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Quoted from lee65

If we get around 6 more in (as Mikey above suggests), how will the size of our 1st team squad compare to last season?

Would take us to around 25 but that includes the young lads who I'd probably suggest will go out for first team experience - so 21 ish assuming no outgoings. Jan onwards we had 27 players on the books.

Might be a tad high for what PH wants but with windows you need to have options in-between them for injuries etc.

2 keepers
1 RB
1 CM (attacking type)
1 wide player and possibly 2
1 striker and possibly 2
Someone who can play a ‘number 10’ role

I'm interested in how Hurst uses the loan market this time out .

It seemed in the main it was just to pad out the squad last year , another Smith would be helpful , is it completely dead that he does not come back ?
How many loans can you have in the matchday squad ?

I think it's vital we get some physicality at top, particularly if, as looks likely, we'll start with one up front with three or four behind most weeks. I thought we struggled during that period between Taylor (for all his foibles) getting injured and George Lloyd coming in, and even then Lloyd wasn't your archetypal "get it up 'em" target man.

Of the names bandied about previously, Harry and Sam Smith remain free agents whilst Josh Umerah will surely leave Hartlepool at some point this summer. Josh Kayode has had major injury problems but surely needs to get game time somewhere before his contract at Rotherham expires next year; would he be worth a punt provided he wasn't our only option in that position?

To that end, I think we definitely need to be investing in more than one "big man" up top, even if one is a loanee. There's a long period between transfer windows and if we're determined to play the way most expect us to, we can't have all of our eggs in one basket. I really hope we can see more of the Danilo Orsi we saw in our cup run, but I'm still to be convinced he can play the number 9 role week-in-week-out in the league (though I'd love him to convince me).

I'm pretty happy with where we are with the squad so far, though. A year ago today we made only our first signing of last year's summer window; Niall Maher. We are infinitely better prepared, 12 months on. I'm looking forward to this season more than any I can remember, possibly since 98/99. Exciting times.

We need another 6 I would say, and like poojah, I think at least 1 of those needs to be a big unit up front.

Another defender or 2 and another couple of midfielders, with a ubiquitous utility player who can fill a number of positions being one of the number.

Plus we need a keeper or two.

Some of those will be loan players from higher up I imagine.

Quoted from ginnywings

We need another 6 I would say, and like poojah, I think at least 1 of those needs to be a big unit up front.

Another defender or 2 and another couple of midfielders, with a ubiquitous utility player who can fill a number of positions being one of the number.

Plus we need a keeper or two.

Some of those will be loan players from higher up I imagine.

I think loan players will inevitably be a part of the mix, and possibly even in addition to the core of 5 or 6 that are required as a minimum. Whoever they are though need to be making more of an impact than the youngsters who came here last season.

Between them Pepple, Simmonds, O’Neill and Dickson-Peters barely troubled the Richter scale in terms of impact. Lewis Richardson is probably the exception, but even then he ran hot and cold at times.

Need to do better on that front.

Quoted from Poojah

I think loan players will inevitably be a part of the mix, and possibly even in addition to the core of 5 or 6 that are required as a minimum. Whoever they are though need to be making more of an impact than the youngsters who came here last season.

Between them Pepple, Simmonds, O’Neill and Dickson-Peters barely troubled the Richter scale in terms of impact. Lewis Richardson is probably the exception, but even then he ran hot and cold at times.

Need to do better on that front.

Agreed, but some of last season's loans were out of necessity and a tad of desperation. They didn't have much competition and got more time than they would have in a normal season.

We are better prepared now and already stronger than we were, plus our stock is higher than last season, so I reckon the quality of any loans will be up a notch or three.

Quoted from ginnywings

Agreed, but some of last season's loans were out of necessity and a tad of desperation. They didn't have much competition and got more time than they would have in a normal season.

We are better prepared now and already stronger than we were, plus our stock is higher than last season, so I reckon the quality of any loans will be up a notch or three.

And I think that’s the key. We look to be a lot more bullish this window than we have in recent ones, and that gives me greater confidence not only in what’s to come but also in the business we’ve already done.

For instance, the cynic that lives inside every Town fan could point to Donovan Wilson as being a slightly underwhelming, non-scoring frontman. But the fact that his signing has come early in the window and not at 5 to midnight on the 31st August gives me great confidence that it he is part of a well thought out plan and not a last gasp move of desperation, as perhaps the likes of Simmonds and Dickson-Peters were previously.

