SUFC: The Future Next season

[Bazza the dog]

That's not what you said - you implied for the richer members of COSU to put more cash in.

The play off money is already in SUFC. I don't know, but I suspect COSU will put at least a portion of it into the playing budget. I think someone mentioned playoffs were worth around £500k (not sure where that figure came from) - to put that into perspective that's probably not even the equivalent of Harry Caldwell for 2 seasons after you factor in employer costs (I think the rumour was £4k per week salary).

Yes, if we are to get out of this league then I do believe they will need to spend a new quid, especially when Carlisle/ FGR are already putting strong teams together because I don't believe the current model of buying from the lower leagues and selling to rivals will get us anywhere.

 

[Somerset Ex-TTB]

Last 23 games of the season after our little shopping spree in the January sales, we picked up 41 points. So you could argue that even with the current squad we should be pushing 80 points over the course of next season. (Yes I know the quality improves etc. but does show we aren't as far off as you think when looking at this season as a whole)

We need 2 Centre Backs, a LWB to compete with Bridge, which will allow LCP to play more the attacking mid role, maybe a winger that can play left and right, and only Arsenal in the professional game need a number 9 more than we do.

Collin should be the #1 with Hayes as back up. That is more than adequate. I think Coker will come on a lot next season, and maybe we should be looking at a replacement for one of Miley/Husin, but that's a nice to have not an essential.

 

[Sufc_tom16]

Last 23 games of the season after our little shopping spree in the January sales, we picked up 41 points. So you could argue that even with the current squad we should be pushing 80 points over the course of next season. (Yes I know the quality improves etc. but does show we aren't as far off as you think when looking at this season as a whole)

We need 2 Centre Backs, a LWB to compete with Bridge, which will allow LCP to play more the attacking mid role, maybe a winger that can play left and right, and only Arsenal in the professional game need a number 9 more than we do.

Collin should be the #1 with Hayes as back up. That is more than adequate. I think Coker will come on a lot next season, and maybe we should be looking at a replacement for one of Miley/Husin, but that's a nice to have not an essential.

Agree with Coker, I thought he was brilliant when he came on yesterday.

 

[smudgster]

I do not think there is too much wrong with the squad. Certainly since xmas we had subs that could actually turn games around, cannot remember that for a very long time. Sure we need an ace striker, but doesn't every team ?

Thought we got bullied a bit yesterday so a big centre back would be handy. Having Cav booked so early did not help after a stupid tackle so early, affected his performance as he had to be carful for the rest of the game.

I always used to say to my sons every good team has a good ginger haired player in midfield, who got stuck in and upset the opposition. I would like to see someone like that. A leader on the pitch who frightens our players as well as theirs. a proper skipper.

 

[Roger The Alien]

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.

Pass it on to the club

 

[Fairport]

I always think you need three strengths to be successful. 1. 100 per cent workrate. 2. Be well organised. 3. A decent amount of skill and quality.
We are fine on the first two but we ideally need 4 or 5 better quality players especially strikers, a wide player who can also score goals , another attacking midfielder and another keeper who can compete with Collin for the number one spot. Hopefully also sign Goodliffe.

 

[Scamps]

Who’s still got another year on there contract?
Like crowny said at Liverpool st we need strikers who can score.!

 

[Chairman Trigg]

A present day Barrett, McCormack,and Eastwood is all we need !

 

[bluethroughandthrough]

We have a squad that, by some miracle, got us not just into the playoffs, but to the play off final, and you want to effectively dismantle that and start again? (They did that on the strength of the 2nd half of the season, not the first half.) That's not to say change isn't needed, but surely the better approach would be incremental change for continuity's sake? I think some players will leave, or be told their contracts won't be renewed, but in my opinion wholesale change will be taking 2 steps back.

I've no idea what the best approach is.
You might be right.
Players I've added as remove perhaps 2-3 can be squad players? Maybe bridge coker Kendall ?
If budget is tight is it not better to get the best players we can for the role Maher wants them to play? I'm not sure we have squad players luxury
My point is more that the "let go" list I don't think are going to make a difference to promotion.
Whether we do or not is a different matter!
I am merely an opinionated armchair fan!

 

[WhiteNoise]

I don't think there has to be a massive rebuild. I genuinely think we could add maybe 3 players to our current squad and that would be good enough to fight for the top spot. I think our points tally is reflective of the fact that we've had to build this squad throughout the season.

I think that League clubs will come knocking on the door for some of our better players, so the question is if and how we keep them (Taylor, GSM, Nour). If we can keep this squad together then perhaps we're just looking at an upgrade on Goodliffe and a quality striker.

