Current Squad 23/24

[Zip It Shrimpy]

Oumar Niasse and Pape Souare would be on my list, if they can tolerate the wages offer, in return for more or less guaranteed playing time.

[redrobo]

At least 1 specialist full back who can attack down the wing.....

Creative midfield general who can take a powerful free kick.....

Centre forward who can hold the ball and bring others into play PLUS capable of 10 goals as a minimum.

Speed merchant on either wing who can deliver pinpoint crosses into the box PLUS take accurate corners both left and right. ( Last season our corner routine was poor)

Other additions to be from the Academy....

Don't want much do I......

[redrobo]

Oumar Niasse and Pape Souare would be on my list, if they can tolerate the wages offer, in return for more or less guaranteed playing time.

Wouldn't say no to either....

[CityShrimp]

At least 1 specialist full back who can attack down the wing.....

Creative midfield general who can take a powerful free kick.....

Centre forward who can hold the ball and bring others into play PLUS capable of 10 goals as a minimum.

Speed merchant on either wing who can deliver pinpoint crosses into the box PLUS take accurate corners both left and right. ( Last season our corner routine was poor)

Other additions to be from the Academy....

Don't want much do I......

This and at least one capable centre back certainly would be my wish list. Just hope the recruitment team can get somewhere near that.

[Keith]

Oumar Niasse and Pape Souare would be on my list, if they can tolerate the wages offer, in return for more or less guaranteed playing time.

The longer they go without getting a deal somewhere else, perhaps we may be in with a shout? Obviously, that's assuming Derek wants them, but I was impressed with both, considering how long they'd been out of the game. Getting them in with some time before the season starts would be useful.

It'll be a bit embarrassing if we don't have a full side in time for the first friendly on Tuesday!

[fulwoodshrimp]

Is it only me worrying about the quality of players we have signed ? I hoped after relegation we would build a strong squad to challenge for promotion back into League 1. I hope I'm wrong but I see a squad being assembled that hopefully at best will survive in League 2. We seem to be signing a mix of other clubs cast offs and some players showing potential that could flourish under DA. I realise we still have time for some exciting signings but at the moment I feel we could struggle in League 2. The signing of Jordan Slew makes me wonder how generous the budget is for season 23/24. Signing players released by National League clubs doesn't fill me with confidence about the forthcoming season.

[vvm]

I think we all hoped for an immediate promotion push back to league one but I think realistically, with the size of the budget and massive turnover in players, the best we can hope for is mid table.

Derek is a decent enough manager so I don't expect us to be in too much danger of being relegated but I think the ceiling this season is stability at midtable. A few risks will be taken with signings which if they all pay off could give us like a 5% chance of pushing promotion but I'd be very surprised to see that. Although he has done it before so who knows.

[Old Man Kensey]

Is it only me worrying about the quality of players we have signed ? I hoped after relegation we would build a strong squad to challenge for promotion back into League 1. I hope I'm wrong but I see a squad being assembled that hopefully at best will survive in League 2. We seem to be signing a mix of other clubs cast offs and some players showing potential that could flourish under DA. I realise we still have time for some exciting signings but at the moment I feel we could struggle in League 2. The signing of Jordan Slew makes me wonder how generous the budget is for season 23/24. Signing players released by National League clubs doesn't fill me with confidence about the forthcoming season.

It's just a case of signing the best players that we can afford. It might be our biggest ever League 2 budget, however that will still be one of the smallest in the league. Given the circumstances a bounce back promotion was never really on the cards, I'm grateful that a squad of any sort is taking shape (the way things were looking only a couple of months ago).

I'd take mid-table now, with staying up being priority number 1.

[black morse]

I think we all hoped for an immediate promotion push back to league one but I think realistically, with the size of the budget and massive turnover in players, the best we can hope for is mid table.

Derek is a decent enough manager so I don't expect us to be in too much danger of being relegated but I think the ceiling this season is stability at midtable. A few risks will be taken with signings which if they all pay off could give us like a 5% chance of pushing promotion but I'd be very surprised to see that. Although he has done it before so who knows.

100% in agreement with this. I think you are expecting too much Fulwood from a team/club which had many things go wrong last season and is still in limbo land regarding ownership.

I know many will disagree with me but I think we are in League 2 because we are a League 2 side. our promotion was great but we were always destined to go back down at some stage. Not doom and gloom just realism.

[Keith]

I think we all hoped for an immediate promotion push back to league one but I think realistically, with the size of the budget and massive turnover in players, the best we can hope for is mid table.

