Is the current squad good enough to stay in League 1

[barkis]

I know to some of you, this will feel like me jumping the gun, but as far as I'm concerned we're virtually up (I think we need one more point). Assuming we DO get promoted, how many of you think our current squad is good enough to survive or even thrive in League 1?

 

Though at times and in some matches we have played good passing football, I have to say that generally the standard of our football has been average at best, often resorting to aimless long balls, like at Rochdale on Saturday. Yes, we've scored loads of goals, but generally against poor League 2 defences and how many have been scored by slick passing football? While our often long ball game is partly a product of the need for "direct" football in the division we're in, how much of our lack of style is also down to a lack of genuine quality in the squad?

 

Here are my views on most of the major players in our current squad as per their likely performance in the next league up. They are not gospel, just my views, so I welcome a debate on this.

 

Neale - a good enough keeper for League 1. One of the best we've had in many years.

Yates - a very good defender, underrated by many (not me) and improving going forward - I think he'd be an asset in League 1 - definitely good enough in my view - like him alot

Jones - despite poor recent performances, good enough for League 1 but no higher

Purse - a good stopper in League 2 and a good talker, but slow and ageing and would probably be found out in League 1

McCombe - basically the same as Purse

Chilvers - despite a lack of pace he shares with Purse and McCombe, I actually think he reads the game pretty well and is a solid defender. I think he may be ok in League 1 with a faster central defensive partner with him - a bit like a poor man's Dean Glover.

Griffith - absolutely inspirational recent performances as a ball winner - along with Yates our most effective player in the last 3 or 4 matches, but don't think he's really good enough overall for League1

Loft - a lot will disagree with me, but though his work rate can't be faulted, I don't think his ability is League 1 standard, so though a "keeper", not sure he'll do well in the League above

Dodds - though often ineffective in games, has the ability to play at the higher level, so I'd keep him

Myrie-Williams - has genuine ability and pace, though inconsistent and can fade from games - but definitely League 1 standard

Vincent - really unsure on him - borderline League 1 standard but his pace is always an asset

Pope - love him to bits but even though we'd have to keep him, don't think he'll get to double figures in League 1, though really hope I'm wrong

Shuker - bit part player in League 2, and though has much needed passing and dead ball ability, just think he's too lightweight for the lowest two divisions

Hughes - has ability to thrive in League 1 (maybe 10-15 goals if played regularly) though ageing - would keep

Williamson - genuine asset of pace and I think he's one who could go on improving - so I'd definitely keep him for League 1

Andrew - 'fraid not!

Morsy - industrious but not much passing ability - doubt he'd do well in League 1

Duffy - think he could go on improving so one to keep I think as a squad player

Taylor - 'fraid not!

Birchall - borderline League 1 standard now though I'd probably keep as a squad player

 

As the current squad stands I think we'd struggle to survive in League 1 - we desperately need a few ball playing midfielders and a couple of centre backs, preferably with pace and who can pass the ball out of defence (though they won't come cheap) - think we also need one more decent striker - so I think we need at least 5 established League 1 or above quality players to survive or thrive should we get promoted (2 central defenders, 2 midfielders and a striker) - what do people think?

[cheshirevaliant]

I think we would survive with this squad, but to challenge the top 6 we need 4/5 new players at least.

[Seamus O'Wye]

In my opinion, not a chance.

[Burslem Academicals]

Is the current manager good enough to stay in league 1.......

[Regal Beagle]

we'd stay up I'm sure.

 

Given a new defence and a replacement for Ryan "Xavi" Burge then we should be at the very least mid table.

[PVFC764]

Think with additions to the squad we could be a mid table to play off team. The squad have that metal attitude to keep battling away now.

[Seamus O'Wye]

we'd stay up I'm sure.

 

Given a new defence and a replacement for Ryan "Xavi" Burge then we should be at the very least mid table.

 

...are you suggesting then, that without these additions, we are not good enough to stay up?

[the old bycars tea bar]

Not a chance im afraid at least 6 players of quality needed

[gavcradd]

If we kept all of the current squad, I think we'd finish towards the lower-half of mid table, perhaps 16th. To be in with a chance of pushing on and challenging for the play-offs, we need two new centre halves. I think Yates and Jones do well at full back but I'm not convinced by any of Purse, McCombe , Chilvers or Duffy. Apart from that, I'd be happy with a few more new faces to strengthen the squad without wholesale dismantling.

[onestepatatime]

Think we can achieve mid table with the present squad as there are a few poor teams in Division 1. However, to progress, as I have repeatedly stated throughout this season, we desperately need a midfield general who can control, slow things, pass and have a vision in addition a commanding, agile centre half. Need to spend plenty of dosh tough to get at least those 2 additions. Will Adams be given that sort of cash?

[cheshirevaliant]

If we kept all of the current squad, I think we'd finish towards the lower-half of mid table, perhaps 16th. To be in with a chance of pushing on and challenging for the play-offs, we need two new centre halves. I think Yates and Jones do well at full back but I'm not convinced by any of Purse, McCombe , Chilvers or Duffy. Apart from that, I'd be happy with a few more new faces to strengthen the squad without wholesale dismantling.

 

I'd like to see Duffy given a go at centre back, although the fact MA is preferring to go back to McCombe, Purse and Chilvers after all 3 have been dropped recently suggests he doesn't have a future there. He is an inferior right back to Yates, and has been all season.

[Regal Beagle]

...are you suggesting then' date=' that without these additions, we are not good enough to stay up?[/quote']

 

No. I don't think this squad is good enough to challenge the top end.

 

As my previous post said, we woudl stay up if we kept the current squad.

 

but we need to improve if we want to finish in the top half.

