(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

48 minutes ago, Whitesince63 said:

What rubbish, he was out previously because of a damaged toe not a hamstring. Personally I’d say that if he’d been told he isn’t going to be first choice he’d expressed a wish to leave. He said that last season he was thinking about it before he got his run. Like Southwood I think he just wants to be starter most every week which he won’t be here. That could mean his injury is a hoax and he’s been looking for another club where he’s more likely to be first choice. Personally I’d be very sad to lose him because I think he’s a really committed defender. If it’s County then so be it if his hearts not here but as for George if Huddersfield’s bid is £750k I’d be telling them to do one.

Seem very aggressive recently Sincey, is everything OK?

1 hour ago, Dr. Feelgood said:

It's as if form, suspension, formation flecibility and ... most of all, injuries don't affect us.

I'm happy with 4 for the season for those two positions.. But if we can sell thommo for a million (or whatever we deem acceptable), then bring in his replacement and another player, then to me that's good business. The fee we agreed for ceesay was 375k or something similar. If Sheehan was the one who was wanted then id be happy to sell him but thommo is the only one who's wanted. Just makes sense given he's not playing every game.

I’m sure I read something about reducing the overall squad size so I expect we’ll be trying to offload a few without necessarily replacing them. And if that turns out to be the case, we’ll have to trust the non-regulars to step up and hoping the regulars stay fit. We’ll have no choice but to bring in a striker, maybe 2, but I’d be surprised if there were any others.

2 hours ago, Wanderlust said:

So Conway is a write off?

Who said that?

What I did say, was that imo, SS sees Taylor as a CB.

We need two players for every position. I think SS is giving Conway pre season to prove himself as one of the LB's. We still need another LB as well as Conway. 

7 hours ago, paulhanley said:

Hitchin Town are my second team because that's where I lived when I first moved to the south. They are a comfortably bigger club that Atherton Colls. They got relegated to a league that is below their level at the end of last season. Average gates are 500-700. A few seasons ago they were within an ace of making it to National League South in the play offs.

 

This wasn’t a dig at Hitchin (or Colls) @paulhanley. Simply, it was a reflection of the level of opposition Collins was facing; big club or small, it was tier 8.

And speaking of big clubs at that level, also in Colls league next season are a certain club called Bury! Whatever Hitchin’s history and crowds are, they are nothing compared to the two time FA Cup winners, who attracted big 4 figure crowds in tier 9, last season.

However, despite their size, it will still be a squad of tier 8 players turning out for Bury, this season.

Edited July 13, 2025Jul 13 by Rival Son

4 hours ago, Johnnyrotten said:

That's easier said than done, or we'd have maybe got one in already?  And if better is available at the price, Huddersfield mustn't know about him (I realise that's too simplistic, as fans we've watched these players for years and still can't agree who's better than who). 

But Hudds will be aware of his injury record and are still reportedly prepared to pay for him rather than sign someone less injury prone, presumably because they can't find someone better available.

 

1 hour ago, Johnnyrotten said:

I was just replying to @only1swanny about Forrester

???

Edited July 13, 2025Jul 13 by Steejay

19 minutes ago, Steejay said:

Who said that?

What I did say, was that imo, SS sees Taylor as a CB.

We need two players for every position. I think SS is giving Conway pre season to prove himself as one of the LB's. We still need another LB as well as Conway. 

I was just wondering if you thought he wasn’t a serious contender. But if we are going to reduce squad size, we probably need players who can play several positions when called upon and there are a few who can play LB including Taylor, Schon and even Thomo. But I agree it would best to have a quality specialist.

Old skool me.

but Forrester is the type of skinhead CB who will head someones foot to tackle.

we don’t have anyone else like that. We’re in division 3. we need some “fight and fire” in the squad.

(also sine FA Cup defeat i hate Stockport and the Blossoms)

There is going to have to be one in one out we must be at the squad limit and that’s including not registered Lolas , Dan , victor and may be Dempsey 

Dubbery though under 21 counts because he is on loan then your talking of freeing room up in the squad for the B team  

The team is still unbalanced with a striker , holding midfielder if this Swedish lad falls through 

probably looking at loosing another 4 of the current squad 

1 hour ago, Rival Son said:

This wasn’t a dig at Hitchin (or Colls) @paulhanley. Simply, it was a reflection of the level of opposition Collins was facing; big club or small, it was tier 8.

And speaking of big clubs at that level, also in Colls league next season are a certain club called Bury! Whatever Hitchin’s history and crowds are, they are nothing compared to the two time FA Cup winners, who attracted big 4 figure crowds in tier 9, last season.

However, despite their size, it will still be a squad of tier 8 players turning out for Bury, this season.

