Squad Upgrade - League 1

[Ian Tarr]

I agree with this, the 3-5-2-1 has worked a treat this season in L2.

You need to keep quiet about this. If the authorities realise we've been playing with 12 players, we'll get docked loads of points......

 

[Cowshed Grecian]

You need to keep quiet about this. If the authorities realise we've been playing with 12 players, we'll get docked loads of points......

Good spot there Ian There’s a reason why we are Top of the League

 

[SEA Grecian]

Well I for one assumed that a while back. But the talk on this thread - 'how about George Friend because we could do with a LCB of experience as cover who could be relied on when called upon, has serious championship experience and will be good with developing the youngsters?' ed to two thoughts. First George Friend isn't available and secondly doesn't that job spec for Friend sound rather like the cv of Grounds.

MT seems to like his contribution too.

Grounds reminds me of Woodman in the way he never seems flustered and rarely even seems to run much but always seems to have that sixth sense of being in the right place at the right time.

 

[Red Devon]

With Kyle Taylor likely to miss a substantial part of next season if not all of it and Nigel expected to leave….Surely we’ll need someone else in centre mid won’t we

 

[SEA Grecian]

With Kyle Taylor likely to miss a substantial part of next season if not all of it and Nigel expected to leave….Surely we’ll need someone else in centre mid won’t we

Depends on whether we decide to keep Callum Rowe and whether we think either James Dodd or Jack Veale are ready to step up to the first team.

 

[Red Devon]

Depends on whether we decide to keep Callum Rowe and whether we think either James Dodd or Jack Veale are ready to step up to the first team.

I’m hoping Rowe will be offered something, if he can move the ball quicker he could be a really good player as he has the ability…..I’d be very surprised if Dodd and Veale were ready to step into a league one side though.

 

[grecIAN Harris]

I’m hoping Rowe will be offered something, if he can move the ball quicker he could be a really good player as he has the ability…..I’d be very surprised if Dodd and Veale were ready to step into a league one side though.

He, just like Taylor, needs more game time in League 2 football so that he doesn't have all day to stand on the ball and pick whatever pass he choose like they both could in the Premier Reserve League. Both are good players, I rate Taylor highly, they just need to understand what is going on around them and how much time they don't have although stepping up a level they just might get a bit more of that time back.

 

[jimbo-gould]

I’m hoping we stick to the 352 formation. I think it’s quite flexible in terms of allowing us to sit back or push forward with both Hartridge and Sweeney bringing the ball out. My worry would be if Key moves on who we get in. If I’m honest I’m not Caprice’s biggest fan even at league two level, so I don’t have much confidence in him stepping up.

 

[Bridgy 81]

I’m hoping we stick to the 352 formation. I think it’s quite flexible in terms of allowing us to sit back or push forward with both Hartridge and Sweeney bringing the ball out. My worry would be if Key moves on who we get in. If I’m honest I’m not Caprice’s biggest fan even at league two level, so I don’t have much confidence in him stepping up.

I think the wingback system has served us well this season, with it essentially providing our team’s width.
Like you I‘ve particularly liked the way the formation has enabled Sweeney on the right and Hartridge or Grounds on the left to bring the ball out and play it forward into dangerous areas.
It’s also provided us with defensive solidity but hasn’t adversely affected our attacking play because as things stand only 3 teams have scored more goals than us.
I think the 352 system suits most of our current players, which is I suppose is a fairly obvious thing when deciding on what your regular, starting set up is going to be, but I do wonder whether our forthcoming recruitment maybe aimed at targeting some specialists in positions we don’t have at present? i.e. left back, right back, wide midfield and/or wide forward players.
This could give us even more tactical flexibility especially if the new signings at the back were adaptable enough to play as wingbacks if needed as well.
Also I assume we already have some players in the squad who we could use more often who could change the shape of the team when necessary e.g. Coley as a wide striker perhaps, although what I’ve seen of him he doesn’t look like a winger to me as such.
Do we have anyone else already we can think of who could offer us something different tactically next season?
Anyway, exciting times ahead and although we still have a job to do on Saturday I’m really looking forward to seeing what Matt and the recruitment team have in store for us.

 

[Cowshed Grecian]

I think the wingback system has served us well this season, with it essentially providing our team’s width.
Like you I‘ve particularly liked the way the formation has enabled Sweeney on the right and Hartridge or Grounds on the left to bring the ball out and play it forward into dangerous areas.
It’s also provided us with defensive solidity but hasn’t adversely affected our attacking play because as things stand only 3 teams have scored more goals than us.
I think the 352 system suits most of our current players, which is I suppose is a fairly obvious thing when deciding on what your regular, starting set up is going to be, but I do wonder whether our forthcoming recruitment maybe aimed at targeting some specialists in positions we don’t have at present? i.e. left back, right back, wide midfield and/or wide forward players.
This could give us even more tactical flexibility especially if the new signings at the back were adaptable enough to play as wingbacks if needed as well.
Also I assume we already have some players in the squad who we could use more often who could change the shape of the team when necessary e.g. Coley as a wide striker perhaps, although what I’ve seen of him he doesn’t look like a winger to me as such.
Do we have anyone else already we can think of who could offer us something different tactically next season?
Anyway, exciting times ahead and although we still have a job to do on Saturday I’m really looking forward to seeing what Matt and the recruitment team have in store for us.

Its going to be interesting isn't it, the 352 worked, i don't reckon that's how MT intended to play it though from the start. He more fell into it, i think he planned to play it with "wingers" i.e Coley and Edwards. I still think Coley can be a big player for us, its just where we play him. Also I've got a feeling he might use Harry Kite more of a CDM behind Collins/Dieng next season. He might go back too 2 CBs and change the shape.