Noel Hunt Confrimed

[Snowflake Royal]

I hope he does well but I'm not confident. For the club to give him such a long contract is surprising, I can't help think this they did this because it was the cheapest option.

If he doesn't get the chance to build his coaching team then we are oxf*rd.

We've got 30 points. Safety has been 45, 46 and 41 the last three seasons.

Noel has 29 games to win 15 points. Even with a points deduction he barely needs a point a game.

The only goals we have right now are survive in L1 until we get a new owner and keep building the squad and young player's experience.

[Clyde1998]

I think it was realistically the only move we could've made.

Noel will have a good understanding with a lot of the younger players and should be able to adapt to the role very quickly. He seems to have done a very good job with the U21s, so hopefully he's learned a lot from that.

Only concern at this point is the lack of serious coaching staff to back him up, as I imagine certain staff will need to remain with the U21s.

[Snowflake Royal]

I think it was realistically the only move we could've made.

Noel will have a good understanding with a lot of the younger players and should be able to adapt to the role very quickly. He seems to have done a very good job with the U21s, so hopefully he's learned a lot from that.

Only concern at this point is the lack of serious coaching staff to back him up, as I imagine certain staff will need to remain with the U21s.

As an interim, sure. On an immediate 3 year perm deal? Absolutely not.

[Armadillo Roadkill]

New owners, should they ever arrive, will almost certainly want to bring in their own manager and backroom staff. Hunt's tenure may be a very short one.

Whoever gave Hunt a three year contract won't be here with new owners. So they have nothing to lose.

It's all just part of the madness of running a football club on a week by week basis.

Good luck to him, obviously.

[Snowflake Royal]

Was just thinking, Hunt only has two paths to seeing out the contract for more than the rest of the season.

1) He maintains form close to, or better than Selles had for the rest of.the season.
2) No takeover goes through, and Limbo continues into next season.

A new owner is highly unlikely to leave the incumbent in place unless they're maintaining about top 8. If we fade into midtable, which is still actually perfectly fine under the circumstances, but isn’t going stop a newbie from wanting their own team in.

[Snowflake Royal]

If Bindon and Garcia, for example, are definitely going, or even probably, we need to see a plan from Hunt on life without them.

Does Dorsett stay LB or go CB?
If he does go CB, who goes LB?
Who is reserve LB?
Does Holzman, Dean or Kanu go CB?

Where is Jon Clarke at? He was at one time a promising CB/LB? How is East doing?

Walsall is the perfect opportunity to work on this.

[Mid Sussex Royal]

If Bindon and Garcia, for example, are definitely going, or even probably, we need to see a plan from Hunt on life without them.

Does Dorsett stay LB or go CB?
If he does go CB, who goes LB?
Who is reserve LB?
Does Holzman, Dean or Kanu go CB?

Where is Jon Clarke at? He was at one time a promising CB/LB? How is East doing?

Walsall is the perfect opportunity to work on this.

Clarke I believe did ACL so likely back next season

[Royals and Racers]

If Bindon and Garcia, for example, are definitely going, or even probably, we need to see a plan from Hunt on life without them.

Does Dorsett stay LB or go CB?
If he does go CB, who goes LB?
Who is reserve LB?
Does Holzman, Dean or Kanu go CB?

Where is Jon Clarke at? He was at one time a promising CB/LB? How is East doing?

Walsall is the perfect opportunity to work on this.

Clarke I believe did ACL so likely back next season

Clarke has had a back operation- on his way back i think.
John Ryan did his ACL so he might be a while before he is back
As for East ?? he left years ago.

[Fezza]

I reckon the greater concern is if Smith or Wing go. Campbell leaving will also be a blow, however I doubt the EFL will let us extend his stay.

If Garcia goes it frankly isn't the end of the world, Bindon would be a shame - however he's cearly far too good for this level and we have plently of centre backs.

[Four Of Clubs]

?.....How is East doing?

Clarke has had a back operation- on his way back i think.
John Ryan did his ACL so he might be a while before he is back
As for East ?? he left years ago.

...And with the merest twitch of an anorak .....
https://rochdaleafc.co.uk/ryan-east/

[Hound]

Happy for Hunt and the only choice really

I didn’t rate his spell a few years ago but I’m sure he’s worked closely with Selles and hopefully learnt a bit in that time

Good we have someone we can get behind and support which is what we need right now

[SCIAG]

I reckon the greater concern is if Smith or Wing go. Campbell leaving will also be a blow, however I doubt the EFL will let us extend his stay.

If Garcia goes it frankly isn't the end of the world, Bindon would be a shame - however he's cearly far too good for this level and we have plently of centre backs.

I'd dispute "plenty".

I think we have three competent centre backs, all of whom are in our first eleven. We have one elderly centre back in decline, one highly questionable young centre back who might come good but I would not rely on, two unproven "young" centre backs who are older than Bindon and would probably be fine but are unproven, and a bunch of questionable kids who would probably be about as good as Kanu.

Get Yiadom fit (and ideally Abrefa too) and we'd still have a functional back line.

[WestYorksRoyal]

Happy for Hunt and the only choice really

I didn’t rate his spell a few years ago but I’m sure he’s worked closely with Selles and hopefully learnt a bit in that time

Good we have someone we can get behind and support which is what we need right now

A few years ago it was a hospital pass. This time, despite everything, he has a decent team for this level.

[WestYorksRoyal]

I'd argue Smith is the most irreplaceable. All options are a significant downgrade in his position. Many players have a higher ceiling, but in terms of importance right now Smith, Pereira, Knibbs and Wing remain top (in that order).

