Deleted
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Post by Deleted on Jun 25, 2015 9:18:14 GMT 1
With 7 signings so far, what's the verdict? Before you say it, yes, we can't really judge them 'til they've played but here's my inital reactions:
Excellent
Matt Tootle (signed a two year deal) - Proven at this level and young enough to get better. RB was one of our weaker positions at Toole seems as good as we could have hoped for without gambling on a young un.
Mat Sadler - (signed a two year deal) - Experienced, solid, an especially good if and when we go for a flat 4. Knows the club and seems an astute signing. I'd like to see him playing with Demetriou in front.
Solid
Martin Woods - (Signed a two year deal) - Experienced at this level, my doubts are around the number of games he'll play. His injury record isn't great but hopefully will add some creativity.
Abu Ogogo - (signed two year contract) - I'm pretty positive about this signing, seems to have matured into a leader on and off the pitch at d&r. Hope he settles OK outside the big smoke. I can't really see how he'd fit alongside Woods, Wes and LL at this point, but we may lose Woods and LL may be used more selectively.
Darren McKnight (one yr with 2nd yr option) - Another one I'm pleased with, sounds a decent player and we need youngsters coming through.
Something to prove
Shaun Whalley - (signed a two year contract). Seems a (calculated?) gamble on a L2 player. I hope Ginnelly signs so we have another option if he doesn't cut it. Sorry, just don't get the 2 year deal!
Junior Brown - (signed one-year deal). MM has worked with him before and knows his strengths, seems a reasonable 'squad' signing. Seems more underwhelming when combined with Whalley.
So over all, this looks like a decent if unspectacular set of signings that add to a squad already good enough to manage in L1. My doubts are on the wings - one too many L2 journeymen? I get the idea of going for experience but as we saw in our last season in L1 experience doesn't always = hunger. I hope Whalley, Brown and to a lesser extent M Woods see this as a great opportunity not another club to drift to. I'd rather one of the Whalley/Brown signings being a 20/21 year old with something to prove.
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Post by SouthStandShrew on Jun 25, 2015 10:47:34 GMT 1
Agree with that, they top up the squad.
Can't see (nor the need) to splash the cash unless Woods or Goldson move on.
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Post by onthepitch on Jun 25, 2015 10:58:05 GMT 1
I'm not unhappy with any of the signings really... I guess any assessment at this stage is just speculative. Look at how we welcomed Winfield and Makindawire, then contrast that with the initial uncertainty over Mangan. At the moment we don't know which of these players will fit in, which ones will make the grade or which ones will fade away a-la Vincent. We could perhaps do with another striker, hopefully Mangan but Anderson wouldn't be in the squad if they didn't think he was worth his place, so he could end up being a bit of a surprise!?
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Post by siabod on Jun 25, 2015 11:09:49 GMT 1
African said,
Shaun Whalley - (signed a two year contract). Seems a (calculated?) gamble on a L2 player. I hope Ginnelly signs so we have another option if he doesn't cut it. Sorry, just don't get the 2 year deal!
A 2 year deal will be called a great move if he proves to be a success and anything less ridiculed, if he proves average or less then your question/doubt will find plenty of support.
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Post by shrewder on Jun 25, 2015 12:11:59 GMT 1
On the basis that the budget is extremely tight, I am very happy with signings on paper. Now can't wait to see how they perform in a competitive match.
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Post by neilsalop on Jun 25, 2015 12:37:48 GMT 1
www.shropshirestar.com/sport/shrewsbury-town-fc/2015/06/25/micky-mellon-hunting-a-striker/The bit that stands out for me is this ''Mellon admits the reshaping of his squad has meant there is no money in the budget to keep his four out-of-contract players which include strikers Andy Mangan and Jean-Louis Akpa-Akpro, leaving him with just Tyrone Barnett, James Collins and Scott Vernon up front'' Surely it's worth keeping Mangan and/or JLAA rather than take a risk signing someone that might not fit in, added to which Vernon is going to have to be a revelation next season or end up a bench warmer. I know that Mangan had fitness/injury troubles last season, but every team needs a natural finisher/goal-hanger like him. Given a decent pre-season and kept fit we have a 20 goal a season striker already and we all know that they don't come cheap.
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Deleted
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Post by Deleted on Jun 25, 2015 12:38:33 GMT 1
I know what we are getting with Sadler (hopefully).
