The quality of our squad

[ncRover]

A question for those who think that all the blame lies with Schofield:

If all of our current squad became available to other clubs for a free transfer / alternative loan right now, how many would go to a top 7 league two club or above?

[goalkick]

The test will be at end of season when we see who is let go.  The quality of new signings should show the the clubs intentions.  Hope that recruitment does not follow our recent track record.

[tyke1962]

I've always thought that every time we've fallen in to league one and had a fair amount of players leaving the club as well as the new recruits and this goes for relegation down to league two that it is absolutely paramount to hire a manager or a Head Coach who will super coach the players .

What I mean is that the players at these levels can compete at the top end even if they have previously had fairly average careers just as long as they are superbly coached .

This will be the third time at this level that I've seen ourselves performing extremely well despite not having a great budget and the team put together with recruiting out of contract players and the loan market .

We may have come down from the championship but ALL our championship standard players were sold ( or at least other championship clubs thought they were ) and the club have only spent £300k on Adam Philips .

When I look at the top end of league two I see a number of clubs with extremely modest budgets which says the coaches at these clubs are coaching these players extremely well .

They are getting way more bang for the buck than Rovers who may even have a better budget .

It seems to me from the posts I read on this board that DS is asking his players to play a certain way and they simply cannot do it , they can't do it because they are League Two or even League One players .

They will have strengths , they are professional footballers after all but any coach at this level worth his salt should be identifying those strengths and play to them .

It's fairly common sense isn't it , however some of the people I've personally met in this game aren't as clever as they think they are and will die on an football ideological hill .

It would appear from the comments on here that is what you've currently got in charge .

[Upton Rover]

A question for those who think that all the blame lies with Schofield:

If all of our current squad became available to other clubs for a free transfer / alternative loan right now, how many would go to a top 7 league two club or above?

None because they are all underperforming, but that’s down to DS

[ncRover]

A question for those who think that all the blame lies with Schofield:

If all of our current squad became available to other clubs for a free transfer / alternative loan right now, how many would go to a top 7 league two club or above?

None because they are all underperforming, but that’s down to DS

As a group of players, please tell me their collective strengths. What are they good at on the whole? What type of players are they?

[ncRover]

I've always thought that every time we've fallen in to league one and had a fair amount of players leaving the club as well as the new recruits and this goes for relegation down to league two that it is absolutely paramount to hire a manager or a Head Coach who will super coach the players .

What I mean is that the players at these levels can compete at the top end even if they have previously had fairly average careers just as long as they are superbly coached .

This will be the third time at this level that I've seen ourselves performing extremely well despite not having a great budget and the team put together with recruiting out of contract players and the loan market .

We may have come down from the championship but ALL our championship standard players were sold ( or at least other championship clubs thought they were ) and the club have only spent £300k on Adam Philips .

When I look at the top end of league two I see a number of clubs with extremely modest budgets which says the coaches at these clubs are coaching these players extremely well .

They are getting way more bang for the buck than Rovers who may even have a better budget .

It seems to me from the posts I read on this board that DS is asking his players to play a certain way and they simply cannot do it , they can't do it because they are League Two or even League One players .

They will have strengths , they are professional footballers after all but any coach at this level worth his salt should be identifying those strengths and play to them .

It's fairly common sense isn't it , however some of the people I've personally met in this game aren't as clever as they think they are and will die on an football ideological hill .

It would appear from the comments on here that is what you've currently got in charge .

Good post Tyke. You are bang on to point out that success can be achieved on modest budgets. A certain section of our fanbase need to realise that money isn’t everything. I must clarify that I’m not here to stick up for everything DS does. He is regarded as a good coach but I worry about his adaptability going forward with regards to what is needed for success in L2.

But, he has come in half way through the season and doesn’t really have the players to suit how he wants to play. But I’m not sure sacking him would make much difference because I don’t see a team that can stick to any cohesive style of play. There are imbalances everywhere. I don’t see strengths even though I try to be optimistic.

This is why I have highlighted the top 7:

- There are the likes of Orient, Bradford, Stockport who are better footballing sides than us. They wouldn’t take any of our players for their first XI currently.