[Snowflake Royal]

If Bindon and Garcia, for example, are definitely going, or even probably, we need to see a plan from Hunt on life without them.

Does Dorsett stay LB or go CB?
If he does go CB, who goes LB?
Who is reserve LB?
Does Holzman, Dean or Kanu go CB?

Where is Jon Clarke at? He was at one time a promising CB/LB? How is East doing?

Walsall is the perfect opportunity to work on this.

Clarke I believe did ACL so likely back next season

Clarke has had a back operation- on his way back i think.
John Ryan did his ACL so he might be a while before he is back
As for East ?? he left years ago.

Ryan, that's the one.

[Snowflake Royal]

I reckon the greater concern is if Smith or Wing go. Campbell leaving will also be a blow, however I doubt the EFL will let us extend his stay.

If Garcia goes it frankly isn't the end of the world, Bindon would be a shame - however he's cearly far too good for this level and we have plently of centre backs.

Can't see Smith or Wing going.

Smith is a good L1 player, rather than Championship. Wing probably has more Championship potential, but is settled here and at 29 he's not a particularly attractive signing for money. Plus midfield is where we have the strongest depth. I think Knibbs is more likely to go than either, but still not that likely.

[WestYorksRoyal]

I reckon the greater concern is if Smith or Wing go. Campbell leaving will also be a blow, however I doubt the EFL will let us extend his stay.

If Garcia goes it frankly isn't the end of the world, Bindon would be a shame - however he's cearly far too good for this level and we have plently of centre backs.

Can't see Smith or Wing going.

Smith is a good L1 player, rather than Championship. Wing probably has more Championship potential, but is settled here and at 29 he's not a particularly attractive signing for money. Plus midfield is where we have the strongest depth. I think Knibbs is more likely to go than either, but still not that likely.

Wing, Smith and Knibbs are all good L1 players who I think would struggle to nail down a position in the Championship. Bindon, Elliott and Garcia are the obvious ones to go for, with Savage and Craig not far behind.

[Snowflake Royal]

I reckon the greater concern is if Smith or Wing go. Campbell leaving will also be a blow, however I doubt the EFL will let us extend his stay.

If Garcia goes it frankly isn't the end of the world, Bindon would be a shame - however he's cearly far too good for this level and we have plently of centre backs.

Can't see Smith or Wing going.

Smith is a good L1 player, rather than Championship. Wing probably has more Championship potential, but is settled here and at 29 he's not a particularly attractive signing for money. Plus midfield is where we have the strongest depth. I think Knibbs is more likely to go than either, but still not that likely.

Wing, Smith and Knibbs are all good L1 players who I think would struggle to nail down a position in the Championship. Bindon, Elliott and Garcia are the obvious ones to go for, with Savage and Craig not far behind.

Yeah, somewhat. I think Elliott needs more experience before he's ready, Savage too. Elliott in particular would be bullied off the ball more. Championship is still physical and the players are better and often fitter, so he won't be able to turn them as easily. Craig would probably do alright, but he's an unsung water carrier playing out of position, so I can't see him attracting attention.

Loads of our team could probably step up following promotion in a familiar setting with players they know around them, otherwise not only is it the step up that's tricky, it's the fitting in at a new squad

Mbengue and Bindon are probably the only ones that slot straight in easily though. Or Pereira.

[WestYorksRoyal]

Can't see Smith or Wing going.

Smith is a good L1 player, rather than Championship. Wing probably has more Championship potential, but is settled here and at 29 he's not a particularly attractive signing for money. Plus midfield is where we have the strongest depth. I think Knibbs is more likely to go than either, but still not that likely.

Wing, Smith and Knibbs are all good L1 players who I think would struggle to nail down a position in the Championship. Bindon, Elliott and Garcia are the obvious ones to go for, with Savage and Craig not far behind.

Yeah, somewhat. I think Elliott needs more experience before he's ready, Savage too. Elliott in particular would be bullied off the ball more. Championship is still physical and the players are better and often fitter, so he won't be able to turn them as easily. Craig would probably do alright, but he's an unsung water carrier playing out of position, so I can't see him attracting attention.

Loads of our team could probably step up following promotion in a familiar setting with players they know around them, otherwise not only is it the step up that's tricky, it's the fitting in at a new squad

Mbengue and Bindon are probably the only ones that slot straight in easily though. Or Pereira.

Elliott could be a useful squad player for a decent Championship team who could grow into an important player. If a Championship team signed him to go straight into their starting XI, agree he's not ready.

[Snowflake Royal]

Wing, Smith and Knibbs are all good L1 players who I think would struggle to nail down a position in the Championship. Bindon, Elliott and Garcia are the obvious ones to go for, with Savage and Craig not far behind.

Yeah, somewhat. I think Elliott needs more experience before he's ready, Savage too. Elliott in particular would be bullied off the ball more. Championship is still physical and the players are better and often fitter, so he won't be able to turn them as easily. Craig would probably do alright, but he's an unsung water carrier playing out of position, so I can't see him attracting attention.

Loads of our team could probably step up following promotion in a familiar setting with players they know around them, otherwise not only is it the step up that's tricky, it's the fitting in at a new squad

Mbengue and Bindon are probably the only ones that slot straight in easily though. Or Pereira.

Elliott could be a useful squad player for a decent Championship team who could grow into an important player. If a Championship team signed him to go straight into their starting XI, agree he's not ready.

Which is why I'm not too worried about losing many of our players in January. I see it as more trying to recruit for instant impact.