Player Analysis
GOALKEEPERS
Neil Moss - Goalkeeper, 27, English
Neil is a solid goalkeeper who is good at rushing out. After a long and unsuccessful spell with Southampton, he has returned to the club which started his career a decade ago. He will start off as the first choice goalkeeper.
Gareth Stewart - Goalkeeper, 22, English
Gareth is also a solid keeper and is pretty good across the board. He’ll have to be content with the bench for now, but will definitely take over if Moss doesn’t perform.
Simon Taylor – Goalkeeper, 15, English
Simon shows maturity beyond his years and, while he’s unlikely to get a game this season, he will be on the bench if one of the other two get injured or suspended.
DEFENDERS
Neil Young – Right Full-back, 28, English
Unlike what his name suggests, Neil is one of the more senior players in the squad. He’s had 260 appearances for the club and will be a candidate for captain, if he can hold his first team spot. Technically he is decent, but not spectacular. Our lack of quality right defenders means he will probably be a first team player.
Warren Cummings – Left Full-back, 21, Scottish
Warren is still very young and has been at a few clubs without ever fitting in. He’s with us now, and is definitely good enough to call the left full-back position his own. He is a great defender, and doesn’t have too many problems coming forward either.
Shaun Maher – Centre Back, 24, Irish
Shaun is very fast and is good with his head. He still has some room for improvement, but he will continue as a first team player after a decent first season at the club.
Carl Fletcher – Centre Back, 22, English
Carl can play both in defence and midfield, but under me he will play in the centre of defence. He is very determined, very brave and a great tackler. I am expecting him to send shivers down the spines of strikers for many years to come.
Stephen Purches – Full-back, 22, English
Stephen is a strong tackler, and is decent in all defensive areas. He can play as both left and right full-back. However, he will struggle to get first team places off Neil and Warren. He will be a more than capable backup though.
Karl Broadhurst – Centre Back, 22, English
Karl is not particularly strong in any areas, but will be on the bench until we can find someone better.
Narada – Left Full-back, 21, English
Narada is unlikely to get any playing time this season. He isn’t technically talented, but is fast and very determined, and this may get him a few games later in the season.
MIDFIELDERS
Wade Elliott – Right Winger, 23, English
Wade is one of our better players. He is an exciting right winger who can hold onto the ball very well, and he has an amazing crossing ability.
Marcus Browning – Central Midfielder, 31, Welsh (2 caps)
One of only three players who have played for their country, Marcus’s experience will be invaluable for us this season. For his age, he is surprisingly fit and he will start in central midfield.
Jason Tindall – Defensive Midfielder, 24, English
Jason will be responsible for winning the ball in midfield, and changing defence into attack. His only real weakness is his lack of pace, but his technical skill earns him a first team spot.
Danny Thomas – Left Winger, 21, English
Danny is pretty much the only real choice I have for the left wing, and he is a good one. He is a similar type of player to Wade, but is better physically and weaker technically.
Brian Stock – Central Midfielder, 20, Welsh
Brian is a good passer of the ball. He can win the ball, as well as set up others as well as being able to score himself. Although he will start off as a bench player, I can see a good future in him and am definitely going to give him a few games this season.
Fawzi Saadi – Left Winger, 16, English/Algerian
Fawzi is a very exciting young player, and his flair was the first thing I noticed about him. He is also a great free kick taker, and is strong and aggressive. He’ll be on the bench this season, and will only get games in Danny’s absence. However, I am definitely keeping him at the club.
Peter Grant – Defensive Midfielder, 36, Scottish (2 caps)
Peter is coming to the end of his playing career, but his experience is valued by the club. He fiercely contests for the ball all the time, but other than that he is very much useless. He will be concentrating on his coaching, and will be given a coaching only contract at the end of the season.
Garreth O’Connor – Right Wing, 23, Irish
Garreth is a decent right winger, but he is not going to get many matches because of Wade.
FORWARDS
Steve Fletcher – Striker, 29, English
Steve has scored more goals for the club than anyone else. He has a knack for getting high crosses into the goal via his head, and is a very hard worker. He will be captaining the side this year.
Warren Feeney – Centre Forward, 21, Northern Irish (2 caps)
Warren is a deeper forward than Steve, and he can set up goals as well as scoring. While not as good in the air, Warren definitely makes up for it with his dribbling and shooting abilities.
Derek Holmes – Striker, 23, Scottish
Perhaps unlucky not to have a starting spot, Derek is definitely a capable replacement for Warren and Steve. He can head the ball very well, he can dribble, he can shoot, he can set up others.
Scott McDonald – Centre Forward or Left Wing, 18, Australian
Scott is a great young Australian talent who can shoot as well as just about anyone else in the world. His ability to play down the left wing is definitely a plus, but he has three better and more experienced players ahead of him, and will be available for loan for other clubs.
COMING SOON – Preseason