|
Post by blazey on Jul 28, 2014 0:25:58 GMT 1
Perhaps those who have bought into the project have been attracted by the carrot of a big bonus if the club wins promotion. If so, there'll be no need for a cost cutting exercise. Maybe. I guess whatever happens it is unlikely we will ever be privy to that information though! What sticks in my mind from recent years is the example of the Bristol Rovers in 2011/12 who were freshly relegated from League One, hooked up with a happening young manager in Paul Buckle, and assembled what was on paper a formidable side that looked a good punt to win the league outright. They never really got going, Buckle was sacked by January and they finished the season in the lower reaches of the table. Two years on and they are preparing for their first season in the Conference. Take nothing for granted.
|
|
|
Post by shrewed46 on Jul 28, 2014 13:31:16 GMT 1
As exciting as it is to see the flurry of activity and new signings, I have two nagging concerns: firstly that if promotion is not achieved at the first attempt and given that the initial excitement of a new management team will have worn off, we may have to engage in a fairly brutal cost cutting exercise. Will certain players who have "brought into the project" be so keen on a second unplanned season in League Two? Secondly, I am anxious that an over-abundance of experienced players in some positions will severely limit the opportunities to our younger players coming through the ranks. Like others have mentioned, I want to see the likes of Wildig, Woods and Goldson play a key role for us this season - they are all good enough for the first team now and potentially have good sell-on value which could be vital in building a financial war chest for future seasons. Given that only in recent years has our enormous investment in our youth system started to bear fruit in a slow yet steady stream of youth players making the grade, and with the likes of Burton, Smith, Ginnelly etc not far from breaking through, I feel it is vital for the future of the club that we are able to accommodate and integrate them into the first team in the proper way. I am sure all Town fans are happy to see our homegrown players making the grade, but they should be there because they are the best player in that position. MM has built a squad where there is likely to be competition for each place in the team. I am sure that players like Wildig, Woods and Goldson will be selected if they are the best player, if not it will up to them to prove they deserve a place. MM has demonstrated in the friendlies that he is not averse to selecting young players.
|
|
|
Post by blazey on Jul 28, 2014 14:34:41 GMT 1
I don't disagree with the point that we need healthy competition in the squad, and of course players should be selected on merit, but likewise with (I believe) a seven figure investment in our youth programme there needs to be clear pathways for young players to make their way into the first team - to balance the short term objectives (promotion) with long term sustainability. If we are to maintain our current levels of investment into the first team we probably need to be selling a "Taylor" for a substantial fee at least every other year or so, and once the supply line is cut off and the well runs dry it can be very hard to get it going again.
I'm not sure that Mellon giving token 15 minute run-outs to a handful of youth teamers to replace senior players who are building match fitness is entirely indicative of someone giving youth a chance, but equally it is early days and a long season lies ahead. Like everyone else my opinions are based only on the available evidence of the signings we have made and the pre-season matches I have seen so far. As I've said before I'm more than happy to be proven wrong.
|
|