Trio Navarro, McEveley and Miller sign Swindon Town deals

One of Town's newest signings Alan Navarro One of Town's newest signings Alan Navarro

SWINDON Town’s ranks swelled by three for a second time this week yesterday, as the Robins continued to bolster their squad ahead of the upcoming League One campaign.

Town completed the signings of Alan Navarro, Jay McEveley and Tommy Miller - a triple capture that is bound to make the rest of the division sit up and take notice.

Midfielder Navarro signed a two-year deal at the County Ground after he was not offered a new contract at Brighton and full-back McEveley, who spent time on loan in Wiltshire last term, has also agreed to two seasons in the red of Swindon following his release from Barnsley.

Miller, meanwhile, who was part of the Huddersfield side which earnt promotion to the Championship via the League One play-offs in May, has penned a one-year deal.

Both McEveley and Navarro turned down considerable interest from other clubs across the Football League to join the Robins.

Navarro stressed that he has come to Town with the intention of challenging at the top of the division, and revealed that he - like so many of manager Paolo Di Canio’s recent acquisitions - was convinced to move to the County Ground by the charisma, experience and intense passion of the Italian.

“I’m here to be part of a promotion party,” he said. “I don’t want to say anything too early but that’s realistic and it’s what we’re looking at.

“The gaffer’s emphasised that to me and, with some of the players coming in and some of the players we’ve got here, he’s going to get a great squad.”

Meanwhile, having worked with Di Canio for two months earlier this year, McEveley knew exactly what he was letting himself in for when he signed on at Town.

“He (Di Canio) is not going up there to be a midtable team, he wants to win and that is what he instils into his team, and that is what we want to achieve because we want to get the club back up into the Championship,” he said.

“The squad we had here was a very good League Two side, and there are a lot of players who can easily make the step up because they have played there before.

“We have a good squad coming together and hopefully we can make a good start, and have a good pre-season first.”

Swindon are now expected to start shedding players ahead of their tour to Italy on July 1, as Di Canio looks to trim a 30-strong squad.

Comments(72)

mgstfc says...
6:32am Fri 22 Jun 12

A good start to the day - what a week...!!

London Red says...
6:42am Fri 22 Jun 12

Our squad is only 28 - assuming both Thommpson and Bodin sign on - so not that big - especially as we know some are going out
.
Only area we are too big are forwards with 8 who can play there
.
1 Fodderingham
2 Bedwell
3 Lanzano
4 Caddis
5 Thompson
6 C. Smith
7 McEveley
8 Cibbochi
9 Macca
10 Flint
11 Devera
12 Risser
13 Navarro
14 J.Smith
15 Cox
16 Ferry
17 Miller
18 Ritchie
19 Roberts
20 Rooney
21 Bodin
22 Storey
23 Benson
24 Collins
25 Williams
26 Connell
27 Kerrouche
28 Magera

ciclosporindorset says...
6:49am Fri 22 Jun 12

mgstfc wrote:
A good start to the day - what a week...!!
Plus de vita 29

LeGod says...
7:32am Fri 22 Jun 12

Pleased with all the signings this week great work by Paolo and JW to get these players in.

bowralbob says...
7:35am Fri 22 Jun 12

Am I dreaming? Is everything going our way?
It appears to be so.
We've just booked the next trip home from OZ and a couple of games are already lined up and paid for today. Only question is....when is the rain going to stop?

jayden says...
7:45am Fri 22 Jun 12

bowralbob wrote:
Am I dreaming? Is everything going our way?
It appears to be so.
We've just booked the next trip home from OZ and a couple of games are already lined up and paid for today. Only question is....when is the rain going to stop?
OCTOBER then the cold weather will be here

jayden says...
7:48am Fri 22 Jun 12

It would be nice now if we could get 6000 st holders for next season 5200 so far.

old town robin says...
8:05am Fri 22 Jun 12

jayden wrote:
It would be nice now if we could get 6000 st holders for next season 5200 so far.
Did you get the 5200 from CG recently, if your right it's a little disapointing. I thought I read somewhere we had reached over the 5500 mark which would make the 6k target realistic.

Stratton Red says...
8:16am Fri 22 Jun 12

It's all looking sunny at SN1...

