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

[Si Robin]

Goalkeepers:
Max Harris (Transfer Listed)
Owen Evans
Joe Day

Defenders:
Tom Bradbury
Scot Bennett
Ryan Haynes
Arkell Jude-Boyd

Midfielders:
Tom Pett (expected to leave)
Liam Kinsella
Jordan Thomas
Harry Pell
Luke Young

Forwards:
Matty Taylor
Aidan Keena
Tom King

We suddenly look a bit worse off with the sales of Elliott Bonds and Rob Street. We now need another couple of forwards and defence is still bare bones.

 

[kieran_vale]

Goalkeeper

Connor Ripley
Ben Amos
Arron Davies

Defence

Dan Jones (LB/CB)
Jesse Debrah (CB)
Nathan Smith (CB)
Alex Iacavitti (CB)
Mitchell Clark (RB)
Ben Lomax (RB)
Connor Hall (CB)
Sam Hart (LB)

Midfield

Conor Grant (LWB/CM)
Tom Sang (RWB/CM)
Funso Ojo (DM)
Ryan Croasdale (DM)
Jason Lowe (DM/RB)
Ben Garrity (AM)
Ethan Chislett (AM)

Attack

Jayden Stockley (ST)
Ryan Loft (ST)
Baylee Dipepa (ST)
Ronan Curtis (LW)
James Plant (RW)
Lorent Tolaj (ST)
Jack Shorrock (LW)
Andrew Buah (LW)

Now updated with our most recent signings. Also Davies, Shorrock and Buah from the academy now agreed professional terms so included them. Expect the latter two at least will go out on loan injury permitting. There is only Rhys Walters remaining of out of contract players but at this point I expect he is going to leave.

Do think we need to trim the fat on the squad at some point and our CEO has alluded to that but they wanted to give Moore the budget to get what he wanted in first. Seems at least scope to line up in different formations rather than just one way of playing.

 

[Scum.]

Milton Keynes Dons

Goalkeepers
Craig MacGillivray
Nathan Harness
Ronnie Sandford
Seb Stacey

Defenders
Dean Lewington
Jack Tucker
Luke Offord
Laurence Maguire
Sam Sherring
Joe Tomlinson
Phoenix Scholtz
Albert Wood
Brooklyn Ilunga
Charlie Waller
Charlie Stirland

Midfielders
MJ Williams
Alex Gilbey
Stephen Wearne
Tommy Leigh
Joe Pritchard
Connor Lemonheigh-Evans
Liam Kelly
Dawson Devoy
Callum Tripp
Conor Grant
Joel Anker

Strikers
Max Dean
Ellis Harrison
Matt Dennis
Jonathan Leko

No idea of the starting XI at this point as I am sure plenty more changes still to come in the next 4 weeks or so, and I am sure Mike Williamson has learned some tactical lessons from last season's play-off failure.

 

[kieran_vale]

Well we’ve extended Baylee Dipepa’s contract up to 2027 now so looks like he’ll at least be starting the season with us. Big commitment with all the reported interest in him.

 

[valefan16]

Well we’ve extended Baylee Dipepa’s contract up to 2027 now so looks like he’ll at least be starting the season with us. Big commitment with all the reported interest in him.

Should secure a huge fee if anyone does want him enough, good to see we are looking to benefit more from him first though. Decent statement that from the club.

 

[Scum.]

Milton Keynes Dons

Goalkeepers
Craig MacGillivray
Nathan Harness
Ronnie Sandford
Seb Stacey

Defenders
Dean Lewington
Jack Tucker
Luke Offord
Laurence Maguire
Sam Sherring
Joe Tomlinson
Phoenix Scholtz
Albert Wood
Brooklyn Ilunga
Charlie Waller
Charlie Stirland

Midfielders
MJ Williams
Alex Gilbey
Stephen Wearne
Tommy Leigh
Joe Pritchard
Connor Lemonheigh-Evans
Liam Kelly
Dawson Devoy
Callum Tripp
Conor Grant
Joel Anker

Strikers
Max Dean
Ellis Harrison
Matt Dennis
Jonathan Leko

No idea of the starting XI at this point as I am sure plenty more changes still to come in the next 4 weeks or so, and I am sure Mike Williamson has learned some tactical lessons from last season's play-off failure.

And now Tom Carroll in midfield too.

 

[Nobby]

And now Tom Carroll in midfield too.

I am a big fan of what Williamson is doing hes signed some brilliant players for this league, I think we could see over 100 points for you. Lets hope Alexander can pinch the points on the opening day but regardless i predict a huge season

 

[Stocky]

I agree. Be surprised if MK don't win it.

