Midfield will be different this season - it will be more graft in there with Allott (pictured) and Kalala winnnig the ball and then letting others do their thing. Taylor and Liddell will be used to cross the ball for our hungry strike force:
Davies gives us pace and will be hungry to do well now he's back in England, he's young and an international;
Hughes - the lad will get abuse for sure, hopefully just from the opposition - he will know that - but sheesh he will be more than hungry to get back into the game, to earn a living and also shut the idiots up by getting goal after goal for us;
Ricketts gives us strength up front, has played for England due to his performances on the pitch, and now at his age will realise he needs to pull his finger out;
Wolfie will be chomping at the bit to make the step up to 1st team level. He gives us the mobile nippy little striker role that will harrass the defence - ala Warne but with better finishing.
We didnt do bad last season for goals and results did we? C'mon our forward line last season was from Molango, Warne (pictured), Porter, and Chris Hall. This season will be Davies, Hughes, Ricketts and Wolfenden. Player for player they are stronger, faster, hungrier and will score far more goals. It gives us far more variety in the strike force than we had last season. Throw in the young lads Alessandra and Smalley who will get better and give us more pace as well, then this team is quality.
Last season's midfield was Kalala, McDonald, Allott, Liddell and Taylor. Wellens, okay we havent replace him nor do I think we will as the style will change, but we have lost Rocastle and Edwards. For me Edwards was wasted as a winger. Pace yeah, but never really tried to beat his man. I liked him as left back as his pace could get him out of trouble. He also could bomb forward on the overlap with Chrissy Taylor covering. Rocastle was a ball winner but had poor distribution. Kalala and Allot will do a much better job than Rocastle did.
I think we need another midfielder and probably another attacking wide man to give us a little more depth in the squad but again I think we are better off in midfield in terms of aggression and ball winning. Creativity is lacking but for me the wide men are for that.
Defensively, Haining (pictured) and Charlton have gone. Thompson has replaced Haining and can only add more pace at the back. We have Stam back fit who is quality and is not afraid to get in where it hurts. Eardley is still there with Lomax who always played well when given the chance and Shez likes him. Trotman also is in there to give us more muscle at the back and who can get goals from set pieces.
I think we need a natural left footer as left back who has the tendency to get forward. though if injured I think Lomax or Stam could cover. In the sticks we have Crossley, proven Premier League keeper, who won't be fragile mentally as Pogs, and he will command the area and those in front of him better. Pogs can only learn from him and he's not a bad keeper to come on, is he, if Crossley is injured.
So for me very positive and still a month to go. I would expect another signing or two, maybe a loan or two as well. Can't wait now for the season and I will be picking up that season ticket this week as well. Roll on the 11th August.