2021/22 Squads

[jacobncfc]

I would have Pearson over Brisley every day.

I think they’re pretty similar, but Brisley is very, very limited with the ball or in an attacking team. He was fantastic for us that season we made the play-offs as a defensive, physical team under Nolan that generally sat deep and defended the penalty area. The next year when we threw some money around and started as favourites (and went down lol), he was useless in a team seeing more of the ball and playing higher up the pitch.

If Wrexham are going to be a typical Phil Parkinson team which is generally safety first and defensive, he’ll be a good signing for them I reckon.

 

[Steve_Wafc]

The idea of Brisley being better on the ball than anyone is utterly baffling.

I would have Pearson over Brisley every day.

Pearson is shocking on the ball, but he is your typical old fashioned centre half. But if you want to play the ball on the floor, then it will be going out for a throw in a lot. Seen some Vale fans speak highly of how Brisley finished the season and that’s a level or two (can’t remember) higher than here. I’ll miss seeing Pearson in the lineup, and as a general personality around the team, but his superpowers are definitely fading, he got dominated quite a few times last season.

 

[jacobncfc]

Pearson is shocking on the ball, but he is your typical old fashioned centre half. But if you want to play the ball on the floor, then it will be going out for a throw in a lot. Seen some Vale fans speak highly of how Brisley finished the season and that’s a level or two (can’t remember) higher than here. I’ll miss seeing Pearson in the lineup, and as a general personality around the team, but his superpowers are definitely fading, he got dominated quite a few times last season.

Yeah, those first couple of lines are Bris really. Good defender, though.

 

[Steve_Wafc]

Yeah, those first couple of lines are Bris really. Good defender, though.

He seems to rate himself on the ball Bless him. As long as he’s solid, that’s all I want really anyway. Pearson has never been good on the ball, but you forget that when he was defending the way he was. But last season he seemed a yard off it, so his wayward passing became more obvious. Still don’t know how PP plans on playing or what formation he favours

 

[EnglishRed]

I would have Pearson over Brisley every day.

Same here tbh

Too early for me to form an opinion on Brisley but Pearson was very solid for us, yes you need to play someone a bit more mobile alongside him but he won pretty much everything slung his way Plus you get all the leadership amd off field things with SP.

Not that I'm unhappy with signing Brisley, but ideally I'd have them both. I'd have probably kept Kelleher amd Vassell too tbh, was nothing wrong with our defence last season that having a more solid midfield wouldn't fix.

 

[Wooderson]

Look, Bris was great for us in the season we unexpectedly made the L2 playoffs three years back, solid in defence and a threat when he ventured up front. The next season not so much, but then the whole club had a complete meltdown - he wasn’t the only one who failed to match the heights of the previous campaign (and that’s putting it kindly).

He’s only just turned 31, if he can recapture that form, or the form he allegedly showed at Vale, he should be pretty decent at this level. It just depends what version you get. You know what you are getting with Pearson, that what I meant really when I said I’d have him over Bris.

 

[Son of Cod]

If we're talking lumps who are crap on the deck, slow as fuck and can't pass the ball but get their head onto everything then I'm gonna go out on a limb and say Luke Waterfall will outperform them both next season. Was woeful for the vast majority of last season, but I reckon he's gonna have a good season this time round with someone more mobile like Longe-King next to him.

 

[Gladders]

If we're talking lumps who are crap on the deck, slow as fuck and can't pass the ball but get their head onto everything then I'm gonna go out on a limb and say Luke Waterfall will outperform them both next season. Was woeful for the vast majority of last season, but I reckon he's gonna have a good season this time round with someone more mobile like Longe-King next to him.

Do you think he will start ahead of Pearson though? Hurst dropped him remember for Hewit who was mainly played in midfield.

I think Pearson will start the season next to King so Waterfall only gets a chance if we play three CBs (which is possible at the minute) or Pearson is rubbish.

 

[Son of Cod]

Do you think he will start ahead of Pearson though? Hurst dropped him remember for Hewit who was mainly played in midfield.

I think Pearson will start the season next to King so Waterfall only gets a chance if we play three CBs (which is possible at the minute) or Pearson is rubbish.

If the Wrexham fans are aware that Pearson hasn't been quite as good as he has been in previous seasons and that he hasn't got a full season's worth of game time in him then I reckon Hurst will be fully aware of that and has probably brought him in to be used sparingly...ish? Although he is a Hursty fave, isn't he?

Like you say, he dropped him for Hewitt but I don't think it's entirely inconceivable that that was initially supposed to be a temporary drop and that he was gonna bring Waterfall or Pollock back in alongside Menayese but Hewitt and Menayese were just so good together that they saw out the season as a pair. I just feel like Waterfall is a solid enough Conference and even L2 defender who just had a torrid season last season. He's slightly faster and probably got much more in the tank than Pearson.

