Squad next season

[shrimper]

Burnley Shrimp, in the Pavel Abbot thread, said this:

"How will our directors and management play it next season?
We are arguably fairly sound financially (unlike a lot of other clubs).
A large proportion of the Sainsburys cash will obviously go towards the new development, however the influx of this cash potentially overcomes the salary cap obstacles of this season (despite crowd size reductions) and may well give us the spending power to obtain the quality signings (possibly being released by 'larger' clubs who are feeling the financial squeeze).
This all of course depends on how the Directors decide to play it and how they play the balance between the new development and the playing resources .
If we were to look at increasing the overall quality of the squad to make a push next season then the harsh realities would dictate that certain players would have to be released. There is no room for sentimentality if a club is to progress.
For me I'm afraid Michael Howard (injury prone recently and never in the same class as Adams), Blinky ( very good in the Conference but out of his depth in Div 2), Twissy (on the whole has struggled this season and another who may have a couple of good seasons left in the conference but overall not Div 2 standard).Also Diarmuid O'Carroll (hasn't really cut the mustard at Div 2 level). All of these would probably be amongst our higher wage earners who in my opinion should be released (contracts permitting). There are others of course but it all depends on how much is available to spend and whether the quality replacements are available to us to raise the overall standard of the squad.
I'm sure all at the club in a position to steer the club forward are committed to that exact cause (finances permitting) and the club is currently delicately poised in what are to say the least turbulent times generally. We just have to trust that the directors and management achieve the balance to improve the infrastructure and playing staff all at the same time. They haven't failed us to date to my knowledge so I guess we can look forward with optimism on all fronts."

I thought it was worth a separate thread.

For my part I think it does depend on how ambitious the board wants the club to be (or how ambitious we can afford to be) over the next year or so.

A) If we are to really go for it and assemble a side to be sure to challenge at the top of League Two then it may be that only two or three of the current squad would survive.

B) If we are to put together a side that we can be confident will challenge for play-offs then we need at least three or four very good quality new players, including another central midfielder and probably two strikers.

Some of the current first teamers could - in either scenario - be useful back-up players still.

We may try for B) next season then A) the year after - IF we can afford to and IF the players we need are available.

[sgt major]

We have all seen games this season where the current crop have played absolutely fantastic and then on the other hand the same players have not performed - perhaps most of the same squad but more consistent would be the answer - over to you players!

[campdave]

perhaps most of the same squad but more consistent would be the answer - over to you players!

That's why they play in League 2 and not a higher division

[shrimper]

We have all seen games this season where the current crop have played absolutely fantastic and then on the other hand the same players have not performed - perhaps most of the same squad but more consistent would be the answer - over to you players!

I think the current squad have, if anything, overperformed this season. Their attitude has been great and they have given everything, nearly every game (and name me a side that plays to its 100% top level EVERY game).

I think my point is that we do need an injection of players with a bit more know-how (as Sammy describes it) at this level - plus a few with more pace and goalscoring instinct perhaps.

That is NOT a criticism of our current squad. They are what they are and I think they've absolutely done us proud with their sheer professionalism and commitment. That's all we can ask.

Some of them will still play a part but, if we are to progress at all, then some need to make way.

[Harry]

I hate to say it, but there are at least 5 players in our matchday squad, most of them fan favourites, who will in all honesty hinder us from pushing forward next season, should that be our objective. That's solely because of their age, and I can think of a couple more who aren't really good enough to be playing in a competitive League 2 side. Ideally these are the players we should be looking to replace next season, hopefully with better players.

I echo the point that it's no fault of the players concerned - they've all played a part in getting us into the League and have given us some great performances over the past couple of seasons, but we all want what's best for the club, and that's for us to become an established, threatening side in this division, which we are unable to be with so much (forgive the phrase) deadwood from the Conference days.

Onwards and upwards

[broadwayshrimp]

Hate to put a dampner on the optimism for next season but the thought of pushing for promotion or at least the play offs is a bit premature. We've only been a league club for 2 years so surely the priority once again must be to avoid relegation. There are still a lot of good sides in this division and despite the financial situation I'd expect a number of the so called bigger clubs to strenghthen in the summer.

