Starting XI’s - Current Squad (keep updating) 24/25

[Son of Cod]

GKs
Jordan Wright
Jake Eastwood

Defenders
Harvey Rodgers
Toby Mullarkey
Doug Tharme
Cameron McJannet
Tyrell Warren
Matty Carson

Midfielders
Curtis Thompson
Charles Vernam
Kieran Green
Evan Khouri

Forwards
Danny Rose
Donovan Wilson
Rekeil Pyke
Cameron Gardner (YT)

Denver Hume and Callum Ainley both offered contracts.

Still a few signings short of fielding a genuine team. Couple more defensive signings should be fine but players needed, mainly in midfield but also upfront if Donovan Wilson does indeed leave - can’t imagine Pyke featuring this season either so he may well be forced out.

Team atm looks like a 3-5-2:

Wright

Mullarkey
Tharme
McJannet

Warren
Thompson
Vernam
Green
Carson

Rose
Wilson

Really hope we don’t go into the first game with Green and Wilson starting. First game is a while away but not nice going into preseason under prepared.

I have a feeling we're building towards a squad capable of being able to field a 532 team and a 433 team. I don't see Vernam being able to fit into a 532 really so I don't think we'll see him, Rose and Wilson starting games in the formation in your XI above but fully appreciate your having to scrape together a team there. At the moment it's difficult to pick a starting lineup as I don't think we really have the players, but we're getting there. As it is I'd probably go with what you've gone with but switch Khouri for Vernam. I much prefer Vernam but I can't see us playing 532 with three forwards, but we don't have the more defensive minded full backs to field a 433 which is where Vernam would fit in. Have heard that Hume is gonna sign though so that's one piece of the puzzle done if true.

 

[PaulHaddock]

I have a feeling we're building towards a squad capable of being able to field a 532 team and a 433 team. I don't see Vernam being able to fit into a 532 really so I don't think we'll see him, Rose and Wilson starting games in the formation in your XI above but fully appreciate your having to scrape together a team there. At the moment it's difficult to pick a starting lineup as I don't think we really have the players, but we're getting there. As it is I'd probably go with what you've gone with but switch Khouri for Vernam. I much prefer Vernam but I can't see us playing 532 with three forwards, but we don't have the more defensive minded full backs to field a 433 which is where Vernam would fit in. Have heard that Hume is gonna sign though so that's one piece of the puzzle done if true.

Tbh my formation was based off Vernam being a 10 but yeah, I don’t think that’s the plan. My worry is that the defenders we had last season (Mullarkey, Rodgers, Hume, even Tharme) really struggled to defend in a 4, though we weren’t much better as a 5!

Most interested to see who the central midfield signing(s) are because as good as Thompson is, Green shouldn’t be a starter imo. Need some genuine quality on the ball in the middle - Mandroiu from Lincoln has been mentioned but Notts are deffo in a stronger position to sign him, not that they need him as much!

 

[Son of Cod]

Tbh my formation was based off Vernam being a 10 but yeah, I don’t think that’s the plan. My worry is that the defenders we had last season (Mullarkey, Rodgers, Hume, even Tharme) really struggled to defend in a 4, though we weren’t much better as a 5!

Most interested to see who the central midfield signing(s) are because as good as Thompson is, Green shouldn’t be a starter imo. Need some genuine quality on the ball in the middle - Mandroiu from Lincoln has been mentioned but Notts are deffo in a stronger position to sign him, not that they need him as much!

Yeah, agree on the CB concern. I'd like to think that having more defensive/natural full backs than Mullarkey and Glennon would help matters a bit there. I'd fancy Tharme to be okay in a two, but I'm not sure who he'd be alongside.

I think we need 3 CMs in and yep you're right they're very important signings. At least two of them need to come in and be key players if we're gonna kick on. I thought I'd read that Mandroiu was gonna be staying in L1 or going up a level if anything, but could be wrong about that?

 

[RavenBish]

You can have him, we’ll have Curtis Thompson back instead, still can’t believe we didn’t sign him last season - lives a mile away from Meadow Lane ffs

 

[PaulHaddock]

Yeah, agree on the CB concern. I'd like to think that having more defensive/natural full backs than Mullarkey and Glennon would help matters a bit there. I'd fancy Tharme to be okay in a two, but I'm not sure who he'd be alongside.

I think we need 3 CMs in and yep you're right they're very important signings. At least two of them need to come in and be key players if we're gonna kick on. I thought I'd read that Mandroiu was gonna be staying in L1 or going up a level if anything, but could be wrong about that?

Honestly not sure, just certain that a box to box type is needed otherwise the midfield will just be bypassed. Will also be interesting to see what type of forward Artell brings in.

You can have him, we’ll have Curtis Thompson back instead, still can’t believe we didn’t sign him last season - lives a mile away from Meadow Lane ffs

Is it injuries that meant he didn’t play that much for you or just circumstance?

