SUFC: The Future Next season

[Target man]

I still can’t bring myself to watch it back!

It was cruel for sure .... football has a habit of kicking you in the guts!

 

[Yorkshire Blue]

It's so clear you need to explain that one to me please

For whatever reason Maher doesn’t seem to rate Collin. Has dropped him numerous times for inferior players eg Jeacock and most damningly of all Blondie

Now that it’s done, let’s shake Bonne & Goodliffe’s hand and wish them all the best. Do our best to tie Keenan and Leon down to new terms as I suspect league clubs will come in for both if not this summer at least in Jan. A top proven Goalscorer of Norwood/Pearce level finisher is essential and an aerially dominant centre half a must. Wouldn’t be against cashing in on Gus either as the goals have and will continue to dry up and he’s at peak age. Get it right this summer and the league is there for the taking imo

Hard to find much wrong with this analysis although I think too much store is placed on “proven” goalscorers. Concentrate instead on getting forwards approaching their prime. Put good ascending players in good situations and they become goalscorers.

Joseph Oluwa has turned down a deal with Rovers, moved back to Peckham to be involved with his church. He is a quality CB, dominates his area and has pace. He is on a free, from what I understand money and league are unimportant to him. He would be a big coup for Southend. I hope the right people at the club know of his availability.

What’s he like on the ball? Can he play out from the back? What’s his range of passing?

Am I right in thinking the only players not still under contract are:

Bonne
Ralph
Wood
Waldron
Plus Goodliffe on loan?

Doesn’t give us much room for manoeuvre.

Golding’s loan as well.

I presume Ralph will re-sign as that makes sense for both sides.

So if we keep the same wage structure we have room for two new defenders: one ball-playing and one aerially dominant. I don’t want to overreact to the last few games but we conceded eight goals in three games during the playoffs and almost every time we conceded it seemed Goodliffe got beaten: Rodney turned him for Rochdale’s first, he got beaten in the air for Dale’s second; Inniss beat him for Forest Green’s first; he conceded the penalty for Oldham’s first; he got beaten in the air for their second; and seemed to score an own goal for their third. Think he got beaten by Fondop for that chance he out just wide as well. Now I’m not saying he’s solely at fault but we need someone who can deal with the physical players and he couldn’t deal with Fondop or Norwell (or Inniss).

Two new forwards: use Bonne’s wages on a goal scorer as that’s not Bonne and Waldron’s wage on a back-up.

Wood’s salary goes on a young attacking player, probably a LWB.

That doesn’t seem too far off. Maybe we look to move on Miley and Crowther as well?

 

[bluethroughandthrough]

I would keep Goodliffe, the rest I agree with you. Perhaps covert Hopper to CB as he is under contract.

I like GoodLife but I feel he's nearing end of career rather than improving. I felt he was caught out for pace and positioning on several occasions in the final which led to goals or goal chances. If his power detoriates that's only going to get worse.

 

[RobB11]

Absolutely this. I feel like Coker is seriously underrated by many because he’s not all action. He’s absolutely not someone I’d be even close to wanting to offload in the summer. At the very minimum he’s an excellent squad player at this level and still has room to grow.

Interestingly I said the same about Walker’s shot after watching the highlights back when I got home. Walker had done so much good work up to that point and part of me doesn’t blame him for wanting to have a pop at what would’ve been an incredible Wembley goal. But the pass was the better option.

But if Walker had any class or potency as a striker he would have slotted it calmly into the corner, he had so much net to aim at. Woeful effort and sums up his spell with us. I blame no player for yesterdays result AT ALL we fell short, we move on. We’re just desperate for a couple of more clinical strikers.

 

[RobB11]

I like GoodLife but I feel he's nearing end of career rather than improving. I felt he was caught out for pace and positioning on several occasions in the final which led to goals or goal chances. If his power detoriates that's only going to get worse.

He’s 25?

 

[ThorpeBayShrimper]

I like GoodLife but I feel he's nearing end of career rather than improving. I felt he was caught out for pace and positioning on several occasions in the final which led to goals or goal chances. If his power detoriates that's only going to get worse.

Me too, a comedy classic. But who was your favourite? Barbara, Tom, Margo or Jerry?

 

[WestyReturns]

You can't say we have a huge opportunity to win the league when we finished 7th miles off of both York and FGR's when we know they will spend big and we know that we won't. We can try and compete, and we will, but I don't think fans honestly realise how hard it is to go and actually win the league.

Nowhere near as hard as winning LG1 competing against Notts Forest instead of Forest Green. The question is why shouldn't we be competing at the top? The aim has to be to win the league. I really hope that's what our players and management has the mentality for next season.

 

[Leigh_Seasider]

Nowhere near as hard as winning LG1 competing against Notts Forest instead of Forest Green. The question is why shouldn't we be competing at the top? The aim has to be to win the league. I really hope that's what our players and management has the mentality for next season.

