Squad for Next Season

[adycrean]

Bit premature maybe as we aren’t yet out of a relegation battle - but my thoughts below on who we keep / release for next season (…hope I haven’t missed anyone).

There are some key questions…
• Assume budget will be tight, and much lower than first half of this season. So loan players, younger signings will be key
• Do Thomas and Hughes have another 12 months in them?
• Smith and Waldron - would argue they haven’t kicked on as much as hoped this season. They have to next year
• Loanees – a cheap and effective way of building the squad. Must maximise this

Overall - think as a minimum we need:
1. new GK to back up Vaughan
2. new full back if Weir goes
3. new central midfielder – Donnellan like replacement
4. Striker (or 2) – Hughes if he stays will not play every game.

What do others think….

Retain:
Vaughan
---------
Minihan
Smith
Gudger
Thomas – has he got another season in him?
Sharp
Morris – has done enough to warrant another season I would think
---------
Jackman
Gater
Waldron
Ologu - unproven
Dunkley
Ward-Cochrane - unproven
---------
Hughes – would give him another season (pay as you play?)
Nti

Maybe:
• Weir – good enough, but hasn’t managed many games this season
• Burton – will he play much?
• Nash - unknown

Release:
• McDonald

Loanees:
• Ross
• Donellan
• Murphy
• Bakayoko

[thatloudbloke]

my thoughts

new GK dependant on Vaughan or backup
Ideas
Dan Farrell Brackley
Shaun ROWLEY Halesowen town

new central midfielder
ideas
Liam Marshall from Corby


Striker center forward who can score & hold onto ball when needed
ideas
Steve Diggin Brackley
Jordan Nadat Sutton Coldfield

Retain:
Vaughan
---------
Weir
Minihan
Smith
Gudger
Thomas on pay per play
Sharp
Morris
---------
Jackman
Gater
Waldron
Ologu
Ward-Cochrane
Nash
---------
Hughes on pay per play
Nti
Dunkley
Burton on pay per play

Release:
• McDonald

Loanees:
Ross definitely hope we can have him again
Donellan definitely hope we can have him again
Murphy verdict out on him must change his ideas & stop trying to beat the same player then lose posetion
Bakayoko not sure
Cleet liked this lad

[stamoo]

Blimey fellas, a BIT premature? That's like saying Madonna is a bit of a show off! We still have 10 games to go, almost a quarter of the season!! I don't see any value in having this discussion now, things can change so quickly and in any event what will we talk about in the Summer?

[blueandwhitearmy]

Let Hughes and Deon go, Spend as long as possible on finding the ST we need, Atleast one Winger needed, Probably another CB as Thommo will probably retire. Back Up for Nathan and a replacement for Tyler if he goes if he stays we still need a back up.

[thesecondjack]

Mar 17, 2016 21:00:27 GMT stamoo said:

Blimey fellas, a BIT premature? That's like saying Madonna is a bit of a show off! We still have 10 games to go, almost a quarter of the season!! I don't see any value in having this discussion now, things can change so quickly and in any event what will we talk about in the Summer?

I was just thinking the same!! wait until this time next month, then we'll probably have a chance to see ologu, ward cochrane and the likes too, so can make a more informed decision!


This all said, Clayton McDonalds really does need to go.

[The sound and the fury]

A hell of a lot can and will happen between now and May. The only certainties are that Clayton McDonald will not have his contract renewed and that there will be lots of noises in the media about players being off etc.

[stgeorge]

We are 5 points from relegation so it's hard to make a case for many staying but for the sake of continuity -

Players to keep -

Vaughan
Minihan
Weir (will probably go to Hereford)
Gudger
Sharp
Thomas (as coach)
Smith

Dunkley
Jackman
Gator

Nit
Perry

Players to release

McDonald
Ologu
Burton (because of age)
Hughes (because of age)

Players to sign

Goalkeeper
Left back
Centre back
3 midfielders
2 strikers

[The Verner]

I would keep Hughes as player/coach....without his goals this season we would have been further down the table.

I would keep Ologu to see how he progresses...not easy to make an impression mid season

[jimbo]

I'd leave it to the management team because they're keeping us afloat !!!!!!!!!!!

[adycrean]

Interesting after Carl's comments yesterday - will far more players than expected be shipped out over the summer?

Or was that more fuelled by his obvious annoyance straight after last night's defeat?

