Team for next season.......

[NI-Branch]

The team is actually developing well for next season, if we can keep the majority of what we already have got. Let's say we only had a 18 man squad, what would it be.

1. Ray Johnston - By all accounts has done nothing wrong since arriving.
2. Hodnett
3. Thompson
4. Buttery
5. Lee Smith
6. Tompkins / Lee Jeffries
7. Tom Hamblin
8. ?
9. Griffin
10. Reid
11. Richards
12. Webb
13. Mustoe
14. Sykes
15. Shaxton
16. Welsh
17. Coxy
18. Bevan

We need to have Hodnett signed only for us, this dual registration just doesn't work and if we can't sign him I think we need to look elsewhere for someone of his quality.

Lyndon is fantastic but very injury prone, Lee Jeffries could easily slot into the same position and also would carry more of an attacking threat.

It would be fantastic to have Lee Smith back in the side and he would just add to our attacking options.

I have only one slot left but still have the following :

Michael Noakes - very promising player and product of youth team.
Dave Wilkinson - Always gives 110% and scores goals
Alex Allard -
Sam Ellis -
Jamie Morse - Reserve Goalkeeper

I think quite honestly we must reluctantly let Adie Harris go, a fantastic player for the club, has accomplished so much and still a supporters favourate. He may still be able to play somewhere else for a season or two.

Lee Randall has bags of ability but is not fit and rarely plays for us and I think also needs to move on.

If we need a reserve goalkeeper then we must include Jamie Morse.

Does anyone think we should be going to get another defender and probably need a squad of 20 to cope with the demands of this league.

[tigermatty]

I think top priority should be a central defender and a left back, anything else is icing on the cake. We have no problem scoring goals and creating chances, but we really need to shut teams out. The best thing about the current squad is that we have plenty of options to choose from whether we're winning or losing, and some promising youth teamers coming through.

Realistically, if we want Smith and Sawyer then at least two other first team players will surely have to make way to free up the budget. I'm not sure how much we need them, but if it's a case of stopping them going to another team in this division and we can afford them then go for it.

[MaxiJazz]

Does anyone think we should be going to get another defender and probably need a squad of 20 to cope with the demands of this league.As an aside I never can quite understand the argument that a bigger squad costs more?... If we've got 18,20 or 50 players it does'nt matter does it? because so long as the contracted players are picked, then as I understand it the club only pays wages for the 11 plus 3 subs.... As for the names in your list we won't know if Jody or Michael Noakes or Wilko for that matter will recover sufficiently from their ops and I'm not convinced about Jamie Reid either, especially if the Fonz returns.Sycho's knocking on a bit and Welshy may look for pastures new.I think it's all very much still in the air.

[Simon]

From what I saw tonight Sam Ellis is someone we really need to keep at the club. He was a collosus tonight against a useful Hereford United side (Yes, that Hereford United). He looked like a man playing against a bunch of boys (Please Shandy, no jokes :P). He even capped it off with a corker of a goal from close range.

People forget that Michael Noakes is/was an England Youth International and thinking that thats only 1 or 2 years ago, he is definetly a keeper too. Allard has really impressed me and has fitted in well to the current team setup.
Having a substitute goalkeeper is always handy in my opinion and Wilko, well Wilko he may not be the best technically but he bleeds yellow and black and would be sorely missed if he left.

For the fans sake I think Lee Randall should be at the club in some capacity, maybe a coach and like David Mehew, only come on to the pitch when needed.

I've said this to many people on multiple occasions but I think when all the players are fit and working together as a unit we can beat anyone in this division. We've seen glances of it this season, the first half away at Mangotsfield, the first 70 minutes at Eastleigh was some of the best Football I've seen us play. Even on Monday we created a plethora of great chances. If we can play like this every game next season we will be promoted, there is no doubting that.

Not forgetting the fantastic Youth prospects that Kenny Blackburn is manufacturing in the Under 18's. The goalkeeper Frazer Wilson is diminuitive in size but his athletic prowess is incredible. In the back line we have players such as Ritchie Warden who could easily hack it at this level. Also tonight Curtis Watts (whose only 16) made an impressive debut at Right back, he looks like a real prospect too. In the midfield we have Ellis, Paul Carter is very much in an Alex Sykes mould and could easily become a successor to Syko. The wingers Jack Overthrow and Ray Rees remind me very much of Aaron Wilson (sigh) and could take the ball past anyone. Also not forgetting Ben Ashford as well, where is he by the way? Is he with Hartpury College and is he still with the club because he was a real standout player. Then upfront a player that has grown on me recently is Alex Cuthbert. He's a very tall lad and has fantastic technical ability and great awareness too.