- Then there are the types you are alluding to who have modest budgets and are over-performing - Stevenage and Carlisle. Both have experienced managers yes, but they had a summer to get the types of players they wanted. If you can’t splash the cash, you have to get the basics right. They have players experienced at this level with clear-cut roles, aerial ability, athleticism and shit-housery. They would also not take any of our players, as none of these qualities come to mind for any of them bar maybe Anderson (even then, is he better than what they already have?). Our 2012/13 League one winning team that was previously relegated had those ingredients.

We have 2 strikers in Miller and Lavery that Bradford had, but weren’t bothered about and then wonder why we’re behind them. The same goes for James Brown with Stockport. We are supposed to be the big boys in this division and need to stop this namby-pamby recruitment policy of wishful thinking and laziness. Coppinger needs to address a long-term plan to the fans, now is the time.

[BillyStubbsTears]

Bizarrely, Bradford did take one of our worst players of the season and made him a central figure in their team. In still struggling to get my head round that one.

[andyst79]

Bizarrely, Bradford did take one of our worst players of the season and made him a central figure in their team. In still struggling to get my head round that one.

Bradford aren't pulling up any trees and Claytons well passed it, just shows how bad this division is. Every new coach wants to refer to the Pep handbook of playing out from the back, we're all idealists but it's time to get real and realise any half hearted attempt to play pretty football won't get you out of this division.

[normal rules]

just look at this squad. the one from 03-04
no household names here. whats gone wrong. witton albion ffs.
copps and ds need to take a good hard look at our recruitment.

Number   Name   Pos   Height   Weight   Date of Birth   Birth Place   Previous Club
1   Andy Warrington   G   6'03''   12 13   10-06-76   Sheffield   York C
2   Simon Marples   D   5'10"   11 00   30-07-75   Sheffield   Stocksbridge Park S
3   Tim Ryan   D   5'10''   11 00   10-12-74   Stockport   Southport
4   David Morley   D   6'02''   13 05   25-09-77   St Helens   Oxford U
5   John Doolan   M   6'01''   13 00   07-05-74   Liverpool   Barnet
6   Mark Albrighton   D   6'01"   12 07   06-03-76   Nuneaton   Telford U
7   Francis Tierney   M   5'10''   10 12   10-09-75   Liverpool   Witton Albion
8   Gregg Blundell   F   5'09"   12 02   01-01-76   Liverpool   Northwich V
9   Adebayo Akinfenwa   F   5'11"   13 07   10-05-82   London   Rushden & Diamonds
10   Adriano Rigoglioso   M   6'01"   12 07   28-05-79   Liverpool   Morecambe
11   Jamie Paterson   M   5'03''   10 02   26-04-73   Dumfries   Halifax T
12   John McGrath   M   5'10''   10 04   27-03-80   Limerick   Aston Villa
13   Barry Richardson   G   6'01"   12 01   05-08-69   Wallsend   Halifax T
14   Leo Fortune-West   F   6'04"   13 01   09-04-71   Stratford   Cardiff C
15   Robert Gill   F   5'10"   11 00   10-02-82   Nottingham   Nottingham F
16   John Melligan   M   5'09"   11 02   11-02-81   Dublin   Wolverhampton W
17   Chris Beech   D   5'09"   12 09   05-11-75   Congleton   Rotherham U
18   James Price   D   5'09''   11 00   27-10-81   Normanton   Leeds U
19   Ricky Ravenhill   M   5'10''   11 01   16-01-81   Doncaster   Barnsley
20   Paul Green   M   5'10"   11 07   10-04-83   Sheffield   Sheffield W
21   Michael McIndoe   M   5'08''   11 00   02-12-79   Edinburgh   Yeovil T
22   Jon Maloney   F   6'00"   11 12   03-03-85   Leeds   None
23   Steve Foster   D   6'01"   13 00   03-12-74   Mansfield   Bristol R
24   Rob O'Brien   M   5'10"   11 00   28-11-83   Leeds   None
25   Steve Burton   F   6'01''   12 11   09-10-83   Doncaster   Ipswich T
26   Chris Brown   F   6'03"   13 08   11-12-84   Doncaster   Sunderland

[bpoolrover]

Bizarrely, Bradford did take one of our worst players of the season and made him a central figure in their team. In still struggling to get my head round that one.

