@Malc For me, as Im sure for you, the youngsters only get in if they merit it. Remember Rushesha is still only 18 and poor Govea seems to be almost permanently injured. Both are fullbacks and will need development at wingback to fill in permanently if we had an injury at wingback.
Naughton like Routs is now more of an utility player and Im not sure he has the engine to fill in for one of the wingbacks. More of a full back, centre back and perhaps a temporary screening DMC.
Declan Im expecting to be gone this Summer.
We are imbalanced in defenders by role and also in midfield. there are too many similar players for me. Apart from perhaps Naughton on a temparary basis who could replace Matt as our creative DM. With Gallagher gone we dont have a real box to box player. Jay is closest, but more of a defensive player breaking up attacks. Although credit to him he is one of the few midfielders who contributes any goals.
Our biggest problem is up front where we have Liam and Joel as our attackers. They should be in the squad as part of the 6 attackers we need but we need 2 main strikers (to cover injury and loss of form) and 2 secondary strikers for the same reason. Im assuming we play with 2 up front, but personally Id prefer 3 up front if we are going to improve our goal scoring.
If we have a smaller squad then we will have to significantly reduce the number of midfielders we have currently, as the ones left this year as part of the squad dont cover the all roles we need.
Happy to discuss further but when you look at the roles required, there is a real problem in balance in defence, midfield and attack.
Im all for say 26 plus youngsters like Rushesha, Govea, Liam and Joel. However if I look at a player like Jack Evans what midfielder role have we developed him for. Is he a box2box, breaking up attacks, a creative Regista type or a no. 10 playing in the hole behind two forwards.
A genuine question, as if you are in the squad you should know the role you will undertake should injury or form require it.