 

[Boz]

TRFC Updated

Goalkeepers
Luke McGee
Joe Murphy

Defenders
Connor Wood
Lee O'Connor
Tom Davies
Jordan Turnbull
Cameron Norman

Midfielders
Kieron Morris
Brad Walker
Regan Hendry
Sam Finley
Chris Merrie
Josh Hawkes
Josh Williams

Forwards
Luke Norris
Connor Jennings
Harvey Saunders
Kristian Dennis
Sam Taylor
Josh Davison
Sol Solomon

Still 4 short of Adkins suggested ideal 25 man squad and looking a bit short of defenders and could benefit adding a wide man with some pace. The ITKs don't think much else is imminent, this may be waiting for loan players being made available, but hope we can add a couple more during pre-season.

Norman in his joining interview suggested strongly that he'd be starting on the right, presumably replacing O'Connor. Still think a 433 the best option for this squad, but Adkins likely to stick with 442

McGee
Norman Davies Turnbull Wood
Finley Walker Hendry Morris
Norris Davison

 

[FiRTHYY]

 

[Scum.]

Milton Keynes Dons

Goalkeepers
Craig MacGillivray
Nathan Harness
Ronnie Sandford
Seb Stacey

Defenders
Dean Lewington
Jack Tucker
Luke Offord
Laurence Maguire
Sam Sherring
Joe Tomlinson
Phoenix Scholtz
Albert Wood
Brooklyn Ilunga
Charlie Waller
Charlie Stirland

Midfielders
MJ Williams
Alex Gilbey
Stephen Wearne
Tommy Leigh
Joe Pritchard
Connor Lemonheigh-Evans
Liam Kelly
Dawson Devoy
Callum Tripp
Conor Grant
Joel Anker

Strikers
Max Dean
Ellis Harrison
Matt Dennis
Jonathan Leko

No idea of the starting XI at this point as I am sure plenty more changes still to come in the next 4 weeks or so, and I am sure Mike Williamson has learned some tactical lessons from last season's play-off failure.

Tom Carroll and Callum Hendry in, Max Dean out.

 

[EnglishRed]

Tom Carroll and Callum Hendry in, Max Dean out.

Are some of those Under 21? are you over the squad limit?

 

[Scum.]

Are some of those Under 21? are you over the squad limit?

Yeah that’s the full list including recent signed pros from our academy.

In terms of our actual senior squad (based on what we know now but obviously who can guess who will break through this year), I would say we have 2 goalkeepers, 6-7 defenders, 9-10 midfielders, 4 strikers.

 

[Scum.]

Milton Keynes Dons

Goalkeepers
Craig MacGillivray
Nathan Harness
Ronnie Sandford
Seb Stacey

Defenders
Dean Lewington
Jack Tucker
Luke Offord
Laurence Maguire
Sam Sherring
Joe Tomlinson
Phoenix Scholtz
Albert Wood
Brooklyn Ilunga
Charlie Waller
Charlie Stirland

Midfielders
MJ Williams
Alex Gilbey
Stephen Wearne
Tommy Leigh
Joe Pritchard
Connor Lemonheigh-Evans
Liam Kelly
Tom Carroll
Callum Tripp
Conor Grant
Joel Anker

Strikers
Callum Hendry
Ellis Harrison
Matt Dennis
Jonathan Leko

Updated following Max Dean and Dawson Devoy departures, and Callum Hendry and Tom Carroll signings.

 

[kieran_vale]

Goalkeeper

Connor Ripley
Ben Amos
Arron Davies

Defence

Dan Jones (LB/CB)
Jesse Debrah (CB)
Nathan Smith (CB)
Mitchell Clark (RB)
Ben Lomax (RB)
Connor Hall (CB)
Sam Hart (LB)

Midfield

Conor Grant (LWB/CM)
Tom Sang (RWB/CM)
Funso Ojo (DM)
Ryan Croasdale (DM)
Jason Lowe (DM/RB)
Ben Garrity (AM)
Ethan Chislett (AM)
George Byers (CM)

Attack

Jayden Stockley (ST)
Ruari Paton (ST)
Baylee Dipepa (ST)
Ronan Curtis (LW)
James Plant (RW)
Lorent Tolaj (ST)
Jack Shorrock (LW)
Andrew Buah (LW)

Updated with Paton and Byers additions. Both Loft and Iacovitti since departed for pastures new. Think there may yet be a couple more departures before the window closes.

 

[Grimsby Road]

Interesting with the squad sizes make it Vale have 26 signed up and MK over 30 . Wonder what the average squad size is in league 2 ?

Artell has said we will have an ideal of 23 with loans so on the small side looking at those other sides 'quality over quantity , recruitment isn't an exact science more an artform' he says . Let's see how that goes

 

[Dan Phillips]

Interesting with the squad sizes make it Vale have 26 signed up and MK over 30 . Wonder what the average squad size is in league 2 ?

