General How good are our players?

[Foley]

So looking back to MAPPs team, Lundstrom and Baldock are regulars in the PL and O'Dowda, Johnson, Ledson, Rothwell, Dunkley play in the Championship (Roofe inexplicably went to Belgium)

What about this team/ squad? Brannagan, Dickie, Baptiste, Fosu, Lopes, Spasov, Jones? Where could they end up (Whyte and Nelson have already gone to the Championship)

 

[beyondthefourth]

So looking back to MAPPs team, Lundstrom and Baldock are regulars in the PL and O'Dowda, Johnson, Ledson, Rothwell, Dunkley play in the Championship (Roofe inexplicably went to Belgium)

What about this team/ squad? Brannagan, Dickie, Baptiste, Fosu, Lopes, Spasov, Jones? Where could they end up (Whyte and Nelson have already gone to the Championship)

Can't make a judgement too much for our youth players just yet, have to see where they are once they've locked down starting places in the first team.

But I'd say:

PL League potential - Baptiste, Brannagan
Upper Championship Level - Cadden, Dickie, Fosu, Woodburn
Lower Championship Level - Gorrin, Eastwood, Henry, Sykes, Taylor

 

[SteMerritt]

In case there are any scouts looking for info on here... Unlikely I know... They are all shite. Every single one of them.

 

[RATC]

Think it's easier to point out who may not be able to play above league one.

Long,Ruffels,Mousinho,Hanson and Mackie

Are the only ones who may struggle to adjust to the pace of the game at the level above.

Saying that Sam Long has pocketed 3 players in the last 2 seasons in the carabao cup with a combined total of 120+ million. So he could do well.

 

[Yellow Mustard]

This side is good but it doesn't compete with the Mapp team- Baldock, Roofe, O'Dowda, Dunkley, Lundstram, Ledson all probably getting into this side.

Not to say this one isn't very good but Fosu, Brannagan and Baptiste are the only real three who are as exciting as any of the above in terms of potential.

If we made it to the Championship with this team we would be after new side backs, a new winger, a 10, a striker, a DM to really compete I think.

 

[Finlandia]

Politely disagree with that - this team is playing the best football in years and In my opinion is better than any MAP team

 

[arthurturner]

This side is good but it doesn't compete with the Mapp team- Baldock, Roofe, O'Dowda, Dunkley, Lundstram, Ledson all probably getting into this side.

Not to say this one isn't very good but Fosu, Brannagan and Baptiste are the only real three who are as exciting as any of the above in terms of potential.

If we made it to the Championship with this team we would be after new side backs, a new winger, a 10, a striker, a DM to really compete I think.

I think there's argument to be made that when everyone is fit we have a stronger squad than Mapp had particularly when you add to that the academy prospects.

 

[Foley]

This side is good but it doesn't compete with the Mapp team- Baldock, Roofe, O'Dowda, Dunkley, Lundstram, Ledson all probably getting into this side.

Not to say this one isn't very good but Fosu, Brannagan and Baptiste are the only real three who are as exciting as any of the above in terms of potential.

If we made it to the Championship with this team we would be after new side backs, a new winger, a 10, a striker, a DM to really compete I think.

We are playing at a higher level. Ledson would not be in this side in my view and ODowda only played in half of the games in the MAPP side.

 

[Sarge]

We are playing at a higher level. Ledson would not be in this side in my view and ODowda only played in half of the games in the MAPP side.

which was often a 30 min cameo off the bench

 

[Isle of Wight Yellow]

We are playing at a higher level. Ledson would not be in this side in my view and ODowda only played in half of the games in the MAPP side.

I’m pretty sure Ledson would get into this side, let’s not forget he’s playing in the Championship now. Fans are pretty fickle and only want to support current players which is understandable, but Ledson was one of our best midfielders and was loved when he was here. I’d love to see him in this team ratting around with Brannigan.

 

[bazzer9461]

In case there are any scouts looking for info on here... Unlikely I know... They are all shite. Every single one of them.

As good as that? ?