[james456]

Hate to put a dampner on the optimism for next season but the thought of pushing for promotion or at least the play offs is a bit premature. We've only been a league club for 2 years so surely the priority once again must be to avoid relegation. There are still a lot of good sides in this division and despite the financial situation I'd expect a number of the so called bigger clubs to strenghthen in the summer.

So far, we're on the way to 2 seasons well clear of the bottom. If now is too soon to be thinking about promotion, when is the right time?

And isn't whether we should be looking to challenge for promotion or not next season a moot point? We need to be progressing on the pitch constantly and no matter what our aims are, that could well involve making changes to the squad - we can't just say we're happy with mid table and stick with the current set up. We need to progress.

[broadwayshrimp]

Hate to put a dampner on the optimism for next season but the thought of pushing for promotion or at least the play offs is a bit premature. We've only been a league club for 2 years so surely the priority once again must be to avoid relegation. There are still a lot of good sides in this division and despite the financial situation I'd expect a number of the so called bigger clubs to strenghthen in the summer.

So far, we're on the way to 2 seasons well clear of the bottom. If now is too soon to be thinking about promotion, when is the right time?

And isn't whether we should be looking to challenge for promotion or not next season a moot point? We need to be progressing on the pitch constantly and no matter what our aims are, that could well involve making changes to the squad - we can't just say we're happy with mid table and stick with the current set up. We need to progress.

Sorry but there are teams who have been in this league far longer than us and failed to get promotion. Also just remember what happened to Wrexham and Mansfield. I'm not saying we shouldn't try and improve the playing side of the club (I'm sure we will) what I am saying is we shouldn't be going into next season execting to get promotion.

[marky]

Who said anything about expecting promotion? People are merely speculating whether or not we should make the necessary changes to our squad to make the next step up which for me is realistically challenging for a play-off place. I also don't see why the fact we're not an established League 2 club should mean we shouldn't have ambitions. Apart from anything else, a number of so-called established clubs are having financial difficulties. As a stable club we would be foolish not to try and take advantage of the situation though I wouldn't recommend being stupid and history would suggest our board don't tend to go down that road.

[shrimper]

I don't think we really disagree significantly. If we end up next season in pretty much the same shape as this then no-one should be downhearted, for the reasons you give, broadway.

I think, though, that we will need to improve just to stay still, if you see what I mean. With exactly the same squad as this season I don't see which players would improve significantly to push us any higher. I can, though, see a few whose years may catch up on them and they may start to slide.

I used a few IFS advisedly because we don't know just how much we will have (or be prepared or allowed) to spend on new players, nor whether we can get them, nor whether the ones we get will improve our squad.

But I agree with those who say that IF we are to progress then it seems pretty obvious we'll need quite a few new and better players.

[Weetabix Kid]

ok then lets play a game..

Goalkeepers

B.Roche - Keep
L.Edge - tough one, Scotty deserves 1st team somewhere so keep Edge as back-up
S.Davies - as above, use loans as cover if needbe can't afford 3 keepers

Defenders

A.Yates - keep
M.Howard - sorry, injuries took there toll (Barrow, Southport maybe)
D.Artell - keep
J.Bentley - keep, future manager
N.Wainwright - keep (classed as def since a wingback at present)
A.Parrish - hmm, maybe release to keeps funds as not progressed really
H.McStay - keep
M.Bell - release
D.Adams - I wouldn't of kept but been given new contract

Midfielders

C.Stanley - keep
G.Hunter - keep as back-up
W.Curtis - 1 more season?? if not Barrow
F.McLachlan - release, need better quality if to push on
S.Drummond - keep, Jimbo's future assistant?
M.Duffy - Keep

Forwards

M.Twiss - anouther tough one, release
R.Howe - would love to keep but not likely
D.O'Carroll - release, not done as I would of liked
A.Taylor - keep
M.Blinkhorn - release, done nothing since promotion


Desperate to sign at least 2 proven forwards in the summer !

