2024/25 Squad

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Mar 26, 2024 17:33:14 GMT @oldboy1973 said:

Mar 26, 2024 14:27:04 GMT pwoodstone said:

“A whole new squad” is a very simplistic approach

It may be simplistic but it’s reality.
Look what happened the last time we kept an NLS promotion winning squad for the NL!
Step at a time - For now let’s continue to bask in big George’s ability to get great things from average to good NLS players in both the cup run and the league and have some fun in the playoffs with the current squad. COYS!

I still maintain we could have stayed up with 4 or 5 additions to the squad and keeping the right players. And possibly a better manager.

It’s folly to think we will change the whole squad.

I do think this squad has less flair and talent that Hak’s.

It does have a smaller range of performance though. More 5 to 8s whereas Hak’s squad was more 0-10. If you catch my drift

[Deleted]

Far too early to speculate on next seasons squad as we need to know just what league we will be in. I would hazard a guess that 70% of our squad are not good enough for NL so big changes would be made but should we not go up then the current squad should be good enough to challenge again next season.

[Deleted]

From the players' perspective, a promotion season is always a twin-edged sword. You get a great, exciting season, and a trophy and medals, and a big tick on your CV, but you also know that your chances of staying at the club are considerably reduced. And this is especially true for promotions between the regional, non-league NS and what is effectively L3.

It must be very bitter-sweet, lifting the trophy, bathing in the fans' adulation, but, deep inside, knowing that you'll be doing it all again next season, for a different club, and probably one that won't give you this chance again.

[Deleted]

Mar 26, 2024 19:28:01 GMT @johndaubneyslegs said:

From the players' perspective, a promotion season is always a twin-edged sword. You get a great, exciting season, and a trophy and medals, and a big tick on your CV, but you also know that your chances of staying at the club are considerably reduced. And this is especially true for promotions between the regional, non-league NS and what is effectively L3.

It must be very bitter-sweet, lifting the trophy, bathing in the fans' adulation, but, deep inside, knowing that you'll be doing it all again next season, for a different club, and probably one that won't give you this chance again.

Very poignant and very true

[Deleted]

Am sure George is very aware of too many players being out too long/too often with injuries. He talks a lot about player recovery after matches, plus they all wear that sport bra thing which monitors their physical condition.
It is often the case that a successful season is also a relatively injury free one. Given the intensity of the way they play, the lengthy warm up (it was a kick about in the penalty area, followed by a fag and a pint back in the day), warm down session after the match, it is little wonder some players are more injury prone than others.
Trying to avoid the more vulnerable players is easier said than done, while those with a bit more talent may be worth the risk. Don't want to jinx anyone, but there are clearly players in our squad who probably run twice as far as others and stay injury free and am guessing their names are often first on the team sheet.

[Deleted]

Mar 27, 2024 8:55:13 GMT @61666 said:

Am sure George is very aware of too many players being out too long/too often with injuries. He talks a lot about player recovery after matches, plus they all wear that sport bra thing which monitors their physical condition.
It is often the case that a successful season is also a relatively injury free one. Given the intensity of the way they play, the lengthy warm up (it was a kick about in the penalty area, followed by a fag and a pint back in the day), warm down session after the match, it is little wonder some players are more injury prone than others.
Trying to avoid the more vulnerable players is easier said than done, while those with a bit more talent may be worth the risk. Don't want to jinx anyone, but there are clearly players in our squad who probably run twice as far as others and stay injury free and am guessing their names are often first on the team sheet.

...and the first to be signed for next season?

[Deleted]

Mar 27, 2024 12:28:04 GMT royalstone said:

Mar 27, 2024 8:55:13 GMT @61666 said:

Am sure George is very aware of too many players being out too long/too often with injuries. He talks a lot about player recovery after matches, plus they all wear that sport bra thing which monitors their physical condition.
It is often the case that a successful season is also a relatively injury free one. Given the intensity of the way they play, the lengthy warm up (it was a kick about in the penalty area, followed by a fag and a pint back in the day), warm down session after the match, it is little wonder some players are more injury prone than others.
Trying to avoid the more vulnerable players is easier said than done, while those with a bit more talent may be worth the risk. Don't want to jinx anyone, but there are clearly players in our squad who probably run twice as far as others and stay injury free and am guessing their names are often first on the team sheet.

...and the first to be signed for next season?

