Big Players Step Up

[Ser Barristan Selmy 222]

Personally I don't believe in that statement as it gives you an excuse for failure and lowering you're expectations now. No we should not go splattering millions everywhere but the far future begins today. What time line is this long term gain? How can we measure where we are in this long term gain if we are still failing? We need to do both. We need to make improvements that allows us to challenge for Europe next season. We also have to put a long term plan in place bringing scouting and youth coaching up to a level that could possibly make us self sufficient but we must not forget that there are very few clubs playing in the top of Europe that relies totally on there own youth scheme.

The long term gain thing is like a player waiting for the ball to come to him instead of moving towards the ball to get it in my eyes a lot of the time it never reaches you.

Our long term planning should have begun a long time ago but either way investing in long term plans like scouting, coaching etc would pay dividends in the short term too.

 

We're certainly not going to get anywhere with McCulloch, Black, Aird, Boyd, Miller etc short or long term.

[pete 2,499]

I don't mean that we have a total clear-out and go scattering cash around. First of all a good start will be getting rid of the high earners whose contract has ended.

-I can live with Bell although I would prefer a more commanding keeper. Keep for now.

:rf:- He has been good over the last few games but is that enough? Not the greatest defender but reasonable going forward. Keep for now as squad player but we need a better defender

:dm:- Keep.

:mz:- Keep as squad player but we really do need a better defence than we have now.

:sf: Release

- Keep or try to get a good fee for him.

- Keep

-Showed early promise but fell away a bit. Still has a contract so keep.

Not sure how his contract is but I think it covers next season so Keep. Needs to massively improve for the first team though.

:cg: Not had a chance this season so it depends on his contract. Keep.

I believe he is out of contract but I would give him a new deal as he can be a match winner and was one of the best players in the SPL in 2012-13 Keep. I believe with good coaching he will come good.

:ib: Bye-Bye

- Sorry Dean you have not done enough.Bye-bye

Sorry not done enough. There is a player in there somewhere but far too hot and mostly cold. Even McCall gave up on him.

Still in contract I believe. Keep or sell on.

Should start the season in the top squad. Keep

:kb: No discussion Bye-Bye.

Depends on his contract as some say it covers next season. If not. Bye-bye

:jd: Who? Bye-Bye.

Deserves a chance and probably on a low wage. Keep

:lg:Deserves a chance in the first team pre-season.Keep

:kh: Doesn't do anything for me and not near Rangers class. Bye-bye

:mckay: Not sure depends on contract. He did show some promise when we were down the leagues but is he SPFL standard? Undecided on him.

:jig: Thanks for you're time and effort but it is time to stop. Bye-bye.

:simo: Watch the door doesn't hit your bum on the way out. Bye-bye.

With a heavy heart I have to say Bye-Bye. There is a player in there somewhere.

:ss: Not good enough in my opinion so Bye-bye.

 

I have not included the Newcastle players as from next week they are not our players although I would welcome. :hv:

 

 

I make that 14 squad players I would keep and build around.

:rf::dm::mz::cg:

 

 

Now I have made this template it is interesting to see other peoples views.

[Rousseau 10,820]

Now I have made this template it is interesting to see other peoples views.

 

I'm pleased that you keep more players than you release, which is more realistic--the complete opposite of what others are implying on here. I agree with your choices.

 

I make our basic squad (assuming a basic 4-3-3?):

Bell

 

Foster (Sinnamon) - McGregor - Zaliukus (Gasparotto) - Wallace (Smith)

 

Crawford (Shiels) - Murdoch (Black) - Law

 

Gallagher (McKay) - Hardie (Clark) - Walsh (Aird)

 

It's a very light squad--we'd ideally want 2 for every position. After going through them I'd keep Smith as a replacement for Wallace; Shiels for a replacement midfielder; and--god help me!--I'd keep Black as another replacement. I'd also keep Miller around. I understand your point about getting rid of the high earners; depends whether we can get somebody better for less money?

 

Potential acquisitions should be: 2nd GK; RB; CB (2); LB; CM (2 or 3); ST (2); maybe another winger, but I think those positions could be taken with youngsters--fast and energetic etc.--like Gallagher, McKay, Walsh etc.

