Current Squad for next season

[stokearab]

Quite a lot of folk made the same observations last year...

I wasn't one of them.

Killie were poor under Dyer, Motherwell were poor under Robinson and the Sheep had the worst team I've seen in the top flight.
St Mirren were only just evolving under Goodwin and Hamilton didn't look like they would have good season. Yes, we dug it out in the end, finishing 9th. But our target is top 6.

Next season will be harder than the one we just faced.

[stokearab]

I think it is a tougher league too. I'd say our priority is a creative midfielder and winger, a different type of striker to what we have just now would be nice too, but that if we lose our best player over summer in Siegrist then that position becomes a priority.

Agreed. Take Benji out of that team last season and put Deniz in it makes you wonder if we'd have made 10th tbh.

We have a reasonable defence and decent attacking players assuming Shankland stays and a deal is done for McNulty, but in the middle of the park we are worse than terrible, caused us difficulty all season, if we can strengthen there with a couple of creative ball players, maybe one central one wide we'll be a different proposition. My worry is that MM and TA think Harkes Pawlett Butcher and Clark are good enough.

[BudMill90]

Sevco
Sellik
Hibs
Aberdeen
Hearts
St Johnstone
.................
Motherwell
Kilmarnock
Livingston
St Mirren
............
United
...........
Ross County

That's the stark reality we're facing unless we strengthen in several areas and start to play joined up football. I'm not being negative because I like it but I've said several times we are facing a more difficult league next season. We need players in.

Ffs Stoke its Friday night what about a bit of positivity? 🤣

[Arab59]

Would say a central midfielder and a left sided winger should be the priorities. I think as a squad we are set up for 4-2-3-1, so a striker would only be needed if Shankland goes.

I wouldn't bring in a centre half, unless the rumours about Reynolds retiring are true (or if big bids come in for Smith/Neilson in the summer).

A friend of mine a Falkirk fan says Neilson was crap slow and look out of is depth not sure about him

[stokearab]

Ffs Stoke its Friday night what about a bit of positivity? 🤣

Think it's end of season blues Bud!

We've done well to consolidate, absolutely we have, and I've said elsewhere that massive credit is due to MM SF and all the players.

I just feel if we stand still thinking we can do it again we'll be in for a struggle. I want to see us playing better football that really challenges the other sides aiming for the top 6, I'm just very pessimistic that as things stand we can do that. I think MM has said we're looking to bring players in, fingers crossed we do.

[stokearab]

A friend of mine a Falkirk fan says Neilson was crap slow and look out of is depth not sure about him

I've only seen the lad play twice, wasn't impressed at all, not ready, needs time I think.

[BudMill90]

A friend of mine a Falkirk fan says Neilson was crap slow and look out of is depth not sure about him

Ah well if your mate is saying that we should just punt him.

[BudMill90]

I've only seen the lad play twice, wasn't impressed at all, not ready, needs time I think.

10 games for us this season at 17 years old. He definitely needs time to develop. Falkirk loan will have served him well.

[Whitfieldarab]

Sevco
Sellik
Hibs
Aberdeen
Hearts
St Johnstone
.................
Motherwell
Kilmarnock
Livingston
St Mirren
............
United
...........
Ross County

That's the stark reality we're facing unless we strengthen in several areas and start to play joined up football. I'm not being negative because I like it but I've said several times we are facing a more difficult league next season. We need players in.

Well that is negative Stokey

I reckon you've got the top 6 correct but we can match any of that bottom 6 I've no doubts about that.

I agree with you though that the central midfield is a major worry. Harkes,Butcher and Pawlett give me the fear and like you I've always been a critic of Butcher but I'd be open to James Mclean's option of him playing him at CB but I'd be even more open to the idea if Neilson wants him at Hearts and we get a decent fee then I'll drive him to Tynecastle myself.

If transfer rumours of

Benji to Celtic for £1.5m
K Smith to Villa for £0.5m

....are true then we can bring in a fair wedge to get in the players we need to strengthen in the ares we need.

[JamesMcClean]

I’m not getting the negativity here. We will be making a couple of signings bolstered no doubt by Benji money (He will be, even MUST be, getting sold). Our defence is settled now, Jeando is starting to make his mark and the last couple of months’ worth of performances were top six stuff, no question. With the addition of a couple of signings plus the youth starting to break through, we have the beginnings of a good squad. Every season is tough, no question, but I reckon we’ve got a good shout at next season. Currently Hibs, Celtic and The Rangers are the outstanding sides but currently we have no idea what sort of shape clubs are going to be in next year. Hearts are really not good and need major rebuilding, Livingston you can’t really see repeating what they did last year, Aberdeen I genuinely think are going to struggle after the lunatic dismissal of McInness plus the signings they’re making and the fact that guys like Ferguson seem to want the phuck out of Dodge, should they get up Funny FC will be, well, just funny and even Hibs may lose Doig, Nisbet and Boyle.

I think we are at the beginning of an upward cycle. Much work yet still needs to be done of course but we have safely passed the first test of negotiating our first season back up. Bigger tests are yet to come of course but I genuinely think we are in decent shape and heading in the right direction