SQUADWATCH - Summer 2026

[Only one Trevor Morley]

Should Stokes sign then there is a clear strategy emerging of players who are in their twenties, have pace (or can press), are being signed for multiple years and seem to be good people. League one experience also important although for someone like Lisbie the potential to punch higher is key. I'd like to see Danny K and Patton extend deals and we then have 7 or 8 players the right side of 30 on long term deals.

The telling quote from Richardson was the start about 84% of players not being available for over 50% of matches which reflected the make do and mend approach of last season.

What I also like is that we're keeping our powder dry on loan signings - I always think loan signings should be the icing on the cake rather than the cake itself. We should hold off getting anyone in on loan until the end of the window when we can see if any gaps remain (which might be linked to injury as much as not signing a player) and then plug that gap with the best available - you're far more likely to get a better signing when clubs themselves know at the end of the window who is surplus to requirements.

Gaps still remain (we really need someone like Nombe to compliment strike force, Ward is not back in training yet so may miss start of season and its unclear if Savage will remain) but with a couple more we're finally looking like we're putting together a squad which could compete next season.

[stealthpapes]

Yep. The view was 5 or 6 quality signings needed; this will be 4 when pre season is barely starting. Plenty of time to integrate and get used to the manager's demands. We may get a couple arriving late, but we're in good shape for a fast start this season.

If this comes off, we're already looking at competition and depth as much as starters. Another attacking midfielder option, another CB, potentially another LB. What else? Not much.

Ill check me list but still need to add a striker to that, depending on how well use Brown.

Kinda want to see height and/or strength to complement Marriott, Kelv, Patton.

[stealthpapes]

So my list remains

Three defenders, at least one a centre back and one more flexible

Two attacking midfielders, maybe not wingers but looking for pace and flexibility

One striker

Since this we’ve signed a centre back, an attacking midfielder and appear to be in line for another.

So, I guess a centre back, utility defender, striker remains my list.

If an academy player fills the gap in practise, that’s good.

[Sutekh]

Looks like team section headaches are starting to appear

Think 5-3-2/3-5-2 might be chosen to best accommodate the arriving options plus the departure of Charles. Presuming Stokes is confimred then i suggest that the likely XI would currently be:

Pereira
Malife O’Connor Ward
Kyerewaa Rino Stokes Wing Lisbie
Marriott Brown

Subs

Stevens
Roberts
Williams
Patton
Dorsett
Fraser
Abrefa

Team selection headaches already appearing in some positions but on the whole the squad is looking much stronger, thinking it’s now more about ensuring good quality depth of cover for all positions rather than finding a marquee signing or two (but of course, if an opportunity arises…)

[Sutekh]

The Chonic is postulating that Reading are off to preseason training in Spain next week and are lining up a behind closed doors friendly against Getafe.

[Hound]

Looks like team section headaches are starting to appear

Think 5-3-2/3-5-2 might be chosen to best accommodate the arriving options plus the departure of Charles. Presuming Stokes is confimred then i suggest that the likely XI would currently be:

Pereira
Malife O’Connor Ward
Kyerewaa Rino Stokes Wing Lisbie
Marriott Brown

Subs

Stevens
Roberts
Williams
Patton
Dorsett
Fraser
Abrefa

Team selection headaches already appearing in some positions but on the whole the squad is looking much stronger, thinking it’s now more about ensuring good quality depth of cover for all positions rather than finding a marquee signing or two (but of course, if an opportunity arises…)

Yeah is shaping up quite well. Suspect Kelvin would be on the bench. Roberts will start. I’d like to see better all round players than DK and Marriott start personally but we’re into nice to have territory there

Also be nice for Sackey to be in the match day squad, maybe Kanu or Duah

[Whore Jackie]

Ward is not back in training yet

Seen this mentioned a few times. Where's it come from? He's in the gallery the club posted on the OS last week.

[WestYorksRoyal]

Am I right in thinking that Ward has a pretty reliable fitness record and has just had a bad one at Reading?

[Hound]

Am I right in thinking that Ward has a pretty reliable fitness record and has just had a bad one at Reading?

That was an impact injury as well, not much you can do about that

[Sutekh]

Am I right in thinking that Ward has a pretty reliable fitness record and has just had a bad one at Reading?

That was an impact injury as well, not much you can do about that

Questionable impact from a Burton striker as I recall, some debate from some fans over whether intentional or not. Definite impact injury rather than something “breaking’ therefore.

Last saw Ward in a protective boot towards the end of last season and not heard a thing since. He might miss a lot of preseason (anyone seen him at training?), be good if one of the local media chaps had a catch up with Leam on the current injuries.

If he misses preseason/season start we’ll be 4-4-2 with Dorsett back at LB and hoping nothing happens to Des or Malife. Think another CB (preferably one with a bit of pace) might be prudent.

[southcote89]

Am I right in thinking that Ward has a pretty reliable fitness record and has just had a bad one at Reading?

That was an impact injury as well, not much you can do about that

Questionable impact from a Burton striker as I recall, some debate from some fans over whether intentional or not. Definite impact injury rather than something “breaking’ therefore.

Last saw Ward in a protective boot towards the end of last season and not heard a thing since. He might miss a lot of preseason (anyone seen him at training?), be good if one of the local media chaps had a catch up with Leam on the current injuries.

If he misses preseason/season start we’ll be 4-4-2 with Dorsett back at LB and hoping nothing happens to Des or Malife. Think another CB (preferably one with a bit of pace) might be prudent.

he's in the training videos

[morganb]

If he misses preseason/season start we’ll be 4-4-2 with Dorsett back at LB and hoping nothing happens to Des or Malife. Think another CB (preferably one with a bit of pace) might be prudent.

When you say Des who exactly do you mean?