They play Bristol City next

8 minutes ago, Farnywhite said:

Dubbery though under 21 counts because he is on loan then your talking of freeing room up in the squad for the B team  

No he doesn't

26 minutes ago, Lt. Aldo Raine said:

No he doesn't

Correct.

"In EFL League One (and League Two), loan players under 21 do not count towards the 25-man squad limit, although they must be registered.

Clubs can have as many under-21 players as they want, whether they are on loan or their own youngsters, without needing to register them with the league.

However, in the Championship, any player on loan, including those under 21, must be registered in the 25-man squad". 

1 hour ago, Steejay said:

 

???

Sorry I misread, thought Hudds were in for Forrester not Stockport.

Original point still stands though, regarding getting better than him at the price.  If we can find a better/less injury prone replacement, it must be someone Stockport aren't aware of.

Anyway, what will be will be, I trust SS to do the right thing whether its sales or purchases. 

3 hours ago, gonzo said:

Seem very aggressive recently Sincey, is everything OK?

Must be the hot weather, another pint needed I think. 👍😁

3 hours ago, Wanderlust said:

I was just wondering if you thought he wasn’t a serious contender. But if we are going to reduce squad size, we probably need players who can play several positions when called upon and there are a few who can play LB including Taylor, Schon and even Thomo. But I agree it would best to have a quality specialist.

Why would we reduce our squad size? 

And if we were, why would we be looking to bring in two more keepers??

3 minutes ago, Zico said:

Why would we reduce our squad size? 

And if we were, why would we be looking to bring in two more keepers??

Keepers don't count towards the squad. Perhaps SS wants to redo the Stuart Pearce tactics of playing a keeper up front.

3 minutes ago, frank_spencer said:

Keepers don't count towards the squad. Perhaps SS wants to redo the Stuart Pearce tactics of playing a keeper up front.

Fair enough 

But recruiting 4 keepers whilst trying to reduce the squad size doesn't sound right to me 

17 minutes ago, Zico said:

Fair enough 

But recruiting 4 keepers whilst trying to reduce the squad size doesn't sound right to me 

The reason Harkin give for reducing the squad was not financial but room for a pathway for the younger players

This does not really apply to the keepers as it looks like Schumacher is already looking to the future regarding keepers

33 minutes ago, Zico said:

Why would we reduce our squad size? 

And if we were, why would we be looking to bring in two more keepers??

Dunno mate - just seem to remember a comment from Schuey which suggested that was the plan.

Maybe to free up some of the wage bill to get the players he wants?

Edited July 13, 2025Jul 13 by Wanderlust

7 hours ago, Steejay said:

I think he’ll sign another LB, Taylor’s there until we sign one.

Definitely Forino/Taylor at CB.

With Inwood impressing, Johnston and Taylor, we're well covered for left footed centre halves, and Taylor may well get the left back role.

I don't see why folk seem to be ignoring Conway there though. SS said previously that he would look at him pre-season, and decide what to do with him- and he did well enough in the friendly.

Clearly there is more to that for the assessment, but we don't know yet what level he's at.

I think it's much too early to consider Inwood a part of the first team picture yet

No-one's ignoring Conway, it's just unlikely we'll be going into the season without signing a left-back he should be expected to compete with

A lot of chatter about left back, but I think Taylor and Conway have this covered. More concerned about right back where we have Cogley and ???

Edited July 13, 2025Jul 13 by Rival Son

3 minutes ago, Rival Son said:

A lot of chatter about left back, but I think Taylor and Conway have this covered. More concerned about right back where we have Cogley and ???

Exactly right and my thoughts too which is why I imagined Forrester would be the best bet to take on the Jones dual role. I know he’s not a wing back but he is a good defender both aerially and on the ground and probably the best blocker we have to stop those crosses. If he leaves though we definitely need an addition there.

Surely Conway can’t be worse than Murphy last season, he was woefully bad. I’d much rather give game time to one of our own if that was the level of the best LB we can get hold of

24 minutes ago, Whitesince63 said:

Exactly right and my thoughts too which is why I imagined Forrester would be the best bet to take on the Jones dual role. I know he’s not a wing back but he is a good defender both aerially and on the ground and probably the best blocker we have to stop those crosses. If he leaves though we definitely need an addition there.

Forrester and Johnston are centre halves. Presume their height is a reason for this way of thinking, but we need to stop pushing the agenda that either are capable at full back.

Feel like Forrester will go. Decent enough but injury prone. Any profit on the £200k we paid and I’m happy; unless of course we just get back what we paid to waive any sell on ala Collins which is fine with me.

Be a shame to see Thomason go but £750k+ might not be the worst deal all round seeing as him and JDC are confined as whipping boys of the current crop, despite both running their bollocks off, JDC’s run of games etc. 
Bolton fans always get behind grafters though 🙄