It's a weird one - I went to the pre-season last weekend & there was only 2 outfield players starting that weren't here last year (both from Ebbsfleet!!). We also had 4 centre backs on the bench. I do wonder how he's going to keep them all happy, players like Grimwood & Rye come with big reputations from below but look unlikely to feature much currently.
Agree with everything you say there, I really liked your Grimwood signing, thought he would be a shoe-in personally. Maybe he will as the season progresses.
A lot of us expected Collinge to go (still could) but he wore the armband last weekend. Kizzi benched over Kenlock let alone Okimo who only got a few mins with Grimwood & Rye 6th & 7th choices CBs currently. Both young but Grimwood just turned 23 so will want to be playing after a great season, Rye can bide his time a little at 20.
They must have heard us talking - he (Grimwood) just rejoined Braintree on loan until January! I think something may have gone on there, few rumours after he was left out of our squad pics etc.
On the face of it other supporters would assume big changes. All we've done is got rid of those crap fringe players, loan players gone back. Other than Dale Gorman who tbh would of been a bench player this season we've lost none of our best players. I can't believe we came second last year when I looked outside of the core 13 or so. It was pretty poor.
Jon Benton joins us on loan from Solihull till January Solihull supporters don't seem too happy that they've let him go, so I'm not sure how we've pulled this off.
Courtney Senior Uh oh'. Im sure I read some others slating him. I think Oldham fans saying he had an awful trial there. As it is, short deal and likely a squad filler it's low risk for us I suppose. As with any signings, I'll pass judgement when I see him myself. We've had plenty over the years that were supposedly shite and turned out great and vice versa.
He's quick but his confidence looked shot to bits here having once been a decent EFL winger. He had no shortage of chances here either plus he had a couple of loans out.
He's shite, absolutely rapid but that's it, brain the size of a peanut. What happened to Rochdale, thought you were took over by some billionaire family, free transfer cast offs a day before the season starts, what happened, just playing frugal?
Yeah, it makes me wonder if he was home sick. Craig Fagan is our assistant manager he would have coached him when he was at Southend, so maybe that connection has helped us get him.
I honestly can't see this being more than a squad filler type signing. Does appear an odd one though given comments from others even if free agent / low wage. But fills numbers and we'll see what happens. We have been taken over by a wealthy family but they were clear they weren't throwing money at us to buy titles. Frugality and sustainability seem to be their motto. Tbf though I don't really think splashing cash on names is needed down here, not now the likes of Wrexham, Stockport etc have gone. We were 3 wins off a play off spot last time out with a cobbled together squad and threats of going pop looming over us and many games of 12 or 13 senior players to call on for a team sheet. I reckon we are stronger this season and if we are in contention for POs a few months in then we'll have a bit of cash to strengthen and go for it. For now, I'm fairly happy with our business. I expect a few loans from PL and EFL to come in.
