A look at the squad

[Simi]

I think thats always the concern with having a player like Stearman at centre back but against big and slow strikers he would have a speed advantage and he would also be less prone to being caught out by the other L1 weapon - the pacey but talentless forward who thrives on catching out slow centre backs. I think a combination of sticks and someone who is stronger may work against both types of player.

I think that's pretty accurate to be honest.

I seem to remember Stearman playing centre back during pre-season last year. He partnered Bruno against Quron, I think I commented on how well they did playing together. That, as you say would be the sort of combination we'd be looking for if he was to play there.

Certainly no harm in testing it, would like to see Chambers stay and play at right back. He's more than capable.

[Simi]

Some of the quotes from the Quron match where he played centre half.

I liked the fact that Stearman was talking all the time. He was even telling N'Gotty what to do. I feel he's happy to at last have been given a chance at centre back even though it was only a friendly and he didn't put a foot wrong really.

b) Richard Stearman had his best half for ages as his central defensive partner and the pair looked as if they'd been teamed together for years. He added much-needed pace and passing ability to that area and seemed to relish the job.

Stearman and N Gotty looked a very good parntership I thought, solid throughout and never looked in any danger, except when Neilsen dropped that cross !

Honorary Mentions go to Stearman who looked great at centre back and shouted lots of instruction to mattock/sheehan as they switched between left back and left wing roles.

[billyfox1]

By the sounds of it we have the perfect league one strike partnership; the lumbering oaf that is Howard and the rather quick and devastatingly talentless Hammond...

Hi all. first post.

Hasn't Hammond already gone?

[Joe.]

There's no doubt we need at least one new centre back for me. We could also do with a versatile RB/LB to cover for Stearman or Mattock who are destined to leave in the near future.

We also blatantly need some new midfielders. Time to get rid of the ones who can't cut it playing for Leicester City. A left winger is essential, as is another right winger to cover for Gradel.

I keep seeing people saying we already have too many strikers but it's time for at least half of them to leave. If it was up to me I'd only keep Hume, DJ and Sappleton. Fryatt, Hayles and Howard are far too frustrating and aren't good enough. Out with the old, in with the new as far as forwards are concerned, we need better.

I also believe we need a new goalkeeper. Henderson had a good tail end to the season but he's still not good enough, even for League One. I just keep remembering when I winced every time a ball went near him and when I was worried when his name was read out on the team sheet. As for Logan I can't see him staying here either.

[Simi]

We also blatantly need some new midfielders. Time to get rid of the ones who can't cut it playing for Leicester City. A left winger is essential, as is another right winger to cover for Gradel.

I still think players like Weso, King and Oakley are good enough for us. All of them are creative. I know it, I'v seen it on more than one occasion from each of them. For years now though, they've just not been used to our advantage. Hoof ball has had a massive negative effect on us and ruined plenty of good players.

The hype over Gradel will be shortlived if we carry on doing it as well. We've got some bloody good players at this club, but the managers that have had them have not utilised them enough for me.

[Webbo]

Hi all. first post.

Hasn't Hammond already gone?

1)

2) Yes.

[Joe.]

I still think players like Weso, King and Oakley are good enough for us. All of them are creative. I know it, I'v seen it on more than one occasion from each of them. For years now though, they've just not been used to our advantage. Hoof ball has had a massive negative effect on us and ruined plenty of good players.

The hype over Gradel will be shortlived if we carry on doing it as well. We've got some bloody good players at this club, but the managers that have had them have not utilised them enough for me.

Don't get me wrong, I agree with you there. It's the wingers I'm going to be banging on about until we get some decent ones. It's the one main thing we've lacked for so long and it's about time we got some decent ones in.

Generally I think we need more players out than in, for example, Kishishev and Hellings; players who clearly aren't going to cut it here and are needlessly picking up wage packets.

[Simi]

Don't get me wrong, I agree with you there. It's the wingers I'm going to be banging on about until we get some decent ones. It's the one main thing we've lacked for so long and it's about time we got some decent ones in.

Generally I think we need more players out than in, for example, Kishishev and Hellings; players who clearly aren't going to cut it here and are needlessly picking up wage packets.

Gradel has shown what he can do in this league, so if it goes wrong for him here, we know it's down to bad management. Bell would have been ideal to be honest, not much chance of that now. With the amount of players we've signed, it really is a disgrace when we're fielding teams with the likes of Hayles, Fryatt and Hume playing on the wing.

Sensible buying and a fair few out and we'll be ok I reckon.

[Joe.]

Gradel has shown what he can do in this league, so if it goes wrong for him here, we know it's down to bad management. Bell would have been ideal to be honest, not much chance of that now. With the amount of players we've signed, it really is a disgrace when we're fielding teams with the likes of Hayles, Fryatt and Hume playing on the wing.

Sensible buying and a fair few out and we'll be ok I reckon.

Yep.

I hope Gradel can live up to the hype, he might not even be with us or he might not even be in favour. I'm inclined to think he'll be an active part of the team next season but who knows at this club. We've also got Levi ready to come back soon which is a positive too.

Whether or not we'll be able to keep Bell I don't know- rumours suggest there's no shortage of Championship interest which obviously doesn't fall in our favour. And then there's also Hayes- I'm undecided on this one. Quietly I'm confident about him from what I've already seen but he could well be one to leave this summer.

Your last point is the one I totally agree with. We've got to get rid of a fair bit this summer yet at the same time we haven't necessarily got to bring many in. As you say, sensible dealings will see us right hopefully.

[Simi]

Yep.

I hope Gradel can live up to the hype, he might not even be with us or he might not even be in favour. I'm inclined to think he'll be an active part of the team next season but who knows at this club. We've also got Levi ready to come back soon which is a positive too.

Whether or not we'll be able to keep Bell I don't know- rumours suggest there's no shortage of Championship interest which obviously doesn't fall in our favour. And then there's also Hayes- I'm undecided on this one. Quietly I'm confident about him from what I've already seen but he could well be one to leave this summer.

Your last point is the one I totally agree with. We've got to get rid of a fair bit this summer yet at the same time we haven't necessarily got to bring many in. As you say, sensible dealings will see us right hopefully.

I can't possibly see why Pearson would leave Gradel out. Whatever capacity there is left from the coaching staff of last season, I'm certain someone will shove a video of his performances his way. Even if that doesn't happen, I'm confident the fans wouldn't let it slide and watch him rot on the bench, which'd be a shame.

Hayes, I like him. I thought he didn't do much wrong when he got a chance. Looked to me a decent crosser of the ball and not afraid to have a go at the full back, which is something that's been desperately annoying with some of our previous wingers. Seemed to stray inside a lot though, but I hope that can be worked on.

[Corky]

I think Clemence, if he stays, will do well next season. He sounds up for the fight. I would have him and Wesolowski in the centre, Gradel on the right and Hayes/Porter on the left.

Whether little Jimbo can stay fit is an issue though.