Shrimpsvoices

Potentially a better squad than last season in terms of the mix between youth and experience.

What do others feel....

Much better in that all the Robinson expensive flops have moved on and the full squad has bought into Derek's systems.

Would like to see another centre forward signed , preferably an experienced one rather than an academy loanee. Also another speedy winger/midfielder and we would look good for a top half finish.

No

Keith wrote:No

That was quick Keith.

This squad is not as good as last season - NO WHERE NEAR

Don’t think it’s a squad , just eleven players on 1 year contracts ( bar one)

Maybe better to compete in the league it's in but no way is it a better squad overall

black morse wrote:

Keith wrote:No

That was quick Keith.

Less succinct:

Ripley, Gibson, Weir, Stockton (2021/22 or after he stopped sulking in 2023 version), Shaw, Simeu & arguably, Niasse.

That's six or seven players who would improve the current first team. Personally, I'd add Cooney to that list, but not as clear as the others.

Niasse is still without a club. I wouldn't mind seeing him come back to offer some experience up front.

Don't forget crawley. Probably the most cultured midfielder we have had. Phillips was class too before injury

Wild Bill wrote:Don't forget crawley. Probably the most cultured midfielder we have had. Phillips was class too before injury

Crowley was an odd one. Lots of culture & skill, but more often than not, no final ball. His first game was superb, but I don’t think he had any other ‘Man of the Match’ performances? But yes, arguably better than what we have this season. Phillips until injured, definitely should be on the list.

Don't think Crowley's issue was final ball, more that he was often dropping too deep to hunt for the ball. Think we bent the team around his ability a bit too much in the end.

Quality wise, last year's squad was better, but I do think there's a bit more balance this year - the squad makes a bit more 'sense', barring needing a bit more depth up top.

In terms of quality ‘on paper’, this years squad is much weaker.

Anybody want to change their mind and their posting on this topic?????

Redalert1970 wrote:This squad is not as good as last season - NO WHERE NEAR

We have only conceded 13 goals in 11 EFL 2 matches so no doubt that the defence is better even given the reduction in big hitters in this division.

15 goals scored in the 11 games so despite losing Stockton we are scoring goals.

I think Ged Brannan with his one to ones with the players and going through videos with them on an individual basis has helped with the improvement.

IMHO this squad would accrue more points than last seasons if they had stayed in EFL 1.

shrimp in cyprus wrote:Anybody want to change their mind and their posting on this topic?????

It's great how this team is coming together but you only have to look at Colchester's defending to see there's a big difference in quality between L1 and L2. That said, some of our current crop would have made a big difference last season.

Ability wise last years squad is better, hands down.

Do I enjoy watching this squad more than last years squad? 100%.

BerlinWaller wrote:Ability wise last years squad is better, hands down.

Do I enjoy watching this squad more than last years squad? 100%.

This.

Ultimately, there’s a noticeable gap in quality between leagues one and two. If we weren’t doing better in L2 now than last season in L1, I’d be worried!

It's hard to compare them really. Last season we were up against it and the underdog in almost every game and so were often on the back foot. League two is a more even playing field and so we have the chance to actually play the football the way we want to play, which I feel helps our players shine more.

vvm wrote:It's hard to compare them really. Last season we were up against it and the underdog in almost every game and so were often on the back foot. League two is a more even playing field and so we have the chance to actually play the football the way we want to play, which I feel helps our players shine more.

I my opinion it's better to have your team winning most matches in a lower division than losing most of them in a higher one. I'd be more than happy for us to make the playoffs but not keen on us going back up.....yet.

A team almost full of loan players!

Hard to judge 2 teams playing at different levels.
I think team spirit is better this season.

At least we have a striker that moves about the pitch, that is an improvement on last season.

black morse wrote:

vvm wrote:It's hard to compare them really. Last season we were up against it and the underdog in almost every game and so were often on the back foot. League two is a more even playing field and so we have the chance to actually play the football the way we want to play, which I feel helps our players shine more.

I my opinion it's better to have your team winning most matches in a lower division than losing most of them in a higher one. I'd be more than happy for us to make the playoffs but not keen on us going back up.....yet.

I'd have to agree with that sentiment. Early days but it's much more enjoyable this season that's for sure.

Last year after 12 league games - won 1, drew 4 and lost 7.
This year after 11 - won 5, drew 3, lost 3.

By around November last season it had really become a chore to watch us I felt. The buzz of being in league one had gone for me.

I still don't think I would turn down any chance of promotion but with all of the squad on 1 year deals and the finances not looking great, I think we'd really struggle in league one and just come straight back down. We need more of a stable base to build from and I think that's really hard to do if you become a bit of a yo-yo club. A new owner could change all of that though.

Old Man Kensey wrote:Hard to judge 2 teams playing at different levels.
I think team spirit is better this season.

At least we have a striker that moves about the pitch, that is an improvement on last season.

Stockton has been out for 2 months now with injured thigh. Maybe he moved quickly

black morse wrote:

Old Man Kensey wrote:Hard to judge 2 teams playing at different levels.
I think team spirit is better this season.

At least we have a striker that moves about the pitch, that is an improvement on last season.

Stockton has been out for 2 months now with injured thigh. Maybe he moved quickly

Hard work beats talent, when talent doesn't work hard.

When a key player takes the ***s and couldn't be bothered, until he realised he'd not have a job this season, it impacted upon the whole squad. This season, every player gives 100% in every game. As others have said, the team spirit is incredible, and if that togetherness remains, it will drag us through the tough periods.

black morse wrote:I my opinion it's better to have your team winning most matches in a lower division than losing most of them in a higher one. I'd be more than happy for us to make the playoffs but not keen on us going back up.....yet.

vvm wrote:I think we'd really struggle in league one and just come straight back down. We need more of a stable base to build from and I think that's really hard to do if you become a bit of a yo-yo club. A new owner could change all of that though.

Not sure I agree. Being a yo-yo club for a few seasons can lead to substantial development. Statistically, crowds tend to hold up well in the first season after relegation, then drop off in the second. Also, 'parachute payments' fall away over the next couple of seasons. The difference in income is substantial when promoted. Plus, for me, the excitement of playing Ipswich, Sunderland, Derby County etc as peers, never got boring! It was an amazing experience for us, to be in such company. Ipswich in particular, due to us having a history with them.

What we really need is enough cash & stability to sign the players we really want, on longer deals. Bedeau turns 24 yrs old in December (from memory) so he can leave for free at the end of the season. A new owner, with some investment, and we may be able to tie him in to a new contract.