The Squad 2023-24

[Am on mobile]

Its just that word cheap

 

[drwhoman]

Why oh why do we have so many injuries? Am I imagining it? I know we have a big squad, but nearly everyone has been injured and/or suspended. Just when Nigel thinks he has a settled side, someone pulls a muscle or breaks a toe. Have we simply signed a bunch of crocks on the cheap that nobody else wants?

I think it it is the time of year BBTC with lots of games and wearing pitches. Look at how many injuries Liverpool have despite the pitches they play on, the high level of player fitness, and the state of the art medical support.

 

[bigmart]

I think it it is the time of year BBTC with lots of games and wearing pitches. Look at how many injuries Liverpool have despite the pitches they play on, the high level of player fitness, and the state of the art medical support.

Also Newcastle, Spurs and Manchester United have had large injury lists

 

[Boz]

By comparison with some others in L2, we've probably got off fairly lightly with injuries so far. Others clubs have at stages been missing half their normal starting xi,

 

[Keith Hill (Bolton)]

Five games plus training over holidays, plus improved pitch technology, different worn pitches with and soaking from the incessant rain.
No recovery time, speed of the game. Plus the closing down tactics. The mental strain, the travelling,
I'm just knackered, and injury prone just watching.

4-4-2 is usually the defensive shape/formation, which has been 4-4-2 or 4-4--1-1 it really makes a difference attacking, even different home from away. It is the shape and tactics when attacking, not the true defensive shape, it would not be logical to attack and defend in same formation, overloading, passing would be so difficult, one of the most obvious partnerships on the pitch is the width, the full back is helped by the wide midfielder, who in turn helps the full back, without this, no team could attack or defend.

When you play a team that has been winning a lot you tend to get a bit of luck. A decision, a goal from nowhere, opposition hits the post in last minute. It's really how you come back in the next game. You are not going to win or draw the majority of games in a season. Unless you gain promotion, the majority of teams, can't, won't do this! So our next game at home becomes the priority now. It was a tight game, defences in charge, and their luck continued.
I'm not to unhappy with our performance overall.

 

[Rockford's Love Child]

By comparison with some others in L2, we've probably got off fairly lightly with injuries so far. Others clubs have at stages been missing half their normal starting xi,

Although the loss of a talisman in Luke Norris for virtually the entire season has been very significant. It is credit to Adkins that we have performed so well in his absence.

 

[Boz]

Although the loss of a talisman in Luke Norris for virtually the entire season has been very significant. It is credit to Adkins that we have performed so well in his absence.

Luke Norris was a bit of a calculated gamble that so far hasn't paid off. Totally agree that Adkins has found a way to make the best use of the players at his disposal to compensate for Luke's absence.

 

[O4anotherplayoff]

I’m not trying to start a rumour, just that this might be worth keeping an eye on. Local non league reporter Stephen Killen, who’s usually very reliable, has tweeted that “Rylands FC striker Adama Sidibeh is attracting transfer interest. From what I understand, Football League and professional clubs have tabled offers for the Blues top goalscorer. Sidibeh has enjoyed an impressive start to the season for Rylands, scoring 15.”

Sidibeh is aged 25 or 26 and seems to have come from nowhere in the last couple of years, so it’s intriguing that he’s attracting interest from the EFL.

 

[dollar'sbloke]

Luke Norris was a bit of a calculated gamble that so far hasn't paid off. Totally agree that Adkins has found a way to make the best use of the players at his disposal to compensate for Luke's absence.

Yes but his absence or someone similar should not be underestimated. Even Dawes looked viable until he got injured. We fell off a cliff immediately and as you point out Adkins has the skill to work around it more so than Mellon

 

[dollar'sbloke]

I’m not trying to start a rumour, just that this might be worth keeping an eye on. Local non league reporter Stephen Killen, who’s usually very reliable, has tweeted that “Rylands FC striker Adama Sidibeh is attracting transfer interest. From what I understand, Football League and professional clubs have tabled offers for the Blues top goalscorer. Sidibeh has enjoyed an impressive start to the season for Rylands, scoring 15.”

