Its hard to look beyond the team that have gotten us to this position but I do have some thoughts generally (the brain matter does work sometimes!)
Simmons in to the defensive pivot where Morley played which allows us to connect the defence to the midfield (something we've been lacking since he left). Imagine it will be him Scowen and Humphreys
Also sad to say Franko drops to the bench. His kicking/distribution was his best asset when he came into the side but its been dreadful since Stevenage away (It was so bad that day he turned to us fans and held his hand up to apologise!!). I've honestly lost count how many times he has just pinged it straight into the middle of the pitch at chest/head height to an opposition player.
I can't see Vokes, Skura, Wheeler or Sadlier getting much if any game time (Skura will drop back to the development squad). Think Kodua may end up having his loan terminated as well....
Norris
Back 4 - RB (could pick any of the 3 tbh), Low, Taylor, Harvie
Midfield 3 Pivot - Simmons, Scowen or Westergaard, Humphreys
Front 3 - Kone, Fred and 1 other
Will be interesting to see what team Dodds picks for Saturday having spent 2 days on the training pitch with the players. First few games may also show what if any directive he has potentially been given regarding some of the younger players (in terms of making them available for 1st team or moving them to development/ B team (yes we have enough players for a B Team!) games.
I don’t believe Skura will drop that far down the pecking order. If he does then makes sense for him to go on loan to a top national league team. Kodua must surely be ahead of the likes of Back and Lowrey
Seeing as some aren't fit yet and we do seem to have had a lot of injuries I'd hope most of the players can make an impact when needed.Transfer windows have become a bit of a joke and unsettled everyone, nobody leaving now until the summer unless they want time in the conference.
I think we'll go fairly strong in the cup but would hope to see a few new faces. Eleven v eleven we are pretty good despite a few grumbles, I'd love at least one of the new guys to spark in some way and offer an option before too long and then we just grind out difficult results and administer the odd thrashing of poorer sides and see where it takes us.
Could we really be burying all grudges and celebrating in May? Hope so.
It is but I don't think you bring back Taylor, turn down bids for Low and buy Anders and Sonny if you're thinking of Skura as a first team Centre back, similarly with signing Back permanently with Grimmer and Jasper on the books. I think he'll still play but maybe not when everyone else is fit.
New Head Coach presumably still picks the team though and he only met them yesterday so he has a chance to impress him.
For me, it’s harsh on Jasper, I would have Skura ahead of Pattenden and Back until I have seen Back play. Presuming he will be in development for a period as he is integrated into the way we play
Real competition on the right now. Grimmer is a bit marmite really - some love him, some not so much. Personally, I would say he has great enthusiasm that was core to the Ainsworth/ Bloomfield ethos (amazing effort outweighing natural talent) Finding a rough diamond and polishing up.
Where I would look objectively is that if Grimmer was paramount to the new direction we keep him / Pattenden as the right back + cover BUT they’ve gone out and sourced a player that will have (in theory) the attributes they want.
Grimmer has always punched above his weight for me but nothing like a bit of competition.
When you directly compare Harvie to Grimmer it’s a different level of player.
I would still expect to see Grimmer play. He has given a new contract before the transfer window and looking at the squad that @Wwfc2015_ posted, apart from Scowen & Norris there isn't much in the form of Leadership.
I agree. Simons will be almost a cert to start from the off.
Can't be long until Scowen has to miss a game or two due to yellow cards or a stupid niggly injury.
Westergaard (I think) will be rotated with Scowen depending on the opposition and his fitness. I was keeping an eye on him v Barnsley when he came on and he made some good forward runs arriving at the edge of the box BUT he also gave the ball away cheaply a few times; which is likely just not knowing the others and being not fully match fit.
Such a strong strong squad we have.. almost an embarrassment of riches really.
Never have we seen our team with a universally all over skilled bunch of lads.
It's amazing really. I find it almost impossible to pick "my" starting 11 and bench.... so many top class players get not even a place warming the bench....
