| Topic: Squad compared to a year ago |
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| 1. Author: Geordiepar Date: Tue 1st Jul 2025. 18:26 Thought it might be interesting to compare our squad to this time last year. A year ago we had just signed Ngenwa and Wotherspoon which gave us a a squad of: (ignoring the youngsters) Mehmet Benedictus Breen Comrie Fisher Ngenwa Otoo Chalmers Hamilton Richie-Hosler Todd (had just suffer injury which would keep him out for several months) Wotherspoon O`Halloran Kane Wighton McCann. Compared to the current squad, again ignoring the young lads Mehmet Benedictus Chilokoa Mullen Ngenwa Fisher Otoo Hamilton Todd Richie-Hosler Gilmour Bray Oakley Boothe Cooper Cameron (could be classed as development player) Kane Young So squad is considerably younger and from there we had a pretty p*** poor summer window. The gaps in the current squad are obvious, but last year we were promised quality but apparently lost out on deals as we weren`t prepared to pay what they wanted. Although this window has been very slow, there does appear to be funds available and hopefully just a matter of time before we see some quality arriving and the gaps in the squad filled. Post Edited (Tue 01 Jul 19:01) Reply |
| 2. Author: Berkey Date: Tue 1st Jul 2025. 18:36 Good post, we have got less numbers and less experience but considering what we got from those players last season I don’t think we’re actually that much weaker. Looking forward to seeing bray and gilmour but the rest in midfield really need to step up and show they can be more than just relegation battlers. We look short all over the pitch except defensive midfield. Mind you I would rather be where we are now knowing players are coming in than watch the same players continually struggle again this year. The post below replying to me is by one of .nets finest champions of mediocrity! Reply |
| 3. Author: Never10yairds Date: Tue 1st Jul 2025. 18:36 I think we are about 4 quality players away from becoming a decent candidate for the playoffs. GK, lwb, creative midfielder and striker. Add in a few more on top of that and we could maybe have a proper go. Reply |
| 4. Author: ubisanman Date: Tue 1st Jul 2025. 18:42 Wonder how our pre-season training/preparation compares to last year? Seems to me that the club have really committed to it. Not just from a sports science perspective but also from our trip to Bulgaria. Can`t be many other championship sides that have gone abroad this year or spent so much time together (hopefully) gelling? This has got to result in some sort of improvement, right? Reply |
| 5. Author: desparado Date: Tue 1st Jul 2025. 18:57 Topic Originator: Geordiepar like Date: Tue 1 Jul 18:26 Thought it might be interesting to compare our squad to this time last year. A year ago we had just signed Ngenwa and Wotherspoon which gave us a a squad of: (ignoring the youngsters) Mehmet Benedictus Breen Comrie Fisher Ngenwa Otoo Chalmers Hamilton Richie-Hosler Todd (had just suffer injury which would keep him out for several months) Wotherspoon O`Halloran Kane Wighton McCann. Compared to the current squad, again ignoring the young lads Mehmet Benedictus Chilokoa Mullen Ngenwa Fisher Otoo Hamilton Todd Gilmour Bray Oakley Boothe Cooper Cameron (could be classed as development player) Kane Young So squad is considerably younger and from there we had a pretty p*** poor summer window. The gaps in the current squad are obvious, but last year we were promised quality but apparently lost out on deals as we weren`t prepared to pay what they wanted. Although this window has been very slow, there does appear to be funds available and hopefully just a matter of time before we see some quality arriving and the gaps in the squad filled. Your missing KRH and I would add Sam Young and Andrew Todd who will both be vying for a first team slot or bench. What an opportunity we missed in 2014. Reply |
| 6. Author: Geordiepar Date: Tue 1st Jul 2025. 19:02 Have updated for Richie-Hosler, not sure how I missed him from this years list. You can debate about which of the youngsters should be included but thought easiest to leave them out. Post Edited (Tue 01 Jul 19:02) Reply |
| 7. Author: GJS93 Date: Tue 1st Jul 2025. 19:07 if there were a load of new signings then maybe in terms of the trip, the fitness stuff has been done for a few years so not reading anything in to that either. got to add Taylor Sutherland as well as Young and Tod for now, they might not be here by the end of the window though but if that happened they would need replaced in some way. 18 players for now, need a keeper, left sided centre half and a striker for sure. 2 others in the form of some sort of left wing back cover and a bigger forward but need a lot more than that though to have a chance of a top 4 finish. Reply |
| 8. Author: parsmad68 Date: Tue 1st Jul 2025. 19:23 What happens if Bene’s court situation goes badly. Reply |
| 9. Author: coventrypar Date: Tue 1st Jul 2025. 19:23 Topic Originator: GJS93 like Date: Tue 1 Jul 19:07 18 players for now, need a keeper, left sided centre half and a striker for sure. 2 others in the form of some sort of left wing back cover and a bigger forward but need a lot more than that though to have a chance of a top 4 finish. ........................... Lennon yesterday said lots more to come and needed some with quality ( to paraphrase) I think these threads and comments ( mine included) are because we are hopeful yet mindful of the last couple of years sh*t show summer windows. ie nervous If we calm our jets - I suspect there will be a bit of volume and 3 or 4 really good signings. ie 7 or 8 for the reserves/development squad, 2 or 3 young hopefuls for 1st team squad and 3 or 4 certain starters "If you have no kind words to say you should say nothing more at all" Reply |
| 10. Author: DunPar Date: Thu 3rd Jul 2025. 19:31 Why no Victor Wanyama in your list ? Wikipedia reckons he’s still in our squad. Reply |
| 11. Author: Geordiepar Date: Thu 3rd Jul 2025. 20:44 DunPar, Thu 3 Jul 19:31 Maybe don’t rely on Wikipedia. He signed a short term deal until the end of last season and it has been mentioned that he he ‘may’ return. He isn’t in the 24/25 squad list on the clubs official site. Reply |
| 12. Author: Indiapar1 Date: Thu 3rd Jul 2025. 21:18 Doing his coaching badges in Belfast. I think he can do a job of sorts around player and some coaching but think we need to get in a couple of players who are going to feature throughout the season G Wardrope Reply |