The first team squad so far...

[DutchBantam]

So with yesterdays news we are left with the following first team squad:

GK: Ricketts, Saynor

LB: O'Brien

CB: Bower, Wethers, Ainge, Clarke

RB: Hopkins

LM: Taylforth

CM: Penford, Bentham, Morgan

RM: Daley, Colbeck

FW: Osbourne, EJ

Pending approval: Barrau, Schumacher, BMW, Edghill
In talks with their clubs: Weir-Daley, Paynter

That's a 16 man squad we currently have. I don't think any of the other youngsters are ready to act as cover for the first team, possibly Sharry at a push.

So of the 6 with question marks, Xavier and the 2 strikers would be definates for me. Edghill can go and the other two I think depends on just how much wages they are on. We could well get players of equal caliber as cast offs on low wages so if Schumi and BMW are on a decent packet then they can go.
Still leaves big gaps in the squad. New RB needed, another striker on top of the two mentioned so EJ can drop into midfield, another central middy, perhaps somebody to provide competition for Lukey.
It's going to be an interesting summer but at least we do have the core of a Div4 squad there.

[Jantje]

To be honest Dutch i can't see Taylforth, Morgan, Osbourne, Hopkins etc playing much part unless we have a horrendous injury crisis.

History tells us that 1st year pro's don't usually get much 1st team action unless they are outstanding prospects. These lads will form the backbone of the reserves though much like Penford, Swift , McGuire etc did this year

[beerbantam]

So with yesterdays news we are left with the following first team squad:

GK: Ricketts, Saynor

LB: O'Brien

CB: Bower, Wethers, Ainge, Clarke

RB: Hopkins

LM: Taylforth

CM: Penford, Bentham, Morgan

RM: Daley, Colbeck

FW: Osbourne, EJ

Pending approval: Barrau, Schumacher, BMW, Edghill
In talks with their clubs: Weir-Daley, Paynter

That's a 16 man squad we currently have. I don't think any of the other youngsters are ready to act as cover for the first team, possibly Sharry at a push.

So of the 6 with question marks, Xavier and the 2 strikers would be definates for me. Edghill can go and the other two I think depends on just how much wages they are on. We could well get players of equal caliber as cast offs on low wages so if Schumi and BMW are on a decent packet then they can go.
Still leaves big gaps in the squad. New RB needed, another striker on top of the two mentioned so EJ can drop into midfield, another central middy, perhaps somebody to provide competition for Lukey.
It's going to be an interesting summer but at least we do have the core of a Div4 squad there.

So much for a clean slate!tdwn:

[DutchBantam]

To be honest Dutch i can't see Taylforth, Morgan, Osbourne, Hopkins etc playing much part unless we have a horrendous injury crisis.

History tells us that 1st year pro's don't usually get much 1st team action unless they are outstanding prospects. These lads will form the backbone of the reserves though much like Penford, Swift , McGuire etc did this year

Sorry, wasn't suggesting they would be in the first choice 16. But a first team squad would have the main 16-20 players and in our position the rest of the cover would be provided by these type of lads.
I can see Lukey and Hopkins being first choice reserve full backs, if not first choice starters. I don't know how good Saynor really is, is he good enough to be first choice backup to the Don?
The rest as you rightly say would be on the fringes for the odd bench spot.

[Jantje]

Saynor has been on the bench a few times this year so i don't see why he shouldn't start as deputy for Donovan

Wethers says on the official site though that the club can't carry a playing staff of 30 full pro's so there might be some truth in what you say