London Red says...
8:21am Fri 22 Jun 12

Oh yeah forgot about RDV
.
Still with the likes of Storey and C.Smith not really in contention it only needs 2 or 3 to go Omar it a decent size
.
If we want more in then it would have to become 1 in 1 out after that
.
The ST sales were published on the OS the other day as 5,166
.
Last year was meant to be about 4,750 - so nearly 500 more despite the price increase is a step in the right direction
.
Though if they want to really go for 6,000 I think they should return to phase 2 prices until end of July
.
Yes it is only £30 less but that might tempt a few more - as over £400 is a lot compared to £259 of recent seasons

London Red says...
8:22am Fri 22 Jun 12

Omar is obviously to make

BristolRed says...
8:22am Fri 22 Jun 12

Anyone know on the status of marco materazzi if he has signed a playing contract cheers

London Red says...
8:50am Fri 22 Jun 12

Think that wikipedia update was as genuine as Cannavaro's update last year!
.
Next we'll have Del Piero joining too

We are PANTS says...
9:08am Fri 22 Jun 12

old town robin wrote:
jayden wrote:
It would be nice now if we could get 6000 st holders for next season 5200 so far.
Did you get the 5200 from CG recently, if your right it's a little disapointing. I thought I read somewhere we had reached over the 5500 mark which would make the 6k target realistic.
What doesn't help is the fact that STFC "Online ticketing" states that season tickets are "sold out"???? This needs to be addressed as it could effect the final figure.. LR makes a good point about reducing the price back down to phase two prices.. Whatever needs to be done STFC need to get more pro-active and creative with the way tickets are sold.. Simple things like a little booth in surrounding town centre's the week before a game? Or what about door to door sales bods that can earn commision through sales?? I'm sure there would be a few taker's on that...

johnrambored says...
9:37am Fri 22 Jun 12

I hope we can afford all this?

bowralbob says...
11:29am Fri 22 Jun 12

johnrambored wrote:
I hope we can afford all this?
It's called a calculated risk,if we spend and achieve promotion at the first or second attempt it will be worthwhile. If however we stay in the first division longer than this then the cost will become a real burden on the shareholders, who will be required to stand the losses. But hey let's be happy we have a great board and rich backers who are keen to be associated with Swindon's success.
I hope and pray it happens quickly for one and all!

stfcknowitall says...
1:29pm Fri 22 Jun 12

Having to pinch myself in the past few days, quality signings who know league one inside out. Our board need a medal for the way they are supporting and backing Di Canio. We will have one of the strongest squads in league one already. Please hurry up August!!

RamsburyRed says...
1:32pm Fri 22 Jun 12

I reckon there will be more going than you think LR, not only does all this have to be paid for, but you simply cannot keep 25+ players happy and interested.
*
Having seen the quality of those coming in, I think a few of the players many of us viewed as sound squad players for L1 (J Smith, Risser, Connell) will be on their way. To some extent, we have be warned about this by JW.
*
Maybe even one or two of the 'core' players - who knows?
*
I strongly suspect we will still be adding a GK and CB, so maybe six or seven to go from LR's list?

35yrRED says...
1:44pm Fri 22 Jun 12

Ramsbury I think you have this spot on apart from possibly core players leaving. I pretty sure everything is being done to impove the squad rather than replace. Squad players such as Risser, Smith and Connell, all of which you mentioned I expect to see depart from the CG, along with Kerrouche, Magera and very possibly Cox, Also I'm pretty sure Billy will have seen the players that have come in and decide to move on to Torquay or Crewe where he will be much more likely to get regular first team football. I'm fairly confident that where the core players are concerned this was all part of PDC wanting to make sure the board still wanted to stick to the plan before he confirmed he was staying...he wants to keep ALL of the core players and add the required quality to ensure we are there or there abouts ready to push on. So with the 7 mentioned here gone and the likelyhood that PDC will still want another CB and maybe a back up keeper I think that may well put us in a great position of a great first team with a very strong bench that will constantly push the first team starters and keep them performing.

