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Post by andy on Jul 9, 2007 14:05:01 GMT
After the signing of Ryan Clarke, Dave Boddy has said that Ryan's signature completes the team building for the summer.
So, our squad for the coming campaign will be (please correct me if I'm wrong) ...
Goalkeeper (1)
Danny McDonnell (aged 34)
Defenders (5/7)
Chris Smith (aged 26)
Rapinder Gill (aged 20)
Ryan Clarke (aged 23)
Danny Hodnett (aged 21)
Shabir Khan (aged 21)
Defenders/midfield (2)
Graham Ward (aged 21)
Adam Burley (aged 27)
Midfield (5/7)
George Clegg (aged 27)
Emeka Nwadike (aged 28)
Nic Colley (aged 32)
Gary Walker (aged 19)
Shaun Findlay (if he re-signs)
Forwards (5)
Adam Webster (aged 26)
Mark Danks (aged 23)
Craig Wilding (aged 26)
Andy Preece (aged 40)
Troy Wood (aged 19)
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Post by StopfordianWCFC on Jul 9, 2007 14:32:08 GMT
It would have been good to have one more midfielder.... but I guess the purse strings are a bit tight at the moment.  Overall - not a bad squad, definitely the potential to better last seasons position. |
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Post by andy on Jul 9, 2007 15:03:49 GMT
Its a decent squad, with probably 12 of the most experienced pushing for the starting places and 6 snapping at their heels for places, and as subs (Hodnett, Shabs, Gary Walker, Shaun Findlay, and Troy with AP contributing where he can).
Given that we lost three at the end of the year (Des, JT, and Tom Warmer) and assuming that Shaun Findlay re-signs, the Club have brought in three replacements. Given that the six above were on the margins of the squad last year and available for selection, we are effectively three players less than last year, with no-one in for Jai/Cornes, Dennis Pearce, and James Coates (given that Traore was in temporarily for Webster). And it is looking like there wont be a replacement for Jock Morrison.
Avoiding injury and suspensions will be important in an 18 man squad.
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Post by dorothy on Jul 9, 2007 15:59:47 GMT
No goalkeeper cover though. This is an area that will need to be sorted out early in the season. At Dannys age the minor knocks which are unavoidable start to catch up and recovery takes longer.
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Post by Oogly Boogly on Jul 9, 2007 20:48:13 GMT
All very good signings but still 3 players light. I'm surprised that Dave Boddy has said thats the end of the teambuilding, so there's no hope for the trialists in the photographs? I dont see any replacement for JT either, if Chris Smith gets injured, then who's in charge at the back? Yet we've got no shortage of wingbacks.
We look good up front with cover for either of the two frontmen, and if you count Ward as another midfielder then you have a decent 4 man midfield in Ward, Clegg, Nwadike and Colley. I see some 5-4 scorelines this season which could go either way.
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Post by Mark on Jul 9, 2007 21:12:58 GMT
Looks good to me but I would like to see another goalie!
(only as cover Danny;-))
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Post by andy on Jul 9, 2007 22:05:47 GMT
I would imagine that Ryan Clarke, Danny Hodnett, Shabs and Rapid could all play in central defence alongside Smudger (though not all at the same time!).
Last year, we got the message early on that we had to make progress in the Cups in order to keep the squad together. Suggests that last years squad was 'heavy on the budget'. so while being down in numbers, this may be a squad that is on/within budget.
Interesting that Dave says 'completes the teambuilding for the summer'. Doesnt rule anything happening later on.
Personally. I would prefer to see Cup money not included in the budget. If we do badly, we dont have to lose players. If we do well, we can strengthen at a key time of the season.
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Post by gobby cow on Jul 10, 2007 7:45:32 GMT
I am appalled to see AP still with his name on the team sheet - why in gods name cant he realise he is past it.
We need a reserve goalie not a has been striker! I keep seeing lovely Lewis around, give him a call Andy!
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Post by villager on Jul 10, 2007 9:10:44 GMT
Do we have a - potential - goalie within the squad?
Can't remember if anyone has taken over the No. 1 shirt during a game (when we didn't have a spare custodian on the bench).
I reckon Smudger could do it.
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Post by gobby cow on Jul 10, 2007 9:18:27 GMT
Adam Webster has, but why should he. We should have suitable goalkeeper cover. AP made a big mistake letting Lewis go. James Coates played well for us when he covered for Danny several season back but he has never stayed anywhere long. Perhaps AP could play in goal. He has the height, he must be better at that then he is a striker! He is very good at standing about watching play and blaming everyone else on the pitch. perfect candidate if you ask me!
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wh
Youth Teamer
Posts: 44
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Post by wh on Jul 10, 2007 10:19:51 GMT
IMHO I don't think we need a reserve goalie, Look at what happened last year, Preecey got hold of Wyatt at short notice and he did a good job when Danny was out and Coates was continually farmed out to keep him sharp.
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Post by dave on Jul 10, 2007 11:45:18 GMT
I agree wh. We never name a substitute goalkeeper anyway, so why have one on the payroll. Webby can do a job if Danny gets injured or sent off in a game, and I am sure Preecey will have Paul Wyatt's number if we need to call him again.
This sort of arrangement suits everybody and will do so until such time as Danny decides to retire.
All in all the squad is looking pretty good and flexible. We could do with one or two more faces in an ideal world, but I think the budget has dictated otherwise.
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Post by Oogly Boogly on Jul 10, 2007 16:36:21 GMT
I also agree with wh and Dave, having a second keeper is a luxury we can't afford surely. Better free up budget for another player. And surely Preecey should now reconsider his playing career? Okay last season we had an injured Webby and an injured Dansky and an unproven Wlidthing but unless we lose two strikers in the close season then this cant really be a good use of valuable playing resource can it?
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Post by glevumblues on Jul 10, 2007 16:49:21 GMT
So will we play three strikers (Danksy, Webby & Wilding) with either AP or Troy (or both?) on the bench? Or perhaps Webby will be on the bench as cover for both the strikers and Danny! Presumably, there will have to be a contingency plan if Danny gets injured after Webby has been taken off, but as we don't name a substitute goalkeeper anyway, we're no worse off than last year.
If Danny was unfortunate enough to get a long-term injury (or a red card, can we rely on another team willingly giving up their regular goalkeeper or do we rely on an untried youngster or a semi-retired veteran?
Regarding cover for Smudger, is AP thinking that JT might be back later in the year?
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Post by Tim Munslow on Sept 11, 2007 13:26:30 GMT
As Danny is our first choice keeper I put this new thought on this thread for convenience.
Did anyone see Darren Acton's "team" as selected in last Sunday's NLP? Darren chose Danny above himself as the keeper for his team, but the sting was in the tail - in the accompanying notes about each player he ended "Personality wise though he's a bit miserable!"
I have often thought Danny doesn't smile much; cue a new chant for this coming Saturday:-
Danny Danny give us a smile, give us a smile, give us a smile
Blue North's best keeper by a mile, give us a smile
Or you may wish to suggest something wittier.
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Post by DazaB on Sept 11, 2007 16:47:14 GMT
yea i saw that!!!! actons not exactly a cheerful person though is he!!!
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Post by fred titmus on Sept 11, 2007 18:34:39 GMT
Acton only smiles when he's handed a big big BIG plate of Chips!!!
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Post by blackpole on Sept 11, 2007 20:42:11 GMT
Preecy did say at the forum that he had cover for Danny already set up with a few options pre-arranged, so hopefully that position won't cause any bother, except if Danny gets injured during a game , then it could well be Webby.
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