SUFC: The Future Next season

[kentblues]

I think Kev has got more out of this team than the sum of its parts. Which is why to date bids from the EFL for individual players have, it would appear, been non-existent or very limited.

We, therefore, also continue to lack real quality in certain areas. We want a a team where we are turning down EFL bids for at least 3 or 4..

Now the shackles are off for recruitment, and hopefully with more investment in the team, our realistic focus needs be on competing for automatic promotion rather than the playoffs. The playoffs should be the consolation prize.

Probably means 5 or 6 incoming ideally- how we get there and where we strengthen will be very interesting to see…

 

[Napster]

Saidou Khan's available, we looked at him before.

 

[Rob1920]

Bonne won the National League with Orient in 18/19

That was 6 years ago. I mean now. I like his attitude but he’s too inconsistent and doesn’t score enough for a striker. Apart from his involvement in the build up to Leon’s goal he was a painful watch yesterday, when we really needed him to be on it. His best days are behind him sadly. Maybe keep as a squad player for his experience but he’s not a starter for me.

 

[Austin the Shrimper]

Can we resign Cardwell from Forest Green? Hasn’t worked out for him there so far. Think we could win the league with him up top and new GK and CB.

 

[hlane17]

Can we resign Cardwell from Forest Green? Hasn’t worked out for him there so far. Think we could win the league with him up top and new GK and CB.

No thanks, we need to move forward, new players not past players IMO

 

[BEERMONSTER]

The message was clear from Justin, Ian, Tom and Dave Kreyling last night.

We're naturally disappointed after yesterday, but it's the beginning not the end. We've come a long way and did brilliantly to get there, just missing out. But we will go again next season and the work has already started towards that. Keep believing and getting behind the boys.

Can't help but mull over the thought that one outcome from our surprise late run into play off contention and subsequent missing out might influence COSU's collective mindset around the recruitment budget, maybe coming that close that we could almost touch it so to speak, may lend itself to some adjusted figures in other areas of the financial control spreadsheet for next season? What do you reckon?

 

[loz]

concern is that the amount of movement we get this summer will dissappoint some - as previous posters have pointed out a lot of the current squad are under contract for next year and it won't be straightforward moving people on.

with that in mind: i think we can assume Wood and Waldron are off. Bonne i would probably not retain - not that he's neccesarily inferior to the other strikers on our books but because he's the easiest to get rid off. Hopper i would hope wouldn't be starting regularly next year so we ideally need another striker with a similar profile to Cardwell - good in the air, mobile, able to press and have a decent shot of around 15-20 goals. Hopper should be coming on late to hold the ball up, win fouls and help us close out games.

midfield i think it's a question of whether we can upgrade - i agree we need at least competition for Bridge, and i'd be offering Miley the chance to seek more playing time elsewhere in the hope of making room for a physical, mobile #6. We need more goals for the midfield but i'm optimistic those can come from a combo of LCP, KAF and Coker, i doubt it will be an area we prioritise given the current make up of the squad.

defence we need two centre halves, if one could be Golding that would be fantastic business but i'm not optimistic. I think we need to also consider how we use Gus and whether there are games/scenarios where Wind might be a better option - when we've played more of a back 4, we nullify Gus's attacking threat a bit and expose his defending (notwithstanding that he still provides moments of real quality).

GK would be great to see an upgrade or a high quality loanee - otherwise I'd hope Collin is fit to start as #1.

 

[Napster]

I wonder if we're looking at George Alexander at Eastbourne. Scored 24 last season but they missed out on promotion.

 

[fredheim_holm]

I wonder if we're looking at George Alexander at Eastbourne. Scored 24 last season but they missed out on promotion.

Knowing nothing about NLS I did a quick search on top scorers and noticed him too. 23 years old, scored 24 in 38 supposedly.

That said Matt Rush scored 18 in 29 which is basically the same strike ratio, so unless he's improved considerably might show that it's tricky to pick the next Ollie Pearce based on stats alone.

 

[Shrimpergonzo]

I wonder if we're looking at George Alexander at Eastbourne. Scored 24 last season but they missed out on promotion.

Gary Alexander's son (former Orient, among others), and used to play for Chelmsford so possibly has some roots in this area.

 

[amsemp]

Not keen on Leon at LWB, think signing a proper LWB should be a priority, with Leon inside him at LCM.

I initially thought the same and I was desperate for us to sign a LWB to allow LCP to play more centrally. But LWB isn’t too dissimilar to a box to box midfielder, which is what he came to us as. He’s still required to get up and down the pitch and contribute at both ends, albeit on the wing. Some of LCP’s best work has been him having the ball out wide and cutting in off the left with a bit of skill and trickery (particularly his performance against Oldham in March). I worry the opportunity for him to do that is lost a bit if he’s central. The more I see of him there, the more I think Kev signed him to play LWB, rather than him filling in.