35yrRED says...
2:21pm Fri 22 Jun 12

Just for fun....most of us would agree it is likely PDC will be looking at another CB.....
So who do you reckon it may be? Lets see if anyone hits the nail on the head!!!!

SAPFanSTFC says...
2:24pm Fri 22 Jun 12

Ramsbury - I'd add Bodin, Kerrouche and Magera to the out basket and possibly still even Lanzano - PdC may even go ahead with just Bedwell as a back-up to Fodders.

Another view says...
2:35pm Fri 22 Jun 12

This is boring - no new players today. Wot you gonna do about it, Paolo?? :-)

We are PANTS says...
2:48pm Fri 22 Jun 12

RamsburyRed wrote:
I reckon there will be more going than you think LR, not only does all this have to be paid for, but you simply cannot keep 25+ players happy and interested.
*
Having seen the quality of those coming in, I think a few of the players many of us viewed as sound squad players for L1 (J Smith, Risser, Connell) will be on their way. To some extent, we have be warned about this by JW.
*
Maybe even one or two of the 'core' players - who knows?
*
I strongly suspect we will still be adding a GK and CB, so maybe six or seven to go from LR's list?
I think you will find the Goalkeeper issue has already been addessed.. Time will tell...

Stratton Red says...
3:09pm Fri 22 Jun 12

RamsburyRed wrote:
I reckon there will be more going than you think LR, not only does all this have to be paid for, but you simply cannot keep 25+ players happy and interested. * Having seen the quality of those coming in, I think a few of the players many of us viewed as sound squad players for L1 (J Smith, Risser, Connell) will be on their way. To some extent, we have be warned about this by JW. * Maybe even one or two of the 'core' players - who knows? * I strongly suspect we will still be adding a GK and CB, so maybe six or seven to go from LR's list?
Spot on RR. Quality not quantity is what is required personally I would go for a squad of 22 max, utilise the loan system where necessary as well as bringing through the youth talent... 29 is ridiculous and if 7 players are on £2K per week then that's a saving of nearly three quarters of a million per year!...

SeanG92 says...
3:11pm Fri 22 Jun 12

Magera, Kerrouche, Bodin, Gabby, J Smith, and Esijas are all ded certs to leave a few others are possibilities

old town robin says...
3:41pm Fri 22 Jun 12

We are PANTS wrote:
RamsburyRed wrote:
I reckon there will be more going than you think LR, not only does all this have to be paid for, but you simply cannot keep 25+ players happy and interested.
*
Having seen the quality of those coming in, I think a few of the players many of us viewed as sound squad players for L1 (J Smith, Risser, Connell) will be on their way. To some extent, we have be warned about this by JW.
*
Maybe even one or two of the 'core' players - who knows?
*
I strongly suspect we will still be adding a GK and CB, so maybe six or seven to go from LR's list?
I think you will find the Goalkeeper issue has already been addessed.. Time will tell...
If you are hinting that Luke McCormick maybe the back up keeper, I think it would be far too soon to expect him to even be a bench warmer, as you say, time will tell and time is a great healer, but I don't think now would be the right time for him or the town, too much emotion involved even if he is a good keeper people need to come to terms that he is firstly on a rehabilitation period that may allow him to play again sometime in the future at a decent level. If something happened with Wes getting injured and we needed an emergency keeper, whose to know where we would get one. If he's still training with us, who knows what the mindset would be with PdC to have him come in. Personally I back Jeremy and Paolo to make the right decision as they see fit. End of!

old town robin says...
3:53pm Fri 22 Jun 12

SeanG92 wrote:
Magera, Kerrouche, Bodin, Gabby, J Smith, and Esijas are all ded certs to leave a few others are possibilities
Well Sean, are you in a time warp or what, Esijas and Gabby left a few weeks ago. Agree Bodin will probably go, unless he can't get a better offer than we made him, then he might decide to stay and go out on loan.

Kerrouche needs to move on for his own peace of mind, but unless we agree a buy out his contract, it ain't going to happen unless he or his agent finds him a new club that pays him equivalent salary. same goes for Magera, I doubt any Czech team could afford his wages, I believe we were still paying a substantial amount last season.