[thatloudbloke]

Carl should not have come out with the comments, whether true or not with the team in this precarious position, we need motivation within the team & this will not help as the lads may say sod it i might not be here next year so it does not matter what happens in the last two games.

we need to look at keeping some of these lads that have done us proud in lots of games & yes discipline has been atrocious, but deal with it in giving the offenders with financial punishment, & if they get suspended not just let them straight back into the team once they have served the punishment, make them earn their place, not like has happened this year.

[leon]

So of the current squad who have had red cards are all of the following to be released?

Vaughan, Morris, McDonald, Sharpe, Thomas, Weir, Nti and Hughes.

Golden rule of post match interviews by Football Managers say something that deflects blame away from the wrong team selection or lack of tactical awareness by blaming players or officials which will appease the club's supporters.

[alwaysnextyear]

thatloudbloke said..
"Carl should not have come out with the comments, whether true or not with the team in this precarious position, we need motivation within the team & this will not help as the lads may say sod it i might not be here next year so it does not matter what happens in the last two games "

Fine. If they took that attitude I wouldn't want them here anyway whoever they are or however good they may think they are ! I suspect neither would Carl and Matt ! The management have been very loyal to the players, and I'm not surprised that with 12 red cards, they feel let down. It's all about attitude and application, and some of our players have lacked both this season.

[thesecondjack]

To Keep:
Vaughan – good leader, one of the better keepers in the league.
Minihan – most improved player this season, can fail defensively at times but always tries hard.
Weir – gives 100% each game, rarely fails to impress. His versatility can help in changing formation mid game.
Gudger – My player of the year, doesn't lose headers and looks a very capable central defender or limited fullback.
Sharp – Always puts in a good shift, seems to have a solid head on him, makes my starting 11 ahead of Thomas and Morris certainly.
Morris – give him another season as third choice, could become a good central defender!

Dunkley – Pace, crosses and goals. Let us all know he was able to be a starter before his shoulder went.
Jackman – a captain that steadies the ship. Keep some experience in midfield. Always oversees disputes with the ref, which I like.
Smith - I think he needs to be playing more, has good movement and knows how to hit a ball well. Can play in a couple of positions.

Perry – Forgetting what some say, I rather like him. Is able to keep at least one defender busy at all times, often two.
Webb - If you're going to sign a guy, play him! It's hard to justify keeping a player when you've only seen him play for 30 minutes or so total, so just watch this.
To Release:

McDonald – I'm not even going to give a reason.
Nash – Well he’s not really our player anymore anyway.
Burton - Getting old, has little pace, has other commitments so we cannot always rely on him.
Waldron – Hasn’t made the impression on the first team that most expected this season. Should find himself some regular starts elsewhere.
Nti – has looked a little underwhelming for large parts of the season, one good game in 4 isn’t enough. Needs to move on for the sake of his career.
Thomas – Age is getting to him a bit, and has a long term back injury. Thanks for the memories Thommo, but time to hang up the boots I think.

Those I'm unsure of:

Gater – Sometimes looks like he’s got ability far beyond this league, but I often forget he’s in a game.
Ologu – Has looked good off the bench but seems to have been hit with injuries since joining, and didn't impress starting a match.
Hughes – Turns 40 next month. On a non-contract he's probably worth it. On a 12 month deal? No way.
Ward Cochrane – Have we seen him yet? I thought he was meant to be some highly rated player?



We need a backup keeper, a couple of midfielders and probably a real goalscorer up front (not one who is 40).

[alwaysnextyear]

Obviously we don't know the playing budget for next season but.........

I can't disagree with thesecondjack's " to keep " list at all. I'd also be keeping Connor Gater, who has great ability, always puts in the effort, and who never ( so far ! ) gets involved in trouble. He just gets on with the game, does the hard work, never hassles the ref, has been very fit this season, and I suspect is one of the first names on the teamsheet. A very honest and reliable player who the Managers trust, and who I'm sure that we will be retaining. Hughes at 40, can only be a " pay as you play " deal.

[jimbo]

I agree with the comments made by The Manager, being bad timing from a motivation point of view at this stage of the season. But perhaps the squad were told something slightly different.... Oh to be a fly on the wall in the dressing room eh ? ??

[thesecondjack]

I wouldn't mind having Gater in the squad, I just often don't notice he's been in the game until about the 60th minute. Maybe I should keep one eye on him Saturday to note what he does off the ball.

[Dodger]

Now that KHFC are 'courting' WBA (groundshare etc.) I wonder if our links with WBA gor potential loanees will dry up, so giving KHFC preference?

Dodger.

[thesecondjack]

There are always others.

[dcx]

Hope this doesn't mean he's leaving...

