Squad Review - Two Weeks of Window to Go

[DutchRover]

I did this at the end of the season to take stock of our option going into the year, and note the positions in need of strengthening, and now with two weeks of window to go and a disastrous start to the season I figured we should take stock again.

I said then that we needed depth at GK if Pears went, that defence was fine assuming we let no-one go (oops), midfield needed depth behind Trav/Tron, and that we were desperately short in attack/wing after Cantwell/Ohashi/Gueye.

Since then, we have disassembled our defence and replaced them with cheaper options, ditto with midfield and done next to nothing to strengthen the attack; a very exciting Gestede summer indeed. Wages down, little re-investment and general weakening across the board.

I would also note that I said Derby would outspend us threefold, which they have done pretty much just on the American striker, even before stealing all our players.

With that said, lets recap:

Goalkeeper:

Toth (2027) Michalski (2030) Pears (2027)

I am happy enough with Toth as the starter, as I said back in May. Pears we are still trying to offload, and Michalski had a shocking first game. That said, I believe in Michalski and he does deserves more chances, I just hope we get an older English keeper to have on bench if Pears goes.

Right Back:

Miller (2028) Alebiosu (2028)

All change as I feared, losing Brittain is a blow, JRC not so much. I like the look of both the new guys, especially Miller who has a great attitude and lethal long-throw. Worry if he is seen more as a CB because then Montgomery is the third choice and I do not rate him at all.

Left Back:

Ribeiro (2027) Pickering (2027)

Solid if unspectacular, happy enough with the pairing.

Centre Back:

Hyam (2026) Carter (2027) Wharton (2027) McLoughlan (2027)

We are okay at CB for now, but that changes completely if we sell Hyam. Carter is injury prone, Wharton I like but coming off a serious injury. McLoughlan looks a decent Championship player but what is the point on a two-year deal. We need one more here, otherwise Miller ends up playing and that weakens RB, so I guess that's what we'll do...

Centre Mid:

Tavares (2028) Tronstad (2026) Henriksson (2029) Montgomery (2026) Forshaw (2026) Travis (2026) Buckley (2027) Garrett (2027)

I said in May Trav and Tron were a great Championship pairing, so naturally we are trying to get rid of both. Trav will go; Tron less sure but we will not renew at any rate. Forshaw was a complete waste of a panic signing, already injured. Garrett injured and won't make it I think. Buckley we want shot of too, so basically an entirely new midfield.

Tavares looks a class player, but I think he needs energy next to him given his more languid style. Henriksson I like the attitude but needs some time to settle in English football. Montgomery as the 3rd/4th choice is terrifying, he is nowhere near good enough, and should be playing a L2 loan at best. We need another CM desperately, preferably a workhorse in the Travis mold.

Attacking Mid:

Cantwell (2027) Tyjon (2026)

Already needed strengthening, and Tyjon not signing makes his place in 1st team pointless until he does. We need a proper back-up to Cantwell who has looked better so far this season. Arguably Henriksson but then we need another CM even more desperately. 

Right Wing:

Hedges (2026)

Was already our weakest position, and Dolan/Markanday going just leaves Hedges, who most of us have a fair idea as to his talent. He is a back-up bench guy in my opinion, and we desperately need a Right-Winger to come in and start, as I do not think Henriksson belongs there, and again see issue with depth at CM/AM.

Left Wing:

Kargbo (2027) De Neve (2028)

Kargbo scares defenders but only seems able to play 30 minutes a game, and De Neve I have seen nothing so far to suggest he can start as a winger in Championship. I would say strengthen here but there are already too many other wholes to bother.

Striker:

Ohashi (2027) Gueye (2027) Leonard (2027)

Ohashi I like but he needs more support if he's up top alone. Gueye also has useful attributes but forum opinion seems to be turning against him and Ismael is not biggest fan per accounts. Leonard I don't see making it. Need another option here, ideally one to challenge Ohashi as starter, so naturally we will sign someone from the Turkish C tier...

 

Summary:

We have not strengthened the squad at all this summer, despite a 7th place finish. Instead we have gutted the spine of the team and filled the self-inflicted holes with cheaper unknown guys in the name of "transition". We have not strengthened the positions we entered the summer needing to, namely RW/LW/ST/AM

We desperately need a RW, and I think also a CB, CM, AM, ST, GK and maybe a LW. So at least 5 guys, preferably of starting quality, which seems an impossibility for us.

