I've taken a bit of a sabbatical from all things Town during the summer, and I've quite enjoyed the break. And I've also taken the decision not to renew my season tickets this season. Not because of anything remotely connected to Town's poor performance last season by the way. Merely because my Son enters the next phase of his own football education and development journey with Boston United, and he will now be playing Saturday football instead of Sunday's with the GTFC Academy. So with the uncertainty of being able to attend every home game, I didn't think it was going to be worth getting the season tickets.

The upshot of this is that I am not entirely sure how the squad is looking for next season and what is left to do in order to complete the squad for the commencement of the season. So what are peoples thoughts please on the business we have been doing both in and out during the closed season? We all know its never really possible to judge what we are looking at until we start kicking balls in anger. But what is the gut feeling of people please? Hoping to hear some real positivity around the business the club has done so far in addition to the players we retained.

? ? ?

All the best

Dale
The eternal optimist :)

I still think we’ve got to make at least 3 more experienced signings of we’re in for another season like last year . Sorry to be pessimistic but I still don’t see enough quality in the squad yet , especially up front. Hopefully there’s work being done in that department.

Definitely need to strengthen midfield and attack. GK and defensive positions covered I would say…..

Still badly short up front, especially with Rose injured. Although with better service I can see Wilson getting double figures.

We are short in quality in midfield and in attack. We have a couple of decent midfielders and a couple of decent forwards but not enough quality. The rest of those players in mid field and attack are last years failures who are either injury prone or simply not good enough. Three or four quality players might just make the difference between a really good season or another one like last season. Filling in with young hopefuls would be a disaster. It's experienced players we need.
I think the keepers and defenders are a big improvement on last season, it's those midfield and forwards that will make or break our season.

I don't think we're that far off to be honest but I accept that more often than not I'll be glass half full when it comes to Town.

In the final third of last season our strength was our defence, where to my mind we've strengthened.  I liked Mullarkey but Cass looks an upgrade, Warren looks good at right-back and I think both Hume and Carson come with points to prove and will do so.  Tharme was excellent from the moment he arrived and Rodgers ended the season well.  There's then McJannet to throw into the mix too, someone who is billed as having the ability of bringing the ball out from the back (which I think we were a bit weak on last season - especially trying to play the way Artell wants us to).

Who have we lost defensively?  Mullarkey, Maher, Amos and Glennon then plus Smith.  Previous mention of Mullarkey aside I'm not that desperate to keep any of those.  In fact 3 of those couldn't even get in the side.  That's progress, on paper.  We're replacing the ones we don't want and you hope that the new recruits force the old guard to become the back-up and/or get even more out of them as a result of the better competition.

Midfield wise I definitely don't think it's a disaster.  Ainley is like a new signing.  This is a guy with 250+ appearances at this level and a promotion under his belt.  Someone who is capable of creating chances and influencing attacks, which we lacked last year.  McEachran looks the upgrade we probably needed on Alex Hunt, that player who can switch play quickly and dictate without crowding the centre-backs or floating about aimlessly.  We know what Thompson can do and I don't think there's many better holding midfielders at this level.  The one we kept was Green but I think it's important we look at how he ended the season rather than the 18 months prior.  Given the role of just getting onto stuff and being a nuisance, he looked a different player.  His role before was often that of a destroyer, which he did well but technically couldn't do enough with the ball (standard is set by the way Thompson does it).  But if we accept that we're not expecting him to do a tidy drag back and take two players out of the picture with a deft dummy, rather that he's going to get little flick-ons and pick up scraps from the front players then I think he'll be an asset.  Think more his goal last night than someone sitting in front of the back four and spraying passes about.  

We've also got Khouri in there but he needs to prove his fitness above all else. On that basis I'm not counting him really in the numbers just yet.  But even if we do it's 5 in the middle.  We need another in there and I'm sure we'll get one. But if we line up with any of those 5 in there I'm ok with it.  It's a good balance and mixture of attributes, but crucially it's got genuinely creative players in there.  

Out wide, much like Ainley, Vernam almost feels like a new signing as we saw so little of him.  But then you do start to ask a few questions.  Svanþórsson is going to need time to get up to speed and I really like the look of Ladapo on trial and presuming he signs he'll come to us with virtually no experience under his belt.  We can't expect him to hit the floor running and keep going.   So room for at least one more there.

