The only statistic that really matters is clean sheets

[weststandfruitloop]

We finally got our fifth clean sheet of the season today. Only one team (rock bottom Carlisle with two) are shitter than us on that score. Everyone else has at least seven.

Meanwhile, Stevenage - far less creative in front of goal than us and operating on a fraction of our budget, yet challenging for the play-offs - got their 19th clean sheet of the season today. They have more than anyone else in L1 (Pompey, Derby and Lincoln are all one behind on 18).

From our perspective, NJ is starting to get the measure of our defensive frailties. The additions of REG and Gillesphey in January, plus Ramsay (instantly injured, sadly) and Small as our first choice full backs, does seem like even the SMT (ie Scott or whoever) had realised this was the most urgent issue to address mid-season.

Our clean sheets thus far (in a 46 game season) have come in games 1, 9, 12, 34 and 41.

This in very simple numbers demonstrates our 'mid-season slump' and the fact that NJ has 'fixed' it to some degree in the short period he has been here.

We obviously need a new keeper (I truly hope NJ is sweet talking Christian Walton as much as is allowed before his contract expires in the summer) and a commanding captain type in defence.

Beyond that our defensive roster 'as a squad' isn't hugely bad imho. Assuming Hector (and maybe Thomas) are renewed as squad players and maybe Mitchell can step up, we probably only need two incomings in total.

It's in midfield - where we only have (assuming loanees in and out are moved on) Coventry, forgotten man Taylor and too-young-to-be-a-regular Anderson on our books next season - that we are light.

Which is odd. Having spent almost the whole season moaning that we have a million central midfielders and a shit defence, it seems for next season we'll have the opposite.

Call me a dullard but I'd take a clean sheet over a 7-6 win any day x

[reamsofverse]

Pintless getting clean sheets mate if we aren't scoring ourselves.

Total lack of firepower. One striker who scores but is useless anywhere else on the pitch other than in the box and an entire midfield who will never get into double figures between them let alone having one who can manage the 10+ that players in their position can at other clubs.

[seriouslyred]

Apr 1, 2024 23:15:35 GMT reamsofverse said:

Pintless getting clean sheets mate if we aren't scoring ourselves.

Total lack of firepower. One striker who scores but is useless anywhere else on the pitch other than in the box and an entire midfield who will never get into double figures between them let alone having one who can manage the 10+ that players in their position can at other clubs.

Whether we win 1-0, 2-1 or 3-2 we still secure three points. But we aren't winning too many games this year. Three under Nathan Jones and none in January or February when Appleton was in charge.

We are fortunate that there are around ten layers about to depart, so there should be plenty of budget for a new number 10 and other midfielders that we so clearly need.

Ladapo will go, leaving us with Leaburn, May and Kanu under contract. Who knows how Leaburn will play next season after his injury. But there's plenty of time and budget to address our attacking woes.

[surridgecobbler5]

I thought the writing was on the wall for a 0 0 when he pulled off Watson and brought on Ness and then also subbed May for Bakinson.
The game was crying out for Lua Lua to create some opening for Chuks and Kanu

[weststandfruitloop]

Apr 2, 2024 9:58:10 GMT seriouslyred said:

Ladapo will go, leaving us with Leaburn, May and Kanu under contract.

And Aneke, although I appreciate we generally only expect a dozen 15-30 minute cameos a season from him.

I'm expecting us to approach next season with:

1 new goalkeeper (+ Isted)
2-3 new centre halves (+ REG, Gillesphey and maybe Hector and/or Mitchell)
our current wing backs
3-4 new midfielders (+ Coventry, Anderson and maybe Bakinson)
2 new strikers (+ May, Leaburn, Kanu and occasional Aneke)

I suspect we will look to move the senior players not listed above on. 8-10 new players seems a lot but that's the sort of overhaul we need imho (and of course a handful will be loanees).

[kings hill addick]

Apr 2, 2024 10:13:01 GMT weststandfruitloop said:

Apr 2, 2024 9:58:10 GMT seriouslyred said:

Ladapo will go, leaving us with Leaburn, May and Kanu under contract.

And Aneke, although I appreciate we generally only expect a dozen 15-30 minute cameos a season from him.

I'm expecting us to approach next season with:

1 new goalkeeper (+ Isted)
2-3 new centre halves (+ REG, Gillesphey and maybe Hector and/or Mitchell)
our current wing backs
3-4 new midfielders (+ Coventry, Anderson and maybe Bakinson)
2 new strikers (+ May, Leaburn, Kanu and occasional Aneke)

I suspect we will look to move the senior players not listed above on. 8-10 new players seems a lot but that's the sort of overhaul we need imho (and of course a handful will be loanees).

I don't think we will sign as many as 8 players and I don't think we will have as many players in the squad as you suggest. The need is for more quality, not necessarily numbers. It is quite a waste of money having too many players that are drawing a wage that don't play. My best guess is that any excessive injury/suspension issues will be covered with academy players. They are much cheaper and and much more of an investment.

We need a couple of 'senior' players in their mid to late 20s. These are the type of players that cost the most to sign, have the largest wages and little resale value. I am hoping that the lion's share of the budget goes on players like this. I think we have quite a few players that are good enough to be part of a promotion squad but we are missing the three or four real quality players that make all the difference.

A total overhaul will mean that it will take ten games for the new players to settle and then we are chasing the top sides and may well spend all season playing catch-up.