Assessment of where we currently are with the season around the corner

[VLC86]

So, the season is just about 3 weeks away and while pre seasons results have been good and we appear to have more of an identity on the style of play. Are we ****ed? 
 

I predicted that the squad this season would likely be youth players and free transfers and that is becoming ever more likely with each passing day, especially with the club up for sale.

 

Goalkeepers- our strongest position at the minute and it looks to be the least of our worries. I suspect Jakub goes and we bring in an experience back up on a free.

 

Defenders-  I expect at least 3 of Faes, Nelson, Okoli and Souttar to go which leaves us with no first team centre backs.  Full back wise we lack competition and cover for *gulps* Luke Thomas and Aluko.

 

Midfield- If nobody leaves you would think we have enough starting wise, but we certainly haven’t got cover for injuries and to provide competition for inconsistent youngsters which is going to be a huge problem.

 

Wingers-  Mavididi and BDCR plus more unproven youth. This clearly lacks depth.

 

Strikers- . I’m now convinced that Ings would have gone into the season as a first choice striker.

 

Undoubtedly we will see one or two more come in and the window closes in a little while yet, but I’ll repeat my prediction: We play out this season relying heavily on unproven, inconsistent youth players and frees and don’t get promoted. If the youth step up, it’s going to be different and very promising but that’s a huge if, and the same points were made last summer. 

[hejammy]

Well as the season is around the corner, I would have expected to have my season ticket by now?

[AKCJ]

I think we're in an okay position apart from in forward areas.

 

We clearly need a genuine number 9 and a couple of wingers (preferably with pace) but other than that I think the team is in a decent shape. I would imagine that the likes of Hamza and Faes may worm their way into this team but this is how i'd line up the team tomorrow.

 

Stolarcyzk

Aluko Souttar Nelson Thomas

Braybrooke Skipp

Alves Chaplin Mavididi

Otchere

[Fox92]

Lack of striker is our issue. Last time at this level, while the team was a mix of youth and experience as it will be next season, we had two good goalscorers which we don't currently have. 

[VLC86]

13 minutes ago, AKCJ said:

I think we're in an okay position apart from in forward areas.

 

We clearly need a genuine number 9 and a couple of wingers (preferably with pace) but other than that I think the team is in a decent shape. I would imagine that the likes of Hamza and Faes may worm their way into this team but this is how i'd line up the team tomorrow.

 

Stolarcyzk

Aluko Souttar Nelson Thomas

Braybrooke Skipp

Alves Chaplin Mavididi

Otchere

You recon Nelson and Souttar are going to stay for the season?

 

Alves looks promising in pre season but has yet to have a consistently good season in professional football. Otchere can’t be relied on to step up into senior football and promote a team.

 

And then beyond this 11, and the couple you mention, do you think we will have enough strength in depth?

 

We went into last season with a similar thinking, some players too good for the level and some good young professionals. I personally think we are going to be way short based on the current squad minus the obvious outgoings.

[VLC86]

1 minute ago, Fox92 said:

Lack of striker is our issue. Last time at this level, while the team was a mix of youth and experience as it will be next season, we had two good goalscorers which we don't currently have. 

That’s the main issue for sure, but there are then many issues that look pretty bleak at the minute IMO.

[Spudulike]

17 minutes ago, AKCJ said:

I think we're in an okay position apart from in forward areas.

 

We clearly need a genuine number 9 and a couple of wingers (preferably with pace) but other than that I think the team is in a decent shape. I would imagine that the likes of Hamza and Faes may worm their way into this team but this is how i'd line up the team tomorrow.

 

Stolarcyzk

Aluko Souttar Nelson Thomas

Braybrooke Skipp

Alves Chaplin Mavididi

Otchere

Think that is the best starting line up but likely to be Faes in an attempt to shop window him.

[FoxinNotts]

26 minutes ago, AKCJ said:

I think we're in an okay position apart from in forward areas.

 

We clearly need a genuine number 9 and a couple of wingers (preferably with pace) but other than that I think the team is in a decent shape. I would imagine that the likes of Hamza and Faes may worm their way into this team but this is how i'd line up the team tomorrow.

