How the squad is shaping up - where do we need to strengthen?

[MK_Cobbler]

Sampson has now stated after Osman signs he won’t be looking to bring in anyone else in midfield. That leaves us with a 6, one of those being the young lad Jacobs

[supajama]

Worryingly, Sammo states we have enough defenders......what about a right back? Rogers or Hinton can both play their but are shocking in that position. Let's hope JJ comes back from Middlesbrough on a season long loan.

[saturday banana]

Looking better every day 

[MCHammer]

Bit disappointed to read that Sammo plans to play Thornton on the right of midfield.  He's a good enough player to do a job there but can't help but feel both that it's a waste of his talent and also we are yet again going to be playing central midfielders in wide positions.

[HertsCobbler]

Bit disappointed to read that Sammo plans to play Thornton on the right of midfield.  He's a good enough player to do a job there but can't help but feel both that it's a waste of his talent and also we are yet again going to be playing central midfielders in wide positions.

On the other hand his plan may well be for Osman and Gilli/Wedderburn to sit and hold and let Davis and Thornton license to attack.

[Monty]

Sampson has now stated after Osman signs he won’t be looking to bring in anyone else in midfield. That leaves us with a 6, one of those being the young lad Jacobs

I think that's about right - Holt and Rodgers can also join the midfield if needed. Any more and it would be difficult to keep them all happy.

Right back and one more up front needed - and I think they'll be loans.

[TbananaG]

I think the standard team is going to be:

Dunn

JJ(?)  Beckwith  Holt  Gilbert

Osman

Thornton  Giilligan  Davis

Purcell McKay

with Herbert, Rodgers, Guinan, Hinton, Walker on the bench.

actually starting to look kind of useful to me!

[Power Football]

Looks a little unbalanced to me... 

[Monty]

I'd be hoping Wedderburn and Jacobs get a look in - Signings clearly not done yet but to be able to get a team out at this stage of pre-season is fairly promising.

[Erith_Cobbler]

How old is Wedderburn?

The defence is looking a bit bare, we could do with a versatile RB/CB who can cover anywhere across the back if injury strikes.

[Trotty]

Personally I think we need another striker, preferably one thats got than more than a handful of games and goals under his belt.

[TbananaG]

Looks a little unbalanced to me... 

Yes, accidentally left a big gap down the middle and Dunn leaning on the post! Unconventional, though.

[Monty]

Personally I think we need another striker, preferably one thats got than more than a handful of games and goals under his belt.

I'm pretty sure we will get one - The four we have don't have a great deal of experience and I'm not sure if Sammo sees Harris as more of a backup CB than a backup forward.

[DrillingCobbler]

Well Purcell can play centre forward OR right wing. We always have one of those!

So Im thinking a right back...JJ hopefully...and another striker. Assuming we can get shot of McCready that would leave us with a squad of 20 plus the never used Konstantinuous...

GK's - Dunn, Walker

Defenders - Rodgers, Hinton, Beckwith, Holt, Gilbert, Harris

Midfielders - Gilligan, Davis, Jacobs, Thornton, Wedderburn, Osman

Strikers - Guinan, McKay, Herbert, Purcell, Konstantinous

PLUS John Johnson/right back and another striker...

To be fair, it does look like quite a tidy squad. Plenty of youth, some pace and skill, a few industrious players and a reasonable amount of experience.

Dont forget, if we get injuries, theres always the loan market to dabble in. Last season post Sammo we carried about 5 players who never played (Curtis, O'Flynn, Mulligan etc) so assuming that at least 18 of these are going to feature regularly the lesser numbers shouldn't make a difference.

Where will we finish? Fcuk knows, but I wouldn't rule out a promotion challenge with that group of players. All depends on the usual...injuries, form, luck etc. But I think we stand a chance of doing well...

[Positively Mad Mark]

It's shaping up nicely but I'm sure we say that every year...

[jimmys cobbler]

I,m old enough to know better but i,m starting to feel quite optimistic about this season, carrying the majority of the first team over from last season is a big plus. As previously stated by drilling, injuries will playa part, and crucially Purcells form. If he hits the ground running and Thornton comes good, then it could be interesting

[New Dawn Fades]

What is the Average age of the squad at present?
By my thinking its going to be 22/23 at the most.

[wazzacobbler]

I'm happy enough that we won't get relegated with the team we have so far. That is as much as I am willing to predict though 

[Insider]

The signings so far seem to address some of our problems, but I'd be worried about our lake of pace in defence: Holt, Hinton, Beckwith all another year older now, and they weren't quick a year ago.  Gilbert's not the quickest either, while JJ was undone all last season by pacy wingers (Barnet, Hereford, Aldershot, Torquay).  Moving Davis and Rodgers back leaves us short in attacking pace from midfield.  So a central defender with pace, please.

[606 Parklands_Cobbler]

The signings so far seem to address some of our problems, but I'd be worried about our lake of pace in defence: Holt, Hinton, Beckwith all another year older now, and they weren't quick a year ago.  Gilbert's not the quickest either, while JJ was undone all last season by pacy wingers (Barnet, Hereford, Aldershot, Torquay).  Moving Davis and Rodgers back leaves us short in attacking pace from midfield.  So a central defender with pace, please.

totally agree! Ive got a horrible feeling that Samo will play Hinton or Rodgers at right back, defo need a quick right back who can defend.