STFC Transfer Rumours

[Audrey]

I’d have McGregor ahead of Randall. Young lad with loads of improvement in him.

[Peter Venkman]

I’d have McGregor ahead of Randall. Young lad with loads of improvement in him.

I would too but MacGregor is predominantly a right footer and Randall a left footer so not the same position.

[Nemo]

Sam M in the Ink (his last column for them, so I don't feel bad repeating it outside their paywall!) says there's definitely interest in Bostock, the club aren't actively looking for another striker and Delaney is expected to miss the start of the season.

[Peter Venkman]

Sam M in the Ink (his last column for them, so I don't feel bad repeating it outside their paywall!) says there's definitely interest in Bostock, the club aren't actively looking for another striker and Delaney is expected to miss the start of the season.

I understand a contract has been offered to Bostock but yet to be agreed upon.

[Riddick]

With Sam suggesting they don't want another Striker, and they are happy with central defenders (neither of which i agree with), coupled with the calibre of back up gk in question, its very very hard to believe this squad has an increased budget to last seasons honestly. I'm quite underwhelmed at the moment.

Not so say our business has been bad. As i said earlier, we are a Kemp away from a very decent starting 11 (when they are all fit). But the squad options seem to leave a lot to be desired.

[Jimmy Quinn]

With Sam suggesting they don't want another Striker, and they are happy with central defenders (neither of which i agree with), coupled with the calibre of back up gk in question, its very very hard to believe this squad has an increased budget to last seasons honestly. I'm quite underwhelmed at the moment.

Not so say our business has been bad. As i said earlier, we are a Kemp away from a very decent starting 11 (when they are all fit). But the squad options seem to leave a lot to be desired.

Any idea how the strength of our squad compares to other league 2 teams who are expected to challenge for promotion?

[RobertT]

I was waiting for someone else to post about the squad vs budget.  My distance means I worry I have a clouded view, but from over here it doesn't look like a SQUAD put together with a promotion chasing budget in mind.  The first team players do seem to be a different type, with more on their CV to suggest they should be competent at this level, so that does seem to be an improvement (not that I have the slightest what any of them are like!).  But the bench worries me.  Business may have been done sooner, which will also help with bedding the team in, but it looks a bit too much like last season.  Good starting eleven, scraping a barrel a bit after that, and then it only takes injuries, suspensions and the grind of a season to sap some form from the starters, before you begin to drift.

[Riddick]

Any idea how the strength of our squad compares to other league 2 teams who are expected to challenge for promotion?

Not really. But i have a Gills supporting mate and they have recruited 4 or 5 very decent players. Players of a good age with very good goals/assists in the last season or two. On top of what they had last season.

I assume our first eleven is currently

Bycroft
Sobowale
Longelo
Wright
Hall
Delaney
Ofoborh
Cain
Clarke
Smith
Glatzel

So our back up options are

Drinan
Minturn
Johnson
McGurk
Khan (maybe not)
McGregor
Uwakwe

And then the youths...

Not pressing the panic button yet, but that squad is a long way short. 4 or 5 players who can step into the first team are needed (and an improvement for Cain), because the moment we have 2 or 3 out, that team is going to start looking ropey.

[Nemo]

I can believe it's higher in the sense of like, by whatever footballer salary inflation is. But it's not a step change from previously by the looks of it.

[UTR]

We’re still in the “decent first 11-14 but in trouble beyond that” right now so if we’re 1 in 1 out already then I’m quite unimpressed

[Quagmire]

We are miles off having a competitive squad in my opinion. There is also no way the budget has been increased when you look at the players gone and who’s come in.

Charlie Austin
FBT
RHM
UGM (For a fee)
Ricky Aguiar (For a fee)
Williams Kokolo
Conor Brann
Tom Brewitt
Tom Clayton
Reece Devine
Brooklyn Genesini
George McEachran
Tyrese Shade
Tomi Adeloye

All of the above have either been released, sold or had their contract torn up.

So far we have brought in 8 players off the top of my head, there is no way our budget has ‘significantly’ increased as we have been told.

[Nemo]

In we've had Wright, Delaney, Hall, Longelo, Sobowale, Clarke and Smith as seven senior players earning decent wages, then Mitchell who you'd assume is a cheaper project player, plus four first year pro contracts (not much but will add up) plus new (potentially improved) deals for Minturn, Ofoborh and McGurk.

I wouldn't be surprised if that roughly balances out, particularly if you add in Bostock.

[RobertT]

In we've had Wright, Delaney, Hall, Longelo, Sobowale, Clarke and Smith as seven senior players earning decent wages, then Mitchell who you'd assume is a cheaper project player, plus four first year pro contracts (not much but will add up) plus new (potentially improved) deals for Minturn, Ofoborh and McGurk.

I wouldn't be surprised if that roughly balances out, particularly if you add in Bostock.

We also lost a couple of loan players at the end of the season and, I assume, a GK, Ward?

I can well imagine the total salary impact being in the same ballpark as what we have brought in, but certainly not a higher total budget being spent, not yet.  Still time of course, but if I had to judge our squad and season today, it would be one of entering a season with a bit of worry again.  Lets not forget that parity with last season is abject failure!

[UTR]

Quote this for the end of the season when they’ve shipped goals.

But I’m quite jealous of the new back 3 Franchise have put together in Sherring, Offord and Maguire. All decent age and potential to move up a division with them.

I like our CB signings but Hall won’t play a whole season and Delaney’s on track to miss the start of the season so you’re looking at Minturn and Johnson hopefully stepping up.

[Riddick]

I'm not dooming just yet, still 3 weeks before the season, and 5-6 weeks before transfer window closes.

So fingers crossed we are in a better position in the coming weeks, but this is not a top 7 squad currently.