2024/25 Ins & Outs Discussion

[0Neils40yarder]

4 minutes ago, Kmcalpin said:

I'm surprised that Matty Connelly was given a new 12 month deal last summer,but isn't considered good enough to be our No 2, only 6 months later. 

Is it a case, of he's better off getting games chasing the lowland league title with EK as opposed to sitting on his arse, bored to tears watching us?

[Spit_It_Out]

Honestly when you step back and look at how much money we have burned on players that's have gave us next to nothing last 6 months it's shocking.

 Don't want to hear tight budget,3rd smallest budget in the league bs ever again.

[fizoxy]

Is some of that not covered by insurance for injured players? Also, I'd assume loans are cheaper than full time transfers. So, it ls not ideal ans no doubt costs us more than we'd like, but probably not at blowing our budget levels. 

[Richie]

Luke Amos has been mutualled by Hibs.

Possibly outwith our wage budget though.

[Lobey_Dosser]

2 minutes ago, Spit_It_Out said:

Honestly when you step back and look at how much money we have burned on players that's have gave us next to nothing last 6 months it's shocking.

 Don't want to hear tight budget,3rd smallest budget in the league bs ever again.

We can look forward to the new manager regularly bemoaning the need for cost cutting to address the unintended overspend under the previous regime…

[0Neils40yarder]

1 minute ago, fizoxy said:

Is some of that not covered by insurance for injured players? Also, I'd assume loans are cheaper than full time transfers. So, it ls not ideal ans no doubt costs us more than we'd like, but probably not at blowing our budget levels. 

I wouldn't assume that lads coming to us on loan from Man City or Palace would be particularly cheap

[Ya Bezzer!]

20 minutes ago, Spit_It_Out said:

Honestly when you step back and look at how much money we have burned on players that's have gave us next to nothing last 6 months it's shocking.

 Don't want to hear tight budget,3rd smallest budget in the league bs ever again.

So we've probably had to go over budget to cover for injured players and you think that means....what exactly?

The money will come out of next couple of annual budgets or be paid for by Lennon Miller.

It definately doesn't mean we've magically got more money to spend.  

[Kmcalpin]

I doubt if the bloated squad will cost us that more. Say we're 7 players up on  our normal squad. Average pay £1,250 pw for say 5 months. That might cost us an extra £180,000 - £200,000. Not a fortune in the great scheme of things. That's a very rough estimate of course. 

[smiddy]

Lets pay them all

hope there good

stay up for another year

Hunt them all at EOS

Start afresh

n still be back at this point next year

GOOD NIGHT ⚽️

[joewarkfanclub]

So the window is closed.

How do we reflect on it?

On the one hand, we still have our prize asset who is 2-4 weeks away from resuming training. Probably too late to effect whether we end up top or bottom 6, but hopefully with enough time to come in and flourish under a new manager and generate the kind of revenue we are hoping for at the end of the season. Ive always hoped he might get a Scotland cap before he left and with 2 friendlies at the start of June, it would be nice to see him sign off like that and get his dream move.

As for the rest of the squad......

GK - Balcombe and Ward. Injured - Oxborough

Bit of a chaotic window in this regard with Heygi being recalled, Ox and Mair both breaking fingers and having to go out and source 2 more keepers. Given the circumstances, Balcombe looks like he will do fine for now and Ward, well, we will see.

Defence........

Kaleta, Koutroumbis, SOD, Casey, Balmer, Gordon, Blaney, Wilson, Thompson. Injured - McGinn, Seddon.

Certainly sufficient cover for all positions, whether there is enough quality remains to be seen, but the new manager will certainly have sufficient numbers to work with to try and identify a successful formula. Thompson coming in at least allows Wilson to be rested long enough for Seddon to get back and provide competition.

Midfield.......

