Who should be in, who should be out

1966_and_all_that

1966_and_all_that

Well-known member
Now that the season is virtually at an end I've consolidated my views on our first team squad into a list of who should stay and who should go. I haven't written a supporting piece for each player as the post would be way too long. So, simply put, I've identified each player as being definitely a 1st team choice, a squad member, Let go or loaned out. Note: those identified as 1st team aren't meant to add up to eleven just that they would be in my first trawl to be in the team.
Of course, it's my opinion and mine alone. Be good to see what posters think.

Chris Maxwell Squad

Dan Grimshaw 1st team

Stuart Moore Let go


Jordan Gabriel 1st team

Marvin Ekpiteta 1st team

Jordan Thorniley Squad

Oliver Casey 1st team

Richard Keogh Squad

Douglas Tharme Loan out

Reece James Squad

James Husband Squad

Luke Garbutt 1st team

Dujon Sterling Let go (sadly)


Callum Connolly 1st team

Kenny Dougall Squad

Ethan Robson Let go

Kevin Stewart Let go


Josh Bowler 1st team

Charlie Kirk Let go

Matty Virtue 1st team

Sonny Carey 1st team

Grant Ward Let go

Rob Apter Squad

Cameron Antwi Loan out

Keshi Anderson Squad

Owen Dale Squad

C J Hamilton Squad


Jake Beesley 1st team

Gary Madine Squad

Jerry Yates Let go

Shayne Lavery Squad

Brad Holmes Loan out

Ewan Bange Loan out
 
1966_and_all_that said:
1= 1st team s=squad R= release/offload
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1966_and_all_that said:
Chris Maxwell R

Dan Grimshaw 1st team

Stuart Moore Depends, probably S


Jordan Gabriel 1st team

Marvin Ekpiteta 1st team

Jordan Thorniley S

Oliver Casey S

Richard Keogh S

Douglas Tharme Loan out

Reece James R

James Husband S

Luke Garbutt R

Dujon Sterling N/a


Callum Connolly S

Kenny Dougall S

Ethan Robson R

Kevin Stewart R


Josh Bowler N/A

Charlie Kirk R

Matty Virtue S/loan

Sonny Carey 1/s

Grant Ward R

Rob Apter ?

Cameron Antwi ?

Keshi Anderson 1

Owen Dale R

C J Hamilton Squad


Jake Beesley 1st team

Gary Madine R

Jerry Yates S

Shayne Lavery S

Brad Holmes Loan out

Ewan Bange Loan out
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My thoughts, for what they're worth,

Chris Maxwell Squad
Dan Grimshaw 1st team
Stuart Moore Let go

Jordan Gabriel 1st team
Marvin Ekpiteta 1st team
Jordan Thorniley Let go
Oliver Casey 1st team
Richard Keogh Squad
Douglas Tharme Loan out
Reece James Let go
James Husband Squad
Luke Garbutt 1st team
Dujon Sterling Let go (no choice, he's not our player, unless another loan)

Callum Connolly 1st team
Kenny Dougall Squad
Ethan Robson Let go
Kevin Stewart Squad

Josh Bowler 1st team (I'd like him to stay but think he's gone)
Charlie Kirk Undecided, depends how much he'd cost/Bowler situation
Matty Virtue 1st team
Sonny Carey 1st team
Grant Ward Let go
Rob Apter Squad
Cameron Antwi Loan out
Keshi Anderson Squad
Owen Dale Squad
C J Hamilton Sadly, I think I'd let CJ leave

Jake Beesley 1st team
Gary Madine Squad
Jerry Yates 1st team
Shayne Lavery Squad
Brad Holmes Loan out
Ewan Bange Loan out
 
1966_and_all_that said:
Now that the season is virtually at an end I've consolidated my views on our first team squad into a list of who should stay and who should go. I haven't written a supporting piece for each player as the post would be way too long. So, simply put, I've identified each player as being definitely a 1st team choice, a squad member, Let go or loaned out. Note: those identified as 1st team aren't meant to add up to eleven just that they would be in my first trawl to be in the team.
Of course, it's my opinion and mine alone. Be good to see what posters think.