 

Stolarcyzk

Aluko Souttar Nelson Thomas

Braybrooke Skipp

Alves Chaplin Mavididi

Otchere

Spot on assessment 

 

We need: 

couple of wide men

A starting number 9

 

If (and when) anyone else leaves, we just need to replace them with the same positions.

 

Not actually too concerned tbh

Edited 7 hours ago by FoxinNotts

[Freddy]

2 hours ago, VLC86 said:

So, the season is just about 3 weeks away and while pre seasons results have been good and we appear to have more of an identity on the style of play. Are we ****ed? 
 

I predicted that the squad this season would likely be youth players and free transfers and that is becoming ever more likely with each passing day, especially with the club up for sale.

 

Goalkeepers- our strongest position at the minute and it looks to be the least of our worries. I suspect Jakub goes and we bring in an experience back up on a free.

 

Defenders-  I expect at least 3 of Faes, Nelson, Okoli and Souttar to go which leaves us with no first team centre backs.  Full back wise we lack competition and cover for *gulps* Luke Thomas and Aluko.

 

Midfield- If nobody leaves you would think we have enough starting wise, but we certainly haven’t got cover for injuries and to provide competition for inconsistent youngsters which is going to be a huge problem.

 

Wingers-  Mavididi and BDCR plus more unproven youth. This clearly lacks depth.

 

Strikers- . I’m now convinced that Ings would have gone into the season as a first choice striker.

 

Undoubtedly we will see one or two more come in and the window closes in a little while yet, but I’ll repeat my prediction: We play out this season relying heavily on unproven, inconsistent youth players and frees and don’t get promoted. If the youth step up, it’s going to be different and very promising but that’s a huge if, and the same points were made last summer. 

Key for me is the up and coming sale of LCFC and whilst team talk is fine there will be a huge upheaval if we reveal new owners. 

[VLC86]

5 minutes ago, FoxinNotts said:

Spot on assessment 

 

We need: 

couple of wide men

A starting number 9

 

If (and when) anyone else leaves, we just need to replace them with the same positions.

 

Not actually too concerned tbh

I wish I shared your optimism.

 

So you think that 1 striker plus 2 young lads that have 1 senior goal between them will be enough? And that you would trust us to replace maybe 3 centre backs good enough to get us promoted?

 

I’m sure we will bring in a few loans, but my point is that at this stage of pre season, we are way short of looking like a squad that’s getting promoted.

[VLC86]

2 minutes ago, Freddy said:

Key for me is the up and coming sale of LCFC and whilst team talk is fine there will be a huge upheaval if we reveal new owners. 

Huge rebuild still needed and a club for sale doesn’t scream lots of resources into replacements does it.

[dmayne7]

I don't think 3 centre backs are going at this stage but that's the big area that needs a bit of depth 

 

Thomas will be fine at this level (going to get his pants pulled down sometimes still). 

 

RB is sorted. And both lads are very versatile.

 

Hamza and Skipp probably be here so with the return of Braybrooke, then Page and the emergence of Neale, that looks fine. 

 

Alves can play anywhere across the attacking mid areas, same with Chaplin. Mavididi and BDR unlikely to go. Then Carr has looked very lively plus Evans and Hutchinson can play out wide.

 

Otchere been a bonus, plus some of the above can play up top.

 

Ideally we go and get 1 experienced player in each of defence, midfield and striker. Then I think we're in a good place. Yes, ideally we can bring in more and ship out more, but as it stands, we should be fine

[dmayne7]

41 minutes ago, AKCJ said:

I think we're in an okay position apart from in forward areas.

 

We clearly need a genuine number 9 and a couple of wingers (preferably with pace) but other than that I think the team is in a decent shape. I would imagine that the likes of Hamza and Faes may worm their way into this team but this is how i'd line up the team tomorrow.

 

Stolarcyzk

Aluko Souttar Nelson Thomas

Braybrooke Skipp

Alves Chaplin Mavididi

Otchere

Page in there and ability wise, that absolutely slaps, as the kids say. It's just a case of supplementing the team with another 3ish experienced players for now. 

