Donny vs Gas - Matchday Thread.

I’m not bothered about the performance just want to see us fight for the ball, show some steel and get at least a point.
Time to start trying to play like a league 1 side.

I desperately want to see us actually compete and hopefully have the upper hand for large periods of the game. If nothing else, to make it a little more cheerful reading on here!

If we at least see some significant improvement in performance levels, then even if we lose, I'd feel a bit more reassured about this season. If we put in another lacklustre, disjointed performance, then the pressure on BG will be at fever pitch this evening.

I definitely prefer Ogogo to Grant.
Grants still young and may go on to be a very good player but so far it looks like he’s been thrown in the deep end and isn’t swimming.

We’ve looked ok defensively in the two league matches but not much of a threat. This lot aren’t as good as the last two though they had a good result last week. I’ll go for 1-1 and a happier Saturday than last week.
UTG!

I can’t see us get anything. We are a very poor side right now.

2-0 donny.

Ogogo and Bennett are no longer in the squad, and were not submitted as part of the official list to the EFL, although they remain employees.  So, no they are not available.  The decsion was made in the summer, well before the season started.  I suspect in Ogogo's case it was a choice between him and Upson, and whatever our thoughts for either, we probably could not keep both.

It may well have been simply a case that Upson retains the ball better, but we do not know the details of their contracts, and clauses that may have triggered a contract extension due to appearances etc.  We simply do not know, but wages would have been released in order to get other players in.  We have been fortunate this year in that Wael is paying his wages together with Bennett's, yet keeping that separate from the playing budget.

We are limited this season by both the constraints of a salary cap and the numbers in the squad.  This season we are allowed a maximum of 22 players, which will be reduced to 20 next season.  However, this number does not include any under 21 players including loans that we have.  I do not know the definition of an Under 21, i.e. the date used from which the player can be considered in that category, or even if being 21 already counts.  However, I do know that of the senior squad we only seem to have Daly, Zain Walker and Tomlinson who are currently under 21.  Josh Grant, JML, McCormick, Cam Hargreaves are already 21 years old.

So depending on how the squad is counted, I keep seeming to come up with a squad of between 20 and 22 players already.  If we assume that we are still pursuing at least one more signing who wil part of that squad of 22,  I am not sure if there are any spaces left.  

Although unlikely, It may well be possible (within the rules) to bring back Ogogo or Bennett, come the end of the transfer window, if there are spaces left to fill. But, I do not think they are even training with the club, or the first team squad at least, and they have both been told months ago they can look for another club.
 
Anyway, that's my understanding of the situation.  Others may have further information.

UTG!

F**k it, we're going to win. I'm backing Ben come what may.

Oddly would be more encouraged by a great performance & tight defeat today than a lucky win.

The dire, toothless performances are what’s making me concerned atm, not the results.