| An early look ahead to 2026/27 10:01 - Mar 23 with 4319 views | Markofthegrove |
I think we can all agree that we are safe now, so I thought a thread where we can start looking at the summer and next season and the improvements we need to make to take another step forward. The idea is not to bash the uppers and have a constructive thread about needs. Can be players, managers tactics, fitness......
I'll start with a couple.....
Players - Fullback and Central Midfield.
Fullback has been a long term issue and LB in particular needs addressing and if we are going to persist with 2 central midfielders, you need to find someone capable of doing the role, perhaps someone experienced.
Speaking of experience, now would be the time to add some experience to this squad. a couple of wiser heads, especially as Cook is leaving (we think). If we don't add this, I think we will still see a couple of losing runs like the recent one and a few gubbings. These kind of players are the ones that put their heads above the parapet when things get wibbly. [Post edited 23 Mar 10:02]
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| An early look ahead to 2026/27 on 11:13 - Mar 23 with 4106 views | Myke |
Positionally I agree, these are the areas that need addressing most. However, the single thing that needs to be sorted is our lack of fitness and our long term injury issues. As a small (and crucially selling) club, we simply cannot afford to have several players out for months at a time. This year we have lost Walsh, Larkeche, JCS (shock), Cook, Madsen, Chair, Dembele, Burrell, Poku and Kolli for huge chunks of the season - that’s nearly a full team in itself. Whether the lack of fitness is linked to the injuries I don’t know, but both have impacted on us significantly this season. Finally, there needs to see a lot more transparency from the hierarchy about what’s going on with our club. We don’t need the details of the day-to-day running of the club, but things that impact our enjoyment of watching them -injuries, transfers, contract length - we are entitled to know about. And less of the arrogant ‘sorry your favourite players are not available’ nonsense. |  | | |
| An early look ahead to 2026/27 on 11:32 - Mar 23 with 4029 views | HAYESBOY |
IMO I certainly think we need a left back. And then an experienced keeper.
For right back we have Mbeugne. Then back ups in Edwards and Dunne. I wouldn't waste transfer funds on a right back.
Left back. Larkeche and Esq. Could we get RND inside our budget? Think he has been good for us.
Centre half. I think Cook goes because of wages. That leaves Dunne, Edwards, JCS and Morrison. Do we need another?
Then it depends on who goes. If Field goes then I still think we are ok in the middle two.
Madsen, Hayden, Varane, Morgan and Edwards if need be.
Wingers. Chair, Smyth, Poku, Saito and Dembele. Maybe another one? Taking into account Dembele ACL injury?
Our forward line is also ok with Burrell, Kone, Koli and Obikwu.
Of course all depends on the dreaded injuries. |  |
| Smells like a trout farm in here |
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| An early look ahead to 2026/27 on 11:42 - Mar 23 with 3980 views | daveB |
I think on the pitch we need a new keeper although I very much doubt that will be a priority.
Left back and central midfield needs addressing as well
A lot will depend on who goes as they'd need to be replaced. |  | | |
| An early look ahead to 2026/27 on 11:45 - Mar 23 with 3956 views | Markofthegrove |
Agree, fitness issues and pre season should be an absolute priority. No slow burn rubbish, get them fit and raring to go and then maintain. Whatever we have been doing hasn't been working. [Post edited 23 Mar 11:47]
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| An early look ahead to 2026/27 on 12:10 - Mar 23 with 3866 views | PlanetHonneywood |
| An early look ahead to 2026/27 on 11:42 - Mar 23 by daveB |
I think on the pitch we need a new keeper although I very much doubt that will be a priority.
Left back and central midfield needs addressing as well
A lot will depend on who goes as they'd need to be replaced. |
If Cook, Field, Hayden, and RND all leave, we're extremely low on experience, gnarlyness, and know how.
Keeper - Is this Cooper going to be better than Walsh? If so, I'd be tempted to: go with him, get in a steady number 2 and flog Walsh.
LB - I've liked RND. If possible I would, then loan out Esq.
CB - Cant keep five, so if Cook is going, then we need to make a decision on Morrison. Either way: need a gnarly brute who can drag everyone out over the trenches.
Mids - We really need a good engine player who can mop everything up nice and neatly. Not sure we need three out of JV, IH, and SF, and they don't fill the void I think is missing. Mullered if Mads goes.
