The Squad for 2017/18

[Ian]

At least we know the core of our squad can play well together, with a few little tweaks here and there. All of these signings from other clubs is all well and good but they have to be able to gel. Remember Wrexham last season. They signed half a squad and look how that turned out. I agree, there will be competition but now we have a solid manager to run us through the season we should be fairly consistent next season and be in quite a commanding position come Xmas.

 

[bring back the cowshed!]

The incorrect Amond entry in Wikipedia has been corrected. impressive that it was spotted and corrected so quickly. My faith restored.

 

[Boz]

I think that currently we're weaker than we were last season, as Stockton and Ihiekwe are yet to be replaced. Still a long way until pre-season, so just awaiting developments.

 

[bring back the cowshed!]

I think that currently we're weaker than we were last season, as Stockton and Ihiekwe are yet to be replaced. Still a long way until pre-season, so just awaiting developments.

I agree. But it's early days. The better players will still be weighing up their options.

 

[Rockford's Love Child]

I think that currently we're weaker than we were last season, as Stockton and Ihiekwe are yet to be replaced. Still a long way until pre-season, so just awaiting developments.

At this stage, we probably have the best squad in the division. And as BBTC says, there is plenty of time for additions.

 

[drwhoman]

I agree Boz. As you say, there is still time but one or two really decent signings would give me a lot more confidence about next season. Who knows if another Lincoln will jump out of the pack. It is a tough League and we have to start well. Do we know when the fixtures are out?

 

[White Squaddie]

I've read somewhere that the fixtures are out on the 5 Jul....

 

[Rockford's Love Child]

I agree Boz. As you say, there is still time but one or two really decent signings would give me a lot more confidence about next season. Who knows if another Lincoln will jump out of the pack. It is a tough League and we have to start well. Do we know when the fixtures are out?

Other clubs are making high profile signings because their squads were weaker than ours to begin with. Our biggest challenge was keeping most of the squad together, which we have done. There is no point bringing in players for the sake of it.

As it stands, I would say only Dagenham have comparable quality. Aldershot have a good starting eleven, but probably not the squad depth (they were lucky with injuries last season). Wrexham and Hartlepool have made some good signings but are rebuilding from a low base.

We are the bookmakers' favourites for a reason.

 

[Sparky]

Agree with Boz that we are possibly weaker than last season. Given last season, Cole and Ihikwe are not easy boots to fill and hopefully in the next few days we'll have news of signings that will make a statement and give us some comfort. Obvious a fit Tollit will help massively but the likes of Hughes and Big Mac will be another year older.

Whilst Dover and Macc have been weakened, the likes of Chester and Wrexham will be more competitive and particularly Daggers, Eastleigh and Hartlepool have all made strong signings. I think we'll do well to get 95 points again but plenty of time yet.

 

[Rockford's Love Child]

You have to bear in mind that Cook and Stockton never played together, and the former will simply replace the latter (providing he stays fit). Yes, we have lost Ihiekwe but having Tollitt available will be like signing a new player, and we don't know what Dunn is capable of yet. So you could argue that we are not much weaker even without any more additions.

 

[Boz]

If the season started tomorrow, I would not be confident Rovers would finish top. Thankfully it doesn't.

We have options which may allow us to get by up front so long as major injuries are avoided. However, a back two or three without pace is not something we can get away with. Hopefully there will be some additions to plug any perceived gaps

 

[Rockford's Love Child]

If the season started tomorrow, I would not be confident Rovers would finish top. Thankfully it doesn't.

Neither would I, but you never can be. Although I think the division is slightly weaker overall, there are some strong competitors and there is always the possibility that a team will come from out of left-field like Lincoln. However, we are well placed to compete.

I agree that we need more pace at the back, the one area where we definitely need to improve.

 

[bring back the cowshed!]

At this stage, we probably have the best squad in the division.

Actually, I think we probably had the best squad in the division last season, especially the latter part. The problem was that about a third of our players were injured by the time the crunch came.

 

[drwhoman]

I agree with all the comments above about the quality of our squad and certainly it only needs some tweeking, particularly as has been said, at the back. We also await Vaughan's decision. As I observed bove, the Division is tough particularly as only one team gets out of it without a play off lottery which will be comprised of six teams this coming season. To achieve 95 points and not to get promoted last year was ridiculous but play offs are play offs particularly when you have key players injured. Let us hope that we have more luck in 17-18! I do not recall Lincoln having remotely our injury issues.

 

[Cowshed Kid]

Actually, I think we probably had the best squad in the division last season, especially the latter part. The problem was that about a third of our players were injured by the time the crunch came.

Spot on.
I don't give a stuff about what other teams are doing really.
We had to keep the larger nucleus of our squad together and we've done that.
I'm losing no sleep over Mike Ik going. Great last third of season but lost his place earlier to Sutton.
Stockton? I've posted that I don't think he had an affinity with club at the end.
Think Norburn will be a great signing and over a season contribute more than Maynard did.
And we've got a young lad working his balls off at the mo, after a nasty injury, Ben T.
For me, if the season started tomorrow, with a fit squad, we've got enough in the tank.

 

[Boz]

I admire your optimism, Cowshed Kid.

While McNulty and Sutton can play together, it's a higher risk pairing than when you have someone at the back who can compensate for McNulty's lack of pace and let him venture further forward at times. Whether Big Steve will be the lynch-pin of our defence in the coming season remains to be seen. It was the player who triggered an extension clause in his contract and that this was mentioned in the announcement he was staying on made me wonder.

Haven't seen enough of Norburn to judge if he'll be an improvement on Maynard in midfield. We do lose Lois'versatility though and with a 5 man bench, it certainly helps having players who can function capably in more than one position.

Still haven't heard whether Vaughan, Pilling and Drysdale are accepting their contract offers, but the longer it goes, the more likely they'll be moving on.

 

[Cowshed Kid]

I'm getting fidgety for the new season Boz!
Without optimism there's not much left!
Potentially the greater loss will be Pilling.
If you're not wearing the shirt there's little else doing for a keeper and I think he's too good to be a bench warmer.
Be disappointed if Vaughan goes after we've overseen his recuperation but I do think Duggan could play his role.

 

[Rockford's Love Child]

If all of Boz's predictions on here came to pass we would be plying our trade in the North West Counties League. So I will stick with my own instincts, which say we have a strong squad and will challenge again next season. Specifically regarding McNulty, he was the only ever present (along with Davies) in the second best defence in the division.

 

[Boz]

I thought my viewpoint that we'd not finished recruiting yet, so hard to call how we'd fare was realistic. For what it's worth I reckon the squad at this moment would make the play-offs at least.

As for McNulty, my hunch is that he may not be such an automatic choice next season. We'll have to wait and see.

 

[Rockford's Love Child]

My feeling with McNulty is that against the better sides like fgr and Aldershot, who have pace and movement, he will struggle unless you take measures to protect him. Hence, he came in for a lot of criticism towards the end of last season. However, against 80% of teams at this level he strolls through games, which is why our overall defensive record was so good.