[adycrean]

There was something similar from Tyler Weir, when he recently tweeted "all good things come to an end"

Did wonder whether he would be attracted by Hereford. Would be a shame if so - that is well below his ability level

[dcx]

Apr 30, 2016 11:57:45 GMT adycrean said:

There was something similar from Tyler Weir, when he recently tweeted "all good things come to an end"

Did wonder whether he would be attracted by Hereford. Would be a shame if so - that is well below his ability level

I thought that, I can see the appeal of Hereford for him eventually, but not next season. I dare say Tyler could play a level above National North at the moment, so to drop another 2(?) divisions to play for Hereford seems a bit of an odd decision.

Nathan is 34 now so can't imagine he would be going full time, so either he's going to another team in the same league or he's dropping a level. Not sure whether it was his choice or the club releasing him. Possibly too expensive?

[dcx]

End of the season so I feel like I can answer this now! I have gone for straight up in/out, no room for 'maybes'.

Retain:
Vaughan – Quality keeper, cares for the club, but not convinced he will stay.
Minihan – I don't rate him defensively one bit but he puts a shift in and is probably on little money. He won't leave.
Gudger – An absolute must. As close as you get to John Stones in National North.
Sharpe – Solid, does what he's told.
Dunkley – Pace, pace and more pace, but was starting to put something on the end of it and working on his defensive game. Hope he's the same player.
Jackman – Captain and all round solid CM.
Smith - Needs to decide if he's a winger or a left back. Good pace but inexperienced.
Gater – Good CM partner for DJ.
Hughes - I don't care about his age, he's still got it.
Nti - Infuriatingly inconsistent but probably won't find anyone much better.
Webb - Looks good technically, needs to get used to physicality of the league.
Nash – As a squad player. A year playing will probably have done him good.
Morris – As a squad player. Needs to bulk up over the summer.


Release:
McDonald – Worst. Signing. Ever.
Burton - Superb career come to an end.
Weir – All but confirmed he's leaving.
Perry - 1 goal in 8. Enough said.
Thomas – Think he will call it a day.
Waldron - Feel like he needed more opportunities but the fact he can't make the squad says it all.
Ologu – I thought he looked bright but obviously can't stay fit.


I've probably kept more than I should have given our season but I don't think gutting the team will do us any favours. Keeping the same faces plus adding a few ones is probably our best chance of survival next year.

[The sound and the fury]

If Weir goes to Hereford he's a prat, he's too good for that level and will never progress as a player. Would be gutted if Vaughan goes, he's showed a real commitment this year.

[dcx]

Apr 30, 2016 19:30:34 GMT The sound and the fury said:

If Weir goes to Hereford he's a prat, he's too good for that level and will never progress as a player. Would be gutted if Vaughan goes, he's showed a real commitment this year.

I agree on both points but I think we are resigned to both leaving.

Tyler loves Hereford, retweets them all the time etc, and I think they can probably match his wages. Assuming the dream of full time for him is over (until Hereford reach National North?) I'm guessing he thinks its better to play for a club he loves, rather than a club he likes.

Vaughany is just a feeling I have, based on a few cryptic tweets, and the fact he left last year before making a U turn. He lives quite far away (somewhere in Derbyshire I think) and has a full time job which requires shift work, as well as having young kids. Not factors that are conducive to maintaining a semi-pro football career easily.

[thesecondjack]

From what Vaughan suggested a the presentation, he'd like to stay. I really hope he does. He's a great guy, great keeper.

[oxford]

If he would rather play for Hereford than us then good riddance. Judging on todays game we need to keep Hughes if at all possible. Totally changed the atmosphere of the game.

[thesecondjack]

Again, from what Hughes said after the game when asked about Bromsgrove ''a ground is a ground, I'm happy playing on a park''.

Said about how much he's enjoyed it here, and most of the fans have treated him really well. Hughes could well stay on.


I'll also point out that Carl was sat talking to Ethan and his parents for quite a long time after the presentation. Look into it what you like.

[dcx]

Apr 30, 2016 19:55:46 GMT oxford said:

If he would rather play for Hereford than us then good riddance. Judging on todays game we need to keep Hughes if at all possible. Totally changed the atmosphere of the game.

He's been good for us to be fair to him, always committed and plays with passion for the cause. I think Hereford is a poor decision for his career but its a decision from the heart not his head.

Agree with you on Hughes, he's an idiot at times and winds people up but he really did make a noticeable difference and I imagine without his introduction we may never have scored.

[oxford]

Agreed. I'm sorry if I gave the impression that I don't like/rate him as I think he is a damn good player and agree he always gives 100% but I cannot bear the thought of someone liking Hereford more than us and that clouds my judgement!!