Without rocking the boat and disrupting what is working... too much....
Maybe it's not such a bad thing to have a new gaffer with no previous memories and expectations of the squad. Might make it easier to have fresh eyes on the team go with what he witnesses himself.
Based on Mike’s interview I’d assume Sam Grace will pretty much pick the side for the next few games (with Mike observing) and then we’ll start to see the dynamic change after 2/3 games.
So with the exception of Xavier, I don’t think we’ll see any new boys start for a while (inc. Norris).
While it’s really exciting, one of my fears is that our squad is almost too big now, and it could make it difficult for any of our new signings to hit the ground running. I think it could be next season before we really start to see the likes Magnus, Anders and Lowry getting consistent game time and coming into their own. While new signings don’t have to be a fans favourite from the start, it surely does help their confidence to get some early minutes and form, so hopefully they get that shot.
I wouldn’t be wholly shocked to see Saturdays game include a lot of the new boys.
In terms of the grand prize this season being promotion, Saturday is (and I await the screams of anguish from the FA Cup purists) a bit of a free hit so would be an excellent opportunity to get some of the new guys that haven’t played much, or need more minutes in there legs a chance to get a full 90 or even 70 minutes under there belts.
its also consistent in how we have approached cup games this season with wholesale rotation.
The kicker will neither Preston or us fans will really know how well a team of new boys would play. Could be amazing, could be like the first preseason friendly of the summer.
It's behind a paywall and too big to paste in its entirety but a few snippets are as follows...
Wealthy overseas owners drive record spend in English football’s lower leagues
Three-way fight for promotion in third tier comes ahead of tighter financial rules on spending.
" A three-way fight for promotion between a New York hedge fund, a Kazakh billionaire and two Hollywood actors has fuelled a record transfer splurge in English football’s third tier, as wealthy team owners look to get ahead of tighter financial rules taking effect this summer. The 24 clubs in League One have spent almost €56mn this season — more than the total for the past eight seasons combined — according to figures from data website Transfermarkt. Table-topping Birmingham City, owned since 2023 by US hedge fund Knighthead Capital, has spent more than €35mn, equivalent to about 63 per cent of the league’s total spend.
The record outlay in League One comes ahead of new spending rules being introduced by the English Football League, which administers divisions other than the top-tier Premier League. From next season, clubs will be able to spend only up to 60 per cent of turnover on players, including wages, while using equity injections from owners to fund transfers will also be subject to new restrictions.
Other big League One spenders include second-placed Wycombe Wanderers, which was bought by Kazakh tech billionaire Mikheil Lomtadze last May, and newly promoted Wrexham."
Comments
They should do 'new' boys versus 'old boys' in training
__________Ravizzoli
Grimmer Low Skura Harvie
______ Scowen Leahy
______Humphreys
Onyedinma Kone McCleary
versus
___Berry Lowry Cole
Reach Simons Westergaard Back
Bradley Hagelskjaer Taylor
____________Norris
Its hard to look beyond the team that have gotten us to this position but I do have some thoughts generally (the brain matter does work sometimes!)
Simmons in to the defensive pivot where Morley played which allows us to connect the defence to the midfield (something we've been lacking since he left). Imagine it will be him Scowen and Humphreys
Also sad to say Franko drops to the bench. His kicking/distribution was his best asset when he came into the side but its been dreadful since Stevenage away (It was so bad that day he turned to us fans and held his hand up to apologise!!). I've honestly lost count how many times he has just pinged it straight into the middle of the pitch at chest/head height to an opposition player.
I can't see Vokes, Skura, Wheeler or Sadlier getting much if any game time (Skura will drop back to the development squad). Think Kodua may end up having his loan terminated as well....