 

Outlook changes if we shift some of the players most of want gone as the do at least have the experience of what it takes to be a pro footballer (even if badly) which many do not

[VLC86]

3 minutes ago, dmayne7 said:

I don't think 3 centre backs are going at this stage but that's the big area that needs a bit of depth 

 

Thomas will be fine at this level (going to get his pants pulled down sometimes still). 

 

RB is sorted. And both lads are very versatile.

 

Hamza and Skipp probably be here so with the return of Braybrooke, then Page and the emergence of Neale, that looks fine. 

 

Alves can play anywhere across the attacking mid areas, same with Chaplin. Mavididi and BDR unlikely to go. Then Carr has looked very lively plus Evans and Hutchinson can play out wide.

 

Otchere been a bonus, plus some of the above can play up top.

 

Ideally we go and get 1 experienced player in each of defence, midfield and striker. Then I think we're in a good place. Yes, ideally we can bring in more and ship out more, but as it stands, we should be fine

Again, that’s a hell of a lot of young lads with no experience in men’s professional football to rely on to get us promoted.

 

I don’t think we need 1 experienced player in them positions, we need one established player in each of them positions. 

[coolhandfox]

52 minutes ago, AKCJ said:

I think we're in an okay position apart from in forward areas.

 

We clearly need a genuine number 9 and a couple of wingers (preferably with pace) but other than that I think the team is in a decent shape. I would imagine that the likes of Hamza and Faes may worm their way into this team but this is how i'd line up the team tomorrow.

 

Stolarcyzk

Aluko Souttar Nelson Thomas

Braybrooke Skipp

Alves Chaplin Mavididi

Otchere

Would be surprised if these are still around.

[dmayne7]

7 minutes ago, VLC86 said:

Again, that’s a hell of a lot of young lads with no experience in men’s professional football to rely on to get us promoted.

 

I don’t think we need 1 experienced player in them positions, we need one established player in each of them positions. 

If we do that then no game time for Aluko, Joseph, Braybrooke, Page, Alves (been our best player in pre season), Otchere etc. The only way we get out of this long term is by playing these guys.

 

But if you look at it through the lens of who's played international football (or been selected), European football etc, off the top of my head you've still got:

 

McCarthy

Vietes

Faes

Souttar

Okoli

Thomas

Skipp

Choudhury

BDR

 

And that doesn't take into account others who have played a good chunk of games at a higher level than this or at least a good chunk of games.

 

If the above don't leave, then it's not a big issue in terms of experience but if they do, then we'll probably be looking to get experienced guys in to replace them.

 

I do think we also need to have a bit of perspective here and remember that this is L1.

[VLC86]

5 minutes ago, dmayne7 said:

If we do that then no game time for Aluko, Joseph, Braybrooke, Page, Alves (been our best player in pre season), Otchere etc. The only way we get out of this long term is by playing these guys.

 

But if you look at it through the lens of who's played international football (or been selected), European football etc, off the top of my head you've still got:

 

McCarthy

Vietes

Faes

Souttar

Okoli

Thomas

Skipp

Choudhury

BDR

 

And that doesn't take into account others who have played a good chunk of games at a higher level than this or at least a good chunk of games.

 

If the above don't leave, then it's not a big issue in terms of experience but if they do, then we'll probably be looking to get experienced guys in to replace them.

 

I do think we also need to have a bit of perspective here and remember that this is L1.

A lot of the players you mention will go.

 

And regarding the last sentence, how many U21 teams do well in the EFL Cup? That could give us a hint at how this season could go should we be arrogant enough to think we have enough to get out of the division without adding significant quality.

[coolhandfox]

If you took today as a snapshot, I think we're in a decent position, aside from needing a couple of centre-forwards and some additional depth on both the right and left wings.

 

However, by the time the transfer window closes on 1 September, we could have seen players such as Souttar, Nelson, Thomas, Skipp, Mavididi, Stolarczyk, Okoli, and Choudhury move on, so things could look very different.

 

We need to make sure we maintain a good balance between youth and experience. The younger players bring energy, potential, and long-term value, while experienced players provide leadership and stability. Getting that mix right will be crucial if we're going to have a successful season.