 

[Kiewhite]

How much are we thinking are assets are worth atm? Personally still think gavin went cheap in the grand scheme of things. Dickie being a centre back probably 1.5million Fosu as he is just coming into form was hit and miss at Charlton probably a million Shandon full off potential 3-4 million Brannagan has to be 5+ if we’re being real one will probably go in January and I personally expect that to be Brannagan. If it is I have no panic as the owner has shown he has no problems re investing a proportion of the money and knowing are recruitment team they will probably already have a plan in place to replace him with another super talented player who has somehow gone under the radar at a academy. We are showing what a great opportunity it is for young talented players to show how good they are and to make a name for themselves this club is. Like i said I expect us to sell a player but if the owners want the attendances to increase and want to challenge this season for promotion they really need to makesure it’s just the one player in January and also have a solid replacement in place

 

[Yellow Mustard]

Fair enough- but keep in mind all of those players were in League Two and now are all decent Championship (even 2 PL!) players. So they were all playing well below their potential level. I don't think this squad are capable of making the same jumps- so less potential.

A game between the two whilst both in form and would be nearly impossible to call in my book.

 

[Yellow Mustard]

And it's really nice everyone rating this team so highly, they're in excellent form. I think we can have this conversation in earnest at the end of the season- Mapp's team did it over the whole season and turned over prem teams in the cup. Let's hope this one can.

 

[Foley]

I’m pretty sure Ledson would get into this side, let’s not forget he’s playing in the Championship now. Fans are pretty fickle and only want to support current players which is understandable, but Ledson was one of our best midfielders and was loved when he was here. I’d love to see him in this team ratting around with Brannigan.

I think that Lundstram would be in the team but Brannagan ahead of Ledson.
Lunstram has done better than I thought and it's great that he has.
I suspect that Brannagan will play higher than Ledson but let's see

 

[Foley]

And it's really nice everyone rating this team so highly, they're in excellent form. I think we can have this conversation in earnest at the end of the season- Mapp's team did it over the whole season and turned over prem teams in the cup. Let's hope this one can.

I think that regardless of how the team do Brannagan, Baptiste, Dickie will play at a much higher level.
It will be interesting to see who gets the highest.

 

[RyanioBirdio]

Eastwood
Baldock Dickie Dunkley Ruffels
Baptiste Lundstram Brannagan
Fosu Roofe COD

Subs: Stevens, Kenny, Wright, Sercombe, Maguire, Henry, Taylor
​

Announce promotion.

EDIT: Had to take Ledson out as he wasn’t around for promotion - keep forgetting he only joined in the summer after.

 

[Isle of Wight Yellow]

Eastwood
Baldock Dickie Dunkley Ruffels
Lundstram Ledson Brannagan
Fosu Roofe COD

Subs: Stevens, Kenny, Wright, Baptiste, Maguire, Henry, Taylor
​

Announce promotion.

Take my money. (Also, get Whyte in there somewhere)

 

[RyanioBirdio]

Take my money. (Also, get Whyte in there somewhere)

I left Whyte out because I was going solely on this season’s squad and the promotion season’s squad, and Whyte was gone by the time we kicked off at Sunderland. Although it’s deeply upset me that I can’t find a place for Hylton.

 

[tonyw]

I think that Lundstram would be in the team but Brannagan ahead of Ledson.
Lunstram has done better than I thought and it's great that he has.
I suspect that Brannagan will play higher than Ledson but let's see

Agree, Ledson was very good, but I think Brannagan's a better player.

In fact, I don't think there's much to separate Brannagan & Lundstram - other than goals (Lunny only scored one all season in his lone League One campaign with us). Reckon it's reasonable to believe that Brannagan could play in the Premier League.

Baptiste is less consistent, but on his good days, he's every bit as good.

Dickie is really developing into an outstanding CB, and he's still only 23, which is young for that position. I'd say the ceiling for him is the PL as well.

 

[oufc1991]

If we sold Brannagan I would replace with Maddison from the posh if we could afford him

 

[dickwalton1964]

In my opinion this current team is better. Playing a league higher for starters and we aren’t just making the numbers up, we are more than holding our own and it’s hard to imagine there are too many better footballing sides than us in L1. Remember the L2 promotion side only came runners up to Northampton, this side would p*ss that league.

It’s hard to argue against current PL players like Lundstram and Baldock and more from the Appleton team might even make up more of a best 11 in many eyes but for pure over all, back to front, ability this team has the edge.

My eleven would be ....