Hold back on your dead cert bets for now, because there is more at stake as to whether they are good enough for STFC, they have contracts that have to be honoured by both sides so either we sell them on, accept free transfers or pay them off, which could be costly for us.

RamsburyRed says...
4:25pm Fri 22 Jun 12

The contractual issues are a good point, and that may be why some of the players we might prefer to keep are let go - it's better for us if a player moves on for a fee rather than have to pay up the contract. But I don't think PDC will want anyone hanging around who has no chance of playing (presumably Kerrouche would now be in that category).

London Red says...
4:35pm Fri 22 Jun 12

Ramsbury - don't get me wrong I think more than 2 will actually go - both PdC and JW have said 5 or 6
.
My point above was that considering some of the squad are still kids and not really in contention we would only need to shift a few to get down to a manageable number (assuming the in comings had finished)
.
I personally don't think 25/26 is too big a squad - especially as the matchday squad is now 18 - meaning only 7 would miss out if all fit and available
.
I can see the arguements for reducing it further as 7 is still a big buffer - just means you need more flexable players like Risser than specialist who only play in one spot
.
I said the other day that I think 6 will go
.
Lanzano
Smith.J
Bodin
Connell
Kerrouche
Magera
.
That would take us down to 23 - Storey and C.Smith not really in contention so that is really 21
.
So would then give PdC room to sign up another 2 - CB and CF as if my predictions are right 4 are leaving
.
As for CB - I want Nathan Clarke

RamsburyRed says...
6:25pm Fri 22 Jun 12

I still think the club needs a 'proper' reserve keeper - one we would have no qualms at all putting in if necessary. I know we can get a loan if there's a long-term problem with Wes, but I don't think it's a good situation to have no-one offering him some competition for the spot and who can play if Wes slips on a banana skin one Saturday morning.
*
Now it may be that Bedwell is rated highly enough to offer that cover, but at his age I doubt it.

RamsburyRed says...
6:28pm Fri 22 Jun 12

Oh and LR - the 'kids' are here to be in contention. If they're not in contention they should be released, or loaned out. Storey played last year, so I assume is 'in contention'. But maybe he'd be best served on loan in L2 - that would count as reducing the squad too.

shered says...
6:30pm Fri 22 Jun 12

just hope that the keeper issue is not solved by giving McCormack a contract.

jayden says...
6:46pm Fri 22 Jun 12

RamsburyRed wrote:
Oh and LR - the 'kids' are here to be in contention. If they're not in contention they should be released, or loaned out. Storey played last year, so I assume is 'in contention'. But maybe he'd be best served on loan in L2 - that would count as reducing the squad too.
story will be the surprise package i watched him a lot last season and he has built his body up and has a swagger about him Austin style.

the wizard says...
7:31pm Fri 22 Jun 12

I think we are all over looking the fact that Wes has matured very well since his arrival. Games and some super coaching have both combined to make him a brilliant young goalie. What is to say that Bedwell isn't also benefiting well from Wes and coaching staff input, surely he is. I think he will be entrusted with the sub goalie slot, other wise Smith would have probably been given a one year contract.

As goes numbers I think the budget will be reigned in because wages and signing on fee's and so on. Wages will take up a bigger slice of the cake this season for sure, and the status of the players will be of a higher standing as opposed to ex-Blue Square and overseas imports, so the wages they will command will be higher. These ex Championship players will not come in as cheaply as last years players.

Obviously there will be a contingency for loans, and perhaps January signings, but I don't expect the numbers of contracted players, not including youth to exceed 20.
Bearing that in mind there will be some surprise leavers. Add to that I could see some sort of subsidy being paid to some clubs just to get some players off our books, absurd as that may sound, ie:Kerrouche, Magera, Lanzano. That would be offset against any monies coming in for some surplus players we manage to sell, the likes of perhaps Cox, J Smith and Connell, maybe even RDV or maybe Ferry. There will be surprises in the departure lounge for sure, so a clear out is still on the cards, and Wray has already said as much.

ciclosporindorset says...
8:45pm Fri 22 Jun 12

A few observations.
1. Nobody seems to have read Sam mores heads tweet about the Exeter centre back.
2. Nobody had commented on that the queen has committed to shake the hand of that "mass child murderer" Martin mcguiness. Umm,
3. No one therefore has drawn unreasonable parallels with our chairmanship conduct recently.
4. Sorry if I upset some body

the wizard says...
9:03pm Fri 22 Jun 12

ciclosporindorset wrote:
A few observations.
1. Nobody seems to have read Sam mores heads tweet about the Exeter centre back.
2. Nobody had commented on that the queen has committed to shake the hand of that "mass child murderer" Martin mcguiness. Umm,
3. No one therefore has drawn unreasonable parallels with our chairmanship conduct recently.
4. Sorry if I upset some body
Blimey, who upset you today ?

