Robbert te Loeke

signs for us. GK, Dutch, 6ft 4, known to Del Bhey who had him on trial at Ross County. played against us on 2010 dutch pre season. No idea if he is any good or injury prone.

welcome to the club

Sounds like a clogger. Welcome

Does he tickle ears ?

should be good at high balls.

has the other keeper signed up yet? i hope this guy can really push luke next season as he needs serious competition for his sot that sadly Dorel didnt offer.

With Angers on this one.
Even though luke is a good keeper there were times last season his form dipped and i thought he was taking his position for granted at one stage during the season when he should have been dropped..can only be a good thing hopefully they both can push each other

I actually think almost all players, including McCormick, have no control over their form whatsoever, although I don't include that Alan Gow character in this at all, as he really really didn't bother.
Just because players dip, doesn't mean it is a taking it easy routine. If form were that easy, everyone would be world beaters.
It's been quite apparent for some time and for all manner of reasons, that any keeper that signs for Argyle in these lower leagues, knows they are going to be a bench warmer for 99% of their time at the club. On average McCormick is a far better keeper than those out there competing for L2/L1 spots. There is a particular reason for that.

RegGreen wrote:

With Angers on this one.
Even though luke is a good keeper there were times last season his form dipped and i thought he was taking his position for granted at one stage during the season when he should have been dropped..can only be a good thing hopefully they both can push each other

exactly. No one should have a guaranteed spot. Every position needs at least two good players competing for it in my eyes. they both have to earn it. Whomever wins the spot at the time will have to fight to keep it the spot and the other guy will have to fight to win it of him and vice versa.

Healthy competition is a good thing in squads.

Angry wrote:

RegGreen wrote:

With Angers on this one.
Even though luke is a good keeper there were times last season his form dipped and i thought he was taking his position for granted at one stage during the season when he should have been dropped..can only be a good thing hopefully they both can push each other

exactly. No one should have a guaranteed spot.

The idea that players perform well or badly because they have no competition is frankly ludicrous.
OF course, this rule only applies at the coal face I assume.
Who's competing with Derek Adams, or Martin Starnes, or James Brent ?
Or Pilgrim Pete for that matter. His form dipped alarmingly last season on occasion. Do the office staff need interns ready to step in at the first sign of an incorrect ledger ? It's all hogwash and counterproductive in sporting terms. I'm a big believer in the small tight knit group, with a few utility reserves. The big squad thing is an American invention.

beesrus wrote:

Angry wrote:

RegGreen wrote:

With Angers on this one.
Even though luke is a good keeper there were times last season his form dipped and i thought he was taking his position for granted at one stage during the season when he should have been dropped..can only be a good thing hopefully they both can push each other

exactly. No one should have a guaranteed spot.

The idea that players perform well or badly because they have no competition is frankly ludicrous.
OF course, this rule only applies at the coal face I assume.
Who's competing with Derek Adams, or Martin Starnes, or James Brent ?
Or Pilgrim Pete for that matter. His form dipped alarmingly last season on occasion. Do the office staff need interns ready to step in at the first sign of an incorrect ledger ? It's all hogwash and counterproductive in sporting terms. I'm a big believer in the small tight knit group, with a few utility reserves. The big squad thing is an American invention.

i completely disagree with you. Even with 2 players for every position the squad would still be 22 and thats not big enough for a season filled with pending injuries, lack of form, suspensions etc etc.

25 minimum is required.

Angry wrote:

beesrus wrote:

Angry wrote:

RegGreen wrote:

With Angers on this one.
Even though luke is a good keeper there were times last season his form dipped and i thought he was taking his position for granted at one stage during the season when he should have been dropped..can only be a good thing hopefully they both can push each other

exactly. No one should have a guaranteed spot.

The idea that players perform well or badly because they have no competition is frankly ludicrous.
OF course, this rule only applies at the coal face I assume.
Who's competing with Derek Adams, or Martin Starnes, or James Brent ?
Or Pilgrim Pete for that matter. His form dipped alarmingly last season on occasion. Do the office staff need interns ready to step in at the first sign of an incorrect ledger ? It's all hogwash and counterproductive in sporting terms. I'm a big believer in the small tight knit group, with a few utility reserves. The big squad thing is an American invention.

i completely disagree with you. Even with 2 players for every position the squad would still be 22 and thats not big enough for a season filled with pending injuries, lack of form, suspensions etc etc.

25 minimum is required.

Ultimately it is about what you can afford.

What is a L1 player likely to cost? £100k/yr in wages?

Do we have a £2.5m first team budget? Who knows...

I reckon 2 players for each position is a good starting point. Beyond that and you are in to the realms of expensive luxury; you also have a bunch of players not involved on match day and that can bring its own problems.

I would prefer a slightly smaller squad of around 20/21 quality players, unfortunately Jimmy's budget means Adams is forced to take a punt in poundland so god knows what well end up with ability wise.

Adams' first year proved that small squads tend to come a cropper as the season progresses. I think it was all too obvious as to the outcome and his gamble, which many had predicted to fail, duly failed.

A mid table position should be deemed successful but I expect Adams to pick a fight with Brent if they aren't in and around the play offs. There could be more fireworks off the pitch than on it.

Impressive season last year;

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