Wide Boys and assorted Diddymen - lot of options here, none of whom are consistent. I'd give Saito and Dembele another season, but we don't really need both, especiallyif Suttonis comingback.. So if we moved one on, fair enough. Chair remains the enigma.
Up Top - Should be ok.
Manager - Another season.
Fred Man - We can pack it in if Spaceman_P goes!! Monkey Roots definitely needs a loan out. |  |
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| An early look ahead to 2026/27 on 13:04 - Mar 23 with 3785 views | dannyblue |
Strikeforce looks fine. Kone Burrell and Kolli, with one or two from Obikwu, Bennie and Lloyd sniffing about too and the other out on loan.
Wide, we have loads of wingers and little chance of offloading any, so can't see much change there. Chair, Smyth, and Saito as righties, Poku, Vale, Dembele (eventually) as lefties. Half of them can play 10 if required.
Midfield will undergo some surgery I expect (metaphorically, I hope). I'd like to be left with Madsen, Morgan, Field, and AN Other (athletic, box to box), but sadly it seems unlikely Field will be reintegrated, or Varane sold, or that someone would take Hayden on.
Left back a must. Esq out on loan hopefully, Larkeche, Vale, JCS on backup duty.
Right back preferably. Mbengue's ok, but I don't think he offers enough quality on the ball to be our plan for a whole season. Plus if Morrison and Cook go, we're more likely to need him in the middle. Adamson doesn't look up to it. Oh and is Santos coming back!?
Centrebacks will also juggle around. I'd like to be left with Edwards, Dunne, Mbengue and AN Other if one can be found who's better than Morrison who seems likely to be off, but I'd be happy with him staying. JCS will still be here, but we can't really rely on him - it's just a bonus if he's available. So long Cookie, and thanks.
Goalkeeper - Depends a bit on budget. We could rotate Walsh and Cooper. That's the point, right?
This all assumes we keep the same shape. Considering where our strengths and weaknesses have been, I'd prefer planning for 352 or 433. |  | | |
| An early look ahead to 2026/27 on 13:19 - Mar 23 with 3710 views | Ned_Kennedys |
Centre midfield is a concern: based on how well he’s done at Norwich you’d try to reintegrate Field but if not we should be able to get a decent fee for him. Need a decent back up for Madsen.
Full backs: I think both RND and Mbengue have been decent enough this season. Sign RND if the figures work, if not we need to replace him.
Walsh is alright and should hopefully improve as he’s still young for a keeper.
Obviously alsodepends on whether we get any decent offers for our best players of course. |  | | |
| An early look ahead to 2026/27 on 13:27 - Mar 23 with 3688 views | Northernr |
GK, full back and CM look the obvious weaknesses.
But more importantly, do a proper pre-season, get the team physically ready for a full campaign. And go to win. |  | | |
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| An early look ahead to 2026/27 on 13:40 - Mar 23 with 3635 views | Boston |
For me, based on stats - the back line is the problem. So, defenders and goalie would be my priorities. | |
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| An early look ahead to 2026/27 on 13:58 - Mar 23 with 3577 views | Benny_the_Ball |
I'd say whilst improvements in both full back areas is needed, RB is more pressing than LB. We already own 2 LBs in Larkeche and Esquire. We have no recognised RBs, a number of CBs have been asked to fill in there.
CM is the obvious area for improvement. A couple of tenacious yet creative box-to-box number 8s would improve the team no end. DM is also a concern what with Sam Field seemingly out -of-favour and Varane performing poorly.
The club also has to unpick the mess it made of the GK position. Clear out the deadwood and establish a clear number 1 and 2.
