Squad numbers

Somewhere recently I'm pretty sure I read how Boro had used one of the biggest playing squads in League Two this season (in numbers, not in a big, physical sense as most of the division will tell you!) and a quick look at the Boroguide rollcall for 2010/11 will probably back this up.

However that initial glance won't tell the whole story of why we've used so many, so BoroStats has had a more detailed look at those who have pulled on the white (or yellow) shirt for Boro this season:

• Throughout this campaign we've called upon 37 different players (including assistant boss Dino Maamria).
• 33 of these have made an appearance - only our three reserve keepers and Dino have yet to play for the first team.
• Position-wise we have used just 1 goalkeeper, six defenders, 13 midfielders and 13 strikers.
• In most of their appearances defenders Darius Charles and Luke Foster have actually found themselves up front and in midfield respectively.
• Only 19 players have played 20 games or more this season.
• Four players have come in on loan for short spells - Holroyd (12 games), O'Shea (7 games), Daley and Walker (both 2).
• Two of our squad have been loaned out since January - Odubade and Griffin (both to Newport).
• Four players have come in on trial, made brief cameos and have since left (Williams, Atieno, Dixon, Kuqi).
• Lee Boylan (since departed), Darren Murphy, David Bridges, Joel Byrom and Robbie Sinclair have all missed large chunks of the season through injury - particularly Murph.

As with last year's Blue Square Premier winning squad, Boro's success so far in 2010/11 has been built around a solid back five who have all played at least 45-50 games this year. Even when the likes of Jon Ashton or Scott Laird have been injured, squad players such as Luke Foster or Darius Charles have filled in seemlessly and even the rampaging Lawrie Wilson performed well at left back at one stage in the season.

In midfield and up front we've trialled and loaned a number of players for short periods, all of whom have now left, whilst also bringing in striker reinforcements in the shape of Ben May, Byron Harrison and Craig Reid. It's been clear all season that whilst defending hasn't been a problem, finding the back of the net at the other end has, hence the understandable turnover in strikers. However with a full pre-season under their belts, along with the experiences learnt this year, you'd bet on Byron and Reid (and possibly May if fit) scoring more next season - regardless of what league we're in.

If we do beat Torquay on Saturday I actually envisage another season of comings and goings as GW looks to create a side capable of surviving in League One. But should we face a second season in League Two then you'd fancy we'll be right up there again - but maybe this time with a more stable squad.