Question Squad for next season (& where to strengthen)

[Shrimper95]

I guess we are going to get all of the "I have heard from a reliable source" rumours now that we are out of the play-offs! :thumbdown:

 

[fredheim_holm]

I really don't think the squad these that many additions to it, depending on who leaves.

Positions in order of who I would play there:

GK: Sign Belford (as we won't get Daniels), Bentley.

RB: Clohessey, Leonard

LB: Sign one, Prosser

CB: Phillips, Sign one, Prosser, Barker, Dailly/Ferdinand/Grant as emergency 5th choice.

RW: Hall, Leonard, Sawyer

LW: Mohsni, Martin

CM: Grant, Timlin, Kalala, Ferdinand, Dailly

FW: Sign Eastwood (if possible), Harris, Dickinson, Benyon, Corr (If he can play again)

So this means we offload:
Morris
Gilbert
Crawford
Patterson
Baldwin
Sturrock

So this has us only needed to make 4 good signing (two already identified). If Luggy can do this, and maybe 1/2 max luxury signings on top, we have the makings of a very good side next season.

Interesting thoughts S2tc.

I agree on paper that'd be a good squad, but from what I've seen I'm not sure if we'll make it up playing long ball football next season, I think we'll need a bit more passing and moving (even if we do go for a more direct route) and if we stick with the 5 in central midfield you mentioned there I don't see it happening.

Of course I may be wrong and it may just be the tactics that's stopping us offering any form of short passing game, but for me I'd hope for an attacking minded central midfield to be added. That said I hope Timlin will offer that more next season.

Personally I think if we keep Mohsni we can kiss our promotion hopes goodbye. He's just waiting to implode.

 

[Mbof]

Thought Hills looked very good last night, can cross a ball and has the added bonus of a long throw (don't you love a left back with a long throw :winking:) is he available to sign?

 

[southendkid]

Why does everyone want to offload Gilbert? Yes he's been poor for most of the season but the past month or so he has been our best defender in my opinion, if he can keep that form next season I see no reason why he shouldn't be here.

 

[OldBlueLady]

Morris won't be happy to stay as a number 2 on a re-negotiated (lower paid) contract so we're looking for a new keeper no matter what. Would be happiest with Daniels, but happy enough with Belford. Clohessy needs to stay, so does Phillips. I like Chris Barker and he played very well last night, one of a few who did, but I think his best days are past. Gilbert has improved hugely recently but if we can get Hills, then I would. Prosser is a more than adequate cover for defence.

Wouldn't surprise me to lose Hall, and I would also be kind of relieved if Mohsni went. Massive enigma, far too complex for us to fully fathom. Would also expect Rotherham to be tabling him a decent offer, let's hope he chins Evans! Granty is key to our success next season, would be absolutely gutted if he went after all he's been through with us...however, still don't think he's moved down here so he's sticking to his roots and I wouldn't blame him for looking elsewhere. Kane has moments but they're not as frequent as I'd have hoped BUT he is still young, so if Granty goes, Kane and Timlin could easily forge a decent partnership. Ryan Leonard is as good a youngster as I've seen in these parts so his option needs to be snapped up soon as possible. Woodyard shows promise of a Timlin nature too so I'd not be unhappy keeping him around. Dave Martin is a strange one, bags of ability but seems to crack on a big stage. Needs sorting, he can cross a wicked ball in.

Up front, well, I'd kill for Freddy and Harris next season playing ball to feet. More than happy for Dicko to be the foil for either too. Sad to say, I really don't think Barry Corr will play competitively again. Crawford, Asante and Pato I fully expect to all be gone.

 

[Bearded Shrimper]

Firstly, our squad is far, far too large. We need a smaller squad with quality not loads of average players like we have now.


We'll only have one keeper next term. I remember Sturrock saying that he can only afford one senior keeper. I personally think Bentley is worth a go as back up so keep him, then add a more senior keeper.

Defence: Clohessy is a legend, he's great.
Barker - still good, fine player on his day.
Phillips - top player for us.
Left back - up for grabs for me. I'd like to have that Hills for a season.
Prosser - decent back-up.
Gilbert i'd be willing to let go if we can replace with better.
Leonard - decent, worth keeping.
Baldwin - release.

midfield:
we have some very good players here: Hall, Grant, Kalala, Timlin, Martin, Ferdinand. I rate all these, but I'd love to see us pass the ball, but also have some width. I think a lot of our problems have come from being far too narrow - having one winger, two in midfield then lumping it to Mohsni's forehead.
The rest can go.

Forwards:
Dickinson, Harris, Corr.
Corr can stay on pay-as-you-play as he scored goals, but hasn't played so is worth a go. Eastwood was great the last time round, and i'd keep him if we could afford him as he has a bit of pace which only Dicko does.

Mohsni - sell for a decent price, if not keep but not just to lump long balls to him.

