(That long since we've had any, couldn't find the thread)

Alan Nixon: "Top Liverpool starlet Cameron Branagan will Ben allowed out on loan in Jan.

Bolton lead the race for the 20 year old midfielder"

Edited December 11, 20169 yr by Ratwhite

1 hour ago, Stig said:

While I'm ok with Collins being transferred for £800k the fact we spent more than that on each of McAtee and Randall beggars belief 

And about the same on Schon.

54 minutes ago, tomski said:

Randall looked like a broken man with us. He’s on the list for out for me. Backed him loads at the games last season. I’d be amazed if he’s still here by end of August

I'd be amazed if we manage to offload him, unless its a loan to another L1 team.   He's not the worst midfielder I've seen by a long chalk but there's no way he's going to be part of the SS revolution long term, he may hang around as an impact sub but I don't expect him to be anywhere near starting games.

53 minutes ago, bwfc4ife said:

I think we still need two full backs, two wingers, a CM and most of all a goalscorer.

Hoping Sheehan, Mcatee and Johnston follow him out the door

I’ve a feeling we’re sorted for left back. We know we have Conway and the interview with Schumacher earlier this week (can’t find it right now) emphasised that Taylor has been playing as left side of a back three, and was as much bought for left back as left centre back. Given we’ve already got Johnston and Inwood as left footed centre backs, we’re pretty well stocked with left footed defenders.

46 minutes ago, Johnnyrotten said:

 one minute you're settled in an area, the next you're moving to a wierd no-mark place like Milton Keynes!

There's a great number of very pleasant places within 10 miles of MK.

37 minutes ago, Rival Son said:

I’ve a feeling we’re sorted for left back. We know we have Conway and the interview with Schumacher earlier this week (can’t find it right now) emphasised that Taylor has been playing as left side of a back three, and was as much bought for left back as left centre back. Given we’ve already got Johnston and Inwood as left footed centre backs, we’re pretty well stocked with left footed defenders.

I think that'd be a mistake

14 hours ago, Zico said:

Rioch got us promoted out of L1

Parkinson got us promoted out of L1

Evatt didn't

so he's 3rd in that list of best managers for a start

And to add context to Allardyce at this level, he won this division with Notts County and had a win percentage that season of 63%

4 hours ago, gonzo said:

Dynamic and Robust are the two most important and significant words in all that.

Dynamic and Robust = No fannies

Spot on.

Although I think some of the fannies including Collins would do a lot better with dynamic and robust teammates around them.

Hopefully the fannies that stay aren’t picked at the same time next season.

8 hours ago, gonzo said:

I'll thank him for Blackpool at home if nothing else.

 

Aye, he made the difference a few times last season

Huddersfield away, Bristol at home

Anyway, bye 

Dynamic and robust

Go on then

7 hours ago, Zog1 said:

He's about 5'7-5'8 and about 9-10 stone. Why would you expect him to put a foot in? That isnt his role he's a creative player, he'd just get himself injured. 

He's a professional footballer- I'd expect any of them to be willing to make a challenge. 

He doesn't have to be good at it, but as we saw with Sheehan too, failing to make an attempt and just letting an opponent run unchallenged, leads to conceding goals.

He's 5 foot 10 (1.77m), which is taller than plenty of midfielders well known for getting about the pitch and making tackles.

Attitude and hard work are as important as any skills. That's part of the reason we haven't been succeeding; we've all seen it, including the manager, and Collins has already gone.

Peanuts really for Collins, but SS didn’t fancy him so that’s that. Just got to back him in his restructuring of the squad. 

Still hoping for him to move a few more on, then it will feel like a proper reset and a season to look forward to. 

I'm worried that after all the incomings and outgoings, that this whole new looking squad is "going to need time to gel and get to know each other" and it'll lead to a season or two without promotion, but the other side of the coin is that Schumacher is the second coming of Big Sam and up we go.

Edited June 20, 2025Jun 20 by SalCity Biggie
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2 minutes ago, SalCity Biggie said:

I'm worried that after all the incomings and outgoings, that this whole new looking squad is "going to need time to gel and get to know each other" and it'll lead to a season or two without promotion, but the other side of the coin is that Schumacher is the second coming of Big Sam and up we go.

At least we've made moves early, so they have time to train and practice together.