Up top, I'm a big fan of Wilson and genuinely believe he's got it in him to be one of the best at this level.  Pace, power, can hold it up, can run off the shoulder and most importantly can finish.  Then there's Danny Rose, we know what he brings and we're very lucky to have him.   Question is are we going with one of them alone or pairing them. Either way we need other options.  Pyke appears to still be at the club but I don't imagine he'll be here for long.  But we can't just rely on young Gardner to be the only back-up.

Goalkeeper sorted and improvements made.
Defence sorted and improvements made.
Midfield not far off with improvements made - probably a young lad coming into boost numbers

It's up top and wide that we need strengthening, if only in terms of numbers.  But it's not like we're playing our first game tomorrow.  The extra bodies will come in.  

I am happy with the players that have come in so far.

Worried about Rose being injured and not sure if he will make the start of the season.

So need at least a loan player to play up top until Rose is ready to return.

I would prepare we sign a striker but they are like gold dust so hoping Gardener is ready for starting place soon.

Another 2 or 3 still needed on top of that but not too worried about them not signing before the start of the season as long as they are fit and ready when they arrive.

With Rose likely injured and Wilson only intermittently starting I reckon we'd have an OK 5-5-0. 😱

However if we want to definitely start the season with strikers,  like the other 91 clubs,  we probably need to do a bit of business ASAP.

I’m probably a bit  surprised that we appear to be needing at least two strikers and maybe another couple of players too. Be interesting to see if he gives Ladapo a crack after his trial.
Probably expected a bit more transfer activity by this point but I’m not unduly worried or particularly struck with excitement at the obvious ambition. Time will tell, as always.

Quoted from diehardmariner

I don't think we're that far off to be honest but I accept that more often than not I'll be glass half full when it comes to Town.

In the final third of last season our strength was our defence, where to my mind we've strengthened.  I liked Mullarkey but Cass looks an upgrade, Warren looks good at right-back and I think both Hume and Carson come with points to prove and will do so.  Tharme was excellent from the moment he arrived and Rodgers ended the season well.  There's then McJannet to throw into the mix too, someone who is billed as having the ability of bringing the ball out from the back (which I think we were a bit weak on last season - especially trying to play the way Artell wants us to).

Who have we lost defensively?  Mullarkey, Maher, Amos and Glennon then plus Smith.  Previous mention of Mullarkey aside I'm not that desperate to keep any of those.  In fact 3 of those couldn't even get in the side.  That's progress, on paper.  We're replacing the ones we don't want and you hope that the new recruits force the old guard to become the back-up and/or get even more out of them as a result of the better competition.

Midfield wise I definitely don't think it's a disaster.  Ainley is like a new signing.  This is a guy with 250+ appearances at this level and a promotion under his belt.  Someone who is capable of creating chances and influencing attacks, which we lacked last year.  McEachran looks the upgrade we probably needed on Alex Hunt, that player who can switch play quickly and dictate without crowding the centre-backs or floating about aimlessly.  We know what Thompson can do and I don't think there's many better holding midfielders at this level.  The one we kept was Green but I think it's important we look at how he ended the season rather than the 18 months prior.  Given the role of just getting onto stuff and being a nuisance, he looked a different player.  His role before was often that of a destroyer, which he did well but technically couldn't do enough with the ball (standard is set by the way Thompson does it).  But if we accept that we're not expecting him to do a tidy drag back and take two players out of the picture with a deft dummy, rather that he's going to get little flick-ons and pick up scraps from the front players then I think he'll be an asset.  Think more his goal last night than someone sitting in front of the back four and spraying passes about.  

We've also got Khouri in there but he needs to prove his fitness above all else. On that basis I'm not counting him really in the numbers just yet.  But even if we do it's 5 in the middle.  We need another in there and I'm sure we'll get one. But if we line up with any of those 5 in there I'm ok with it.  It's a good balance and mixture of attributes, but crucially it's got genuinely creative players in there.  

