Not ideal but could play a back 4 currently of White-Monthe-Leak-Sadler.
I mean all 3 were regulars from March onwards under Dutton and clean sheets were kept so it’s hardly the worst defensive unit seen in recent history and Leak looked decent at times.
Ideally you get in another senior CB as Tranmere fan said Monthe needs an organiser alongside him and can’t expect Sadler to start 40 games at his age, shame J.Clarke wasn’t kept on.
Biggest surprise for me is where is the senior keeper? Would’ve thought he’d have been signed by now given there’s a few floating around on free transfers so that’s my main criticism of the transfer strategy in last two weeks.
There’s no set rule is there? I mean I referenced that Cheltenham game a week before 2018 season when Keates was playing 3 trialists at CB and that was a week before the start of the season, think Fitzwater signed 24 hours before first game in the end. Team started with 5 wins out of first 7 IIRC and were very solid defensively until Russell Martin signed and it all fell apart.
Key for me is always get in 4-5 quality players in the key positions and build around that with youth and energy. 50% there with Monthe, Labadie key starters in regular top 7 teams in this league in last 3 seasons and Wilkinson has a solid record at this level. Now need an experienced keeper, a CF and another CB alongside Monthe and I’m happy to start the season then.
How many games did Sadler play at left back last season? I’m not saying it’s ideal by any stretch but sure he could still manage 5-10 starts during the season if required. I’m sure he played a few games there and team kept a couple of clean sheets so dosen’t suggest to me team would just implode and concede 3 or 4 if he was there, it isn’t league 1 anymore.
Think we have to trust the club here. Pring/Nurse/Melbourne all been excellent pick ups at left back in last two seasons for the level so don’t see why Taylor and Fullerton would pick a rubbish one compared to Clarke, infact hopefully Melbourne can be tempted back on two yeal deal.
When was the last time Sadler played left back? He’s nowhere near mobile enough, he gets caught out for pace in the middle some times never mind outwide.
As for the Senior keeper, he’s already here. Rose has earned his chance to be fair.
Wouldn’t be comfortable with Rose as number one. He’s o.k but a Clayton Ince type pick up would make massive difference to backline and I assume getting Robbo’s wages off the book would go towards one so would be disappointed if another youth keeper is picked up.
Fairly sure Sadler played a game or two at LB although you lose track with all the defenders Clarke would stick in some sort of formation on occasions.
Just had a look at Crawley 1-0 win which Sadler actually scored the winner in had a backline of Norman, Sadler, Jules, Scarr. Scarr obviously played at CB and Jules was playing at CB by then given he struggled a few times at left back so I’m assuming that was one game Sadler was at left back. White can also fill in there if required.
I think Rose’s performances last season was about as much as you can expect for a keeper at this level, solid if unspectacular. There’s far far more pressing concerns
Christ, no he can’t! He can barely play right back!
I’d have assumed it was Jules left back to be honest, Clarke did that a lot and shifted him out there towards the end of his spell.
Got a feeling that the next signing is close, Pomlett said this morning ‘The five or six’ signings we’ve already made ‘at the time of this interview’ and Kiernan was our fifth signing.
