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Quote from: Andrew Flynn on June 29, 2022, 08:59:14 AM

I think we need a marquee winger to replace Mooney as an absolute priority, I don't see who's stepping up to contribute his numbers unless we can get Jordan firing. Followed by a left-back to compete with Brockbank, who may be the real deal, but if he's not then we're going to look really weak in that position. I'm not too concerned about him being thrown in at the deep end mind, Joel Senior had only ever played proper football for FC United (NPL) and a couple of games at Curzon Ashton before joining us. He seems to be very highly rated, not just by our own manager, and he's the player I'm most excited to see in pre-season.

My concern at this stage with the squad so far is where are the goals going to come from? We've lost Mooney and Hancock and haven't replaced either yet. I can't see Hulme being prolific (hope I'm wrong), so that only leaves Colclough and to an extent Kosylo. I'm sure we will be bringing one or two more attacking players in but they need to be top quality, as you say.

Agreed, the loss of Mooney might be more sorely felt than we realise. Even if he'd had a stinker of a game he'd pop up with a goal, it's so hard to replace those numbers from the wing.

If that’s first XI what does cover look like?

Gk. Gould. (Ok)

RB. Roxbrough or Jackson at a push. (Ok)
LB. Roxbrough can apparently play either side but not sure he’s good enough to cover his second best position if he can’t get in the team in his favourite one. Does Baines move across? (Looks iffy)

CB Cooper (could do with four ideally but given small budget we will have to get a loan in in the event of injury any worse than a niggle)

CM osbourne and Pringle. (More depth here than anywhere else although I don’t rate Pringle this far back)

Wingers. Jackson and Pringle (OK if new first choice is genuine first XI quality)

No 10. Pringle (he’s covering a lot of positions but I think he’s ok here)

Striker. Dinanga. (Not sure he is good enough even as cover / bench)

Parky said one or two more due in. Winger is top priority then hopefully we can get a striker / 10 to push kosylo and Jordan for their space or at least push one and provide decent cover for the other. I wonder if the 1 or 2 depends on whether we can off load dinanga?

Probably worth mentioning that Ross Barrows can cover at centre back, although that will mean cover for his own position.

I understand the thoughts around Dinanga but the lad seems to have been a better fit at other clubs, particularly local ones if he is still based in the south. I agree on Jackson too, he's a good squad player at this level and hopefully he can stay fit - but I'd still expect someone else more proven to come in and start.

As mentioned a million times, Elliot Newby would be perfect - there's other decent wingers on the market like Ben Tollitt from Fylde too, and Tom Walker would provide good balance with his left foot cutting in, given we seem to have signed two marauding full backs - he's proven he can score goals at this level (like Mooney).

Does anybody know what the situation  with Connor Kirby is?

It would be great if we can get him back at Moss Lane.

With four central midfielders already on the books I would have thought it unlikely at this stage...?

Shame, I hope he gets himself a decent new gig after what he's been through.

My first choice striker would have been Danny Elliott from Boston - but he's a Nottingham lad and I believe the likes of Notts and Chesterfield are looking at him (as well as Gateshead).

Alex Newby from Rochdale is close to signing for York - shame, as he's a left footed right winger. I'm still hopeful that Stockport might be willing to part with his brother once they get their own recruitment done.

We never seem to be fancied and I'm happy for it to stay that way to be honest.

Bizarre that we'd be longer than the likes of Eastleigh and Aldershot.

Joins Harrogate Town.

Made a big impact in the relatively short time he was with us.

Clearly loves to play the game, fair play to him at 38!

Fair enough, I stand corrected on his errors - I guess we all agree he's a good player with lots of poential, and I'm pleased he's here longer term to develop further under Parky.

In any case I firmly believe Baines will start ahead of him so I think Cooper will continue to be understudy for now.