Hayes as got better as the season has gone on, and I think he's good enough at this level. Hopper is very helpful but not prolific. He's someone I'd want in the squad even if not starting. I think there's more to come from Kendall. Walker has a role as a 5th choice striker, as he showed yesterday (even if he gave the ball away cheaply for Oldham's equaliser). If we're playing 2 up front next season then we need 5 strikers in total, and a true number 9 is what we're lacking. Someone with the ability to do a bit of everything.

Goodliffe seems like a great personality but is better in the oppositions box than in ours, so we'd probably want to try and bring back Golding or someone else to be the anchor in our defence.

Finally, we need a left-sided full/wing-back. Someone who can provide natural width and is both good on and off the ball. I think Bridge is struggling after a long season but I wouldn't write him off as finished.

Miley, Nour, Morton, KAF, Leon, and Coker - all provides a good range of options from CDM to 10 across the middle of the park.

If we're being greedy - then looking for a couple of youngsters to provide an option on the wings would maybe be sensible, just to give us a bit of a threat from wide when we're chasing games.

 

[Joolz]

Strikers who score goals.

We don't necessarily need that elusive 20 a season player (although it would be nice) - 8 or 9 would be a start.

 

[Shrimper]

Who’s still got another year on there contract?
Like crowny said at Liverpool st we need strikers who can score.!

Most of the squad are under contract until 2026

 

[Rob1920]

I don’t see the need for a big clear out. We’re close to being a very good side at this level. Definitely need a decent keeper, CB and CF, I don’t think Hayes, Bonne or Walker are league winners. And will we keep GSM or cash in? I do think we need one or two experienced big lumps brought in. We looked a bit lightweight against the likes of Norwood, Fondup & Monthe. Some tweaking needed for sure but there’s a very decent core there. Whatever happens, our aim from game 1 has to be to win the league, with the playoffs an absolute minimum.

 

[Supershrimper]

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.

Was their player of the year. Can't see him coming down to National League. I see him joining Orient

 

[TJC]

Most have contracts until next summer which is a shame as will make it harder to move some of them on for us to replace with better.

Agree with this. We don't have too much wriggle room, but some difficult decisions need to be made with those that are up to free up space to bring in improvements. Of those up, I think we have to let Bonne go. He does bring something to the side, but sadly need that space to improve. Waldron has pretty much gone anyway. Shame it didn't work out.
I'd like to keep Bridge personally but if we need spaces to recruit and improve the squad, then thats what has to be done. Ralph has to be offered a new deal imo.

There are a few I'd like to release as I think we could improve upon:

• Gubbins
• Walker
• Hopper
• Crowther
• Coker - on the fence on this one

Its likely that most of these will be staying so just have to get the most out of them. None are terrible, but just can be improved on IMO.

This might get a bit of a backlash but I think if contracts didn't stop us, I'd ship out Colin and Hayes and start again in goal.

There is room for improvement in centre mid but we can get by with what we have if need to. With Parillion and Forson we have some real flair. Both Cav and Noor on their day are decent but we do seem to go AWOL in centre mid at times and can't put my finger on why.

Centre back needs improving, so with Goodliffe and Golding likely to return after loans we do need to bring in some bodies here. Option to keep either or both? Maybe if we get the option.

Others that are likely to free up space that I'd rather not see go are Gus, Parillion and Forson. I think these are going to be getting a fair bit of attention from elsewhere.

I wouldn't want to get rid of all of these, just areas I feel we could improve on, but without the cost of releasing, our options are limited and we clearly have a capable side that with a few tweaks can be pushing.

What ever happens, we have a proper summer to sort it all out for once. I'm sure we will be stronger next year without splugging big £££

 

[Napster]

I don’t think Hayes, Bonne or Walker are league winners.

Bonne won the National League with Orient in 18/19

 

[SuperRonnieP]

Strikers who score goals.

We don't necessarily need that elusive 20 a season player (although it would be nice) - 8 or 9 would be a start.

Kendall is the only of the current crop I'd back to get into double figures.

 

[danbowen]

Can we announce a signing to cheer us all up please!

 

[Russ.K]

Any date on season ticket announcements?

 

[Holy Joe]

Yes, if we are to get out of this league then I do believe they will need to spend a new quid, especially when Carlisle/ FGR are already putting strong teams together because I don't believe the current model of buying from the lower leagues and selling to rivals will get us anywhere.

I suspect you're correct. I'd add Yeovil to your list - just been bought by a rich middle eastern fella.

We've shown we can be competitive last couple of seasons. Be interesting to know how far we are away from say Barnet, York, Oldham and FGR in budget terms. Is it a few hundred k or millions?