What about hall on the bench???

He's the youth teamer who played in the first couple of friendlies I think

Too slow...(me not Hall)

Winger? Are we thinking we've lost out on a singer and he's now on trial because of it?

Suspect that may be the case given Page was talking in the week how he didn't want trialists and would instead play the youngsters unti the signings came in.

I've not really been paying much attention to other teams but all I've seen from Oxford is that they've lost 3 or 4 of their first XI and signed a couple of young players on loan - an approach some don't want us to take. What else have I missed which makes their recruitment successfull so far?

As for Bristol Rovers, not seen they've signed anyone but Taylor staying is a boost for them granted.

I reckon Page might decide to get an hour into a nominally 2nd choice team today given we have QPR on Tuesday

Agree.

This is the bracket that Hoskins fits into for me. His movement and positioning are decent just needs to work on his finishing. Can never understand supporters who are quick to dismiss a striker who miss a few chances that can be worked on in training getting into that position to have a shot is more natural. Especially with young players like Mckay, Hoskins etc.

Got to agree on Hoskins, he is definitely worth persevering with, I reckon he's the sort that could go on a real scoring streak. Needs work on the training ground, a run of games and a bit of luck and confidence.

I was never overly convinced by McKay, not particularly quick or skillful and not the biggest. I always thought his biggest asset was his work rate. He did very well at Inverness but not great anywhere else, could be a case of right player right club.

Will be interested to see how he goes this season but I'm not overly disappointed we haven't signed him - but I guess that's subject to who we do eventually get.

I guess no-one knows then.


Either that or no-one cares....poor Alfie 

Anyone know why Potter wasn't in the squad last night? Chron article specifically mentions Maloney and Taylor being rested due to minor injuries but I've not seen any mention of Potter's absence anywhere.

I think the point is that Nuneaton dominated the game even though they are 3 leagues below us and have had less time to prepare.

Is that true though? Coolcat, who was there, says Nuneaton barely got out of their half in the First 45, also sounds like they had a bit of luck with Diamond slipping for their goal.

Did Burgess Hill Town dominate us in that game last season? I doubt anyone remembers or cares.

It is just a friendly, it doesn't matter. manager could have been trying different combinations, asked different things of the players. I'd suggest the QPR and Wolves friendlies are the first time any of us can form an opinion on the team. I would think they'll pick close to first choice for both and play them for at least an hour. These early friendlies never matter

It's almost exactly a year to the day since we drew 0-0 with Burgess Hill Town (we'd also beat Sileby 1-0 a few days earlier), perhaps it is best if we all calm down and see how we start the season.

As for the criticism of Harbin, I think McCourt's injury was an impact injury, nothing a fitness coach can do about that. The comparison with Woodward is wide of the mark, he was a Rugby specific coach trying to advise a football team, Harbin is a fitness coach the principles are easy to take across sports. I'd imagine he would have been found out before now if he was a charlatan!

This is great, the option for people to print tickets at home is excellent. Another step in the right direction.

At the risk of getting carried away I think there has been more off field improvement since KT came in than the rest of the 30 years I've supported the club out together.

i love D'ath with all my heart but I'm afraid in general if a player struggles at League 2 he's unlikely to be a success at League 1. There's plenty of blood and thunder in League 1 and it's at a quicker pace.

You may well be right, I just wanted to point out that judging on what Wilder said at the end of last season (I think it was when D'ath signed his new contract) he saw D'ath as a very important player for League 1. If D'ath is first choice at the start of the season I could see some on here using that as a stick to beat Page and/or Thomas with when its likely he would have been a starter for Wilder too.

As with the state of the squad I'm happy to reserve judgement until we're underway

It's just a bit concerning that wilder didn't rate either potter or d'ath enough to play them regularly in league 2 (I know potter had his injury troubles but there were rumours that something else was going on behind the scenes) so to expect them to take league 2 by storm is a bit of a stretch. On an unrelated note I forgot about McWilliams who I am looking forward to seeing in pre-season

Wilder specifically mentioned in an interview towards the end of last season that he thought D'ath would be a key player in League 1, it seems he felt he'd be more suited to that league as it is slightly less blood and thunder than League 2. Time will tell if he was right but I wouldn't be surprised if he was earmarked to start the season as first choice under Wilder.

How's that relevant? Unlike Revell, he's not a forward. He's played the majority of his football in midfield or on the wing.

Perhaps I should make more effort to make any sarcasm more obvious 

I broadly agree with you, the issue is I'm not sure International Football has any pull any more compared to the top leagues of club Football, certainly not for a young coach. If you want to take a coach from the Premier League you probably end up with an older coach.

A lot of what you suggest was put in place 4 years ago, there is now a plan, all age groups play the same formation / system, we won't know if this has been successful for at least 4 years I think but they shouldn't rip it up and start again before we know.

In the meantime we need a coach who will instill a clear plan and identity for the senior team for the next couple of tournaments.

Interesting times

Robson - kanu doesn't have a club?

Scored less than Revell in Championship last season, can only assume some on here would be disappointed if we signed him given the mixed reactions Revell got 

..so he is, I thought he was 5 or so years younger. Still I reckon give him the job until after the next world cup, maybe with a younger coach alongside with a view to them taking over.

Hiddink would be perfect I think. Been an international manager before, has managed in England recently and knows the players.

Can't believe he isn't being touted more

I agree, much prefer the 4231 system but with Rico and Revell there is not much mobility and although I like Hoskins, I believe we should try bring in a more verstile or pacey striker so that we atleast have a futher the option

Revell by all accounts is pretty mobile and a bit of workhorse. With the 4231 though I think you want your striker to stay central and occupy the Centre Backs, creates space for the 3 to operate.

Agree on Hoskins and agree on the need for variety but I can't see us signing an established striker as an option, especially as I'd imagine Revell and Richards take up a decent chunk of budget

Hi, long time reader...etc

There's a lot of talk on here about us potentially signing another Striker, especially of the pacey / fox in the box type. If that was to happen then it surely means we are moving away from the 4231 formation which was so good to watch and going 442. How would everyone feel about that?

Obviously the new manager may play that way anyway but I thought we were at our best last season when playing 4231, it would be shame if it was left behind. Of course we need to replace Holmes and Adams and maybe sign one more of that type to play that way. Should be enough goals that we wouldn't need 1 main scorer then.

Thoughts?