Out wide, much like Ainley, Vernam almost feels like a new signing as we saw so little of him.  But then you do start to ask a few questions.  Svanþórsson is going to need time to get up to speed and I really like the look of Ladapo on trial and presuming he signs he'll come to us with virtually no experience under his belt.  We can't expect him to hit the floor running and keep going.   So room for at least one more there.

Up top, I'm a big fan of Wilson and genuinely believe he's got it in him to be one of the best at this level.  Pace, power, can hold it up, can run off the shoulder and most importantly can finish.  Then there's Danny Rose, we know what he brings and we're very lucky to have him.   Question is are we going with one of them alone or pairing them. Either way we need other options.  Pyke appears to still be at the club but I don't imagine he'll be here for long.  But we can't just rely on young Gardner to be the only back-up.

Goalkeeper sorted and improvements made.
Defence sorted and improvements made.
Midfield not far off with improvements made - probably a young lad coming into boost numbers

It's up top and wide that we need strengthening, if only in terms of numbers.  But it's not like we're playing our first game tomorrow.  The extra bodies will come in.  

Great assessment
In full agreement with this, getting excited and can't wait for the season to start (then again I say this every season)

Good thread, some well thought out reasoning, I think I’m more optimistic after reading it  :)

To me, upfront we still need an experienced (but not knackered!) “lump” option to give us a plan B when our sumptuous Artell ball isn’t working.  Think Taylor, Jones, Livvo etc.

I’m relatively relaxed in terms of where we are, the defence looks pretty solid so far and the midfield is gradually getting there. It’s the wings and strikers where we look a little short. Vernam, Jason, Rose & Wilson are the core of a decent side but how many of those are we keeping fit on a regular basis?

I’d like to see 3 or 4 more in those forward positions, two of which are genuine starters, plus maybe another body in midfield.

I'm a bit worried about how far behind Rose is. A few signings lack experience at this level, but we have to trust the process and we will have an idea by the end of September whether or not the summer transfer window has been a success or not. It's quite clear that the recruitment strategy has changed. I think we need another CB, and it looks like Artell agrees given he's had trialists in that position.

Quoted from DaleH

I've taken a bit of a sabbatical from all things Town during the summer, and I've quite enjoyed the break. And I've also taken the decision not to renew my season tickets this season. Not because of anything remotely connected to Town's poor performance last season by the way. Merely because my Son enters the next phase of his own football education and development journey with Boston United, and he will now be playing Saturday football instead of Sunday's with the GTFC Academy. So with the uncertainty of being able to attend every home game, I didn't think it was going to be worth getting the season tickets.

The upshot of this is that I am not entirely sure how the squad is looking for next season and what is left to do in order to complete the squad for the commencement of the season. So what are peoples thoughts please on the business we have been doing both in and out during the closed season? We all know its never really possible to judge what we are looking at until we start kicking balls in anger. But what is the gut feeling of people please? Hoping to hear some real positivity around the business the club has done so far in addition to the players we retained.

? ? ?

All the best

Dale
The eternal optimist :)

Enjoy your boys time....nothing will come close.

Regards Town....you never know til 5 or 6 games in so fck knows.

13 have left and 6 have come in .In my opinion we are still well short in the centre  midfield ,wide and up top

Quoted from Norseman

13 have left and 6 have come in .In my opinion we are still well short in the centre  midfield ,wide and up top

I am presuming a few still to come in as all we will need at the beginning of the season is a couple of injuries and we will be in a mess. I would gamble that a few of the proposed deals have not come off. I never like a squad where you have no forward options on the bench. I really like the defensive look of the squad but not the offensive side.Utm

As I get older I have found not to set the bar too high in terms of the forthcoming season and how I think we will do. I have enjoyed the break away from Town if I am honest as last year, and some of the turgid stuff we produced, almost finished me off.
My own personal requirements are simply to be entertained and enjoy the football once again.
I can't really tell if we have made good signings only time will tell I guess, but as others have stated, we are still short in various positions and hope we can still add some much needed creativity to the team.
I always want new managers to succeed but I find myself wanting Artell to succeed more than most. It took me a long while to warm to him but I think he is a good guy who is pretty genuine in his desire to work his hardest to bring success to the club. I think he realises that that over 5000 season ticket sales after last year is something pretty special - and so do I. Let's hope we all get our just rewards this year.