I’d be happy to have a really boring end to the transfer window if it means we’ve got everything done well in advance due to good preparation, sound planning, and most importantly assertive execution.

That certainly looks to be the approach we’re taking.

Danny Rose plays as a sort of target man, just more into his feet with some clever link up play. Think a smaller but younger Ryan Taylor, but with a few extra strings to his bow. Top signing in my opinion.

I would rather we didn’t sign a ‘target man’ as that suggests a direct style of play, and at times we were dreadful last season.

That said, we do need robust frontmen such as Bogle or Ollie Palmer (not suggesting either of them, just their build and ability to score).

GK x 2
RB
CB
CM
Winger
Striker

Quoted from jimgtfc

Danny Rose plays as a sort of target man, just more into his feet with some clever link up play. Think a smaller but younger Ryan Taylor, but with a few extra strings to his bow. Top signing in my opinion.

Yeah, and George Lloyd played in similar fashion the back end of last season. Still, if you could give me someone with the height of Kyle Hudlin, the strength of LJL, the cute interplay of Ryan Taylor and the finishing finesse of Podge Amond or Alan Connell, I’d probably spaff all over the Fishy to such an extent it could take Rob months to get the server operational again*.

* the pace of Michael Reddy would be a bonus, but I didn’t want to sound greedy.

Quoted from ginnywings

Agreed, but some of last season's loans were out of necessity and a tad of desperation. They didn't have much competition and got more time than they would have in a normal season.

We are better prepared now and already stronger than we were, plus our stock is higher than last season, so I reckon the quality of any loans will be up a notch or three.

It was mentioned last week (maybe in JS's Guardian article) that in terms of data they were also looking at how successful squads have been made up in previous L2 seasons - number of players, average age etc. I suspect within that they'll have looked at numbers and types of loans and that will then inform whether we have many loanees.

I already like the shape of our squad. If they stay fit imagine Cliftons energy and Hunts range of passing to the front 3 of the new lads (if we played 3 up) 2 pacey wingers and a clever central striker.

For me if we can get 3 more good quality players through the door (100% a goalkeeper) and maybe 2 or 3 half decent or up and coming players then for me it's a good set up for the coming season. I will add though looking at the transfer activity, is this going to be the toughest league 2 ever?

Quoted from lukeo

I already like the shape of our squad. If they stay fit imagine Cliftons energy and Hunts range of passing to the front 3 of the new lads (if we played 3 up) 2 pacey wingers and a clever central striker.

For me if we can get 3 more good quality players through the door (100% a goalkeeper) and maybe 2 or 3 half decent or up and coming players then for me it's a good set up for the coming season. I will add though looking at the transfer activity, is this going to be the toughest league 2 ever?

I think you’re definitely right about being one of the tougher league two’s. At least in terms of gunning for promotion, I imagine there will be a big divide between the top 9-10 teams and the rest of the league

I'm quite happy with those we have signed and it seems Hurst has a definite plan of what he wants to do and who he wants. The players who come in will now see Town as an up and coming club wanting to go places, especially having had last year's cup run. Added to this I believe is Hurst's stock in the game so players are wanting to play for him and a future, hopefully, in League 1 next season.

Whist the keeper is of some concern I think Hurst gave Max a take it or leave offer and Max choose the latter. Hurst seems to have signed good keepers in the past so I don't think there is any need for concern there.

We have definitely been lightweight up front so let's see who else he brings in in that department.

I'm unsure how we'll be setting up next season but I do think a 3-man midfield is the most effective these days, hunt for distribution, clifton for some steel and drive and a defensive mid (who can pass accurately) to screen the defence. I certainly reckon we'll get more value out of Hunt next season with the more lively wing/forwards we're bringing in.

We'll only have 1 keeper next year, I think another CB will come for sure, hopefully another RB/RWB, a defensive CM, a bruiser CF and another wing/forward please.

Be interesting to see what loans we do get in after JS mentioned prem teams asking us what positions we needed filling.....

We got the pace now, we’ve got the clever link up play I’d still like to see a combative big beast to finish off the squad up top.

I think having a big unit available to put on up front (even if it isn't 'Plan A') is certainly a helpful option, not least because some of the defences in this division are simply massive and the useless referees tend to let them shove smaller players around. Just remember how many times Lloyd was fouled with impunity or even penalised for standing up to fouls from big defenders last season. There will be certain games where the same occurs with Rose this coming season, assuming he's going to be playing a similar role.

