The Squad List (2024/25 Edition)

[Boydy]

Anyone know who's responsible for finding loans for the youngsters now? Last season seemed quite successful in finding loans at a decentish level for the 1st year pros, now it's back to Supermarine, playing at far too low a level for them to really develop.

I'm not sure if we've ever even had anyone who went there and then went on to have a football league career, let alone one here.

[TheSwindonianManSTFC]

Anyone know who's responsible for finding loans for the youngsters now? Last season seemed quite successful in finding loans at a decentish level for the 1st year pros, now it's back to Supermarine, playing at far too low a level for them to really develop.

I'm not sure if we've ever even had anyone who went there and then went on to have a football league career, let alone one here.

Only one I can think of is Kayden Jackson who has gone on to Ipswich, Derby etc

[TheSwindonianManSTFC]

And my second point to that is Supermarine did get relegated last season so now in the 8th tier of the pyramid or step 4 of non league, is that a good breeding ground for our players to develop in?

[Boydy]

And my second point to that is Supermarine did get relegated last season so now in the 8th tier of the pyramid or step 4 of non league, is that a good breeding ground for our players to develop in?

That's my exact thoughts on it too. Not disparaging Supermarine at all but frankly any youngster that's possibly good enough to come through here really should be going to at least the level above them.

[Nemo]

I think for the second year scholars (Myers, Foye) it's a reasonable first move. For the actual pros you want them to be dominant at that level and move up.

Unusually early for the second years to go out though, can see why Myers as we have three keepers in the scholars group, but Foye is odd, a definite change of approach from the previous academy management who kept the group together until March or so.

[Boydy]

I must admit I do like them calling it a work experience loan for the 2 second years. Just conjures up images of the 2 of them in ill fitting suits looking lost and licking envelopes or other "busy work" in my mind.

[FreddySTFC!]

We say it's too low a level, yet Alston can't seem to get a start there at the moment. & he looked a great prospect last season.
Not sure whether that's a reflection of the individual or not though.

[Pericardinho]

Our depth is incredible now. When you think back to the Flynn season it's amazing to think this is the same regime. We barely had 14 professional players then.

With the exception of Ripley, Kilkenny and Palmer you can quite honestly make a case for every other position being up for grabs.

In the medium to long term, I think our strongest 11 ends up being:

GK: Ripley

RWB: Snowdon

RCB: Knight-Label
CB: Wright
LCB: Tafazolli

LWB: Munroe

RCM: Kilkenny
LCM: Oldaker

CAM: Nichols (Perhaps Bodin when he's fully up to speed, especially in games we expect to win)

ST: Palmer
ST: Drinan

[Nemo]

We are very committed to wing backs, but otherwise hard to have too many worries.

[Super Hans]

Undeniable the squad looks fantastic now.

With a manager that has been around forever and knows how to get us ticking as proven - there is no reason we shouldn't battling for one of those top 3 promotion places.

Aside from MK I don't see a better squad than ours in the division.

[Nemo]

Odds wise we're fourth favourites behind MK, Gills and Grimsby (presumably thanks to lots of United fans betting on them).

[iParadise]

Defence is looking very solid now. Do we think Knight-Label take Wilson-Brown's spot?

Tafazolli and wright are obviously certainties and then it's for Knight-Label, Wilson-Brown and Mabete to fight it out. Will we even see Delaney return?

Ive been very impressed with Mabete in the last two games.

[jayohaitchenn]

Mabete is undroppable in current form imo

[Super Hans]

Well there should be no need to play Clarke in defence any more - he should return to central midfield. I don't hate him in defence but it did make me slightly uneasy.

Interesting that Moreshead reckons Knight-Lebel may have been brought in as 'an option in holding midfield as well as the back three' so maybe the positional tinkering will continue!

Forget we still have Ball to come back in who is equally able to play midfield or centre half. STACKED!

[DV]

Our depth is incredible now. When you think back to the Flynn season it's amazing to think this is the same regime. We barely had 14 professional players then.

With the exception of Ripley, Kilkenny and Palmer you can quite honestly make a case for every other position being up for grabs.

In the medium to long term, I think our strongest 11 ends up being:

GK: Ripley

RWB: Snowdon

RCB: Knight-Label
CB: Wright
LCB: Tafazolli

LWB: Munroe

RCM: Kilkenny
LCM: Oldaker

CAM: Nichols (Perhaps Bodin when he's fully up to speed, especially in games we expect to win)

ST: Palmer
ST: Drinan

I see where you are coming from but no way is Wright our best central centre back. We’ve looked so much better with Mabete central & Wright right.

I also think Wilson-Brown deserves to keep his place.

Be interesting to see though - usually loan fees are set at x amount and y amount gets taken off per appearance hence an incentive to play them but I can’t for the life of me see how/where/when & most importantly why we would play Wilson-Brown, Knight-Label, Munroe & Murphy all at once? Who do you take out to fit them all in?