With Tamworth defying the odds this season and are soon to be crowned National League North Champions, leading to back to back promotions, I have decided to take a look into their next upcoming challenge, which will be to take on the National League.
In this mini recruitment document I will identify a handful of players who I feel they have to retain, forming a core squad, followed by some transfer targets to complete the squad and forming a group of players who can survive the National League drop next season.
Core Player Retentions
Jaz Singh- Goalkeeper
The experienced shot-stopper has been a crucial player for Tamworth this season. Over the course of 41 matches he has managed 24 clean sheets and counting, whilst only conceding 21 goals, which is an extraordinarily impressive achievement. A Birmingham local and will be going into his seventh season with the club, its a complete no-brainer to look to retain Singh.
Jordan Cullinane-Liburd – Centre-Back
Signed from NLN rivals Brackley in the summer, JCL has been an everpresent at the back for the soon to be champs this season. Making 40 appearances in the divisions strongest defence, he has shown this season how good of a defender he really is. He is great in the air whilst being mobile on his feet, and also offers a long throw in as well and has chipped in with 5 goals and an assist.
Matt Curley- Right-Back
An ever present this season at full-back for Tamworth, Curley has certainly earned his place in this squad for next season. With the ability to bomb up and down the right hand side, showing quality in delivery whilst also offering defensive solidity, Curley has played a big role in Tamworth’s season and I expect him to do the same next season also.
Munashe Sundire – Defensive Midfield
A recent addition for Tamworth from Slough, who at the time of writing has only made nine appearances, Sundire is a player I have been very impressed with and has a lot to offer in terms of squad depth. Naturally a defensive midfielder who can break up play and dominate the physical side of the midfield, Sundire is also capable of playing further forward in midfield, whilst also offering cover at centre-back and right-back.
Ben Milnes- Central Midfield
An experienced midfielder who has bossed the middle of the park for the majority of the season, Milnes is a must keep for Tamworth in my opinion. With great passing range whilst controlling the midfield with his strong leadership and work rate, Milnes would be the perfect box to box type midfielder for Tamworth to take on their journey into the NL. This season he has also managed 6 goals and 6 assists from this position
Nathan Tshikuna – Attacking Midfield
A very slick and creative midfielder, Tshikuna is capable of linking midfield to attack. offering a heavy work rate along with pace and the ability to break down a defence with a pass or by beating a man, Tshikuna would be the ideal creative midfielder to bring to retain for next season. He has also chipped in with goals, scoring 7 times on top of his 6 assists in 39 games this season and counting.
Kyle Finn – WingerArguably Tamworths best player, Finn has had yet another extremely impressive season with the Birmingham based side. The former Coventry winger is hitting his prime at 25 years of age and the numbers show, scoring 14 times whilst picking up a 5 assists also. For me he would be the first player to look to retain as he is extremely talented and is a player who I feel could play in the EFL one day.
Dan Creaney- Striker
The final player I would look to definitely retain would be striker Dan Creaney. The forward has netted only 9 times this season, but has been a goal machine for Tamworth in the lower divisions. Even though the goals haven’t been as free flowing this season, Creaney has still shown his abilities, bringing great heading ability and really impressive hold up play to the side, allowing the wingers (such as Finn) to thrive this season and picking up 5 assists in the process.
The Rest Of The Squad…
In regards to the rest of the squad, I do feel like more than those core players will be retained, but the players above are just the most important ones. I do also feel players such as Cockerill-Mollet, Willetts, Acquaye and Fairlamb, but would play no more than the role of squad depth.
On the other hand, I also feel Tamworth have a handful of players who have reached their limit such as Dolman, Deacon, Jones and More. When sides are promoted I do feel like they have to be brutal at times when retaining players and if Tamworth aren’t I feel there could be consequences to face and they will have much more of an uphill battle ahead.
Potential Transfers
Looking at the key retentions to Tamworths side, there are some glaring areas that will need to be recruited during the summer. The more specific positions are in the list that follows:
Central defender x2 (one with experience)
Left back
central midfielder x2
Attacking midfielder (can cover wide areas)
Winger
Striker (Cover or to start)
When looking into the possible transfer targets I have taken into consideration multiple aspects which are: Realistic budget, Club location and targets who are realistically going to be on the move come the summer transfer window, whether that is a loan move or a permanent deal.
Transfer Target’s
Centre-Back – Tommy Fogarty – Birmingham (Ebbsfleet)
A player currently on loan in the NL with Ebbsfleet, I feel Fogarty could be the ideal option for Tamworth in terms of a cover centre-back on loan, whilst using the local big boys Birmingham. Fogarty has found minutes hard to come by at Ebbsfleet since joining in January, but I feel would be good enough if given the chance.
In Fogarty’s 3 Nl games he has shown solid defensive ability. He has averaged 3 interceptions per game as well as 10 ball recoveries, showing his ability to read the game well and intervene before having to make a tackle.
