Squad

[TonyM]

So the squad is looking much nearer to it's final shape than many might have thought before the end of May with 17 signed and 3 offers on the table although I don't see all of the retained players being here come the start of pre-season training.  It is surprising, to me at least, given our performances last season, albeit at a higher level that it doesn't seem like there will be wholesale changes but maybe TW thinks the drop to NLN will be the difference and obviously still some new players required to balance out the squad in terms of positions:

Keeper - Jones now signed which is a big positive imo
Defenders - Coulson, Denton and Scott all look capable at NLN.  Assume Bird & Bowry to be moved on, Bird seems to have done OK at Halifax.  Altintop and Fleming are both unproven at NLN, and whilst it's always good to have players who have potential is there is space for both?  McFadden is the tricky one, can't play alongside Coulson in a back four as zero pace between them and still questions over his fitness.  Hopefully we get early decisions from Barrows and Jones so that the club can react quickly if replacements are needed.
Midfield - Knowles is a 'project' which seems fair enough but then only Sundire and Widdrington currently signed so would imagine there are more additions to come here, Clunan would obviously help massively but even then I would like to see at least one more 'starter' signed
Wingers/attacking midfields - after years of IC not playing wingers we now have Walker and Gyasi signed up.  Still don't understand Walker's signing and whilst Gyasi offers something different I am not sure that equates to a starting position in a NLN side.  Hopefully Barrett will come back in better shape for next season and turn that technical ability into a key asset in the majority of games and not go missing so often as he did this year against the better sides.
Forwards - currently Omotayo (who improved no end under TW) and Charles who never really looked on the pace at NL level.  Not sure that those two as a strike force would put much fear into NLN defences so more recruitment needed here too.

[AXV]

I guess playing a low defensive line would help negate the lack of pace.
I'm very keen to see how we play next season, TW/HL obviously played relegation tactics and put square pegs in round holes. I'd like to know how they'd approach a season where presumably promotion is the goal

[TonyM]

I guess playing a low defensive line would help negate the lack of pace.
I'm very keen to see how we play next season, TW/HL obviously played relegation tactics and put square pegs in round holes. I'd like to know how they'd approach a season where presumably promotion is the goal

I think that is a fair point that we can't really judge how a TW side will look but I still think it is strange that we are going with so many of last seasons 'pegs' which didn't really fit together that well.  As for the goal for next season, personally I would be hoping for mid table stability, maybe pushing play offs if things go really well and I don't see what any expectations above that are based upon

[Mallard]

I would suggest promotion is based on SC’s expectation level.  Having done it once he knows what is needed in terms of financial support. Plus it seems he has great belief in Tommy’s ability to take the Club back up.

Be interesting to see how things play out, on all fronts.

I wonder if Tommy would be interested in Jay Rollins who has been released from Boston.  Always been impressed.  Little bit of a chequered history.

[TonyM]

I would suggest promotion is based on SC’s expectation level.  Having done it once he knows what is needed in terms of financial support. Plus it seems he has great belief in Tommy’s ability to take the Club back up.

Be interesting to see how things play out, on all fronts.

Think the club is in a different place than the last time we started a NLN campaign, previously we were a team full of confidence, playing really good football and with a number of leaders on the pitch and a goalscorer in a purple patch.  Whilst the financial support may have contributed to some of those things being in place, some are certainly elements 'you can't buy'.

News that Barrows is off to Altrincham will be a blow but totally understandable and I think everyone will wish him all the best, just waiting on Jones and Clunan now.

[Mallard]

You are right Tony it was a squad bursting with confidence after winning the Super play-off.  However I would suggest  it wasn’t a squad  with NLN Champions written all over it.  Was also  part time and a very small squad.   I think also the season was curtailed at just the right time for Lynn., as we had hit a real sticky patch.

The squad next season will be packed full of experienced players at National League.  The signings of Coulson and Jones don’t smack of building for the future.  More delivering today.

[TonyM]

You are right Tony it was a squad bursting with confidence after winning the Super play-off.  However I would suggest  it wasn’t a squad  with NLN Champions written all over it.  Was also  part time and a very small squad.   I think also the season was curtailed at just the right time for Lynn., as we had hit a real sticky patch.

The squad next season will be packed full of experienced players at National League.  The signings of Coulson and Jones don’t smack of building for the future.  More delivering today.

Pleased to see Aaron back even if it does seem a strange decision given how much TW played around with the right back position last year

Mall, without looking back too much, for all their experience how many of the current squad would get into IC's team of 2019-20?  For me (based on playing a 4-3-3), I think only Jones, Coulson and Denton (for Street, McAuley & Fox) are clearly better, none of the currently signed midfield are better than Clunan, Jarvis (then) and Richards imo and however technically good Barrett is I would rather have the dynamism of Henderson behind Gash and Marriott.  This is why I still think we need to find a minimum of three or four clear starters at this level based on those signed so far.

[Mallard]

That’s very true Tony, maybe factor in Carey and Power into that as well.  In the flip side there was the likes of Kelly, Smith, Southwell.

[Anton]

At the moment I can't see us going for promotion with the team we have so far! Yes I know we will be at a lower level but I'm concerned at our strikers not scoring enough goals. We need to score goals and plenty too.  I'm not even sure if we got promotion that would be a good thing! What I think is a couple of seasons in this league and build up to stay in the higher league.