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TxRover · Joined: 02 Jun 2018 Posts: 3023 Location: North Texas, USA

Will IM even seek any players? Is he happy with the team as is? He’s always said he likes a small roster of players…

Keepers: MacDonald (May 2023), backed up by Thomson (June 2023), covered by McNeil (ma) (May 2024)

Needs: We’ll need a keeper or two signed next season, nothing critical in January

Fullbacks:
LB: Ngwenya (Loan until Jan or May), backed up by Dick (May 2023) and covered by Young (Loaned out only until Jan, signed till May 2023)
RB: Millen, backed up by Brown (June 2024) with no other cover bar, perhaps, Dick or Young

Needs: We need to sign a LB for next season, and it wouldn’t hurt to get a young RB signed, but nothing critical. However, if Ngwenya leave in Jan, we’ll certainly see what IM thinks of GY.

CB: O’Riordan (Loan until Jan 2023) and an out of position Dick (May 2023), backed up by Nolan (May 2023), with Lang* (June 2023) yet to return, both covered by Masson (ma June 2023)

Needs: Hopefully Lang can replace O’Riordan, and Nolan can take Dick’s spot if he needs to move back to LB. If we lose O’Riordan and Ngwenya, we will need another CB (or, possibly, a LB) in.

Mids:
Brown (June 2024) and Spencer (June 2023) cover DM and Mid, with Stanton (June 2024) and Matthews (June 2024) as backup.

Easton (June 2024) and Stanton (June 2024) cover M and AM with Matthews (June 2024) and Ross (May 2024) covering and Arnott (May 2024) out on loan until May 2023

Needs: Midfield seems pretty settled, even is Ross is more a winger than midfielder.

Forwards:
Wingers: Connolly (May 2023) and Ross (May 2024) are the primaries, with Coulson (May 2023) and Mahady (June 2023) covering.

Striker: Gullen (June 2024) and Vaughan (June 2024) are primaries, with Connell (Jan 2023) and Frederiksen (May 2023) covering, we have McBride (June 2023) as back-up with Mitchell (ma May 2023) away on loan until May 2023.

Needs: Striker seems overpopulated for an IM team, but we are a wee bit thin at wingers…although Easton and Stanton add weight.

On the whole, I don’t see a great need in the January window, but if IM brings in a forward/winger I’d expect Mahady to depart on either loan or release. A CB is certainly possible, IF O’Riordan leaves, otherwise I’d expect us to stand pat.

If anything, given how well this team seems to be developing together, we have a load of contracts to extend before someone scoops them.

Armagh Rover · Joined: 25 Jul 2008 Posts: 5556 Location: Nottinghamshire

On the whole, I don’t see a great need in the January window, but if IM brings in a forward/winger I’d expect Mahady to depart on either loan or release. A CB is certainly possible, IF O’Riordan leaves, otherwise I’d expect us to stand pat.

If anything, given how well this team seems to be developing together, we have a load of contracts to extend before someone scoops them.[/quote]

That is the immediate priority come January

Neil M · Joined: 16 Aug 2008 Posts: 2429 Location: Aberdeen

This! ^ ^

scotty · Joined: 12 Jul 2008 Posts: 8905 Location: Almost Dysart.

Barring injuries between now and January I doubt we will see anyone come in to the midfield but wouldn't be surprised to see Coulson go out on loan.

Due to limited funds defense will likely remain unchanged unless O'Riordan is recalled. If that does happen the smart move would be to bring in a guy to cover for Millen/CB. Ideally we retain O'Riordan and bring in RB cover but I can't see it.

Up top a lot will depend on Connell and what Ian Murray thinks of him. Frederickson is a handful but not potent in front of goal. Playing in the hope that Vaughan, Gullan and Ross make it through to may without injury is a risk.
Murray may deal in Connell or may opt for a more potent striker. If it's the former then fine if not exactly ideal. If it's the latter we could do a lot worse than go for Jack Hamilton if he's sent home to Livvi from his loan deal. He'd not been getting much game time but that may change as he scored yesterday after coming off the bench against Solihull Moors.
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Competitive goals: Connolly 15, Gullan 7, Easton 7, Vaughan 7, Stanton 6, Akio 3, Brown 3, Dick 3, Connell 2, Goncalves 2, McBride 2 ,McGill 2,OG 2, Frederiksen 1, Lang 1, Nolan 1,

Murray1209 · Joined: 26 Jan 2022 Posts: 85

I reckon the main focus should be to retain players signed until January as some have been vital thus far if oriordan does get recalled we will always have lang back but risk having no back up defenders that have the quality needed.to cover for injury or suspension. We have an abundance of midfielders and are thankful to have a healthy number of attackers therefor I'd expect to see us look more at defenders just in case oriordan is recalled is its likely he will
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Murray

StarksBarmy · Joined: 03 Apr 2010 Posts: 3788

I don’t think it’s time to discuss this at all personally.

