Currently we occupy the last relegation place. Obviously Garner has certainly played a large part in that. However, having heard time and time again (and only last week again via Mr 100%) that we've got a great squad and have recruited exceptionally well, I genuinely wonder if we're kidding ourselves.
My assessment of the squad:
Jaakola - Best GK in the division
Van Stopsnothing - Crap
Hare - Very good. Defintely happy enough with him
Harries - At best okay 70% of the time, utter disaster the other 30%
Baldwin - At best okay 60% of the time, utter disaster the other 40%
Ehmer - Improving but still not at the heights I expected from him. Feel he'll probably be "good enough" though and every chance he'll go on to be "very good"
Kilgour - Worried his good performances last season were almost entirely down to Craig. Exposed since as a very poor player IMO. Hopefully it's a confidence thing and he re-finds his form, but I do have serious concerns about the likelihood of that materialising
Tutonda - Glimpses of real quality. Also moments of madness. What you'd expect from someone so young and having played non-league football until very recently. Has a good chance of becoming a very good player, but we need him to be one now
unfortunately. Can probably get by as is though (i.e. there are other areas in the squad of greater concern)
Davies / Little - Good players on their day. The problem is, because of injuries, that's about 3 or 4 matches per season
Koiki - Not seen enough as only recently joined but promising signs so far; maybe be the more "ready to go" player we need, taking some of the pressure off of Tutonda to be that player straight away
McCormick - Decent young player, definitely good enough to make the squad, but would struggle to get in to the starting 11 of quite a number of teams in this division I'd imagine
Grant - Hit and miss. Mainly "miss" so far but seems to be improving. Provides me with hope that he'll develop in to a pretty good player. However we need him to be one right now (given CDM a vital part of the team)
Upson - Looks finished and not good enough any longer. Probably need to get shot of
Oztumer - I can only imagine was Wael's signings Might as well send him back, what's the point?
Westbrooke - Absolutely adored by most on here. Personally I think he flatters to deceive in the main. That said, the only midfielder capable of a moment of brilliance. Very worried he's our "key man" in midfield though; not consistent enough IMO
Nicholson - Definitely a good player, very good signing IMO
JML - Very average. Not lived up to first loan. Fair enough having him a squad player but wouldn't be upset if he was re-called. Says it all
Ayunga & Daly - Both very, very promising players but unfortunately they need to be fast-tracked as no other option; not ideal for them in reality (lots of pressure on their young shoulders)
Hanlan - Exciting player to watch; the sort of player who can make something happen from nothing. However, his finishing needs to improve - not sure he'll get the 20+ goals we probably require from him in reality
Hargreaves / Walker etc. - All very promising young players whom I'm delighted to have at the club. However you obviously wouldn't expect too much from them yet
So there you have it. A very damning assessment for sure - apologies if I've missed anyone. Maybe a tad harsh and I realise my views on Westbrooke will largely be rubbished. HOWEVER. Even if you change Westbrooke's review to "utterly outstanding" and Kilgour's to "average to good", I'd imagine most people would agree with the rest.
With that in mind, it seems we have - at best - a squad of very, very average footballers and - at worst - a squad of players that in the main are below average with a tiny bit of extra quality here and there (which every other team will have also).
IMO Tisdale certainly has his work cut out, and this season (for me) is entirely about survival and nothing more - even dreams of finishing top half appear to be a potentially very far-fetched in the cold light of day.
Sorry, certainly not a pick me up - but (in true Paul Buckle style) perhaps we need to suitably re-align expectations and accept that we are likely in a relegation dog-fight.