Current Squad

[Norfolk N Chance]

Of our team, I reckon the following could definitely do a job:

Griffin (depending on how his legs and fitness hold up)
Jones
Spurr
Cotts
Copps
M Woods (why is everyone forgetting him?)
Brown

Most of the rest are maybes:
Quinn
Husband (needs time to develop but definitely will be in a few years)
McCombe (like Jones he's slow but is more prone to a rick)
Syers (has good energy but unsure about his technique in the middle of the park for the level above)
Bennett (if he gets his head out his arse once in a while)
Hume (great linkup play but not a finisher, maybe we wouldn't be able to carry him at the level above unless his finishing improves)
Paynter (struggled at that level before)

Players like Woods, Keegan, Harper would be dead wood at that level. Martis is a sick note we can't afford, if we don't know that by now we never will.

I make it that most of what we'd call first team players are either capable, or have the potential to be if they iron out a few flaws. I know it's easier said than done, which is why we'd need to make a few signings. But it does show, in my opinion, that when you break it down and look at it we're maybe better suited to the level above than people give us credit for.

jones?

[MachoMadness]

Yep, he is slow, and he's never been blessed with quick feet but the way we play suits him. With our deep defensive line the way it is it stops teams getting in behind, and better players in front of him will help protect him too. I think what faults he has are more than made up for with his organisation, strength, positional play and aerial ability in both boxes.

[Norfolk N Chance]

Yep, he is slow, and he's never been blessed with quick feet but the way we play suits him. With our deep defensive line the way it is it stops teams getting in behind, and better players in front of him will help protect him too. I think what faults he has are more than made up for with his organisation, strength, positional play and aerial ability in both boxes.

Gary Neville ???

Great thread!

[KETrover]

Thanks Norfolk.

With the point about Swindon away, and Sheff Utd away. I think you'll find that in the championship teams who 'outplay us' will have the strikers to finish the game off. Which comes back to my point of the quality of the championship being much greater than League One. Anyone with any footballing knowledge and common sense can see that.

Look who we had last time we went up compared to now, Stock, O Connor, Roberts, Wellens, Green etc.

[BillyStubbsTears]

Thanks Norfolk.

With the point about Swindon away, and Sheff Utd away. I think you'll find that in the championship teams who 'outplay us' will have the strikers to finish the game off. Which comes back to my point of the quality of the championship being much greater than League One. Anyone with any footballing knowledge and common sense can see that.

Look who we had last time we went up compared to now, Stock, O Connor, Roberts, Wellens, Green etc.

Hird, Lockwood, Price, Guy, Taylor...

[MachoMadness]

Thanks Norfolk.

With the point about Swindon away, and Sheff Utd away. I think you'll find that in the championship teams who 'outplay us' will have the strikers to finish the game off. Which comes back to my point of the quality of the championship being much greater than League One. Anyone with any footballing knowledge and common sense can see that.

Look who we had last time we went up compared to now, Stock, O Connor, Roberts, Wellens, Green etc.

Hird, Lockwood, Price, Guy, Taylor...

Also worth noting that players like Hayter, Stock and O'Connor had question marks over their ability to perform at a higher level at the time as well. Most of them had either never played there, or had played there and failed, notably Stock. Hindsight is a wonderful thing.

[Donnybax]

If we were to play Jones in the championship we'd have to play to his strengths. He would be the last man and we would have to play deep, which is fine when winning  or drawing. Its when we go behind problems will appear i think you can see when weve gone behind at home this season and we push up to a higher line and tried to chase the game it leaves more gaps in behind and thats when Jones has struggled a bit