Chris Maxwell Squad

Dan Grimshaw 1st team

Stuart Moore Let go


Jordan Gabriel 1st team

Marvin Ekpiteta 1st team

Jordan Thorniley Squad

Oliver Casey 1st team

Richard Keogh Squad

Douglas Tharme Loan out

Reece James Squad

James Husband Squad

Luke Garbutt 1st team

Dujon Sterling Let go (sadly)


Callum Connolly 1st team

Kenny Dougall Squad

Ethan Robson Let go

Kevin Stewart Let go


Josh Bowler 1st team

Charlie Kirk Let go

Matty Virtue 1st team

Sonny Carey 1st team

Grant Ward Let go

Rob Apter Squad

Cameron Antwi Loan out

Keshi Anderson Squad

Owen Dale Squad

C J Hamilton Squad


Jake Beesley 1st team

Gary Madine Squad

Jerry Yates Let go

Shayne Lavery Squad

Brad Holmes Loan out

Ewan Bange Loan out
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May as well only say who we're letting go or selling, the rest are all squad to be used as and when.

Bowler almost surely isn't going to be here.

Plus we'll sign lots of new players.

So not much point choosing first team yet.
 
JJpool said:
May as well only say who we're letting go or selling, the rest are all squad to be used as and when.

Bowler almost surely isn't going to be here.

Plus we'll sign lots of new players.

So not much point choosing first team yet.
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I guess the only way Josh would stay, is if we got silly offers and we thought we would get more value (promotion) by keeping him. Clubs may try to be too cute and think they have us over a barrel.
 
1966_and_all_that said:
Now that the season is virtually at an end I've consolidated my views on our first team squad into a list of who should stay and who should go. I haven't written a supporting piece for each player as the post would be way too long. So, simply put, I've identified each player as being definitely a 1st team choice, a squad member, Let go or loaned out. Note: those identified as 1st team aren't meant to add up to eleven just that they would be in my first trawl to be in the team.
Of course, it's my opinion and mine alone. Be good to see what posters think.

Chris Maxwell Squad

Dan Grimshaw 1st team

Stuart Moore Let go


Jordan Gabriel 1st team

Marvin Ekpiteta 1st team

Jordan Thorniley Squad

Oliver Casey 1st team

Richard Keogh Squad

Douglas Tharme Loan out

Reece James Squad

James Husband Squad

Luke Garbutt 1st team

Dujon Sterling Let go (sadly)


Callum Connolly 1st team

Kenny Dougall Squad

Ethan Robson Let go

Kevin Stewart Let go


Josh Bowler 1st team

Charlie Kirk Let go

Matty Virtue 1st team

Sonny Carey 1st team

Grant Ward Let go

Rob Apter Squad

Cameron Antwi Loan out

Keshi Anderson Squad

Owen Dale Squad

C J Hamilton Squad


Jake Beesley 1st team

Gary Madine Squad

Jerry Yates Let go

Shayne Lavery Squad

Brad Holmes Loan out

Ewan Bange Loan out
Click to expand...
Dont agree about letting Jerry Yates go , sorry. And IMO King Kenny has had a very good season , James Husband also . And I know Dujon Sterling isnt ours , but if he became available I would snap him up .
 
Was impressed by Moore, I'd let Maxwell go freeup his wage. Grimmy Number 1 and Moore reserve... A proper development path when you bring up youth into Moores current roe.

Also not sure why the differentiating between squad and first team, under Critch they are the same thing.
 
1966_and_all_that said:
Now that the season is virtually at an end I've consolidated my views on our first team squad into a list of who should stay and who should go. I haven't written a supporting piece for each player as the post would be way too long. So, simply put, I've identified each player as being definitely a 1st team choice, a squad member, Let go or loaned out. Note: those identified as 1st team aren't meant to add up to eleven just that they would be in my first trawl to be in the team.
Of course, it's my opinion and mine alone. Be good to see what posters think.