In terms of characteristics, the squad is still painfully short of pace. This has been brutally exposed by Burrell's injury. Rumour has it that Obikwu has pace but given that he's yet to feature it's impossible to judge. A little more experience wouldn't go amiss although that shouldn't necessarily mean recruiting players above the age of 30. I'd also like to see more height and physicality. Having signed a plethora of tiny tots, the team struggles with defending set pieces. Above all, availability is the best ability. The club should steer clear of players with a track record of injury. |  | | |
| An early look ahead to 2026/27 on 14:01 - Mar 23 with 3575 views | Match82 |
I don't think there's a single position where we shouldn't be looking for a serious upgrade. We won't get them all obviously, but I don't think there's many if any positions in our team where you'd look and say it's playoff quality |  | | |
| An early look ahead to 2026/27 on 14:09 - Mar 23 with 3535 views | Ned_Kennedys |
| An early look ahead to 2026/27 on 14:01 - Mar 23 by Match82 |
I don't think there's a single position where we shouldn't be looking for a serious upgrade. We won't get them all obviously, but I don't think there's many if any positions in our team where you'd look and say it's playoff quality |
That would be the fine if money was no object and PSR wasn’t a thing. | | | |
| An early look ahead to 2026/27 on 14:14 - Mar 23 with 3529 views | Markofthegrove |
| An early look ahead to 2026/27 on 13:40 - Mar 23 by Boston |
For me, based on stats - the back line is the problem. So, defenders and goalie would be my priorities. |
I think our defensive record is a lot more to do with the 2 central midfielders and issues at goalkeeper than the backline. | | | |
| An early look ahead to 2026/27 on 16:41 - Mar 23 with 3312 views | Dorse |
Goalkeeper: I am not convinced by Joe Walsh.
Fullbacks: same as every bloody year since Bardsley and Wilson. How hard can it be? Other clubs seem to manage it and yet, year after bloody year, we end up playing centrebacks / midfielders / Doris from the canteen out of position to cover the solitary First Team fullback we own or having to loan players in.
CM: Madsen's form has been a real boost. Only trouble is that, if he's not available, we have no-one else that can orchestrate the play like him. We have also have the problems created by giving mixed messages regarding Field's future, Varane's cratering form and Hayden being out of contract at the end of the year (ref Transfermarkt). Fair few questions here.
On the other hand, forwards, wide players (apart from Smyth who is out of contract in June) and 'tens' are plentiful. Leave well enough alone. If we went into games with Chair, Poku, Kone and Burrell going forward, and Vale, Dembele, Saito, Kolli and Obikwu available, I reckon we might do alright. Some hope, I know, but you can always dream. |  |
| 'What do we want? We don't know! When do we want it? Now!' |
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| An early look ahead to 2026/27 on 16:43 - Mar 23 with 3300 views | BrianMcCarthy |
New CEO.
New DoF.
New person in charge of fitness.
I don't think we should spend another penny until those three positions are sorted. |  |
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| An early look ahead to 2026/27 on 18:18 - Mar 23 with 3146 views | Match82 |
| An early look ahead to 2026/27 on 14:09 - Mar 23 by Ned_Kennedys |
That would be the fine if money was no object and PSR wasn’t a thing. |
Not saying we have to invest everywhere. I'm saying that anywhere we invest (well) is an upgrade. Some seasons we go into with GK set, or our fullback positions covered. Not this year. | | | |
| An early look ahead to 2026/27 on 19:46 - Mar 23 with 3027 views | Mick_S |
| An early look ahead to 2026/27 on 16:43 - Mar 23 by BrianMcCarthy |
New CEO.
New DoF.
New person in charge of fitness.
I don't think we should spend another penny until those three positions are sorted. |
If you keep being so sensible I’ll have to put you on ignore. 😉 |  |
| Did I ever mention that I was in Minder? |
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| An early look ahead to 2026/27 on 20:33 - Mar 23 with 2922 views | Rsole |
| An early look ahead to 2026/27 on 13:27 - Mar 23 by Northernr |
GK, full back and CM look the obvious weaknesses.
But more importantly, do a proper pre-season, get the team physically ready for a full campaign. And go to win. |
Get ahead
Get a hat
Get a beret
Go to Catalunya/Languedoc
Eat duck |  |
| Those possessed by devils, try and keep them under control a bit, can't you ?
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| An early look ahead to 2026/27 on 20:45 - Mar 23 with 2893 views | BazzaInTheLoft |
| An early look ahead to 2026/27 on 16:43 - Mar 23 by BrianMcCarthy |
New CEO.
New DoF.
New person in charge of fitness.
