Squad Depth

[derby4playoffs]

As you will all know, you need a good squad to get promoted, not just the 11 that start each week. There will be injuries, suspensions and players form dipping throughout the season. So, players will need to step in without losing the any quality. Not only that, but competition for places can push players to perform to theiraxum which is just what we need. I am going to look at our starting XI compared to our 2nd XI and see if we would be happy for any of the 2nd XI to step in with relative ease.

1st XI:

Grant
Crystie - Keogh - Buxton - Forsyth
Omar Mascarell
Hendrick - Bryson
Russell - Martin - Dawkins

2nd XI:

Roos
Freeman - O'brien - Whitbread - Naylor
Eustace
Hughes - Coutts
Ward - Best - Calero

Now, straight away it's clear the issues we have with depth are in defence. Freeman's future is unknown. O'brien is injury prone and hasn't played regular competitive football in a while. Whitbread could probably come in and do a job, but he hasn't played much football over the last few

[Toggles]

It's def a defender that we need IMO. Preferably someone who can cover a FB slot too.

I really don't want us to sign too many players, our strength in the past has been our tight knit squad.

I'm also unconvinced by Naylor, he seems an odd choice to me?? Hope he proves me wrong.

Not bothered about a wide player. We are sending Mason out on loan as he is unlikely to get a game due to our strength in depth upfront.

Let's get Kelly from Liverpool!!!

[dcfcdavecov]

I expect 2 loans to come in.

CB/RB - i think this will happen when Freeman leaves.

Winger - I think this depends on Bennett going on loan, and Calero's development.

I would love a new CB though. Keogh, Buxton and another fighting it out. Maybe McClaren has seen it in Whitbread. If only he could get fit! His latest one is an impact injury, so he's been a bit unlucky.