People used to call the retired Derek Williams "Des" but I suspect you are using it for "O'Connor"?

[Brogue]

If he misses preseason/season start we’ll be 4-4-2 with Dorsett back at LB and hoping nothing happens to Des or Malife. Think another CB (preferably one with a bit of pace) might be prudent.

When you say Des who exactly do you mean?

People used to call the retired Derek Williams "Des" but I suspect you are using it for "O'Connor"?

He means Williams. He has no idea what’s going on most of the time. He’s a shambles of a poster

[Hound]

If he misses preseason/season start we’ll be 4-4-2 with Dorsett back at LB and hoping nothing happens to Des or Malife. Think another CB (preferably one with a bit of pace) might be prudent.

When you say Des who exactly do you mean?

People used to call the retired Derek Williams "Des" but I suspect you are using it for "O'Connor"?

He means Williams. He has no idea what’s going on most of the time. He’s a shambles of a poster

He means O’Connor. Sadly an extension of the abysmal ‘I’d rather have…’

[Sutekh]

If he misses preseason/season start we’ll be 4-4-2 with Dorsett back at LB and hoping nothing happens to Des or Malife. Think another CB (preferably one with a bit of pace) might be prudent.

When you say Des who exactly do you mean?

People used to call the retired Derek Williams "Des" but I suspect you are using it for "O'Connor"?

He means Williams. He has no idea what’s going on most of the time. He’s a shambles of a poster

Yes Des as in O’Connor. Never heard anyone calling Derrick Williams Des.

Thanks also to Brogue, I’m hoping to make promotion to omnishambles by the end of the new season.

[stealthpapes]

When you say Des who exactly do you mean?

People used to call the retired Derek Williams "Des" but I suspect you are using it for "O'Connor"?

He means Williams. He has no idea what’s going on most of the time. He’s a shambles of a poster

He means O’Connor. Sadly an extension of the abysmal ‘I’d rather have…’

Has he played at Bradford?

[Hound]

He means Williams. He has no idea what’s going on most of the time. He’s a shambles of a poster

He means O’Connor. Sadly an extension of the abysmal ‘I’d rather have…’

Has he played at Bradford?

No but he’s shit hot with AI

[stealthpapes]

#winninghere

[South Coast Royal]

Should Stokes sign then there is a clear strategy emerging of players who are in their twenties, have pace (or can press), are being signed for multiple years and seem to be good people. League one experience also important although for someone like Lisbie the potential to punch higher is key. I'd like to see Danny K and Patton extend deals and we then have 7 or 8 players the right side of 30 on long term deals.

The telling quote from Richardson was the start about 84% of players not being available for over 50% of matches which reflected the make do and mend approach of last season.

What I also like is that we're keeping our powder dry on loan signings - I always think loan signings should be the icing on the cake rather than the cake itself. We should hold off getting anyone in on loan until the end of the window when we can see if any gaps remain (which might be linked to injury as much as not signing a player) and then plug that gap with the best available - you're far more likely to get a better signing when clubs themselves know at the end of the window who is surplus to requirements.

Gaps still remain (we really need someone like Nombe to compliment strike force, Ward is not back in training yet so may miss start of season and its unclear if Savage will remain) but with a couple more we're finally looking like we're putting together a squad which could compete next season.

All very well but I agree with a posting by Kerplunk the other day suggesting that we are building a squad to play at League 1 level and survive rather than one looking likely to push for promotion.

Maybe that is where we are still at as a club and that we are looking at stability first and then gradually building for a promotion push in say 3 or 4 years time.

At the moment we still only have Wing and Pereira IMHO who look capable of playing at a higher level and possibly Savage but none of those signed last season appear ready to step up so I hope we give our youngsters more opportunities as their capabilities are very much unknown and may develop more .

[linkenholtroyal]

Should Stokes sign then there is a clear strategy emerging of players who are in their twenties, have pace (or can press), are being signed for multiple years and seem to be good people. League one experience also important although for someone like Lisbie the potential to punch higher is key. I'd like to see Danny K and Patton extend deals and we then have 7 or 8 players the right side of 30 on long term deals.

The telling quote from Richardson was the start about 84% of players not being available for over 50% of matches which reflected the make do and mend approach of last season.

What I also like is that we're keeping our powder dry on loan signings - I always think loan signings should be the icing on the cake rather than the cake itself. We should hold off getting anyone in on loan until the end of the window when we can see if any gaps remain (which might be linked to injury as much as not signing a player) and then plug that gap with the best available - you're far more likely to get a better signing when clubs themselves know at the end of the window who is surplus to requirements.

Gaps still remain (we really need someone like Nombe to compliment strike force, Ward is not back in training yet so may miss start of season and its unclear if Savage will remain) but with a couple more we're finally looking like we're putting together a squad which could compete next season.

All very well but I agree with a posting by Kerplunk the other day suggesting that we are building a squad to play at League 1 level and survive rather than one looking likely to push for promotion.

Maybe that is where we are still at as a club and that we are looking at stability first and then gradually building for a promotion push in say 3 or 4 years time.

At the moment we still only have Wing and Pereira IMHO who look capable of playing at a higher level and possibly Savage but none of those signed last season appear ready to step up so I hope we give our youngsters more opportunities as their capabilities are very much unknown and may develop more .

You say that but (I wasn’t on the forum then) I bet back when the 106 side was constructed no one thought they would go on to do what they did. Most of the team was youngsters picked up from the lower league that we moulded and then took them up though to the premier league. With a few additions along the way. The core were all equivalently signed from what is now League 1 or League 2. Murty, S Hunt, Shorey Sonko to some degree Sidwell and Harper were premiership rejects. Playing the game and scouting the lower leagues has served us well before. I am sure it will again.