Anderson

I appreciate the optimism, I'm just not sure relying on a 33 year old who hasn't scored those numbers at that level in 7 years is ideal. Obviously I'd keep him around and have him play a relatively significant amount of time but we need to think about longevity at some point as well.

That's the problem for me, I'm not sure Doyle can be the main man with a step up in division. No doubt he's a good poacher but it's whether he can offer enough to create things when it might not be going our way. I'd like to add some more athleticism in general in a number of positions.

Not to be too negative but I do think we'll need some significant improvements to the Starting XI if we want to challenge again for promotion next year. I don't mean that to say the current incumbents couldn't be effective at that level, I just think there is room for improvements for consistency purposes. There's a few players been released at Championship level that I'd hope we'd take hard runs at. Ashley Fletcher from Middlesbrough, never lived up to that fee they paid but I think would add a good bit of athleticism at the top of the pitch, allows Doyle to move to more of an impact player or rotation against weaker defences. James Chester from Stoke, 32 now but that sort of defender that can play a bit, experienced enough to take up that role from Baptiste and let him move to the bench. Reece Burke from Hull, it says he's out of contract on Tranfermarkt but don't know how accurate it is, either way he'll have offers from above our level I'm sure but I'd love him back and looks to have developed into a proper decent defender. Nick Powell from Stoke again, I love Sarce but I'm not sure he's got all the physical tools to do it consistently at the next level, Powell another who can lack consistency but having the pair of them as an option in that Attacking Midfield role could be push them both. I'd like another winger option as well to add to Politic, Isgrove and hopefully Afolayan. Right back as well, as reliable as Jones has been I see him as more of a backup option in League 1.

I would assume they're all signed to the same agency. That or he's met a few at an England camp? But I can't find anything on him ever going to St George's with any of the England youth squads.

Our best XI after that window for me is now. Gilks Jones, Santos, Delaney, John Lee, Tutte Maddison, Sarcevic, Delfouneso Doyle The exciting thing is imagining that team with Politic in it as well. I also imagine this defender we have on trial will walk straight into the side alongside Santos.

That would have been funny if you'd listed deja vu twice...

Now, I'm not making any accusations, that was all on you.

We're making light of a serious situation here, he's very much at risk catching this virus. You know, on account of the HIV.

It would appear that IFK Östersund who Boon has signed for, has been confused with Östersunds FK. IFK play at the 4th tier of Swedish football rather than FK who play in the Allsvenskan. The 4th tier has 6 regional divisions, which would suggest that level is pretty low in terms of quality. Still a decent experience for the lad.

This ain't going to happen anymore is it... I've got a tournament over there on that weekend that they're definitely not going to allow. Mean to be flying to Portugal later in May for a golf weekend which I can see being cancelled as well.

No, I'm saying with 3 at the back the midfield shouldn't be as defensive minded.

Surely 3 at the back means a defensive minded midfielder is less necessary, last night you could easily go with: Matthews Emmanuel, Nsiala, Delaney, Bryan, Fleming Hamilton, Murphy Crawford Politic, Dodoo

I hope this holds for tomorrow, got the first round of the year booked in! And it's about time too.

And there we have what we call small time mentality. Worrying for me.

Also depressing reading. So the lads we do bring through are up against shite as well? We're already competing with so many other clubs in the area, not sure how offering less will aid us in any way. This is disheartening news.

Because your first team becomes a shop window for talent, rather than developing them within the club in the hope they're part of your future progression, they're brought in earlier than usual in the hope they look good enough for a 'big' club to give you a few mil.

If we're going that route then Holgate has played there and done well for Everton. I don't like it though. Prefer the attacking possession based midfield with Henderson as the pivot, a combination of Maddison, Grealish, Winks, Foden and even Loftus-Cheek if he gets fit as the more advanced pairing handling the majority of the creativity. Allows Sancho and Sterling to cause havoc with their movement ahead of the ball and forces Kane to stop dropping so deep.

Not sure I'm a fan of this, I understand Brentford do a similar model and it's part of the fabled 'moneyball' approach. But I think it's a bit short sighted in terms of player development and perhaps feels like we're resigned to life as a feeder club living at this level. I understand that may be the reality of what we have become but it still doesn't sit right with me.

Unfortunately though, Murphy isn't your man for that, despite being a big fucker a target man he is not. Plus he turns like a bus so if he does win a knock down, he still hasn't got into a danger area by the time we'd be looking to get the ball in the box. Not had a player like that since Madine.

This result was far from a positive. Against a very poor Accrington side that we dominated simply by turning up we failed to create anything clear cut and still nearly managed to throw the game away at the end. Sure we had a lot of the ball first half in and around their area but they allowed us to simply by being crap and we did nothing with the freedom and possession allowed to us. I will say it's nice to see the defenders and/or keeper not falling over themselves to give the opposition a goal for once, midfield and attack still lack impetuous or identity though.

I like Bowyer, said it elsewhere but he's a family friend so I am biased but I'd have given him the job in the past. Think he's been hard done by in the roles that he's had, had one or both hands tied behind his back and actually done quite well in most of his roles. Not sure he's what we need now though, I'd be more in line with young and progressive. Whatever happens though Hill cannot be here past the end of the season, ideally wouldn't be here past the end of the week.

Corona taken quickly! CORVID-19!!!!

Aye, the National League.

Christ, I'm not saying give them the job. If the next man isn't available to take the job with immediate effect then I see no issue at all giving the rest of the season to Lee and/or Phillips because of the nature of the squad, the football they seem to promote and the fact that most of our contracted players next season are youth players anyway. I don't see why Lee having no managerial experience matters in that sort of capacity? Not only that but we're at the level or very soon will be where a lot of young coaches and former players take their first steps into management. Everyone starts somewhere, and again, I'm not suggesting Lee should start by being our permanent manager but as a caretaker in our current situation then I'd be fine with that.

Nah Flitcroft would be gone as well for me, peas in a pod those two. Either give it the manager you intend to be in charge next season as well or give it to Lee or Phillips until the summer, get some of the young lads back in and get us playing some football at least.