[Posh]

What's going to be really interesting next season and will pretty much dictate the future of League 2 football is the current financial crisis. Fair enough we've got money from the sale of the ground, however this is solely intended, as far as I understand to complete the new ground, pay off debts and for contingency costs relating to the new ground. With work only just beginning none of this will be available next season for players and we'll have to survive through much smaller budgets.

The reality is that club revenues are down steeply on last season across the board - gate and commercial - and bound to fall further as a lot of renewals were done back in May 2008 when things were a lot better than now. My own view is that to stay within financial restrictions set by the Football League and to bring in new players the current squad will inevitably have to be slimmed down considerably, with perhaps a greater reliance on loan players.

At the same time though it is going to be as bad or worse for many other clubs. In my view Darlington may go out of business permanently because of the albatross around their neck that is the Darlington Arena. I also can't see Chester, Bournemouth and Accrington surviving if things get worse. Remember all these clubs have to fund players wages throughout the summer. Additionally the sheer size of borrowings at clubs like Rochdale, Gillingham, Wycombe and quite a few others could see others really struggle if a few clubs go under and their lenders or benefactors start to panic.

Sadly we could be the benefactors of other clubs misery and suffering as the trim down their squads and expectations. It will also be tough for players. Rene Howe said on Radio Lancashire that his next club would be decided by his agent while he's on holiday. I think that's wishful thinking on his part. If he holds out for the wages he's believed to be on at Peterborough then he'll almost definitely be without a club in my view.

Our best chance in my view is to be realistic on who we cut from the squad and avoid sentiment; bring in a couple of players of quality but within a tight budget (I think we could pick up some bargains at the end of the summer); take a chance on a couple of lower league players; and finally look to the loan market to give us the flexibility if things do get worse and we need to trim down.

[heysham_mfc]

Hate to put a dampner on the optimism for next season but the thought of pushing for promotion or at least the play offs is a bit premature. We've only been a league club for 2 years so surely the priority once again must be to avoid relegation. There are still a lot of good sides in this division and despite the financial situation I'd expect a number of the so called bigger clubs to strenghthen in the summer.

So far, we're on the way to 2 seasons well clear of the bottom. If now is too soon to be thinking about promotion, when is the right time?

And isn't whether we should be looking to challenge for promotion or not next season a moot point? We need to be progressing on the pitch constantly and no matter what our aims are, that could well involve making changes to the squad - we can't just say we're happy with mid table and stick with the current set up. We need to progress.

try telling Peterborough or MK Dons it is too soon for them to be looking at promotion

[Keith]

Not only do I agree with Mr Posh, but that is exactly what I was saying at the end of last year, although of course, back then some people thought that was "complacency" (where is Ned by the way?). I think this squad, with a relatively small outlay, will be able to stay safe next season. A couple of good 'season long' loans will be useful.

I don't think we need to rush for new signings as soon as the season ends, initially players (like Rene) may be confident of a big wage and sure enough, some probably will get them, but I think that a few weeks in, many players will start to reassess their own value or face unemployment.

[james456]

My take on our current squad... (in case someone out there values my opinion )

Goalkeepers

B.Roche - Keep. One with a real future at the club imo.
L.Edge - Release. We don't need 3 keepers on the wage bill.
S.Davies - Keep as understudy for Roche.

Defenders

A.Yates - keep. One with a long term future here I feel.
M.Howard - Getting on a bit and not a key player so release.
D.Artell - keep for another season but no more.
J.Bentley - Keep for another season, possibly two. After that, he can be a back up player with some coaching duties and then become manager
N.Wainwright - Keep for another season but getting a bit old.
A.Parrish - Jury still out tbh but should go if wage bill is still high.
H.McStay - Keep. Solid player.
M.Bell - Release.
D.Adams - Agree with the one year contract.

Midfielders

C.Stanley - Keep. One for the forseeable future.
G.Hunter - Keep as back up/substitute player if nothing else.
W.Curtis - Keep for one more season.
F.McLachlan - Keep for now, we'll see how he gets on.
S.Drummond - Keep for another season (two at a stretch) but I'd also like to see him in a non playing role.
M.Duffy - See what he's about. I'd like to keep though.