Some of those topics are perhaps left best to be discussed elsewhere, aren't they ?

ciclosporindorset says...
10:15pm Fri 22 Jun 12

Better out than in WIZ.Interesting about Archibald-Henville - one to follow in the coming days.

graham81 says...
11:12pm Fri 22 Jun 12

my brother seen miller a few times and never says any swindon signing is good (him being a saints fan) but he said miller is pretty **** hot :)))))

umpcah says...
8:01am Sat 23 Jun 12

"Wolves have signed striker Frank Nouble on a free transfer following his release last month by West Ham United ". They`re welcome !

the wizard says...
10:25am Sat 23 Jun 12

umpcah wrote:
"Wolves have signed striker Frank Nouble on a free transfer following his release last month by West Ham United ". They`re welcome !
I can see Wolves going into free fall if they are not very careful. A big clear out there and a rebuild is what is needed like us 12 months ago.

Am going out today on a sock-buying-mission, ready for the next signings announcement.

ciclosporindorset says...
3:36pm Sat 23 Jun 12

RIP Alan MacDonald

We are PANTS says...
4:20pm Sat 23 Jun 12

ciclosporindorset wrote:
RIP Alan MacDonald
Can't believe this!!! A true QPR Legend!!!! I used to work with Alan for a while at Securicor Omega!! He was as fit as a fiddle and was a truly smashing bloke... I'm sure he is in the thoughts of all Football fans around the World.. RIP Alan Mac

Nixie Wroughton says...
5:21pm Sat 23 Jun 12

Alan McDonald , legend. Always remember the town game at Loftus Road when Digny got sent off and Alan went in goal as we had no keeper on the bench. He kept a clean sheet and we won 1 0. He became the only away player to be awarded the man of the match. I was in hospitality that day as I was from Swindon they gave me the honour of presenting the award. Top man, top player. Too young.

NEWBURYREDS says...
5:25pm Sat 23 Jun 12

RIP Alan mac,he was brill to us pre-season 87 when we followed the boys to Ireland and i'll never 4get QPR away when he went in goal when Frazier got sent off - true legend

NEWBURYREDS says...
5:35pm Sat 23 Jun 12

sorry peeps it was 1997 not 87 he scored a cracked during 1 pre-season game against St Patricks RIP Alan

Psychedelic Syd says...
5:37pm Sat 23 Jun 12

I've got a good friend who's a lifelong Huddersfield supporter. Whilst he thought Gary Roberts was a good signing he was much more reserved about Miller. In his view well past his best. Hope he's wrong.

Nixie Wroughton says...
5:47pm Sat 23 Jun 12

Alan McDonald , legend. Always remember the town game at Loftus Road when Digny got sent off and Alan went in goal as we had no keeper on the bench. He kept a clean sheet and we won 1 0. He became the only away player to be awarded the man of the match. I was in hospitality that day as I was from Swindon they gave me the honour of presenting the award. Top man, top player. Too young.

the wizard says...
9:40pm Sat 23 Jun 12

I saw yer,

SWINDON TOWN

written on a union flag behind the French goal, second half.

Hope you are enjoying yourselves.

ciclosporindorset says...
10:19pm Sat 23 Jun 12

Psychedelic Syd wrote:
I've got a good friend who's a lifelong Huddersfield supporter. Whilst he thought Gary Roberts was a good signing he was much more reserved about Miller. In his view well past his best. Hope he's wrong.
I won't worry too much. Miller is here to back up Ferry and will get 10 to 15 games mx. That way he will get used sparingly to save himself. IMO. We could still get Bostock mind,!