Only Corne so far, although I imagine they're hoping to hold on to Covolan, but If I were him, I'd be waiting to see if we go up or not).

As for the others - no idea. I have my favourites, as everybody does, but after our last NL season, I no longer trust my own judgement!

In George we trust. I don't always understand or agree with him, but it seems to work!

[Deleted]

Sol WS and Connor Kelly, not seen as much of them as we would like, but still 2 of our very best players.

[jackster]

I would add Bone, Fowler, Rush and Greenidge to the retention list.

[Deleted]

Mar 28, 2024 9:37:40 GMT jackster said:

I would add Bone, Fowler, Rush and Greenidge to the retention list.

Depends where we end up. Greenidge and Fowler are good enough to give them a go, but Bone in the NL? Not at all sure of that.

And ditto Rush. He's hard working and determined, and knows where the goal is, and worth a punt for the NS. But his size is his biggest drawback, he gets pushed off the ball and dominated by big defenders too much. If he struggles with that at our level, how on earth will he cope in the NL?

[Deleted]

Greenidge much like Sol has been injured A LOT.

However good he might be, he can't be relied on to actually play on a regular basis.

[Deleted]

Mar 28, 2024 13:30:26 GMT @johndaubneyslegs said:

Mar 28, 2024 9:37:40 GMT jackster said:

I would add Bone, Fowler, Rush and Greenidge to the retention list.

Depends where we end up. Greenidge and Fowler are good enough to give them a go, but Bone in the NL? Not at all sure of that.

And ditto Rush. He's hard working and determined, and knows where the goal is, and worth a punt for the NS. But his size is his biggest drawback, he gets pushed off the ball and dominated by big defenders too much. If he struggles with that at our level, how on earth will he cope in the NL?

So now we're done being sizeist about goalkeepers it begins with forwards ! Messi wasn't too bad, despite his size !

Personally, I think Rushy is a great player and most defenders struggle to get the ball off him without fouling. Would possibly get better protection from refs in NL?

[Deleted]

Mar 28, 2024 18:22:33 GMT royalstone said:

Mar 28, 2024 13:30:26 GMT @johndaubneyslegs said:

Depends where we end up. Greenidge and Fowler are good enough to give them a go, but Bone in the NL? Not at all sure of that.

And ditto Rush. He's hard working and determined, and knows where the goal is, and worth a punt for the NS. But his size is his biggest drawback, he gets pushed off the ball and dominated by big defenders too much. If he struggles with that at our level, how on earth will he cope in the NL?

So now we're done being sizeist about goalkeepers it begins with forwards ! Messi wasn't too bad, despite his size !

Personally, I think Rushy is a great player and most defenders struggle to get the ball off him without fouling. Would possibly get better protection from refs in NL?

He'd make a great goalkeeper! I've tried not to be sizeist, but I'm afraid he would definitely score more goals if he was bigger.

Whenever you mention size in relation to forwards, those of my generation invariably respond with "Peter Beardsley!". And, yes, although only 5'8" (and not exactly possessing a classic football physique), he was a cracking forward and (deservedly) a legend. But this is one of the (few) exceptions that 'prove' the rule. If his player profile is to be believed, Rush is actually taller at just under 5'10" (1.77m)*, but, by the standards of today's forwards, this is still short.

But then, I guess you can't complain about 14 goals in 39 starts...


*I am (these days!) 5'11", and I'm pretty bloody sure Rush isn't only an inch shorter than me!

[Deleted]

Tony Cottee, Adrian Heath, Michael Owen. All pretty short. All pretty deadly

[jdh80]

Mar 28, 2024 14:19:27 GMT Raymondo316 said:

Greenidge much like Sol has been injured A LOT.

However good he might be, he can't be relied on to actually play on a regular basis.

Damn me and you are agreeing on a lot on this thread.

I agree that we would need a complete overhaul of the squad if we gain promotion to the NL.  The four names mentioned above (Bone, Fowler, Rush and Greenidge) are the four I would pick (Outside of Covolan who I think will be going higher up regardless of if we go up or not).

However like you if I was in charge I would want assurances on Greenidge and Bone's fitness as both have missed a number of games this season, fit and healthy I think they are both key signings if we go up.



As much as we like and cheer other players etc, you have to take sentimentality out of it and do what is right for the team and I think George and Craig will do that regardless of which league we end up in.