Edited May 26, 2015 by Rousseau

[Rousseau 10,820]

I place an awful lot of the blame for this season at the hands of our three managers. But the fact remains that these players under-achieved under 3 managers in the one season, so the majority of the blame lies with the players, of course it does. There are certain players that have emerged from this season with their reputations enhanced - MacLeod, Murdoch, McGregor, Hardie (what little game time he got!). That the others have played well below how we know they can comes down first and foremost to themselves underperforming when they cross the white line.

 

We can rebuild a squad of mostly freebies with the odd small transfer fee and be easily the second best squad in the top flight next season IF we scout and recruit properly. Our wage structure will allow that to happen. It is up to our board and new manager to do so in the right fashion.

 

Of course, I agree with what you say. I would add though that although these players have under-performed it does not imply that they are not good enough and that we need to cut them all loose: surely we all agree that they are better than what they've shown this year? I think we should keep what we have and then add some real quality, rather than go for a complete rebuild. (See post #52 and #53.)

Edited May 26, 2015 by Rousseau

[Ser Barristan Selmy 222]

Says it all when Foster is seen as one of our better players and he has had about 5 good games in 2 years. If he is going to be a regular player in the future then we may as well give up now.

[craig 5,199]

Says it all when Foster is seen as one of our better players and he has had about 5 good games in 2 years. If he is going to be a regular player in the future then we may as well give up now.

 

Don't disagree but we also have to be mindful we wont be able to get rid of absolutely everyone, even if we wished to see it happen.

 

Anyone thinking that we done need root and branch change in playing personnel hasn't really been watching us the past couple of years. Other than the young lads (give them time under new coaching to see if they can develop) I wouldn't be opposed to ditching them all, Wallace and Bell included. Start afresh.

 

I know the clearing out is unlikely and there will undoubtedly be players we need to keep to ensure we have a sufficient squad - but I would be hoping to see almost a full new team of starters next season. The current crop weren't good enough to finish even 2nd in the country's 2nd tier, I doubt the same group of players will prove to be anything better than mid-table in the top flight, and that may well be optimistic.

 

Personally I think we need to take a longer term view of this. I don't think Celtic are that great but I also don't think we should be anticipating challenging them next season given how poor we are. We should be systematically looking at each position and determining our relative strength in each position, then prioritizing perhaps 5 positions for next season to strengthen and then another 5 the following season.

 

This process somewhat reminds me of when Souness came in. He saw how weak the team was and the first thing he did was strengthen the spine of the team, right through the centre of the pitch. I would do the same - we can use guys like Walsh & Templeton on the flanks until such time as we have better alternatives. Have a strong spine so as to not be weak, losing less games. Following year strengthen the remainder so as to challenge.

 

I'm not saying we cant challenge Celtic next year, we absolutely can. But We also need to temper expectations. They also are likely to be spending too when we get back into the top flight.

[pete 2,499]

Says it all when Foster is seen as one of our better players and he has had about 5 good games in 2 years. If he is going to be a regular player in the future then we may as well give up now.

I don't know who you are reacting to but we cannot just throw out 24 players and bring 24 new players in. I said I would keep him as a squad player for now but a RB and 2 centre-backs would be top of my list to bring in.

[Rousseau 10,820]

I don't know who you are reacting to but we cannot just throw out 24 players and bring 24 new players in. I said I would keep him as a squad player for now but a RB and 2 centre-backs would be top of my list to bring in.

 

I agree completely. We are quite light in midfield if you want to get rid of Black and Shiels.

[Zappa 0]

I'd much rather keep Seb Faure than Ricky Foster. Faure had a good season playing a lot of games in the 3rd tier, he can play CB, RB or DM, he's a more reliable passer of the ball than Foster in terms of keeping possession and with him still being quite young he's a player who could end up proving to be a prudent investment.

[pete 2,499]

I agree completely. We are quite light in midfield if you want to get rid of Black and Shiels.

 

With Murdoch in the team I don't see a position for Black so he would definitely be away for me. Sheils I pondered on but he is pretty light weight and hasn't really shown much in 2 years. We would indeed need to bring in a few midfielders.