It is fair to say that Saturdays game was "the complete performance of the season". Even the most hardened and weathered of supporters who have endured many a year of up and downs rated the performance of the team as above most of what they have seen in years gone by.
Better than the 3-0 against Leeds, not just the number of goals but the running, passing, tackling and sheer endeavour, work rate and all things good that you could imagine, to top off the home season. I expect the same team selection for this Saturday against Bradford, and if they come up with a repeat performance it will be an exhibition worth watching. Wednesday is my last home game at CG when a PDC Eleven play Wilts Air Ambulance in a charity exhibition game. Paul Caddis has kindly volunteered to Captain WAA. A good game for a good cause.
The squad have been given time off till Wednesday, rather un heard of in the PDC regime, but the time has come. It was said when I was at CG this morning that Wray and PDC are holding talks and discussions around who is leaving, and who is going to stay, but more importantly who they want to bring in.
It would seem logical that Wes Foderingham and the current back four would all stay, with some re enforcement for injuries etc. I believe Phil Smith is at the end of his contract so that may well signal the end for him.
Poalo seems to love mid fielders, but we seem to have a wealth of them. I expect us to loose one or two with one or two coming in.
We also seem to have an abundance of wingers as well, but I expect Galilondo and Esajas both to leave.
Incoming ? well McEverly, Holmes and Bostock have all impressed, so I expect to see them all, pending discussions being fruitful in our squad next season, although Bostock may only be a loan.
So it seems, those leaving would probably include,
Lanzano, Cibocchi/ Kennedy (one or the other), Esajas, Cox (not figured much of late),Gabolondo (replaced by Rooney already), Kerrouche, Phil Smith, B.Bodin (out of favour and wants to play regulary)
Possibles if replacements are available :Risser, De Vita.
Murray to go back to Ipswich. Tehoue already gone.
Surprise leavers, Connell & J.Smith
Incoming,
Building towards the Championship,
Goal keeper, one centre back, another midfielder, but of larger stature, two front men of proven ability. All of these players likely to come from the Championship or above. The emphasis will now be on a quality capable of playing in the Championship.
Say Hello & Good-bye
posted on 1/5/12
My thoughts, for what they are worth.
I agree with all the above. If we can keep the back 5, do so, because that is the platform. If we can't, then get it sorted ASAP.
We need a Chris Kamara type in midfield, & a Ray McHale. I don't suppose that players like that will be easy to find, so maybe again use what we've got to start with, rather than speculating.
Ritchie can play to the standard outside upfront, I don't think that we have to panic to find someone on the other side.
It's the strikers where we have problems. Benson has done a good job, but age is against him. Hopefully we are building a team for the future. Connell, IMO, has done well but not been given enough starts to show what he can provide. The rest, again IMO, are surplus to requirements. For me, in Div 3, I'd keep Connell & Benson, but splash out any cash on a big bruiser - a Pat Terry type!
posted on 1/5/12
Hi guys. I've been out of the country for over 3 weeks and been having to follow things on the internet...very stressful!!
Saturday's result was just perfect, I was starting to have nightmares about Shrewsbury nicking the Championship! It was fantastic winning in such style to confirm the top spot.
Regarding who stays and who goes I've no argument with who you see going (would prefer to keep Kennedy rather than Cibbochi) other than Billy who I feel we need to hang on to. Certainly rather him staying than De Vita. I'd be very disappointed if Connell and J Smith went. Connell is our top scorer after all, and his strike rate is good given his restricted opportunities.
We certainly need a proven striker, ideally a big unit, and more creativity in midfield. Defensively we seem fairly well provided for.
For those of you who can remember the 1962/63 promotion have a look at:
thewashbag.com
where I've written an article about that season. I'd value your opinions.
posted on 2/5/12
Just read Billy Paynter has been transfer listed by Leeds. Worth a go?
posted on 3/5/12
Spur,
Billy did well for us & IMO would do well again in div 1. But he is 3 years older & hasn't hacked it in the championship. If we could get him for diddley squat, then I would say "go for him" to help get us up there. It depends whether the policy is to get a team to get us promoted & then start again, or consolidate & build for the future. The cynic I am, says that the 1st option is our best bet 'cos players have no loyalty now.
I read Don's article with nostalgia, tho' I didn't go to my 1st game until the following season. A team built out of youth players now, will lose the best of them, just because of money. Then they are left with average players. Players, no doubt, who made their own contribution. That team, no matter what new signings, will never be the same.
Clubs sell their best players to create money. That money doesn't come back in total to get a replacement that will fit in with the rest of the team.
With these days of freedom of contract, agents etc., a youth policy can only be a money earner, not a team builder.
posted on 3/5/12
Red, I'm glad you liked the nostalgia...there's another coming up soon on the 1968/69 promotion, let me know what you think.
I don't see Billy for us...I think we'd be going backwards and as you point out he's done nothing since he left, just one goal for Leeds I think.
posted on 3/5/12
Don,
I look forward to that! I could write my own book on that! I was living in Bradford & had to cadge lifts down to Wembley - no money as a student. Getting back, I didn't care.
But, a flatmate of mine, a Boro fan had an old black van. Unusual for a fellow student to have transport, & it wasn't that reliable. Anyway, he offered to take me & a couple of others to the Rotherham game, the last of the season. We needed a point to go up, but were losing until the dying minutes when one Chris Jones equalised.
I was ecstatic, Danny Williams - a Rotherham bloke paraded the League Cup around the ground. All perfect.
But the Rotherham supporters didn't agree. When we left the ground, I was knifed, my mates threatened. Fortunately it wasn't too serious an injury & we all got back into the black van & escaped. I didn't go to lectures for a few days after tho'.
posted on 3/5/12
Hairy stuff! I can remember quite a few bad moments in that era, away supporters seemed to be fair game.
Must have been a great feelingseeing that equaliser going in.