I don't think we should spend another penny until those three positions are sorted. |
We'll never know how good this squad is until the players can stop looking over their shoulder. |  | | |
| An early look ahead to 2026/27 on 20:53 - Mar 23 with 2874 views | Hunterhoop |
Sticking to the playing side (although I echo Brian):
A first choice left back (assuming RND does not become perm)
A first choice goalkeeper
Bring back Field / Sell Varane / let Hayden walk / Keep Madsen (assuming the finances allow…) and then sign a back up ball playing central midfielder, and an experienced pro (on less money than Hayden): Madsen, Field, Morgan, AN OTHER, AN OTHER (would be my preference)
A back up right back (experienced pro - a better, right footed version of Morgan Fox)
That would be it. We have loads of wide players. We have enough forwards assuming none are sold. Kolli needs to be playing regularly next year wide left or up top. We have Saito, Smyth, Chair, Vale, Poku, Dembele, and then Kone, Burrell, Kolli, Obikwu. That is 10 players for 4 spots. We have enough budget committed in those areas.
Morrison returns from his loan to replace Cook. We’re fine elsewhere.
Of those 5 signings I’m suggesting, all 5 would be experienced players at this level though, not players to be sold for profit, apart from the goal keeper given keepers’ lifespans. These signings should be made with this profile to maximise the sale value of the existing youngsters we have by:
a) making us better
b) maintaining standards
c) passing on game nous
d) giving us extra physicality
Half our team every week will still be under 24 with resale value come the summer of 2027. Let’s go to win and those youngsters will be worth more.
However, saying all that, as many have said, the most important thing? Overhaul the Performance function, reduce the number of injuries and get them fit for the opening game. [Post edited 23 Mar 21:01]
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| An early look ahead to 2026/27 on 20:58 - Mar 23 with 2860 views | Mick_S |
Please, whoever comes or goes, just start the season fit and strong and ready to go at them. It is so very important. | |
| Did I ever mention that I was in Minder? |
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| An early look ahead to 2026/27 on 21:08 - Mar 23 with 2819 views | Benny_the_Ball |
| An early look ahead to 2026/27 on 16:43 - Mar 23 by BrianMcCarthy |
New CEO.
New DoF.
New person in charge of fitness.
I don't think we should spend another penny until those three positions are sorted. |
LOL. Rumour has it Christian is planning to merge the 3 into one and re-badge the role HRH. | | | |
| An early look ahead to 2026/27 on 22:29 - Mar 23 with 2685 views | derbyhoop |
Be a good idea to have 90% availability just for the First Team.
Finances and real development will dictate what we do. Nardi will go. Hamer as well. Cook isn't getting much time. Given his age and rumoured wage, then how can we afford him. Even if we wanted to.
FBs are not convincing. Is Adamson, Mad Ben's backup? Will RND sign permanently. Esquerdinha and Larkeche haven't convinced. Dunne, Edwards and JCS, if fit, are fine but who are the backups.
A true box to box midfielder would be an improvement.
For me, more Outs than Ins. |  |
| "Travel is fatal to prejudice, bigotry and narrow-mindedness, and many of our people need it sorely on these accounts. Broad, wholesome, charitable views of men and things cannot be acquired by vegetating in one little corner of the Earth all one's lifetime." (Mark Twain)
Find me on twitter @derbyhoop and now on Bluesky |
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| An early look ahead to 2026/27 on 09:33 - Mar 24 with 2371 views | Markofthegrove |
| An early look ahead to 2026/27 on 22:29 - Mar 23 by derbyhoop |
Be a good idea to have 90% availability just for the First Team.
Finances and real development will dictate what we do. Nardi will go. Hamer as well. Cook isn't getting much time. Given his age and rumoured wage, then how can we afford him. Even if we wanted to.
FBs are not convincing. Is Adamson, Mad Ben's backup? Will RND sign permanently. Esquerdinha and Larkeche haven't convinced. Dunne, Edwards and JCS, if fit, are fine but who are the backups.
A true box to box midfielder would be an improvement.
For me, more Outs than Ins. |
"Of those 5 signings I’m suggesting, all 5 would be experienced players at this level though, not players to be sold for profit, apart from the goal keeper given keepers’ lifespans. These signings should be made with this profile to maximise the sale value of the existing youngsters we have by:
a) making us better
b) maintaining standards
c) passing on game nous
d) giving us extra physicality"
This is the kind of thoughts that really should be asked to Nourry. | | | |
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