With the end of the season looming, it’s time to consider what our future squad will look like. It has to be said, we did well to recruit such a large squad considering less than 12 months ago we were unsure if would have a squad at all. We signed a number of players, both full time and on loan. But who has shown their worth this season?
Goalkeepers
Brill has recently signed a new contract until summer 2020 and Grainger has a contract until summer 2019. I think it is likely that Sargeant will be leaving us in the summer. I wish he could stay and fight for the number one jersey but I think Edinburgh has chosen his first and second choice in Brill and Grainger.
Defence
I feel the recent back four of Ling, Coulson, Elokobi and Widdowson has been our strongest this season and likely to be first choice next season. We have a good choice of centre backs for next season with Coulson, Elokobi, Happe and Ekpiteta competing for the two positions. I think it would be wise to sign another youngster or loan to cover any injuries as this has had a massive impact this season with Coulson and Elokobi missing several months.
While Widdowson has split the fan base this season, he has been a much needed consistent feature in the team this season and likely to be our first choice left back. With only six games left to play this season, I think it unlikely that Mavila or Scales will do enough to vie for a position in the squad and may well depart at the end of the season, resulting in us signing another left back to challenge Widdowson.
On the right I feel Ling has had a great impact on the team this season and should be first choice next season ideally with Judd signing a new contract in the summer. It’s likely that Caprice will go in the summer giving his lack of consistency and lack of skill when defending crosses and tackling.
Midfield
We have a strong presence on the wings which should continue through to next season with Dayton, McAnuff and Brophy all contracted down and Koroma with the option to extend for another year. With Edinburgh keeping faith with him in recent months I believe this is likely. We have a good youth team prospect with Charles Clayden coming through. Reynolds has not performed this season in my opinion and will likely return to Newport.
The centre midfield is not as strong at present and I believe this is where most of the changes need to be made. Neither Lawless nor Clay have set the world alight this season. While they are both experienced, their age and lack of pace shows on the pitch. Also Boco hasn’t featured under Edinburgh and will likely be sold along with Lawless and Clay.
If we want to go for promotion next year we need workhorses like Adams, who for me, he has been our best player since January and should be offered a permanent deal. Lee will be returning from injury soon and I think they would make a strong partnership. Unfortunately prospective players from our youth system have not been able to break into the first team and so we would do well to sign some young talented players to give us the pace we have been lacking.
Strikers
It goes without saying that Bonne will remain. I would like to see us take a gamble on Holman and sign him permanently. I feel Mooney should remain, but his time as a first choice has passed. Harold, for me, has not lived up to expectation and does not have a place in our squad next year. I think we need to sign a young hungry striker and an experienced target man who can score goals and hold the play up. This will give us pace and chances up front which we have lacked this season.
I feel we have a strong and capable baseline squad and with just a few key changes in midfield and up-front I think we would have an excellent shot at promotion next season.
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