Squad Watch 2022/23

[Snowflake Royal]

There are a lot of sides in this league though that are only 3 or 4 injuries away from being in trouble, you could potentially tag that comment to clubs that have finished in the top half and above really.

Yes, but fcuk knows what our physios and sports scientists have been doing recently as every season seems to involve a perpetual injury crisis for us. So the concerns are valid. Hopefully Bowen has been looking into this too.

We have had a pretty thin bare squad (like a lot of sides in the league) for a good few years now to be fair in a lot of positions and we have lacked the strength in depth for some time now, but point taken anyway as it has been pretty harsh on us in recent seasons.

No we haven’t. We've had big bloated unbalanced squads.

[URZZZZ]

Yes, but fcuk knows what our physios and sports scientists have been doing recently as every season seems to involve a perpetual injury crisis for us. So the concerns are valid. Hopefully Bowen has been looking into this too.

We have had a pretty thin bare squad (like a lot of sides in the league) for a good few years now to be fair in a lot of positions and we have lacked the strength in depth for some time now, but point taken anyway as it has been pretty harsh on us in recent seasons.

No we haven’t. We've had big bloated unbalanced squads.

Pauno’s first season had a good squad size in terms of numbers (season after we lost Gunter, Obita, Blackett, McCleary etc) but agreed that aside from that it’s been bloated season after season. Gomes’ summer was in particular, had about 10 players who could play the “behind the striker” role

[Snowflake Royal]

We have had a pretty thin bare squad (like a lot of sides in the league) for a good few years now to be fair in a lot of positions and we have lacked the strength in depth for some time now, but point taken anyway as it has been pretty harsh on us in recent seasons.

No we haven’t. We've had big bloated unbalanced squads.

Pauno’s first season had a good squad size in terms of numbers (season after we lost Gunter, Obita, Blackett, McCleary etc) but agreed that aside from that it’s been bloated season after season. Gomes’ summer was in particular, had about 10 players who could play the “behind the striker” role

It's what happens when you keep signing medicore players on high pay and long deals, then switching manager once a season.

[URZZZZ]

No we haven’t. We've had big bloated unbalanced squads.

Pauno’s first season had a good squad size in terms of numbers (season after we lost Gunter, Obita, Blackett, McCleary etc) but agreed that aside from that it’s been bloated season after season. Gomes’ summer was in particular, had about 10 players who could play the “behind the striker” role

It's what happens when you keep signing medicore players on high pay and long deals, then switching manager once a season.

Problem is it’s been hard to argue against most of the recent sackings, Bowen aside. I didn’t mind Clement but his record overall was really poor

As much as Ince’s appointment has sparked controversy, think he’s done well to oversee Pauno’s dreadfully constructed squad and then build one of his own. Isn’t a particularly exciting appointment but there’s some really promising signs and I don’t see a repeat of what you’ve just mentioned happening under him

[Nameless]

There being a clause in Dann's contract is incompatible with our restriction to only agree one year contracts. He also made 14(1) appearances, with the last and 15th appearance being in april after he signed.

There's nothing to support your speculation other than as a hopeful excuse for poor decision making.

Don’t think the agreement prevents us extending a contract of a player who was already signed before the agreement was in place.

Dann was signed originally in late August 21 under the agreement where we could only offer 1 year deals at up to £8.5k a week.

I would think the actual agreement from November supersedes an earlier light touch embargo.
Not sure I’ve seen the one you refer to published, it’s not the one that has been relevant since November (and even that has gradually been relaxed)

[Snowflake Royal]

Pauno’s first season had a good squad size in terms of numbers (season after we lost Gunter, Obita, Blackett, McCleary etc) but agreed that aside from that it’s been bloated season after season. Gomes’ summer was in particular, had about 10 players who could play the “behind the striker” role

It's what happens when you keep signing medicore players on high pay and long deals, then switching manager once a season.

Problem is it’s been hard to argue against most of the recent sackings, Bowen aside. I didn’t mind Clement but his record overall was really poor

As much as Ince’s appointment has sparked controversy, think he’s done well to oversee Pauno’s dreadfully constructed squad and then build one of his own. Isn’t a particularly exciting appointment but there’s some really promising signs and I don’t see a repeat of what you’ve just mentioned happening under him

Well yeah. The problem is less the sackings and more the appointments.

Hopefully Ince bucks the trend.

I think Ince is in the Bowen - Clement camp where I think they at least knew what the problem was and had a sensible plan. I don't think that's true of Clarke, Stam, Paunovic or Gomes.

[Snowflake Royal]

Don’t think the agreement prevents us extending a contract of a player who was already signed before the agreement was in place.

Dann was signed originally in late August 21 under the agreement where we could only offer 1 year deals at up to £8.5k a week.

I would think the actual agreement from November supersedes an earlier light touch embargo.
Not sure I’ve seen the one you refer to published, it’s not the one that has been relevant since November (and even that has gradually been relaxed)

I don’t think you understand the point I've made and I really cba to explain it more plainly.

[Zip]

Dann was signed originally in late August 21 under the agreement where we could only offer 1 year deals at up to £8.5k a week.

I would think the actual agreement from November supersedes an earlier light touch embargo.
Not sure I’ve seen the one you refer to published, it’s not the one that has been relevant since November (and even that has gradually been relaxed)

I don’t think you understand the point I've made and I really cba to explain it more plainly.