Chris Maxwell Squad

Dan Grimshaw 1st team

Stuart Moore Let go


Jordan Gabriel 1st team

Marvin Ekpiteta 1st team

Jordan Thorniley Squad

Oliver Casey 1st team

Richard Keogh Squad

Douglas Tharme Loan out

Reece James Squad

James Husband Squad

Luke Garbutt 1st team

Dujon Sterling Let go (sadly)


Callum Connolly 1st team

Kenny Dougall Squad

Ethan Robson Let go

Kevin Stewart Let go


Josh Bowler 1st team

Charlie Kirk Let go

Matty Virtue 1st team

Sonny Carey 1st team

Grant Ward Let go

Rob Apter Squad

Cameron Antwi Loan out

Keshi Anderson Squad

Owen Dale Squad

C J Hamilton Squad


Jake Beesley 1st team

Gary Madine Squad

Jerry Yates Let go

Shayne Lavery Squad

Brad Holmes Loan out

Ewan Bange Loan out
Click to expand...
A lot to agree with there. A few changes I’d make.

GK. undoubtably Grimmy and Maxi battle it out next year with Grimmy being established as no. 1. Moore’s gone. See if Monks can play here or there in a cup game maybe.

Def. Think Keoghs retiring. I’d switch out Thorniley to a starting role over Casey talent wise. However Critch just doesn’t fancy JT. He was Graysons man and Casey’s Critch’s man. So for that reason you’re right Casey will be starting. Thorniley to leave. Tharme will be 23 by the time season starts and needs to stay and try to learn from Marv and Casey.
Full backs is a really tough one. Gabriel is brilliant. Needs an understudy. Garbutt and James are miles off it for me and need moving on. Husbands ok for next year as a starter but we need to be finding the Left Backs versions on Jordan Gabriel pronto.

Mid. Bowlers, Robson, Ward will all be gone for a variety of reasons.
Personally I’d purchase Kirk if we can get him for 500ish K. CJ isn’t up to week in week out Championship standard and should be let go. I think Dale, Stewart, Dougall, Connolly, Carey, Virtue are all fine to start at this level.
Keshi - controversial one but I believe we should release him now. Partly due to the juncture we re at with his contract. Don’t activate the years option. Let him go and get a decent last contract some where and we invest that in the central creative type we’re crying out for. Would like to see Apter go on loan in the league. Antwi’s up this year isn’t he. Will leave.

Forwards. Madine’s fine at this level for what he does. Beesley and Lavery are either going to go one Way or the other this season. Who knows. Seem to have done enough to get games next year.
Yates. Again controversial, but I don’t think he’s going to make it at this level. Would love to be wrong but think we need to cash in and re invest in proven championship goals.
Think Bange’s contracts up as well. Will be released. Think we need to see Homles at League level next year on loan somewhere.
 
Chris Maxwell Squad
Dan Grimshaw 1st team
Stuart Moore Let go

Jordan Gabriel 1st team
Marvin Ekpiteta 1st team
Jordan Thorniley Let go
Oliver Casey Squad
Richard Keogh Squad
Douglas Tharme Loan out
Reece James Let go
James Husband Squad
Luke Garbutt Let go.
Dujon Sterling Try get him again.

Callum Connolly Squad
Kenny Dougall First team.
Ethan Robson Let go
Kevin Stewart Squad (If crocked and on decent wage let go)

Josh Bowler Gone
Charlie Kirk Squad
Matty Virtue Let go
Sonny Carey Squad
Grant Ward Let go
Rob Apter Loan out.
Cameron Antwi Loan out
Keshi Anderson First team.
Owen Dale Squad
C J Hamilton Squad.

Jake Beesley Squad
Gary Madine First team.
Jerry Yates. Let go.
Shayne Lavery Squad
Brad Holmes Loan out
Ewan Bange Loan out
 
JJpool said:
May as well only say who we're letting go or selling, the rest are all squad to be used as and when.

Bowler almost surely isn't going to be here.

Plus we'll sign lots of new players.

So not much point choosing first team yet.
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Understood. My 1st team choices are about who, in the current squad, would get the nod. Of course, Critchley doesn't work like that as he wants a team that best handles the opposition. Anyway, just my thoughts, as I said.
 
Football is all about opinions, one man’s messi is another man’s malkin
 
Tanger said:
Was impressed by Moore, I'd let Maxwell go freeup his wage. Grimmy Number 1 and Moore reserve... A proper development path when you bring up youth into Moores current roe.

Also not sure why the differentiating between squad and first team, under Critch they are the same thing.
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Agree the last bit. As I say, it's just my view on things.
 