I think regardless of who we sign or what the expectations are, our group of players will be determined to get promotion and they will hopefully believe it’s possible. We’ve been here long enough to know what the league is about. Why shouldn’t we go for it. COSU will be endorsing that thinking, season tickets to sell after all .

There are a few positions we need upgrades on for sure, as much as our current squad helped our cause and won our hearts we can’t be sentimental. We absolutely need 4/5 in to get near Barnet/York level and gain 20-25 points. If we’re shrewd and early enough ……we already know our fans will back us up and down the country.

 

[thenobster]

Getting so close to winning and ultimately losing could have a bigger detrimental effect on the players and management. We could end up mid table. No Devine right for promotion unfortunately. Definitely going to need a huge motivational speech from Kev and the boys.

 

[Leigh_Seasider]

Getting so close to winning and ultimately losing could have a bigger detrimental effect on the players and management. We could end up mid table. No Devine right for promotion unfortunately. Definitely going to need a huge motivational speech from Kev and the boys.

Hence crucial we get the right players in, with the right mentality to help the group. Of course we’ve no right to anything and it’ll be tough as it has been every year we’ve been here. But Kev won’t be thinking mid table.

I can only see the likes of Keenan, Leon, Harry Taylor (if we keep him), Coker, Kendall stepping up and wanting more, having had a taste. We’ve got great experience with Bridge, Hopper, Ralph. Imagine adding 4/5 real quality players. A goal scorer, someone who can whip crosses in. Golding back, or similar. There’ll hopefully be a buzz and excitement come kick off.

 

[Target man]

Getting so close to winning and ultimately losing could have a bigger detrimental effect on the players and management. We could end up mid table.

...... or, it could spur them on and motivate them. The group seemed very resolute and determined on Sunday evening.

 

[henry18]

Will Jääskeläinen from Woking would be a good option for GK

 

[Callum]

Kev and co will get the right players hopefully we can compete for top 3 come on you blues

 

[Colchester and proud!]

I like GoodLife but I feel he's nearing end of career rather than improving. I felt he was caught out for pace and positioning on several occasions in the final which led to goals or goal chances. If his power detoriates that's only going to get worse.

Ben is only 25 (26 shortly) so is a long way from the end of his career, his speed has been affected by the serious injuries he sustained earlier in his career, he is prone to the odd mistake but that is to be expected in most league two/National league defenders. I think his plus points outweigh the negatives, but it would be wise to play him alongside a central defender with pace. It will be interesting to see if he comes to you, goes elsewhere or comes back to us next season.

 

[SeldomSeenShrimper]

On a more positive note

We are entering the first ever summer transfer window under COSU

It's going to be completely new!

Lots will be going on off of the pitch but please consider that that is a completely new regime, so don't compare to previous season timelines

I'm almost positive that decisions behind the scenes regarding the bigger picture with the club will take priority and signings will go through there usual process (Which takes a while)

Patience will be key, but I'm excited

 

[CaptainSmudger]

We need

A solid goalie. Hayes to depart. Colin as back up
A younger faster smarter central defender or 2 eg Golding
Back up for Ralph / Taylor if current squad members don't stay ie crowther gubbins
1-2 left wingers aka Gus style
1-2 central mid / attack mid
3 forwards - 2 big guys and a pacy skillful striker

Ie almost a like for like remove and add / improve

Ideal world :

To go 12
Bridge
Goodlife
Hayes
Miley
Coker
Hopper
Kendall
Bonne
Crowther
Gubbins
Wood
Waldron

Keep 9
Colin
Taylor
Ralph
Husin
Gus
Wind
Parillion
Morton
Appiah forson

And keep kids

Agree with all of this but would keep Kendall.We need to walk this league with quality replacements. COYB,UTB

 

[CaptainSmudger]

COSU have said we want to get back in EFL.
The quickest way is to put their hands in their long pockets and get spending on a team of winners. Once promoted they will be able to recover their investment sooner rather than later.

 

[Holy Joe]

COSU have said we want to get back in EFL.
The quickest way is to put their hands in their long pockets and get spending on a team of winners. Once promoted they will be able to recover their investment sooner rather than later.

Any evidence that L2 teams are more profitable than NL?

 

[danbowen]

Any evidence that L2 teams are more profitable than NL?

Thats not the point they are making. I think getting to league 2 gives you around £1m extra per year than being in the national league. Plus on top of that you can likely get better sponsorship deals etc too, academy funding etc.

 

[Holy Joe]

Thats not the point they are making. I think getting to league 2 gives you around £1m extra per year than being in the national league. Plus on top of that you can likely get better sponsorship deals etc too, academy funding etc.

I agree revenue will increase - but that's not profit and will not, alone, lead to an return on investment.