Retained list etc

No sign or rumour of any new signings imminent other than the trialists. I thought up until now, Nico had done rather well on the signing front. Probably run out of money, because as we all know, this time of year, managers have to have more fingers in pies than a leper at a cookery class! 

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Which reminds me, why can't you use a finger to stir your tea rather than what you've told us you do use ?   Surely the warmth would be good for arthritic joints ?  Nico's signings don't look a bad bunch on paper, and we don't want him to spoil things now by making any rushed signings as the big kick-off approaches.

From the current trialists he's been running the rule over, you'd think for sure they'd need to provide a reasonable showing against Argyle and Bristol City in the friendlies to merit serious consideration. Looking good against Stoke Gabriel or Newton Abbot is a whole different and more pointless kettle of fish.

As I've mentioned previously, Ashley Yeoman frequently looked more deadly than Marco Van Basten during the pre-season games. Niall Thompson's jet propelled wing play would leave a Weston-Super-Mare defender eating dust. Chris Hargreaves as sweeper during pre-season away at Tiverton, resembled Beckenbauer at his prime. Not only is it imperative that King Kev doesn't allow himself to be rushed into a signing, but also that he fully evaluates the quality of any prospective recruit as to how it will translate to National League level....even if there are fans swooning at a trialist who can nutmeg a Stoke Gabriel defender.

The signing of a forward is one that Kev needs to get right. And in some ways I'm reassured by the fact that we seem to be taking our time over it. I'd rather we held off if we're not sure, and when we do make a signing make certain it's the right one (Kev seems to have spent the whole of last season regretting the signing of one 'individual' rather than a team player he rashly brought in.....with the wage bill taking a considerable hit for sure).


I can't finish a post without making mention of TUST  . And looking across the Forums I'm surprised to note that it is often TUST members who are urging further spending, and encouraging Clarke Osborne to rack up the debt with greater expenditure on quality signings that would severely swell the wage bill. Yet another example that under TUST's tight reins on expenditure, and the likely hand to mouth existence we'd now be experiencing, it would have been many of the TUST members themselves throwing their hands up in horror.

Whether these spendthrifts are in the majority with their favoured approach , or that they represent the smaller 'Viv Nicholson' (no relation to Kev) wing of TUST, I don't know....but they clearly favour splashing the cash.

Yes Rob still waiting for the last pieces of the jigsaw and a front line leader was always going to be the toughest to find. Surely plenty of wingers about though.

Aslo plenty of fake news or is it alternative facts?
The kiddies site, as labelled by others is an utterly depressing read these days full of negativity "hogged" and infiltrated by a few superior beings who seem intent on launching a campaign to get rid of the manager - and the new season hasn't even started. Not sure why I bother to read it but it is rather enlightening as to how some supporters think.
These people must be retired or wealthy with nothing better to do with their time other sit on their keyboards all day running down the manager and criticising his every move.
Sad narrow minded lives they must lead.
They deserve our sympathy.

Nicho, has stated he has learnt from his mistakes and won't be rushing in to sign the ( in this case) first striker and winger that s available and agrees terms etc. So patience is a virtue but if it gets to August say the 2nd I'd be concerned.

You got it, Alpine Joe. That's how I " read it" also. Wait, choose, contact, confirm, sign. Train win.

Glass is (nearly always) half-full for me I'm afraid...