1966_and_all_that said:
and it's your view I'm after, along with everyone elses. Come one, come all.
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Was talking about squabble’s over who should stay and who should go. I try not to get too involved with this as ultimately NC and the club will decide. I have the debate with a friend all the time about Madine, he thinks he’s shite and I don’t.
 
Thatseasider said:
A lot to agree with there. A few changes I’d make.

GK. undoubtably Grimmy and Maxi battle it out next year with Grimmy being established as no. 1. Moore’s gone. See if Monks can play here or there in a cup game maybe.

Def. Think Keoghs retiring. I’d switch out Thorniley to a starting role over Casey talent wise. However Critch just doesn’t fancy JT. He was Graysons man and Casey’s Critch’s man. So for that reason you’re right Casey will be starting. Thorniley to leave. Tharme will be 23 by the time season starts and needs to stay and try to learn from Marv and Casey.
Full backs is a really tough one. Gabriel is brilliant. Needs an understudy. Garbutt and James are miles off it for me and need moving on. Husbands ok for next year as a starter but we need to be finding the Left Backs versions on Jordan Gabriel pronto.

Mid. Bowlers, Robson, Ward will all be gone for a variety of reasons.
Personally I’d purchase Kirk if we can get him for 500ish K. CJ isn’t up to week in week out Championship standard and should be let go. I think Dale, Stewart, Dougall, Connolly, Carey, Virtue are all fine to start at this level.
Keshi - controversial one but I believe we should release him now. Partly due to the juncture we re at with his contract. Don’t activate the years option. Let him go and get a decent last contract some where and we invest that in the central creative type we’re crying out for. Would like to see Apter go on loan in the league. Antwi’s up this year isn’t he. Will leave.

Forwards. Madine’s fine at this level for what he does. Beesley and Lavery are either going to go one Way or the other this season. Who knows. Seem to have done enough to get games next year.
Yates. Again controversial, but I don’t think he’s going to make it at this level. Would love to be wrong but think we need to cash in and re invest in proven championship goals.
Think Bange’s contracts up as well. Will be released. Think we need to see Homles at League level next year on loan somewhere.
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Thoughtful stuff TS.

See if Monks can play here or there in a cup game maybe. Good shout.

I think Thornily can do a reasonable job at this level but, for me, Casey's only getting stronger.

we need to be finding the Left Backs versions on Jordan Gabriel pronto. Fully agree.

Keshi's been great for us. Harsh but I agree we should move on. I'm more than happy to be proved wrong though.

Lavery needs good service and if we can get someone to provide it we need him to poach goals.
 
Brett&Murphs. said:
Chris Maxwell Squad
Dan Grimshaw 1st team
Stuart Moore Let go

Jordan Gabriel 1st team
Marvin Ekpiteta 1st team
Jordan Thorniley Let go
Oliver Casey Squad
Richard Keogh Squad
Douglas Tharme Loan out
Reece James Let go
James Husband Squad
Luke Garbutt Let go.
Dujon Sterling Try get him again.

Callum Connolly Squad
Kenny Dougall First team.
Ethan Robson Let go
Kevin Stewart Squad (If crocked and on decent wage let go)

Josh Bowler Gone
Charlie Kirk Squad
Matty Virtue Let go
Sonny Carey Squad
Grant Ward Let go
Rob Apter Loan out.
Cameron Antwi Loan out
Keshi Anderson First team.
Owen Dale Squad
C J Hamilton Squad.

Jake Beesley Squad
Gary Madine First team.
Jerry Yates. Let go.
Shayne Lavery Squad
Brad Holmes Loan out
Ewan Bange Loan out
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If we struggle to find a good left back we're going to need both Husband and James.
 
Scaramanga said:
Was talking about squabble’s over who should stay and who should go. I try not to get too involved with this as ultimately NC and the club will decide. I have the debate with a friend all the time about Madine, he thinks he’s shite and I don’t.
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yep, my view too is to leave it to Critch. Yep, it's a good thread for debate but generally speaking over the course of the season my views on players are pretty well known. I'll simply say that we need to significantly strengthen if we want to mount any sort of serious challenge. And that won't be easy to do. We've a squad who on the whole generally give their all and who are well organised to do their job on match days and why we can be hard to beat. But the top teams have quality in areas of the pitch that we simply don't. I'd sacrifice quantity for more quality. But as I first said it's down to Critch and he clearly and rightly has more faith in some of the players than i do.
 
