The Squad List (2024/25 Edition)

[iParadise]

Feel like Harrison is much better than chippenham, but I guess minutes are minutes at the end of the day

[TheSwindonianManSTFC]

It’s frustrating concerning Minturn, dropping two levels and playing against other semi-pro teams and I have the upmost respect for those teams but in pre-season we beat Chippenham 5-1 and there was a marked gap in quality between us and them. What makes it more frustrating is those that we have released e.g. Hubbard are now playing games in the national league and how can’t we get our youngsters moves to those clubs.

[theakston2k]

Feel like Harrison is much better than chippenham, but I guess minutes are minutes at the end of the day

I’m not sure he is to be honest. A lot of people seem to rate him for his last ditch challenges, but they were usually only necessary because of his poor positioning, which also led to plenty of mistakes. Add in the fact he’s barely played for a year and NLS is probably his level currently.

[Crozzer]

Ah ok cheers! My guess is Holloway already has someone lined up if that's the case but Delaney needs moving on first budget wise.

He's a bit wacky at times but fair enough the gaffer knows what he wants.

From what I can see, Delaney lacks the pace for the Town to maintain a high line, resulting in the Town being less compact.  Delaney's long diagonal passing is impressive as well as is ability to win  headers.  I suspect playing off the bench is not where he or the club want to be.  

[Quagmire]

I think sometimes we overhype players because they are ‘one of our own’

I have always felt like this is the case with Minturn, never been his biggest fan and would say NLS is probably his level. There’s a reason we couldn’t get him a loan any higher.

[Batch]

After his goal against Cardiff, a League One loan in January or recall for Princewill is only to be expected.  Surprised he is playing at this level TBH.

I guess it usually goes one of two ways:
 - Too good - scores loads and leaves in Jan
 - Rubbish. Never scores. Stays.

I suppose losing him in January would be a success.

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Re: Minturn. Don't think he's developed enough to be able to tell if he's good enough. The injuries have robbed him of the opportunity.

Staying local with Chippers may be two steps back to take three forwards later. Time will indeed tell.

[Jimmy Quinn]

I also think Hodgetts and BBC Wilts over hype how strong out bench is even when we’ve been shite over recent seasons.

[DV]

I think sometimes we overhype players because they are ‘one of our own’

I have always felt like this is the case with Minturn, never been his biggest fan and would say NLS is probably his level. There’s a reason we couldn’t get him a loan any higher.

I see what you’re saying but I don’t think anyone really rated Twine either. He hadn’t really shown anything for us outside of a good pre-season.

A decent game filled loan one step down made him.

It’s what Minturn has needed for about 3 years now. If he can’t get it now it’s probably too late…

[DV]

Also, it’s a sad indictment of football that after our season long loan player has scored ONE goal there is already talk of him being recalled in January.

1. That’s not a season long loan then is it?
2. Is that all it takes to move up a level now as a striker. One goal?

[Crozzer]

It was reported that Princewill was a loan target for several League One clubs before signing for the Town.  His brother scored a similar goal for Reading this week in the same competition.  I would conjecture that location had a lot to do with his signing.  I would hazard a guess that after January having played with the physicality of League Two, he would be ready for Southampton's bench in the Championship.  If not, he would be ready for League One starting as a further loan.  I think that Sam is being no more than realistic.  

Yes, in this instance, one goal and a near miss showed he has the ability to run straight through the middle of a League One defence beating them with ball control and pace. I expect the lights are already burning late into the night at League Two clubs trying to find a way to stop him. As Holloway stated, he was surprised he was able to sign him.  It was the nature of the goal against a decent defence that was so shocking in a good way.

[Nemo]

Of course it's realistic, and it's literally what we're hoping happens with all our loans out, just an amusing sign of where football is now that one goal in we're talking about moving up a level.

[Jimmy Quinn]

And something Holloway had previously said he wasn’t keen on.

[Crozzer]

Staying local with Chippers may be two steps back to take three forwards later. Time will indeed tell.

I like the paraphrased Marxist - Leninist reference, who knew that this forum could be so Araldite.

[Audrey]

Holloway pointed out how Walsall fell away after their loan striker was recalled last January and has now done the exact same thing with the exact same risk.

Anyway, if it gets us away from hoofing to Harry I’m all for it.

[OOH! SHAUN TAYLOR]

Also, it’s a sad indictment of football that after our season long loan player has scored ONE goal there is already talk of him being recalled in January.

1. That’s not a season long loan then is it?
2. Is that all it takes to move up a level now as a striker. One goal?

Indeed it is not. The 'season long loan' is a myth which was vividly illustrated in the Garner season when we lost KKH, Crichlow and Simpson half way through the season when they had all become mainstays of the first team.

The parent club should of course be able to retain control of the player and have the right to recall them if they see fit but not to loan them out to another club at a higher level, that doesn't seem fair when a 'season long loan' is what has been agreed. Alternatively, just cut the BS and start calling it what it is...a 4 month loan.

It must be relatively rare for season long loans to actually last a full season i.e. the player is good enough for the loanee's club to want to retain the player and for the parent club to not want him back, Joel Cotterill being a notable example.