Boyyou

Even after releasing players we still had 19 under contract,plus the 3 young pros now added. There will need to be departures and names like Norman, Shelton, Sheron and Hogan have, we are told, been advised to look elsewhere. That still leaves the likes of Willoughby and Nuttall who didn't figure in plans. So yes, there will be a cull and no, the young pros will not be on only £150. And we don't average 7,000+. Not yet anyway.

Perhaps adding to the rumour that MM will be reunited with coach Mike Jackson

So does that make 22 contracted players on the books? Doesn't leave much wriggle room. Roll on the cull.

You would think that Gary Brabin, as sporting director of TNS, has see plenty of Downes. Wonder if he is the sort to have a look at in pre-season games.

It was Bailey Hobson you were thinking of. Close but no cigar.

He's a left-back

Agreed. And this is where the club are backing MM to wheel and deal to create space to improve the squad

Possibly neither. We have 18/19 players under contract so presuming the squad will be about 23/24 then DR is right that there could still be incoming. If, as MM suggests, "major surgery" is needed, then that implies that considerable outgoings are needed to create more room. Either way you don't want to be indicating to rivals that you are desperate to move players on cos you are skint. I suspect that the board have decided to go for it again and will back the manager to wheel and deal - within limits.

Stability comes when the bulk of the squad is deemed to be at the required level of ability and reliability. MM has already made it known that quite a few of the present squad are not at that level so changes in personnel are inevitable.

Well yeah. When MM mentioned specialists I got the impression he was on about a genuine RB and DM instead of shoehorning CB's in there. Also, ball-playing CM rather than merely a runner. Oh, and genuine wingers- or wide midfielders to use the new term! Suppose it's all about how he wants to set up, who is available and how much deadwood he can shift. Should be a fun summer!

So which gap would King fill? And what do you regard as specialist roles?

If MM wants "specialists" in certain areas then I don't think King fits the RB bill. Pete Wild signed him as a winger for Halifax and converted him to RWB. Good going forward but not as good defensively. Could see him doing OK with a proper RB behind him or if MM'S plan is to go gung-ho and simply outscore the opposition - which I somehow doubt.

A London lad so likely to stay down there

Do they play hoofball?

The one we should really be after from County is Ryan Croasdale. A proper CDM

Straight swop then bring in Louie Moulden on loan from Wolves.

Agree about the need for an aggressive press. Too many opponents knocking it around at the back against a half-hearted attempt. I remember being at Hartlepool when Josh Stones badgered the life out of their defence, won back possession and set up Norwood for a goal. A few like him would do nicely.

We have quite a few players who run around a lot. Doesn't mean they are any good. Serial winners Micky Mellon and Paul Cook both included him in promotion winning squads.

Indeed. Think I may have been the kiss of death for us and Barnet this season. Backed us at 9-2 and Barnet at 9-1 to be promoted. At one stage I had dreams of a play-off final where I couldn't lose, financially. Then it all went tits up. Ah well, there's always next time.

Signed him for Dundee Utd and Tranmere. Decent player but not sure if he's still under contract at Halifax

Never understood the bizarre reaction of some of our fans to ex players. It didn't work out here for Banks but he quickly got some stick (and his dad) making it hard to settle - sounds familiar with some of our current crop! He has twice won promotion from the National League and once from League 2. Who's laughing now?

That's surely not a senior coach/academy manager who invites youth team players to regularly train with the first team in full view of the senior manager and coach?

Which sounds a bit strange as we stuffed the play-offs favourites home and away. Whatever they did before a 4-1 away win should be encouraged not criticised

Indeed. And been doing a good job with Burnley u23s I hear. If he wants to bring MMs lad with him I wouldn't say no.! On the subject of Conlon, Vale fans always rated him as a good club man as well as player and he did especially well in a midfield 3 alongside Worrall, who has also been linked with us. He has it all to prove but, with a good pre-season behind him and better players alongside, I am hopeful that Conlon can step up.

Hopefully Mike Jackson