[RichThomps1]

Hibbo98, on 04 June 2025 - 06:57 PM, said:

I thought domestic based players can legally speak to other clubs /when they have under a month left of their deal. How would clubs be able to announce signings end of May/June otherwise?

Correct

[Mr Mercury]

DPCFC, on 04 June 2025 - 06:39 PM, said:

If anyone is interested, Markanday has posted a CFC montage on instagram 2 hours ago..

If it’s the same one as the one he’s posted on X it’s also his Orient contributions, and comments from fans of various clubs, including Doncaster Bradford and Port Vale asking him to sign for them.

[DPCFC]

Ah yes. It appears I was sent a very selective cut of said montage. Sod

[Westbars Spireite]

DerbySpireite59, on 04 June 2025 - 12:22 PM, said:

Away at Doncaster. We won 3-0. Mandy was excellent.

Second half he was at right back.

[Goku]

Trigger, on 04 June 2025 - 06:45 PM, said:

Boot saved us 4 or 5 times in one on ones in our good run in the last ⅓ of the season. Can't remember if the defence were out paced or or out played though. Accrington scored a break away goal in the 3-0 loss as did Bradford in the 3 all draw iirc.

It has been our soft underbelly

Yeah fair one on the Boot saves, but like hilly says, it’s rare you get a quick CB. Cooper was no slouch, Terrell Forbes was probably the quickest CB I’ve seen for us, Ty’s no slouch, can’t think of many more. Obviously there are varying degrees, Fadz and Dunkley would be a very slow pairing but would their experience make up for it? A quicker option would be nice for sure.

[Blue5]

Goku, on 04 June 2025 - 07:27 PM, said:

Yeah fair one on the Boot saves, but like hilly says, it’s rare you get a quick CB. Cooper was no slouch, Terrell Forbes was probably the quickest CB I’ve seen for us, Ty’s no slouch, can’t think of many more. Obviously there are varying degrees, Fadz and Dunkley would be a very slow pairing but would their experience make up for it? A quicker option would be nice for sure.

For me, it’s where do the improvements come from to give us half a chance of improving on 7th? Goalkeeper, introduction of some pace in the CD pairing, LB, RB, pace & height in CM and a striker who can play the lone striker role as good as Griggy.

If others have different looking shopping lists, that’s cool. I’d be interested to hear which positions they think we should strengthen.

[dim view]

Blue5, on 04 June 2025 - 07:38 PM, said:

If others have different looking shopping lists, that’s cool. I’d be interested to hear which positions they think we should strengthen.

....those that have been vacated by Banks, Jacobs, Metcalfe, Michael.

[hilly81]

Blue5, on 04 June 2025 - 07:38 PM, said:

For me, it’s where do the improvements come from to give us half a chance of improving on 7th? Goalkeeper, introduction of some pace in the CD pairing, LB, RB, pace & height in CM and a striker who can play the lone striker role as good as Griggy.

If others have different looking shopping lists, that’s cool. I’d be interested to hear which positions they think we should strengthen.

We need to strengthen in every position.

[Goku]

Blue5, on 04 June 2025 - 07:38 PM, said:

For me, it’s where do the improvements come from to give us half a chance of improving on 7th? Goalkeeper, introduction of some pace in the CD pairing, LB, RB, pace & height in CM and a striker who can play the lone striker role as good as Griggy.

If others have different looking shopping lists, that’s cool. I’d be interested to hear which positions they think we should strengthen.

I think we need a signing in every position bar possibly Left Wing tbh

This post has been edited by Goku: 04 June 2025 - 07:49 PM

[fishini]

Blue5, on 04 June 2025 - 07:38 PM, said:

For me, it’s where do the improvements come from to give us half a chance of improving on 7th? Goalkeeper, introduction of some pace in the CD pairing, LB, RB, pace & height in CM and a striker who can play the lone striker role as good as Griggy.

If others have different looking shopping lists, that’s cool. I’d be interested to hear which positions they think we should strengthen.

Fast decent CD's don't usually play in league 2

[monte]

ash_cfc, on 04 June 2025 - 06:37 PM, said:

That’s not how it works. He’s under contract until June 30th. All Blackburn have done is say he won’t be offered a new contract and released upon the expiration of his contract.

Legally, he shouldn’t be speaking with any club in England until his contract has expired. Even though we all know this happens. Clubs can however allow players to discuss with clubs in order to seek a move.

I believe its 30 days before expiry, or up to six months for non English teams

I guess the "internationally" part of the talking with players is the Canadian lad?

[born in 1866]

ash_cfc, on 04 June 2025 - 06:37 PM, said:

That’s not how it works. He’s under contract until June 30th. All Blackburn have done is say he won’t be offered a new contract and released upon the expiration of his contract.

