whiteroseram

Who's just been promoted to assistant manager for the academy, I assume assistant to Hale, as well as recruitment lead

It feels like we've had a few youngsters go abroad, but aside from Elsnik (and he was already abroad) and Archie Brown I can't think who

Sticking purely to a hypothetical championship season next year (so I'm only taking ages into account a small amount), we wouldn't want the squad to be turned over too massively yet again so those who could do a job on the pitch (starting or rotation or depth): Vickers Nyambe Ward Wilson Elder (when fit) Sibs Nelson Cash Smith Tommo NML Barks Collo CBT Gayle? Could but won't: Adams Wildsmith Bird Want around regardless of playtime: Fozzy Loads for the future in the longer term. I still think that squad with a few quality additions could reach mid table, just means a few starters would become good back-ups

Few random points, some of which I'm repeating what others have said Shape: hoping this puts to bed the idea that this formation always looks like 5 at the back. I'm sure if we play this formation against someone like Bolton it'll fall into a 5 but, when done well, this is how it can look against lesser teams Ward: brilliant. Which is great partly because I remember how good he was in pre season and partly it sends a message to every player who has to drop down to the U23s to find a bit of form Gayle: always nice to get you first goal CBT: could do with said 1st goal, if he scored next game I imagine he'll fly from there Sibley: I love an in form sibley Adams: see above Bench: even with a few injuries still, that's a strong and versatile looking bench Port Vale: good fixture to have after 2 defeats

My understanding of that, which I could be wrong and happily be corrected, was that this was very sloppy wording and what he meant was this was the final transfer window with restrictions In theory as you'd only be doing deals in the window, that would be the end of that... Apart from we've signed a free agent after both windows this season

Thank you for this info, genuinely wondered about this for about 20 years (a 2001 video game had play insurance built in!) I remember the conversation a few years ago when Bryson was out for a few months and Hughes for the season that we had some insurance coming in

He certainly would if he tried to do Warne's running

I must admit I've not seen much of Stevenage, I kinda assume they're very physical because Evans is.... Whatever he is I wonder if we'd set up specifically for the fight, if we do I expect 3 at the back with SB coming in. Sibley is always up for a scrap too if Elder is out

Oh yeah definitely not a criticism of KW, more a point of how difficult it is for a wing back to be put at full back. I think a lot of fans would assume it's an easy transition but look how much ward struggles at times

I will admit to being very naughty and being sat in the Exeter end (free ticket is a free ticket, can't afford nice things), front row right by the pitch, with some Exeter supporting mates, so had a slightly different view. Some interesting points that jumped out KW is super talented with magic moments, but 1st half when he was on my side of the pitch he didn't seem to have any idea what his role was. CN and NML constantly telling him to move forwards or backwards. No ones fault really, but he's a wing-back playing RN's role really CN is such a leader, partly jumped out because I noticed him talking KW through a lot CE is looking better every game, finally some depth there Everyone around commented on EA, nothing we don't already know, what a guy When I told Exeter mates that MB had left and loaned back they assumed he was off to a far bigger team than Bristol.. Just worth reminding ourselves how much he stands out to those seeing us for the 1st time The quality of subs, Exeter subs are league 2 quality, ours aren't a massive drop off and can offer slightly different roles Chicken curry pie was excellent/ pint was poor Game management, most of ours biggest critisim recently, was excellent this time around Did I miss anything?

Which would also explain the unconfirmed reports that Ruddy was in the building on deadline day, maybe a move was on the cards

Hope those who didn't want Bird back as he wouldn't be putting full effort in are watching Adams looks like what we've needed, allows Bird and CH to do more of what they're good at. And the wing backs tbf

By popular demand...no I'm not

So you're saying Goodwin but bad fee? I was going to comment about not overspending again, but actually, I'm happy with this being my only contribution to the thread

But do our marketing team, photographers, social media ect work weekends aside from those sent to the match? Kinda sad but I always assume timing of announcements is more to do with this than anything

That's why what the massive clubs with brilliant with academies do so well is sell them with sell on clauses before contracts run out eg Lavia with Man City Not so easy to do at championship or league 1 level as these players often end up worth more money 2/3 moves later but still that's where more value can be extracted

Especially with ours and Bolton's

I think he also used the word excuse once. I think he'd have liked to give JV a run of games and JW a rest so this knock gave him that chance. Especially given we know JV would have played Tuesday either way so that's 2 games and we'll see where he stands after that blockquote widget

The good news is Wigan won't be sure how we're shaping up! My 1st instinct I was picturing the 3-4-2-1 exactly how you outlined, but now you've said that I reckon we might start with the 4-2-3-1 and transition late if needed (or if winning) into the 3-4-2-1. The only thing I'm even close to certain about is that we'll probably change in-game

Collins looks so much better with someone like Ward putting those balls in, you can see why we haven't always got the best out of him. Not saying I'd drop RN or anything, he's been brilliant, but can see why Collins hasn't looked like what he could

Twice before, with us in the playoffs, I've thought to myself we're not ready to go up and maybe 1 year later would be better Once we did go up, proceeded by the record low points total,the other we v narrowly didn't and haven't got as close again. What do we conclude from this?... F&%k knows, maybe just that football hates us

Thought that said Adam Murray! I know we like to like a former player but that'd be a bit far

Are you saying he already had his boots on the ground?

Few random, not joined up thoughts Nice to see Vickers out the obviously Brown looked to be dropping too deep for his strengths, not sure if it was the role he was being asked to do (suited Weston more) or whether it's a learning curve for him. Will still benifit him Weston looked interesting, he'll be a sub often enough now I reckon Confidence for Collo, talk about the level of opposition but that 3rd is beating anyone and the quality of the cross and header for the 2nd would score against league 1 sides, which brings me to... Kane Wilson going forward was doing what he and Ward were brought in to do in that RB slot,big part of how PW wanted to play and hasn't been able to. That's interesting because Ryan Nyambe has arguably been our most consistent player this season but plays it differently. If you're going to play Wilson /ward to get those crosses in you have to play Collo... Some interesting selection choices going forward Minutes for Elder, I was excited by his signing so that's brilliant news Sonny getting a horrible error out at the right time Good to get some more of the U21s playing along side senior lads, even if it's against another U21s Win is a win