Summer 2025 ins and outs at CCFC

[BLUEAWAY TOO]

I don't think the issue is a merely physical one, though. Will a squad that consists primarily of younger players have the experience and mental fortitude to cope with a full season of League One football? We'll soon find out I suppose.

Indeed.

We should not bring in older players that would oust the young guns, therefore we need other / older players on standby who can do a job when needed.
Ralls had huge respect within the club.

We will understand the needs better by January.

[The Lone Gunman]

Overall, I thought the transfer window for City was more than a little surprising and a bit underwhelming. After all, we saw no less than eleven genuine first team squad members leave, along with seven others who were technically supposed to be first team players but were on the fringes at best. That’s eighteen senior players out of the door in total, including most of last season’s biggest earners, but only six players in. Of those, three were returning from loan spells and one is already out injured for the season.

The three players that have arrived from elsewhere all appear to be excellent signings by League One standards. Trott is already looking a cut above any of the keepers we had here, Osho should be more than comfortable at this level and Kellyman could be seriously exciting if he can get fit and stay fit.

Whether by accident or design, the new manager appears to be putting his faith in a relatively small and largely inexperienced squad. If that is by design, it’s a brave move and quite a gamble.

Almost everything about the season so far has been very encouraging, but the side does look a bit light on numbers to me. That said, the division appears to be a lot weaker than I’d imagined and several of the teams who are considered to be City’s major rivals for promotion have been undergoing significant overhauls in terms of personnel, both on and off the field. Therefore, this looks a golden opportunity to progress provided the youngsters can maintain their current form and the squad can steer clear of any more serious injuries.

[tforturton]

They've had to slash the wage bill, hence some experienced players departing. I do wonder if some of those would have been retained, if we had managed to stay up.

[Moodybluebird]

When you consider it'll be a) difficult for our two new quality signings to force their way into the team b) having Turnball and Robertson waiting to fight for midfield places c) having a player of Callum Robinson's calibre struggling to nail down a starting spot, I don't think we can have any complaints whatsoever and I would imagine BBM is delighted with the squad of players at his disposal, both those newly-acquired and those retained.

Not forgetting than an already strong squad can be bolstered further in the January window should we need extra players to get us over the line.

[splott parker]

They've had to slash the wage bill, hence some experienced players departing. I do wonder if some of those would have been retained, if we had managed to stay up.

Every cloud eh.

[Hilts]

Gk Trott Turner Alnwick

Def Ng Kpakio Chambers Fish Lawlor Bagan Giles Osho

Mid R Colwill J Colwill Turnbull Wintle Robertson King Mafico

Attackers / Wide players Salech Kellyman Tanner Davies Ashford Robinson Nyakhuwa Willock

It's not a small squad is it.? 26 I make it.

It's young and lacks experience.

I think injuries to Bagan , Salech long term could be an issue.

CB we looked vulnerable v Port Vale at set plays but Fish/Lawlor have done much better since being paired and Osho is now in. Still concerned how we will stand up to a really physical direct side.

It's going to be really interesting from now until the next window.

[The Lone Gunman]

It's not a small squad is it.? 26 I make it.

Pretty sure you meant Alnwick as the third-choice keeper.

Defence - I'm not sure about Giles. I think we need to see a bit more evidence before we can be sure he's a genuine option.

Midfield - King is out for the season.

Attack - Not sure Kellyman is a wide player, but we'll see. Tanner is knackered. Davies is fragile. As is Robinson.

I suppose you can say it's not a small squad if you're convinced youngsters like Giles, Mafico and Nyakhuwa are going to feature regularly, and some of the more injury-prone individuals are going to last the pace.

We'll see, I guess.

[Hilts]

Pretty sure you meant Alnwick as the third-choice keeper.

Defence - I'm not sure about Giles. I think we need to see a bit more evidence before we can be sure he's a genuine option.

Midfield - King is out for the season.

Attack - Not sure Kellyman is a wide player, but we'll see. Tanner is knackered. Davies is fragile. As is Robinson.