Quoted from Zmariner

I am presuming a few still to come in as all we will need at the beginning of the season is a couple of injuries and we will be in a mess. I would gamble that a few of the proposed deals have not come off. I never like a squad where you have no forward options on the bench. I really like the defensive look of the squad but not the offensive side.Utm

DA has always the loan option to fall back on. Having two off is a large chunk of a small pool, always the problem of both coming back and having to manage disappointed players. Loanees come in with a different assumption/attitude to a fully contracted player.

Quoted from Norseman

13 have left and 6 have come in .In my opinion we are still well short in the centre  midfield ,wide and up top

Not sure how many, if any, of those 13 we would want to have kept. We are aiming to improve the quality of the squad.

I agree we need a few more incoming in the areas you suggest, but I think the players we have brought in so far look like upgrades on what we had last season.

Quoted from RonMariner

Not sure how many, if any, of those 13 we would want to have kept. We are aiming to improve the quality of the squad.

I agree we need a few more incoming in the areas you suggest, but I think the players we have brought in so far look like upgrades on what we had last season.

Only clifton and Mullarkey really .The 11 we released I agreed with .But we seriously need some numbers in .The friendlies we have played could not have fielded a squad without under 18s and triallists due to injuries .We have about 12 fit senior players which includes 2 keepers

Quoted from Norseman

Only clifton and Mullarkey really .The 11 we released I agreed with .But we seriously need some numbers in .The friendlies we have played could not have fielded a squad without under 18s and triallists due to injuries .We have about 12 fit senior players which includes 2 keepers

Disagree with Clifton, he was poor last season plus he cannot play centre midfield efficiently, and that is where we are weak atm.

Quoted from Ruuger

Disagree with Clifton, he was poor last season plus he cannot play centre midfield efficiently, and that is where we are weak atm.

You could say exactly the same about Green.

Quoted from MuddyWaters

You could say exactly the same about Green.

But the discussion was not about Green.  The Norseman pondered as to how many of those released  should we have kept.  Green was retained so your point is irrelevant.

Quoted from MuddyWaters

You could say exactly the same about Green.

I would respectfully disagree, thought green blossomed and greatly improved under Artell, and i say that as 1 of his detractors

think it was universally agreed that the time had come for Harry to move on, he had a poor season, he is not a CM, and for his own development, think a move is what he needed

Quoted from forza ivano

I would respectfully disagree, thought green blossomed and greatly improved under Artell, and i say that as 1 of his detractors

100% agree.

I think Green becomes very important this season, even more so as we've moved away from a lot of the running, industrious types and more to a technical approach.  Green frustrated the hell out of me at points last season but very much in the way Clifton and Holohan did too.  Our midfield just lacked anything different, it was all same-old-same-old.  Huff, puff and no end product.  

I fancy that the Green we saw at the back of last season, bit further forward and bit more adventurous, is what we'll see this season.  Yet his tenacity and running is something we'll appreciate more.

Quoted from Hagrid

think it was universally agreed that the time had come for Harry to move on, he had a poor season, he is not a CM, and for his own development, think a move is what he needed

Incidentally it seems Clifton’s been injured for most of pre-season thus far at Donny. That’s really unfortunate for him - how many games did he miss through injury since coming into the side under Jolley all those years ago? Almost Groves-like in his physical resilience.

Quoted from Poojah

Incidentally it seems Clifton’s been injured for most of pre-season thus far at Donny. That’s really unfortunate for him - how many games did he miss through injury since coming into the side under Jolley all those years ago? Almost Groves-like in his physical resilience.

I feel for him, that's the last thing he needed after a poor season last year. If he doesn't hit the ground running he might struggle at a different club that doesn't give him the leeway he got here for being a local lad.

Quoted from forza ivano

I would respectfully disagree, thought green blossomed and greatly improved under Artell, and i say that as 1 of his detractors

Yep, I think Green looks a totally different player now. He’ll never be Pele, but you can see how hard he’s working to improve his game and good on him for doing so.

Quoted from Theimperialcoroner

Yep, I think Green looks a totally different player now. He’ll never be Pele, but you can see how hard he’s working to improve his game and good on him for doing so.

