Squad size

[steve@dcfd]

From young professionals to Loans and first team permanent players we have a squad of 34 players according to GM’s interview. He was asked about players we could bring in to cover Close. He says asking for more funds to bring in a player is highly unlikely.

We have 7 young professionals including Bottomley and Ravenhill.

5 loan players

22 permanent players. 8 injured or recovering.

So for Saturday Grant has at least 19 to select from.

Depending where we end up at the end of this season big decisions have to be made on reducing the size of the squad.

[idler]

I would imagine that some big decisions have been agreed in principle already and at the end of the season we will try to move on as quickly as possible.

[Chris Black come back]

He said he likes having two players for every position, so that’s a minimum of 22. Then on top of that you would want 2-3 loans and then 2-3 youth lads able to step in as Bottomley, Flint, Straughan-Brown and Goodman have. That would leave you with overall squad of 26-28.

[Alan Southstand]

I can see where GM’s coming from and, I dare say, it would be the first thing on Mr Bramall’s lips if he did ask for further funds for another midfielder!
But, our underperforming midfield has been doing just that for most of the season so far.
Additionally, the Club has to ask itself wether it’s better to insure ourselves now against dropping out the EFL altogether with all the corresponding costs that would entail, as well as, potentially, the Club being turned upside down if we do, indeed, get relegated. Does anyone feel confident that we’d “bounce back decisively” to quote our previous Chairman.

[Chris Black come back]

Midfield we are probably in an ok place for next season, as we have so many players there out of contract this summer and we have luxury of being able to offload and reshape without moving players on under contract. This summer we have Close, Rowe, Biggins, Westbrooke and Ravenhill all out of contract. That includes for us some high earners. We might chose to try and keep some, or not, but we are not stuck with that group for another few seasons. This summer we can do some surgery if we see fit.

[steve@dcfd]

For me we should be looking at a midfield player. If the news from Closes operation isn’t good out for the rest of the season we should try and get one in. Won’t be easy if Grant believes it will help our position and is better than what we have we should do it.

[BigKeif]

Squad of 34 and only 1 midfielder in all of that is good enough in Bailey! Shows how bad the rest are.

[drfc1951]

He wont need much money as it would be a free agent

[wilts rover]

He wont need much money as it would be a free agent

Do they play for free then?

[drfc1951]

No of course not ,but a free agent on a short term deal wouldnt cost that much in wages.

[Alan Southstand]

It’ll cost a lot more if we drop out of the EFL!!

[vaya]

Anyone free agent we sign now won't be match fit.

We'd be solving our problem of not having a fit midfielder, by signing a midfielder who isn't fit.

[steve@dcfd]

Anyone free agent we sign now won't be match fit.

We'd be solving our problem of not having a fit midfielder, by signing a midfielder who isn't fit.

Vaya this is the decision that the manager and his backroom staff have to way up we don’t need to be begging players to come but if Ben Close is out then we need to make a decision. That down to Grant and he would have to prove to TB it would work or we stick with what we have.

[vaya]

Anyone free agent we sign now won't be match fit.

We'd be solving our problem of not having a fit midfielder, by signing a midfielder who isn't fit.

Vaya this is the decision that the manager and his backroom staff have to way up we don’t need to be begging players to come but if Ben Close is out then we need to make a decision. That down to Grant and he would have to prove to TB it would work or we stick with what we have.

I agree Steve. In an ideal situation there would be someone out there to fit, I just think that it's not necessarily too likely, and GM may choose to stick with the know quantities he has.

[Sammy Chung was King]

Not necessarily, there are players that have been released this month and in January. They will still be keeping themselves fit in case a club comes in for them.

[Alan Southstand]

That’s why I said it’s insurance, vaya, the new lad doesn’t have to be fit now, but Close could be out for the rest of this season. He may not, it might be 4 weeks, but then he will not be fit either, then the 4 weeks turns into 5 or 6 weeks, etc.

Most people have house & contents insurance, but never have to use it, but if you don’t have it and a major incident occurs, you’re glad you’ve got it. It costs, of course it does, but it could end up paying for itself!

[mushRTID]

Can a player negotiate his release from his current club, then we snap him up?

Or do they have to be available when the window shuts?

[GazLaz]

Can a player negotiate his release from his current club, then we snap him up?

Or do they have to be available when the window shuts?

The latter. Like Richard Keogh has just done at FGR.

[vaya]

That’s why I said it’s insurance, vaya, the new lad doesn’t have to be fit now, but Close could be out for the rest of this season. He may not, it might be 4 weeks, but then he will not be fit either, then the 4 weeks turns into 5 or 6 weeks, etc.

Most people have house & contents insurance, but never have to use it, but if you don’t have it and a major incident occurs, you’re glad you’ve got it. It costs, of course it does, but it could end up paying for itself!

Fully appreciate the logic Alan, I just think GM will stick with what he's got. I could be entirely wrong though!

[DearneValleyRover]

Is there a midfielder out there on a free that’s good enough to make a difference?

[Chris Black come back]

Paging Sammy Chung Was King.

[sedwardsdrfc]

Last year we got Westbrooke on a free did 5 we? Turned out to be a good player but wasn’t ready to really make an impact at all last season.

[mushRTID]

Can a player negotiate his release from his current club, then we snap him up?

Or do they have to be available when the window shuts?

The latter. Like Richard Keogh has just done at FGR.

Thankyou!

[northern soul]

There are players out there.
I'm not suggesting anyone for, but there are players who have been released.


If we got a loan in the window, it would probably be a premier League youngster, but as an freee agent so for example someone like say Jack sprong. Ex Brighton youngster, played a couple of EFL games for them, a short period at Crawley in league , then been playing in Scottish championship for queen's park.
Not saying he'd be any good, but at least it it does work out you have the benefit for us.
Played 21 times this year.
Mutual contact release, not sure why, so maybe a wrong un but there are people with an eye to next year

[GazLaz]

Paging Sammy Chung Was King.

There’s a 36yo from Swindon that payed in the Finnish league until he was released in 2022. Could do a job.

[steve@dcfd]

Just checked Crewe squad 38. Players like is Young players players out on loan and loan players and permanent. Crewe have a U21 development league team we don’t which makes our squad look inflated.

[graingrover]

I would ask Copps  play a few matches ! He looks as fit as ever mentally and physically could cut 60 mins at least .He would  add another 1000 to the gate !

[Alan Southstand]

And, just like that, we’re 2 more down on numbers!!

You couldn’t make this up.