I have a fair idea with Tootle, Brown and Whalley.
The others are a mystery.
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new2baa
Shropshire County League
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Post by new2baa on Jun 25, 2015 12:40:26 GMT 1
Still players to move out, who were not not good enough on the fringe of the 1st Team in L2 so definitely not in MM plans for L1. I suspect he also views some of the players in the squad as well as not good enough, Gayle, Vernon, so wouldn't be surprised if they are casualties as well. If MM can offload by buying them out or loan them he will. My view is Goldson will be away before season starts, not sure Woods did himself justice in 2015 compared to his 2014 performance this last season so he is unlikely to move. Grandison consider him gone, JLAA has probably been replaced with new signings and I can't see the club taking the risk on Mangan unless as a squad player. Loans in will figure heavily this season if MM can't get the right quality or calibre of player he needs. I reckon 2 or possibly 3 still to come in, assuming buy-outs/loans and non renewals at least 5 of last seasons squad to go. If we do sell anyone that will probably lead to a direct replacement.
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Post by northwestman on Jun 25, 2015 13:21:21 GMT 1
www.shropshirestar.com/sport/shrewsbury-town-fc/2015/06/25/micky-mellon-hunting-a-striker/The bit that stands out for me is this ''Mellon admits the reshaping of his squad has meant there is no money in the budget to keep his four out-of-contract players which include strikers Andy Mangan and Jean-Louis Akpa-Akpro, leaving him with just Tyrone Barnett, James Collins and Scott Vernon up front'' Surely it's worth keeping Mangan and/or JLAA rather than take a risk signing someone that might not fit in, added to which Vernon is going to have to be a revelation next season or end up a bench warmer. I know that Mangan had fitness/injury troubles last season, but every team needs a natural finisher/goal-hanger like him. Given a decent pre-season and kept fit we have a 20 goal a season striker already and we all know that they don't come cheap. I think the key to this is Vernon. If we were either to pay him off (expensive probably) or loan him out for the season, then I'm sure MM would have enough money to bring in another striker. Somehow I can't visualise Vernon being a revelation next season, since when Collins, Barnett, Mangan and JLAA were all fit he was down to 5th choice. If we are prepared to let Mangan and JLAA go and yet retain Vernon who was below them in MM's ratings then it just doesn't make sense. Far better to release Vernon and then either go for Mangan and/or someone else. Mind you, if Vernon does go, then I reckon we'll need an absolute minimum of 2 strikers. We'd then only have 3 (Collins, Barnett and Anderson) whereas Bury for example have 6 (Pope, Clarke, Lowe, Nardiello, Rose and Hope). Mind you, the sound of the rattling of buckets may not be too far away there!
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Post by mrbunny on Jun 25, 2015 14:49:47 GMT 1
They look a stronger bunch of signings than the last time we came up. Guess time will tell though.
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woodey88
Midland League Division Two
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Post by woodey88 on Jun 25, 2015 15:32:56 GMT 1
league 2 signings, better players let go.
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Shrewsfan1985
The Loggerheads
Posts: 23,891
My first team is..: Shrewsbury
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Post by Shrewsfan1985 on Jun 25, 2015 16:57:30 GMT 1
In my personal opinion i have to say that i am very happy with the 7 new signings that we have at the moment and i look forward to seeing them all in action next season.
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Post by CopthorneShrew on Jun 25, 2015 19:08:05 GMT 1
league 2 signings, better players let go. The only players to have been let go are Wildig & Vincent. So on your theory M. Woods & Ogogo are not as good as Wildig & Whalley and Brown are not as good as Vincent - very brave to make statements like that in June.
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Post by CopthorneShrew on Jun 25, 2015 19:11:58 GMT 1
Very pleased in general - no doubt the jury will be out on a couple but as MW says the spine of the team from last season should comfortably hold their own in the league above. These players have been signed to improve the squad with only Sadler, Tootle & M. Woods expected to be initial first team regulars out of the seven signings. The depth and balance looks a lot better than last season - hopefully we've seen the last of the diamond - I'm not sure it's suited in the lower leagues.
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Deleted
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Post by Deleted on Jun 25, 2015 21:02:27 GMT 1
A bit underwhelming in all honesty but I suspect thats a result of your expectations going beyond reality when you start to take notice of the rumours across the net and the soundbites coming out of the Greenhous.
