Confirmed Squad 24/25

What a big summer job George has on his hands!

Can see a good 10-12 new faces joining, and wouldn’t be surprised to see most of those (bar Finley?) out of contract leave

Basis of a half decent team in there, need some pace and some width.

UTG

Taylor mentioned this on one of his interviews (looking at who is ready)
Hopefully a good few like Shaw, Edwards-Stryjewski and Greenslade get some pre-season minutes

The impression he gave last night was that the gulf between U18 and first team football was too great, and that players need 2 or 3 years out on loan before they are ready for first team football. The problem is after a loan spell we usually release them!

I’d particularly like to see Hoole get a run at RB again - he was very promising in our promotion season. Also Connolly ideally paired with Connor Taylor again. By a run I mean at least 3 games to re establish relationships.

I know MT has been forced into most of the selections to date by injuries and bans but once safe (hopefully soon) maybe he can have a proper look at some of the younger talent we already have here?

I would definitely sit down and talk with Hoole and Gordon about a contract extension - I think Hoole could be an outstanding Right Back with the right coaching and support - previous regime truly did nothing for his development.

Gordon seems to have improved over the last month or so - have been impressed with his tackling and now he has started to advance more and even get some crosses into the box.

Grant I would bin as soon as possible as he has stole n a wage from us for way too long .... Connolly i would also look to move on - L2 at best. Rossiter i will be amazed if he plays again which i called about 12 months ago. Gibbons gone surely?

Finley on his day is excellent but i hear he is keen to return closer to home pressure from wife and also a very young family so we shall see. Would we offer him two years as a security blanket - not convinced but surely someone in L2 just might.

Maybe offer SS7 another 12 months - i sense he will be off though along with Big John who now really shows himself at L2 or NL league level.

If he continues to progress I think Baggott could return - possibly as a permanent - no others of the loanees are likely although keep an eye on the Aguillera situation.

The good thing about the Connolly situation is that Matt Taylor was himself a very decent Centre back so he will know first hand where JC needs support and improving. He will also be able to work out if he can support JC to get to the required position.

All around me on Match day are calling for JC to start but i just don't see that he is anywhere near the likes of Taylor, Baggott, Crama and Wilson - was strange to recall him and then sign EB.

All that said under MT - We have seen a re-energised SS7 , A big lift in LG performance levels, the real Jevani Brown and LT absolutely sensational when defending and taking the ball forward, and an opportunity for one of the brightest keepers outside of the Premiership. If anyone can turn around JCs fortunes it will be Matt Taylor!!

And how do we bring in a keeper with enough experience and make him no 2?

Bigger clubs have been sniffing around Jed ward for a while i believe, think he'll be gone at the end of the season hence one reason Rovers playing him now to up the fee received. Incoming No 1 keeper next season.

I get that “he’s one of our own” and everyone wants him to be a success but I’m not 100% convinced by Ward yet. He’s a good shot stopper but doesn’t really dominate his box and looks weak under a high ball - still early days so no way I’m going to write him off. I think we need to bring in big, more experienced keeper and let them have a fair fight for the number 1 shirt.