.....I thought Hart was superb and he’s a loanee. If we had eleven like him we might be ok. Need a proper keeper, not a boy or a poser. A brand new midfield....obviously keep Yearwood who can’t get a game. Kiernan looks decent and can only get better. Kightly is an embarrassment and should be on McDonald’s wages rather than relieving us of thousands every week. Coxy deserves better. This lot will struggle to muster enough energy to get another point and 8/13 is a steal to go down....should be 1/6 and Wycombe were by far the best team out there.
Almost spot on, the only quibble being the keeper.
Am away for the weekend so watched on iFollow. Wycombe were by far the most committed and deserved to win. Mantom looked better without the captaincy, but the midfield was absent. I remember a midfield in the mid 1980's that was pretty rubbish but this one takes the biscuit. Appalling.
So much has been said about the game on this thread already, I'm not going to repeat it. It's just too depressing. Instead I'm thinking about what can happen from now - not necessarily this season but maybe for next and the future. Let's remember; professional footballers cannot be rubbish at the game; there are too many selection processes to go through. However, they can play rubbish. It's just a question of getting the right blend.
Let's look at the squad -
Keepers
Oxley - This guy was our POTY last season. We know what he can do. We also know his failings, but any L1 or L2 team is going to get a keeper with flaws. We could get far, far worse. In any event, unless someone buys him, he's here for next season.
Bishop - Has been thrown in too early. But he is in the England set up and must have something about him. In 2 or 3 seasons time he could be similar to Bentley.
Smith - Injury has really hampered a very promising career for Ted. I have no idea whether he will be able to get back on track but I think his contract is up. What to do? We have invested so much into him it seems stupid to let him go. But he is behind the other 2 and we don't need 3 keepers like that. But an injury free Ted Smith would be perfectly adequate for our level of football. Whoever is in charge at the end of the season has a tricky decision in this area.
Defenders
White - one of our most committed and the longest serving player. Hasn't been used as a full back for some time and I think has probably reached the end of the road.
Coker - Contract expires before his recovery from injury and I doubt we will see him again. It all started to go downhill when he got injured as we had no replacement.
Demetriou - He has his faults but is an international player. Gave us a better balance yesterday before the injury and really has been missed. He'll be solid.
Kiernan - He is a quality defender. Get him in the middle at the back alongside a tall, dominant player and we will be fine.
Turner - Too old, contract up at the end of the season. Bye and thanks.
Lennon - Hasn't played enough really but looks decent. My concern is over the number of penalties he may give away as he doesn't seem to know when not to challenge in the box.
Kyprianou - Another long term injury. As much as I want our own to come through the ranks, I was never quite sure about Harry. Undecided.
Bwomono - Again, one who has come in too soon. Not sure he is either ready or fully up to League football. Another season or two should decide. Did well enough yesterday when he came on, mind.
Hendrie - Had forgotten he was still here. We won't be renewing his option, of that I'm sure. Massive disappointment.
Hart and Moore are loanees and will go back. I wouldn't keep either - a new broom sweeps clean and all that - but I doubt either would want to stay in a relegated team.
So for next year, we have Demi, Lennon, Kiernan, Kyp and Elvis as a base. We need a decent left back and cover, plus 2 tall centre backs.
Midfield
Where to start?
Kightly - Has there ever been a player who was once a favourite and who everyone wanted to see come back and perform screw it up so badly? He is here for another year, stealing a living.
McLaughlin - Another one who has the talent but not always the desire. We have him for another season as well.
Mantom - Take the captaincy off him, have him as a ball winner and he's ok. But I doubt he's happy here and he certainly plays like he's terrified.
Dieng - Typical sulking French footballer. Has obvious class that rarely gets used.
Hyam - Mantom in someone else's body, usually an injured one.
Please note - these are the problem players in our problem area. I'd be shot of them all except that they are all under contract for another year, so I doubt will be going anywhere.
As for the rest -
Yearwood - A bright hope if he can recover last season's form.
Klass - Not up to a starting place in my opinion but could be a decent squad member.
Barratt - So unlucky, was a real prospect. No idea if we will take out our option on him for another season. I'd like to, but somehow suspect we won't.
Batlokwa - Hasn't featured, I suspect will be allowed to leave.
Hutchinson - Not sure he is the answer. Not sure we will renew his option either.
Gard - Apparently a real prospect before his injury. See Barratt.
Bunn will go back as he's on loan. I suspect finances will dictate that. I don't expect the other kids to feature.
This area is a real problem for us because we are pretty much stuck with what we have unless we can sell a player or two. The midfield blend is all wrong.
Forwards -
Cox - we have already taken out the option for next year on him. This year's POTY by a distance.
Hopper - Will he come back well after his injury? Let's hope so because our season went down the pan when he got injured.
Humphrys - A decent striker that gives hope for the future.
Robinson - Yes, he's still our player for another season. Will Swindon buy him? If not, back he comes.
Ba - Who? Has sheepishly disappeared. No idea where he is, who he plays for and I doubt we will take up the option on him.
Kelman - Exploded onto the scene in a cameo that gave every home supporter a bit of hope. Must be given a chance.
Acquah - Has come in way too soon but was thrown in when Hump was injured because he was the only fit forward at the club over 5'8". Nowhere near league football standard in my opinion.
Wabo - If he hasn't shown enough to have a chance in this injury hit shower, there's no prospect for him really. But there's presumably no harm in taking up the option.
It's actually this area that I wouldn't make many changes too. These forwards are perfectly good enough for L1 and if Theo comes back, well, so be it.
This will leave us with Cox, Hopper, Humphrys, Kelman, Wabo and possibly Robinson.
All in all, if the midfield can be sorted, then things may not be too bad. However, I think next year we could be in for some real testing times.