Forwards

M.Twiss - Keep for another season but he needs to get his confidence up.
R.Howe - Not staying I fear.
D.O'Carroll - Keep for another season at least. See if he does the business.
A.Taylor - Keep. One for the future.
M.Blinkhorn - Release. Asap.

[George Dawes]

out

M.Blinkhorn
S.Davies
F.McLachlan
M.Bell
M.Howard


in

R Howe
a left winger with a "LEFT" foot
a left-back who as pace to play wing-back aswell
a Central Midfielder with league experience

[james456]

Ryan McGivern on a season long loan would be brilliant. We could play the 5-3-2 formation with a natural left footed wingback on one side and either Wainwright or Duffy on the other.

We will need at least one good striker who knows where the net is too. Another midfielder on loan perhaps, too.

[broadwayshrimp]

Hate to put a dampner on the optimism for next season but the thought of pushing for promotion or at least the play offs is a bit premature. We've only been a league club for 2 years so surely the priority once again must be to avoid relegation. There are still a lot of good sides in this division and despite the financial situation I'd expect a number of the so called bigger clubs to strenghthen in the summer.

So far, we're on the way to 2 seasons well clear of the bottom. If now is too soon to be thinking about promotion, when is the right time?

And isn't whether we should be looking to challenge for promotion or not next season a moot point? We need to be progressing on the pitch constantly and no matter what our aims are, that could well involve making changes to the squad - we can't just say we're happy with mid table and stick with the current set up. We need to progress.

try telling Peterborough or MK Dons it is too soon for them to be looking at promotion

Ah but these are two well established league sides who I think have had previous experience of league 1 footbal and of course live off much bigger revenues than us at the momentl

[Burnley Shrimp]

Thanks to Shrimper for posting this as a new thread because it's now definitely stimulated the type of discussion I was hoping to generate from my original post with some excellent reasoned replies.

I personally think that a lot of players out of contract will have to accept reduced salaries next season right across the board or find themselves priced out of the market, which is inevitably going to be depressed at lower league levels due to the many factors now affecting clubs and the economy in general. Whilst I'm not suggesting that we go mad I do think we are hopefully as stable as the majority of the best run clubs at or near our level and with some intelligent pruning of the current squad and a bit of good judgement (and luck) in making new additions, we could be very competitive next season and even attract some signings we previously considered out of reach. Maybe a tour of the new facilities in progress together with competitive salary offers would attract such players and carry the momentum into the 2010/2011 season and the move to the new complex!

[Abbo]

Next season will be a massive massive season for the club, the main aim is to make sure that Morecambe Football Club are still in the football league when we go to the new stadium, so i would like to see us maintain our progress and if that means some of old faithfull have to go so be it.

[Christies Child]

Ryan McGivern on a season long loan would be brilliant. We could play the 5-3-2 formation with a natural left footed wingback on one side and either Wainwright or Duffy on the other.

We will need at least one good striker who knows where the net is too. Another midfielder on loan perhaps, too.

At tonights Res game (2-1 to us we spoke to a Man City fan who told us that Ryan has just signed a 4 year contract on £10,000 a week! Hard to believe I know but the guy seemed in the know..........

[Mark Gwent]

Whoever we try to get next season lets hope Sammy and Mark can keep them a secret so many of Sammys targets went elsewhere last season

[james456]

Ryan McGivern on a season long loan would be brilliant. We could play the 5-3-2 formation with a natural left footed wingback on one side and either Wainwright or Duffy on the other.

We will need at least one good striker who knows where the net is too. Another midfielder on loan perhaps, too.

At tonights Res game (2-1 to us we spoke to a Man City fan who told us that Ryan has just signed a 4 year contract on £10,000 a week! Hard to believe I know but the guy seemed in the know..........

Thats extraordinary

[badger]

dont forget everyone we were in the conference for 10 years.and the team we have at the moment are still a conference side on paper. the team at the moment just look like one big lump at times, what we need is a couple of new players up front with plenty of pace.

[PUNKISDEAD]

Given that we have a very low level of support from the town, we should be glad that any of the players should be gad to stay with us!!!