Jupiter Jazz Posted May 7, 2022 Share Posted May 7, 2022 43 minutes ago, Bridie Vision said: Yes we didn't get promoted, but that doesn't mean Gary Irvine is the 2nd coming of Stuart Malcolm! Yes he's inexperienced but he has to bite his teeth somewhere and Forfar is a decent place for him. He'll be given time (remember the board were happy to keep Malcolm, he chose to walk away) and he has shown on occasion that him and Scott Robertson can do a good job. The majority of the squad are under contract so that gives us a great place to build from. We will do well next season with the right additions. I agree that if plan A isn't working for Irvine he does struggle, and resorts to hoofball. Hopefully experience will help him improve. I agree that another season in L2 is a blessing in disguise so I prefer to be optimistic (but not overreacting). As for recruitment, I would target the following: Left Back (it'll probably be another loanee), Centre Back (with Andy being out for some of next season), Defensive Midfield (someone that is strong and dependable, therefore allowing Slater to flourish - Harkins & Hutton are not that player), Striker (Matty is fine, but we do need a different style of forward for options and competition). I wish I could be so positive, fair play for that. I'm not sure folk are overreacting though. The posters complaining have been consistent for a while now and could see the iceberg coming. 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
LoonsYouthTeam Posted May 7, 2022 Share Posted May 7, 2022 Just had a wee look at some stats there. We had a win percentage of 55.55% in the first half of the league season but just 33.33% in the 2nd half of the campaign. We won just 27% of games that Harkins started, near enough 1 in 4, he only made 4 sub appearances in the first half of the season but started half of our games in the second half and obviously both play-off games. Should point out that our win percentage over the whole second half (not counting playoffs) was also 33.33% with Harkins and 33.3% without, so it may not have just been him! I do think there were a lot more questionable selections in the second half rather than sticking to what worked for us earlier in the season. 2 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Bridie Vision Posted May 7, 2022 Share Posted May 7, 2022 1 minute ago, LoonsYouthTeam said: Just had a wee look at some stats there. We had a win percentage of 55.55% in the first half of the league season but just 33.33% in the 2nd half of the campaign. We won just 27% of games that Harkins started, near enough 1 in 4, he only made 4 sub appearances in the first half of the season but started half of our games in the second half and obviously both play-off games. Should point out that our win percentage over the whole second half (not counting playoffs) was also 33.33% with Harkins and 33.3% without, so it may not have just been him! I do think there were a lot more questionable selections in the second half rather than sticking to what worked for us earlier in the season. I agree, we all know something happened around Christmas. Before then we were nipping at Kelty's heels but from January onwards we slid back and they carried on cruising. Now I'm not saying we would've fought Kelty the whole way but I expected us to be a bit closer. As for the reason why we changed at Christmas I can't pin point it but these events happened around then, whether they made a difference or not is up for debate. - Thomson returned from injury. - Stephen Anderson and Jamie Ness picked up long term injuries. - The club were hit by multiple COVID absentees (all clubs were affected at one point or another but just after Christmas was our time to be hit) 0 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
LoonsYouthTeam Posted May 7, 2022 Share Posted May 7, 2022 So our squad for next season so far looks like this: Goalkeepers: Marc McCallum 2024 Defenders: Andy Munro 2023 Yusuf Hussain 2023 Ross Meechan 2023 Midfielders: Craig Thomson 2023 PJ Crossan 2023 Craig Slater 2023 Kyle Hutton 2023 Forwards: Matty Aitken 2023 Stef McCluskey 2023 Out of that I'd be looking to get rid of Hussain, he's looked like a lost puppy any game he's played and for quite a big guy isn't physical at all. Need to see more from Crossan if he's to stay. Do think we have the makings of a decent core for this level there. Keep/Punt on the others: Lewis Sanderson - He only played once in the league and was unwell, I'm actually not too arsed about a sub keeper as Marc is an excellent first choice. Imagine he'd be cheap so happy to keep as back up. Darren Whyte - Should definitely be looking to keep Steven Anderson - Already signed by Berwick, not too fussed Grant Anderson - I like Grant, but he's too slow for a winger now, he can't beat a man. I think he'll go and I wouldn't be concerned by that. Gary Harkins - Imagine he'll stay as a coach but I hope he isn't playing next year Callum Moore -Agree with those that say he took a while to get up to speed but has looked better. Would keep him but also wouldn't be gutted if he left Jamie Ness - Not sure if he'll play football again, looked OK when he did but been injured for months Archie Thomas - I don't think he's that good, I do think he hasn't had a fair crack at it this year though. Imagine he'll leave Scott Shepherd - I love Shep, but he's just not a footballer. He'll run for 90 minutes but get him to try and do anything with the ball and he's lost (apart from taking penalties which he's great at). He should go. Of the loanees would love to see Warnock back but imagine Killie might want to try him at a higher level if they loan him again. Would take back Strachan but can't see that happening. Not fussed on Brindley. For new signings, a left back is essential as are two strikers and a centre back or two depending what happens with Whyte. I'd like a holding midfielder in there too and a proper left winger would be great. I'd expect we should be challenging at the top next year, but a poor start could see Irvine under pressure early on. Think it'll be quite a tight league next year, there won't be a Kelty in there, Stirling will be better next year, Bonnyrigg look set to join and will be confident they can do well, and there's no obvious candidate for club 42. 2 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Loon From Outta Toon Posted May 7, 2022 Share Posted May 7, 2022 On the plus side that’s £30 saved. No more play offs. 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Loon From Outta Toon Posted May 11, 2022 Share Posted May 11, 2022 Scott Shepherds listed as a free agent on PFA Scotland website, so safe to assume he’s away. wonder if the club will ever tell us the players leaving. 0 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
