Retained List

I'd have a squad of 18 outfield players and pad out with u23s. They can be used as bench options or fill in for say 5 games if injuries dictate. It's what we should have done for years. Less senior players me and we can spend more on quality too!

 

Anyone else catch Leadbitter walking out to gaze across the pitch during Johnson’s post match interview? It means a lot to the lad. I’m sure he’d stay on as a coach if asked.

 

Dan Neil appeared to have more about him in the few cup games than our entire midfield had over 46 league games.

The assists and goals column for our midfield is absolutely atrocious. Neil could step into that midfield with no problems imo.
We should be looking to our U23s to bolster our first team squad. Blend youth with some experience.

 

Yeah, exactly. Its got to be a blend though, not just chuck the youngsters in. Even the year that Alan Hansen said "you don't win anything with kids", Man Utd had plenty of experienced pros in their squad.

 

Grigg also has another year on his contract.

 

Well if that's not reason enough for a street party this weekend I don't know what is.

 

The problem being that our senior pros have shown very little in the way of leadership or gumption when we've needed it.

 

FFS why did you have to go and say that

 

If Mcgeady wants to stay I'd offer another contract, still easily our best player, same for Wyke.... 31 goals and some are unhappy with him... I give up, seriously!

 

Neither fit the high press we are looking to implement mate.

 

I think the squad will include the 3 you mentioned plus Younger and Patterson, probably 5 or 6 of the others who are either out of contract or still under contract and the rest newbies of varying ages. I would seriously doubt that anyone we sign will be over 26, as the plan seems to be to develop players while they are young enough to sell on.
Embleton has demonstrated at Blackpool that given game time, he can be a good asset at this level. Diamond may have had 34 appearances, but a lot of those were off the bench. He needs more starts to fulfill his potential.

 

Don’t think anyone is advocating throwing all U23s in for the sake of it. For me younger could have played CB over onien imo. Neil could have replaced anyone in that midfield but definitely Power. Hawkes could easily have been an option off the bench. The point is if these lads come in it could save us some coin in the transfer market and they are young enough to grow into championship and beyond.

I also want to see Onien given a go in midfield. He can’t be worse than anyone we e played in there this season.

 

I hope we don't ask him. we need top quality coaching staff doing the job, not jobs for the boys out of sentiment.

 

Absolutely. You take Wyke's goals away, or next highest was what, 6? If he didn't score we were unlikely to. We have needed, for years, more goals from other areas, and has to be something we address in this window. The last time we had a driving force through the middle was probably Don Hutchinson!

 

The thing is, with Wyke up front we can only play one way. That is very limiting and one dimensional. If teams double up on McGeady, or if he's having an off day we have no plan B. Wyke doesn't hold the ball up, doesn't run the channels and doesn't create space.

 

Exactly, Stewart pulled them all over the place in the first half

 

I know...all Wyke does is score goals.

 

That's a bit short-sighted though isn't it? 95% of Wyke's goals have been put on a plate for him. As soon as teams work out a way to stop McGeady crossing it for Wyke to score from 2 yards the plan becomes ineffectual

I find the sudden love for Wyke after 2 seasons of absolute durge completely baffling

 

That's not true tho is it, he misses loads anarl.
Not really his fault, imo this is his level and this season is the best he'll ever do.
Quite happy for him to go.

 

Hey, we've all got our opinion and I respect you's both but I think it's bonkers to dismiss 2 players who between them this season have 37 goals and 22 assists. There's no guarantee we'll sign players who will better that.