I suppose you can say it's not a small squad if you're convinced youngsters like Giles, Mafico and Nyakhuwa are going to feature regularly, and some of the more injury-prone individuals are going to last the pace.

We'll see, I guess.

Left back is a concern. I agree Davies Turnbull Robertson Kellyman all have fitness question marks.

Out of the players who have left Id have O Dowda back and I would have been happy with Alves back on loan and loaned Nyakhuwa out.

[olderblue]

Gk Trott Turner Alnwick

Def Ng Kpakio Chambers Fish Lawlor Bagan Giles Osho

Mid R Colwill J Colwill Turnbull Wintle Robertson King Mafico

Attackers / Wide players Salech Kellyman Tanner Davies Ashford Robinson Nyakhuwa Willock

It's not a small squad is it.? 26 I make it.

It's young and lacks experience.

I think injuries to Bagan , Salech long term could be an issue.

CB we looked vulnerable v Port Vale at set plays but Fish/Lawlor have done much better since being paired and Osho is now in. Still concerned how we will stand up to a really physical direct side.

It's going to be really interesting from now until the next window.

Not counting King, as unfortunately he’s out and leaving Tanner to one side for the moment
When you look at the squad (24) there are a number of players who can play in different positions
Osho and Chambers can play at RB CB or DM role, although I would rather not see Chambers in the CB position

Ng can play RB LB and at CB
Bagan can play LB and CB

Not sure if Kpakio can play as a LB?

The lad from Chelsea can play as a 10 a striker and on the right, similar to Robinson and Ashford
Willock can play on the wing or as a 10

I’m not saying it’s ideal but if it’s only to cover a suspension or short term injury I think we have plenty of options

like a few fans I would never have thought Wintle and Willock would be starting games, never mind staring in them based on previous performances, but credit where it’s due this coach has got a tune out of them and we continue to impress and develop the youngsters under BBM

Maybe some of the older players can see that he seems light years ahead of what they have been used to working under as well

[the other bob wilson]

When you consider it'll be a) difficult for our two new quality signings to force their way into the team b) having Turnball and Robertson waiting to fight for midfield places c) having a player of Callum Robinson's calibre struggling to nail down a starting spot, I don't think we can have any complaints whatsoever and I would imagine BBM is delighted with the squad of players at his disposal, both those newly-acquired and those retained.

Not forgetting than an already strong squad can be bolstered further in the January window should we need extra players to get us over the line.

I agree with you. My first instinct was that we needed a lot of new signings, but you have to take notice of how were playing and, although I’d have liked us to have got someone at left back, three new players who everyone is agreed should be better than League One standard is fine I reckon. You mention Robertson, his pre season was disappointing, but two seasons ago, Portsmouth’s fans were saying he was the best player in the division until he was injured. Perry Ng was some way off his best last season, but he should be fine at this level , so that’s two who have barely kicked a ball this season so far to be added to the match day squad to go with Osho and Kellyman.

[the other bob wilson]

Not counting King, as unfortunately he’s out and leaving Tanner to one side for the moment
When you look at the squad (24) there are a number of players who can play in different positions
Osho and Chambers can play at RB CB or DM role, although I would rather not see Chambers in the CB position

Ng can play RB LB and at CB
Bagan can play LB and CB

Not sure if Kpakio can play as a LB?

The lad from Chelsea can play as a 10 a striker and on the right, similar to Robinson and Ashford
Willock can play on the wing or as a 10

I’m not saying it’s ideal but if it’s only to cover a suspension or short term injury I think we have plenty of options

like a few fans I would never have thought Wintle and Willock would be starting games, never mind staring in them based on previous performances, but credit where it’s due this coach has got a tune out of them and we continue to impress and develop the youngsters under BBM

Maybe some of the older players can see that he seems light years ahead of what they have been used to working under as well

In the last two matches, Kpakio has finished up at left back and centre midfield.

[olderblue]

In the last two matches, Kpakio has finished up at left back and centre midfield.

That’s worrying, I’d forgotten about that and I didn’t have a pint before the game on Saturday