The Squad 2023-24

[bigmart]

Neither side started with anyone who played last Saturday. All bar Merrie and O'Connor played the full ninety minutes, which must have helped develop their match fitness. Any win with a clean sheet will build confidence. When I looked at the team sheet, I thought the main objective was to rest the first team squad. I thought a central defence of Hockenhull and Belehouan, who have never played league football, would struggle. Full marks to Nigel for having the confidence to play a team of fringe players including a few newbies and then to trust his assistant to manage the team while he sits in the stand. It will give him a few selection problems for Saturday!

Maybe I am reading too much into it, but does anyone else think that Danns may be under consideration as our next manager, possibly under Nigel's tutelage?

It wudnt surprise me as its less money to pay out and would be the cheap option yet again but I hope not we need a new manager with his own staff

 

[Boz]

Dan Pike’s contract extended until January. Not a fan of these very short deals and would have rather we made him an offer to the end of the season.

 

[Ian]

Glad it's been extended as he's been good but I've completely lost it where we are up to with these short term deals. Haven't we got about half a dozen on the go?

 

[Boz]

I think it’s just the 3 we signed earlier this week and Dan.

Though Apter’s loan deal only runs until January.

 

[Sparky]

Surely we could have afforded it until the end of the season? Just gives the lad more uncertainty in a few months….

Maybe it’s partly depending on who the manager might be and any January recruitment

 

[O4anotherplayoff]

As was the case when he first signed, nobody knows whether it’s the club or the player who have reservations about a longer deal. Or why.

There’s clearly something behind it, I’d be curious to know what!

 

[drwhoman]

As was the case when he first signed, nobody knows whether it’s the club or the player who have reservations about a longer deal. Or why.

There’s clearly something behind it, I’d be curious to know what!

I think that Sparky’s explanation is the most likely.

 

[O4anotherplayoff]

Who knows.
It‘ll be interesting to see the manager’s plans for O’Connor now he’s fit again.

 

[Boz]

As bigmart pointed out, Pike couldn’t move to another FL club until the window re-opens because he was under a short term deal with us when the window shut.
The fact that Dan was willing to sign the original 1 month deal knowing that suggests he didn’t have anything else in the pipeline. I’d conclude that it’s a club led decision, though whether that’s financial or down to the managerial situation is harder to assess.

 

[Rockford's Love Child]

Maybe it’s partly depending on who the manager might be and any January recruitment

Yes, that seems likely.

It is a big squad now, so we probably need to offload people before committing to longer term deals.

 

[Sparky]

Luke McGee has been named in the Sky Bet League Two Team of the Month after making at least eight more saves (26) than any other goalkeeper in the division in September.

Obviously needs some more protection !!

 

[Boz]

He’s a good keeper though, still can’t believe FGR thought Doohan was better.

 

[Rockford's Love Child]

He is the best keeper we have had since Davies retired and arguably beyond.

 

[Keith Hill (Bolton)]

Luke McGee has been named in the Sky Bet League Two Team of the Month after making at least eight more saves (26) than any other goalkeeper in the division in September.

Obviously needs some more protection !!

I haven't looked but it must surely be a record number of goals conceded.. For Luke to get the award?

 

[O4anotherplayoff]

We’ve taken Kane on trial!

No, not him… but still a full international. 22 y/o Senegalise defensive midfielder Ousmane Kane.

https://x.com/lesportifs_/status/1711707560003109010?s=61&t=PmFwwtvVUeuLOxMr-K3U6g

 

[Keith Hill (Bolton)]

Picture on that tweet is in the training ground.
Should be in team tonight!

 

[bring back the cowshed!]

We’ve taken Kane on trial!

No, not him… but still a full international. 22 y/o Senegalise defensive midfielder Ousmane Kane.

https://x.com/lesportifs_/status/1711707560003109010?s=61&t=PmFwwtvVUeuLOxMr-K3U6g

Well spotted, O4. Now I know the French for Tranmere Rovers and League Two.

He plays for one of the top teams in the Senegal Premier League. How he got to PP is a mystery but credit to Rovers and/or his agent. It's quite a risk for everyone, but boy if it pays off!! I don't think he's a free agent, so we may have to wait until January to see him play.

 

[Ian]

He plays for one of the top teams in the Senegal Premier League.

Haha. I don't know whether to be excited or confused.

 

[Sparky]

Do we really need more midfielders? I’d prefer a new centre back and a proper number 9 as back up for Norris, admittedly the latter may not be cheap

 

[Rockford's Love Child]

I think we need a genuine defensive midfielder, but arguably O'Connor can play that role if he is moved from right back.