[nightmare in a damaged bra]

For me its easier to say who we should keep and tbh there would probably be 6 at a push.

[PV1993]

I've been thinking about this too recently. Although I don't think we're too far off League 1 standard, we do need some changes to the squad...

 

Goalkeepers

 

Chris Neal - Great 'keeper for this league. Been Mickeys best signing I think. Definately good enough. Verdict: Keep, first team

 

Sam Johnson - Good prospect, needs some experience though Verdict: Keep, Loan out

 

Ryan Boot - Same as Johnson, can't comment as I haven't seen him Verdict: Keep, Loan out

 

Defenders

 

Adam Yates - (RB/RWB/LB) Everytime he gets dropped he comes back a better player. Has been one of our better performers recently and deserves a chance in League 1 Verdict: Keep, squad player

 

Richard Duffy - (RB/CB) Not too sure on him. Haven't been that impressed by him when he's played but he is steady Verdict: Keep, squad player

 

John McCombe - (CB) He's been with us a while now but not too sure if he can make the step up, unfortunately. Good League 2 player Verdict: Release

 

Darren Purse - (CB) Makes a lot of mistakes for me and can't turn. Too slow and a bit past it I'm afraid Verdict: Release

 

Liam Chilvers - (CB) Has picked up recently a lot. Reads the game well and think he would really benefit from a MA pre-season Verdict: Keep, squad player

 

Clayton McDonald - (CB) Although he's on loan he is still with us! Still young and shows potential but think he wouldn't be all that effective in a higher league Verdict: Release

 

Joe Davis - (CB) Shows potential but Mickey doesn't show much faith in younger players. Definately one for the future but needs experience Verdict: Keep, loan out

 

Dougie Price - (CB) Haven't seen him play but must be decent to have been rewarded with a contract. he's only on a six month one though and with Mickey reluctant to give younger players a go, he'll need to go on loan and impress to earn an extended stay Verdict: Loan out

 

Tom Morris - (LB) Same as Davis, Johnson, Boot and Price. Needs competitive game time that he is not going to get at Vale Verdict: Loan out

 

Daniel Jones - (LB/LWB) Has been brilliant since he signed. Had a rare poor game against Aldershot but showed what he is all about against Burton, he was my MOTM despite all the goalscorers that night. Verdict: Keep, first team

 

Midfielders

 

Jennison Myrie-Williams - (RM/RW/LM/LW) Has been recognised by other managers as a dangerous player. Has great ability and speed. He's still young so he can get better. Over the summer I hope he practices on using his right foot for crossing and tracking back. If he does this he will be just as dangerous and we will have a strong right side. However if he fails to track back we could be really weak there... Verdict: Keep, first team

 

Chris Shuker - (CM/RM) The only player we have who can take a decent set piece really. However he's too lightweight in the centre unless in a midfield three. We could probably get someone to replace him Verdict: Release

 

Sam Morsy - (CDM/CM) I really rate Sam so should be kept on. Maybe loan him out for a season or just keep as a squad player. Verdict: Keep, loan/squad player

 

Kingsley James - (CM) Same as Morsy. Has potential but needs game time Verdict: Keep, loan out

 

Doug Loft - (CM/LB/LM) Consistently reliable. Contrary to the OP I think he will be fine in League 1. Must say though I prefer him on the Left with Jones, just needs to stop dropping into the centre Verdict: Keep, first team

 

Rob Taylor - (LB/LWB/LM/LW) An exciting player going forward. He has good pace and can cross a ball. He has proven in the cup that he can do it against the bigger teams. I remember Scunthorpe, Sheffield Wednesday and Burnley all saying he was a major threat. However he does lack the footballing brain, so maybe League 1 is too much of a step up. If we did keep him I wouldn't play him at left back, just keep him as an impact sub for the wings Verdict: Keep, squad player OR release

 

Ashley Vincent - (LM/LW) At the start of the season he was on fire. However before his injury he trailed off, badly. I think he could do a job, just like Taylor - coming off the bench. I think we should keep either Taylor OR Vincent, but certainly not both Verdict: Keep, squad player OR release

 

Louis Dodds - (RM/CM/LM/CAM/ST) Can be inconsistent but has the element of flair that we will desperately need. I think he will thrive in a higher league to be honest. For me he should start every game, and then if he goes missing that means the opposition has marked him out of the game and that's what subs are for, like Williamson. If we are going to play two wingers like JMW and Vincent then we need Dodds to keep the midfield balanced Verdict: Keep, first team

 

Strikers

 

Tom Pope - (ST) Deservedly got League 2 player of the season. Has been great for us all season and I hope will be fine in League 1. Certainly deserves the chance anyway Verdict: Keep, first team player

 

Lee Hughes - (ST) Great goal scorer as he has proven. I wasn't keep on his signing at first. Not for what he has done but for playing with Pope. However they have been playing well together recently. Bit old to have a massive impact but can still play a part for 60 minutes or from the bench Verdict: Keep, squad player

 

Ben Williamson - (ST) The super sub. I'm sure he'd like to start more but 10 goals from the bench is a good stat to have. Deserves a chance to see if he can do it in League 1 too Verdict: Keep, squad player

 

Calvin Andrew - (RW/LW/ST) COULD have had the potential to be a decent squad player. However Mickey plays him either alongside Pope or on the wing. For me, he is a replacement for if Pope is tired/injured. Regardless, that is based on League 2. Not enough quality to play League one I don't think Verdict: Release

[Emile]

Mickeys pre season will be enough to keep us up as we will be quick off the mark to get points on the board.

 

To challenge for back to back;

 

2X centre back

1x creative midefielder

1x striker

 

Plus some additional squad players