Great striker’s instinct for his goal against Boston the other night. Certainly not a trait you’d historically associate with him.

Just caught up with everyone’s views. Thank you.

General consensus appears fo be that  we still need to find more in midfield and attack.

I would have thought that given our lack of goal scoring power last season, that a decent striker or two should have been a priority this summer. So fingers crossed that Mr Artel has that covered.

Best 11 currently is likely to be:

                Wright

Warren Tharme McJannet Carson

            Thompson

        Mceachran Ainley

Svanthorson.           Vernam

                Rose


We still need a midfielder, 2 wide players and a striker for me
  

Quoted from Marinerdeano

Best 11 currently is likely to be:

                Wright

Warren Tharme McJannet Carson

            Thompson

        Mceachran Ainley

Svanthorson.           Vernam

                Rose


We still need a midfielder, 2 wide players and a striker for me
  

So midfielders we got Green, Cribb and Khouri.  Gardner and Pyke can both play WR and WL, and I agree we need at least one more striker. :)

We need a decent bench as well as a starting 11. 5 subs per game, probably 4 of which can be forwards or wide players if we need to push for goals. We also need holding options to defend a lead, plus defensive cover. So you need 20 players for the starting XI plus various substitution scenarios. Not sure we have the squad depth yet.

Quoted from Ruuger

So midfielders we got Green, Cribb and Khouri.  Gardner and Pyke can both play WR and WL, and I agree we need at least one more striker. :)

We need at least one but preferably two central midfielders. Nobody else can do the role Thompson does and I’m not sure he’s likely to be fit for the entire season so there has to be an alternative. And if we’re relying on a game being changed by Green, a teenager and Khouri who is practically untested then we’re really in trouble.

Quoted from mariner91

We need at least one but preferably two central midfielders. Nobody else can do the role Thompson does and I’m not sure he’s likely to be fit for the entire season so there has to be an alternative. And if we’re relying on a game being changed by Green, a teenager and Khouri who is practically untested then we’re really in trouble.

And that’s a stark realisation of where we are. Without several big signings I’d say we are going to be bottom 4 material.

Quoted from chaos33

And that’s a stark realisation of where we are. Without several big signings I’d say we are going to be bottom 4 material.

....but for the fact that there is still 3 weeks left to Kick Off, and 3 weeks left for the new players to settle in and get to know their new teammates.  :)

Quoted from Marinerdeano

Best 11 currently is likely to be:

                Wright

Warren Tharme McJannet Carson

            Thompson

        Mceachran Ainley

Svanthorson.           Vernam

                Rose


We still need a midfielder, 2 wide players and a striker for me
  

Ainley might do great but barely played a minute last season, surely we don’t expect him to be the messiah?

Quoted from MuddyWaters

Ainley might do great but barely played a minute last season, surely we don’t expect him to be the messiah?

The more I think about it the more the midfield starts to worry me. We could put out a half decent starting midfield three IF everyone is fit and IF Ainley hasn't been too badly affected by his illness and remains fit and well. As soon as you get any injuries/suspensions then it looks quite ropey. If you go through them individually;

Thompson -  great player, very good at what he does but questions over his ability to stay fit for a whole season and not the quickest.
Ainley - has played a lot of games at this level and done very well. In glimpses has shown us he has something that we've not had in years which is the ability to spot and quickly execute a through ball. However, he's had a really serious illness and whilst it's fortunately looking like he's pulled through we shouldn't be burdening him with the expectation of playing most of the minutes and being one of our better players. If he can then great but it shouldn't be expected. He's also a little lightweight.
McEachran - played a lot for Swindon last year so is probably capable at this level but also described as lightweight.
Green - limited battler. He'll put his all in but he's extremely limited and we know that and shouldn't expect anything more than making the game scrappy and trying to win 50/50s. Not a bad player to have in the squad but he is very slow and if you're chasing a game, you're hardly likely to bring him on to try to link play up or spray balls around.
Khouri - I don't get why some hold him in such high esteem. He's had a couple of good cameo appearances but nothing more than that and in plenty of games where he's played has appeared anonymous. There are also question marks over his injury record after last season. If he proves me wrong and comes good then great but that should be a bonus, not something we're relying on.
Cribb - he's 18.

