Out to Pasture

So with Merrick in these are the players I suspect will slowly fade into the background or alternatively never get a shot to start with (barring international and injury call up necessities)

Bertos - simply not good enough. Couldn't cross a road or beat his own dick! Offers nothing but a good engine. Will fall behind Cunningham, Ifil, Stein, Brockie, Rufer, Boyd and Watson in the pecking order.

Siggy - I think Boxall will eventually usurp him if not get the start from the beginning. To slow, and lask positional awareness which with attacking FB's we need this.

Boyd - only becasue of the talent around him. However, i still expect him to develop under Merrick and improve this year.

Brockie - Hysegems is going to simply be too good this year under Merrick and he'll end up riding the pine.

Boyd - really looks to be the odd one out based on the signings that have come in a head of him. In some respects I feel for him but each coach has their own preference. He needs to be a good pro and learn from it and keep working hard. He is only 18/19 so 'out to pasture' is probably not the right term. More unlucky.

Bertos - still has some value but not as a winger that crosses. He would probably have a nice short game as a CM if he wanted to adapt. He would not need to worry about pace so much and he can defend and play both sides of the field. That's what I would do if I was him, remake myself as a short passing midfielder or link midfielder.

Brockie - hard to tell. Toronto saw something in him that was not on display in Saudi. I thought he gave more of the invisible same that he produced last year. He is either all in firing or not there at all. No middle ground. I guess its up to Ernie to get out of him what he needs. Another 16 goals would not be a bad thing so 'out to pasture' is probably a bad term again. He is only 26 but I think Ernie needs to find what motivates the boy and flick that switch every time.

Actually think Boyd may be the exact type of attacker Ernie wants on his bench - he mentioned him recently as being a young player who has impressed him. Ernie wants pace from his attackers and Boyd has that. Definitely in front of Leo for me.

Think Brockstar will be given his chances by Ernie. He will have to take them.