1966_and_all_that said:
Thoughtful stuff TS.

See if Monks can play here or there in a cup game maybe. Good shout.

I think Thornily can do a reasonable job at this level but, for me, Casey's only getting stronger.

we need to be finding the Left Backs versions on Jordan Gabriel pronto. Fully agree.

Keshi's been great for us. Harsh but I agree we should move on. I'm more than happy to be proved wrong though.

Lavery needs good service and if we can get someone to provide it we need him to poach goals.
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Oh aye, Thorniley is a very competent defender at this level. I’ve never really understood why Critch has such a problem with him. Casey’s shown a bit of everything in the brief views we’ve had of him but agree I hope he goes on to have a stormer next season.

the missing creative link in the middle is key for everyone of our strikers next year.

I really hope Critch’s approach of filling the middle with battlers and trying to burst down the wings was just a practical move this year to work with what he had. We really need a player to move the ball from the middle to the forward areas. That is a must this summer.
 
20togo said:
yep, my view too is to leave it to Critch. Yep, it's a good thread for debate but generally speaking over the course of the season my views on players are pretty well known. I'll simply say that we need to significantly strengthen if we want to mount any sort of serious challenge. And that won't be easy to do. We've a squad who on the whole generally give their all and who are well organised to do their job on match days and why we can be hard to beat. But the top teams have quality in areas of the pitch that we simply don't. I'd sacrifice quantity for more quality. But as I first said it's down to Critch and he clearly and rightly has more faith in some of the players than i do.
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My fear about the quality v quantity issue is that the amount of injuries we have carried this season suggests isn't just being unlucky; can we afford to have fewer members of the squad.

Or maybe, because we aren't as good individually as some teams, we play at a higher temp for longer just to compete which may be the reason for the injuries in the first place?
 
20togo said:
yep, my view too is to leave it to Critch. Yep, it's a good thread for debate but generally speaking over the course of the season my views on players are pretty well known. I'll simply say that we need to significantly strengthen if we want to mount any sort of serious challenge. And that won't be easy to do. We've a squad who on the whole generally give their all and who are well organised to do their job on match days and why we can be hard to beat. But the top teams have quality in areas of the pitch that we simply don't. I'd sacrifice quantity for more quality. But as I first said it's down to Critch and he clearly and rightly has more faith in some of the players than i do.
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Pretty much how I feel. We can't compete for the quality of players other teams can but we coach, motivate and organiser better than most. And hopefully we can spot potential and polish it. We should remember though that opposition teams have been as bad at breaking us down as we have them, in nearly every game. Even the wealth of Fulham and Bournemouth struggled against us. They're not that great either, and they spent mega millions. Maybe standards just aren't that high?
 
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TSSeasider said:
My fear about the quality v quantity issue is that the amount of injuries we have carried this season suggests isn't just being unlucky; can we afford to have fewer members of the squad.

Or maybe, because we aren't as good individually as some teams, we play at a higher temp for longer just to compete which may be the reason for the injuries in the first place?
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I'm not convinced we play at a higher tempo than most. In fact, I'd probably say we play at a slower tempo. We most certainly aren't an in your face team. Our patient backwards sideways possession football can be a bit laborious to watch. What we generally do though is work hard when not in possession.
 
Of the controversial ones - I'd keep Jerry, I'd keep Keshi, I'd lose Maxi and promote Moore to No.2, I'd bribe Uncle Dick to stay another year. I'd keep Stewart on a pay as u play basis if poss. I'd lose CJ, Ward, Kirk, Virtue. Two very decent new midfielders needed to help KD & KS. Another CB if CUR sails into the sunset.
 
Kirk is a no brainer KEEP at LM/LW.

I know it's a small sample size, but in 9 matches he's had 3 assists. He isn't as technical as Keshi or fast as CJ or as good a dribbler as Bowler, but he gets into good positions, makes good decisions in the final third and can most importantly deliver a set piece.

I honestly think for 500k he'd be an absolute bargain and a piece of business that I suspect we will get done relatively early on in the Summer.
 
Insider said:
I think Bange's option year has been activated.
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Really? Did that happen recently?