So by my estimation we've got a teenager, two players with recent questionable fitness records, one player coming back from a very serious illness and only one player capable of sitting in front of the defence and acting as the fulcrum who, incidentally, is one that has a slightly iffy injury record. We're also seriously lacking in mobility and physicality. I personally think that last season the root of the main issues was the centre of midfield. Yes, the keepers and defenders were pretty dodgy but we had a slow midfield full of workmanlike players who plodded about chasing shadows giving little protection and either offered no options to allow us to keep possession or immediately surrendered it through a poor pass/first touch. I'm not for a second saying that we were wrong in releasing Holohan, in selling Hunt and should Clifton have stayed I wouldn't have wanted him in CM as he's fooking useless there BUT we've only signed one player to replace them (who is lightweight) so far. We've also not got Andrews on loan either so we're light in numbers and in improvements. For all Holohan's and Clifton's major flaws last season, they were fairly dependably fit.

if we're to have any chance of improving and playing a type of football that Artell and the owners say they want to implement then it is imperative that we sign at least one other central midfielder who is of the calibre of Thompson (and likely to stay fit) but I'd ideally like two. We're down numerically and I wouldn't think that Hunt, Holohan and Clifton were on particularly low wages either so there should be money available. We need someone with experience who can do the simple things well, gets about the opposition and has a good engine on them. Somebody like Paul Bolland would be bloody brilliant but I'd take someone with 3/4s of Clifton's energy but can actually pass/control a football. There's still time and, hopefully, money available to get the right players in but if we don't then we're in for a long and difficult season.

Like for like cover for Rose and Thompson is essential and this was always going to be the case. That we haven’t got that yet is troubling.

Quoted from Ruuger

....but for the fact that there is still 3 weeks left to Kick Off, and 3 weeks left for the new players to settle in and get to know their new teammates.  :)

Yes. That’s my point isn’t it. Several great signings and a load of coaching and strategy and fitness work in a few weeks or days and the planning will be a masterstroke.

So, in summary, the answers are ‘not great’ and ‘lots’.

                                 Wright

            Rodgers.    Tharme.     Mcjannet

Warren.      Thompson.     McEachran       Carson

     Svanthorsson                            XXXXXXXX
                                    Rose

Would like us to set up in a 3-4-3 lineup, but we are short of another wide forward to do so, especially as Vernam not been available most of pre season. Think we need another CM and another striker also

Can’t base anything on yesterday but it did raise a few questions. For me anyway. I was surprised at the lack of pace in the side, the lack of creativity and also how we struggled physically. Very akin to last seasons struggles.

But.. and it’s a big but.. yesterday didn’t matter. And it may be a good thing. For all of DA’s protecting players in his after match interview you could tell he was far from happy. In defence (of how we’re shaping up) - the ‘spine’ of our team missing.. Tharme/a midfielder to take a grip of a game/Rose etc. And as has been mentioned mixture of trialists, youngsters..

Still feel we are light in terms of attacking intent, and creativity. Plus a bit physically. And I’d be lying if I said I wasn’t concerned re the lack of pace in back line.

Overall feel there’s still a bit to do recruitment wise.. maybe 3/4 season long loans.. but I’m not expecting miracles this season. Think mid table possible.. but the old adage/argument is get off to a good start etc.. get used to winning.. you just never know. That’s why I hope we take the ‘lesser’ cup comps a bit more seriously this year.

I think there's still a fair bit left to do. We look light in midfield, Thompson is key, but made of paper. People are majorly overhyping Ainley.

I'd have thought Artell would have done his business early. He needs us to have a good start because I think for many the jury is still out on him. A bad start will see people turn quickly.

For me it majorly depends on the business to come. We have to add quality, whether permanent or some quality loans.

The thing about the future is we don’t know what will happen.
However, based on limited information I am of the belief that currently our fit squad is good enough to finish in the bottom four teams in L2.

I’ll save any further thoughts until more information is forthcoming.

But I’m not holding my breath.

Quoted from headingly_mariner

Thompson is key, but made of paper.

