Football Ventures

[Leyther_Matt]

I think anybody is available if the right offer comes in. If anything, the business model dictates that.

And I would like to think that Evatt would find a way of improving on any departures as he has done in previous windows (apart from the last one).

I think the only ones we’d REALLY struggle to replace with similar quality are Baxter and the goals of Charles. And, in terms of value, to find another Toal or Thomason for comparatively fuck all would be a challenge, but they would very much be in keeping with the business plan if sold on at a hefty profit.  

[Ani]

51 minutes ago, Leyther_Matt said:

I think anybody is available if the right offer comes in. If anything, the business model dictates that.

And I would like to think that Evatt would find a way of improving on any departures as he has done in previous windows (apart from the last one).

I think the only ones we’d REALLY struggle to replace with similar quality are Baxter and the goals of Charles. And, in terms of value, to find another Toal or Thomason for comparatively fuck all would be a challenge, but they would very much be in keeping with the business plan if sold on at a hefty profit.  

I get everyone is available at a price, but I think we are now at a juncture where we need to be actively looking to move players on. 

[Leyther_Matt]

1 minute ago, Ani said:

I get everyone is available at a price, but I think we are now at a juncture where we need to be actively looking to move players on. 

It’s willing takers that are a concern, just now. Didn’t exactly smack of putting themselves in the shop window yesterday. If someone can get the out of contract list then that would be interesting.  

[Rizlar]

6 minutes ago, Leyther_Matt said:

It’s willing takers that are a concern, just now. Didn’t exactly smack of putting themselves in the shop window yesterday. If someone can get the out of contract list then that would be interesting.  

Think only Jerome and Bod are out of contract and obviously the loan players as most of the players have decent contracts so we need to sell but like you said after yesterday who is going to want any of them can see Santos going though if a bid is received. 

[Lt. Aldo Raine]

I'm bracing myself for the likelihood next season looks a lot like this

Evatt still in charge and the bulk of the squad still with us

[kent_white]

23 minutes ago, Rizlar said:

Think only Jerome and Bod are out of contract and obviously the loan players as most of the players have decent contracts so we need to sell but like you said after yesterday who is going to want any of them can see Santos going though if a bid is received. 

Bod could have made a big difference yesterday. He's got his limitations - but he offers us a different dimension up front. 

I imagine they will both get moved on in the summer though. 

Alex Neil is a free agent by the way and I'd be up for him if Evatt thinks his future lies elsewhere. Talented manager - still pretty young and has a track record of taking teams out of League 1......

[Rizlar]

1 minute ago, kent_white said:

Bod could have made a big difference yesterday. He's got his limitations - but he offers us a different dimension up front. 

I imagine they will both get moved on in the summer though. 

Alex Neil is a free agent by the way and I'd be up for him if Evatt thinks his future lies elsewhere. Talented manager - still pretty young and has a track record of taking teams out of League 1......

Good shout tbh plenty of managers would jump at the chance but unless he walks he will not be sacked ?

[Biggish Dave]

I've mentioned Neill myself, he'd be a good fit and believe still lives at Preston too

[Leyther_Matt]

42 minutes ago, Rizlar said:

Think only Jerome and Bod are out of contract and obviously the loan players as most of the players have decent contracts so we need to sell but like you said after yesterday who is going to want any of them can see Santos going though if a bid is received. 

Let’s hope any prospective scouts had their trains cancelled and their Sky box failed.

[Matt Lofthouse]

3 hours ago, Ani said:

I get everyone is available at a price, but I think we are now at a juncture where we need to be actively looking to move players on. 

Agreed. A fresh start just feels right, but then I’m still very pissed off right now and more pissed off that I actually am, as they clearly didn’t give a fuck with the way they bottled it several times last season. 

[Zico]

5 hours ago, Ani said:

Going to be an interesting couple of weeks in FV land, all been about togetherness and community so far, but now there are some potentially tough calls to be made.

Personally think they will stick with Evatt but based on the season overall, not just yesterday, there are big calls to make across the squad. 
 

Dion 20 goals after injuries is a decent return, Collins is fine - not sure any of other 4 forwards Bod, CJ, Big Vic and Big Dan would be greatly missed

Midfield , Legohead and Sheehan have contributed, IMO Dempsey massively under used, Paris would not pay a fee for (think we stuck with him when injured yesterday and that was a mistake) Morley given a new contract but hardly plays. Need a leader in there who does not get booked every other game.

At the back.....I would not lose any sleep if any of them left or be too upset if any of them stayed other than Ogbetta. GJ has become better whilst injured but at least can play left side. Santos should not be captain. 
 

Keepers - the two are good enough for the level. 

Keepers, all good 

I think Toal, Santos, Johnstone is a great back 3 with Jones, Iredale and Forrester as decent back up

Cogley and Williams, if we can find an upgrade on them, great l, but they'll do 

Collins and Charles could be a fantastic front two and definitely one that can fire us to promotion 

It's the middle that needs work, but as said in another thread I'm not sure exactly how we charge it

But it needs to change 

[Ani]

1 minute ago, Zico said:

Keepers, all good 

I think Toal, Santos, Johnstone is a great back 3 with Jones, Iredale and Forrester as decent back up

Cogley and Williams, if we can find an upgrade on them, great l, but they'll do 

Collins and Charles could be a fantastic front two and definitely one that can fire us to promotion 

It's the middle that needs work, but as said in another thread I'm not sure exactly how we charge it

But it needs to change 

The worrying thing about that is that of the midfield 3 Sheehan is nominated for league player of the season, Legohead has been a top performer and Paris will play at a higher level than us next season. 
 

