Taking Shape

Last updated : 21 June 2005 By Andy Green
Here we are again in the midst of a close season, making signings and remoulding the squad for another campaign. As the squad starts to take shape a number of questions arise around certain players and positions. It looks as though the noises made in the past about trying to limit the size of the squad to 22 (2 players for each position) have diminished and the squad appears to be shaping up to something like 26 players.

In goal we look as though we might be going with 3 keepers. The signing of Leite, no mention of Duke being transfer listed and the imminent arrival of Mark Prudhoe as the new goalkeeping coach suggest Taylor would like to see more genuine competition for the number 1 jersey. The only peculiar thing about this situation is that the most experienced keeper (Duke) appears to be third choice and the least experienced (Myhill), first. Perhaps this situation might change; we shall see.

No surprises at left back. Dawson looks first pick with Edge providing solid, reliable cover. Nothing said about Peat yet, but a contract extension looks very unlikely.

At the other end of the scale, we have the right back berth. The imminent arrival of either Mark Lynch or Nicky Southall appears to signal the end of Stockdale’s short tenure at the KC. Thelwell will follow Stockdale if he doesn’t manage to prove his fitness during pre-season, leaving young Wiseman to build on the confidence gained from his Toulon adventure to contest the right back slot.

Cort and Delaney look set to be given the chance to continue their maturing partnership. Another signing is in the pipeline to supply the necessary competition and cover required to keep Cort and Delaney on their toes. Where this quite leaves Joseph, I’m not sure. I believe he has yet to sign the offer of another year deal and with yet even more competition being sought for his two positions, he might pursue first team football elsewhere.

Left Midfield appears sorted with the goal machine that is Stuart Elliott, firmly ensconced. Ellison provides the cover.

Right Midfield looks to be a straight fight between Price and France. France stole a march on Price last term with a poor pre-season setting Price back. Whoever performs best during the build-up may well get the nod this time.

Centre Midfield looks very interesting indeed. God (or should I say Taylor?) only knows which 2 from 6 will get the nod come August 6th. Ashbee might just have the nod on Andrews for the holding role, which might well make Lewis think twice about accepting a new one year offer. As for the creative role, does Green hold sway over Woodhouse? Maybe. Fry will have to play another supporting role and might end up out on loan.

Up front it’s similar to centre midfield, with 4 chasing 2 slots. Barmby and Fagan look to have forged a good partnership, but the arrival of McPhee has thrown Fagan’s role into question. And don’t forget the return of Burgess. He offers something the other three don’t and could probably play well with all of them. As expected such strength in depth has resulted in the transfer listing of Wilbraham and Walters, which to be fair was inevitable as they struggled to establish themselves in League One, never mind the Championship.

Having reviewed the squad it now looks feasible that a squad of 22 might start the season after all, should Duke not want to be third choice, Stockdale find another club, Thelwell not prove his fitness and Joseph, Lewis, Walters and Wilbraham opt for first team football.

GK Myhill, Leite
LB Dawson, Edge
RB Lynch, Wiseman
CB Delaney, Another
CB Cort
LM Elliott, Ellison
RM Price, France
CM Ashbee, Andrews
CM Green, Woodhouse, Fry
CF Barmby, Burgess
CF McPhee, Fagan