Halliday, Davor, Paton, Sparrow, Slattery, Andrews. Injured -Miller, Callachan

This has been the problem area of the team all season and we dont seem to have addressed it in any meaningful way. It restricts our ability to alter formations and we dont have enough legs in the team to allow us to press higher up the park and win the ball back. Our best hope is that Slattery can build his fitness up and he and Miller can form some sort of partnership. Sparrow is a willing runner and Paton, although much maligned, does flourish when playing with better players alongside him. Andrews has talent and may also come under that category, but unfair to ask him to shoulder the pressure on his own. Much will depend on the new manager, formation and our ability to get guys fit and keep them fit. Still missing a proper defensive mid.

Forwards.........

Armstrong, Maswanhise, Nicholson, Watt, Moses, Plange, Dickson. Injured - Robinson, Tavares, Vale, Stamatelopoulos.

There should be enough there for the new manager to work with. Key will be getting them enough actual possession to create chances and score goals.

Summary.....

We have covered most of the problem areas with numbers at least. Midfield is a problem, but with a different manager, set up and outlook to playing the game there looks like there could be sufficient to turn results and performances around to at least keep us out of a relegation dogfight.

The huge BUT, is that it all hinges on the right managerial appointment. First big test for the new Board / Chairman. Get it right, and we could have a positive end to the season. Get it wrong and we could be up shit creek.

[wellfan]

10 minutes ago, joewarkfanclub said:

So the window is closed.

How do we reflect on it?

On the one hand, we still have our prize asset who is 2-4 weeks away from resuming training. Probably too late to effect whether we end up top or bottom 6, but hopefully with enough time to come in and flourish under a new manager and generate the kind of revenue we are hoping for at the end of the season. Ive always hoped he might get a Scotland cap before he left and with 2 friendlies at the start of June, it would be nice to see him sign off like that and get his dream move.

As for the rest of the squad......

GK - Balcombe and Ward. Injured - Oxborough

Bit of a chaotic window in this regard with Heygi being recalled, Ox and Mair both breaking fingers and having to go out and source 2 more keepers. Given the circumstances, Balcombe looks like he will do fine for now and Ward, well, we will see.

Defence........

Kaleta, Koutroumbis, SOD, Casey, Balmer, Gordon, Blaney, Wilson, Thompson. Injured - McGinn, Seddon.

Certainly sufficient cover for all positions, whether there is enough quality remains to be seen, but the new manager will certainly have sufficient numbers to work with to try and identify a successful formula. Thompson coming in at least allows Wilson to be rested long enough for Seddon to get back and provide competition.

Midfield.......

Halliday, Davor, Paton, Sparrow, Slattery, Andrews. Injured -Miller, Callachan

This has been the problem area of the team all season and we dont seem to have addressed it in any meaningful way. It restricts our ability to alter formations and we dont have enough legs in the team to allow us to press higher up the park and win the ball back. Our best hope is that Slattery can build his fitness up and he and Miller can form some sort of partnership. Sparrow is a willing runner and Paton, although much maligned, does flourish when playing with better players alongside him. Andrews has talent and may also come under that category, but unfair to ask him to shoulder the pressure on his own. Much will depend on the new manager, formation and our ability to get guys fit and keep them fit. Still missing a proper defensive mid.

Forwards.........

Armstrong, Maswanhise, Nicholson, Watt, Moses, Plange, Dickson. Injured - Robinson, Tavares, Vale.

There should be enough there for the new manager to work with. Key will be getting them enough actual possession to create chances and score goals.

Summary.....

We have covered most of the problem areas with numbers at least. Midfield is a problem, but with a different manager, set up and outlook to playing the game there looks like there could be sufficient to turn results and performances around to at least keep us out of a relegation dogfight.

The huge BUT, is that it all hinges on the right managerial appointment. First big test for the new Board / Chairman. Get it right, and we could have a positive end to the season. Get it wrong and we could be up shit creek.

The end of season leaving party is going to be well attended. 

[joewarkfanclub]

2 minutes ago, wellfan said:

The end of season leaving party is going to be well attended. 

There will be a few needing to be emptied for sure.

Particularly once the new manager comes in and see's who he fancies and who he doesnt.

Thankfully there are a lot of loanees who will go and quite a few out of contract. Sonthere should be plenty of room for manoevre.

Discussions need to be be had about signing policy though.

We either pick a formation that suits the players, or sign the right players to suit a formation.