You need talent, drive and passion to be a top level athlete. AC had the talent but not the passion or drive. Not the only one.

He just comes across as if he's not really arsed, too casual in his attitude & he's a good player on his day even having not being proper utilized by us but he's the type where he'll by smiling/joking around even if we've been pumped 4-0. We obviously need to get some proven goals in the squad to replace the ones we've lost especially so far only having an unproven EFL striker albeit who's done well in Scotland we're not sure how he'll translate. Most of all what I want from SS is to bring in genuine pace, players who can genuinely go past a players to get shots/crosses off & counter with genuine threat it'll be massively refreshing to see. The squads been packed of all players wanting it to feet, nobody actually stretching defences & opening up space for the technical ones to operate. I genuinely reckon Randall will do well next season when he has some speed around him but that's if he's not gone out on loan down south because of homesickness knowing us after spending over a mill on the lad.

1 hour ago, SalCity Biggie said:

I'm worried that after all the incomings and outgoings, that this whole new looking squad is "going to need time to gel and get to know each other" and it'll lead to a season or two without promotion, but the other side of the coin is that Schumacher is the second coming of Big Sam and up we go.

That's what pre season is for and why we've started our business relatively early before they're back in training

His remit will be promotion asap 

He wants to change the squad, it's why we've sold our best player to help bring in more faces

There should be no caveat that these things will take time

If Evatt was similar to Neal, SS has to be similar to Rioch

10 hours ago, gonzo said:

If we are going with wingers we need better than Tutu and Schon.

 

Aye, can't say it helps playing them on their wrong side as it slows attacks down. Tutu looks like he's playing scared a lot of the times

Good luck to Collins.

Not that arsed really but I can say that for all of them. 

Mcatee next please

No problem with Collins going, 1 in 5 good games is no use to us & getting our money back ( & i've seen the BN figure being questioned as a bit low ) seems like good business & I wouldn't be sorry if McAtee went as well......

but, i'm another who hasn't given up on Randall, he's never going to be a midfield hardman but if we support him with more physical players & give him forwards who make the runs to give him options to pass to ( unlike the sock down mincers ) he could still be useful.

9 hours ago, Lt. Aldo Raine said:

I think that'd be a mistake

Taylor certainly played LB a number of times for St Mirren, the only question for me lies around Conway, and whether after seeing him plenty in pre season he goes with him as a regular option or loans him out again till Xmas and brings someone in. 

I'd imagine SS's first thought with Taylor was as CB but I could also see him having him at LB if he wanted a back four with a lot of height and physicality about it

Despite this old video, I’m confident this lad will do well for us barring injury….

 

17 minutes ago, Wanderlust said:

Despite this old video, I’m confident this lad will do well for us barring injury….

 

Judging by the footage. Our players just need to stand another 50cm to the left and every pass will be to feet! 😁

2 hours ago, SalCity Biggie said:

I'm worried that after all the incomings and outgoings, that this whole new looking squad is "going to need time to gel and get to know each other" and it'll lead to a season or two without promotion, but the other side of the coin is that Schumacher is the second coming of Big Sam and up we go.

SS said, this week, that he want fast, dynamic play and more physicality.

The very things his predecessor abhored & bought to avoid. Even scoffed at the fans calling out for.

Gets my vote, but we'll see if it can be happen.

Just watched the Harkin interview again and it struck me that we have plenty to be proud about in terms of the running of the club. The recurring theme amongst the new recruits - other than the usual positivity about the fans and the stadium - is that they are impressed by the management team and the engagement with and access to the owners.

Sure there’s lots of talk about ambition and potential which you’d expect, but there is something good about the professionalism, attitude and cohesiveness of the management team that gives me confidence that we’ll be giving it our best shot at progression whilst remaining sustainable.

Feels good.

13 minutes ago, Dr. Feelgood said:

SS said, this week, that he want fast, dynamic play and more physicality.

The very things his predecessor abhored & bought to avoid. Even scoffed at the fans calling out for.

Gets my vote, but we'll see if it can be happen.

Makes me wonder if there is still a role for Sheehan in such a team.

It's nice and all, and I'm more confident in our current leadership than I was in Evatt and Markham but it really is just all talk at this stage

Similar things have been said by new signings under other managers