I make 19 registered guys, assuming Michalski, Montgomery and Tyjon are youth, and we sell/unregister those whom I suspect we will (Pears, Trav, Buckley, Garrett). So we have space for 6 new guys, despite Chaddy's protestations, and I think we should use all of that, sadly Gestede is talking of just one in and Pasha would prefer none I suspect.

[Tyrone Shoelaces]

11 minutes ago, DutchRover said:

I did this at the end of the season to take stock of our option going into the year, and note the positions in need of strengthening, and now with two weeks of window to go and a disastrous start to the season I figured we should take stock again.

I said then that we needed depth at GK if Pears went, that defence was fine assuming we let no-one go (oops), midfield needed depth behind Trav/Tron, and that we were desperately short in attack/wing after Cantwell/Ohashi/Gueye.

Since then, we have disassembled our defence and replaced them with cheaper options, ditto with midfield and done next to nothing to strengthen the attack; a very exciting Gestede summer indeed. Wages down, little re-investment and general weakening across the board.

I would also note that I said Derby would outspend us threefold, which they have done pretty much just on the American striker, even before stealing all our players.

With that said, lets recap:

Goalkeeper:

Toth (2027) Michalski (2030) Pears (2027)

I am happy enough with Toth as the starter, as I said back in May. Pears we are still trying to offload, and Michalski had a shocking first game. That said, I believe in Michalski and he does deserves more chances, I just hope we get an older English keeper to have on bench if Pears goes.

Right Back:

Miller (2028) Alebiosu (2028)

All change as I feared, losing Brittain is a blow, JRC not so much. I like the look of both the new guys, especially Miller who has a great attitude and lethal long-throw. Worry if he is seen more as a CB because then Montgomery is the third choice and I do not rate him at all.

Left Back:

Ribeiro (2027) Pickering (2027)

Solid if unspectacular, happy enough with the pairing.

Centre Back:

Hyam (2026) Carter (2027) Wharton (2027) McLoughlan (2027)

We are okay at CB for now, but that changes completely if we sell Hyam. Carter is injury prone, Wharton I like but coming off a serious injury. McLoughlan looks a decent Championship player but what is the point on a two-year deal. We need one more here, otherwise Miller ends up playing and that weakens RB, so I guess that's what we'll do...

Centre Mid:

Tavares (2028) Tronstad (2026) Henriksson (2029) Montgomery (2026) Forshaw (2026) Travis (2026) Buckley (2027) Garrett (2027)

I said in May Trav and Tron were a great Championship pairing, so naturally we are trying to get rid of both. Trav will go; Tron less sure but we will not renew at any rate. Forshaw was a complete waste of a panic signing, already injured. Garrett injured and won't make it I think. Buckley we want shot of too, so basically an entirely new midfield.

Tavares looks a class player, but I think he needs energy next to him given his more languid style. Henriksson I like the attitude but needs some time to settle in English football. Montgomery as the 3rd/4th choice is terrifying, he is nowhere near good enough, and should be playing a L2 loan at best. We need another CM desperately, preferably a workhorse in the Travis mold.

Attacking Mid:

Cantwell (2027) Tyjon (2026)

Already needed strengthening, and Tyjon not signing makes his place in 1st team pointless until he does. We need a proper back-up to Cantwell who has looked better so far this season. Arguably Henriksson but then we need another CM even more desperately. 

Right Wing:

Hedges (2026)

Was already our weakest position, and Dolan/Markanday going just leaves Hedges, who most of us have a fair idea as to his talent. He is a back-up bench guy in my opinion, and we desperately need a Right-Winger to come in and start, as I do not think Henriksson belongs there, and again see issue with depth at CM/AM.

Left Wing:

Kargbo (2027) De Neve (2028)

Kargbo scares defenders but only seems able to play 30 minutes a game, and De Neve I have seen nothing so far to suggest he can start as a winger in Championship. I would say strengthen here but there are already too many other wholes to bother.

Striker:

Ohashi (2027) Gueye (2027) Leonard (2027)

Ohashi I like but he needs more support if he's up top alone. Gueye also has useful attributes but forum opinion seems to be turning against him and Ismael is not biggest fan per accounts. Leonard I don't see making it. Need another option here, ideally one to challenge Ohashi as starter, so naturally we will sign someone from the Turkish C tier...

 

Summary:

We have not strengthened the squad at all this summer, despite a 7th place finish. Instead we have gutted the spine of the team and filled the self-inflicted holes with cheaper unknown guys in the name of "transition". We have not strengthened the positions we entered the summer needing to, namely RW/LW/ST/AM

We desperately need a RW, and I think also a CB, CM, AM, ST, GK and maybe a LW. So at least 5 guys, preferably of starting quality, which seems an impossibility for us.

