Next season?

[Omegstrat6]

Not as bad as Luton of course with their two consecutive relegations, but a really disappointing end to this season. I certainly didn't expect promotion but genuinely felt that the squad was an improvement on last season's and that we had the quality/ability to get into the play offs. Appointing the right manager will be key but I look forward to a rebuild over the summer.

I was a bit surprised at not seeing Johnston at some point but otherwise felt that JM's team selection was about right today- although (as others have said) we clearly need to improve defensively. However, Corberan managed to make us formidable defensively and with this same group of players so it can be done.


Our failure to score goals this season was perhaps our biggest problem but (whilst I admit that Luton were also very poor defensively) today's game also showed that there are actually goals to be had in this team.

Going forward, I'd be personally happy to retain Griffiths, Furlong, Diakite, Heggem, Styles, Fellows (if we can keep him), Price, Maja, Dike, Grant and Johnston. I'd have preferred us to have kept Ajayi rather than Bartley who's time is surely up as a first XI player but, regardless, I think we need to bring in a decent central defender. I also believe we need a more creative midfielder to improve on what Mowatt and Molumby offer- although Bany may yet prove himself here?

If they can get the service (and also remain injury free!) I believe that Maja and Dike can get us goals next season so wouldn't necessarily rush to bring in another number 9. After all, Armstrong had a proven record but was very underwhelming largely due to lack of service. Johnston, Fellows and Price will be key in providing this and Fellows will be missed especially for his assists if we lose him.

I'm hoping younger players like Taylor, Whitwell and (who knows) Cleary may also get their chances next season. We shall see. In the meantime, no doubt we will all have to put up with the usual raft of speculation, rumours and suggestions that all the sports journalists submit to fulfil their column inches over the summer.

[Prando]

Pretty well as I see it Omegs buddy. Despite AJ?s preponderance to the odd clanger, he is so much better than Bartley. Sadly, not only Kyle?s poor defending, but his dreadful constant slowing down play has cost us. The regular 2 yard free kick and short hospital passing has, in my opinion created the lethargy and contributed to the poor team discipline evident in the latter matches.
Sorry to be so negative about a player?on the positive side he is a good header !
Looking forward to next season now.

[stargazer_1962]

We should have made the playoffs but bottled it. (many games ago)
If (if) we had maja and palmer we would have probably made it, but there you go.
Our season is over so we just have to put up with the football media going on about the playoff's, premier league etc.
Roll on the announcement of next seasons fixtures.

[Bombers right foot]

Pretty well as I see it Omegs buddy. Despite AJ?s preponderance to the odd clanger, he is so much better than Bartley. Sadly, not only Kyle?s poor defending, but his dreadful constant slowing down play has cost us. The regular 2 yard free kick and short hospital passing has, in my opinion created the lethargy and contributed to the poor team discipline evident in the latter matches.
Sorry to be so negative about a player?on the positive side he is a good header !
Looking forward to next season now.

Agree, I don?t want to see Furlong, Bartley or Styles in the back four anymore, Styles should be part of the midfield when required, we urgently need a r/b, l/b and a c/back to start with.

[baggieal]

Agree, I don?t want to see Furlong, Bartley or Styles in the back four anymore, Styles should be part of the midfield when required, we urgently need a r/b, l/b and a c/back to start with.

Totally agree with you Bomber. Like Styles but he?s not a full back and Furlong and Bartley showed again today why we must get rid of them! Mowatt slower than a peddle boat and need some quality in midfield. JM a good squad player but lacks quality and creativity!

Let?s be honest today - Luton were shocking and still scored three and could have been more.

[Omegstrat6]

Agree, I don?t want to see Furlong, Bartley or Styles in the back four anymore, Styles should be part of the midfield when required, we urgently need a r/b, l/b and a c/back to start with.

I do appreciate your point of view Bomber. I've felt for some time that we have needed a decent C/B to replace the loss of Kipre as neither Ajayi or Bartley are good enough and I think it is pretty obvious that both Furlong and Styles are far better going forward than they are defensively.

However, as I posted in an earlier thread (and I may be wrong in this), I think a lot of the problem is with teams wanting to adopt a style of play which relies on wing backs. As effectively a kind of hybrid role combining both full back and winger duties, I guess it is relatively rare to find players who are equally effective at both. Recruiting two more traditional left and right backs may certainly tighten up our defence but I wonder what impact that would then have on our attacking options?

