so basically we are planning for 30 players either contracted or loans in the club!!
we have 22 staying, 2 that we are hoping to resign and up to 8 new players based on Warnes statement previously.
I would suggest that we will sell 3 to 4 of the 22, send another 3 or 4 out on loan, loan 4 into the club (very late in pre-season or after it starts), so net we will have between 24 or 26 eligible to play
What is the maximum squad size allowed to be registered?
I think the maximum squad size for 2021/22 season is 21 players. Under 20's do not count in the 21. Gratton, Hull and Greaves are all under 20 and are in the 22 retained list. There is still some discussion going on about the size of the squad as some of the bigger clubs would like it to be bigger than 21.
Vickers and Olosunde are still to put pen to paper on the deals offered to them. I expect Vickers to sign but i expect Olsunde to move to another club. It is hard to predict who will move, but i expect Smith, Crooks and possibly Barlaser to get picked up by championship clubs. I also think Tilt will find a club nearer is home in Lancashire. I am pretty sure we will look to get Clarke out somehow (loan or permanent deal) and possibly Cooper again. That would get you near to the eight players needed what warne has indicated he would like to sign. I expect around four new permanent signings and any shortfalls made up of loans. I still think we have a decent squad for division one if what i have said is near what happens. We need a left back,possibly a right back, a gaffer plus one in central midfield and at least two strikers if Smith moves. I still believe Ihiekwe could do a job as a defensive midfield player allowing Wiles and Lindsay to get further up the pitch. He is good in the air, comfortable on the ball,experienced and quick. His passing lets him down, but in the midfield role he would have another line of defence behind him. Interesting times for millers fans as i expect quite a few changes both in players and hopefully style of play.
My guess would be that you won't be far away with those predictions, Whiston.
I tend to agree with a lot of your player assessments and observations, but we differ as far as Ihiekwe in midfield is concerned. I'm not convinced he would thrive there. He hasn't the same physical presence as Ajayi and isn't nearly as comfortable on the ball (in my opinion). When he has played at full back and had time on the ball he has struggled to distribute it with real quality. Last team we were in League One he excelled at centre back and I wouldn't move him from there. I think he is a very classy League One centre back. If a 'gaffer' in midfield is needed, and I agree with you that it is, I would like to think we could find a proper one who is experienced at doing the job. Just my thoughts. You may be (probably are) right!
I am interested to know what your or anyone's thoughts are on Mattock playing as a left sided of three centre backs. I know he has his critics. I think he has lost a yard of pace but that he is very good in possession, decent in the air and reads the game well. I think he would stroll through League One games there and offer something coming out with the ball - perhaps with a more attack minded wing back in front of him. Again, happy for anyone to agree or disagree.
I have been a big fan of Mattock during his time with us. The season just gone showed us to be struggling to fill the gap he left through injury. We used Wiles there, Robertson and others but it always looked to be our weakest position imo. I now think mattock, as you say Smiler, has lost a yard of pace and is picking up injuries late in his career. For me he can now only be the replacement left sided defender/wing back. He will do a job, but surely we must be looking to get somebody in as first choice in that position.
You are correct about Ihiekwe being a classy league one centre back (right footed). We have others who can play in that position, McDonald, Tilt (if he stays) and possibly Cooper. I also think Ihiekwe's shortcomings as a central defender in the championship were there for all to see. If we have championship ambitions then i think we need to look at others in that role and look if Ihiekwe can offer something elsewhere on the pitch. I am probably miles off with this but i think mattock and Ihiekwe would not feature in a side which could keep us in the championship if we get there again. For that reason i see Mattock as a squad player and Ihiekwe in a different role.
I think if we go into the next season with mattock as first choice left back we will regret it big time as we are repeating the same mistake as last season. He is nearing the end of his career and he will not play more than 20 games next season due to injury, we need a new first choice left back and Mattock can be used as cover across the backline. I think Warnes relationship with mattock means he won't do that and he will repeat the mistake of relying on mattock.
We do need an experienced head in the centre of the park and we need forwards that score goals, if we don't address that we won't do as well as people expect.
I hope Smith and Crooks go, not because I have anything against them but we need events to force the squad changes required and we need to fill in the £5m revenue gap
Mattock is an interesting shout for left CB. I always think if you are playing 3 at the back one of the 3 will be a full back. Agree with the comments on Icky, he is just short in the Champ, we need a midfield enforcer. So he might be worth a try I like the look of Josh Scowen just released by Sunderland he would fit in our midfield