So it ain't the quality of the players but need to look at the Manager. 

[Zico]

17 minutes ago, Ani said:

The worrying thing about that is that of the midfield 3 Sheehan is nominated for league player of the season, Legohead has been a top performer and Paris will play at a higher level than us next season. 
 

So it ain't the quality of the players but need to look at the Manager. 

Aye 

The quality is there (I also forgot about CMG, I think he has a lot to offer as well)

I just don't know how you make Sheehan perform when he's up against it, same for the others, how do you  make them not disappear in big games 

With IE, I accept we improve year on year

3rd challenging for top and 2 and losing play off final is arguably better than 5th and losing in the semi though both boil down to losing in play offs 

The only way we can improve next season is promotion and for that to happen something needs to change

Of course a new manager is one option 

But if he's still here, how do we make this team better and capable of top two and I think the answer lies in the middle

[FrancisFogarty]

3 hours ago, Leyther_Matt said:

Let’s hope any prospective scouts had their trains cancelled and their Sky box failed.

That’s one of the problems. They don’t need Sky or trains anymore. All they need is a tenner for WTv.

[1969]

3 minutes ago, Zico said:

Aye 

The quality is there (I also forgot about CMG, I think he has a lot to offer as well)

I just don't know how you make Sheehan perform when he's up against it, same for the others, how do you  make them not disappear in big games 

With IE, I accept we improve year on year

3rd challenging for top and 2 and losing play off final is arguably better than 5th and losing in the semi though both boil down to losing in play offs 

The only way we can improve next season is promotion and for that to happen something needs to change

Of course a new manager is one option 

But if he's still here, how do we make this team better and capable of top two and I think the answer lies in the middle

Bring in another winger and go 442 or 433 also get a ball winning cm

                  Baxter

New rb   Toal.  Johnston     Iredale

     Thommason hard cunt Dempsey 

                     Cmg

           Collins.     Charles

 

[waffer cup 07]

53 minutes ago, 1969 said:

Bring in another winger and go 442 or 433 also get a ball winning cm

                  Baxter

New rb   Toal.  Johnston     Iredale

     Thommason hard cunt Dempsey 

                     Cmg

           Collins.     Charles

 

So ditching our player of the season , then.

[Tonge moor green jacket]

2 minutes ago, waffer cup 07 said:

So ditching our player of the season , then.

Hmm, he's at his peak and isn't going to get any better.

Do we look to cash in, and adjust our style slightly, or hope he can become more effective against the physical sides.

[waffer cup 07]

3 minutes ago, Tonge moor green jacket said:

Hmm, he's at his peak and isn't going to get any better.

Do we look to cash in, and adjust our style slightly, or hope he can become more effective against the physical sides.

Its not Sheenan that needs to get better its players around him that need to be stronger, so he can create. Thomasson has total lost his form due to a booking every game. Not to mention Santos indecisive play. 

[1969]

26 minutes ago, waffer cup 07 said:

So ditching our player of the season , then.

Yep he goes missing to often in "the  bigger games" and couldn't tackle his dinner 

[waffer cup 07]

The whole of our midfield and defence go missing regularly, why pick out Sheenan.

[1969]

2 minutes ago, waffer cup 07 said:

The whole of our midfield and defence go missing regularly, why pick out Sheenan.

 Santos,cogley,Jones, ogbeta,williams? oh that's right I picked on Sheehan 

[Tonge moor green jacket]

3 hours ago, waffer cup 07 said:

Its not Sheenan that needs to get better its players around him that need to be stronger, so he can create. Thomasson has total lost his form due to a booking every game. Not to mention Santos indecisive play. 

Nah, not for me.

Sheehan is fine when he has time and teammates work for him, pressing and moving.

Sometimes though, your best players will have to do it themselves when the going gets tough. Tomo's game has helped him achieve this, but teams have worked out a plan, and in the biggest games he's not effective. 

Not on his own of course.

Unfortunately, as gifted as he is, he disappears when it gets physical. 

Not "his fault" as such, I just think this is the level he will remain at.

[ZiggyStardust]

3 hours ago, waffer cup 07 said:

Its not Sheenan that needs to get better its players around him that need to be stronger, so he can create. Thomasson has total lost his form due to a booking every game. Not to mention Santos indecisive play. 

Sheehan went hiding, litterally & fuguratively, every time Santos or Toal had the ball yesterday.

He simply didnt want the short pass to him, when an Oxford player was close to him.

They were all shit yesterday, but some were more shit than others.

[Cheese]

I know they insist they had a plan for whatever league we ended up, but I really fear they've thrown everything they've got at it this season. I don't buy into the "we couldn't afford to go up" nonsense in the slightest. It's far more likely we couldn't afford not to.

[ianofcleveleys]

15 minutes ago, Cheese said:

I know they insist they had a plan for whatever league we ended up, but I really fear they've thrown everything they've got at it this season. I don't buy into the "we couldn't afford to go up" nonsense in the slightest. It's far more likely we couldn't afford not to.

That was my thinking on the 'we can't afford to go up' conspiracy theories, rather than 'can we afford to go up' I'd imagine minds are as much focused on how long we can afford to stay where we are.