No squad fillers

The Gooner

The Gooner

Well-Known Member
Beale has already said that there would be no squad fillers so it looks like both of our new players will be first picks.

If that is the case who do you think will be losing their starting spot when both new signings are up to speed?
 
That's why 2 is plenty for January and always will be unless injuries all over the place to the likes of Goldson, Kent and Tav.

We bring in 4 or 5 and the quality is reduced because we have to spread the cost of wages etc. Rather have Raskin and Cantwell than a window of Goss, Cummings, Martin and Murphy. Harsh on Murphy but you get the jist.
 
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The game against them in January showed we need an element of depth to what we are trying to achieve and the 5 sub rule means that as well.

It is a first 14/15 now rather than 11, options are needed.

That said, it doesn't take much for Lundstram to start looking a bit redundant in our squad quite quickly if we were looking to cut a decent wage out while still having suitable alternatives.
 
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Right now I don't think Raskin causes any one player to lose their place, more that you'll see one out of Jack, Lundstram or Kamara play alongside him and the three rotate. We have to wait and see who works better with him. I don't think Kamara suits being one of two holding mids. I reckon short term Jack will be first pick, with Lundstram needing a rest with this injury we've heard he's carrying. I wouldn't build around Jack being a first pick, so I'd bet on Lundstram or a summer signing to claim that place.

If Cantwell hits form I think Sakala will lose out, but what a great option to have coming off the bench.
 
Crazy Horse said:
Beale can be quite contradictory. I can't imagine that Whittaker would have been a first pick had he signed.
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Probably not in our best 11 but he certainly would've taken part in most games even if it was from the bench. Would be ahead of Wright and Matondo in the pecking order that's for sure and the 2 of them are the definition of squad fillers
 
The Gooner said:
Beale has already said that there would be no squad fillers so it looks like both of our new players will be first picks.

If that is the case who do you think will be losing their starting spot when both new signings are up to speed?
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He doesn’t appear to tell lies our new manager. Tells it like it is and follows through. E.g. Hagi involved in St. Johnstone game - tick. No squad fillers - tick. Love it. Straight talking and no bull! Keep up the good work Mr Beale.
 
SG 8 said:
Wee need to move on the back log of squad fillers from previous regimes.
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All away in summer
Mcgregor
Helander
Sands
Davis

Sell
Barasic
Roofe
Mclaughlan
Lundstram (if we can turn a profit)
Colak (if we can turn a profit)
Kamara (think he wants to go)

renew
Jack
Arfield
Tillman (Buy)
Kent (hopefully)
Morelos (cant see it, and possibly shouldnt)

Need
Gk x 2
LB
CB
CM
RW/F
CF x 2
 
govanfront85 said:
All away in summer
Mcgregor
Helander
Sands
Davis

Sell
Barasic
Roofe
Mclaughlan
Lundstram (if we can turn a profit)
Colak (if we can turn a profit)
Kamara (think he wants to go)

renew
Jack
Arfield
Tillman (Buy)
Kent (hopefully)
Morelos (cant see it, and possibly shouldnt)

Need
Gk x 2
LB
CB
CM
RW/F
CF x 2
Click to expand...
Renewing a 35 year old Arfield just to come off the bench is madness taking up a squad space when we’re crying out to freshen the squad up
 
The Gooner said:
Beale has already said that there would be no squad fillers so it looks like both of our new players will be first picks.

If that is the case who do you think will be losing their starting spot when both new signings are up to speed?
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Sakaka will see less pitch time for Cantwell

Our midfield two will consist of Raskin plus Jack/Kamara/Lundstram. Not immediately, but will be after a few weeks.
 
Dick Donner said:
That's why 2 is plenty for January and always will be unless injured all over the place to the likes of Goldson, Kent and Tav.

We bring in 4 or 5 and the quality is reduced because we have to spread the cost of wages etc. Rather have Raskin and Cantwell than a window of Goss, Cummings, Martin and Murphy. Harsh on Murphy but you get the jist.
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Can't believe that window was 5 years ago
 
Maybe a bit too much is made about the strength of the bench but improving the XI has an immediate knock on effect. Suddenly you have a Jack or Lundstram off the bench to shore up a result sand a Colak and Hagi when looking for a goal.
The alternatives have been bring on Sands to hold a lead and persevere with Morelos with games he’s been out of sorts.
Hope we annihilate Hearts tonight and really start kicking on
 
Dick Donner said:
That's why 2 is plenty for January and always will be unless injured all over the place to the likes of Goldson, Kent and Tav.

We bring in 4 or 5 and the quality is reduced because we have to spread the cost of wages etc. Rather have Raskin and Cantwell than a window of Goss, Cummings, Martin and Murphy. Harsh on Murphy but you get the jist.
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Shows how far we’ve come, every step important but we are now in the market for some real quality players. You listen to Raskin talk about European nights and Defoe in awe at the crowd vs poxy Maribor. Massive credit to Gerrard in particular and also Gio for giving us our famous name back on the Continent
 
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The Gooner said:
Beale has already said that there would be no squad fillers so it looks like both of our new players will be first picks.