I’m a bit surprised as he’s struggled to establish himself at FC United. I know he’s a year behind in his development after a bad injury a year or so ago but he’d become a bit part player for them in the last couple of months so I’m surprised to hear that we’ve activated an option.

Having said that, Brad Holmes moved up to Conference North and the goals have somewhat dried up but I was always impressed with what I saw from him, I’ve seen Bange much less so happy to take anyones pointers on the future for him.
 
Thatseasider said:
Really? Did that happen recently?

I’m a bit surprised as he’s struggled to establish himself at FC United. I know he’s a year behind in his development after a bad injury a year or so ago but he’d become a bit part player for them in the last couple of months so I’m surprised to hear that we’ve activated an option.

Having said that, Brad Holmes moved up to Conference North and the goals have somewhat dried up but I was always impressed with what I saw from him, I’ve seen Bange much less so happy to take anyones pointers on the future for him.
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I believe he was offered a new 1yr contract but turned it down so he's seeing out his option.
I saw him play for Bamber Bridge where the goals were flowing freely but not seen him since.
 
Insider said:
I believe he was offered a new 1yr contract but turned it down so he's seeing out his option.
I saw him play for Bamber Bridge where the goals were flowing freely but not seen him since.
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So his option is for next season?

Strange he turned down a deal, maybe he knows he's unlikely to get a game with us and wants to get games lower down the pyramid, but we want a small fee from someone?

Seems strange.
 
I saw Bange play for Bamber Bridge once. He scored, but he looked a long way from our first team to me. I do think there's a pretty big gap between the Championship and our young players on the whole, but one or two may bridge it. Trusty, Daniels maybe. Just going off the bits I've seen. Might take a couple of years or so. Hard to tell innit? But Critch is as good a judge as anyone and will be even more keen than we are to see kids come through.
 
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voyeur said:
I saw Banger play for Bamber Bridge once. He scored, but he looked a long way from our first team to me. I do think there's a pretty big gap between the Championship and our young players on the whole, but one or two may bridge it. Trusty, Daniels maybe. Just going off the bits I've seen. Might take a couple of years or so. Hard to tell innit? But Critch is as good a judge as anyone and will be even more keen than we are to see kids come through.
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Interesting you say that as I saw Holmes play for Chorley a few months ago and whilst not looking bad he certainly didn’t stand out at that level of football.

Like you say it’s hard.

I thought Nathan Shaw was brilliant when I saw him play and could have made the step up. But he’s struggled to do anything with Fylde.
 
Thatseasider said:
So his option is for next season?

Strange he turned down a deal, maybe he knows he's unlikely to get a game with us and wants to get games lower down the pyramid, but we want a small fee from someone?

Seems strange.
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The expression "nail on the head" springs to mind but with a certain amount of speculation on my part.
 
voyeur said:
I saw Bange play for Bamber Bridge once. He scored, but he looked a long way from our first team to me. I do think there's a pretty big gap between the Championship and our young players on the whole, but one or two may bridge it. Trusty, Daniels maybe. Just going off the bits I've seen. Might take a couple of years or so. Hard to tell innit? But Critch is as good a judge as anyone and will be even more keen than we are to see kids come through.
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It's very hard to tell. Only @Philbfctrois knows for certain. 😉
 
Insider said:
The expression "nail on the head" springs to mind but with a certain amount of speculation on my part.
Click to expand...
Ah ok then.

That seems fairly odd as I’m surprised someone that far down would part with tens of thousands of pounds for an unknown player that’s had a fairly serious injury this early in his career.

I get it from our end and we must have an agreement in place with someone just seems odd.
 
Thatseasider said:
A lot to agree with there. A few changes I’d make.

GK. undoubtably Grimmy and Maxi battle it out next year with Grimmy being established as no. 1. Moore’s gone. See if Monks can play here or there in a cup game maybe.

Def. Think Keoghs retiring. I’d switch out Thorniley to a starting role over Casey talent wise. However Critch just doesn’t fancy JT. He was Graysons man and Casey’s Critch’s man. So for that reason you’re right Casey will be starting. Thorniley to leave. Tharme will be 23 by the time season starts and needs to stay and try to learn from Marv and Casey.
Full backs is a really tough one. Gabriel is brilliant. Needs an understudy. Garbutt and James are miles off it for me and need moving on. Husbands ok for next year as a starter but we need to be finding the Left Backs versions on Jordan Gabriel pronto.

