Well, we are back into the swing of things good and proper now with the Lads back in pre-season mode and it'll be August 5th before you know it. The way that years fly by these days makes you think that everything is on a permanent switch of the fast forward button. But the Lads haven't been sitting on their heels with Kristiaan Speakman arranging four new faces to come in and join Tony Mowbray's youthful squad. We will talk about the four newcomers later, but in the meantime kick back your sandies, grab a cool drink and read some of my pre-season ramblings.
TONY IS STILL THE BOSS
One of the stories that was being flouted around in the summer was that the Lads were going to replace Mogga with an overseas coach as part of a restructure with fresh ambitions. If you remember, this source came from TalkSport which I confess I don't listen to all but as soon as my mate mentioned it, one's interest was piqued. Why would we look to replace a coach that has changed the whole dynamic of the Club and made people start to feel interested in the Lads again? Thankfully it's proven to be absolute balderdash and the chiselled features of big TM will probably be patrolling the SoL touchline come the season's start unless Kyril has a massive falling out with him or Mogga gets an offer that he simply finds too good to turn down. Unlikely in my vision either way.
As for TalkSport; any media station that employs Simon Jordan (the former Palace owner) as a football "pundit", should be treated with disdain in my humble opinion. I'll stick to the official club media releases thanks, not some radio station that thinks they're "in the know" with what's going on with the Lads. They know nada.
CHANGES AFOOT
We have been advised the Lads will not be renewing the contracts of Danny Batth, Goochy and Pritch when their existing deals expire this summer. Obviously, that's three experienced campaigners on their way, which shows what kind of direction the Lads are heading into as regards player recruitment: young and hungry ones are firmly the targets that the Lads are focusing on. Each of these three have played their own part in the Lads recent resurgence and we are thankful for them in being part of the journey which we are on.
Batth has been that experienced head on the backline, which was needed, a one-man heading machine. You need more than one pair of hands to count the number of times he's snuffed out danger with that head of his. We certainly missed that in the second leg against Luton for sure with their aerial bombardment style of play. Whoever gets him next is getting a good, solid experienced pro on their books.
Goochy has been with the Lads since he was knee high to a grasshopper and at the time of writing, has made nearly 250 appearances in the red and white. We thought he was gone when he was out of contract at the end of the 2021-22 season, but he agreed terms on a one-year extension. Maybe there will be a further twist here, maybe not.
Then there's Pritch. Once an £11 million player when he swapped Norwich for Huddersfield, the former Tottenham player has proven to be a free transfer signing that has done a really good job for the Lads. With his low centre of gravity and the ability to pick the best pass out he doesn't owe anything. He's also pretty handy at taking a set piece, isn't he? If I did have a gripe about him, and it's only a minor one at that, is that he does have a tendency sometimes to drift out of games and be anonymous. If you want a deep lying playmaker, Pritch's your man.
Finally, we have also bade farewell to Bailey Wright, Carl Winchester, Leon Dajaku and a loanee from last season in the shape of Edouard Michut. They have all played some role in the Lads road to recovery, and we thank them for it. Cheers gents, all the best in your new career paths wherever it takes you. Your names in the Lads fabric are now sewn in.
NEW FACES
At the moment, we have brought in four newcomers to add depth to the squad. Each of them has their own qualities and one thing they have in common is that they fit in with the model of the squad. A quick glance at the four, average age 19 which is quite simply phenomenal in this day and age. Obviously, the most exciting of them is Jobe Bellingham: brother of England internationalist Jude who has joined a small club going by the name of Real Madrid this summer.
I'm intrigued to see what Hemir brings to the table. This is a youngster plucked from Benfica and looks like a good prospect indeed. Is he the signing to replace Rossco who still hasn't a new deal? I wouldn't like to think so, more than Simms and Gelhardt but correct me if I wrong. Seelt adds height in defence which is going to be needed especially Batth departs and the rumours of Ballard going to the Hammers. Triantis can add more depth to that backline and by all accounts is one highly rated defender back in Australia.
One wonders what will be next on Speakman's shopping list? A second striker to add more options up front and to ensure we are not left short in that particular position? Everton's Tom Cannon, no not the Rochdale born comedian that partnered Bobby Ball, has been quoted in some circles and at 20 again fits in well with the model that Speakman is going for. He's got a build that reminds me a bit of the Loch Ness Drogba and knows the Championship after a half season loan at Preston. If the fee Everton want is £3 million, it could be an astute bit of business should we manage to get him on board. I would also be looking at a new second choice keeper as Bass has yet to show enough in the chances afforded; that he's capable of dislodging Pogo in between the sticks. But these are just me playing armchair football recruitment.
WE'RE OFF AND RUNNING WITH PRE-SEASON
Saturday last saw the Lads start their preparations for August 5th with two separate friendlies with different line ups on the same day. One common denominator came out of them, we've still got that never give in attitude about the squad that served us well numerous times last season. At (South) Shields the Lads came from a deficit to win that one 4-3 thanks to goals from Hemir, Jack Clarke with a second half brace and a superbly taken winner from young Rigg. Then it was a case of make the 9.5 mile journey inland to the International Stadium and a different line up came back from 2-0 down to defeat the 'Heed 3-2 with goals from Neil, Huggins and Spellman.
I'm sure that the fans in attendance at both games were pleased to see the Lads in action again and get some minutes in the book. Once one season finishes, it seems like an eternity for the next to start up. Pre-season is all about getting that match fitness levels up, results can be classed immaterial although we would like to win them all. I'm sure we can all concur on one thing though; we do have some talented young players at our disposal again. With Mogga a firm advocate of giving the AoL players chances to shine: it goes to prove that you don't have to spend stupid money - just spend it wisely and you're going to reap the rewards more than likely with the stupidly inflated football transfer market worldwide that a certain overseas league has had a proverbial hand in.
Now the Lads head across the pond for a three-game tour, our first trip Stateside since 2015 by all accounts. I'm sure the Lads will put in the same effort there as demanded by Mogga and Mark Venus, the same Mark Venus that I'm sure was a few years ahead of me at school. With Corry, Embo, Batth and Rossco continuing their rehabilitation back here in Blighty then these games give those potential fringe chances to force their way into the first team picture and give the management team food for proverbial thought. All good I think.
AND FINALLY...NEW KITS ARE A GO!
A new season also these days brings out a new Lads kit, home and away. Whilst the designs are never going to be everyone's proverbial cup of tea, you'll always find some who will wholly be unhappy with them, I quite like them to be honest. The home shirt reminds me a bit of the 1984-85 home shirt which had Cowies across the middle, and ironically made by Nike. Nike retro perchance? That was the shirt worn by players like Barry Venison with his golden flow and at Wembley for the League Cup Final loss to Norwich. Ah, the memories of days gone by. Whilst the shirt is far from my ideal home jersey, at least it doesn't look like it's been designed by a child playing with their crayon set one afternoon.
The away jersey intrigues me though, a bright pink design unless my eyes are really faltering. It's different I suppose but I can't see the Lads wearing it at places like Stoke or come to think anywhere where the Lads face a team with red as a predominant colour. Might be wrong though. So undoubtedly, I reckon we will get a third kit design, won't we? Quite what the design gurus at Nike will create is open to conjecture but putting my opinion forward I'd like a gold one similar to the Lambtons one (despite the heartache from Wembley against Charlton) or maybe the third kit that Avec produced between 1995-97. What would you go with?
And anyway Nike is better than Castore, right? Any Lads fan worth their proverbial salt would have no hesitation in saying yes to that. I'll be back with more "jottings" again soon...