If that is the case who do you think will be losing their starting spot when both new signings are up to speed?
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Every window we get excited about our signings so let’s hope they are both first pics however experience suggests we should not get carried away.
 
The Lone Ranger said:
Let’s wait to see if they are starters first. We have thought in the last few years that the players we brought in would be starters and very few were.
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This. They have to deserve the shirt. And hopefully Cantwell and Raskin can get improved performances out of others they are in competition with.
 
1st team squad now sits at 32 players!

Over the next three windows we need to get that down to 26 while upgrading a lot of positions.

Goalie, centre half, centre midfield and striker are the priorities for the summer while also replacing a couple of bodies who will leave.

A shit load of work to do in the summer to have a squad ready to attack Europe and the league come July.
 
The Gooner said:
Beale has already said that there would be no squad fillers so it looks like both of our new players will be first picks.

If that is the case who do you think will be losing their starting spot when both new signings are up to speed?
Click to expand...
There should be no such thing as a first pick.
For me Raskin and Cantwell join as players simply ready and pushing to play.
 
Arkanoid said:
Shows how far we’ve come, every step important but we are now in the market for some real quality players. You listen to Raskin talk about European nights and Defoe in awe at the crowd vs poxy Maribor. Massive credit to Gerrard in particular and also Gio for giving us our famous name back on the Continent
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Think how much further we'd be had Mark Warburton or Pedro to a lesser extent, thought about quality over quantity and we might have more main stays than Tav, Kent, Goldson and Jack.
 
We definitely didn’t need anymore Wright’s, Souttar’s or Matondo’s.

We needed players who can come in and can genuinely challenge for a starting space right now.

Not only does this potentially improve the first 11, but if gives everyone else a kick up the backside because there is genuine competition for places.

So for example, Lundstram has been average the last few months - he knows right now that he either ups his game or he’s out the team for Raskin.

That’s what Beale meant when he said no squad fillers IMO.
 
Our transfer business the summer after 55 set us back years

You build from a position of strength

Bacuna
Lundstram
Ofoborh
Sakala

One transfer fee paid, Bacuna started 3 games for us

Ofoborh, don’t think the poor boy will kick a ball in anger again.
 
govanfront85 said:
All away in summer
Mcgregor
Helander
Sands
Davis

Sell
Barasic
Roofe
Mclaughlan
Lundstram (if we can turn a profit)
Colak (if we can turn a profit)
Kamara (think he wants to go)

renew
Jack
Arfield
Tillman (Buy)
Kent (hopefully)
Morelos (cant see it, and possibly shouldnt)

Need
Gk x 2
LB
CB
CM
RW/F
CF x 2
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Why we selling Barasic?
 
I wouldnt expect new players to come in and be in every starting 11 but hopefully any new player can add something to the team, no more players who are not instantly good enough to play, but young hungry players that are currently good enough but with potential to improve further. Also dont mind a slightly older player who still has the legs in them to add a bit of experience and class.
 
thedisher said:
Probably not in our best 11 but he certainly would've taken part in most games even if it was from the bench. Would be ahead of Wright and Matondo in the pecking order that's for sure and the 2 of them are the definition of squad fillers
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Aye I think people get confused between squad filler and a player who while not starting every game, is still able to start or rotate (Squad player,). While they aren't the same quality, the dip isn't massive and they can still positively contribute.

Guys like Wright, Sands and so on are the definition of squad filler. Whether they start or come off the bench there is a massive dip in quality.

Whereas Sakala, Arfield and the like are squad players. Can start or come on and will usually positively influence the game.
 
For the rest of the season, and barring injury, we will have the starting 11 last night which is as strong as we’ve had all season and souttar, ridvan, hagi, lawrence and roofe to come back. That’s 5 squad/potential starting players. There’ll be no room for sands, arfield(unfortunately) or even lowry and king.

Squads looking good. Teams playing well. All the trust in the gaffer
 
I hate the term “squad player”
Every single player should be a potential starter and should have to fight for his place.

The whole concept of signing someone who’s a bit shit to make up the numbers is awful.
 
The Gooner said:
Beale has already said that there would be no squad fillers so it looks like both of our new players will be first picks.

If that is the case who do you think will be losing their starting spot when both new signings are up to speed?
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There’s no such thing as a first 11. Nobody will be ‘losing their spot’, it’s about having a pool of 19/20 players all at the same level pushing each other to be better. The 11 who play will be those who deserve to and are best for the job.

Look at the other night, it’s no surprise Lundstram and Kamara had their best games of the season a day after we sign a new midfielder.
 
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