SK got the first part right initially. Its after that it all went wrong for him.

[wellfan]

1 hour ago, joewarkfanclub said:

Discussions need to be be had about signing policy though.

We either pick a formation that suits the players, or sign the right players to suit a formation.

SK got the first part right initially. Its after that it all went wrong for him.

Questions need to be asked of Daws. 

[couttsy]

2 hours ago, joewarkfanclub said:

So the window is closed.

How do we reflect on it?

On the one hand, we still have our prize asset who is 2-4 weeks away from resuming training. Probably too late to effect whether we end up top or bottom 6, but hopefully with enough time to come in and flourish under a new manager and generate the kind of revenue we are hoping for at the end of the season. Ive always hoped he might get a Scotland cap before he left and with 2 friendlies at the start of June, it would be nice to see him sign off like that and get his dream move.

As for the rest of the squad......

GK - Balcombe and Ward. Injured - Oxborough

Bit of a chaotic window in this regard with Heygi being recalled, Ox and Mair both breaking fingers and having to go out and source 2 more keepers. Given the circumstances, Balcombe looks like he will do fine for now and Ward, well, we will see.

Defence........

Kaleta, Koutroumbis, SOD, Casey, Balmer, Gordon, Blaney, Wilson, Thompson. Injured - McGinn, Seddon.

Certainly sufficient cover for all positions, whether there is enough quality remains to be seen, but the new manager will certainly have sufficient numbers to work with to try and identify a successful formula. Thompson coming in at least allows Wilson to be rested long enough for Seddon to get back and provide competition.

Midfield.......

Halliday, Davor, Paton, Sparrow, Slattery, Andrews. Injured -Miller, Callachan

This has been the problem area of the team all season and we dont seem to have addressed it in any meaningful way. It restricts our ability to alter formations and we dont have enough legs in the team to allow us to press higher up the park and win the ball back. Our best hope is that Slattery can build his fitness up and he and Miller can form some sort of partnership. Sparrow is a willing runner and Paton, although much maligned, does flourish when playing with better players alongside him. Andrews has talent and may also come under that category, but unfair to ask him to shoulder the pressure on his own. Much will depend on the new manager, formation and our ability to get guys fit and keep them fit. Still missing a proper defensive mid.

Forwards.........

Armstrong, Maswanhise, Nicholson, Watt, Moses, Plange, Dickson. Injured - Robinson, Tavares, Vale.

There should be enough there for the new manager to work with. Key will be getting them enough actual possession to create chances and score goals.

Summary.....

We have covered most of the problem areas with numbers at least. Midfield is a problem, but with a different manager, set up and outlook to playing the game there looks like there could be sufficient to turn results and performances around to at least keep us out of a relegation dogfight.

The huge BUT, is that it all hinges on the right managerial appointment. First big test for the new Board / Chairman. Get it right, and we could have a positive end to the season. Get it wrong and we could be up shit creek.

Great post, agree with everything here. We should have enough to stay out of trouble, but a lot rests on the new manger getting the best out of them, and Miller getting fit soon given how poor our midfield options are without him. A little surprised we didn’t bring in another midfielder late in the window.

I’m assuming Stama is out for a while given the fact we’ve brought 3 strikers in this window, but you’ve missed him out! Pity as I felt he was just coming onto a game pre his injury!

[Onthefringes]

1 hour ago, wellfan said:

Questions need to be asked of Daws. 

See this often.

Daws doesn’t sign players. Oversees a data driven process, that’s a different debate.

[joewarkfanclub]

36 minutes ago, couttsy said:

Great post, agree with everything here. We should have enough to stay out of trouble, but a lot rests on the new manger getting the best out of them, and Miller getting fit soon given how poor our midfield options are without him. A little surprised we didn’t bring in another midfielder late in the window.

I’m assuming Stama is out for a while given the fact we’ve brought 3 strikers in this window, but you’ve missed him out! Pity as I felt he was just coming onto a game pre his injury!

Oops! So I did! 

Out of sight out of mind!

Fixed it!

😆😆😆

[wellfan]

21 minutes ago, Onthefringes said:

See this often.