The rest can go then see what's around to fill the holes

 

[Sandbach Shrimper]

Why does everyone want to offload Gilbert? Yes he's been poor for most of the season but the past month or so he has been our best defender in my opinion, if he can keep that form next season I see no reason why he shouldn't be here.

I agree, I'd definitely keep Gilbert and I think PS will. He's been very sound over the last few months and one of our most improved players. He's a good left-back at this level, we wouldn't be able to get much better. I've not been overly impressed by Hills on the few occasions I've seen him. It seems that our fans like to have a boo-boy, an unpopular player and Gilbert's that just because his passing is, shall we say, unspectacular.

 

[OldBlueLady]

I agree, I'd definitely keep Gilbert and I think PS will. He's been very sound over the last few months and one of our most improved players. He's a good left-back at this level, we wouldn't be able to get much better. I've not been overly impressed by Hills on the few occasions I've seen him. It seems that our fans like to have a boo-boy, an unpopular player and Gilbert's that just because his passing is, shall we say, unspectacular.

No, rather that in two full seasons he's produced about 6 weeks of performances that justify his wages.

 

[Bearded Shrimper]

I agree, I'd definitely keep Gilbert and I think PS will. He's been very sound over the last few months and one of our most improved players. He's a good left-back at this level, we wouldn't be able to get much better. I've not been overly impressed by Hills on the few occasions I've seen him. It seems that our fans like to have a boo-boy, an unpopular player and Gilbert's that just because his passing is, shall we say, unspectacular.

you mean long and aimless?

 

[OldBlueLady]

you mean long and aimless?

More floppy and recalcitrant!

 

[Clinton Baptiste]

Belford or Daniels
Clohessy
Prosser
Phillips
Barker
Leonard
Timlin
Hall
Martin
JPK
Dicko
Harris
Benyon


Add a striker, centre mid, left back and centre back to that lot as I believe Grant and Mohsni will go. People need to get real, Eastwood will not sign with his wage demands. Wouldnt mind Hills on a season long loan if we could get it. The rest can all go, far too much dead wood at the club been hanging around for the last 2 seasons. Oh and if Blair gets another contract then I will be fuming!

 

[h turner]

i reckon we should look to lower leagues for left and cente back. Get rid of dead wait, ie people who have brought nothing like sturrock (keepk moshni). But try to sign eastwood and either marc richards from port vale or midson from wimbledon. keep timlin, Hall, Grant Kalala, Phillips, Benyon, leanord, Harris, Ferdinand maybe Barker and martin but get a really solid centre back and sign Belford.

 

[fredheim_holm]

Youth team - Any chance of one or two stepping up next year?

For me, thinking about it I really hope we involve the youth more next season. I'm glad we're back to having up to 7 subs as it may mean we get to see more of the likes of Stevens (who, albeit I've only seen for less than 90 minutes, seems to have something about him), and maybe George Smith and Jack Payne?

To be fair I know little to nothing about our youth team, but if there's some potential players in there personally I'd be happy to settle for another couple of years in league two if we start to birth some of these players, supposedly they're a pretty good bunch (always do well in the u18's league) but we don't get too many come through.

The guys in the know about the youth team (and the youthies who are at the cross roads of making it or not) do you know if we may or should see any of them this year?

 

[h turner]

The guys in the know about the youth team (and the youthies who are at the cross roads of making it or not) do you know if we may or should see any of them this year?[/QUOTE]

according to the blues website, Seedy Njie looks like a decent striker and dont know if hes anygood, but even though gilberts been ok recetntly, Kane Farrell or Josh Banton could be decent.

 

[southendkid]

No, rather that in two full seasons he's produced about 6 weeks of performances that justify his wages.

I seem to remember him being highly rated when he arrived here, Gilbert wouldn't be the first player to come to a club and be the worst player on the pitch and then turn himself around and become a good player. It's not like he has had one good game, had five bad ones and then had another good one, he has been consistently good the last couple of months, which shows there is something there which hopefully he can now keep. Lee Hills on the other hand has had one good game against Crewe and now everyone thinks he has something about him, despite looking like a park footballer in the game he featured before that.

 

[Onion_Bag_Dave]

Belford looked very shaky yesterday, I was happy with him, but am now not so sure.

Well, I think this sums up Southend fans for me. ABSOLUTELY solid for every single one of his performances for us. But two dodgy bounces and crap kicks that resulted in NOTHING. And now we 'aren't so sure'.

Anyway I am very glad that it's PS in charge and not any of the people on here.

It's all well and good saying, get rid of him, and him, and him.

But who will we replace these players with?

If we get rid of Gilbert. Who plays left back? And who is cover for left back?

If we get rid of Barker who plays CB?

Wouldn't it be better to keep these players and sign others who are better? Creating competition for places?

If we get rid of Dicko, which some suggest (which is absolutely ludicrous) who plays instead?

I'd get rid of the whole squad if we could get 28 players that were all better than what we've got. But it just doesn't work like that chaps.