To conclude, next season is looking like a season to remember both on and off the pitch. We have the players that are capable of promotion and then off we pitch we have the prospect of a spectacular 125th anniversary too.

Come on you Tigers :D

[Joe]

First XI:

-------------------Sawyer/Razor-------------

Hodnett-------Tompkins------Hamblin--------Buttery

Smith--------Thompson---------Webb---------Sykes/Wilson?

---------------Welsh---------Cox/Whittington?-------

Squad players:
Griffin
Mustoe
Noakes
Richards
Reid
Shaxton

The rest still have something to prove for me: Wilko, Jody, and Rands have to try to regain full fitness to show that they are fit enough for it. Allard and Ellis have to prove they're up to the standard, but both have started brightly.

I'd ideally like a real top drawer centre half to rotate with Lyndon and Tom. We've little cover back there. Noakes is definitely a keeper, and I reckon Welshy could sign a contract with us in the summer.

Adie Harris can stay on as coach/players' representative, still making the odd cameo appearance when necessary.

And check the availability/mentality of Wilson and Whitts. Both have proven their worth at this level.

[Tiger Andy]

Buttery?! Admittedly I have only seen him play twice, but he can barely make a 5 yard pass. Certainly not a first choice in my book. Keep Sir Adrian of Harris on :thumbsup:

Also I was VERY impressed with Muzzie on Monday. He was everywhere and kept things ticking over and breaking the play up. A true metro-gnome. Not sure about Whitts either - Bevan started the season well, but I guess it has to be Welshy and Cox, and then Bev and Griffin as and when. Psycho my first choice on the left. Coxy could even play on the right hand side of midfield as his crossing looked top drawer over Easter. In that case have Bevan and Welsh up front.

Christ, so many options for once...

[Neil]

Isn't it good that this buzz is around the club at the moment. It's just what we need and the whole of Gloucester (well, the football fans) need to be made aware of it so that they can join in the fun!

[SHANDY LOVE MACHINE]

MUST HAVES

D - Lyndon Tompkins
D - Luke Buttery
D - Michael Noakes
M - Tom Webb
M - Marc Richards
M - Neil Mustoe
M - Chris Thompson
M - Alex Sykes
S - Jason Welsh

WOULD LIKE

D - Lee Smith
D - Daniel Hodnett
S - Michael Whittington

CHOICES

G - Ray Johnston / Kevin Sawyer (1)
S - Scott Griffin / Jody Bevan / Jimmy Cox (2)

SQUAD / FUTURE STARS

Tom Hamblin
Jamie Reid
Dave Wilkinson
Sam Ellis
Ben Ashford

If we had a starting line up of those in red we'd be awesome. The probability is that the list above will be whittled down financial constraints, want aways and other acts of God. I'm sure there will be other names thrown into the equation as well

[Pablo]

People forget that Michael Noakes is/was an England Youth International and thinking that thats only 1 or 2 years ago, he is definetly a keeper too.

I thought he was a left back? :p

[Woody]

MUST HAVES

D - Lyndon Tompkins
D - Luke Buttery
D - Michael Noakes
M - Tom Webb
M - Marc Richards
M - Neil Mustoe
M - Chris Thompson
M - Alex Sykes
S - Jason Welsh

WOULD LIKE

D - Lee Smith
D - Daniel Hodnett
S - Michael Whittington

CHOICES

G - Ray Johnston / Kevin Sawyer (1)
S - Scott Griffin / Jody Bevan / Jimmy Cox (2)

SQUAD / FUTURE STARS

Tom Hamblin
Jamie Reid
Dave Wilkinson
Sam Ellis
Ben Ashford

If we had a starting line up of those in red we'd be awesome. The probability is that the list above will be whittled down financial constraints, want aways and other acts of God. I'm sure there will be other names thrown into the equation as well

Are you feeling alright Shandy? This is the most sensible post you have done in ages!

[MaxiJazz]

Lyndon is fantastic but very injury prone, Lee Jeffries could easily slot into the same position and also would carry more of an attacking threat.


You may have noticed that I am a Wilko fan and rather than see him go I would much rather we converted him to a full-back.With his height and tackling ability he would piss it.. One things for certain we don't want a fit Wilko playing against our lightweight midfield next season.

[darrenb]

I agree with Joe that we should have a look at Wilson - if he has got his head sorted he could be a really good addition to the squad.

Having a fit Jason Welsh all next season would also be fantastic news for the club.