Summer 2021 Transfers

This!

 

442 often leads to long ball football because the two in midfield are overrun so are bypassed and the same people who call for it call hoof

 

If people are calling for 4-4-2 because they want long balls to the big man and out balls to pacey winger on the counter fair enough - I loved the Parky years - but I do get the impression they often also think we'd be able to do that and attack attack attack every week but they're mutually exclusive in the modern game

 

T and S had a certain way they wanted to play, I'm pretty sure they will have this same system in the youth set up they were managing. I got the impression from Trueman that what they wanted the players to do and what they were actually capable of doing were two entirely different things. And no management team going is going to be able to do that in one transfer window. Any fan that thinks you can just make a formation out of anything and expect it to work is very naive.

 

Agreed , the players have to suit the system, either the players change, or the system changes to suit the players. I think we ended up with somewhat bastardisation of both . That’s why we rarely saw a fixed 11 and other than one up top which generally remained the same throughout, the middle of the park and the “ wide” players were all over the place in support of the man up top.

 

The problem we have is that we focus too much on the top end of the pitch for our recruitment and use most of our budget there. We need to more savvy and strengthen from the back, it's not pretty but it's affective.

Go through any of our squads from just around the days parky left. They are absolutely loaded with attacking players who would, minus the odd dud, walk into most teams in this league or the one above.

Unfortunately for us, behind them forward lines has generally been a shower of shite defence and an at best average midfield and goalkeeper.

Until we sort out the basics, then having all the talent in the world upfront will mean nothing until we a can A) get the ball and/or B) keep the ball out of our bloody net.

 

A few more released: Top two hard to tempt to L2, probably L1. Others possible maybe. Eisa had a decent season so expect a few in for him. Turnbull will know him well though.

Billy Bodin, 29, WG, Preston
Louis Moult, 29, ST, Preston
Donald Love, 26, RB, Shrewsbury
Jordan Clarke, 29, RB, Scunthorpe
Abo Eisa, 25, WG, Scunthorpe
Jacob Bedeau, 21, CB, Scunthorpe

Darren Pratley and Leon Clarke both released as well. Older heads but could maybe offer a season...squad seriously lacks older heads and experience.

 

Saw Pratley a few times for Charlton season 19/20, might be the strong midfield general that everyone is crying out for

 

If it is Derek Adams coming in, think 1 player that will be coming with him is toumani diagouraga. Signed him at Plymouth and signed him again at morecambe. Out of contract in summer. He is 33 but has played alot of games this season for morecambe. Exactly what we need defensive midfield with presence in middle of pitch. One side note if its wellens he had diagouraga at Swindon and froze him out and loaned him out

 

I still think they're very good coaches and I'm glad we've retained them. I agree that they were astute enough to see what the team could do and what they wanted the team to do were two very different things. I dont think we will ever be able to play expansive football without players in the middle that dominate that area. For me a big reason they wouldnt play two up top is that would leave you with a midfield two of sutton and watt, which will get dominated week in week out.

 

I think you need 2/3 at this level but ones who are always available. Every top side had them. Hoolahan etc. You can get away with it in league two

 

To be fair, we don't need 'aging pros', we need experienced leaders.

Donaldson, Clark and Evans were all 'aging pros' but didn't seem to add any leadership to the team.

 

Yeah they need to be available all the time or the majority of the season. Not in and out all the time

 

I'll be reasonably happy if Evans isn't available all of the time next season.

 

Abo Eisa would be fantastic here we could do with another winger.

 

Possibly expect Kelvin Mellor to return, Out of contract at Morecambe and Adams has signed him before at Plymouth, NKP is also at end of contract but may be to old at 34 unless as cheapish cover at the back