One thing that has struck me over the last few years is the growing gap between each of the four tiers. For example, the three promoted teams were all relegated from the Premier for the second year running.

I’ve watched a fair bit of L1 footy this season and the pace, quality, control and potent attacking play has been a salutary watch. So. I think we will need to strengthen our current squad substantially if we are not to struggle, right through the spine of the team: GK, CBs, midfield and strikers.

I don’t expect DM will be a bit sentimental so we may see some surprising departures and, hopefully, some Championship level players.

Should be a great close season! 

14 minutes ago, MBE said:

I flip flopped on Sang but think his versatility clinched it rather than being outstanding at one particular thing.

I would like to see wingers as an alternative to 352 and allows us to manage games in a different way. Got to get pace into this team.

Sang has been better this season but I think that is mostly down to the opposition being considerably worse. I don’t think he is anywhere near good enough as a defender, he is not good enough in the center as he is not the best passer and his strength is his crossing, which means he would be uses as a wing back/ winger but I think Clark and John are far better in this position.

I agree with what you are saying regarding the wingers but I cannot see Moore playing them, Benicio was the best winger we’ve had this season and he was soon got rid of. 

We definitely need to move the ball quicker, that was pretty evident yesterday. We don’t play enough quick triangles and we need Rhys to be that ball carrier/dribbler/physical presence in midfield. We also need to have wide CB’s who can bring the ball out of defence / move into midfield. Not much to ask.

Sang, Smith, Chislett, Debrah, Lowe, Jones, Hart, Heneghan, Harper, Ojo, Plant in my head all need releasing / loaning out.

Rico 2 years, John 2 years, Clark 1 year (can’t have too many on the payroll who can’t be trusted with injuries. Garrity and Byers will already miss 1/3 each at least.)

It’s a business and we need to be serious about staying up. We’re going to be a small fish in a big pond, so every bit of the squad budget needs to be used on players who are either of L1 calibre, or have a realistic possibility of making the step up and developing. Taking players who have failed at that level up with us, now older and further down the pecking order, makes no sense. 

I want Smith, Sang etc. to stay as much as the next fan, but we’ll just bounce up and down if the squad doesn’t move forward. We have limited flexibility and we have to use it. 

However, it’s not a sad ending. Their last memory with us would be sealing promotion and righting a horrible wrong last time out in League 1. They’ll have teams banging down the door to sign them up; a promotion winning defence that lost 10 league games, which they regularly featured in. They’ll walk into another contract and probably demand 2/3 years.

I can see Darren offering Debrah and maybe at a push Sang something, but the others I’d be amazed at, and if I had to bet I’d say he’ll move them all on somehow.

Key words written on the mind map in the League 1 prep office:

Pace, width, strength, centre backs, injury-resistant, decent, experienced

Going to switch off from the football for a few weeks now, but before I do, I will say that I hope we push on again this summer & learn some lessons.

We need a new GK & a complete overhaul in defence. Our back line is not League 1 standard. 

I'd like a couple of additions in midfield/wing. Rico would be a great signing & I'd love to see us have a pop at getting Imray who has been at Bromley this year.

Couple of new faces up top as well would be ideal.

If we can add some pace to the side & a solid defence/GK, there's no reason we can't do well next season.

Big summer & I wouldnt be surprised to see us splash again!

Has anybody else heard the rumour that Carol has received an offer that is too good to ignore, to buy the club?

Sang is nowhere near good enough in my opinion. Not quick enough to play wing back, not a good enough passer to play in midfield, and he has a brain fart in him that will be punished in league 1. It would be a waste of a wage and a squad place.

Saw a Stockport game earlier in the season, impressed me how well they kept the ball.

This was our team for the 1st game back in league 1 last time. We can't be this naive again. Aiden Stone nowhere near league 1, Cass looked alright initially but wasn't good enough, Worrall was great but his legs had virtually gone at this point, Charsley nowhere near league 1 standard, Benning just been relegated from league 1 with Shrewsbury, Proctor a good league 2 striker but he was past his prime and was always close to being out with injury. Then a first year professional attacking midfielder as the other striker. I know we had a quick turnaround but we were devastatingly underprepared and then we had too much to do to make that squad competitive in the following season.

I remember the Exeter game early doors where we lost 4-0, were absolutely murdered and praying for the transfer window to open as we were playing McDermot up front by then.

Edited May 4, 20251 yr by Biddulph_PV

I would 100% keep Smudge. Since he has come back into the team the defence has been solid. He is, in my opinion, the best out and out and defender. He made Matty Stevens look very average against Wimbledon.

I cant see why anyone would want to keep Rico. He has been so inconsistent. He started well, but has gone backwards. I'd have a gamble on another Premier League loan player. I wouldn't take a punt on any of the loan players, including Cover.

We clearly need a new keeper, another striker who push Stockley a creative midfielder (to replace Chizzy and Richards), plus a ball playing defender.

In respect of Sang, I like him. Yes he was poor in League one, but so was the whole team. I think it very much depends on who the replacement would be, but I'd be ok if he stays.

I'm seeing thoughts that Mitch may be going. I thought he was still under contract. He has been fantastic this year and I'd definitely keep him. His and Headley is an excellent wing back pair.

I really want Paton to work, but I don't see it at the moment. I hope he goes out on loan to a League 2 club next year to prove himself. Fingers crossed he can make it as he is such a great personality.

This was our team for the 1st game back in league 1 last time. We can't be this naive again. Aiden Stone nowhere near league 1, Cass looked alright initially but wasn't good enough, Worrall was great but his legs had virtually gone at this point, Charsley nowhere near league 1 standard, Benning just been relegated from league 1 with Shrewsbury, Proctor a good league 2 striker but he was past his prime and was always close to being out with injury. Then a first year professional attacking midfielder as the other striker. I know we had a quick turnaround but we were devastatingly underprepared and then we had too much to do to make that squad competitive in the following season.

The line up that started v Barnsley the season after (7-0) was even weaker.

The line up that started v Barnsley the season after (7-0) was even weaker.

Jones, Smith and Cass as our defensive 3 was asking for trouble. Harrison and Massey up front....what were we thinking? Crosby just couldn't attract a decent standard of player and he clearly wasn't helped by Flitcroft.

Without singling out individual players, in general we need to add more pace and flair to the squad, some more goals up top, primarily to cover Stockley, and a keeper to at least challenge Amos.  Beyond that it’s about trimming the squad and holding onto our best players.  We may have to make a decision on some of our youngsters.  Hopefully, any loan players will make more of a contribution than we’ve seen from several of this seasons loanees.

As much as I like him and his attitude I wouldn’t be surprised to see Curtis go. 
 

He couldn’t nail down a place in league 2 so in hope that we’re bringing in more quality he will find himself further away from the starting 11 , and I can’t see him settling to be a bit part player.