Sidibeh is aged 25 or 26 and seems to have come from nowhere in the last couple of years, so it’s intriguing that he’s attracting interest from the EFL.

We've tried this before!! Looks very slight and no doubt will get a Gambia call in EFL

 

[bigmart]

Rumour that Apter is signing an extension at Blackpool and will return on loan to us for the rest of the season and Saunders will be out for 6 weeks

 

[Ian]

Fingers crossed.. I mean about Apter, not Saunders

 

[Am on mobile]

Makes you wonder why they just did not leave him with us makes no sense whatsoever

 

[bring back the cowshed!]

Makes you wonder why they just did not leave him with us makes no sense whatsoever

I’m fairness, I’m not surprised at what Blackpool have done. Let’s say one of our promising young lads had gone to (say) Chesterfield for the first half of this season and had played really well. We’d probably have recalled him and had a good look at him and a long chat. It’s likely we’d have given him a new contract. We’d then have discussed whether he was ready to be in our first team squad or whether he might develop more by sending him back out on loan. Blackpool have done this with Rob.

 

[bigmart]

I’m not trying to start a rumour, just that this might be worth keeping an eye on. Local non league reporter Stephen Killen, who’s usually very reliable, has tweeted that “Rylands FC striker Adama Sidibeh is attracting transfer interest. From what I understand, Football League and professional clubs have tabled offers for the Blues top goalscorer. Sidibeh has enjoyed an impressive start to the season for Rylands, scoring 15.”

Sidibeh is aged 25 or 26 and seems to have come from nowhere in the last couple of years, so it’s intriguing that he’s attracting interest from the EFL.

Stockport, Blackpool, Salford and Port Vale amongst the teams after him.

 

[Boz]

It seems like the new deal is likely to take him out of our reach, although Blackpool may seek to sell Robbie over the summer. However if he comes back to us and continues to enhance his reputation playing as he did they will get more money for him if he is sold.
If Apter is returning, it is good news for us in terms of a chance of a decent placing and improved morale. However, it does raise the question of what’s to happen to Josh Hawkes if he’s out of contract in the summer and not getting playing time. Sell now?

 

[dollar'sbloke]

It seems like the new deal is likely to take him out of our reach, although Blackpool may seek to sell Robbie over the summer. However if he comes back to us and continues to enhance his reputation playing as he did they will get more money for him if he is sold.
If Apter is returning, it is good news for us in terms of a chance of a decent placing and improved morale. However, it does raise the question of what’s to happen to Josh Hawkes if he’s out of contract in the summer and not getting playing time. Sell now?

I would argue his worth is less than when he came on a free

 

[O4anotherplayoff]

Stockport, Blackpool, Salford and Port Vale amongst the teams after him.

Rylands‘ manager has jokingly tweeted that this is fake news and they’re only willing to deal with Real, Bayern or Man U!

 

[bigmart]

It seems like the new deal is likely to take him out of our reach, although Blackpool may seek to sell Robbie over the summer. However if he comes back to us and continues to enhance his reputation playing as he did they will get more money for him if he is sold.
If Apter is returning, it is good news for us in terms of a chance of a decent placing and improved morale. However, it does raise the question of what’s to happen to Josh Hawkes if he’s out of contract in the summer and not getting playing time. Sell now?

The club have an option on Hawkes contract

 

[O4anotherplayoff]

If Apter is returning, it is good news for us in terms of a chance of a decent placing and improved morale. However, it does raise the question of what’s to happen to Josh Hawkes if he’s out of contract in the summer and not getting playing time. Sell now?

That‘s the big question.

Adkins made a curious reference recently, when talking about the window, that, although we’ve got 31 players, we’re building something special here and the grass isn’t always greener. Suggests someone we‘d like to keep is possibly unsettled.

Now I know there’s been the odd rumour that Hawkes might move on this month, no idea if any of that’s true though. And, iirc, Adkins made his greener grass comment after Apter’s loan had expired so, obviously, without Apter we probably would want Hawkes to stay. But, although it‘s pure conjecture, it does all fit so, if Apter does come back for the rest of the season, we might indeed decide to sell Hawkes now if there’s a decent potential buyer.