I make 19 registered guys, assuming Michalski, Montgomery and Tyjon are youth, and we sell/unregister those whom I suspect we will (Pears, Trav, Buckley, Garrett). So we have space for 6 new guys, despite Chaddy's protestations, and I think we should use all of that, sadly Gestede is talking of just one in and Pasha would prefer none I suspect.

A very good summing up in my opinion. I agree with nearly all your conclusions 

[...]

24 minutes ago, DutchRover said:

I did this at the end of the season to take stock of our option going into the year, and note the positions in need of strengthening, and now with two weeks of window to go and a disastrous start to the season I figured we should take stock again.

I said then that we needed depth at GK if Pears went, that defence was fine assuming we let no-one go (oops), midfield needed depth behind Trav/Tron, and that we were desperately short in attack/wing after Cantwell/Ohashi/Gueye.

Since then, we have disassembled our defence and replaced them with cheaper options, ditto with midfield and done next to nothing to strengthen the attack; a very exciting Gestede summer indeed. Wages down, little re-investment and general weakening across the board.

I would also note that I said Derby would outspend us threefold, which they have done pretty much just on the American striker, even before stealing all our players.

With that said, lets recap:

Goalkeeper:

Toth (2027) Michalski (2030) Pears (2027)

I am happy enough with Toth as the starter, as I said back in May. Pears we are still trying to offload, and Michalski had a shocking first game. That said, I believe in Michalski and he does deserves more chances, I just hope we get an older English keeper to have on bench if Pears goes.

Right Back:

Miller (2028) Alebiosu (2028)

All change as I feared, losing Brittain is a blow, JRC not so much. I like the look of both the new guys, especially Miller who has a great attitude and lethal long-throw. Worry if he is seen more as a CB because then Montgomery is the third choice and I do not rate him at all.

Left Back:

Ribeiro (2027) Pickering (2027)

Solid if unspectacular, happy enough with the pairing.

Centre Back:

Hyam (2026) Carter (2027) Wharton (2027) McLoughlan (2027)

We are okay at CB for now, but that changes completely if we sell Hyam. Carter is injury prone, Wharton I like but coming off a serious injury. McLoughlan looks a decent Championship player but what is the point on a two-year deal. We need one more here, otherwise Miller ends up playing and that weakens RB, so I guess that's what we'll do...

Centre Mid:

Tavares (2028) Tronstad (2026) Henriksson (2029) Montgomery (2026) Forshaw (2026) Travis (2026) Buckley (2027) Garrett (2027)

I said in May Trav and Tron were a great Championship pairing, so naturally we are trying to get rid of both. Trav will go; Tron less sure but we will not renew at any rate. Forshaw was a complete waste of a panic signing, already injured. Garrett injured and won't make it I think. Buckley we want shot of too, so basically an entirely new midfield.

Tavares looks a class player, but I think he needs energy next to him given his more languid style. Henriksson I like the attitude but needs some time to settle in English football. Montgomery as the 3rd/4th choice is terrifying, he is nowhere near good enough, and should be playing a L2 loan at best. We need another CM desperately, preferably a workhorse in the Travis mold.

Attacking Mid:

Cantwell (2027) Tyjon (2026)

Already needed strengthening, and Tyjon not signing makes his place in 1st team pointless until he does. We need a proper back-up to Cantwell who has looked better so far this season. Arguably Henriksson but then we need another CM even more desperately. 

Right Wing:

Hedges (2026)

Was already our weakest position, and Dolan/Markanday going just leaves Hedges, who most of us have a fair idea as to his talent. He is a back-up bench guy in my opinion, and we desperately need a Right-Winger to come in and start, as I do not think Henriksson belongs there, and again see issue with depth at CM/AM.

Left Wing:

Kargbo (2027) De Neve (2028)

Kargbo scares defenders but only seems able to play 30 minutes a game, and De Neve I have seen nothing so far to suggest he can start as a winger in Championship. I would say strengthen here but there are already too many other wholes to bother.

Striker:

Ohashi (2027) Gueye (2027) Leonard (2027)

Ohashi I like but he needs more support if he's up top alone. Gueye also has useful attributes but forum opinion seems to be turning against him and Ismael is not biggest fan per accounts. Leonard I don't see making it. Need another option here, ideally one to challenge Ohashi as starter, so naturally we will sign someone from the Turkish C tier...