Artell has said we will have an ideal of 23 with loans so on the small side looking at those other sides 'quality over quantity , recruitment isn't an exact science more an artform' he says . Let's see how that goes

5 of ours are kids. So 21 seniors.

 

[DippyDon]

21 seniors for us to, that list just includes all the contracted professionals.

 

[Son of Cod]

Interesting with the squad sizes make it Vale have 26 signed up and MK over 30 . Wonder what the average squad size is in league 2 ?

Artell has said we will have an ideal of 23 with loans so on the small side looking at those other sides 'quality over quantity , recruitment isn't an exact science more an artform' he says . Let's see how that goes

I think we're going a bit light with 23 including loans personally. We need much better players in the middle of the park than last season and so far we've only brought in one. The only way this isnt a problem is if Green and Khouri have good seasons. Going into the season with the current midfielders plus one or two young loan signings in these positions will be a mistake but I fear this is what is going to happen.

Also interested to know if he's including Cam Gardner in this 23 too.

5 of ours are kids. So 21 seniors.

That's often the problem with these lists, you never really know who are academy grads.

 

[Grimsby Road]

I think we're going a bit light with 23 including loans personally. We need much better players in the middle of the park than last season and so far we've only brought in one. The only way this isnt a problem is if Green and Khouri have good seasons. Going into the season with the current midfielders plus one or two young loan signings in these positions will be a mistake but I fear this is what is going to happen.

Also interested to know if he's including Cam Gardner in this 23 too.

That's often the problem with these lists, you never really know who are academy grads.

Agree about the middle of the park - Thompson , Mcreachan and Ainley/Green might be adequate for league 2 but I think we need 1 more probably 2 of high quality in there to have a decent season.

Always been a big Khouri fan- I actually thought him and Conteh would have been an incredible midfield at the start of last season but Conteh obviously left and for whatever reason , mainly injuries & illness i think , Khouri hasn't kicked on or played at all really - big season for him as it might be his last chance here as it will be 5 years nearly since he came through and he will be 22 by season end ; he's only played 20 odd games so far in that time .

 

[jacobncfc]

Been quite a bit of change with us.

Goalkeepers:
Alex Bass
Sam Slocombe
Aidan Stone (Transfer listed)

Centre backs:
Matty Platt
Rod McDonald
Jacob Bedeau
Lewis Macari
Adam Chicksen

Wing backs:
Aaron Nemane
Kellan Gordon
Jodi Jones
Nick Tsaroulla

Central midfielders:
Matty Palmer
Scott Robertson
Dan Crowley
Sam Austin
Curtis Edwards

Forwards:
Alassana Jatta
David McGoldrick
Cedwyn Scott
Junior Morias

We’d start like this right now, I think:

Bass
Macari - Platt - Bedeau
Nemane - Palmer - Robertson - Jones
Crowley
Jatta - McGoldrick

Slocombe, McDonald, Gordon, Tsaroulla, Edwards, Austin, Scott

I still think we might bring in two - right-sided centre back who would probably start, and another striker.

Big difference from last season is that we look so much more physically imposing through the spine of the team, and we have a lot more depth and options off the bench currently. A lot probably hinging on whether Jatta can replace a solid chunk of Langstaff’s goals.

 

[spireite]

Been quite a bit of change with us.

Goalkeepers:
Alex Bass
Sam Slocombe
Aidan Stone (Transfer listed)

Centre backs:
Matty Platt
Rod McDonald
Jacob Bedeau
Lewis Macari
Adam Chicksen

Wing backs:
Aaron Nemane
Kellan Gordon
Jodi Jones
Nick Tsaroulla

Central midfielders:
Matty Palmer
Scott Robertson
Dan Crowley
Sam Austin
Curtis Edwards

Forwards:
Alassana Jatta
David McGoldrick
Cedwyn Scott
Junior Morias

We’d start like this right now, I think:

Bass
Macari - Platt - Bedeau
Nemane - Palmer - Robertson - Jones
Crowley
Jatta - McGoldrick

Slocombe, McDonald, Gordon, Tsaroulla, Edwards, Austin, Scott

I still think we might bring in two - right-sided centre back who would probably start, and another striker.

Big difference from last season is that we look so much more physically imposing through the spine of the team, and we have a lot more depth and options off the bench currently. A lot probably hinging on whether Jatta can replace a solid chunk of Langstaff’s goals.

You've signed Tsaroulla and Gordon on good money just as bench options? How the other half live eh

 

[Scum.]

I think we're going a bit light with 23 including loans personally. We need much better players in the middle of the park than last season and so far we've only brought in one. The only way this isnt a problem is if Green and Khouri have good seasons. Going into the season with the current midfielders plus one or two young loan signings in these positions will be a mistake but I fear this is what is going to happen.

