[dart in the crossbar]

Burgerman, on 06 May 2025 - 08:09 AM, said:

For me personally I can't say who should go or who stays until I know what league we will be competing in. I imagine if we get into L1 our budget will be a bit more than if we stay in L2 therefore there will be a big clear out.

Possibly the only downside of extending the season is exactly this maybe. I'd take a guess that Cook and his team know who they'll want if we stay in L2 next season. My guess being that Palmer may be the only OOC player who might have changed minds - harsh, I know. I'd also take a guess that Madden (who I rated) might have done the opposite perhaps.

It seems likely that Cook will have potential L1 players (as well as potential L2) players in mind. Nigh on impossible to sort anything properly until we know whereabouts we'll be though.

I'll be really interested in Cook's decisions regarding Fleck and McFadzean. Personally I'm not convinced that either are mobile enough. Of the two, McFadzean is possibly the better bet if Cook puts someone quick alongside him.

COYB

[stainlessstephen]

I think it's been a great season regardless of the outcome of the playoffs.

Obviously there will be movement with personnel in the close season but I'm 100% confident Cook and the team has it all under control.

If we don't go up, next season we will be top three.

[dim view]

dart in the crossbar, on 06 May 2025 - 08:39 AM, said:

Possibly the only downside of extending the season is exactly this maybe. I'd take a guess that Cook and his team know who they'll want if we stay in L2 next season. My guess being that Palmer may be the only OOC player who might have changed minds - harsh, I know. I'd also take a guess that Madden (who I rated) might have done the opposite perhaps.

It seems likely that Cook will have potential L1 players (as well as potential L2) players in mind. Nigh on impossible to sort anything properly until we know whereabouts we'll be though.

I'll be really interested in Cook's decisions regarding Fleck and McFadzean. Personally I'm not convinced that either are mobile enough. Of the two, McFadzean is possibly the better bet if Cook puts someone quick alongside him.

COYB

I think all new players will be L1 calibre. A smaller squad supported by 2 or 3 young 'uns will pay for it.

I agree about Palmer. It's a miracle. He's taken over as most potent attacking set piece threat from Grimes and he's advancing down the right and passing accurately. The thing is, every Manager in the NL will be aware of it. There's nowt missed nowadays.

[Westbars Spireite]

 Burgerman, on 06 May 2025 - 08:00 AM, said:

Can you put into more detailed words why you consider this season to be a disaster?

My own personal thoughts centre around what my realistic expectations were in our first season back in the EFL. My first wish was to compete well enough not to go straight back down, considering the absolute carnage injuries brought to the squad, reaching the magical 50 was a job well done for me. To finish top half of the league was exceptional, in Dec I would never have imagined we would have achieved that. Then through grit, hard work, superb man-management, great backroom staff and owners, we pushed to get into the playoffs. A monumental achievement considering the obstacles that have been put before us.

Hence why I am interested to read in depth about why you think its all been a disaster?

He's unlikely to post until we next lose.

[lindave]

 warfey is a spireite, on 07 April 2025 - 12:40 PM, said:

Sparkes first name id get

Markenday.
Sparkes.
Pepple.

Metcalfe on loan again, if possible.

[born in 1866]

 lindave, on 06 May 2025 - 09:57 AM, said:

Markenday.
Sparkes.
Pepple.

Metcalfe on loan again, if possible.

How Metcalfe has improved I can only imagine Everton will be looking at him stepping up to L1, ala Tyrer, next season. If we manage to get up, that may be on the cards.

[Osborne again]

 Burgerman, on 06 May 2025 - 08:09 AM, said:

For me personally I can't say who should go or who stays until I know what league we will be competing in. I imagine if we get into L1 our budget will be a bit more than if we stay in L2 therefore there will be a big clear out.

We know Mike Jones has played his last game for us sadly, and I can't see Ty being fit for the start of the season either, unless he's some sort of super human. Tyrone Williams, would have been on my new contract list, but I'd like to see him given some role if his recuperation is going to take him into mid-season. Will Hobson and Drummond make their marks in the preseason games, and is anyone ready to make the bench amongst the under 21s?
No matter what happens in the playoffs, some out of contract players probably won't sign on the dotted line and others may leave for teams higher up the EFL.