DPL vs Fleetwood

We have until 2 September to bring our squad up to what might be called “full strength" and unfortunately by then we will have competed in 6 league matches and one in the EFL cup (with the consequential loss of money) without a full complement. That could make a huge difference to our points total next May.

The 2 clubs we have played thus far will be more likely to be competing at the wrong end of the table by then, but the one we are up against on Saturday is rather stronger than they were last season when they were just short of the top six. Fleetwood have beaten Peterborough away, Wimbledon at home and most recently lost only narrowly to Forest in the cup. Add to this the fact that their weaker 2018/19 side took all 6 points from us last season and the only conclusion you can reach is that we will be distinctly second favourites.

Talks to sign 2 strikers have been mentioned and a 20-year-old “academical" from Spurs has signed on loan. There has been much speculation about a similar young player from Aston Villa joining who, given the publicity, you would have expected to have been confirmed some time ago.

We put out a strong side mid week. Statistically we were utterly dominant, yet we failed to score against a Grimsby squad XI just like we did in the pre season match and the impression I got from a commentary on iFollow (that reached me only in short snatches) was that we were ineffectual in front of goal. The DFP described Tuesday’s display as “toothless" which is quite extreme for them. DM says that we should not blame the defeat solely on the lack of strikers and praised the performance - the only thing lacking, he said, was a goal which actually sounds remarkably closely related to a lack of strikers that are effective.

Perhaps the addition or additions to the playing ranks will inject some vigour into the shooting ability and let us hope our rather inexperienced players we will be capable of countering the gamesmanship that will probably accompany the aggressive footballing style that we can expect from the opposition.

The young man from Spurs took to the field from the subs bench for Sunderland 8 or 9 times last season and scored once, whilst I believe I read that at the same time the potential Villa man was loaned to Carlisle, playing 3 times before being injured. So, the word “potential" is perhaps the most appropriate description to apply to their striking ability. If either does well, they will not be with us next season and as a number of us have observed, the club cannot build long term strength by relying on loanees in key roles. Lower league teams with limited resources have to engage players on relatively short term contracts meaning that there is more of a turnover from one season to the next, but they have to be prepared to shoulder the cost of improving contracts for their core squad to consolidate. This was exactly what were not prepared to do for Andrew, now playing for a this very club based in a Blackpool suburb with support and a ground that is probably the smallest in this league. Marosi preferred the terms offered by a club with a history of instability playing away from its home town. Some might feel rather ashamed of our club in these circumstances which was compounded by the departure of two former captains, one of whom walked straight into a top Championship’s starting 11 and scored on his debut. Discounting Lawlor whose weaknesses saw him lose his place to Marosi, the replacements for the other 3 might be said to be unproven as yet – at best.

McCann was notable for his speed of recruitment compared with for example Dickov who used the excuse of due diligence and then, at the last minute, signed players that he had known well at Oldham! You can be too cautious or you can haggle too long if your priority is the cheapest possible deal which probably equates with the least valuable players. The degree of risk in an annual squad-renewal policy requires a McCann approach so that there is the greatest possible selection of players available even if you do have to pay a bit more for them. So, at this stage of the season the priority should surely be to get the right players in asap; time for driving a hard bargain is not available.

Will anyone in red and white find the net? I fear the worst, but obviously hope that we might defy expectations. I have to be realistic though and say 0-2 to them.