Bladders
Twats everywhere
But 5 of those will probably start with at least another 2 on the bench, some will pick up injuries as well from time to time so not too many imo.
Got something to say or just want fewer pesky ads? Join us... 😊
Dale Stephens
- Thread starter TSB
- Start date
But 5 of those will probably start with at least another 2 on the bench, some will pick up injuries as well from time to time so not too many imo.
I would be worried if we got rid of players that gave us width.
If you break it down I would suggest we have:
Ince, Toko, who can act as holding
KLL, Buckley, primarily wide players
Stephens, Crofts - up and down midfielders, who can contribute both offensively and defensively
That leaves:
JFC, who for England looks better in an advanced position, but plays deeper for us and IMO is very weak in that position.
Solly, who can provide width but is being groomed as a creative player, but is a little light.
Kemi, who is more of a sitting midfielder who can create, but doesn't have the engine to get up and down.
If we sign Clayton presumably he is the attacking, creative type we have been after.
It will be very competitive and perhaps someone will have to leave but I hope its not KLL or Buckley. I wonder if JFC or Solly will go out on loan.
saafend_seagull
Well-known member
Surely Kemy will be the one to leave on a free if Clayton comes in.
Clayton in
Ward in
Baldock in
Another striker in
Kemy out
Fenelon out on loan
Walton out on loan with recall option
Clayton in
Ward in
Baldock in
Another striker in
Kemy out
Fenelon out on loan
Walton out on loan with recall option
The_Viper
Well-known member
Hang on, I thought preseason meant nothing and the signings coming in on deadline day would make everything fine? Surely DS will be the same 
Blue Valkyrie
Not seen such Bravery!
I assume we have 10 midfield places in the squad so if Clayton and Kostic are coming in that gives
Ince
Toko
Crofts
March
KLL
Buckley
Clayton
JFC
Stephens
Kostic
Kemy
Which tells me Kemy is surely going, although there could be case for cashing in on KLL if we get a decent offer.
LamieRobertson
Not awoke
only 2 give us both width and pace (when fit!) of which one is Buckley..hence my earlier post
I guess so.
Still thinking that seems a lot I've just counted up the midfield squad for Barnsley 03.12.13 (as that programme is to hand).
That stood at 12:-
Andrews
Crofts
Keny
Orlandi
JFC
Spanish Dave
Conway
KLL
Bridcutt
March
Buckley
Ince.
So it would appear I'm being a bit 'unnecessary'.
I guess it just seems like we are only buying midfielders forgetting how many we shipped out, months ago.
Not helped by the fact there's only one signing we are actually all waiting for.
fat old seagull
New member
Well he was actually injured for three months. The 'not being up to it' aka 'on strike' was the two months following. I reserve my right to dislike him ... and his present boss.
BrianWade4
Well-known member
Good player Stephens. Me likey
brightonrock
Dodgy Hamstrings
- Jan 1, 2008
- 2,482
I think that's it. In the FFP era we can't afford to carry a huge number of players, and it seems we are midfield heavy, but we really have lost a lot of them. Having two for each position, plus a couple more, is more than enough for a squad - in the event of a genuine injury crisis we'd surely bring in a loan on rely on the DS on the bench anyway, but to an extent a genuine crisis is impossible to compensate for without bloating the squad.
Assuming the current rumours are true (which is a leap I accept, so I've given them a "*") our squad could end up looking pretty strong...
GK: Stockdale/Ankergren/Walton
RB: Bruno/Calderon
LB: Ward*/Chicksen
CB: Greer/Hughes/Dunk/Maksimenko
DM: Toko/Ince
CM: Crofts/Stephens
AM: Clayton*/Forster-Caskey/Agustien
W: Buckley/Kostic*/LuaLua/March
ST: Mackail-Smith/O'Grady/Baldock*...
...plus maybe one other if anybody else leaves. I'd be more than happy with that as a 25 to be honest, and I think we underestimate just how similar a position 20-odd teams in this division are in. They're all trying to cut their wage bills (except the relegated teams, and Forest) and they're all struggling for strength in depth. IMO the above is more than good enough for a shot at the top 6. Last year we were crippled by injuries and still made it - the first year at the Amex we had a pretty average squad (Billy Paynter anyone!?) and still finished 10th. The hysteria is observation-bias I think. Everyone's frustrated to be missing out by fine margins and expect to improve, so Ulloa out/O'Grady in looks less than inspiring on paper. But in the context of the division as a whole, rather than BHAFC 2014 v BHAFC 2013, I think we're actually in pretty solid shape.
Fourteenth Eye
Face for Radio
I spoke to him on Thursday and he confirmed this
HastingsSeagull
Well-known member
Going to be a great player this season and has actually had a rest
Bladders
Twats everywhere
Was he ever fully fit last season ? Seemed to never play more than two games in a row
LamieRobertson
Not awoke
seemed to get better at the end of the season...almost felt he was trying to be too spectacular with this passing at the beginning if u get what i mean
Dan Aitch
New member
- May 31, 2013
- 2,287
Can anybody see these three scoring 20 goals between them this season? Might be a struggle. I still think we need a focal striker.
Staying fit 7 each, I would imagine it'll be impossible not to
Assuming for the first time in 4 seasons we intend on playing more than one player in the opponents half, at any given time.
The key point is one needs to score 20 on his own, that would seem less likely.
LamieRobertson
Not awoke
i think Baldock has a reasonable chance to get close...................for his current club