Whatever the rights or wrongs, we have to take a view that some of the referees are going to be uselessly biased in favour of big defenders and only a big bloke to match will allow us to get near some parity in the decision-making.

Surely we'll be signing two keepers? Even if one is a younger backup option. Battersby has gone so we need two. Unless there's a youth keeper coming through that I don't know about?

Need one more striker Think if we signed a Luke Armstrong sort, then the strikers would be done.
But for me we also need another winger, Creative/Goalscoring Centre Midfielder, Centre half and 2 x keepers

Quoted from OddShapedBalls

I'm unsure how we'll be setting up next season but I do think a 3-man midfield is the most effective these days, hunt for distribution, clifton for some steel and drive and a defensive mid (who can pass accurately) to screen the defence. I certainly reckon we'll get more value out of Hunt next season with the more lively wing/forwards we're bringing in.

We'll only have 1 keeper next year, I think another CB will come for sure, hopefully another RB/RWB, a defensive CM, a bruiser CF and another wing/forward please.

Be interesting to see what loans we do get in after JS mentioned prem teams asking us what positions we needed filling.....

Total stab in the dark and we still have a few signings to come in but if this was our squad right now I'd have a guess at 433 / 4231

As many as PH wants . It's up to him , not us to tell him

I wonder how big a part Waterfall & Holahan will play next season ?

You would think Hurst will want to have the quality so that they are fringe players rather than consistent starters .

We need a keeper and a back up for him.

There must be a few good young ones being released from clubs higher up.

So he might jump at the chance of coming here as a back up.

Quoted from grimsby pete

We need a keeper and a back up for him.

There must be a few good young ones being released from clubs higher up.

So he might jump at the chance of coming here as a back up.

A legitimate backup won't come in, we will run with a Fake No2, somebody with less than 5 league games under their belt to support the No1 in training, warm ups and to play if a keeper drops out of the warm up. Even with 7 subs, Hurst rarely goes with a keeper on the bench and running with a Fake No2 means we can get an emergency loan in at any point if our No1 is injured, suspended or called up for international duty.

Quoted from Mappers

I wonder how big a part Waterfall & Holahan will play next season ?

You would think Hurst will want to have the quality so that they are fringe players rather than consistent starters .

I wouldn't write either of them off, I still think people are over-hyping the role hunt will play - I'd wager Holohan will have a greater impact

With Vernam confirmed what does that leave us needing (assuming no exits)?

Keeper X2
RB
CB
CM
Big Beast up top

Perhaps with 2 of those as loans?

With the players we have in midfield and going forward I am not fused if we don't get a target man in. Very excited for this season

We’re not far away now with the obvious exception of the goalkeeping department.

We’re pretty well stocked in quick-ish, technically decent front men - I’d be surprised if we saw any further editions in that mould (other than perhaps a young loanee). Still not much by way of height and physicality though; I still think we need two capable of offering us some more attacking presence.

The midfield was never far away; probably just the one addition to come there, maybe two.

A right back and a centre-half required to compete the defensive unit, assuming Glennon doesn’t leave. Bennett would of course be a fantastic addition if a sensible deal can be done.

All-in-all, we look pretty well set before the fixtures have even been released. We look as prepared as I can remember at this stage of a summer window, and I’m pretty pleased with the general quality level. Only Wilson arrives with any obvious question marks, and I’m prepared to trust Hurst on that one.

Excellent stuff!

One of the best attacking displays I witnessed last season was when we had Khan and Kiernan either side of Taylor with Hunt/Clifton supplying them from midfield vs Stockport Away. I think our form started to dip as we lost those wide attacking options through injury and had to revert to 5 at the back with wingbacks.

It seems as if PH is trying to re-create that style of play. We now have Danny Rose as our focal point with a selection of Khan, Vernam, Eisa, Wilson, Clifton for those attacking wide positions.

I don't think we are far off. I would like to see a big, dominant CM through the door and a high quality CB (Bennett would be great), a GK and a young understudy. After that, it depends how we intend to play but another striker is probably required before the window shuts.

Looking at the group; Rose, Vernam, Khan, Eisa, Wilson, Orsi, we have quite a lot of rotation in the forward four positions if we assume two wingers, forward and a number 10.

Khan may not really be seen as a forward, with Orsi less likely to fall anywhere other than number 9, but between the other 4, they can probably occupy all 4 positions with relative comfort.