As for Furlong, whilst I believe he was a pretty key player for us in 2023/24 and began this season well it certainly seems he has had a considerable dip in form since Xmas and since his red card particularly. On the other hand, he hasn't been the only player whose performances have been poor in that period. Still under contract to us, the big question for me is whether he can recover his previous form. If he can, I would keep as I believe he still has something to offer us.

In an ideal world, of course we could improve on both Furlong and Styles but that is true for pretty much all of our players. Given both the financial and contractual constraints, I still believe that our key recruitment priorities over the summer are for a decent C/B and a more creative midfielder.

[boingy]

Not as bad as Luton of course with their two consecutive relegations, but a really disappointing end to this season. I certainly didn't expect promotion but genuinely felt that the squad was an improvement on last season's and that we had the quality/ability to get into the play offs. Appointing the right manager will be key but I look forward to a rebuild over the summer.

I was a bit surprised at not seeing Johnston at some point but otherwise felt that JM's team selection was about right today- although (as others have said) we clearly need to improve defensively. However, Corberan managed to make us formidable defensively and with this same group of players so it can be done.


Our failure to score goals this season was perhaps our biggest problem but (whilst I admit that Luton were also very poor defensively) today's game also showed that there are actually goals to be had in this team.

Going forward, I'd be personally happy to retain Griffiths, Furlong, Diakite, Heggem, Styles, Fellows (if we can keep him), Price, Maja, Dike, Grant and Johnston. I'd have preferred us to have kept Ajayi rather than Bartley who's time is surely up as a first XI player but, regardless, I think we need to bring in a decent central defender. I also believe we need a more creative midfielder to improve on what Mowatt and Molumby offer- although Bany may yet prove himself here?

If they can get the service (and also remain injury free!) I believe that Maja and Dike can get us goals next season so wouldn't necessarily rush to bring in another number 9. After all, Armstrong had a proven record but was very underwhelming largely due to lack of service. Johnston, Fellows and Price will be key in providing this and Fellows will be missed especially for his assists if we lose him.

I'm hoping younger players like Taylor, Whitwell and (who knows) Cleary may also get their chances next season. We shall see. In the meantime, no doubt we will all have to put up with the usual raft of speculation, rumours and suggestions that all the sports journalists submit to fulfil their column inches over the summer.

Great post. Totally agree. Good players well worth retaining. When you think we were just 4 points off the play offs despite Mowbray giving us 8 defeats, it shows how nailed on we were. Weve got some really good players and a good squad. Andy Johnston has mentioned that many times and as an ex player who knows what good players are hes stating what he knows. The addition of styles, ( who has done great at left back even though he is more suited to midfield because of how good he is on the ball) Heggem and Price has been a big lift for next season provided we get a decent manager. (Thats the big IF)
Oh and I think we need a keeper. Griffiths should have saved two of Lutons goals on Saturday. I dont think hes good enough for the first team yet. Not at this level.

[baggieal]

Great post. Totally agree. Good players well worth retaining. When you think we were just 4 points off the play offs despite Mowbray giving us 8 defeats, it shows how nailed on we were. Weve got some really good players and a good squad. Andy Johnston has mentioned that many times and as an ex player who knows what good players are hes stating what he knows. The addition of styles, ( who has done great at left back even though he is more suited to midfield because of how good he is on the ball) Heggem and Price has been a big lift for next season provided we get a decent manager. (Thats the big IF)
Oh and I think we need a keeper. Griffiths should have saved two of Lutons goals on Saturday. I dont think hes good enough for the first team yet. Not at this level.

Agree with you completely about Griffiths. The village pub keeper would have been better than Wildsmith. Griffiths is poor compared to Palmer and whilst he?s made some decent saves he?s been at fault for a number of goals and looks nervous which will impact on those in front of him.

[boingy]

Agree with you completely about Griffiths. The village pub keeper would have been better than Wildsmith. Griffiths is poor compared to Palmer and whilst he?s made some decent saves he?s been at fault for a number of goals and looks nervous which will impact on those in front of him.

I dont know about you but Im sure Palmer would have got a hand to their first and second goals. Looked a bit Half hearted. As for the third it was a shot most keepers couldnt have stopped. But hes got a future Im sure. Just not sure hes solid enough yet.

[baggieal]

I dont know about you but Im sure Palmer would have got a hand to their first and second goals. Looked a bit Half hearted. As for the third it was a shot most keepers couldnt have stopped. But hes got a future Im sure. Just not sure hes solid enough yet.

Agree with you. Palmer was a different level and think of the confidence he instilled in those in front of him. Absolutely crazy decision selling him. Fantastic keeper and a ruthless finisher are the bedrock to any side.