I thought the players in front of Clayton let him down with absolutely no movement

[ncRover]

Both times we have gone to 4 at the back mid game we have conceded late goals to Hartlepool and Harrogate. But you lot say it’s the system more than the players that’s the problem!

If we go more attacking playing through our midfield and wide areas for the opposition is like a knife through butter.

[mrfrostsdad]

just look at this squad. the one from 03-04
no household names here. whats gone wrong. witton albion ffs.
copps and ds need to take a good hard look at our recruitment.

Number   Name   Pos   Height   Weight   Date of Birth   Birth Place   Previous Club
1   Andy Warrington   G   6'03''   12 13   10-06-76   Sheffield   York C
2   Simon Marples   D   5'10"   11 00   30-07-75   Sheffield   Stocksbridge Park S
3   Tim Ryan   D   5'10''   11 00   10-12-74   Stockport   Southport
4   David Morley   D   6'02''   13 05   25-09-77   St Helens   Oxford U
5   John Doolan   M   6'01''   13 00   07-05-74   Liverpool   Barnet
6   Mark Albrighton   D   6'01"   12 07   06-03-76   Nuneaton   Telford U
7   Francis Tierney   M   5'10''   10 12   10-09-75   Liverpool   Witton Albion
8   Gregg Blundell   F   5'09"   12 02   01-01-76   Liverpool   Northwich V
9   Adebayo Akinfenwa   F   5'11"   13 07   10-05-82   London   Rushden & Diamonds
10   Adriano Rigoglioso   M   6'01"   12 07   28-05-79   Liverpool   Morecambe
11   Jamie Paterson   M   5'03''   10 02   26-04-73   Dumfries   Halifax T
12   John McGrath   M   5'10''   10 04   27-03-80   Limerick   Aston Villa
13   Barry Richardson   G   6'01"   12 01   05-08-69   Wallsend   Halifax T
14   Leo Fortune-West   F   6'04"   13 01   09-04-71   Stratford   Cardiff C
15   Robert Gill   F   5'10"   11 00   10-02-82   Nottingham   Nottingham F
16   John Melligan   M   5'09"   11 02   11-02-81   Dublin   Wolverhampton W
17   Chris Beech   D   5'09"   12 09   05-11-75   Congleton   Rotherham U
18   James Price   D   5'09''   11 00   27-10-81   Normanton   Leeds U
19   Ricky Ravenhill   M   5'10''   11 01   16-01-81   Doncaster   Barnsley
20   Paul Green   M   5'10"   11 07   10-04-83   Sheffield   Sheffield W
21   Michael McIndoe   M   5'08''   11 00   02-12-79   Edinburgh   Yeovil T
22   Jon Maloney   F   6'00"   11 12   03-03-85   Leeds   None
23   Steve Foster   D   6'01"   13 00   03-12-74   Mansfield   Bristol R
24   Rob O'Brien   M   5'10"   11 00   28-11-83   Leeds   None
25   Steve Burton   F   6'01''   12 11   09-10-83   Doncaster   Ipswich T
26   Chris Brown   F   6'03"   13 08   11-12-84   Doncaster   Sunderland

Have you seen my thread about our current team compared to this one that got us promoted then?
I wouldn't have a single one of this shower in that side

[BradwellRover]

The players aren’t great.

But DS is trying to get them to play a system that they simply cannot do. He needs to ditch the Pep manual and play a formation and style that suits the players we actually have. He is far too dogmatic and needs to show some flexibility.

[Peebles Rover]

just look at this squad. the one from 03-04
no household names here. whats gone wrong. witton albion ffs.
copps and ds need to take a good hard look at our recruitment.