London Red says...
7:42am Sun 24 Jun 12

Don't think Miller is here just to be back up - he here to play and win
.
As he said himself he is still fit enough and 33 appearances for Huddersfield (inc the PO final) backs that up
.
This is exactly what Ferry needs a real challenger to raise his game and kick him on to the next level
.
Plus with PdC talking about different plans including formations we could easily see them together too
.
If we go 433 - then Ferry Navarro and Miller would make an excellent trio
.
This would be like the 4-2 Charlton away win - Navarro playing the Timlin role and Miller the Prutton one and Ferry as himself the playmaker
.
Then 2 from Williams, Roberts, Ritchie or Rooney would provide the support to Benson or Collins

London Red says...
7:44am Sun 24 Jun 12

The 433 team can also operate easily in a 4231
.
Navarro and Ferry in midfield - Miller in the hole with the wide boys the same
.
That's the great thing we now have lots of options and quality everywhere

Nixie Wroughton says...
8:22am Sun 24 Jun 12

Hey Wiz, there must have been a few of them over as I spotted Swindon Town on. A George Cross behind a goal. I expect today will be the only day we aren't supporting Paolo's team!!!!

the wizard says...
9:33am Sun 24 Jun 12

Nixie Wroughton wrote:
Hey Wiz, there must have been a few of them over as I spotted Swindon Town on. A George Cross behind a goal. I expect today will be the only day we aren't supporting Paolo's team!!!!
You got it right, it was a George Cross, my error. Hope they are having a great time.

Would be very interesting to hear Paolo's opinion on todays game now he is managing here.

I think if he were managing the Italian national side things could be a more daunting for England.

louiscassius says...
9:57am Sun 24 Jun 12

the wizard wrote:
Nixie Wroughton wrote:
Hey Wiz, there must have been a few of them over as I spotted Swindon Town on. A George Cross behind a goal. I expect today will be the only day we aren't supporting Paolo's team!!!!
You got it right, it was a George Cross, my error. Hope they are having a great time.

Would be very interesting to hear Paolo's opinion on todays game now he is managing here.

I think if he were managing the Italian national side things could be a more daunting for England.
Wiz,

You mentioned on this or another thread that there could be some shock departures this week.
I see we've been heavily linked with defender "Fizt Hall" looks very good even though he's in his 30's.
Do you think if that comes true (he's a CB), that PDC will be tempted to move Macca back into the Midfield, and the likes of Ferry and Smith and/or Ritchie could be sold?

Just wanted your thoughts.....

Louis :-)))

ciclosporindorset says...
10:18am Sun 24 Jun 12

London Red wrote:
The 433 team can also operate easily in a 4231
.
Navarro and Ferry in midfield - Miller in the hole with the wide boys the same
.
That's the great thing we now have lots of options and quality everywhere
Hi LR
You do like the 4231 and 433 options I know. I like the potential they offer too. We certainly have options and quality throughout. As for Miller - I have a feeling that if we stick with 424 then Ferry will still get the lions share of starts ie 30+ If he doent get 30 league starts I will frankly be very surprised but as you say - Miller does give us that extra option so if we do change formation then they both could. My money is still on 424 or maybe 411 but we will see. Very exciting either way.

London Red says...
10:25am Sun 24 Jun 12

Yeah think we will go 442/424 as our main formation - with inverted wingers like last year
.
Why change it when it worked well!
.
I just think that PdC knows as we move up we will need a few systems and is making sure we can play more
.
It like Man U go 451 in Europe and 442 in the league
.
Also it's good to have the flexibility to change if need be - bit like Wembley - only this time with 7 on the bench and a better squad we will have players to make that change

Oi Den! says...
10:55am Sun 24 Jun 12

Very versatile player - Onesize Fitz Hall

the wizard says...
11:14am Sun 24 Jun 12

louiscassius wrote:
the wizard wrote:
Nixie Wroughton wrote:
Hey Wiz, there must have been a few of them over as I spotted Swindon Town on. A George Cross behind a goal. I expect today will be the only day we aren't supporting Paolo's team!!!!
You got it right, it was a George Cross, my error. Hope they are having a great time.