Eastwood - Easy decision.
Baldock - Cadden is pushing him hard but for now it’s Baldock.
Dickie - His ability on the ball gives him the edge over some strong competition.
Wright - Gone with my heart. Loved his commitment.
Ruffels - Fantastic professional and as consistent as they come.
Lundstram - Made us tick. Great energy and range of passing.
Brannagan - Can’t ignore him after the way he’s started this season.
Henry - I loved Maguire but the goal stats don’t lie.
Whyte - Quick. direct and exciting.
Roofe - The full array of goals and a born match winner.
Johnson - See Wright in reverse. Can’t ignore his talent though.

Subs
Buchel - Decent keeper with good experience.
Nelson - Toss up with Dunkley but liked the respect he showed us.
Rothwell - I always felt he was a bit under rated here.
Sercombe - Got a goal in him.
Maguire - Silky footballer and great to watch his antics.
Cadden - Can cover full back and midfield positions.
Macdonald - Work rate and potential link up with Baldock edges out O’Dowda in a sub role.

 

[Scotchegg]

This side is good but it doesn't compete with the Mapp team- Baldock, Roofe, O'Dowda, Dunkley, Lundstram, Ledson all probably getting into this side.

Not to say this one isn't very good but Fosu, Brannagan and Baptiste are the only real three who are as exciting as any of the above in terms of potential.

If we made it to the Championship with this team we would be after new side backs, a new winger, a 10, a striker, a DM to really compete I think.

In my opinion, Dunkley wouldn't get in this side. I appreciate that he went up with Wigan and played in the Championship but I don't think he was ever really outstanding for us.

Ledson, a good player, but I wouldn't pick him ahead of Brannagan or Gorrin. O'Dowda too was a bit hit and miss, and whilst he had huge potential I would think that Fosu would give him a run for his money.

But some players get the opportunity to play at a high level and do well, whilst others may be better players but things never work out. Sam Ricketts went on to have a great career, but wasn't in the same league as Jamie Cook who could have played at the very top. It's often as much about luck and opportunity than raw talent, but there's no doubting that we have some very special players at the club right now regardless of how their careers pan out.

 

[dickwalton1964]

In my opinion, Dunkley wouldn't get in this side. I appreciate that he went up with Wigan and played in the Championship but I don't think he was ever really outstanding for us.

Ledson, a good player, but I wouldn't pick him ahead of Brannagan or Gorrin. O'Dowda too was a bit hit and miss, and whilst he had huge potential I would think that Fosu would give him a run for his money.

But some players get the opportunity to play at a high level and do well, whilst others may be better players but things never work out. Sam Ricketts went on to have a great career, but wasn't in the same league as Jamie Cook who could have played at the very top. It's often as much about luck and opportunity than raw talent, but there's no doubting that we have some very special players at the club right now regardless of how their careers pan out.

Jamie Cook !!!!!! Or do you mean Jamie Brooks ?

You are joking if you think he (Cook) had the talent to play ‘at the very top’. Although Cook and Ricketts played in different positions and weren’t like for like footballers I’d say Ricketts was a far better player. Cook was what he was - a bang average lower league footballer. Jamie Brooks, now there is a lad who could have gone on to have a very successful career. Not sure he could have reached the very top but could have potentially matched Beauchamp in the talent stakes.

 

[Scotchegg]

Jamie Cook !!!!!! Or do you mean Jamie Brooks ?

You are joking if you think he (Cook) had the talent to play ‘at the very top’. Although Cook and Ricketts played in different positions and weren’t like for like footballers I’d say Ricketts was a far better player. Cook was what he was - a bang average lower league footballer. Jamie Brooks, now there is a lad who could have gone on to have a very successful career. Not sure he could have reached the very top but could have potentially matched Beauchamp in the talent stakes.

Indeed Brooks!

 

[Foley]

Jamie Cook !!!!!! Or do you mean Jamie Brooks ?

You are joking if you think he (Cook) had the talent to play ‘at the very top’. Although Cook and Ricketts played in different positions and weren’t like for like footballers I’d say Ricketts was a far better player. Cook was what he was - a bang average lower league footballer. Jamie Brooks, now there is a lad who could have gone on to have a very successful career. Not sure he could have reached the very top but could have potentially matched Beauchamp in the talent stakes.

Beauchamp could have made the very top. He cound have gone on to play for England.
Brooks looked a great talent but he has only played one season in L2 before he was struck by that awfull illness.

 

[ttg17]

Lovely little trip down (very recent) memory lane this thread. Some of the XIs being suggested are just mouthwatering.