Mid. Bowlers, Robson, Ward will all be gone for a variety of reasons.
Personally I’d purchase Kirk if we can get him for 500ish K. CJ isn’t up to week in week out Championship standard and should be let go. I think Dale, Stewart, Dougall, Connolly, Carey, Virtue are all fine to start at this level.
Keshi - controversial one but I believe we should release him now. Partly due to the juncture we re at with his contract. Don’t activate the years option. Let him go and get a decent last contract some where and we invest that in the central creative type we’re crying out for. Would like to see Apter go on loan in the league. Antwi’s up this year isn’t he. Will leave.

Forwards. Madine’s fine at this level for what he does. Beesley and Lavery are either going to go one Way or the other this season. Who knows. Seem to have done enough to get games next year.
Yates. Again controversial, but I don’t think he’s going to make it at this level. Would love to be wrong but think we need to cash in and re invest in proven championship goals.
Think Bange’s contracts up as well. Will be released. Think we need to see Homles at League level next year on loan somewhere.
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this but i would keep Jerry
 
Thatseasider said:
Oh aye, Thorniley is a very competent defender at this level. I’ve never really understood why Critch has such a problem with him. Casey’s shown a bit of everything in the brief views we’ve had of him but agree I hope he goes on to have a stormer next season.

the missing creative link in the middle is key for everyone of our strikers next year.

I really hope Critch’s approach of filling the middle with battlers and trying to burst down the wings was just a practical move this year to work with what he had. We really need a player to move the ball from the middle to the forward areas. That is a must this summer.
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I'm not in the know about much with regards to our players, but Critch deffo doesn't have a problem with Jordan Thorniley.
There was a bit of a frosty relationship before he went on loan to Oxford, but his performances there and his attitude when he came back, sorted that. IF Critch releases him (to Oxford, who want him?) it won't be anything personal.
 
People are forgetting about the left foot/ right foot balance needed in every team. Some posts have all our lefties out bar one.
We MUST have more than that !
Bowler, CJ, Robson, Garbutt and Thorniley are all axed in a couple of posts.
 
585 = never give up said:
I'm not in the know about much with regards to our players, but Critch deffo doesn't have a problem with Jordan Thorniley.
There was a bit of a frosty relationship before he went on loan to Oxford, but his performances there and his attitude when he came back, sorted that. IF Critch releases him (to Oxford, who want him?) it won't be anything personal.
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Yeh sounds about right.
I didn’t think there was a personal problem. More the fact that JT was integral to the promotion push despite me having the feeling Critch only had him in as there were no other options and then just automatically went out on loan despite hardly putting a foot wrong. The. forced to bring him back due to injuries and dropped when ever the chance presented its self.

As I say signed by a previous manager and JT doesn’t come across as the most out going which I think Critch wants in a player.

I think he’ll go in the summer, probably have his option activated and then sold like you say to Oxford.
Middxile said:
People are forgetting about the left foot/ right foot balance needed in every team. Some posts have all our lefties out bar one.
We MUST have more than that !
Bowler, CJ, Robson, Garbutt and Thorniley are all axed in a couple of posts.
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If players arnt up to the required standard their foot preferences shouldn’t mean they stay at the club.

The only scenario I see happening there is JT being kept for that reason, and that might be valid. But for me, to keep Robson and CJ based on their foot preference, or to stop a cash injection from Bowler’s sale would be mental.
 
I am confident that Critch knows what to do but as a bit of fun this is what I would do if it were my shout

Chris Maxwell Squad
Dan Grimshaw 1st team (just)
Stuart Moore Let go
Charlie Monks Squad

Jordan Gabriel Squad
Marvin Ekpiteta first team captain
Jordan Thorniley Let go
Oliver Casey Squad
Richard Keogh Squad
Douglas Tharme Loan out
Reece James Squad
James Husband Squad
Luke Garbutt Let go.
Dujon Sterling sign if possible or new right back maybe Conor Bradley from Liverpool
New left back
Jack Moore Loan out


