Flinders
Austin Collins Hartley Horwood

Franks Walton Sweeney Monkhouse

Poole Howard

Subs Baldwin James Rafferty Murray Then take pick of any other 3 from Humphreys Nish Hawkins Holden Johnson Richards Rowbotham, can even throw in a slim and fit Luscombe if he has knuckled down

On paper looks good but football not played on paper

You'd have thought another 2 or 3 will join before the start as well.

Question is just how far have we pushed the boat out to acquire Howard ?

It would be nice to see 1 maybe 2 more come in, can't really see it being 3, think that may just be a step to far.

Have to say I am VERY excited about the squad and the season starting. Cooper has addressed the areas we needed, striker winger and midfield, with what appears to be quality for this division. I am hoping we get another winger and I think we would have one of the most strongest and promicing squads ever and it can only get better as the youngsters mature.

I don't think we've finished with the signings and I'd like us to replace Monkhouse who actually looks like the weak link in that starting XI.

Personally I'd replace Collins with Baldwin. People continually talk about how we should be looking for younger players to start and I think with Baldwin's MOM appearances last season he deserves the place from the start. Think Cooper will go with Collins though

Agreed Mr Payer. It's quite difficult to drop your skipper. I'm sure Baldwins day will come soon enough though as owld Sam picks up an injury or two these days.

We don't have a set budget, if Cooper wants a player he speaks to the chairman. I seriously doubt he'd sign one player that limited his pre season signings to 3.

Also if one or even two of those three was a season long loan possibly the outlay would be minimal. Who's to say a player or players won't leave? I reckon at least a left winger and another striker, but another centre mid might be handy as well.

We'll see but I'd be amazed if our final signing was made in the second week of July, I'm also confused to why people think Howard is on mega bucks?

I agree with that mate. I went for Collins for much same reason as you state. Monkhouse may well have a better season, he may not be guaranteed a first team place. Holden, Horwood even at a push Humphreys could all be used in that position if he fails to perform at a reasonable standard. I'm not advocating any of them in particular just that there are options, and as I said previously I would like some more new faces in, just not sure how much we'll have left to play with in the budget. And if the 3 we have signed is the end for now then I'm happy. Maybe Sunderland let us have Noble with them paying something like 90% of his wages. And would Wilmott be expensive I wouldn't think so

James and Howard up front is mouthwatering!!!

it all needed shaking up after last season's psychological problems of playing at home. A break for summer and new faces, some of the old ones out and all of a sudden there is optimism amongst fans and players alike, and hopefully some excitiement at home matches this season!! That's all we want really, to look like we can win most home games!!!

Flinders

Austin Baldwin Hartley Horwood

Franks Sweeney Walton Monkhouse

James Howard

Think we need a left winger looking at that really.

I refer my right honourable friend to my second post on this thread.

Nish, forgotten by the fan club

I agree. I think we've had the best of Monkhouse and he should have gone. I think Cooper could start one of the youngsters. I can't remember his name but the blond haired lad who can cross and throw a ball better than Monkhouse. Simples

Holden is the man you're thinking of, Mr Banana.

Looks good on card aswell

Mr Nottingham had something on paper that didn't look so good the other morning.

I do hope his tea towel holder has recovered.

Cant understand people knocking Monky, he has been virtually our only aerial threat up front the last couple of seasons and never shirks a physical battle. I think he'll be a revelation in a better team as he's definitely a confidence player.
Also we shouldn't forget how many times Howard has helped us in the past...... playing for other teams at the end of a season to aid our promotion/relegation causes. Welcome big man

I was thinking that - I am also surprised to see that so many people would start Sweeney in a position where he has struggled to be consistent for a long long time.

I think he has played well in a 451 but rarely in a 442. We do have a few options now though especially as the Holdens, Rutherfords, Richards etc are a year older and now is the time to allow them to flourish.

I've not seen Franks play but I would reckon something like ths could possibly start the first game.


...................Flinders....................

Austin ..... Baldwin.....Hartley ...... Horwood

Franks .......Walton .......Murray.......Poole

..................James ........ Howard ..............


Austin, Collins and Horwood shouldn't be the automatic selections this season that they have been in recent years and I would hope Holden especially will be pushing for a starting spot based on his perfrmances I've seen so far....

Although last time he excelled in that position was alongside Tinkler and reports say that Walton is a similar kind of player, and under a manager called Neale Cooper wasn't it?

Not saying that it'll work again, but maybe at least worth a try?

I , for one haven't binned him off, to use your words from a previous thread mate he is getting on a bit( actually ancient compared to Pedersen) and I simply went for the younger legs. I certainly wouldn't have a problem if he was picked before Walton, sometime this season the likes of Baldwin, Walton will be introduced(IMHO) to prepare for the coming seasons and that is only right as both Collins and Murray are both nearing the end of their careers, Only reason I chose Collins over Baldwin was because I believe he will be captain again and therefore play, injuries and suspensions permitting. Which I would prefer is open to debate and I would probably go for Baldwin, younger and from last season an outstanding prospect. The likes of both Baldwin and Walton are hopefully the future.

Cooper could use Murray in a more defensive formation for away games and leave him out at home. Just like Spain we are full of midfielders lol!

I'm genuinely optimistic we will be a solid top half side this season, which hopefully gives us the platform for a good push to the top 6 at the end. The players have been through a bit of trauma at home last time out and the new signings could see us able to mix uip the play a bit, and with the the young lads like James, Baldwin, Poole a year older and wiser and getting better, it's hopefully coming together. Let's hope we can have a good home record this time out and try to keep doing what we did away from home from last season, and all the ingredients are there to surprise a few people. We may not end up in the top 6, but I think it could be the best squad we've pulled together for a while to make it a realistic aim

I don't think well have any difficulty in improving on last seasons 13th. Obv injuries to key players aside. It generally looks good and if the new folk fit in especially franks hopefully well be entertained alot more too at the vic. I'd still like to see noble return and poole to be tested on the left flank. The only issue I see if we play 442 is which to play cm. Impossible to suggest which two without seeing it 1st in pre season but I'd like to see Murray retain his place. Dosnt Deserve to be dropped at all IMO. Could Murray Walton work?? Only time will tell like. Also is Holden a contender or a start come Swindon. Lots to access in the comimg weeks and hopefully some more fresh faces to add extra strength.

If new blood gels hopefully we can be a top 6 side.

Flinders
Austin Baldwin Hartley Holden
Franks Murray Walton Poole
Howard James

Rafferty, Collins, horwood, Sweeney, Monkhouse

Also If luscombe is fit I'd have him on left and Poole on bench for monky

I think the fact that Cooper has said he is happy with mosts fitness coupled with the fact that he is never in shot on any of the pictures of the pre season work suggests hes in the same shape as last year.

Could be wrong but I would imagine if he had of improved Cooper would of praised him since he set him a target to get fit and offered him a lifeline.

Thing is cooper is generally straight talking, if he'd Come back out of shape I'm sure we would have heard. Chip knows absolutely everything so he would have Defo said by now. Holland will probably reveal the truth.


If he is still overweight and unfit I'd tear his contract up and send him packing. That goes without saying but we don't know for certain if this is true

I want answers

Can add 2 more to that sub list , they've changed it back to 7 subs

No "We Need Answers!"

Thanks bob.......Richards and Ritchie