Squad Now vs. Squad Then

[ItzMillerTime_Dons]

Just had a thought when replying to the Derek McInnes thread - my instinct is that we are at a higher level now than when McInnes joined so it should be easier / a base requirement for a new manager to match his achievements in his first couple of seasons. But is that actually right in terms of our playing squad?

McInnes came in and had this squad of senior players:

GK
Jamie Langfield

DF
Joe Shaughnessy
Clark Robertson
Russell Anderson
Andrew Considine
Mark Reynolds

MID
Jonny Hayes
Peter Pawlett
Nicky Low
Ryan Jack
Cammy Smith

FW
Niall McGinn
Scott Vernon
Josh Magennis

He added to this by signing for the first team (initially):

Nicky Weaver
Michael Hector (loan)
Willo Flood
Barry Robson
Gregg Wylde
Calvin Zola

The new gaffer will come into these players contracted for next season:

GK
Joe Lewis

DF
Andrew Considine
Ross McCrorie

MID
Dean Campbell
Lewis Ferguson
Dylan McGeouch
Ryan Hedges
Matty Kennedy
Jonny Hayes
Funso Ojo?

FW
...

Not including loans, I think our expiring contracts (who might yet stay) are:

Tommie Hoban
Ash Taylor
Michael Devlin
Greg Leigh
Shay Logan
Niall McGinn
Connor McLennan
Bruce Anderson


I am not sure how to categorise Ronny Hernandez (one for the accountants...)

This could all be totally wrong and it is hard to compare with benefit of hindsight (and players ages, etc.) but purely based on squad ability, I'd say McInnes inherited a significantly better squad than he leaves? And with easier gaps to fill (i.e. he clearly needed to sign central midfielders)

Just wanted to open the debate!

[neilthedon]

Just had a thought when replying to the Derek McInnes thread - my instinct is that we are at a higher level now than when McInnes joined so it should be easier / a base requirement for a new manager to match his achievements in his first couple of seasons. But is that actually right in terms of our playing squad?

McInnes came in and had this squad of senior players:

GK
Jamie Langfield

DF
Joe Shaughnessy
Clark Robertson
Russell Anderson
Andrew Considine
Mark Reynolds

MID
Jonny Hayes
Peter Pawlett
Nicky Low
Ryan Jack
Cammy Smith

FW
Niall McGinn
Scott Vernon
Josh Magennis

He added to this by signing for the first team (initially):

Nicky Weaver
Michael Hector (loan)
Willo Flood
Barry Robson
Gregg Wylde
Calvin Zola

The new gaffer will come into these players contracted for next season:

GK
Joe Lewis

DF
Andrew Considine
Ross McCrorie

MID
Dean Campbell
Lewis Ferguson
Dylan McGeouch
Ryan Hedges
Matty Kennedy
Jonny Hayes
Funso Ojo?

FW
...

Not including loans, I think our expiring contracts (who might yet stay) are:

Tommie Hoban
Ash Taylor
Michael Devlin
Greg Leigh
Shay Logan
Niall McGinn
Connor McLennan
Bruce Anderson


I am not sure how to categorise Ronny Hernandez (one for the accountants...)

This could all be totally wrong and it is hard to compare with benefit of hindsight (and players ages, etc.) but purely based on squad ability, I'd say McInnes inherited a significantly better squad than he leaves? And with easier gaps to fill (i.e. he clearly needed to sign central midfielders)

Just wanted to open the debate!

I tend to agree. Slightly harder job finding decent new signings too . As there are more players in the game for them now ? ( e.g. Jack Ross at Hibs )

As Dek always worked two windows ahead , it would be interesting to see who was /is on the list of possible signings ?

We really need to start going for more of the promising Scots younger players , before they get snaffled up to sit on the bench at the cheeks ? And try harder to keep our own talent ?

Another thing. How come we don't already have a decent young Centre half in our reserve/,youth/whitever squads to step in when McKenna left ? Doesnt seem like we ever replaced him on the conveyer belt !!

[donsdaft]

That of course is the question that most needs to be asked.

[Don_Corleone]

I think the new manager will have even less than the players you suggest. I think Ferguson will go if a decent bid comes in for him in the summer (which I think it will) - he was close with McInnes and I think he'll feel the time is right to move now. I think Hedges might also move on if an offer comes in for him. We'll take the money in while we can to give the new boss a bid of a fund to bring new bodies in. I think Ojo will be released. And off those out of contract I think Hoban will get other offers and leave, Taylor, Devlin, Leigh, Logan, McGinn will all be let go to free up wages for a new manager to bring others in. I'm unsure about McLennan and Anderson, maybe they'll get new 1 year deals depending on who the new boss is.

GK
Joe Lewis

DF
Andrew Considine
Ross McCrorie

MID
Dean Campbell
Dylan McGeouch
Matty Kennedy
Jonny Hayes
Connor McLennan

FW
Bruce Anderson

[rico94]

I think the new manager will have even less than the players you suggest. I think Ferguson will go if a decent bid comes in for him in the summer (which I think it will) - he was close with McInnes and I think he'll feel the time is right to move now. I think Hedges might also move on if an offer comes in for him. We'll take the money in while we can to give the new boss a bid of a fund to bring new bodies in. I think Ojo will be released. And off those out of contract I think Hoban will get other offers and leave, Taylor, Devlin, Leigh, Logan, McGinn will all be let go to free up wages for a new manager to bring others in. I'm unsure about McLennan and Anderson, maybe they'll get new 1 year deals depending on who the new boss is.

GK
Joe Lewis

DF
Andrew Considine
Ross McCrorie

MID
Dean Campbell
Dylan McGeouch
Matty Kennedy
Jonny Hayes
Connor McLennan

FW
Bruce Anderson

Conor McLennan signed a new deal weeks ago.

https://www.google.co.uk/amp/s/www.p...deen-stay/amp/

[mondo_notion]

Groningen:

Langfield

Anderson
Reynolds
Considine
Logan

Flood
Jack

Hayes
Pawlett
McGinn
Rooney

Versus Limassol:

Lewis

Logan
Reynolds
Considine

O'Connor
Shinnie

GMS
Stewart
McLean
Christie

Stockley

On paper I'd say the Limassol team looks stronger but the squad gelled a lot better at Groningen.

[Aldo1983]

Hayes and McGinn when they were at their peak were better than any other player we've had for years.

[sheepcrooky]

Hayes and McGinn when they were at their peak were better than any other player we've had for years.

Agreed. I said at the time when we had the Irish trio (Rooney was the finishing touch to Hayes and McGinn) that was as good a forward line since ‘83.

[pieandbovrilman]

Hayes and McGinn when they were at their peak were better than any other player we've had for years.

Pity they both buggered off at their peaks and weren’t the same when they came back with their tails between their legs

[sheepcrooky]

Pity they both buggered off at their peaks and weren’t the same when they came back with their tails between their legs

They were entitled to leave, and left on fairly good terms. What was criminal was McInnes taking them back.