He made 38 appearances last season.

Will the best 11 be the 11 most technically gifted players?  Or maybe the 11 best suited to playing DA’s style?

If we’re going for success rating based on who we’ve signed…… there’s a trap door to National league waiting.

However, in my lifetime of supporting GTFC, we’ve never had the best budget, therefore never signed the best players…… but we’ve had several periods of punching.

We ain’t signing Ronaldo, Messi and Mbappe, just hope DA has signed a squad to punch above their weight.

The end

Quoted from Maringer

He made 38 appearances last season.

Beat me to it. The Cheltenham fans said he couldn't last 90 minutes and that that was the main reason they were getting rid of him but he managed it several times for us after he signed. Only missed two matches for us and started the rest. Has undoubtedly had injury problems in the past but you wouldn't have known that from his time in a Town shirt so far.

Let’s hope seeing him hobble off on Saturday is not a bad injury…….didn't look good to me.
If he’s injured for a while we will struggle….

Quoted from Stew0_0

                                 Wright

            Rodgers.    Tharme.     Mcjannet

Warren.      Thompson.     McEachran       Carson

     Svanthorsson                            XXXXXXXX
                                    Rose

Would like us to set up in a 3-4-3 lineup, but we are short of another wide forward to do so, especially as Vernam not been available most of pre season. Think we need another CM and another striker also

Not a great deal of pace in the back three. McJannet makes Luke Waterfall look like Usain Bolt.

Quoted from IlkleyMariner

The thing about the future is we don’t know what will happen.
However, based on limited information I am of the belief that currently our fit squad is good enough to finish in the bottom four teams in L2.

I’ll save any further thoughts until more information is forthcoming.

But I’m not holding my breath.

What I don't understand is why people feel the need to post negative stuff about the new season, when
a) we haven't played a League game yet,
b) we do not have the final squad for the season  
c) several first team players have not played in pre season yet due to injuries.
d) pre season teams were made up of trialists, youths and first team squad players
e) there are more additions to the squad yet to be announced

Based on that, I have no idea where we are going to finish in League Two next season, I am hopeful that we will be at least somewhere near mid table, but I wouldn't dream of posting that we will finish in mid table because there are far too many variables that can effect what our League position will be at the end of the season.

Quoted from Ruuger

What I don't understand is why people feel the need to post negative stuff about the new season, when
a) we haven't played a League game yet,
b) we do not have the final squad for the season  
c) several first team players have not played in pre season yet due to injuries.
d) pre season teams were made up of trialists, youths and first team squad players
e) there are more additions to the squad yet to be announced

Based on that, I have no idea where we are going to finish in League Two next season, I am hopeful that we will be at least somewhere near mid table, but I wouldn't dream of posting that we will finish in mid table because there are far too many variables that can effect what our League position will be at the end of the season.

Might be because the recruitment isn’t matching up to the rhetoric. Six players recruited plus two from the youth team whilst 13 leave. We’re also told that we are developing a new playing style yet the job for a new analyst is advertised at not much above the minimum wage.

Yes, there’s plenty of time before the window closes, I totally accept that but it’s certainly not long till the first game or should we just write off the first three weeks of the season?

Quoted from MuddyWaters

Might be because the recruitment isn’t matching up to the rhetoric. Six players recruited plus two from the youth team whilst 13 leave. We’re also told that we are developing a new playing style yet the job for a new analyst is advertised at not much above the minimum wage.

Yes, there’s plenty of time before the window closes, I totally accept that but it’s certainly not long till the first game or should we just write off the first three weeks of the season?

I don't know what type of analyst we are looking for, could you enlighten me please?  Also 'you' think recruitment isn't matching the rhetoric, what exactly is the rhetoric?  As for your question at the end of your post, that is just absurd.

Quoted from Ruuger

I don't know what type of analyst we are looking for, could you enlighten me please?  Also 'you' think recruitment isn't matching the rhetoric, what exactly is the rhetoric?  As for your question at the end of your post, that is just absurd.

https://gtfc.co.uk/vacancy-first-team-performance-analysist/

I imagine Stevenage and Crawley fans felt that they would struggle after they were nearly relegated.  Look what happened to them the following season.