The signings certainly aren't going to get peoples attention like Bury have done, lets just hope we are building a solid & steady squad which falls under the radar and people underestimate us
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Post by blazey on Jun 29, 2015 19:13:45 GMT 1
I like how we have recruited in a manner to give us some tactical flexibility. The 3-5-2 was not as effective against the better sides so it's good to know we have the personnel to switch to an orthodox 4-4-2 or a 4-5-1. I've missed the sight of a good winger bombing up the flanks at times so hope we now have the quality throughout the squad to switch it if required.
The only blot on the copybook so far is the Grandison/Mangan/Akpa Akpro situation. If they don't sign, a like-for-like or superior replacement will likely be required for each of them, as I feel we're a centre back short and a bit one-dimensional up front in terms of strikers. Some super-squad-shuffling required by Messrs. Williams & Mellon required....
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bigbear17
Midland League Division Two
stfc till i die through thick and thin i will watch them win salop
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Post by bigbear17 on Jun 29, 2015 21:07:50 GMT 1
I will give my opinion when I've seen them play games don't like to pre judge people
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Deleted
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Post by Deleted on Jun 29, 2015 21:56:18 GMT 1
Being brutally honest, underwhelmed with the signings, I like Sadler and Tootle but I'm not sure about the rest, it feels a lot like our signings last time we got promoted.
But the difference is last time we went up we lost a big part of our squad, whereas this time these signings are being added to a squad including the likes of Lawrence, Woods, Goldson, Knight-Percival, Ellis, Collins, Wesolowski etc so on the whole we have a very strong squad, definitely one which will handle themselves in League One and get a solid mid table finish.
The signing of a striker then keeping Woods and Goldson leaves us in a strong position.
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Post by buryshrew on Jun 29, 2015 22:49:38 GMT 1
Other than Sadler I haven't seen enough of any other signing to make a judgement. Just one thing though, people concerned about 'League 2 signings' should remember that all the current squad also spent last year playing in league 2. Are we going to condemn them as well while we're at it?
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Post by TheFoz on Jun 29, 2015 23:01:46 GMT 1
All about keeping the team from last year together and we have done that so far.
Leutwiler,Goldson,NKP,Ellis,Lawrence,Woods,Weso and Collins will all thrive at the level above. Tootle looks a good buy at RB and Sadler is a proven LB in League One. M.Woods is a player that I am quite excited to see in action and Ogogo looks to be a better replacement for Southern/Griffith.
We probably just need to get rid of Vernon and sign Mangan + one more up front.
The team certainly has the potential to perform in League One though and I think we will reap the benefits of having players "with the right DNA" at the club.
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Deleted
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Post by Deleted on Jun 29, 2015 23:49:02 GMT 1
Other than Sadler I haven't seen enough of any other signing to make a judgement. Just one thing though, people concerned about 'League 2 signings' should remember that all the current squad also spent last year playing in league 2. Are we going to condemn them as well while we're at it? I don't think anyone is being condemned, just some preseason views and speculation. And if you look at our regular starting 11 in L2 nearly all had L1 experience.
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Post by gainsparkshrew on Jun 30, 2015 8:53:49 GMT 1
The only concern that I have with the new players and what we have retained from our squad last season is a lack of flair,someone who can do something different,turn a game.
Grant could do it on his day, Portsmouth away for example, and Mangan certainly could and did many of the times that he came off the bench.
Hopefully Mangan will be signed but as each day passes hope recedes just a little more
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Post by Liam on Jun 30, 2015 10:54:18 GMT 1
The only concern that I have with the new players and what we have retained from our squad last season is a lack of flair,someone who can do something different,turn a game. Grant could do it on his day, Portsmouth away for example, and Mangan certainly could and did many of the times that he came off the bench. Hopefully Mangan will be signed but as each day passes hope recedes just a little more Exactly. We've lost Grant, Mangan and JLAA. All hit and miss for various reasons, but all capable of doing something out of the ordinary and winning a game on their day. We've replaced them with Brown, Whalley and Woods. Obviously they might well prove to be great signings, but at the moment they're unknown quantities, so we don't really know how useful we're going to be going forward. I do think we need another striker, as there isn't enough pace and trickery in the forward line to unlock a well-organised defense. MM seems to think the same though, so let's wait and see what he brings in.
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