 

[RavenBish]

Is it injuries that meant he didn’t play that much for you or just circumstance?

A bit of both, was one of those youth players where it never quite clicked even though everyone wanted it to. He broke into the first team and then kind of every time he found some form and started to look like a first team regular he’d either get injured or we’d change managers and the new one wouldn’t rate him.

 

[Luke Imp]

Tbh my formation was based off Vernam being a 10 but yeah, I don’t think that’s the plan. My worry is that the defenders we had last season (Mullarkey, Rodgers, Hume, even Tharme) really struggled to defend in a 4, though we weren’t much better as a 5!

Most interested to see who the central midfield signing(s) are because as good as Thompson is, Green shouldn’t be a starter imo. Need some genuine quality on the ball in the middle - Mandroiu from Lincoln has been mentioned but Notts are deffo in a stronger position to sign him, not that they need him as much!

Yeah, agree on the CB concern. I'd like to think that having more defensive/natural full backs than Mullarkey and Glennon would help matters a bit there. I'd fancy Tharme to be okay in a two, but I'm not sure who he'd be alongside.

I think we need 3 CMs in and yep you're right they're very important signings. At least two of them need to come in and be key players if we're gonna kick on. I thought I'd read that Mandroiu was gonna be staying in L1 or going up a level if anything, but could be wrong about that?

We're not sure where Mandroiu will end up (he's not officially rejected the contract yet although it sounds like the deadline is approaching) but I'd be gobsmacked if he goes upwards from us.

He was one of our higher earners last season, and he certainly didn't justify that.

Honestly not sure, just certain that a box to box type is needed otherwise the midfield will just be bypassed. Will also be interesting to see what type of forward Artell brings in.

Is it injuries that meant he didn’t play that much for you or just circumstance?

If by box to box you mean Mandroiu, he certainly isn't that!

 

[PaulHaddock]

We're not sure where Mandroiu will end up (he's not officially rejected the contract yet although it sounds like the deadline is approaching) but I'd be gobsmacked if he goes upwards from us.

He was one of our higher earners last season, and he certainly didn't justify that.


If by box to box you mean Mandroiu, he certainly isn't that!

I guess I just assumed from his numbers that he was an 8/10 type, something we missed a lot last season after McAtee left.

 

[Luke Imp]

I guess I just assumed from his numbers that he was an 8/10 type, something we missed a lot last season after McAtee left.

75% of his two years here he was wide left of a front three (and started this season very well, which is where he picked most of his numbers up), then second half we mainly had to play him in CM (lack of numbers in CM but also a formation change) but you'd not want him in there for a full season, he was in there too much as it was. He's not got the engine or physicality for CM and he doesn't know how to tackle.

He's closer to a '10', but he's one of those that's part that but also part wide player drifting inside.

 

[Son of Cod]

We're not sure where Mandroiu will end up (he's not officially rejected the contract yet although it sounds like the deadline is approaching) but I'd be gobsmacked if he goes upwards from us.

Fair enough, I don't really know anything about the guy. Just thought I'd read he was stalling because he had top end L1/bottom end Championship clubs and a Belgian club interested.

 

[Luke Imp]

Fair enough, I don't really know anything about the guy. Just thought I'd read he was stalling because he had top end L1/bottom end Championship clubs and a Belgian club interested.

There was a story last summer when the rumour was Standard Leige were interested before we signed him but were suspicious about how low his release fee was (£30k), didn't make a move and then were interested again - comes across as Agent talk tbh!

Interesting to see where he ends up.

 

[DearneValleyRover]

Hard to say what our lineup will be but if no one leaves or anyone else comes in we have:
Sherman-Lowe
Sterry Olowu Wood Maxwell
Bailey
Molyneux Sbarra Gibson
Miller Ironside

Or

Jones
Nixon McGrath Anderson Senior
Broadbent
Clifton Close Hurst
Yeboah Sharp

 

[PaulHaddock]

75% of his two years here he was wide left of a front three (and started this season very well, which is where he picked most of his numbers up), then second half we mainly had to play him in CM (lack of numbers in CM but also a formation change) but you'd not want him in there for a full season, he was in there too much as it was. He's not got the engine or physicality for CM and he doesn't know how to tackle.

He's closer to a '10', but he's one of those that's part that but also part wide player drifting inside.

Sounds like Vernam!

 

[DippyDon]

And now Sam Sherring.

To attach onto this as the squad doesn't need repeating, my idea of the best 11 at the moment would be:

GK: MacGillivray
RWB: Norman
CB: Sherring
CB: Offord
CB: Maguire
LWB: Tomlinson
CM: Leigh
CM: Williams
CAM: CLE
CAM: Gilbey
ST: Dean

Question marks over Williams making the starting 11 but he would be the more defensive minded I'd imagine, but if we are looking to improve the squad I'd start there, with RWB to follow.

