Previous promotion campaigns
Whilst football may have moved on and there are noises that we might be using a more data driven approach to the squad now...I had a quick look back on our squads from the 06/07 and 08/09 promotion campaigns.
Both squads had huge strength in depth, a variety of options up front who each contributed goals, experienced pros who came down with us or we signed, and the loan market was used well to bolster the squad/add creativity.
We know our squad is going to very thin after player sales and those leaving at end of contract. Obviously, this is a massive opportunity to reset playing style and mentality. But also, given the numbers we need - it might leave us signing a bunch to bulk the squad out who might be okay L1 players who we may not want, should we go up. Bit presumptuous I know…
It makes me think we shouldn’t rule out keeping on a few of those who are out of contract on a 1-year deal with low wages (Juke? Anderson? maybe even GG – can’t believe I’ve just said that).
We could then spend a bit more on the core group we want to bring in and leave us with less stragglers if we go up, who won’t cut it.
Alternatively, which I am not totally against cause of the war chest and our FEA mantra, we could buy up all the best players from League 1, piss the league, wind everyone up in the process and worry about the ramifications for future seasons later :D
Both squads had huge strength in depth, a variety of options up front who each contributed goals, experienced pros who came down with us or we signed, and the loan market was used well to bolster the squad/add creativity.
We know our squad is going to very thin after player sales and those leaving at end of contract. Obviously, this is a massive opportunity to reset playing style and mentality. But also, given the numbers we need - it might leave us signing a bunch to bulk the squad out who might be okay L1 players who we may not want, should we go up. Bit presumptuous I know…
It makes me think we shouldn’t rule out keeping on a few of those who are out of contract on a 1-year deal with low wages (Juke? Anderson? maybe even GG – can’t believe I’ve just said that).
We could then spend a bit more on the core group we want to bring in and leave us with less stragglers if we go up, who won’t cut it.
Alternatively, which I am not totally against cause of the war chest and our FEA mantra, we could buy up all the best players from League 1, piss the league, wind everyone up in the process and worry about the ramifications for future seasons later :D