Would be very interesting to hear Paolo's opinion on todays game now he is managing here.

I think if he were managing the Italian national side things could be a more daunting for England.
Wiz,

You mentioned on this or another thread that there could be some shock departures this week.
I see we've been heavily linked with defender "Fizt Hall" looks very good even though he's in his 30's.
Do you think if that comes true (he's a CB), that PDC will be tempted to move Macca back into the Midfield, and the likes of Ferry and Smith and/or Ritchie could be sold?

Just wanted your thoughts.....

Louis :-)))
Hi Louis, well my thoughts for a while is that we will employ different tactics in L1. I've been looking at the guys coming in, and trying to look at Paolologic at the same time.

Macca had a simply unbelievable season played out of position. Now all this site is about is opinion and we often differ with others, but I think Macca could provide the pivot of the side playing as some kind of Midfield General. His distribution and vision is good, he can play defensive and he is good in attack. I think his talents are wasted at the back, so as long as someone able is fill his boots there, I would have no hesitation putting him in the middle. I love Ferry, but he is too easily muscled off the ball, and League One will be very wise to his undoubted talent, and he is too easily shut out of the game. A couple of big boys in the middle will do us no harm. Forget tradition and conformance, think Paolo, think inventive, think differently, because that is what he does. The cavalier attitude of last season will be gone, a different animal will come out this season, far more professional than before, which is why he has brought in the players he has, not the ones most on here said they wanted, ie: Pack. Paolo thinks outside the box.
I don't think he will sell Ritchie, but others will go, and among them probably an untouchable or two. Eyebrows will be raised as opposed to socks blown off.

dreamofacleansheet2 says...
11:26am Sun 24 Jun 12

Wiz, I'm totally not with you on Macca. I really hope he stays at the back his distribution from there is key for me.

If we want to get competition in for Ferry fine but I'm not expecting him to move Macca as that's often where space is to be found.

London Red says...
11:49am Sun 24 Jun 12

Look at our signings and I think it says it all about the Macca situation
.
No CB signed (yet) but a top qulity anchor man is - Navarro
.
Then with Risser, Smith and Cox all able to play that role too I don't think we will see Macca anywhere near midfield
.
Had we not signed Navarro and landed someone like Fitz Hall then yes Macca in midfield might have been a good solution
.
We have competition for Ferry - Miller
.
In fact we have competition in every spot accept GK
.
RB - Caddis Thompson Smith
LB - McEveley Cibbochi Thompson
CB Macca Flint Devera Risser
RM Ritchie Roberts Rooney
LM same plus RDV
DM Navarro Risser Smith Cox
AM Ferry Miller
CF Benson Williams Collins RDV Storey and whoever remains from Connell, Bodin and Magera

London Red says...
11:51am Sun 24 Jun 12

I mean no disrespect to Bedwell - but even he must not think he is going to be challenging Wes to be the number 1 yet

London Red says...
11:55am Sun 24 Jun 12

Looking at our forward I think we should look to offload Connell
.
RDV can challenge Williams for the second striker role (his actual position) with Collins battling Benson
.
Storey would then provide the 5th option (assuming Bodin is off after rejecting the offer made)
.
Can't see a route back or Kerrouche thus not mentioned above and Magera I think will stay put in the Czech to get his career back on track

Old-Stager, Hilperton says...
12:55pm Sun 24 Jun 12

It is good news that the 7 substitute system has been re-introduced.
This gives Paolo more options for substitutions, depending on how the game is developing.
It also gives more of the squad players the opportunity to be involved with the match day experience, and a chance to play if the situation allows this.

Wilesy says...
1:17pm Sun 24 Jun 12

Can't see Paolo changing players positions back to their original ones. So Macca stays at CB, RDV stays as winger.

Fitz Hall would be a good signing, although I think that would put Flint's starting place at risk, but it would give a good 3 at the back option when chasing the game - Hall and Flint marking, Macca spare man.

