Sadlier is a huge loss. The others to varying degrees are replaceable.
McNamee never lit the world on fire down here and missed some key chances in front of goals in high profile games which didn't endear him to the support. I think he had a larger impact than most and think we'll miss him.
Jimmy is a weird one. He was at times a squad player and a key player. He was definitely useful to have around the place as he could fill in almost anywhere though he was most useful in central midfield and was one of our better players on the whole last season. We do still have Gearoid and McCormack, and have brought in some other players to fight out for the Keohane role so while I'll miss him I think we aren't too much worse off. We'd be better with him but we will be fine without him.
Beattie didn't play a huge amount last year between injuries and suspensions but he was a massive fans favourite and we'll definitely miss his blood and thunder attitude, but I don't think hes close to the best right back in the league. He definitely had a tendency to raise his game in cup finals and other big matches but hes not a real right back by trade. Colm Horgan played well for a spell last year, then his form dropped somewhat and then he got injured and his season was over. I think he can make the spot his own and by the end of the season will show himself to be a better out and out right back than Beattie. We also have John Kav who is probably the best of the lot if hes fit but he hasn't really been fit since 2015 or so. Hes had more bad luck with injuries than John Dunleavy who is another we miss but we couldn't rely on him to stay fit again unfortunately.
We're definitely weaker than last year which is inevitable. We needed to win the league last year to keep the gap between ourselves and Dundalk to a minimum and without the guaranteed CL money we have to take a step back despite making a small profit last year. Even if we had won the title I don't think we could have closed the financial gap entirely. I think we'll have a more back to basics approach this season. John will try to build a team similar to 2014, a tight-knit squad of players with something to prove who will run through walls for him. I have no idea where we will finish but I don't expect any titles this season barring a miracle diamond in the rough player to break through.
The worry is what happens to crowds if we have a poor start to the season. Expectations are going to be high regardless of what our squad looks like on paper. Season ticket sales have remained high though to be fair and I believe the Black jersey is our best selling jersey in the FORAS era so not all doom and gloom yet.
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