fafc1885 Posted May 11, 2022 Share Posted May 11, 2022 48 minutes ago, Loon From Outta Toon said: Scott Shepherds listed as a free agent on PFA Scotland website, so safe to assume he’s away. wonder if the club will ever tell us the players leaving. Took until June 5th last season to tell us so anything earlier than that is an improvement. 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Bridie Vision Posted May 11, 2022 Share Posted May 11, 2022 8 hours ago, Loon From Outta Toon said: Scott Shepherds listed as a free agent on PFA Scotland website, so safe to assume he’s away. wonder if the club will ever tell us the players leaving. 8 hours ago, fafc1885 said: Took until June 5th last season to tell us so anything earlier than that is an improvement. Don't contracts expire 31st May so technically they can't give a released list until 1st June? Although I assume all players will know if they are staying or going by now. 0 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Loon From Outta Toon Posted May 11, 2022 Share Posted May 11, 2022 Grant Anderson away anyways. 0 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Loon From Outta Toon Posted May 11, 2022 Share Posted May 11, 2022 1 hour ago, Bridie Vision said: Don't contracts expire 31st May so technically they can't give a released list until 1st June? Although I assume all players will know if they are staying or going by now. Yeah they expire 31st may. but could at least provide us with an update on players offered contracts etc, seem like one of the few clubs that don’t update any lists until people basically know who’s left when we see other clubs announcing they’ve signed! 0 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Loon81 Posted May 11, 2022 Share Posted May 11, 2022 Scott Shepherds listed as a free agent on PFA Scotland website, so safe to assume he’s away. wonder if the club will ever tell us the players leaving.Had a wee look on the pfa site, mark hill listed; thought there was a player in there but not sure part time training/lockdown helped him! 0 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Loon From Outta Toon Posted May 11, 2022 Share Posted May 11, 2022 9 minutes ago, Loon81 said: Had a wee look on the pfa site, mark hill listed; thought there was a player in there but not sure part time training/lockdown helped him! Yeah he was a cracking player when he was with us on loan, just went let himself go & went downhill unfortunately. 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
fafc1885 Posted May 12, 2022 Share Posted May 12, 2022 13 hours ago, Loon From Outta Toon said: Grant Anderson away anyways. Felt he was a decent option off the bench, would imagine he won’t want to see out his career sitting on the bench in League Two which is understandable. Not a massive loss overall, but in terms of bench options he was one of the more reliable ones. 2 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Loon From Outta Toon Posted May 12, 2022 Share Posted May 12, 2022 Chuffed to bits with Darren Whyte signing a 2 year deal! Moore signs on as well. 3 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
nofixedability Posted May 12, 2022 Share Posted May 12, 2022 Very good news , glad to see both stay especially Darren, nice to see loyalty from players who we clearly stuck by too. 2 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
fafc1885 Posted May 12, 2022 Share Posted May 12, 2022 Great news about Darren and Callum. Going by the Facebook post, unless I’ve missed anyone out, the only players now out of contract are Lewis Sanderson, Archie Thomas, Scott Shepherd and Jamie Ness. Out of the four, I can only see Sanderson being kept to be back up. I’d be happy to keep Thomas but Irvine doesn’t seem to fancy him so he’ll be away. Shepherd is already on the PFA Scotland player list so I assume he is away. He puts in an effort which is more than can be said for Matty. Ness can go, I can’t imagine he will be cheap wage wise, is too injury prone and didn’t impress me when he did play. 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
nofixedability Posted May 12, 2022 Share Posted May 12, 2022 See Brindley has been released by Kilmarnock. 0 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Bridie Vision Posted May 13, 2022 Share Posted May 13, 2022 Well done Travs, got unfairly punted out of the club (in my opinion) well who's laughing now, he's just got promoted along with ex-Loon strikers Ouzy & Shanley, both of whom were underwhelming for us. 0 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Loon From Outta Toon Posted May 13, 2022 Share Posted May 13, 2022 5 minutes ago, Bridie Vision said: Well done Travs, got unfairly punted out of the club (in my opinion) well who's laughing now, he's just got promoted along with ex-Loon strikers Ouzy & Shanley, both of whom were underwhelming for us. Not sure he got unfairly punted. he wasn’t better than the options we had, congratulations to him & all the best though. ps you forgot Callum Tapping as well. 0 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Loon From Outta Toon Posted May 13, 2022 Share Posted May 13, 2022 Plus on Michael Travis I’m sure he asked to leave, due to not playing. 0 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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