Calum Kavanagh (now at Oldham Athletic)

Why would we do that?

If hes fully fit by then, he would be challenging Will Swan for a place in the side. We will need all the firepower possible for the winter grind.

 

I'm not sure to be honest. We've already got Humphrys, Cook and Powell fighting it out with Swan for one shirt so I don't see who Kav edges out for a league start unless there are injuries to a couple.

For me it would simply be trophy matches and even then introduced from the bench

 

You only have to look at the CB injury crisis to see things can change quickly in football, Powell I'm not sold on he looks well past it to me. Swan had his fair share of injuries at Mansfield and lost form at times. Cook is coming back from about a serious of an injury as you can get, hopefully it doesn't happen but our options could change in a week. Having Kav as 4/5th choice striker is a great position to be in. In the past we have bemoaned the lack of options, not people want rid of one at the earliest opportunity. Personally I don't get it.

 

Powell hasn't had enough minutes for me to make a qualitative decision, he has little of the ball but has had some nice touches. So the jury is out on him. I know that Kav has his detractors and he took some time to win me over but he's another fox-in-the-box player who can be useful when we have injuries or need to mix it up.

 

Thinking very similar. I don't get Powell as a striker if I'm honest? He doesn't look like he fits to me, maybe as one behind if we are chasing a game and want a CAM and 2 strikers? But not up top. Swan as you say has had an up and down career and Humphyrs couldn't score in a brothel. Who knows what Cook can offer after so long out, you'd bag him still to score goals but maybe not to play 90 mins for a while, certainly not 2 games in a week when the winter grind comes.

GA seems to like Kav, he was playing him as an attacking mid at times just to squeeze him in at the start of last season. He is a pest and needs chances but he pops up regularly. Only thing that annoys me with Kav, he does that annoying press strikers do in the PL. When they sort of run down a side angle with no real intention of closing the man close enough, just closing a lane and leaves an easy pass out. Swan and Humphrys so far seem to press with the intention of getting within an arm hair of their man, hope Kav does the same when he comes back.

 

I think the squad will be richer for Kav getting back in contention and I wouldn't entertain loaning him out. Based on current form he may struggle to get on the bench but you need strength in depth to cover for all eventualities - loss of form / injuries / (dare I say) transfers. Not saying I think he would tear up league 1 but we shouldn't forget his significant contribution last season so who knows. Definitely a higher calibre option than Tyler Smith!

 

100% this.

 

The scraps for Bobby and Sarce to pick up if a defence has Swan and Kav hassling them-scary

 

Talking of whom, Burton Albion showing interest apparently.

 

We literally built our promotion on this strategy and yet people still don't see the value he brings. I'm happy to be proved wrong but he'll be our second choice after Swan when he returns.

 

Kavanagh will have his uses this season. I personally think that we look a lot weaker when Swan comes off and Powell goes up top. He can't run in behind or press so we completely lose ourselves at the top end of the pitch and end up sitting back which is not what we're good at. Kavanagh has his limitations but coming on for the last 15 to keep that intensity up and give us an out ball is something he is capable of.

 

Despite what GA tells us, I dont see Humphrys as a like for like replacement.

Cook will not be up to full speed until the new year and is a totally different player.

Not convinced at all with Powell so far, strange signing.

So for me, the way we play, a fit Kavanagh is the logical choice to cover for Swan.

 

You talk about the logical choice but you've just ruled out Cook because he's not fit until the new year (it's not even October yet and he's back involved) and ruled in Kavanagh who is still injured with no return in sight and last kicked a competitive ball on the 3rd May. That's over 4 months already, likely to be at least 5 before he's back on the grass and getting on towards needing a long rehabilitation plan just to get him close to match fitness again.

I know you've also ruled out Humphrys and Powell but they've both got much more ability than Kav and although I'd agree with you that neither looks to be an out and out Striker I still think with a fully fit squad that GA starts either before Kav.

 

oh wow i have to be honest I thought his options may be national league or lower league 2 at best. Although based on their start Burton may be in for a long season! Can't understand why he didn't go back to Barrow when the offer was there.

 

I think Alexander has just been putting him on because he's tall and knows what he's doing so can run around a bit and he builds up his minutes. The Grimsby game showed that if we need goals then others (cook in that case) are likely to be on first.

 

Strikes me that he's a good lad on the whole

 

He always gave his all here and scored key goals that helped take us up while Cook was injured. Hasn’t been easy for him lately and the moves seems best for all parties. Another character gone from the squad. Good luck to him at Oldham.

 

His emotions after the Fleetwood game showed that his heart was in the right place .Hope he like the rest of the lads who helped us get promotion go on and do fantastic things at all there clubs.

 

Hopefully better than Smallwood who's had a shocking season so far for Tranmere and looks to be heading to National League bound Harrogate.