I don't think we "all hoped for". With all the uncertainty around ownership and the 'biggest ever League Two budget' probably still being one of the lowest League Two budgets, I was fearful of a second relegation being a probability. I think mid-table/top half will be a good outcome. As such, I think some of the signings look pretty good.

[BHmfc]

For me, I would be more than happy with a mid table finish, something we should be capable of with Derek at the helm. I don't want to be a Mr Negative, but there is no way we will be fighting for a place back into league one. We all need to be realistic, we are one of the smallest clubs in the football league with no money and a small fan base, far bigger clubs than ourselves have fallen out of the league and are struggling to get back into it. I want a season where our league safety is assured with at least six matches to go before the end of the season, that for me would be a great season.

[marky No.1]

I think the statement from the club stating our largest L2 budget was a clever move:
It enticed the purchase of season tickets and appeared to some people it was the biggest of anyone in L2.
Our previous biggest would have been in Sammys days which is from probably 15 years ago, when beer was £2 a pint not 4 !

Ownership needs sorting before we get too excited, mid table and actually winning some games will do for me

[Little Shrimp]

I think our remaining recruitment will partly depend on what formation Derek is planning on playing. While I think Stokes has more than likely be signed as a CB, it sounds like both his previous clubs saw him feature in a back three, either as the middle CB or on the left side. Also worth saying that Senior gained prominence as a RWB rather than a RB, and is generally seen as more of a RWB. While we all know Derek's preference is for a back four and you'd think he'd recruit that way, a couple of things indicate he could lean towards a back three.

Either way, I do think we need a proper target man as well as another DM/CB type to cover for Songo'o and
have either him or Songo'o drop in at CB if needed. If we're going for a back four we need a couple more decent quality wingers competing with Mayor (loans could help here). If we go to a back three then maybe it will be Mayor competing with Melbourne for LWB, but if not then we'll need another LB (loan?). Could also do with a bit more creative depth in midfield regardless of formation (also where loans could help). McKiernan and Taylor are great starters but we need more depth, especially given Taylor's injury problems.

[Zip It Shrimpy]

SkyBet analysis of our transfer window so far:


15 – Morecambe
I imagine it just a relief that they have managed to get bodies through the door. And, the odd player of quality, too. JJ McKiernan is a player that will do well; he was good for Eastleigh last year and in my opinion is more than capable of handling the step up. If anyone needed to win the lottery, they wouldn’t have won it by putting all their earnings of Yann Songo’o returning; that would have been low return, and a given under Adams. Joel Senior comes off the back of a promotion with Carlisle United, and is a good right-back. Chris Stokes and Cammy Smith represent useful pickups from North of the border. All in all, I think Adams – who is still unsure of their financial certainty – will be pleased with his work so far.

Read the full story here https://offtheline599656488.wordpress.com/2023/07/10/sky-bet-league-two-1-24-transfer-table/

[jbc.shrimp]

Oumar Niasse and Pape Souare would be on my list, if they can tolerate the wages offer, in return for more or less guaranteed playing time.

I mentioned this early after the season end. Unfortunately as mentioned elsewhere Pape Souare has signed for Motherwell. However according to Wiki and Google Oumar Niasse must be a free agent as he is still signed to us.

[Gone_Shrimping]

Latest rumour is we are leading the chase to loan striker Tom Bloxham from Shrewsbury Town.

[Seasider9601]

Latest rumour is we are leading the chase to loan striker Tom Bloxham from Shrewsbury Town.

5 goals in 81 appearances according to Wikipedia ???!!!!

[RapidShrimp]

Latest rumour is we are leading the chase to loan striker Tom Bloxham from Shrewsbury Town.

5 goals in 81 appearances according to Wikipedia ???!!!!

He’s only 19, not even started 30 times yet and often played well out wide. He’s 6’5” and Shrewsbury really rate him, hence why he’s got a lot of minutes under his belt at League One level.

[Gone_Shrimping]

Davenport signs. Excellent news , looked quality at Haig Avenue.

https://www.morecambefc.com/news/2023/j ... e-shrimps/

[nobbyshrimp]

Tom Bloxham signed a new 3 year deal only last year with a further 12 month option after this ends. He only signed pro terms in 20/21 but in 21/22 made 41 senior appearances for Salop which included 17 starts and scored 5 goals. This was his 1st real season as a pro player so imo 5 goals in league1 in your 1st season isn’t too bad with only 17 starts. The only reason he didn’t start more games was because of the manager who has now departed, Steve Cottrell who preferred tried and tested players. They have a completely new management model now who still rate Bloxham very highly but want him to go out and prove himself worthy. So if he drops down a league and comes to us this could be a very good move for him and us equally

Ps
Good old Wikki

[redrobo]

Davenport signs. Excellent news , looked quality at Haig Avenue.

https://www.morecambefc.com/news/2023/j ... e-shrimps/

Sounds to be the ideal replacement t for Cowley but will also get a tackle in. More excellent work by DA and GS.