 

[leeblue]

I initially thought the same and I was desperate for us to sign a LWB to allow LCP to play more centrally. But LWB isn’t too dissimilar to a box to box midfielder, which is what he came to us as. He’s still required to get up and down the pitch and contribute at both ends, albeit on the wing. Some of LCP’s best work has been him having the ball out wide and cutting in off the left with a bit of skill and trickery (particularly his performance against Oldham in March). I worry the opportunity for him to do that is lost a bit if he’s central. The more I see of him there, the more I think Kev signed him to play LWB, rather than him filling in.

I worship kev.
If he thinks Leon is a LWB that worship will certainly start to diminish.
He's an Attacking Midfielder. Sit him behind the front two....as part of three in midfield and let him cook.

 

[Paddypel]

Absolutely no doubt in my mind that we've a list of players for both leagues ready to go. Some will be good to go asap now we know our fate and will come to fruition once holidays are over. Let's let Kev and co enjoy a few weeks of the little summer they have left whilst COSU, John Still and the rest of the recruitment team execute signing those names on our list for national league football.

 

[Uncle_Rons_Teapot]

Who's taking over from Vanarama as main league sponsor next season?

 

[amsemp]

Who's taking over from Vanarama as main league sponsor next season?

TFL?

 

[Suomi Shrimper]

I think that most of what would be my suggestions on financially-realistic playing-squad improvements have been covered by some of the previous posters on this thread, so I'll not repeat them.

My big wish for next season is that the owners/chairpersons of every club in this awful National League will launch a concerted, united campaign to increase the number of promotion places to EFL League 2. It will be difficult because the EFL turkeys are not likely to vote for a National League Christmas.

Personally, I would get rid of the present over-long National League play-off lottery completely. We may feel sore about losing in the final but, if I was a York fan, having seen my team finish second after 46 games, then seeing a team that finished a country mile behind them promoted I would be angry beyond words.

Instead, my opening gambit in any negotiations would be automatic promotion for the teams finishing 1st and 2nd in the National League (and automatic relegation for the teams finishing 23rd and 24th in EFL League 2) plus a two-match (home and away) play-off involving the team finishing 3rd in the National League and the team finishing 22nd in EFL League 2, to give a third National League team the possibility of promotion. There are all sorts of other suggestions available but that would be my personal best compromise.

Whatever, we have to find a better way for good teams to get out of this maladministered National League.

I like the relegation/promotion playoff idea as an alternative proposal to 3 up 3 down. The Finnish premier league and second division do this (I'm sure there are other examples) - 2 legs, second leg home advantage going to the higher-ranked side. ET and penalties as tiebreakers but no away goals rule.

 

[Target man]

Can't help but mull over the thought that one outcome from our surprise late run into play off contention and subsequent missing out might influence COSU's collective mindset around the recruitment budget, maybe coming that close that we could almost touch it so to speak, may lend itself to some adjusted figures in other areas of the financial control spreadsheet for next season? What do you reckon?

Really can't comment. I've no idea what the budget is and whether clubs like Yeovil ploughing money in will change that budget to compete with. COSUs message all along has been about sustainability, so I can't see that being broken. We don't need to panic. We've not spent big numbers, yet, we just missed out to a cross in all honesty. I've only heard one name that I won't share, but I can say it's a very decent player, though, an interest doesn't mean anything concrete. I'm sure what we bring in will improve us. What I can add is the positive energy last night to go again next season even harder.

COSU will set a budget. Matt and Stilly will look at players (they've started) within that along with Kev.

Speculation will always be Speculation, but it's going yo be fun to watch!

 

[Shrimper83]

Can we have a poll of the players would Sell/Release?

 

[Shrimper83]

So with the playoffs run etc and club making money from that will we be losing 2.5 million?
Would fans be willing to pay more for season tickets if they said it would help on the side of cutting the debt?
We managed a gofund me reached 22k in matter of days could we do this just to pump money into the club?
Should we be asking big sides down for pre season? George Taylor is still on Rangers Board can we get Rangers down here? Even if our fans don't like going to friendly's Rangers fans travel really well and would boost local pub economy aswell!

 

[SUFC/Thurrock]

It’s the system that needs to change as much as the personnel. We are far too narrow in an 433 and the players we have can’t play that way.

We need proper wingers if we are playing big man up top. I hate to say it as GSMs goals are what got us to the final on Sunday but he cannot defend. Kendal is the only player I would keep in attack based on his age, none of the others are anywhere near good enough. Keenan has no end product, Husin is always in reverse. Don’t get me started on Bridge, by far our worst player this season. I have been home and away watching him and I have had enough of it!!

COSU need to get at least 5-6 in this year as well as hold on to Goodliffe. I don’t mind Hayes, he is as good as keepers get at this level and he obviously loves playing for the club.