Number   Name   Pos   Height   Weight   Date of Birth   Birth Place   Previous Club
1   Andy Warrington   G   6'03''   12 13   10-06-76   Sheffield   York C
2   Simon Marples   D   5'10"   11 00   30-07-75   Sheffield   Stocksbridge Park S
3   Tim Ryan   D   5'10''   11 00   10-12-74   Stockport   Southport
4   David Morley   D   6'02''   13 05   25-09-77   St Helens   Oxford U
5   John Doolan   M   6'01''   13 00   07-05-74   Liverpool   Barnet
6   Mark Albrighton   D   6'01"   12 07   06-03-76   Nuneaton   Telford U
7   Francis Tierney   M   5'10''   10 12   10-09-75   Liverpool   Witton Albion
8   Gregg Blundell   F   5'09"   12 02   01-01-76   Liverpool   Northwich V
9   Adebayo Akinfenwa   F   5'11"   13 07   10-05-82   London   Rushden & Diamonds
10   Adriano Rigoglioso   M   6'01"   12 07   28-05-79   Liverpool   Morecambe
11   Jamie Paterson   M   5'03''   10 02   26-04-73   Dumfries   Halifax T
12   John McGrath   M   5'10''   10 04   27-03-80   Limerick   Aston Villa
13   Barry Richardson   G   6'01"   12 01   05-08-69   Wallsend   Halifax T
14   Leo Fortune-West   F   6'04"   13 01   09-04-71   Stratford   Cardiff C
15   Robert Gill   F   5'10"   11 00   10-02-82   Nottingham   Nottingham F
16   John Melligan   M   5'09"   11 02   11-02-81   Dublin   Wolverhampton W
17   Chris Beech   D   5'09"   12 09   05-11-75   Congleton   Rotherham U
18   James Price   D   5'09''   11 00   27-10-81   Normanton   Leeds U
19   Ricky Ravenhill   M   5'10''   11 01   16-01-81   Doncaster   Barnsley
20   Paul Green   M   5'10"   11 07   10-04-83   Sheffield   Sheffield W
21   Michael McIndoe   M   5'08''   11 00   02-12-79   Edinburgh   Yeovil T
22   Jon Maloney   F   6'00"   11 12   03-03-85   Leeds   None
23   Steve Foster   D   6'01"   13 00   03-12-74   Mansfield   Bristol R
24   Rob O'Brien   M   5'10"   11 00   28-11-83   Leeds   None
25   Steve Burton   F   6'01''   12 11   09-10-83   Doncaster   Ipswich T
26   Chris Brown   F   6'03"   13 08   11-12-84   Doncaster   Sunderland

OMG that had made me feel worse, if only we could have that squad now. Players that seemed to care, and battle.  Mix of aggression and skill.Just proper footballers

[Campsall rover]

just look at this squad. the one from 03-04
no household names here. whats gone wrong. witton albion ffs.
copps and ds need to take a good hard look at our recruitment.

Number   Name   Pos   Height   Weight   Date of Birth   Birth Place   Previous Club
1   Andy Warrington   G   6'03''   12 13   10-06-76   Sheffield   York C
2   Simon Marples   D   5'10"   11 00   30-07-75   Sheffield   Stocksbridge Park S
3   Tim Ryan   D   5'10''   11 00   10-12-74   Stockport   Southport
4   David Morley   D   6'02''   13 05   25-09-77   St Helens   Oxford U
5   John Doolan   M   6'01''   13 00   07-05-74   Liverpool   Barnet
6   Mark Albrighton   D   6'01"   12 07   06-03-76   Nuneaton   Telford U
7   Francis Tierney   M   5'10''   10 12   10-09-75   Liverpool   Witton Albion
8   Gregg Blundell   F   5'09"   12 02   01-01-76   Liverpool   Northwich V
9   Adebayo Akinfenwa   F   5'11"   13 07   10-05-82   London   Rushden & Diamonds
10   Adriano Rigoglioso   M   6'01"   12 07   28-05-79   Liverpool   Morecambe
11   Jamie Paterson   M   5'03''   10 02   26-04-73   Dumfries   Halifax T
12   John McGrath   M   5'10''   10 04   27-03-80   Limerick   Aston Villa
13   Barry Richardson   G   6'01"   12 01   05-08-69   Wallsend   Halifax T
14   Leo Fortune-West   F   6'04"   13 01   09-04-71   Stratford   Cardiff C
15   Robert Gill   F   5'10"   11 00   10-02-82   Nottingham   Nottingham F
16   John Melligan   M   5'09"   11 02   11-02-81   Dublin   Wolverhampton W
17   Chris Beech   D   5'09"   12 09   05-11-75   Congleton   Rotherham U
18   James Price   D   5'09''   11 00   27-10-81   Normanton   Leeds U
19   Ricky Ravenhill   M   5'10''   11 01   16-01-81   Doncaster   Barnsley
20   Paul Green   M   5'10"   11 07   10-04-83   Sheffield   Sheffield W
21   Michael McIndoe   M   5'08''   11 00   02-12-79   Edinburgh   Yeovil T
22   Jon Maloney   F   6'00"   11 12   03-03-85   Leeds   None
23   Steve Foster   D   6'01"   13 00   03-12-74   Mansfield   Bristol R
24   Rob O'Brien   M   5'10"   11 00   28-11-83   Leeds   None
25   Steve Burton   F   6'01''   12 11   09-10-83   Doncaster   Ipswich T
26   Chris Brown   F   6'03"   13 08   11-12-84   Doncaster   Sunderland

