Experience is key

[CP Gull]

Any new signings that Martin Ling makes should have a decent level of experience in my opinion in order to give the squad a balance.

If we are successful in getting Stevens and Oastler to stay then we will have a squad of 16 (assuming Zebs stays) - but of that 16 as many as SEVEN haven't yet celebrated their 21st birthday and of the other NINE only Mansell (28) and Nicholson (30) have passed their 25th Birthday.

By my reckoning the average age of our squad is just 22 years of age - surely one of the youngest squads we have had for along time. Of course, as we know, Martin Ling is looking to add six or seven new players to the squad and so hopefully the average age will rise by the time the season starts.

Whilst it would be daft to turn down the chance of signing a promising young kid if he becomes available (whether on loan or on a permanent deal) the squad is clearly desperately in need of a few more wise old heads. Given that we have lost the likes of Branston (32), Bevan (31), Potter (32), Wroe(25) and Benyon(23) not to mention the likes of Tomlin (28), Stanley (28) and Robinson (24) over the last 6 months we have seen an awful lot of experience go out the door which Martin Ling really needs to replace.