[AKCJ]

1 hour ago, VLC86 said:

You recon Nelson and Souttar are going to stay for the season?

 

Alves looks promising in pre season but has yet to have a consistently good season in professional football. Otchere can’t be relied on to step up into senior football and promote a team.

 

And then beyond this 11, and the couple you mention, do you think we will have enough strength in depth?

 

We went into last season with a similar thinking, some players too good for the level and some good young professionals. I personally think we are going to be way short based on the current squad minus the obvious outgoings.

I think Nelson will but not Souttar. 

 

I think the backup to that team would be something like (this is entirely off the top of my head, probably forgetting someone):

 

McCarthy

Joseph Faes Gray Ali

Choudhury Neale

Evans Page BDCR

Opoku

 

This would suggest we probably need a back up (or indeed starting) left back and someone else who can sit in midfield (maybe with a bit more experience).

 

If we can go into the season with this as our squad then I think we'll be fine (starters in bold).

 

Goalkeeper - Stolarcyzk, McCarthy, Vietes

Right Back - Aluko, Joseph

Centre Half - Souttar, Nelson, Faes, Okoli, Gray, Wilson-Brown

Left Back - Thomas, Ali

Midfielder - Skipp, Braybrooke, Choudhury, Neale, Golding

Attacking Midfielder - Chaplin, Page

Wingers - Mavididi, NEW RW, Alves, Evans, BDCR

Strikers - NEW ST, Otchere, Opoku

 

I make that 16 academy lads (17 if you class Golding). Chaplin was a good addition but we need two more that are more of the finished article IMO. Someone to help this young team along with the right attitude.

 

Edited 6 hours ago by AKCJ

[Edingleyfox]

I'm worried about where the goals are coming from, pace on the wings, set piece delivery and a general lack of height /physicality. One striker coming in isn't enough IMO if it happens and Chaplin only scored a couple last season. I think the pre- season and the drop into a lower league is giving that false sense of security and against Notts at Meadow Lane we will really see how well preparations are going.

[BlueBus]

I'd say we're going to be able to put a half-decent, potentially play-off contender 11 together but over 40/50 games, we're in massive trouble.

 

I pointed this out on another thread, if you tally all the goals in our squad from last season, I think we're on about 11 goals and we've only brought in Chaplin who has something like 3 league goals in his last 60-something games (a lot of those appearances were in the Premier League though). I've also not included any goals that our returning loan players either. 

[Grebfromgrebland]

If the CBs leave then we basically need centre backs, full backs, midfielders, strikers and wingers if we're going to entertain the idea of promotion.

 

We need more depth and support for the youngsters.

[boosmanana]

McCarthy

 

Aluko

New CB

Nelson

New LB

 

Chaplin

Braybrooke

Page

 

New RW

New ST

Alves

 

This is assuming that any/all of Souttar, Okoli, Faes, Skipp, Stolarczyk, Vieites, Mavididi leave. Otchere and Carr have both looked exciting in pre-season and Neale should play some part too.

[OwnGoalJames]

In my view, the defence needs an entire rebuild, two new wingers and two strikers. BUT... This isn't a computer game, nor is it a proactive, ambitious club (anymore).

 

I like reading the comments here, I like the optimism, I see the pessimism. And some of our younger players will step up and be good enough to compete in this division. But with the squad as it is, promotion is not in my mind at all, getting to 50 points is.

 

My opinion/prediction is that Russell Martin will be expected to gain promotion with a team of youth players supplemented by the remaining senior players that (still) remain at the club. Cannot see us signing the number or quality of players in this window, even though transfers out of the club have been positive in our situation.

[dmayne7]

2 hours ago, VLC86 said:

A lot of the players you mention will go.

 

And regarding the last sentence, how many U21 teams do well in the EFL Cup? That could give us a hint at how this season could go should we be arrogant enough to think we have enough to get out of the division without adding significant quality.

But they haven't yet and I think you might be sadly disappointed (me too!).

 

Well the whole objective of those competitions is completely different. And then we've got plenty of young players who have league experience which you have to bear in mind. Not saying things are perfect as is, but maybe we're in an ok place.