The Squad for 2018/19

[Sparky]

Just to add to the rumour mill, Southend manager Chris Powell was at PP on Friday night watching Norwood

 

[Rockford's Love Child]

I think there will be bigger fish than Southend after Norwood. Was Powell watching Jennings ?

 

[Sparky]

I think there will be bigger fish than Southend after Norwood. Was Powell watching Jennings ?

Very possibly RLC - or both of them.

 

[Chris Johnston]

God, I hope Norwood stays. I'm trying to be positive, but realistically we're screwed without him!

 

[Sparky]

God, I hope Norwood stays. I'm trying to be positive, but realistically we're screwed without him!

Agree - it’s mid table at best without him. Which wouldn’t be a disaster I guess and not a shock if he does go sadly

 

[Boz]

I’d obviously prefer Norwood to stay, but don’t think we’re a one man team.

 

[Chris Johnston]

Agree - it’s mid table at best without him. Which wouldn’t be a disaster I guess and not a shock if he does go sadly

Without his 16 goals, we will have scored fewer goals than anyone in the league. It would be such a shame, as it would be a real blow to the club's progress.
Having said that, good luck to him, he owes us nothing.

 

[Rockford's Love Child]

I’d obviously prefer Norwood to stay, but don’t think we’re a one man team.

There is no way we would be promoted without Norwood. It is not just his goals we would miss, but his all round game, which is phenomenal for this level. We have not got anybody else in the squad who has the same dynamism, or that can stretch teams in the way Nors does.

 

[Chris Johnston]

I’d obviously prefer Norwood to stay, but don’t think we’re a one man team.

That's pushing optimism to its limits
We are a one man team when it comes to goal threat and having an outlet. He also is our first defender, in the same way as Ian Rush used to Harry defenders...his work rate is amazing.
One man does not make a team, but he is massive for us, and it would be catastrophic to lose him.

 

[bring back the cowshed!]

Will still need more signings. Gilmour was already with us and has been out of the side recently apart from Spurs.

Miller is a straight swap for Cole so apart from Perkins the squad numbers are the same albeit with a bit more quality perhaps.

Still hoping a decent wide player comes in. Plus a striker if big Marts rumours are true about Nors.

Actually, Sparky, as things stand we have a much smaller squad than a month ago. Two new players in Perkins and Miller, but four players leaving (George, Williams, DMH and Stockton). The news about McCullough and Gilmour is welcome but they don't add to the numbers. That means we are currently two short - in fact, three less while Tollitt is away.

So, that means the monthly wage bill has probably gone down a bit, despite the promise of more money from the cup run for players. My take is that we are going to see at least two more arrivals - maybe three if Sutton goes - and the way the wages are being trimmed, I would not be surprised to see at least one marquee signing. I've no evidence for this, but I would not be surprised.

 

[Rockford's Love Child]

Matt Jones, who is generally right on these things, has said there will be one new arrival. I am not sure we will see another two or three players come in to be honest. I would doubt there will be a marquee signing, as a lot of the money from the cup matches has been diverted to other projects, and it is difficult to make those kind of signings at this time of year.

The squad may be slightly smaller, but none of the four players BBTC mentions were regulars or added much to the general quality, so I would be happy with a leaner, but more effective squad.

I would guess Perkins and Miller are on much better wages than the likes of Williams and DMH.

 

[Ian]

I think we should brace ourselves for the worst with Norwood. I cannot see now we would be able to hold onto him if better offers come his way. I have no idea how we could replace him, certainly not in the short term but I’m writing this with fingers crossed!

Looking at the squad now, until we know how Miller and Perkins fit in it’s difficult to know how far we are from challenging in this league but I certainly think they’ll make a positive difference.

 

[drwhoman]

I agree Ian. let us all stay positive. Change is eternal and we just have roll with it. Certainly Miller and Perkins should make a difference. Spurs was just one of those things. There are three leagues in the Premier League. The top six, the middle eight and the bottom six. Our game was against one of the top six whose team is worth zillions.

 

[bring back the cowshed!]

I would guess Perkins and Miller are on much better wages than the likes of Williams and DMH.

Agreed, but Stockton and George are now off the wage bill. One more player won't be paid a lot more than those two combined, unless it's a marquee player. So there would be virtually no change to the playing budget.

And BTW, who is to be the new reserve keeper? Surely not Bayleigh Passant.

 

[Rockford's Love Child]

I doubt we were paying much, if anything, for George, Williams and DMH though. Two were youth loans and the other is a player who was on a short term deal with no prior fitness.

However we judge them in the next few months, Perkins and Miller are experienced pros who have played at higher levels for most of their careers. I just don't get the impression there will be much money left once they are accounted for.

 

[Boz]

And BTW, who is to be the new reserve keeper? Surely not Bayleigh Passant.

Have you seen him play? Could be the next Gordon Banks for all I know!

Luke Pilling has been recalled from Ashton, so presumably him. Paddy Wharton now out at Stalybridge.

 

[Boz]

With DMH and Tollitt going, coupled with Smith’s injury, could do with another wide player, ideally with some pace. It doesn’t sound like Ben has been pulling up trees at Wrexham, so unsure if they’d want to extend his loan period.

Re Norwood, I thought the indication from Mark Palios was he’d stay until the end of the season. If that’s changed and we take a fee for him now, the expectation would be for some of that money to go back into the playing budget. Could Mullin fill the gap if he goes or would we be in the market for another striker? Mullin’s done ok for us so far and may get to play more of his natural role when not making adjustments to play alongside Norwood.

Hadn’t realised Williams had left. On his past record it was worth giving him a try, shame it didn’t come to anything.

 

[Rockford's Love Child]

I don't think it has been announced that Williams has gone, but I assume he won't be staying.

 

[bring back the cowshed!]

Williams was on a short-term contract, which expires this month. If renewed, I'm sure we would have heard.

Happy to see Pilling back as number two keeper and his recall will add a little to the wage bill.

 

[Higgy]

Interesting to see winger from Man U if it happens. But if Norwood does go, heaven forbid, we will need yet another.....presumably as back up to a potential front two combo of Miller/Mullin.