Norris
Back 4 - RB (could pick any of the 3 tbh), Low, Taylor, Harvie
Midfield 3 Pivot - Simmons, Scowen or Westergaard, Humphreys
Front 3 - Kone, Fred and 1 other
Will be interesting to see what team Dodds picks for Saturday having spent 2 days on the training pitch with the players. First few games may also show what if any directive he has potentially been given regarding some of the younger players (in terms of making them available for 1st team or moving them to development/ B team (yes we have enough players for a B Team!) games.
Sadlier was our best player before he got injured...
He was good for those first 10 games or so I agree. Has been out for a long time now and I just feel like he will be potentially overlooked.
I don’t believe Skura will drop that far down the pecking order. If he does then makes sense for him to go on loan to a top national league team. Kodua must surely be ahead of the likes of Back and Lowrey
It's been so long that I genuinely can't remember if he was actually that good, or whether his reputation has gone up in his absence.
He has a tough job to get back amongst it, with so many other options now.
Steady on you’ll be giving @Konetheming a run for his money! I think Jack recently extended his contract - much deserved in my opinion
@PJS oh dear if Leahy gets pushed out he will have to find another player. Dodds was dismissed even quicker than Sam Grace.
My team would be
Norris (Harsh on Rav)
Grimmer
Low
Taylor
Harvie
Simons
Humphries
Scowen
Fred
Kone
Sadlier
Subs
Rav
Sonny
Anders
Westergard
Reach
Udoh
Berry
To bring in if injuries
Pattenden
Kodua
lowry
Leahy
Bez
Gmac
Bakinson
Wow what a massively strong squad we have
Seeing as some aren't fit yet and we do seem to have had a lot of injuries I'd hope most of the players can make an impact when needed.Transfer windows have become a bit of a joke and unsettled everyone, nobody leaving now until the summer unless they want time in the conference.
I think we'll go fairly strong in the cup but would hope to see a few new faces. Eleven v eleven we are pretty good despite a few grumbles, I'd love at least one of the new guys to spark in some way and offer an option before too long and then we just grind out difficult results and administer the odd thrashing of poorer sides and see where it takes us.
Could we really be burying all grudges and celebrating in May? Hope so.
Bit harsh on Skura not even getting a mention!
It is but I don't think you bring back Taylor, turn down bids for Low and buy Anders and Sonny if you're thinking of Skura as a first team Centre back, similarly with signing Back permanently with Grimmer and Jasper on the books. I think he'll still play but maybe not when everyone else is fit.
New Head Coach presumably still picks the team though and he only met them yesterday so he has a chance to impress him.
For me, it’s harsh on Jasper, I would have Skura ahead of Pattenden and Back until I have seen Back play. Presuming he will be in development for a period as he is integrated into the way we play
Thought Jasper was playing really well before he got injured.
Real competition on the right now. Grimmer is a bit marmite really - some love him, some not so much. Personally, I would say he has great enthusiasm that was core to the Ainsworth/ Bloomfield ethos (amazing effort outweighing natural talent) Finding a rough diamond and polishing up.
Where I would look objectively is that if Grimmer was paramount to the new direction we keep him / Pattenden as the right back + cover BUT they’ve gone out and sourced a player that will have (in theory) the attributes they want.
Grimmer has always punched above his weight for me but nothing like a bit of competition.
When you directly compare Harvie to Grimmer it’s a different level of player.
Sadlier was easily one of our best attacking threats early in the season. Excited to see him come back.
At last some perspective being shown re Capt. Jack here this morning. I was beginning to doubt if I was attending the same games as some Gasroomers!
Excited to see what Simons offers, having started quite a lot of games in the first part of the season at championship level.
I notice no-one seems to have Westergaard in their starting 11, the nearest is a 5050 v Scowen.
But as our by far record signing, you'd hope he emerges as one of our better players once fit.
I would still expect to see Grimmer play. He has given a new contract before the transfer window and looking at the squad that @Wwfc2015_ posted, apart from Scowen & Norris there isn't much in the form of Leadership.
I agree. Simons will be almost a cert to start from the off.
Can't be long until Scowen has to miss a game or two due to yellow cards or a stupid niggly injury.