 

[Cloudy]

Looking at the signings so far I’d have to say Donny, MKD, Notts, will be at the top end together with at least one of the relegated sides ( PV?). Bradford should be joining them but who do you think may be this seasons, Stevenage or Crawley??

 

[jacobncfc]

GK - Bass
CB - Macari
CB - Platt
CB - Bedeau
RWB - Nemane
LWB - Jones
CM - Palmer
CM - Robertson
AM - Crowley
ST - Langstaff
ST - Jatta

Subs - Slocombe, Cameron, McDonald, Tsaroulla, Austin, Scott, McGoldrick

We could put that out now (Palmer injury notwithstanding) and it looks pretty sound I reckon. Vastly improved in the areas we were weak. Cameron will probably be let go now and still some depth needed in central midfield, but fair play, we’ve gone early and sorted out what we needed to.

 

[kieran_vale]

Looking at the signings so far I’d have to say Donny, MKD, Notts, will be at the top end together with at least one of the relegated sides ( PV?). Bradford should be joining them but who do you think may be this seasons, Stevenage or Crawley??

I’d say Gillingham and MK probably my top two then you can argue about the rest. It might just be the scars of last year but it’s hard for me to believe we can just correct all the shortcomings of last year in one window so would say top half and maybe a playoff push with a bit of luck but there’s a ton other teams in this league you can say that of too. I can see Bromley being annoyingly good.

 

[valefan16]

I’d say Gillingham and MK probably my top two then you can argue about the rest. It might just be the scars of last year but it’s hard for me to believe we can just correct all the shortcomings of last year in one window so would say top half and maybe a playoff push with a bit of luck but there’s a ton other teams in this league you can say that of too. I can see Bromley being annoyingly good.

I think it depends who comes in really, still be space for 2-3 more without any outgoings plus your loan players on top.

If they are off the level of the first three signings then I will be very happy but that will remain to be seen. That defensive side needs work still.

We've quietly gone about it so will see what happens.

 

[Optipez]

GK - Bass
CB - Macari
CB - Platt
CB - Bedeau
RWB - Nemane
LWB - Jones
CM - Palmer
CM - Robertson
AM - Crowley
ST - Langstaff
ST - Jatta

Subs - Slocombe, Cameron, McDonald, Tsaroulla, Austin, Scott, McGoldrick

We could put that out now (Palmer injury notwithstanding) and it looks pretty sound I reckon. Vastly improved in the areas we were weak. Cameron will probably be let go now and still some depth needed in central midfield, but fair play, we’ve gone early and sorted out what we needed to.

There's extra height, power and league experience and at last a decent keeper. I can see Tsaroulla coming in for Nemane. A couple of good midfielders, keep the players we have and there aren't any excuses for not at least making the playoffs.

 

[kieran_vale]

If the season was to start tomorrow my guess is our lineup would be something like

GK - Ripley
RB - Clark
CB - Smith
CB - Iacovitti*
LB - Hart
CM - Ojo
CM - Croasdale
RW - Chislett
AM - Garrity
LW - Curtis
ST - Stockley

*picked him over Debrah to give a left footed option but frankly I want an upgrade on both of them.

 

[valefan16]

If the season was to start tomorrow my guess is our lineup would be something like

GK - Ripley
RB - Clark
CB - Smith
CB - Iacovitti*
LB - Hart
CM - Ojo
CM - Croasdale
RW - Chislett
AM - Garrity
LW - Curtis
ST - Stockley

*picked him over Debrah to give a left footed option but frankly I want an upgrade on both of them.

Its that one centre half away from being a solid good first XI then just needs padding out with depth.

Yak was a strange one, cult hero come September, injured then never the same player again last season. If we got August/Sept Yak he would be fine.

Debrah I will give the benefit of the doubt on fitness due to when we signed him and the double step up, for him its a massive season I would say to show he can do it in the EFL and the lower level may benefit him, his best game ironically was at Mansfield in the EFL Cup.

 

[Jonny12]

GK:
George Barrett (1st year pro)

RWB:
Connor Barrett (New)

CB:
Donervon Daniels (C)
Priestely Farquahson
Oisin McEntee
Taylor Allen
Harry Williams

LWB:
Liam Gordon
Evan Weir

CDM:
Brandon Comley
Ryan Stirk

CM:
Charlie Lakin (New)
Jack Earing
Ronan Maher
Jamie Jellis
Dylan Thomas (1st year pro)

ST:
Danny Johnson
Jamille Matt

Still plenty of work for us to do, especially with DJ expected to leave due to his lack of game time last year.

Have offers out to retain Jackson Smith (GK) and Joe Foulkes (RWB) but expect both to go elsewhere. Shrewsbury or Barnsley rumoured for the former.

I'd keep both but apparently our offers for both are poor.