Views from the Sieve

All we need in my opinion is a top defender and central midfielder for this level.

We've probably the most settled side in the division in that a core of the group has been together for almost two years now. After all, we had a similarly low-key summer last year with Sam Ling the only first-team signing and ended up having the best start within the division.

It's all well and good enviously looking at others conducting large-scale rebuilds but these teams have been largely decimated like Torquay. We're not in that boat having only lost two players against our will, namely Will Wright whose defensive attributes left a lot to be desired anyway and Brandon Comley who was only here for a short while really.

Still expect some more additions but we certainly don't need many - the mantra is obviously quality over quantity.

That was the mantra last season but we ended up signing several players through that failed campaign. We have 20 players two are keepers, one is unfit for several months and another a 3 unproven so I would expect at least 6-7 more through the door I’d were to be challenging. Rance has clearly signed a new deal.

Yeah that's a fair comment as well, don't mind the odd mid-season signing especially as circumstances can sometimes arise which you don't legislate for, however our manager is definitely more reactive than proactive. We need adequate options or we'll have situations like Chesterfield at home last season when several players were missing and we had to pad the bench with unknown youngsters.

Think you are spot on with all those remarks Dagger Joel.
Like everyone else I anxiously look most days for a marquee type/well known signing that shows we mean business but we do have a solid core.
Some of these other teams signings seem signs of desperation to me. Might work, probably won't.

I can only imagine we are keeping Rance due to concerns about losing too many players in one go. He's not good enough for a team aiming at the top end of the division. If he ends up in the starting eleven it will tell us all we need to know about how well our recruitment has gone this summer.

Exactly the same can be said with the new contracts for Phipps and Zouma. Hopefully some better players are on their way in but given most clubs have done their business already we might be feeding off the scraps. The manager can’t afford another bad summer spend like last season, unless the budget has been cut which might account for our lack of activity.

And another... let's see who this one is that's being promoted this afternoon :eh:

Another underwhelming signing. Next seasons looking great ain't it. Are we actually going to sign anyone from a team that ain't in relegation fights

Danamite wrote: Mon Jul 04, 2022 5:13 pm Another underwhelming signing. Next seasons looking great ain't it. Are we actually going to sign anyone from a team that ain't in relegation fights

You must be kidding? Mussa is 21 and going places, we will make a fortune on this lad one day. Probably the best bit of business since McCallum came in and that fact we snatch him off Southend makes it even better.

Delighted with this signing, the general consensus being that he's already capable of playing higher with loads of time to improve further still. This was evident at our place when he was very impressive. Seems exactly the mould of player who aligns with thd club's vision, and our determination to get him speaks volumes.

A key position in the side diligently addressed.

Have to admit he was a pain in the arse when we played them at their place.
He looked a very good player that night.

Superb signing. Looked a very talented player at our place in the season just gone. The fact that Notts County were reportedly seriously interested in him too also shows the quality he must have.

Two solid centre backs away from a team capable of fulfilling our owners’ ambitions, I think. Not a bad position to be in as it stands.

Danamite wrote: Mon Jul 04, 2022 5:13 pm Another underwhelming signing. Next seasons looking great ain't it. Are we actually going to sign anyone from a team that ain't in relegation fights

no pleasing some people

AVincelotFlyingLeap wrote: Mon Jul 04, 2022 8:30 pm

Danamite wrote: Mon Jul 04, 2022 5:13 pm Another underwhelming signing. Next seasons looking great ain't it. Are we actually going to sign anyone from a team that ain't in relegation fights

no pleasing some people

Some have a hard time realizing that teams fighting relegation could have some individual great players but the team chemistry is not there or the manager is not setting things up correctly with the talent they have. It may be the one individual a team signs is great and that one player is surrounded by lesser talent. It could be that a team fighting relegation is made up of a squad where everyone is a centimeter shorter and a second slower, and an addition from a club such as this may not move the new club forward. But none of that is guaranteed.

Conversely, a player off Stockport is likely a good catch but that is not guaranteed either. It is possible others are covering for a player that is not as good as they seem.

And when one considers how various teams approach the game with various formations and plays there has to be a match between the club's approach and the individual's talent.

There are lots to look at and no reason we can't trust McMahon for a bit longer. He has the club trending in the right direction from where we were before he arrived (and I started following the Daggers.)

The acid test, as always, will be how well all the players play together in a team. There's no reason that pinching the best players from lower teams can't work, and has been seen here before, but there are also examples where merely getting the best of lower teams doesn't result in excellence - see the Daggers 03/04 with the Pipers, Braithwaite etc.! Let's give our full support and hope it works nicely