Centre-Back – Richard Keogh – Forest Green
This is about as experienced as they will get. Keogh is now 37 and which means he is getting on a bit, but in this division you need to ensure you have experienced heads to guide you through the gritty games, and I think Keogh could be that.
This season for Forest Green, Keogh has shown he still has more left in the tank, having played 11 times since joining in January and contributing to the sides small upturn in form. He has only been dribbled past 3 times as well as averaging 6.1 clearances a game, showing his dominance in his own box. He has also won 61% of his duels, proving he can still handle the physical side of the game. This could be an extremely underrated signing.
Left Back – Louis Hall – Rushall Olympic
Hall is a player who caught my eye in pre season while he was on trial at Woking and from what I have seen I am surprised he hasn’t had a chance in the NL. A small but quick full-back who possesses a lot of skill and offensive ability, Hall is a local transfer option for Tamworth who could certainly be worth a look at. He has spent this season at Banbury and Rushall Olympic (both local sides) and has impressed for both sides, leading me to believe he could be given an opportunity in the NL.
This season Hall has managed to make 27 appearances for Banbury and Rushall combined, and although he has managed just one assist, I feel the fact he has played in lower table side has stifled his offensive side of the game this season. But I also feel his defensive game has improved from doing so, showing his ability to develop and adapt his game.
Centre-Midfield – Jim Kellermann – Woking
A rogue option that makes sense. Kellermann is out of contract at the end of the season and having spent time on loan at Tamworth and living local to the club, it could be a major statement signing for the club. Having struggled with some injuries this season and not played much since the manager change at Woking its up in the air as to whether Kellermann will remain with The Cardinals.
So far this season Kellermann has managed 19 games, showing that when he is fit he can offer a lot in the NL. He has averaged a 70% successful dribbles as well as a 66% accurate pass success, showing he is capable of playing as a box to box, whilst also averaging 7.4 recoveries, along with 3.3 interceptions per game, showing he can also play as a more defensive midfielder if needed.
Centre-Midfield – Mark Shelton – Oldham
I feel Shelton may be a target for a handful of NL clubs this window so it may be an optimistic target, but I feel Shelton really as a lot to offer in this division still. A strong box to box option at only 27, whoever he signs for will bring a good deal for both parties.
It was only a season and a half ago that Shelton was a key player in League Two for Hartlepool, making 33 appearances for the side. As well as this he managed 13 games in League Two last season, on top of 20 for Oldham in the NL, proving he is at least NL standard.
Attacking Midfield – Ronan Maher – Walsall (Rushall Olympic)
Maher has had an excellent season on loan at Rushall Olympic and for me is arguably the perfect transfer target for Tamworth this summer. A creative midfielder who can also play out wide, he has been a standout star in a struggling Rushall side.
So far Maher has managed 3 goals and 6 assists in 22 games, showing his ability to create chances as his key attributes. He has also managed to make 6 appearances in League Two for parent club Walsall, where he managed to score once and assist once also, showing the potential he has. A loan deal would be likely if Tamworth can make this one happen as I feel Walsall would be silly to let Maher go permanently after such an impressive season.
Winger – Justin Donawa – Altrincham
Donawa joined Altrincham this summer and it hasn’t really gone to plan. With the winger playing for Solihull just last season he is familiar to the west midlands. The Bermudan international brings pace and directness to the flank, whilst also allowing positional flexibility as he can play wing back as well.
So far for Altrincham this season, Donawa has managed to score 3 times in 18 games (8 starts) whilst also finding some success on loan at Chorley. The winger has a 69% dribble success rate, as well as an 82% pass completion, showing that he is efficient with his distribution in the final third. Donawa has the ability to play in the NL and its a move that just makes sense to me.
Striker – Fletcher Holman – Wolverhampton Wanderers
With Creany being an older, more experienced type forward, I have opted to go for a younger loanee from another local club, with similar attributes to Creaney but also has something different to offer. Whilst only 18, Holman has played a fair few games for Eastbourne in the NLS before catching Wolves eye.
During his time at Eastbourne this season, Holman managed 5 goals in 17 games, but since then has had youth coaching of the highest level and even had chances in and around the 1st team at the
Premier League side. Whilst this move could be seen as a risk, I would argue it is less risky than loaning in a youth player with no senior experience at all.
The Final Squad
After combining the core squad retentions with a few squad players and new signing, I feel that this group of players would be strong enough to stay up in the NL. With the mix of experienced players like Keogh, Kellermann and Creaney, along with exciting youth players such as Hall, Holman and Maher, This squad has a balanced age range and is flexible enough to play multiple formations.
I do think some players such as Finn and Singh could be subject to bigger sides attention, but if they are able to keep them I feel it would be massive boosts to the side. I have also opted for only a squad of 19, which is fairly small because the constantly open market is always and option, as well as the idea that quality in this league is much more efficient than quantity. It must be an extremely exciting time for Tamworth fans and I feel they have it in them and hope they manage to find stability in the NL next season.