Also interested to know if he's including Cam Gardner in this 23 too.

That's often the problem with these lists, you never really know who are academy grads.

Yep, that’s why I included the full list as there will undoubtedly be an “academy lad” who ends up as a surprise regular.

 

[1862]

Been quite a bit of change with us.

Goalkeepers:
Alex Bass
Sam Slocombe
Aidan Stone (Transfer listed)

Centre backs:
Matty Platt
Rod McDonald
Jacob Bedeau
Lewis Macari
Adam Chicksen

Wing backs:
Aaron Nemane
Kellan Gordon
Jodi Jones
Nick Tsaroulla

Central midfielders:
Matty Palmer
Scott Robertson
Dan Crowley
Sam Austin
Curtis Edwards

Forwards:
Alassana Jatta
David McGoldrick
Cedwyn Scott
Junior Morias

We’d start like this right now, I think:

Bass
Macari - Platt - Bedeau
Nemane - Palmer - Robertson - Jones
Crowley
Jatta - McGoldrick

Slocombe, McDonald, Gordon, Tsaroulla, Edwards, Austin, Scott

I still think we might bring in two - right-sided centre back who would probably start, and another striker.

Big difference from last season is that we look so much more physically imposing through the spine of the team, and we have a lot more depth and options off the bench currently. A lot probably hinging on whether Jatta can replace a solid chunk of Langstaff’s goals.

Still feels like we won't be able to press effectively with that front 3 but hopefully the defence won't fold under the slightest pressure this year.

I'm still tempted by the Macari - Platt - McDonald - Bedeau back 4 but I don't think there's any evidence we'll actually go for it.

 

[The_Viking_Magpie]

You've signed Tsaroulla and Gordon on good money just as bench options? How the other half live eh

That's what happens when you sell the league's top scorer for big money and have a season average of over 10,000 at your home games.

It's a whole new world.

 

[Son of Cod]

Agree about the middle of the park - Thompson , Mcreachan and Ainley/Green might be adequate for league 2 but I think we need 1 more probably 2 of high quality in there to have a decent season.

Always been a big Khouri fan- I actually thought him and Conteh would have been an incredible midfield at the start of last season but Conteh obviously left and for whatever reason , mainly injuries & illness i think , Khouri hasn't kicked on or played at all really - big season for him as it might be his last chance here as it will be 5 years nearly since he came through and he will be 22 by season end ; he's only played 20 odd games so far in that time .

Yeah I've not really seen what others see in Khouri personally, I really hope he proves me wrong though. His obviously got a decent attitude to have stayed with us for so long. You're absolutely right in that it is a make or break season for him.

 

[RavenBish]

Just think there’s a real lack of ambition in our squad currently, starting XI is pretty solid and should be competing for top 7 but you can see the likes of Vale and MK Dons building real depth in quality (not to mention Stockport, Wrexham and Mansfield last season). If you’re one injury away from Austin and Scott starting in key attacking positions, you can’t sustain any sort of promotion push imo.

 

[Dan Phillips]

That's often the problem with these lists, you never really know who are academy grads.

You could technically say 6 are kids really. However, they've actually played a reasonable amount of games.

Arron Davies - only just signed.

Ben Lomax - 6 appearances.
Jack Shorrock - 18 appearances.
Andrew Buah - 3 appearances.
James Plant - 44 appearances.
Baylee Dipepa - 26 appearances.

 

[hellogregory]

Updated after some departures.


Goalkeepers
Gabe Breeze
Harry Lewis
Jude Smith

Defenders
Jack Ellis
Archie Davies
Jack Robinson
Sam Lavelle
Jon Mellish
Aaron Hayden
Ben Barclay
Terell Thomas
Cameron Harper

Midfielders
Harrison Neal
Josh Vela
Dylan McGeouch
Callum Guy
Taylor Charters
Ethan Robson

Attackers
Luke Armstrong
Georgie Kelly
Anton Dudik
Dan Butterworth
Charlie Wyke


A couple more of the losers have gone which is good. We have some decent centre forward and centre back options, but we’re too weak in other areas to do anything of note. The owners and manager keep going on about promotion, but there’s no one to provide the likes of Armstrong and Wyke, and there’s no pace. We’re also too light in midfield particularly with Guy out till October at least.

At the moment I think we can be comfortable in mid table, but nothing more until we bring in some creative quality and pace to make chances for the forwards and strengthen our weak areas. Until then, any talk of promotion is pure fantasy land.

 

[BigDaveCUFC]

Agreed but I hear we still offer good wages and 2-3 better players will come when they realise no other options there.Huntington was a late signing and likes of Kev grey and Michael bridges Simpsons best two signings arrived mid season.

It won’t be the first time with Simpson we enter season with a midtable squad lacking one or two crucial signings and find them once season starts