From the signings so far I think the improvements will be most seen up front with Williams as the quality second striker, and defensive midfield, where hopefully Navarro will be like a 'year 1 Douglas'. I don't think it bodes well for Risser, despite being a Paolo favourite and a good L2 squad player. Should he gets games now in L1 I can see fans getting on his back a bit as his mobility and touch deficiency will be rather obvious. Imagine a few seasons back if Wilson had say left year 1 Douglas on the bench for Risser. J Smith adequate back up for Navarro in my opinion.

ciclosporindorset says...
6:04pm Sun 24 Jun 12

Troy Archibald-Henville or OneSize, the club want a further centre back IMO. Much as I dont appreciate the Football Manager I do know that the teams that got top spot in L1 & Championship managed it with small numbers. Charlton only used 15 playrs that put in 10 starts plus, Southampton also low numbers. The message to me is that we dont need 8 or more dedicated defenders in fact 90% of Charltons games started with the same 4 defenders. This says a good case for onsize!
No way will De Vita play no4 striker over Connell. A striker is there to score and De Vita cant compete with Connell on mins/goal even when up top. Macca has said he would like to try again at CM as DV has would like striker role again - its their natural position. But my best guess is both Risser & Smith to go / Macca played sparingly at both CB and CM. Connel stays and RDV goes. Connel is the heart of stfc moreso than RDV. All just guesswork mind - I know onviously less than 99% of stfc supporters.

Oi Den! says...
7:36pm Sun 24 Jun 12

Listening to the radio earlier, I thought "That's it! - our pre-match club song." It's something with real guts in it (unlike that UB40 crap we've had to endure for a while now), it fits with the twin PDC ethics of work and togetherness, and there's even a line "Let's get on the ball".
.
The song? "Let's Work Together" by Canned Heat.
.
Maybe some of our younger fans won't know it, so here's a link: http://www.youtube.c
om/watch?v=IsRUi51QW
M4
.
If the link doesn't work, just search for the song on YouTube and choose "best version" - audio only.


.
And the lyrics are here:
http://www.stlyrics.
com/lyrics/invincibl
e/letsworktogether.h
tm
.
What say you all? Any good? Or a non-starter?

the wizard says...
11:04pm Sun 24 Jun 12

So, its over and England lose on pen's again.

Am I right in thinking that Roy Hodgeson has done very well in the time given, and has brought home some element of respectability. Given time and opportunity I think Roy can get more out of England and to his credit I feel he has excelled the expectations of most. I hope he goes on to become our next "Sir Bobby Robson" if you follow my drift.

I for one was very disappointed in Rooney tonight and thought by his standards he was unfit and had a poor game. Sorry Wayne but I have seen you play far better than tonight, but it was good to see you fully focused on your penalty.

Despite my earlier mis givings I thought our back four were our stars and played with a lot of composure given the mis deeds else where on the pitch during the tournament as a whole.

Pirlo was tonight something else and full credit to them, the better team went through.
Our true standing has been feflected in our position somewhere in the top ten, we need to improve, I hope under Roy we do.

NEWBURYREDS says...
11:11pm Sun 24 Jun 12

At least PDC will be happy!!!!!!!!

the wizard says...
11:41pm Sun 24 Jun 12

NEWBURYREDS wrote:
At least PDC will be happy!!!!!!!!
Well, you would hope so, especially as he got a mention in the by the commentary team.

the wizard says...
11:44pm Sun 24 Jun 12

50/50 question,

Do you think we gained more respectability under Roy than what we would have under Fabio, and do you think Fabio would have got us any further ?

My own view is that Roy is the better choice and he has put P R I D E back into England

Chish and Fips says...
6:54am Mon 25 Jun 12

the wizard wrote:
50/50 question,

Do you think we gained more respectability under Roy than what we would have under Fabio, and do you think Fabio would have got us any further ?

My own view is that Roy is the better choice and he has put P R I D E back into England
WIZ in my opinion Roy is a far better 'man manager' and on the training pitch - how a person (Capello) who couldn't speak a word of English got his point over always baffled me.
Last night the passion was there but we lacked the skills and we were chasing shadows.
My opinion - Rooney seemed to be on holiday and when he got the ball failed to find another England player... has not done himself any favours again.

jayden says...
7:47am Mon 25 Jun 12

Rooney made some good films but hes over the hill now,ah Wayne not Micky .Wayne Rooney world class my Arse"

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