National League 20/21 and 21/22 squad

link - at last, CLE confirmed as having signed permanent deal with us! Always that nagging doubt until confirmed.

73 appearances as a loan player already, is that some kind of record?

link - according to Bristol joins us for an undisclosed fee. Probably with a percentage of any selling on fee.

link - Connor himself is raring to go.

Just to recap:

Keepers - Macdonald. Covalan

Defenders - Wynter.Davis.Cameron.Slough, Price, Warren, Kerr

Midfielders- Whitfield.Hall Nemane, Buse,Andrews and Little, CLE, Evans.

Strikers - Koszela, Wright, Nelson.

So, unusually for us, our squad is complete before pre-season. It is relatively small with 4 youth players, 2 of whom are first year pros and this quartet may or may not get their opportunity at some point like Buse did last time out.

Of the 16 seniors, if fit, all likely to be in the match day squad and fighting for a start, only Kerr, Wright and Nelson not with us for at least part of last season so should be relatively easy to integrate them with the other players or to become “Torquayfyed” Hopefully a settled squad with plenty of time to train together despite the various restrictions will see us get off to a strong start?

Just the two senior strikers, maybe Johnson sees Whitfield playing more in a striking role rotating in a game between Nelson and Wright as the game dictates. Of course Little and CLE have also played in this role as well. This would perhaps allow Hall in a holding role to provide a base behind the attacking talent of Little and CLE with Davis and Wynter as wing backs.

Despite losing Kalala, we still have Andrews and Whitfield backed up by Nemane, perhaps with a lot more to come from him to play in a 4-4-2 or 4-5-1 if protecting a lead. Of course, if we play three at the back regularly then we really need them to keep fit to retain our tactical flexibility and long term injury could well trigger a loan.

Overall, a more experienced squad this year with four players in their 30s but otherwise only Kerr above 25 to get a good blend between youth and experience. A compact season that hopefully will start in October which will be 2 months late to get going and finishing a month later than normal at the end of May may well take its toll on bodies but surely our injuries cannot be as bad as last year?

I see there are rumours on social media of a young attacking midfielder that has just had a good season joining us, not the position that immediately jumps out that we are desperate for and still under contract but he has been previously signed by Johnson so could be something in it. Will possibly find out next week.

link - welcome back to Plainmoor Connor and keep those goals coming....

As the players start training again a quick recap on TUFC website about the new arrivals.

“Five Star Recruits”