Quoted from MuddyWaters

Might be because the recruitment isn’t matching up to the rhetoric. Six players recruited plus two from the youth team whilst 13 leave. We’re also told that we are developing a new playing style yet the job for a new analyst is advertised at not much above the minimum wage.

Yes, there’s plenty of time before the window closes, I totally accept that but it’s certainly not long till the first game or should we just write off the first three weeks of the season?

The analyst job is a weird one. Really low salary to go with the really high expectations, but the vacancy was posted on the first day of pre-season which seems really disorganised. I don't know the circumstances behind why it was advertised then, but in an ideal world, you surely want your new analyst working for you as long as possible before a competitive ball is kicked.

£23,000 for someone with a M Sc in sports analyses dream on.

Quoted from Ruuger

I don't know what type of analyst we are looking for, could you enlighten me please?  Also 'you' think recruitment isn't matching the rhetoric, what exactly is the rhetoric?  As for your question at the end of your post, that is just absurd.

I think it’s pretty absurd to talk about ‘the Grimsby way’ and asking for a performance analyst to help develop that , with their Masters degree, on 23 grand a year.

Quoted from Ruuger

I don't know what type of analyst we are looking for, could you enlighten me please?  Also 'you' think recruitment isn't matching the rhetoric, what exactly is the rhetoric?  As for your question at the end of your post, that is just absurd.

One who thinks he can live on £23k a year

If I were an Analyst, I would be asking what extra qualifications do I need to be an Analysist!

Quoted from MuddyWaters

https://www.glassdoor.co.uk/Salaries/football-analyst-salary-SRCH_KO0,16.htm

I rest my case,cheapskates is the term that comes to mind.

That job description definitely written by someone who uses the phrase reach out.

If you work a 40 hour week the national living wage is £23,800.

To expect someone who has invested their time in getting a sports science degree to take less than that is nothing more than cheapskate imo.

Quoted from MuddyWaters

https://gtfc.co.uk/vacancy-first-team-performance-analysist/

Wow, reading all that and the Job Description, whoever gets it is going to have his hands full for sure.

Quoted from Ruuger

Wow, reading all that and the Job Description, whoever gets it is going to have his hands full for sure.

Is it fair to say that you get my point?

Quoted from Ruuger

Wow, reading all that and the Job Description, whoever gets it is going to have his hands full for sure.

This has already been 'done ' on here before though - it's a decent opportunity to start out in something that's quite niche , for someone who wants to work in that field ; graduate salaries aren't always particularly high , salaries in football are not particularly high outside of player salaries .

The main point is though no one is forcing anyone with higher salary expectations to apply are they , it's very much optional as to whether they  do or not - the way some talk on here you would think they are approaching people with force on the street demanding they accept the job on minimum .

Quoted from MuddyWaters

https://gtfc.co.uk/vacancy-first-team-performance-analysist/

I found that the job description scans better if you read it [in your head, obviously] in the voice of David Brent.

Quoted Text

We don’t just work for Grimsby Town Football Club — we are Grimsby Town Football Club. It’s a remarkable story that began in 1878 and has continued uninterrupted ever since.

There is nothing bigger and nothing more powerful in uniting so many people — through purpose, passion and pride — than a football club. It’s people’s identity. It’s their family; their heritage.

It’s where they belong. This is something that cannot be undone. The bond, ties and loyalty are forever. And by being here, we are part of the story. This is no ordinary job. This is an extraordinary opportunity. We are more than staff, players, managers, coaches, analysists, physios, stewards and volunteers. We are friends, supporters, promoters, entertainers, role models and, in some cases, idols and legends. But we cannot be any of these things without each other.

None of us is bigger than all of us. Every day, we strive for better. We are a football club, but we’re at the heart of something much bigger. A club formed from its community now has the power to define its community. We are today’s authors of this black and white story.

This moment has been 144 years in the making. And the next chapter is in our hands. Together, we can achieve greater things. And to achieve greater things we need a great team, and this is where you come in.

Quoted from Poojah

I found that the job description scans better if you read it [in your head, obviously] in the voice of David Brent.

I’m thinking that you mean it’s a load of sanctimonious nonsense?