 

[EnglishRed]

If the Wrexham fans are aware that Pearson hasn't been quite as good as he has been in previous seasons and that he hasn't got a full season's worth of game time in him then I reckon Hurst will be fully aware of that and has probably brought him in to be used sparingly...ish? Although he is a Hursty fave, isn't he?

Like you say, he dropped him for Hewitt but I don't think it's entirely inconceivable that that was initially supposed to be a temporary drop and that he was gonna bring Waterfall or Pollock back in alongside Menayese but Hewitt and Menayese were just so good together. I just feel like Waterfall is a solid enough Conference and even L2 defender who just had a torrid season last season. He's slightly faster and probably got much more in the tank than Pearson.

Pearson was good at the end of last season. He had Foot surgery in October last year, came back too early in December and so only featured in a dozen games at the end of the season. But he looked completely recovered by the end of the season. He had a patchy season the year before form wise but I'd put that down to how we were as a team that year.

Id be surprised if Luke Waterfall is getting picked ahead of him tbh

 

[Son of Cod]

Id be surprised if Luke Waterfall is getting picked ahead of him tbh

This is why I said I'm gonna go out on a limb... Pearson will more than likely start the season, but Waterfall will get chances. Ability wise, there's not a great deal between them. In fact there's a fairly strong argument to suggest Waterfall is the better player/option. Younger, fitter, has played at a higher level for a much longer time. Hurst's trust is another matter, admittedly.

 

[Steve_Wafc]

If the Wrexham fans are aware that Pearson hasn't been quite as good as he has been in previous seasons and that he hasn't got a full season's worth of game time in him then I reckon Hurst will be fully aware of that and has probably brought him in to be used sparingly...ish? Although he is a Hursty fave, isn't he?

Like you say, he dropped him for Hewitt but I don't think it's entirely inconceivable that that was initially supposed to be a temporary drop and that he was gonna bring Waterfall or Pollock back in alongside Menayese but Hewitt and Menayese were just so good together that they saw out the season as a pair. I just feel like Waterfall is a solid enough Conference and even L2 defender who just had a torrid season last season. He's slightly faster and probably got much more in the tank than Pearson.

I would be shocked if Pearson was brought in and not an immediate starter. He definitely wasn’t as dominant last season, but he’d still do a job. Waterfall was good at this level last time with Lincoln too

 

[Son of Cod]

I would be shocked if Pearson was brought in and not an immediate starter. He definitely wasn’t as dominant last season, but he’d still do a job. Waterfall was good at this level last time with Lincoln too

Yeah, like I said he will probably start the season but over the course of the season I wouldn't be surprised to see Waterfall get a spot locked down at his expense.

 

[rudebwoyben]

Think we’re looking good if you swap player for player. So..

Brisley vs Pearson - looks more mobile and better on the ball. We’ll miss Shaun’s leadership qualities, but he’s definitely not as dominant as he used to be. I’m more disappointed that he’s not gonna stick around long enough to become a coach.

Lennon vs Kelleher/Vassell - This is the one you can’t answer yet. On paper he looks better, I imagine he’ll definitely be better on the ball, but it all depends on how he’s recovered from his unlucky injuries. I liked Vassell though and would’ve kept him on.

McAlinden vs I have no idea because we didn’t really have wingers last season, but let’s say Rutherford - Think he’s going to surprise some people and be quite key. I imagine he’ll bring plenty of energy and is also versatile.

Hyde vs Gold - I liked Gold and would’ve kept him as an option off the bench because he caused mayhem against defences when he came in late last season and helped stop our season from flatlining. Very raw though, which Hyde is not, he’s a proper striker at this level. I was at the game at home against Barnet, which I think was Morrell’s last game in charge and I’m pretty sure it was Hyde that scored the goal, so that shows just how experienced he is. Think he’ll form a good partnership with Mullin. Speaking of..

Mullin vs every single striker we had last season - If we use him correctly he’s going to have some season, the variety of goals he scored for Cambridge last season just shows how much quality he brings. Apparently we didn’t create too many chances last season, yet Kwame scored over 10 and his season was over far too early. So if Mullin gets the same or better creativity, then it’s going to be a good season.

So looking good so far. For me we need to prioritise one or two midfielders now, which would be someone who can control the game and also do the ugly side, if it comes in the form of one player, happy days. Also think we need a winger with pace, so we can adjust our system if it’s not working out, at the moment I think we lack wide attacking options. And probably another centre half to challenge or play alongside two of Brisley/Lennon/French etc. Then not as big a priority, but maybe another full back/s to push RHJ or Reckord/Green. So hopefully another 5/6 to come in

Good memory! You are indeed correct!