Callum Connolly Squad
Kenny Dougall First team.
Ethan Robson Let go
Kevin Stewart Squad First team when fit
Josh Bowler Surely on his way
Charlie Kirk First team
Matty Virtue Squad
Sonny Carey Squad
Grant Ward Let go
Rob Apter Squad
Cameron Antwi Loan out
Keshi Anderson First team.
Owen Dale Squad
C J Hamilton Squad.
Luke Mariette Loan out
Cameron Brannagan Sign if at all possible

Jake Beesley Squad
Gary Madine First team.
Jerry Yates. Let go regrettably
Shayne Lavery Squad
Brad Holmes Loan out
Ewan Bange Loan out
New striker required (I’d go for Luke Jephcott at Plymouth)
 
Thatseasider said:
Yeh sounds about right.
I didn’t think there was a personal problem. More the fact that JT was integral to the promotion push despite me having the feeling Critch only had him in as there were no other options and then just automatically went out on loan despite hardly putting a foot wrong. The. forced to bring him back due to injuries and dropped when ever the chance presented its self.

As I say signed by a previous manager and JT doesn’t come across as the most out going which I think Critch wants in a player.

I think he’ll go in the summer, probably have his option activated and then sold like you say to Oxford.

If players arnt up to the required standard their foot preferences shouldn’t mean they stay at the club.

The only scenario I see happening there is JT being kept for that reason, and that might be valid. But for me, to keep Robson and CJ based on their foot preference, or to stop a cash injection from Bowler’s sale would be mental.
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1966_and_all_that said:
Now that the season is virtually at an end I've consolidated my views on our first team squad into a list of who should stay and who should go. I haven't written a supporting piece for each player as the post would be way too long. So, simply put, I've identified each player as being definitely a 1st team choice, a squad member, Let go or loaned out. Note: those identified as 1st team aren't meant to add up to eleven just that they would be in my first trawl to be in the team.
Of course, it's my opinion and mine alone. Be good to see what posters think.

Chris Maxwell Squad

Dan Grimshaw 1st team

Stuart Moore Let go


Jordan Gabriel 1st team

Marvin Ekpiteta 1st team

Jordan Thorniley Squad

Oliver Casey 1st team

Richard Keogh Squad

Douglas Tharme Loan out

Reece James Squad

James Husband Squad

Luke Garbutt 1st team

Dujon Sterling Let go (sadly)


Callum Connolly 1st team

Kenny Dougall Squad

Ethan Robson Let go

Kevin Stewart Let go


Josh Bowler 1st team

Charlie Kirk Let go

Matty Virtue 1st team

Sonny Carey 1st team

Grant Ward Let go

Rob Apter Squad

Cameron Antwi Loan out

Keshi Anderson Squad

Owen Dale Squad

C J Hamilton Squad


Jake Beesley 1st team

Gary Madine Squad

Jerry Yates Let go

Shayne Lavery Squad

Brad Holmes Loan out

Ewan Bange Loan out
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Agree with your retained list apart from Stewart and Kirk. In terms of squad or 1st team, I think they are all squad personally if only because team selection on the day could depend on a number of different factors.
 
Murciaseasider said:
Agree with your retained list apart from Stewart and Kirk. In terms of squad or 1st team, I think they are all squad personally if only because team selection on the day could depend on a number of different factors.
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Stewart is a quality footballer but he picks up too many injuries. We could be on a good run which then crumbles because of his absence. For me, a big reason for our lack of consistency over the last two seasons has been the high number of casualties we've carried.

As for Kirk. I watched him on Saturday vs Derby and he didn't go for the 50/50s or chase a free ball. He needs to bring more to his game if he's going to be worth a place.
 
Middxile said:
If they’re not good enough ship ‘em out, but ensure we recruit some good lefties.
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We could do with a Stalin at left back. But I honestly doubt whether he was actually a leftie, he seemed to prefer his right side to me. And Hubby's from Leeds and does a decent impersonation, incredibly stubborn defence. What about Derek Hatton further forward on the left applying the press? He'd be a nightmare for defenders. Gave Kinnock the runaround that time away at Brighton. I'm trying to fit Scargill in but in all honesty he's a red card liability. Maybe Critch could sort him out, he put Hubby straight and he's even got Gaz oozing charm. Bloody miracle worker that man.
 
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