[redrobo]

Tom Bloxham signed a new 3 year deal only last year with a further 12 month option after this ends. He only signed pro terms in 20/21 but in 21/22 made 41 senior appearances for Salop which included 17 starts and scored 5 goals. This was his 1st real season as a pro player so imo 5 goals in league1 in your 1st season isn’t too bad with only 17 starts. The only reason he didn’t start more games was because of the manager who has now departed, Steve Cottrell who preferred tried and tested players. They have a completely new management model now who still rate Bloxham very highly but want him to go out and prove himself worthy. So if he drops down a league and comes to us this could be a very good move for him and us equally

Ps
Good old Wikki

Could bejust the man to create havoc in an oppositions area. His height will be ideal if he gets the correct service. Hope it's not too long ball game with the ball inthe area most of the time. Certainly an interesting season IF he comes on board.

[lancaster shrimp]

Bloxham confirmed on OWS. One more central midfielder and a centre half and will that be us?

[RapidShrimp]

18 senior players now. Two loanees in. From what Derek said a couple of weeks ago we’re looking at 3 more players to come in, and they’ll all likely be loans I’d guess now.

Player name / Main position / Other positions / Age / Height / strong foot

A. Smith / GK / 30 / 6’3” / right
S. Moore / GK / 28 / 6’4” / right

M. Melbourne / LB / CB / 24 / 5’11” / left
C. Stokes / LB / CB / 32 / 6’1” / left

J. Bedeau / CB / LB / 23 / 6’0” / left
F. Rawson / CB / 26 / 6’4” / right

D. Love / RB / LB,DM,RW / 28 / 5’10” / right
J. Senior / RB / LB / 24 / 5’11” / right

Y. Songo’o / DM / CB / 31 / 5’11” / right
J. Davenport / DM / CM,CB,LB / 24 / 5’10” / left
J. Taylor / CM / AM,DM,RW,RB / 24 / 5’10” / right
J. McKiernan / CM / AM / 21 / 6’0” / right
C. Rooney / CM / Youth
L. Dobson / CM / Youth

A. Mayor / LW / RW,LB / 19 / 5’11” / left
J. Slew / LW / ST,RW / 30 / 6’2” / right

C. Smith / AM / RW,LW,ST / 27 / 5’9” / right

T. Bloxham / ST / RW / 19 / 6’5” / right
C. Brown / ST / 23 / 5’9” / left
M. Mellon / ST / 19 / 6’0” / right

[black morse]

18 senior players now. Two loanees in. From what Derek said a couple of weeks ago we’re looking at 3 more players to come in, and they’ll all likely be loans I’d guess now.

Player name / Main position / Other positions / Age / Height / strong foot

A. Smith / GK / 30 / 6’3” / right
S. Moore / GK / 28 / 6’4” / right

M. Melbourne / LB / CB / 24 / 5’11” / left
C. Stokes / LB / CB / 32 / 6’1” / left

J. Bedeau / CB / LB / 23 / 6’0” / left
F. Rawson / CB / 26 / 6’4” / right

D. Love / RB / LB,DM,RW / 28 / 5’10” / right
J. Senior / RB / LB / 24 / 5’11” / right

Y. Songo’o / DM / CB / 31 / 5’11” / right
J. Davenport / DM / CM,CB,LB / 24 / 5’10” / left
J. Taylor / CM / AM,DM,RW,RB / 24 / 5’10” / right
J. McKiernan / CM / AM / 21 / 6’0” / right
C. Rooney / CM / Youth
L. Dobson / CM / Youth

A. Mayor / LW / RW,LB / 19 / 5’11” / left
J. Slew / LW / ST,RW / 30 / 6’2” / right

C. Smith / AM / RW,LW,ST / 27 / 5’9” / right

T. Bloxham / ST / RW / 19 / 6’5” / right
C. Brown / ST / 23 / 5’9” / left
M. Mellon / ST / 19 / 6’0” / right

Very interesting mix of players. Experience and potential. Just need to be blended together now. Very difficult to foretell how the season will pan output considerably more hopeful than I was a few weeks ago.

Bring it on!