 

[EnglishRed]

Nothing will beat the battle of Barnet when Edgar Davids elbowed Stephen Wright in the mouth

 

[Steve_Wafc]

Nothing will beat the battle of Barnet when Edgar Davids elbowed Stephen Wright in the mouth

That was quality tv. I’m pretty sure not long after he went on Soccer Aid and then lashed out at bloody Jonathan Wilkes

 

[MrGloverLover]

One weird situation we have with our squad is that Albi Skendi went to America during rhe close season and has decided not to come back. We still hold his registration but have no idea if he'll return or not.

 

[Wooderson]

One weird situation we have with our squad is that Albi Skendi went to America during rhe close season and has decided not to come back. We still hold his registration but have no idea if he'll return or not.

Can’t really blame him to be fair

 

[Son of Cod]

I've been thinking a bit over the past few days and I've come to the conclusion that we probably aren't going to piss this tinpot league this season.

 

[MrGloverLover]

We only had 14 players available for our friendly last weekend and our manager says we'll have to be patient on more recruitment, so expect some empty seats on the bench at the start of the season.

 

[EnglishRed]

Recruitment seems slower this year. A lot of clubs seem to be in the same boat.

 

[AJS]

We’ve 16 currently but Stenson is out injured till Christmas. We are after 4/5 signings. I think we will sign at least 3 of the trialists based on Wilds comments which leaves us with 1/2 signings after that

 

[MrGloverLover]

Sarll has said recruiting attacking players will have to wait until he's "100% confident that were not going to be a bunch of wet lettuces"

 

[SuperHans]

Time running out for us to sign a striker - our current fit options are:

Danny Rowe
Stefan Payne
Geriatric Tyson

(Asante & Denton long term injured).

We've let Kairo Mitchell, Scott Boden and Luke Rawson go and replace them with Stefan Payne.

With only a couple of weeks left before the season starts its looking a bit thin on the ground.

We also only have one keeper on the books in Scott Loach, although I do believe we have had one on trial who may be signing.

 

[Leewilson]

We're looking tidy. We have versatile options with Vilhete able to play just about anywhere, Jones able to slot into CB if need be and Balanta able to move between the front two and the 10. Aaron Blair is expected to sign from Ongar Town as another forward/wide option most likely from the bench. As the season goes on, I imagine we'll see the odd loan or two for the CB and CM areas if injuries hit. It looks a solid squad to start though and we're certainly in much better shape physically by the looks of things than we were at this point last season.

Goalkeepers
Elliott Justham
Josh Strizovic

Wing Backs
Mauro Vilhete
George Saunders
Myles Weston
Sam Ling

Centre Backs
Kenny Clark
Callum Reynolds
Will Wright
Elliott Johnson

Centre Mids
Matt Robinson
Joey Jones
Harry Phipps
Dean Rance
Mo Sagaf

Forwards
Paul McCallum
Angelo Balanta
Josh Walker
Scott Wilson

 

[Hollywood Red]

Still plenty of time before the season starts for signings.

 

[GEORGE]

Still plenty of time before the season starts for signings.

When does it start ?

 

[SuperHans]

When does it start ?

21st August.

 

[jacobncfc]

Earliest I can ever remember us having our business done. Two friendlies left where we can pretty much field our strongest team and get them bedded in.

Goalkeepers:
Sam Slocombe
Tiernan Brooks

Defenders:
Dion Kelly-Evans
Richard Brindley
Connell Rawlinson
Alex Lacey
Kyle Cameron
Adam Chicksen
Joel Taylor

Midfielders:
Ed Francis
Matty Palmer
Jim O’Brien
Frank Vincent
Cal Roberts
Aaron Nemane

Forwards:
Kyle Wootton
Ruben Rodrigues
Kairo Mitchell
Elisha Sam
Lewis Knight
Tyrease Palmer

Obvious big concern for us are whether we can get more out of Mitchell than Chesterfield managed and he can offer us the alternative/back up to Wootton that we didn’t have last season. I would say our midfield also still lacks genuine physicality, with the emphasis again on creative passers, but Francis/Palmer at least seem to have far more energy and legs than we had in Doyle and Reeves last season. There’s also Roberts’ fitness to worry about, but with us having worked out how to use Rodrigues now and Nemane/Palmer coming in, if we do lose him again it shouldn’t take all creativity out of the team as it did for a long time last season. Got a couple of injury worries still with Knight doing his hamstring in pre-season and out for a while, and Lacey/Vincent yet to feature but apparently close.

 

[MrGloverLover]

In an unusual development Albi Skendi, our contracted midfielder who went to the US during close season and has apparently said he isn't coming back, has played a match over there. For Justin Bieber's team.