Agree - last year's recruitment was a strategy driven by cap constraints, rather than going cheap. We had very little cap space and Smith focused on bringing in depth and some younger players who were closer to first team than Academy kids. One of his early comments was that there were virtually no hungry reserves in their early 20s who he could pick when injuries bit. Instead in some positions it was either move players around or pick 17 year olds.

The strategy was always going to be hit and miss, and maybe in a couple of years most of them will have gone. But we unearthed McDonnell who looks a gem, and a couple of others look like being OK squad players. Even Hooley after his disastrous start looked like he'd be a very good reserve if he'd stayed. The only absolute dud was Olpherts, who looks like being reserve at best if he stays.

He's pulled it out of the bag hasn't he, for the first time in quite a few years. I'd say the original question, at the time of asking, was fair. Gary has answered it very well and demonstrated his worth and nerve is still there.

wonder how much, if any, input JJB had?

None

We thought he was cooked.

On the contrary, he’s cooking.

The sleeve returns

About time.

Like a limpet sticking to the hull of a pirate ship.

Great he has got his finger out, I maintain it’s time he went or started bringing through a replacement but credit where it’s due this is the best recruitment drive for a long time and hopefully Croft can be a key catalyst in a revival next year.

Stage One - Pre-season optimism - ✅
Stage Two - Sobering opening game defeat - Pending ⏳

That’s the spirit