Is this Grant McCann's first team ?

[South East Rover]

Rovers have confirmed the squad numbers the players will wear for the 2018/19 Sky Bet League One season.

1. Ian Lawlor

2. Niall Mason

3. Danny Andrew

4. Luke McCullough

5. Joe Wright

6. Andy Butler

7. Mallik Wilks

8. Ben Whiteman

9. John Marquis

10. Tommy Rowe

11. Ali Crawford
-------------------
12. Tom Anderson

13. Marko Marosi

14. Alfie Beestin

17. Matty Blair

18. Issam Ben Khemis

19. Alfie May

20. Tyler Garratt

21. Will Longbottom

23. Alex Kiwomya

24. Danny Amos

25. Shane Blaney (on loan to Tamworth until January)

26. James Coppinger

27. Max Watters

28. Mitchell Lund

30. Jacob Fletcher

31. Morgan James

32. Cody Prior

33. Louis Jones

34. James Morris

[the vicar]

well GARRETT wont be it will he

[Dutch Uncle]

No 26 will surely be in the first XI?

[RedJ]

Probably not an indicator, the players often choose their squad numbers. Coppinger is 26, doesn't mean he won't even be chosen for the bench does it?

[keith79]

Love to see 21 and 24 have a great season.

[NickDRFC]

Obviously Copps isn’t going to change his number but think 1-11 won’t be far off our strongest team. Possibly Copps in for McCullough, Wright & Anderson will slug it out and I hope Marosi will be first choice but the squad numbers certainly won’t be far off.

[mpc123]

Its a decent squad even without a forward and poss cdm that GM was talking about. Very happy looking at that squad, its a tough decision for GM for the first 11

[drfchound]

Its a decent squad even without a forward and poss cdm that GM was talking about. Very happy looking at that squad, its a tough decision for GM for the first 11

Some people clearly don't agree with you mpc123.

[mpc123]

Oh well i wasn't looking for approval

[drfchound]

Oh well i wasn't looking for approval

No mate, I was just saying that there have been plenty of posts doubting the strength of the squad.
I agree with you by the way.
Depending on whether Kywomya and May have stepped up or whether Wilkes shows anything then maybe Marquis might have the partner up front that he needs.

[sedwardsdrfc]

GM is view on players seems sensible he's said he's going to try get another striker which i think we need then if the right player comes up to play the holding role we'll try and do it.

I do like the look of the squad at the moment just a few question marks over our ability to score enough goals hopefully the new lads improve it

[drfchound]

Agreed sedwards. 👍

[mpc123]

Oh well i wasn't looking for approval

No mate, I was just saying that there have been plenty of posts doubting the strength of the squad.
I agree with you by the way.
Depending on whether Kywomya and May have stepped up or whether Wilkes shows anything then maybe Marquis might have the partner up front that he needs.

Thanks, i hope GM can get that bit more out of all the players as i think they under performed under DF, fingers crossed.

[Paul Simpson]

Just hope Ali Crawford is ok? It would just be our luck to have a new player injured before the season starts 😡

[Alan Southstand]

Once again, the midfield is not up to it. Friendly I know, but we need better and god knows what Crawford’s done! Rowe head and shoulders above the other two.

[mpc123]

Dont forget its a friendly, they are top end championship and we are probably playing mainly the weakest of our teams in the 2nd half.

It sounds like we edged it the first halve with our better team and had alot of chances which were only some how saved by their keeper

[DonnyBazR0ver]

I think the first XI at Southend should be

Marosi
Mason
Butler
Wright
Andrew (although Amos had a good one last night)
Whiteman
Blair
Rowe (only due to Crawford injury)
Coppinger
Wilks
Marquis.

Based on what I saw last night, I would give Taylor a contract based on appearances. Vieira also looked quite a busy player and maybe worth a year.

Still scope for strengthening in that midfield area. I though John Lundstrum knitted things together very well for the Blades last night, so that sort of player would be ideal. Whiteman can do that role but his all round passing game is not quite up to it.

Wilks is a goal threat but there's always scope for an out and out goalscorer. May and Beestin are probably on borrowed time.

[NickDRFC]

Think that’s a bit harsh on Beestin given his age and that last season was his first around the first team, especially given that he showed a fair bit of promise last time out

[RoversAlias]

Beestin was excellent last season and looked fine last night, always has a good touch and ability to deceive a player, always looks to go forward. I'm really confident in his ability to kick on this year.

[DonnyBazR0ver]

As with Mandeville, I dearly want to see the young lads progress. I like Beestin and he will get some chances but when you consider Wilks, he's more advanced and has more at his disposal to make the grade.

[ChrisBx]

If we don't make any more signings then it's clearly not plausible to expect to challenge for the top six. I fear we'll be closer to the relegation places than the top six.