 

Summary:

We have not strengthened the squad at all this summer, despite a 7th place finish. Instead we have gutted the spine of the team and filled the self-inflicted holes with cheaper unknown guys in the name of "transition". We have not strengthened the positions we entered the summer needing to, namely RW/LW/ST/AM

We desperately need a RW, and I think also a CB, CM, AM, ST, GK and maybe a LW. So at least 5 guys, preferably of starting quality, which seems an impossibility for us.

I make 19 registered guys, assuming Michalski, Montgomery and Tyjon are youth, and we sell/unregister those whom I suspect we will (Pears, Trav, Buckley, Garrett). So we have space for 6 new guys, despite Chaddy's protestations, and I think we should use all of that, sadly Gestede is talking of just one in and Pasha would prefer none I suspect.

Good post mate, do another one at the end of the window and see where we lie heading into September. Be good to keep this thread alive and keep updates. Whether players develop and improve or ones that tail off, injuries etc 👍👏

[roversfan99]

Taking direct replacements for the likes of Travis and then if they go, Tronstad and Hyam as a given, and a seperate issue.

A right winger and striker obviously are essential. On top of that, I think we need another winger as we dont have any quality there, a midfielder as Montgomery/Forshaw are not of the required quality. And ideally another centre back due to injury proneness. 

Its about quality, not just names written down. Even if we bought a right winger and striker and loaned 2 or 3 on top, that would be ok.

As it is, only a right winger seems to be on the agenda. Not only do we lack quality but when injuries hit we are going to look very weak.

[...]

1 minute ago, roversfan99 said:

Taking direct replacements for the likes of Travis and then if they go, Tronstad and Hyam as a given, and a seperate issue.

A right winger and striker obviously are essential. On top of that, I think we need another winger as we dont have any quality there, a midfielder as Montgomery/Forshaw are not of the required quality. And ideally another centre back due to injury proneness. 

Its about quality, not just names written down. Even if we bought a right winger and striker and loaned 2 or 3 on top, that would be ok.

As it is, only a right winger seems to be on the agenda. Not only do we lack quality but when injuries hit we are going to look very weak.

I think if it is only a RW then it has to be be quality (stating the obvious) and someone than can atleast give us an edge to feed Cantwell and Ohashi

[MarkBRFC]

43 minutes ago, DutchRover said:

 

I make 19 registered guys, assuming Michalski, Montgomery and Tyjon are youth, and we sell/unregister those whom I suspect we will (Pears, Trav, Buckley, Garrett). So we have space for 6 new guys, despite Chaddy's protestations, and I think we should use all of that, sadly Gestede is talking of just one in and Pasha would prefer none I suspect.

I think it's 20 including Leonard, out of that lot that we would have to register.

Edited 3 hours ago by MarkBRFC

[DutchRover]

There was talk of Leonard going on loan was there not? So I didn't include him in the 19, but if he is our 3rd choice striker then yeah he'll take a spot. Likewise if Garrett is kept around, I could see Gestede registering him just so he has an excuse not to sign a replacement..

[KentExile]

1 hour ago, DutchRover said:

There was talk of Leonard going on loan was there not? So I didn't include him in the 19, but if he is our 3rd choice striker then yeah he'll take a spot. Likewise if Garrett is kept around, I could see Gestede registering him just so he has an excuse not to sign a replacement..

He can fill up a couple more slots by registering George Pratt & Jack Barrett

Only 2 slots left, nearly full 😉 

[roversfan99]

3 hours ago, ... said:

I think if it is only a RW then it has to be be quality (stating the obvious) and someone than can atleast give us an edge to feed Cantwell and Ohashi

Need more than one either way. One if not 2 wide men and a striker.

And seemingly will just get a winger. Probably some random no mark from a poor foreign league.

[DutchRover]

11 minutes ago, KentExile said:

He can fill up a couple more slots by registering George Pratt & Jack Barrett

Only 2 slots left, nearly full 😉 

Barrett extension announced by Gestede as the exciting new 3rd choice keeper

[...]

16 minutes ago, roversfan99 said:

Need more than one either way. One if not 2 wide men and a striker.

And seemingly will just get a winger. Probably some random no mark from a poor foreign league.

We could always try the Belgian leagues...

[...]

21 minutes ago, KentExile said:

He can fill up a couple more slots by registering George Pratt & Jack Barrett

Only 2 slots left, nearly full 😉 

We've got enough pratts