dave1
Youth Team Player
Posts: 223
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Post by dave1 on Jan 6, 2016 10:56:44 GMT
If I recall correctly, the season when we last won the Rymans League, we signed Leroy Griffiths because the management considered that this addition was needed to 'get us over the line' (so far as promotion was concerned) - and Leroy did make the difference intended. As well as we are doing at the moment, I'm wondering whether we might need/benefit from a similar sort of signing at the moment? We are currently fighting on three fronts (if you include the SSC), have a very small squad and have a number of fixtures coming up over the next couple of months (how many depends on whether we progress in cup competitions). With Louis John and Shaquille out on loan, we only have 18 players available if everyone is fit and free from suspension (this includes Tommy Wright and Wayne Shaw). Although Dundo's recent exploits in front of goal have been terrific, we still seem as if we may be a bit short of the regular goalscorer (that Leroy was) that Paul D has been seeking for the last couple of years - and this could make all the difference in terms of whether or not we make the play offs/progress in the FA Trophy. Clearly our squad is not cheap and we need to stay within budget - but I'm wondering whether there might be a young striker at a local league club who might benefit from some experience at National League South level (I understand that they can often be acquired on loan at relatively low cost) - or whether we might be able to move someone else out on loan in order to accomodate a couple of additions within budget and/or a proven goalscorer (if any are available)? I'm sure that Paul and the rest of the management team will be thinking all the time about whether we have the right composition to the squad and looking around to see if options to improve the squad are out there. I think that it is also fair to say that I'm sure that part of the reason that the team has done so well this season is because we have kept a settled squad. Really just thinking aloud and interested in the thoughts of others. Incidentally, I don't think that Leroy himself would be the answer this season.
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Post by Andy K on Jan 6, 2016 11:47:05 GMT
The same thing happened a couple of years ago when we signed Jason Brown and ended up only 5 points behind Eastleigh at the end of the season (after being considerably further away).
I think this season there's less of a need - we've got the 4th best defence in the league, we're 4th on the goalscoring charts and we've got a mean midfield. I don't think there is an obvious issue. In terms of proven goalscorers, well we have that in Mac and Fitch, and to a lesser extent Fleetwood (although I know not recently) and Stearn. Tom B is also knocking them in and of course there's Dundo.
Dos is always looking to strengthen the squad and if the right player becomes available, he may well go for it, but I don't think there's a real urgent need to do so yet.
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Post by Del on Jan 6, 2016 11:59:29 GMT
I've been thinking the same dave1.One or two new additions could prove very beneficial but of course its keeping everyone happy that can be a problem.We don't want to have an injury crisis that we had the last time we reached the playoffs. Anyone we bring in would probably be cup tied and that is an extra consideration.On the other hand isn't this the time of the year when the football league clubs release some of their youngsters who don't make it.We have picked up some real bargains over the years.
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Post by Suttontilidie on Jan 6, 2016 12:14:01 GMT
Dos always likes to work with a squad of quality over quantity, I'm not sure if the club could afford another player of the required quality to be the man to 'get us over the line'. As well as that I don't think we actually need one, more what we need is for the players we've got to keep going as they are and hopefully one or two start knocking a few more goals in, it's nice that we are in a position where we don't have to rely on any one player even though an individual tends to shine for a brief period of time (Collins scoring a few early, then Fitchett, Bolarinwa a month or so ago and now Dundo). Ideally McAllister starts scoring a few more given the number of games he is starting but sometimes it isn't just as black and white as 'strikers score the goals'.
We should also consider our recent form where, in the last few weeks, results have been very strong but performances perhaps not on a par with earlier parts of the season. But despite that (with the loss at Concord expunged) we have not lost since Sat 7th November, in which time we have notched up 8 wins and a draw in all competitions, scoring 23 and conceding 4. If we are capable of getting results like that even in periods where our performances are a little shaky then who knows what we can achieve when we get to our peak level.
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Post by superus1898 on Jan 6, 2016 15:15:39 GMT
Eastleigh signed Ben Wright on loan (when in NLS) to get them over the line, scored 13 in 20.
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Post by sallycat on Jan 6, 2016 16:43:01 GMT
Mac and Fitch, and to a lesser extent Fleetwood I am disappointed in the missed opportunity for a terrible Fleetwood Mac joke.
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markf
Top Performer
Posts: 3,205
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Post by markf on Jan 6, 2016 20:13:53 GMT
Er, I am sure Dos stated in a recent newspaper interview that he would not be going out to sign new players at present. However, he did not rule out the possibility before the March deadline if it was considered necessary in order to avoid the injury issues that left us with a struggling squad (fitness wise) when we played Dover in the second leg in 2014.
Based on that interview, not sure what this thread is looking to achieve? Hardly like anyone needs to try and second guess Dos when he has already made his position clear, is there?
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Post by davef on Jan 6, 2016 20:39:24 GMT
Sal, there were rumours of a bad joke doing the rounds but it was thought it could be an albatross around our neck.
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Post by sallycat on Jan 6, 2016 22:43:03 GMT
If they're going to be that bad, you can go your own way.
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Post by northernmonkey on Jan 6, 2016 22:58:49 GMT
I am still confident Fleetwood will come good before the end of the season.
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