Squad Watch 2024/25

[Mr Angry]

If we are still under some sort of transfer embargo, would that mean that we couldn't offer existing players a new contract?

From FAQ section here: https://www.efl.com/governance/embargoes/

Can Clubs offer new contracts to players whilst under Embargo?

Yes, Clubs can offer new contracts to existing players, though this will be dependent upon the circumstances of the individual Club and will be determined by the League.

Many thanks for clearing that up; much appreciated!

[Hound]

Agreed. All seem to be at least a moderate success but would keep away from players who have a surname beginning “m”. Was the utterly pointless signing of Bouzanis one of Carey’s though?

Bouzanis predates Carey doesn't he?

Was an Ince signing, given a job to his kids mate despite clearly not being anywhere near good enough or even showing he could be. Got him a few minutes at Old Trafford though.

Yes, Ince signed Bouzanis after Ince asked his dad to be manager, then Ince got Ince to sign a permanent transfer after his loan, at which point Ince persuaded Ince to sign his mate Bouzanis.

And a ridiculous 3 year deal to go with it

[Brogue]

Agreed. All seem to be at least a moderate success but would keep away from players who have a surname beginning “m”. Was the utterly pointless signing of Bouzanis one of Carey’s though?

Bouzanis predates Carey doesn't he?

Was an Ince signing, given a job to his kids mate despite clearly not being anywhere near good enough or even showing he could be. Got him a few minutes at Old Trafford though.

Yes, Ince signed Bouzanis after Ince asked his dad to be manager, then Ince got Ince to sign a permanent transfer after his loan, at which point Ince persuaded Ince to sign his mate Bouzanis.

Carey arrived before bouzanis. But I don’t think he’s got this on his cv tbf this was obviously an ince signing as you say.

[Clyde1998]

It's important to remember the restrictions we're operating under come in several parts.

We categorically cannot pay fees until after Summer 25, because of an accumulation of payment delays to HMRC etc in 2023.

We currently can't sign anyone (without special dispensation) because we haven't filed our accounts (approx 6 - 9 months late) and that limit us to only signing players if we have less than 23 players on the books with a professional appearance (for anyone)

We currently have about 35 players on th books who qualify. But if most of our squad leaves in the summer, we can automatically make signings up to 23 qualifying players as long as we stay within a set squad wage limit and don't pay a fee.

So there isn't going to be a scenario where we have to just play the U18s in L1, because these rules are in place to have a minimum level of competitiveness.

The problem would be if no one wants to sign for us. But there's always someone who will. They just may not be very good.

Our record for signings under Carey is phenominal though.

Smith - good solid performer, holds the ball well if a bit streaky with goals but then that’s not uncommon amongst strikers
Knibbs - superb capture for this level
Wing - ditto Knibbs
Savage - definitely has enough about him to step up if Reading last long enough to ever be promoted again
Elliott - excellent youngster, another that may look better at a higher level with more time on the ball
Pereira - great spot and best keeper the club have had since Al habsi (barring one particular loan)
Rushesha - not had enough time due to luck with injuries, certainly seems decent at right back at least
Bindon - just pure class, how did he find him?
Campbell - decent output for this level, tries to make things happen
Button - experienced but did Carey really bring him in?
Mukairu - god knows how he played in the CL
Mola - looked awful but was slowly getting better until Bristol Rovers waved “club stability” his way, seems to be struggling there now though
Ballard - pretty good, wouldn’t mind getting him back if the FL are feeling generous this month
Monlouis - arrived, never played, went

There's barely a single failure there.

Agreed. All seem to be at least a moderate success but would keep away from players who have a surname beginning “m”. Was the utterly pointless signing of Bouzanis one of Carey’s though?

Mukairu played a total of 69 minutes across four games in the Champions League (including a qualifier) for Copenhagen, all from the bench. Copenhagen would have one of the weakest squad depths whenever they were in it.

Not too uncommon for players with Champions League experience to be in League One based on being at clubs from smaller countries: Huddersfield's Bojan Radulovic played 735 minutes (eight matches) at HJK; Wycombe's new signing Anders Hagelskjaer has 281 minutes in the Champions League qualifiers (four matches) for Molde and Barnsley have two players who played qualifiers for Irish sides.

Probably been players who've played for Celtic or Rangers who had minutes in the Champions League off the bench, but were nowhere near that level who have ended up playing in League One not long after.

Thought Mola was good by the end. He looked better after he got a run of games in the team.

Monlouis might have been a loan we didn't pay anything towards, but was expected to be involved in the first team squad. He doesn't appear to have got another loan out this season and is out of contract at Arsenal in the summer. Probably the worst signing, but didn't cost us anything so doesn't really matter. Seems his career won't progress much now.