Westergaard (I think) will be rotated with Scowen depending on the opposition and his fitness. I was keeping an eye on him v Barnsley when he came on and he made some good forward runs arriving at the edge of the box BUT he also gave the ball away cheaply a few times; which is likely just not knowing the others and being not fully match fit.
From what I've heard, Hull fans are a bit surprised they let him go out on loan
Hopefully a replica of the Morley situation!
"The off" won't be until Crawley, at least, as Simons played for Hull in their cup defeat to Doncaster.
Such a strong strong squad we have.. almost an embarrassment of riches really.
Never have we seen our team with a universally all over skilled bunch of lads.
It's amazing really. I find it almost impossible to pick "my" starting 11 and bench.... so many top class players get not even a place warming the bench....
Without rocking the boat and disrupting what is working... too much....
Maybe it's not such a bad thing to have a new gaffer with no previous memories and expectations of the squad. Might make it easier to have fresh eyes on the team go with what he witnesses himself.
Based on Mike’s interview I’d assume Sam Grace will pretty much pick the side for the next few games (with Mike observing) and then we’ll start to see the dynamic change after 2/3 games.
So with the exception of Xavier, I don’t think we’ll see any new boys start for a while (inc. Norris).
While it’s really exciting, one of my fears is that our squad is almost too big now, and it could make it difficult for any of our new signings to hit the ground running. I think it could be next season before we really start to see the likes Magnus, Anders and Lowry getting consistent game time and coming into their own. While new signings don’t have to be a fans favourite from the start, it surely does help their confidence to get some early minutes and form, so hopefully they get that shot.
Scowen needs to survive the next eight games without picking up more than three yellows to avoid a two-match ban.
No other players have more than five yellows so far.
Would be surprised if Norris doesn’t start on Saturday.
"I notice no-one seems to have Westergaard in their starting 11, the nearest is a 5050 v Scowen."
To be fair to him he's an unknown quantity, a good performance or a screamer or two and opinions quickly change.
I wouldn’t be wholly shocked to see Saturdays game include a lot of the new boys.
In terms of the grand prize this season being promotion, Saturday is (and I await the screams of anguish from the FA Cup purists) a bit of a free hit so would be an excellent opportunity to get some of the new guys that haven’t played much, or need more minutes in there legs a chance to get a full 90 or even 70 minutes under there belts.
its also consistent in how we have approached cup games this season with wholesale rotation.
The kicker will neither Preston or us fans will really know how well a team of new boys would play. Could be amazing, could be like the first preseason friendly of the summer.
There's an article in today's financial times about the record amount spent in our division ahead of next season's new spending rules.
https://www.ft.com/content/497dd187-6a03-4460-bfc0-f41055b36c3b
It's behind a paywall and too big to paste in its entirety but a few snippets are as follows...
Wealthy overseas owners drive record spend in English football’s lower leagues
Three-way fight for promotion in third tier comes ahead of tighter financial rules on spending.
" A three-way fight for promotion between a New York hedge fund, a Kazakh billionaire and two Hollywood actors has fuelled a record transfer splurge in English football’s third tier, as wealthy team owners look to get ahead of tighter financial rules taking effect this summer. The 24 clubs in League One have spent almost €56mn this season — more than the total for the past eight seasons combined — according to figures from data website Transfermarkt. Table-topping Birmingham City, owned since 2023 by US hedge fund Knighthead Capital, has spent more than €35mn, equivalent to about 63 per cent of the league’s total spend.
The record outlay in League One comes ahead of new spending rules being introduced by the English Football League, which administers divisions other than the top-tier Premier League. From next season, clubs will be able to spend only up to 60 per cent of turnover on players, including wages, while using equity injections from owners to fund transfers will also be subject to new restrictions.
Other big League One spenders include second-placed Wycombe Wanderers, which was bought by Kazakh tech billionaire Mikheil Lomtadze last May, and newly promoted Wrexham."