The squad

[sonicyouth]

Goalkeepers
Rhys Evans, Matt Bulman, Tom Heaton

Right-back
Steve Jenkins, Jack Smith, Patrick Collins, Kyle Lapham, Nicky Summerbee

Left-back
Andy Nicholas, Jack Smith, Nicky Nicolau

Centre-back
Sean O'Hanlon, Jerel Ifil, Patrick Collins, Charlie Comyn-Platt, Alan Reeves

Right-wing
Ricky Shakes, Christian Roberts, Nicky Summerbee

Left-wing
Nicky Nicolau, Andy Caton

Central midfield
Gareth Whalley, Stefani Miglioranzi, Michael Pook, Ben Wells, Nicky Summerbee, Colin Heath

Strikers
Rory Fallon, Jamie Cureton, Christian Roberts, Tony Thorpe, Ricky Shakes, Andy Caton, Colin Heath

Other than central midfield and left-wing, that looks like the squad provides plenty of cover for other positions whilst keeping costs down - which is what we need to do, right?

If we do sign Colin Heath then he's a waste of money and a loan player, we'd be better off trying to find a natural central midfielder just to provide cover than a striker who is capable of playing in midfield, even if he costs us nothing it's still one more loan used up that we may need later on in the season. Personally, unless Heath turns out to be hugely impressive I think he's going to be a total waste of our time.

Buzzer could theoretically provide cover in central midfield but I'd rather see him out on the wing. Richard Evans may be a decent signing if he's cheap as he can provide cover for the left wing, because if Nicolau gets injured we'll be more or less forced to abandon the 4-4-2 formation and therefore lose the benefits of width.

It's clear that we need a proper central midfielder but as it stands, the squad looks good and in my opinion King has done a good job of assembling a decent squad with enough cover with minimal finances.

[Luci]

Good Post - Looks a lot better when you put it like that!

[Ben Wah Balls]

Smith can also play left wing or central midfield and apparently Heath can also play on the right wing. So if we get these loanees all we could really do with is the strong experienced midfielder but I don't think we have enough left in the budget for that as they would be a hell of a lot more expensive than loanees.

Selling Roberts is an option, couple of years left on his contract, only cost £20k, I'd say he's worth that but we might not need him especially if he's throwing a strop about being played in the reserves but I think we should only sell if we get a decent offer for him, not long till the transfer window closes though. Not sure yet whether we should extend Summerbee's 10 day contract.

[sonicyouth]

Smith isn't left footed so in the interests of keeping the team balanced I'd be wary of playing him at left-wing. It's not so important at full-back because he won't be putting the crosses in, but your point is correct.

Just read about Heath as well, seems as if he can play right-wing as opposed to central midfield which just makes him even more unneccesary! If this is the case then I'd rather give Summerbee a month-to-month contract until the end of the season and review it as the season progresses, he has undoubted quality in areas that we lack - set pieces being the key - and we need experience, not youth.

As for Roberts, if he did leave we would still have plenty of cover and if it was him who threw a strop about playing in the reserves, then there's a good case for getting shot of him. I wasn't keen when he signed but his early performances for us changed my mind but those doubts are creeping back into my mind. There's not much chance of getting a fee for Roberts but it would mean we could free up a decent wage to bring in a central midfielder.

[I 8 Razor]

i'd rather get rid of one from curo, thorpe- they're the same sort of player.

[sonicyouth]

I'd agree with that as well but neither Thorpe or Cureton have really been given a chance whereas Roberts has had plenty and more often than not hasn't been upto it.

[McLovin]

He's rarely been played in his correct position though

[magicroundabout]

Thorpe and Cureton need more time as they have only had a few games.

As sonicyouth, said Roberts has had plenty of time to claim a starting role but doesn't seem interested at the moment.
He needs to follow Rory's example and work his socks off to gain a place and not let his head drop.

[sonicyouth]

Roberts simply isn't the character to get his head down and work for his place, it's pretty obvious just from his body language on the pitch that he's not that sort of bloke.

I like Roberts and I think he's a talented player who could offer us a lot - but he isn't.

[Ben Wah Balls]

I agree Thorpe and Cureton need more time. I don't know for sure it was Roberts but I wouldn't be at all surprised. Jim seems to think it's a fact, he has been right about things in the past....

Whoever it was though I think refusing to play in the reserves is a pretty shit attitude. I do like Roberts but I agree I don't think he's the type to battle for his place, I'd rather we didn't sell him on a free though, £20k or more and maybe.

[sonicyouth]

I don't care what jim says, I still think it's Thorpe anyway and for the record I wouldn't be surprised if it was Roberts either. Regardless, I still don't think Roberts is pulling his weight and if he was to leave, I honestly can't see us getting a fee for him - even a pitiful amount like £20k.

[BrightonRed]

As sonicyouth, said Roberts has had plenty of time to claim a starting role but doesn't seem interested at the moment.
He needs to follow Rory's example and work his socks off to gain a place and not let his head drop.

I don't think this is the case at all, on both occasions I've seen him play this season he's tried very hard, not everything went his way against Oldham - in fact he looked decidedly rusty, but his effort was there for everyone to see. For me he looked very sharp against Forest and if anything he deserves to start on Saturday.

[jim]

I don't care what jim says, I still think it's Thorpe anyway and for the record I wouldn't be surprised if it was Roberts either. Regardless, I still don't think Roberts is pulling his weight and if he was to leave, I honestly can't see us getting a fee for him - even a pitiful amount like £20k.

Please yourself - I know what I know.

I'll say to you what my old Dad often said to me....

"You're not often right, son, but you're wrong again"

[Dazzza]

Still not entirely happy with the centre-backs.  Young Comwyn-Platt may need a little longer before hitting the first team while Reeves can't be depended upon to last the course.

I'd like to take a gander at Collins in the middle when Jenkins re-claims his role at right back, which surely he must do this week.  Sheffield Wednesday have by the large all said he is by far better in the middle where he doesn’t have the temptation to roam quite as much and get pulled out of position.

To be fair there just isn’t much in that midfield holding role around at the moment.  Players with any sort of experience are few and far between and it only leaves you with the option of youngsters.  Unless King actually has someone in mind then he may as well fill the squad and use all of the resources he has at his disposal.  I suppose with loans the benefit always is that you can always get rid of them quick enough.

I’d say Summerbee, ridiculous contract demand aside provided he carries on as he’s started will end up earning a deal to the end of the season.  For what it’s worth I think he’ll do an absolute Stirling job if kept on and will end the season with the most assists in the side.    

If were talking of getting shot it’s far too early a call for me.  Roberts certainly has impressed but his form dropped largely due to injuries and personal problems.  There have been glimpses of that form again this season but it just needs to be coerced out of him.

Unless they hit form then I’d be more inclined to get rid of one of the ageing higher earners in Thorpe or Cureton.  Similar players and unless they can actually combine as a pair then I don’t see much point in retaining both on such a high wage long term.  I’d still like to see them start with Summerbee and Nicolau on the wings in a 4-4-2 before making my mind up though.

As mentioned whoever threw the hissy fit the other day won’t have done themselves any favours.

[sonicyouth]

I don't care what jim says, I still think it's Thorpe anyway and for the record I wouldn't be surprised if it was Roberts either. Regardless, I still don't think Roberts is pulling his weight and if he was to leave, I honestly can't see us getting a fee for him - even a pitiful amount like £20k.

Please yourself - I know what I know.

I'll say to you what my old Dad often said to me....

"You're not often right, son, but you're wrong again"

How exactly do you know then?