Legally, he shouldn’t be speaking with any club in England until his contract has expired. Even though we all know this happens. Clubs can however allow players to discuss with clubs in order to seek a move.

He can speak to any club from 1st June onwards..

[Dapets]

60s 70s Spireite, on 04 June 2025 - 06:12 PM, said:

It seems some posters feel that the longer certain players are out injured the better they become…..

You’re talking about Shrewsbury’s player of the year in league 1 who was CB during our hottest spell of the season…. Just watch the Swindon game he absolutly dominated Smith who is a big threat at this level

Blue5, on 04 June 2025 - 06:33 PM, said:

Promotion? I’ll be having a sleepless night after reading that!

Then you should sleep easy in knowledge you do not understand football.

Goku, on 04 June 2025 - 06:36 PM, said:

How many times did we concede goals or chances due to our centre halves being outpaced last year? I don’t recall it happening often

Not often and more caused by sloppy passing in midfield. Bit of a curious case Oldaker, smooth as silk but lazy as fook

[DerbySpireite59]

Trigger, on 04 June 2025 - 06:45 PM, said:

Boot saved us 4 or 5 times in one on ones in our good run in the last ⅓ of the season. Can't remember if the defence were out paced or or out played though. Accrington scored a break away goal in the 3-0 loss as did Bradford in the 3 all draw iirc.

It has been our soft underbelly

Breakaways from corners. Usually both CH's go in to the box, so it doesn't matter how quick they are, they ain't catching up someone either 10 metres on them.

[DerbySpireite59]

Westbars Spireite, on 04 June 2025 - 07:20 PM, said:

Second half he was at right back.

Spot on. However, I recall that was down to Devan having been subbed off at half-time,with Mandy coming out at right back. Mandy was the only viable option, as we had no right back on the bench. I recall being really disappointed, at the time, as Mandy was running the show from the "10" position.

This post has been edited by DerbySpireite59: 05 June 2025 - 08:14 AM

[Trigger]

DerbySpireite59, on 05 June 2025 - 08:05 AM, said:

Breakaways from corners. Usually both CH's go in to the box, so it doesn't matter how quick they are, they ain't catching up someone either 10 metres on them.

I thought we got done passing about for the accy and Bradford breakaway goals (mandy and metcalf?) We were countered for the Salford goal from a poor mandy corner in to the keepers hands though

[DerbySpireite59]

Trigger, on 05 June 2025 - 08:14 AM, said:

I thought we got done passing about for the accy and Bradford breakaway goals (mandy and metcalf?) We were countered for the Salford goal from a poor mandy corner in to the keepers hands though

You're probably right. Even so, wanting a CH who's main attribute is his pace, for countering pacy forwards, is not the main attribute I look for. Getting a solid CH, who's comfortable on the ball, can play either side of the CH pairing, but is also "pacy" are generally not found until the top quadrant of L1. Imho

[Blue5]

Dapets, on 05 June 2025 - 08:00 AM, said:

Then you should sleep easy in knowledge you do not understand football.

No, it's called a difference of opinion. Yours differs from mine.

If we are to build a promotion challenge for next season, I would prefer it not to be based on your CD pairing, with an average age of 35+ years, that's all.

Given your confidence in both players, how many games do you think they will start next season?

[Waller is my hero]

I think several of the goals we conceded were primarily the result of individual errors—slips, poor touches, misplaced passes, and similar mistakes. These often come down to the defender’s quality and consistency.

Top-class defenders rarely panic under pressure or make basic errors. Their composure and decision-making are what set them apart. At our level, players often fall short in those areas, which is why inconsistencies in performance can be so costly.

More experienced defenders, especially those who’ve played at a higher level, don’t have to rely as much on pace—they compensate by reading the game better and positioning themselves more effectively.

[sophocles]

Waller is my hero, on 05 June 2025 - 08:56 AM, said:

I think several of the goals we conceded were primarily the result of individual errors—slips, poor touches, misplaced passes, and similar mistakes. These often come down to the defender’s quality and consistency.

Top-class defenders rarely panic under pressure or make basic errors. Their composure and decision-making are what set them apart. At our level, players often fall short in those areas, which is why inconsistencies in performance can be so costly.

More experienced defenders, especially those who’ve played at a higher level, don’t have to rely as much on pace—they compensate by reading the game better and positioning themselves more effectively.

Correct; I saw Bobby Moore play many a time for West Ham and England when I lived in East London. He had about as much pace as Nora Batty, but his positional sense and reading of the game was so good he could keep out the likes of Pele and George Best. I'm not suggesting we can get a defender anywhere near that calibre at our level, but intelligent positional play can make up for a lack of sheer pace.