Wanted to gauge everyone's opinions on the 2 squads and I'm starting with these opinions ....

Goalkeepers.
Probably last season's duo or Crocombe and McKeown edge our 2 keepers this term. However, Crocombe seems to have grown as a keeper in the summer. Obviously with the help of Croudsen, he's making better decisions, commanding his box better and has improved his shot stopping. His distribution. Has never been in doubt as the pass to Taylor Vs Wrexham proved last season.

Defence
Not too much change here except left back. Glennon is way and above this level and with the improving Efete we surely have 2 of the best full backs in the league. Maher looks a good solid addition which puts Pearson further down the pecking order but the waterfall/Smith partnership continues to blossom and up to now we are pretty solid at the back.

Midfield.
This is the area I had the most fear about as I was a massive fan of Fox's workrate and engine but in Morris , Hunt and Greene we've replaced and surpassed last year's engine room. Add to that Kiernan is a huge improvement on Sousa. Wearne and Simmonds look handy and Clifton's carried on from where he left off. Khan will be like a new signing again when he returns and has great ability. All's looking good.

Attack
McAtee is obviously a huge loss for the team but we've improved no end up front with our recruitment. Mani, Lenny, Abraham's and Adlard have been replaced by Orsi who I think will prove to be a handy addition, Richardson, an England under 19 international with great pedigree and ability to cover mcatees number 10 spot till his return shows plenty of improvement on last term.

Tactics and formation
The new players have brought a greater flexibility to the squad with a 2 and a 3 already deployed in the middle of the park. Hurst also seems to be enjoying sending the team out with freedom to play, with no fear of the opponent and seemingly less pressure. Meaning the players are playing with a smile on their faces, the backing of our great fans and giving a hostile reception for any opponents home and away.

Leadership
Finally a mention to Stockwood, Pettit and Cook who continue to live up to promises with continued financial backing, club improvement, better facilities and matchday experience for the fans and the club are a gulf away from where we were under the last regime.

I for one am getting excited and impatient for each game to come so I can cheer on my beloved Mariners.

Fantastic post Stew. 👏👏👏👏👏👏

Post of the week already (clap2)(clap2)(clap2)(clap2)

Great post. I think Holohan deserves a mention too. I and I bet many other didn't expect him to be a first choice before the season, but he's been brilliant so far and really stepped up to the mark and brings more to the team than he did last season (when he was already very good).

Quoted from Mariner93er

Great post. I think Holohan deserves a mention too. I and I bet many other didn't expect him to be a first choice before the season, but he's been brilliant so far and really stepped up to the mark and brings more to the team than he did last season (when he was already very good).

Yes I liked the look of him as a footballer technically when I saw him against Sutton recently .

Quoted from Rick12

Yes I liked the look of him as a footballer technically when I saw him against Sutton recently .

Indeed, and ‘footballer’ being the operative word. He, Morris, and now Hunt also, are all players that can read the game well and pick out a telling pass. I can’t remember when we last had three players of this calibre in midfield at the same time. Plus Smith is adept at playing the ball out of defence. All in all we now have the players to play a passing game, on the deck, in a manner not seen since the heady days of Sir Alan.

At the end of last season you would be pessimistic if you knew that we would or could lose 4 of our best players:

McTee:
Injured and sold (although loaned back, after excellent negotiations).

Fox:
Sold and then injured (He had a very good offer)

Smith:
Returning to Hull.(He was loaned back for another season, we had helped his development)

Clifton:
Possibly sold to FGR (an offer hard to refuse as from a club 2 divisions higher)

We could easily have ended up struggling at the bottom of the table.  He decided to stay.

The fans did not know that players would generally work out ok.  They did not know what new (good) players would come in.    They had faith in the Club, Paul Hurst and his ability to get the right players in.  And keep many of the key players.

The record number of STHs (many new) is testimony to the new-found optimism as to where the Club is going.  They want in.  This is perhaps the greatest change on last season.  People voting with their feet (ok seats) during difficult economic times.  

Am I the only one who thinks Efete has been struggling with his form in particular his attacking/crossing?
I really like the player but personally feel he's not yet at his best.

Quoted from RonMariner

Indeed, and ‘footballer’ being the operative word. .

Worked hard as well when I saw him which was another added bonus Ron.

Quoted from 1mickylyons

Am I the only one who thinks Efete has been struggling with his form in particular his attacking/crossing?
I really like the player but personally feel he's not yet at his best.

He's always struggled with his crossing in my opinion, not a strong part of his game or something you see him do very often he prefers to pass to someone else to cross it.

I do think that he seems less confident of attacking than he should be, I thought that last season though. I think he might do better simply with more self belief.

Quoted from 1mickylyons

Am I the only one who thinks Efete has been struggling with his form in particular his attacking/crossing?
I really like the player but personally feel he's not yet at his best.

Absolutely agree. I am starting to think perhaps the step up is too much for him. He seems to be struggling with his first touch and distribution and yes many of his crosses have been scuffed. Wouldn't rule him out yet, but the opposition are much better and the first few yards are definitely in the head.

Quoted from 1mickylyons

Am I the only one who thinks Efete has been struggling with his form in particular his attacking/crossing?
I really like the player but personally feel he's not yet at his best.

I don't think crossing is one of his better attributes anyway to be honest. Possibly better when getting to thr byline and playing a low cross or cutback.

I think his attacking play has been slightly subdued so far, BUT I would say there's a couple of factors to take into consideration.

1) hes making the step up, playing in the FL for the first time as far as I'm aware. Maybe a slight period of adjustment.

2) that he has played behind Kiernan, Wearne and Maguire-Drew already this season in a short space of time and hasn't had much chance to build up a relationship on the pitch with any of them just yet. I actually think Efete and Sousa had a very good understanding last season, and JMD is probably the one of the 3 he's played with this season that would suit Efete's game the most. JMD isn't one to run with the ball over long distances so uses the overlapping of Efete quite a bit and is clever enough to know when Michee is on the gallop. Kiernan and Wearne are both more direct themselves.

I've got no worries about Efete and think he'll be a good player at this level.

Quoted from 1mickylyons

Am I the only one who thinks Efete has been struggling with his form in particular his attacking/crossing?
I really like the player but personally feel he's not yet at his best.

I know what you mean, but I have to say he was pretty good in the second half against Walsall.

Quoted from 1mickylyons

Am I the only one who thinks Efete has been struggling with his form in particular his attacking/crossing?
I really like the player but personally feel he's not yet at his best.

You're right IMO, and i mentioned this after the Northampton home game.
Defensively, he scares me, and comes across a bit clumsy at times.
He's a good squad player, and seems to be a great character, but once Copper is back fit, i would like to see him have a run of games

I remember PH saying in an interview last season that Efete needs to believe in himself more, or similar words, as he has all the attributes to be a top class right back.

Maybe he just needs to feel he belongs in the EFL?

Quoted from Jarmo.Is.God

You're right IMO, and i mentioned this after the Northampton home game.
Defensively, he scares me, and comes across a bit clumsy at times.
He's a good squad player, and seems to be a great character, but once Copper is back fit, i would like to see him have a run of games

Yet we've conceded the joint least goals in the league..

I disagree.. I'm pretty confident that Efete will be seen as one of the best right backs at this level by the end of the season..