No doubt they all have their specific strengths which will ultimately put them into a more natural position within PHs thinking, but the fact they have some degree of interchangeability is nothing short of great work on the recruitment front.

Hopefully it will mean our over-reliance on one or two attacking players is over (subject to injuries) and the competition - on paper at least - is going to be very strong, there'll be no room for ay of these players to slack off and expect to play.

As for getting in a 'larger' target man type, I wouldn't rule it out but I think Orsi might make way for that to happen. I certainly wouldn't be unhappy to see Harry Smith show up but I have a feeling if PH goes down this route it might be more of a loan, either a youngster or a gamble like that Kayode fella or whoever he is from Rotherham who has had a few injuries (so I understand).

Looking forward to the next week or two when PH is hopeful of having the bulk of the squad together and evidence so far is he and the club are being very true to their word and getting business done early.

PH said himself that he may have to look at getting some taller players into the squad for those games when the opposition are all giants.

He hasn't done that yet, so either they are still to come, or there has been a change of emphasis. Unless of course he made those comments with his tongue firmly in his cheek.

Quoted from gtfc_chris

Looking at the group; Rose, Vernam, Khan, Eisa, Wilson, Orsi, we have quite a lot of rotation in the forward four positions if we assume two wingers, forward and a number 10.

Khan may not really be seen as a forward, with Orsi less likely to fall anywhere other than number 9, but between the other 4, they can probably occupy all 4 positions with relative comfort.

No doubt they all have their specific strengths which will ultimately put them into a more natural position within PHs thinking, but the fact they have some degree of interchangeability is nothing short of great work on the recruitment front.

Hopefully it will mean our over-reliance on one or two attacking players is over (subject to injuries) and the competition - on paper at least - is going to be very strong, there'll be no room for ay of these players to slack off and expect to play.

As for getting in a 'larger' target man type, I wouldn't rule it out but I think Orsi might make way for that to happen. I certainly wouldn't be unhappy to see Harry Smith show up but I have a feeling if PH goes down this route it might be more of a loan, either a youngster or a gamble like that Kayode fella or whoever he is from Rotherham who has had a few injuries (so I understand).

Looking forward to the next week or two when PH is hopeful of having the bulk of the squad together and evidence so far is he and the club are being very true to their word and getting business done early.

Given the other options we now have a modest cost Harry Smith type might be all we need to offer the plan B. Orsi had a slow start with us - injury then struggling to break into the team, but PH said he was the best finisher we had, he’s now coming into his prime at 27, he’ll have had a full close season of conditioning with us, he may play a more significant role and could be that finisher we’ve needed with the options we’ve now got alongside.

Remember our last promotion from this level - big Keith provided our muscle - signed from Barnet where Smith finished the season on loan.

Think as a minimum we still need.

2 x GK (One obviously is Cartwright so maybe someone with a fair bit of experience)
1 x RB
1 x CB
1 x CM
1 x big illegitimate up front (think that’s the correct technical name for it)

Quoted from Mikey_345

Think as a minimum we still need.

2 x GK (One obviously is Cartwright so maybe someone with a fair bit of experience)
1 x RB
1 x CB
1 x CM
1 x big illegitimate up front (think that’s the correct technical name for it)

I'd happily take 3 or 4 of those as season long loans with 1 or 2 permanent additions.
I genuinely believe we've built up the best squad, especially attacking wise, since I can remember, especially at this level of football.

I really think Orsi has something about him, I'd personally be gutted if he left- even if not starting he brings energy off the bench and will give tired defences at the back end of games a run around, as well as clearly having a bit of flare as we saw in the Luton game.

Quoted from ChannelMariner

I really think Orsi has something about him, I'd personally be gutted if he left- even if not starting he brings energy off the bench and will give tired defences at the back end of games a run around, as well as clearly having a bit of flare as we saw in the Luton game.

Agree re Orsi - I've banged on about it before but he scored more than Tshminga in that season he got his move. Doesn't make a career, obviously, but shows there's possibly more there than we have seen.

I think Orsi would probably do better feeding off the scraps of another forward, as he's not suited to leading the line.

I was thoroughly unimpressed for most of the season, but he did well in the Cup run and offered a bit more in the League after that. Still didn't score many, however.

I'd imagine he'll be coming off the bench more often than not so needs to start knocking them in if he's going to get a chance as a starter.