I didn't realise just how thin our squad had become recently. I'm sure we can recall some players if need be but realistically at the moment we have Loach and Lee Hoyte, Doyley, Marriappa, DeMerit, Williamson, Harley and Sadler McNuff, Smith, L Williamson, Cork, Jenkins, Cowie and Cauna Hoskins, Rasiak and Priskin Thats only 19 "first team players". with 16 a game that doesn't leave much scope for injuries and suspensions. Harley, DeMerit, Rasiak, Smith, Hoskins Perhaps Rodgers like to work with a smaller group of players but 19 seems a bit low
Expect us next year to have a small but talented squad. I'm sure BR said he wants two players for every position, which would mean 22 players...probably 23 with an extra keeper...plus we have some very talented and promising youngsters coming through the academy. We also have Theo Robinson to come back from Southend, who i'm sure will get an opportunity next season at some point. I think there will be a lot of changes this summer. Expect to see players like Poom, Williams, Eustace, Bangura, Sadler, Kabba and Ellington move on. Get Cork in on loan/permanent next season Keep Tommy Smith and Tamas Priskin Unearth another couple of gems like Don Cowie/Mike Williamson Do all of the above and we're in business next season!
The squad is much smaller, but I still think it's stronger. I remember seeing benches under Hoofers where you just prayed no changes were made because all the players on the side were cr@p. Now we can bring on L Willo, Harley, Cauna etc who can actually change games or contribute value. We're not there yet, but 3-4 good signings over the summer plus some more loans will see us with a good squad for next season.
To be honest this is how football is going outside of the Premier League and clubs with parachute payments: thin squads of around 10-15 players, supplemented by loans from above and a couple of handy youth players. And most of the full time players on the books will have 2yr contracts max. Long term financial commitments, other than where they act to protect assets (ie. a long contract for a valuable player which itself adds more value), are what clubs are seeking to avoid as it's these prior agreements which discourage investors and which ultimately can force a club into administration.