One error there. Not important just being pedantic.  Paul Green born Pontefract not Sheffield. He did start at Sheff Wed as a junior. 

[ravenrover]

The problem we have is that we haven't got the airial power up front to win or control the long punt forward, neither do we have the players to play out from the back very well. At least trying to play out gives us more chance of retaining the ball, the long punt upfield gives us no chance.

[ncRover]

The problem we have is that we haven't got the airial power up front to win or control the long punt forward, neither do we have the players to play out from the back very well. At least trying to play out gives us more chance of retaining the ball, the long punt upfield gives us no chance.

This is it. People scream change the system but to what? (I think this system is awful btw not defending it).

Nobody can answer what the collective strengths of this squad are. If there aren’t any, what can you play to? This would be a great question to put Copps or DS on the spot with.

[ncRover]

Bizarrely, Bradford did take one of our worst players of the season and made him a central figure in their team. In still struggling to get my head round that one.

Bradford aren't pulling up any trees and Claytons well passed it, just shows how bad this division is. Every new coach wants to refer to the Pep handbook of playing out from the back, we're all idealists but it's time to get real and realise any half hearted attempt to play pretty football won't get you out of this division.

Well they are far ahead of us and don’t have a stadium emptying 10 minutes before full time.

[DD]

System will not be changed whilst Copps has influence.
Copps wants players in side who are just like him, lightweight, skilful. Copps style is trying to mirror SOD - which whilst good at the time is not suited to todays pressing format - it has been worked out.
We are totally lacking in strength & height …..and, controlled, aggression. Simply - we are powder puff.
In my mind - get rid of both JC & DS - who must be on six figure plus wages each!
Let JC meet & greet in Premier Lounge / coach the youngsters but not have any influence over player recruitment or match strategy - leave that to a dedicated, experienced manager - who if he cocks it up gets sacked. We will go through dozens of managers if we continue this strategy - and we will be out of the League!!! 

[Sammy Chung was King]

We are too nice, no tackles going in. Teams are walking through the midfield.
Teams can push a defender into midfield to outnumber us as we have only one up front.
We have to physical presence in midfield or up front.

We are set up to counter attack but have no threat playing that way as aren’t quick enough to catch anybody out.
Look to the free market and bring in a midfielder. Yes it will take them time to get fit but we have nothing to lose.

[MachoMadness]

ncRover's and raven's posts here are spot on. I can't think of a system this lot would be good at, because they weren't signed to play one. Bypass our terrible midfield with direct punts and ask Miller and Lavery to hold up play seems to be a popular choice for a system on here. How do we think that's going to go, honestly? Miller is good at running and being a nuisance but not much else. Same for Lavery from what I've seen.

I get the impression Schofield's ideal system is less formation based and more about player roles, but the problem is the players all have roles that don't fit together at all.