Daws doesn’t sign players. Oversees a data driven process, that’s a different debate.

That was my point. 

[joewarkfanclub]

21 minutes ago, Onthefringes said:

See this often.

Daws doesn’t sign players. Oversees a data driven process, that’s a different debate.

Stats seem to be the be all and end all theses days. Not saying thats wrong, I guess in the global world we live in, it can cut out a lot of time searching for the right kind of player.

I guess Im at an age that Id still like the manager to go and actually see the player play before we sign them.

Obviously that wont be possible all the time, but given the markets we usually shop in, shouldnt be impossible.

[thewelllfan]

3 hours ago, joewarkfanclub said:

Discussions need to be be had about signing policy though.

I disagree with this we done exactly what we should of done in this window loans and short-term deals.

The St signings with no manager are a bit baffling but I assume the club think we have sufficent depth for who ever we appoint to get a few results and try sneak into the top 6.

Based on previous seasons we'll need 4 Wins out of our last 8 to make the top 6. 

[joewarkfanclub]

3 hours ago, thewelllfan said:

I disagree with this we done exactly what we should of done in this window loans and short-term deals.

The St signings with no manager are a bit baffling but I assume the club think we have sufficent depth for who ever we appoint to get a few results and try sneak into the top 6.

Based on previous seasons we'll need 4 Wins out of our last 8 to make the top 6. 

If you read my previous post, you will see I dont have many issues with this window.

Its not just this window Im talking about though.

SK stubbornly stuck to his 3 at the back system all season. Our tactics have clearly to be to allow the opposition to have the ball and break quickly on the counter. But we didnt sign the correct players to do that.

Sure injuries conspired against him and he had absolutley no luck in that regard as it left him with so few midfielders that he was unable or unwilling to change the system to make us more functional. 

Being unable to field his preferred 11 obviously made things very difficult, buy he didnt address the main issue in this window either.

The priority should have been midfield. We have signed 1 youth player on loan. Now I realise that you cant get every target you are after, and the order in which you get them cant always be predicted or controlled, but with Nicholson and Slattery not 100% and the possibility that the injured Miller could have been sold, I would have expected more business in that area of the pitch.

Anyway, whats done is done. The new manager will have their own thoughts on how they want to do things. Be interesting to see which way we go.

 

[thewelllfan]

25 minutes ago, joewarkfanclub said:

If you read my previous post, you will see I dont have many issues with this window.

Its not just this window Im talking about though.

In that case fair enough. 

[grizzlyg]

5 hours ago, Onthefringes said:

See this often.

Daws doesn’t sign players. Oversees a data driven process, that’s a different debate.

I think that was how we got Danzaki,  the data must have got corrupted that day 🤪

[santheman]

Data only goes so far.

It doesn't tell you what a players personality is like and whether or not he would fit in with the existing dressing room or thrive in a different environment.

I seem to recall Robinson saying that he didn't just look at stats and looked into a potential players background as well and whether he would fit into his vision before deciding whether to sign him.

[wellfan]

15 minutes ago, santheman said:

Data only goes so far.

It doesn't tell you what a players personality is like and whether or not he would fit in with the existing dressing room or thrive in a different environment.

I seem to recall Robinson saying that he didn't just look at stats and looked into a potential players background as well and whether he would fit into his vision before deciding whether to sign him.

Kettlewell and Daws’ signing policy:

Goalkeeper? Yes

Forward? Yes

Injury prone? Yes

Loan? Yes

 

[wellsince75]

14 minutes ago, santheman said:

I seem to recall Robinson saying that he didn't just look at stats and looked into a potential players background as well and whether he would fit into his vision before deciding whether to sign him.

Yes to fit with Robinsons vision you had to be wiling to play anywhere ocross the front 3 :). 

On a serious note we've been wasteful in recent years and wasted a lot of money.  I can't ever remember a time when we signed players who don't event get a game.  The guy from Japan, New Zealand, Koutrombous, Stuparevic, Tavares and that's before we reference the perm a crocks. 

We must have pi55ed away the money from KVV & Bair on some these non starters.