2024 Released Players & City transfer rumours

Could always try young George Goodman. Look reasonable for Northern Ireland under-19s recently

 

Maybe? Although 17 might be a touch too early to be starting at CB, and I might be wrong but I think he still trains with the U18s rather than the first team? I know GA last season had him and Ibbotson train with the men's side occasionally but no idea if that has carried on, as both have been playing youth games this season.

If the others are out for a couple of weeks rather than months I wouldn't be totally against it. Anything longer than that and then it's different throwing a kid in.

 

I watched him in the game against Italy when he played alongside one of ours Josh Briggs, and didn't look out of place against a very good Italy team.

 

I agree. I thought Richards was a centre back converted to play full back for us. Although with Kelly's recovery history, I wouldn't be surprised to see him back in the team next weekend.
As for bringing someone in, they just won't be fit enough in time to be of any use.

 

Whose turned the bloody lights off again?

 

He was. He played left centre half for Wolves academy/u21 sides

 

Not necessarily, due to the new PFA camps. Two names mentioned above in Stewart & Eyoma have been part of the PFA training camp all summer long, playing a friendly every 4 or 5 days to keep fit. It's a great idea which I'm amazed has taken this long to get off the ground but players like this are at least in shape after the 10 week camp, maybe not as match sharp as you'd like but it's not as bad as past seasons when you'd bring free agents in who might have had a trial or two over the summer and that's it.

Put it this way, the two lads above have played 2 friendlies since August 20th and have been training still at the PFA. Lewis Richards has been in training and played 90 minutes against Newcastle U21s in that time and that's it..... even if we bring someone in, they'll be as match sharp as Richards is right now.

 

3 centre backs injured in the space of a couple of weeks, 2 in one match. Which team wouldn't struggle with that?

 

Struggle? We played better second half on Saturday with a back four.

 

Did you read the post i was replying to? We were on top most of the second half yes but we will of course struggle if Cheick and Shepherd are our only fit centre halves.

 

We signed Joe Adams weeks ago and he’s still not up to speed. Maybe we’ll see him tomorrow but in my opinion we won’t bring anyone in to cover for what could only be a couple matches.

 

Adams signed whilst with a knock and he only featured in Wigans first friendly and that was it, all summer. It's not that shocking that he isn't in squads yet as he's basically had no pre-season.

If they are only out for a handful of games, I wouldn't bother either. If they are out for more than a month or so I wouldn't be surprised to see us dip into the market. Even on a short term contract until January.

 

What’s gone wrong? We have 5 centre halves on the books. We have 3 injured - we can’t really be having 6 centre backs vying for places when they’re all fit.

 

Exactly. No club plans for having 3 centre halves injured within a matter of weeks. Just frustration I think. FrustratedGaz.

 

Good point. We might actually be forced into playing a system our players are more suited to. 4 3 2 1 or even 4 3 3.

 

I get it. My line of thinking was more on the lines of the eloquent @Onside here...

 

Perhaps, but in a back three he could get some cover perhaps.

Like others have said, I'm in favour of switching up the formation. We'll get absolutely mullered at Mansfield if we play anything like the way we did at Grimsby or Walsall.

 

I think at this point we've probably accepted getting mullered at Mansfield, thankfully it's just the trophy. If we play 5 at the back with a 17 year old and Richards starting, there's a good chance we get a lashing. If we switch to a back 4, we've little fluidity due to us never using it and again might well get a pumping.

 

Looks like we can't dust the phone off and call the ever reliable Liam Ridehalgh as he's signed for Guiseley! To think we had him starting games over recent seasons is laughable

 

Why. Yes his best days were behind him but laughable? Now that's funny.