This is shameful nobbing master Royal. Deliberately provocative posting to boost this thread count. Have you no shame sir?

[Mid Sussex Royal]

Might have missed something on here or in press/twitter but aside from rumours of various Italian clubs being interested what's Puscas been up to? Is he training with us?

[Hound]

Sounds like very close to a move away. Doubt he’ll play for us again

[Zip]

Might have missed something on here or in press/twitter but aside from rumours of various Italian clubs being interested what's Puscas been up to? Is he training with us?

Yes he has just returned to the club and has been training with us but not involved in any friendlies. It would seem a matter of weeks until he leaves.

[NathStPaul]

I hope we aren't asking for too much money, at this stage it's crucial we just get him off the wage bill. The transfer fee isn't all important.

[Nameless]

Dann was signed originally in late August 21 under the agreement where we could only offer 1 year deals at up to £8.5k a week.

I would think the actual agreement from November supersedes an earlier light touch embargo.
Not sure I’ve seen the one you refer to published, it’s not the one that has been relevant since November (and even that has gradually been relaxed)

I don’t think you understand the point I've made and I really cba to explain it more plainly.

Pointing out where you are wrong does not equate to me not understanding...

I don’t disagree that Dann getting the extra year doesn’t currently look a good thing although it’s ridiculously early to be able to be sure (unless you are someone who thinks they know everything).

[Snowflake Royal]

And that's why I couldn’t be arsed.

[Royal Rother]

And that's why I couldn’t be arsed.

Carry this attitude through the season and you’ll save yourself (and everyone else) a lot of time and anguish.

[Mr Angry]

On the outside looking in, and bearing in mind the restrictions we are under, I think the club (ie: Bowen and Ince) have done a great job so far with recruitment.

Obviously we still need 2 or 3 more players to complete a half respectable first team match day squad, and hopefully some of our youngsters/loanees can step up if and when injuries/suspensions kick in.

Will we challenge for top 6? Not a chance.

Will we have enough to avoid relegation? I think we are close to being hopeful that this is the case.

Let's face it, most of those wise pundits have already pencilled us in as dead certs (together with Rotherham) for the drop, so simply NOT getting relegated will make next season a success.

However, I think we will surprise a few people and I would like to think we can set our sights on mid-table mediocrity!

[YorkshireRoyal99]

It's what happens when you keep signing medicore players on high pay and long deals, then switching manager once a season.

Problem is it’s been hard to argue against most of the recent sackings, Bowen aside. I didn’t mind Clement but his record overall was really poor

As much as Ince’s appointment has sparked controversy, think he’s done well to oversee Pauno’s dreadfully constructed squad and then build one of his own. Isn’t a particularly exciting appointment but there’s some really promising signs and I don’t see a repeat of what you’ve just mentioned happening under him

Well yeah. The problem is less the sackings and more the appointments.

Hopefully Ince bucks the trend.

I think Ince is in the Bowen - Clement camp where I think they at least knew what the problem was and had a sensible plan. I don't think that's true of Clarke, Stam, Paunovic or Gomes.

I think a lot of that comes down to a structure though, or lack of as the case may be. Gomes was relatively successful during his time when we managed to comfortably survive, but obviously citing issues regarding transfer policy behind why it didn't go so well the second season, which I can hardly blame him (or Bowen) for really.

Then Bowen was sacked and Pauno was another who was left without any structure at the club as well, just another case of success for a limited time before it all fell to pieces afterwards. I think it has shown that, whatever approach we had previously, it definitely hasn't been successful, or has had limited success.

I'm not really sure what the board were thinking during a lot of this time as Bowen seemed to have the recruitment side of it pretty nailed on, given his comments in an interview a few months ago, how he knew the situation the club was in, but could pull players like Laurent in from the lower leagues on smaller wages but had quality. Instead we u-turned on that, appointed Pauno with no structure in place whatsoever and with very limited ability to amend/improve his squad and it all fell apart from there really.

[YorkshireRoyal99]

On the outside looking in, and bearing in mind the restrictions we are under, I think the club (ie: Bowen and Ince) have done a great job so far with recruitment.

Obviously we still need 2 or 3 more players to complete a half respectable first team match day squad, and hopefully some of our youngsters/loanees can step up if and when injuries/suspensions kick in.

Will we challenge for top 6? Not a chance.

Will we have enough to avoid relegation? I think we are close to being hopeful that this is the case.

Let's face it, most of those wise pundits have already pencilled us in as dead certs (together with Rotherham) for the drop, so simply NOT getting relegated will make next season a success.

However, I think we will surprise a few people and I would like to think we can set our sights on mid-table mediocrity!

Heard from a colleague at work today that we are down to finish 18th this season, apparently from some "super computer". I'd bite anyone's hand off for 21st on goals scored to be honest given our situation.

[genome]

Liking the look of the squad now. First XI should be more than capable enough to win games, just need a bit more defensive depth IMO. And I'm not massively sold on the keeper situation. But midfield and attack looks good now.

[leon]

And that's why I couldn’t be arsed.

Carry this attitude through the season and you’ll save yourself (and everyone else) a lot of time and anguish.

Yeah but we'll miss all the insight and knowledge of the game.