15 minutes ago, man in the pub said:

Very much feel that as much as this squad was criticised, justly so in some cases, put 2 goalscoring strikers into that same side and we stayed up. It wasn't a terrible goals against column that took us down but a terrible goals for column. We didn't seem to have learnt that  strikers with records like Lofty and Uche wont keep you up. 

So yes look to improve us all over the pitch but please take my main point on board and focus on bringing in 2 genuine goalscoring strikers. Use Stockley and Waine as backup.

Defensive record was solid mid-table. Goals scored only Wednesday below us across the whole EFL.

1 minute ago, JRC said:

Defensive record was solid mid-table. Goals scored only Wednesday below us across the whole EFL.

Perhaps JRC you ought to send that stat to our recruitment team. 

3 hours ago, JRC said:

Not an awful lot of interest in most of the last 136 pages.

The most interesting list of released players is MK Dons. Alongside Bradford they are an example of a club hitting the lower tier, backing manager after manager with a raft of relatively expensive players, sacking the manager then repeating the process. Not really surprising they have released good player as they ended up with a massive squad. A lot of good players have been there, been average whilst there and then become good players after leaving. There are 5 on their released list who certainly when playing as they have at previous clubs would have got into our matchday squad last season.

A bit of chat about Josh Thomas. Looking at his career post his loan with us he really has done very little. Perhaps not quite as good overall as some remember, or thought at the time. His better performances were in EFL Trophy and League Cup games, a little similar to Paton. Maybe one of those players who looks like Maradona a step below the EFL but struggles at the next level up to make a meaningful impact. He's also had injury issues. Ultimately he's struggled to get into Derry City's team regularly for whatever reason this season, so I would doubt he will be on the radar of any EFL club for anything other than a preseason trial. 

Sheriff isn't what we need at the moment. Size and pace but he needs a lot of work to get him to EFL level. We have Waine who has been a bit in and out, Stockley who is past his prime and struggled with injuries this season. We really need a couple of strikers who are ready to play. He reminded me a bit of Thierry Small when he was at the club. All the physical attributes to be a good player but a couple of seasons away from being at that level. Would be a very much a project player and there is no guarantee he would make it. If we had 2 strikers already you could be confident in 35 plus good games a season it would be different.

Look where Thierry Small is now.  Have to say I thought he was pants when he was with us; Preston fans are loving him.

If we signed Sherrif as a perm I think he is something that Brady could develop into something; there's a good player in there somewhere - if we could tease that out of him he'd be terrifying to EFL2 opponents.

 

46 minutes ago, Osh said:

Look where Thierry Small is now.  Have to say I thought he was pants when he was with us; Preston fans are loving him.

If we signed Sherrif as a perm I think he is something that Brady could develop into something; there's a good player in there somewhere - if we could tease that out of him he'd be terrifying to EFL2 opponents.

 

There's quite a list of players who didn't do so well here, and went on to a better career anyway. 

Sherif I wasn't that impressed with last season but there's a lot of things going on to mitigate that and a striker only as good as the service he gets. Hope he has a better season next if its with us but I wouldn't be upset if he didn't come either. 

4 hours ago, man in the pub said:

Perhaps JRC you ought to send that stat to our recruitment team. 

I suspect they are very aware of it. As were all our opponents last season.

2 hours ago, Osh said:

Look where Thierry Small is now.  Have to say I thought he was pants when he was with us; Preston fans are loving him.

If we signed Sherrif as a perm I think he is something that Brady could develop into something; there's a good player in there somewhere - if we could tease that out of him he'd be terrifying to EFL2 opponents.

 

He was poor in Scotland as well. Some players do find it hard to adjust to first team football. Both he and Sherif probably relied on being physically bigger than most players in their age group. Playing first team they were coming up against pros who they couldn't just overpower. There's no reason Sherif can't come good at his age. Equally there's no guarantee.

Edited May 16May 16 by JRC

RETAINED LIST SUMMER 2026 - Colchester United FC

 

Not sure if this has been put on or not

Colchester fans aren't happy at all that keeper  Matt Macey has been released

Also i would be looking at Owura Edwards who is in talks over a new deal

17 hours ago, darren1810 said:

Would not be shocked at all if we went in for Archer. I know he split opinion on here and all his goals were cracking free kicks. We need contribution from midfield and wide players. I felt he's a bit weak physically but I wouldn't be shocked if he's back. 

I can see us paying fees for a couple of players.

Callum Stead is realistic if he's prepared to move North.  Though he's available on a free. 

And though he's been mentioned as potentially going to League one I feel Isaac Hutchinson fits the bill. Again a fee required, maybe circa 150k. 

Must admit I'm ambivalent on Archer, 3 amazing free kicks and one superb assist for Sherif (?) but much of the rest of his play was below par, Perhaps a real lack in confidence?

I remember one game where there was a long injury break in play and Archer was going though the skill drills on the pitch, stepovers, Cryuff turns etc, he'd got all the moves and tricks. Made me think there's a skillful player in there but he's currently like the golfer who has difficulty taking his quality practice ground game to the course, if so and Archer can find the key he will be some player.

This summer's transfer window is going to be very interesting and important, Vale have to get it right.

2 minutes ago, Paul6754 said:

Must admit I'm ambivalent on Archer, 3 amazing free kicks and one superb assist for Sherif (?) but much of the rest of his play was below par, Perhaps a real lack in confidence?

I remember one game where there was a long injury break in play and Archer was going though the skill drills on the pitch, stepovers, Cryuff turns etc, he'd got all the moves and tricks. Made me think there's a skillful player in there but he's currently like the golfer who has difficulty taking his quality practice ground game to the course, if so and Archer can find the key he will be some player.

This summer's transfer window is going to be very interesting and important, Vale have to get it right.

Both need different clubs?

2 minutes ago, Paul6754 said:

Must admit I'm ambivalent on Archer, 3 amazing free kicks and one superb assist for Sherif (?) but much of the rest of his play was below par, Perhaps a real lack in confidence?

I remember one game where there was a long injury break in play and Archer was going though the skill drills on the pitch, stepovers, Cryuff turns etc, he'd got all the moves and tricks. Made me think there's a skillful player in there but he's currently like the golfer who has difficulty taking his quality practice ground game to the course, if so and Archer can find the key he will be some player.

This summer's transfer window is going to be very interesting and important, Vale have to get it right.

Agree and I think the fact that Luton keep loaning him out rather than giving him a chance there tells a tale. 

I'm not averse to him coming back but we can't afford to have  too many " projects " .

George Hall also needs to vastly improve his assists and goals output. He looks great at times but much like Archer there is no end product. 

 

Tovide is available from Colchester
I think he might go higher though

8 hours ago, philmpv said:

19 hours ago, Alfie1962 said:

Would not take McJannet after watching him tonight, looked to be a slow useless lump tbh

That's that then

Unless we are after a slow usless lump, yes.

18 minutes ago, vale victory said:

Tovide is available from Colchester
I think he might go higher though

When I have watched hi this season I have not really been impressed! I know he scored a great goal against us a couple of seasons ago! but Smudge should have stopped him before he got anywhere near our goal.

Tovide only 22 years old so still time for him to progress, I’d offer him a contract.

Would really like us to bid for Aaron Drinnan just to piss the Swindon lot off 🤣top scorer this season too.

Would offer Macey a contract too decent at this level.

Edited May 16May 16 by Keyvale