I'd get rid of Ron Martin if we could get someone better, I'd get rid of the drum if we could get a better drum, I'd get rid of Eastwood if we could sign someone better, I'd get rid of Coughlan if we could get a better coach and I'd get rid of Paul Sturrock if we could get a better manager.

But the FACT is, we wont generally be able to get anyone better, especially not a new player (who expects to start) and then another player to cover that position and especially not Liam Dickinson the biggest part in our tactics. AND even more so not the ****ing manager who saved us and who is turning us around!

UTB!

 

[Jam_Man]

Well, I think this sums up Southend fans for me. ABSOLUTELY solid for every single one of his performances for us. But two dodgy bounces and crap kicks that resulted in NOTHING. And now we 'aren't so sure'.

Morris looked good for ages then totally lost the plot.

A keeper has to be completely reliable and I saw things in that game that didnt give me confidence.

Just because the mistakes led to nothing does not mean they didnt matter.

Anyway I am very glad that it's PS in charge and not any of the people on here.

It's all well and good saying, get rid of him, and him, and him.

But who will we replace these players with?

If we get rid of Gilbert. Who plays left back? And who is cover for left back?

If we get rid of Barker who plays CB?

Wouldn't it be better to keep these players and sign others who are better? Creating competition for places?

That would be awesome, lets create a massive wage bill that takes us into administration problems again.

Why on earth are you so defensive ?

We should be constantly looking to improve the squad, just saying "who would we replace them with" is not a reason not to try.

Football has changed in the last few years, you get a lot of players released every year.

We managed to attract a whole squad within 2 weeks when Sturrock joined, there will be plenty of players available in the summer and why not try to improve on what we have where needed.

Who would have thought we would have managed to get Freddy back for example?

 

[Onion_Bag_Dave]

Morris looked good for ages then totally lost the plot.

A keeper has to be completely reliable and I saw things in that game that didnt give me confidence.

Just because the mistakes led to nothing does not mean they didnt matter.



That would be awesome, lets create a massive wage bill that takes us into administration problems again.

Why on earth are you so defensive ?

We should be constantly looking to improve the squad, just saying "who would we replace them with" is not a reason not to try.

Football has changed in the last few years, you get a lot of players released every year.

We managed to attract a whole squad within 2 weeks when Sturrock joined, there will be plenty of players available in the summer and why not try to improve on what we have where needed.

Who would have thought we would have managed to get Freddy back for example?

I'm not defensive, I am simply suggesting what should happen.

Two dodgy kicks that led to nothing shouldn't change your opinion on a player. How can 1 game change your opinion of a player?

We wont be able to get anyone better + cover, that's the point I'm making.

Obviously the wage budget is a huge factor in who leaves and comes in and who stays!

Sure try, but people need perspective and I am trying to provide it, after the pain of the other night!

 

[Jam_Man]

I'm not defensive, I am simply suggesting what should happen.

Two dodgy kicks that led to nothing shouldn't change your opinion on a player. How can 1 game change your opinion of a player?

We wont be able to get anyone better + cover, that's the point I'm making.

Obviously the wage budget is a huge factor in who leaves and comes in and who stays!

Sure try, but people need perspective and I am trying to provide it, after the pain of the other night!

you are extremely defensive !

Im not saying Belford is a bad player because of one game, Im saying I have doubts now that I didnt before hand. I hadnt seen such David James'esque mistakes before so of course my opinion will be affected. And again, just because the striker hoofed if over the bar doesnt mean the mistake didnt matter.

As for wont be able to get anyone better, why not ? There are good players out there and we are a far better prospect than last summer. No wages issues, a team that can compete for promotion, we are a team on the up rather than a team on the brink.

Every single position we have we should always be considering improving.

You are not providing perspective, you're opinions are often as extreme as people saying Sturrock should be sacked.

 

[Onion_Bag_Dave]

you are extremely defensive !

Im not saying Belford is a bad player because of one game, Im saying I have doubts now that I didnt before hand. I hadnt seen such David James'esque mistakes before so of course my opinion will be affected. And again, just because the striker hoofed if over the bar doesnt mean the mistake didnt matter.

As for wont be able to get anyone better, why not ? There are good players out there and we are a far better prospect than last summer. No wages issues, a team that can compete for promotion, we are a team on the up rather than a team on the brink.

Every single position we have we should always be considering improving.

You are not providing perspective, you're opinions are often as extreme as people saying Sturrock should be sacked.

I have know idea how what I have said can be seen as defensive.

But if Ryan Hall smashes a **** cross in, my opinion of him doesn't change? The same as if Belford catches the ball and drops it our for a corner, my opinion doesn't change.

I would love better players to come in, in every single position.

How can suggesting that we probably wont be able to get better players in every position, be seen as extreme? Honestly, confused.

Our expectations need to be kept in perspective! However you are completely right that we are a club on the up which could aid us in better players coming to the club.

I would like to see Hills at left back next season. Or another full back who can provide crosses just like Clohessy. It will be interesting to see.