It’s only November 7th for goodness sake, can’t we just enjoy the fact we are starting to look the part, support the team and (hopefully) enjoy the football for a couple of months before worrying about in’s and outs in January!?

Much will depend on any new injuries, recovery of those coming back and whether loans are extended before club identifies what is needed in January so without a crystal ball, why speculate?

Northern_Rover · Joined: 15 Jul 2008 Posts: 2666 Location: Granite City

I'm sure IM and CC are permanently on the case re forward thinking regarding the squad.

I'm with SB on this. There are so many variables it's pretty futile trying to second guess anything.

Let's enjoy whats in front of us right now til January because it's a damn sight more pleasing to watch than anything we have seen for quite some time.

rr11wmc · Joined: 07 Mar 2014 Posts: 60

With regards to O'Riardan, it would appear from his biopic on Crewe's webpage that he is "spending the 22/23 season with Raith Rovers, no mention of January or half season loan. Here's hoping.
Perhaps it won't be too long before RR confirms either way

Heilan Rover · Joined: 24 Dec 2018 Posts: 486 Location: Lorient

We MUST make every effort to re-sign Connolly, and quickly. We can't be the only people who think he is good. Aye, even IF we should make it through to the premier division, I think he could hold his own there!

Neil M · Joined: 16 Aug 2008 Posts: 2429 Location: Aberdeen

Agree with you Heilan' Rover and Armagh Rover. At the end of August, we looked ropey. At the end of September, we seemed not much better and it looked as if the January window might be our only hope of avoiding a relegation fight. Now we are one of the three form teams of the league, along with Ayr and Morton. It would be great to go into January, knowing we do not really need new players.

I could imagine clubs in the Championship, with a bigger budget than us or a better league position seeking to get our best players and put them to work against us. We don't even want players signing pre-contracts with other clubs, because they then might just go through the motions for the rest of the season. (Some Raith players did that last season anyway). So yes. the sooner we get a few contracts extended and the season-long loans confirmed, the better.

bistogravy · Joined: 27 Jan 2022 Posts: 65 Location: Glenrothes

i'd suggest ensuring IM isn't poached when the premier league merrygoround sackings start to happen, that would be a priority for me!
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Gallatown boot boys

Heilan Rover · Joined: 24 Dec 2018 Posts: 486 Location: Lorient

Yes. Good shout BistoGravy.

Armagh Rover · Joined: 25 Jul 2008 Posts: 5556 Location: Nottinghamshire

McDonald, (Thomson), Dick, Lang, Nolan, Spencer, (Connell), Connolly, all out of contract, theres none of those players I'd want to lose and fully agree with Bisto regarding the Manager

Cuparman · Joined: 12 Jul 2008 Posts: 1607 Location: Irvine

Yup.
Keep manager.......keep team..

There is still room for improvements, that said, I think we have a good coach and squad.

The appointment of manager/ coaches/ players have all seemed to be going in the right direction.

I think the club owner/ directors should get some credit for giving their backing.

My only worry is injuries......not had much luck in the last year or so.
And for some players it goes back even further.

This is a very tight and competitive league, keeping players here and fit is on my 🎅 list. Very Happy

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Born a Rover Live a Rover Die a Rover

TxRover · Joined: 02 Jun 2018 Posts: 3023 Location: North Texas, USA

While it is early to discuss this, as some have noted, others have also noted that the majority of the team is in the last year of their contracts. With other teams probably willing to try to poach a few, the Board certainly needs to help IM by getting at least a few key players signed beyond May/June 2023.

Priority to sign: Connolly, Dick, Lang(?) and Spencer. Need to sign at least one of MacDonald or Thomson. Like to sign, probably Nolan and Connell. Also important to consider…Coulson, Mitchell, Young and Masson are all out of contract too, with the last three on Modern Apprentice deals currently.