accounts come out? I'm intrigued to work out how much we got upfront from Dipepa. I'd be shocked if the overall package was less than 7 figures.

6 hours ago, WilliamBriscoe said:

Also he is 36 now!!!! Not exactly what we are looking for.

Whats age got to do with it?