January 2024 Transfer Window

The current back three are playing a style of football where you don't really have to be a great centre back, just be physical and don't make too many mistakes.

Solid is the name of the game.

Mark Hughes wanted the centre backs to control the entire game.

Under Hughes, Stubbs was a better defender than our current three. Under Alexander, it makes very little difference, but Stubbs is the least physical defender we have.

 

I though Stubbs Physicality was his best attribute. Just like Andrew Davies he'd head a bus if it was driving into the box.

 

I agree.

Platt and Kelly are providing the physicality and no one playing against those two are coming away without a few bruises. Tomkinson's ability to bring the ball forwards and link up with Gilliead and Halliday is a plus for us.

It does feel like we've tightened up a lot at the back (Morecambe first half notwithstanding). Central defence is okay for me, it is someone at left wing back that is a more pressing need.

 

I think he was meant to be a cultured centre back, calm on the ball and accurate passing.

He's not awful in the air, but I always saw Platt as the physical defender.

Platt and Kelly are very similar. Tomkinson, no idea really.

 

Luke Williams is set to leave Notts County to become the new manager of Swansea. He's taking some staff too and the early rumour is that he will try and take Langstaff this month to Wales.

The wheels could well fall off the bus if Notts lose their manager and best player within the next week or two depending on the replacement and if they have time to re-invest.

 

I believe Coventry are interested in Langstaff too.

 

Not eaten properly since Saturday due to covid, but this talk of haddock, chips & mushy peas with.mint sauce is getting my juices running. Has to be haddock, its a 'wessy' thing.

 

He was one of our better players last season and in my opinion in a different league tonTaylor

 

Mark Lawn told me personally that we couldn't afford Gregory at that price. Probably because he'd already committed to arron McLean the goal machine

 

Is that code for a fish starter

 

Maybe he sang arron McLean the goal machine in his head and believed it... Shocking how our transfer policy in the past wasn't on form but on names, barring the parky seasons.

 

Apparently so, rumoured to want around the £1.5m mark if Internet stuff is to be believed.

 

I just knew that you would get a heads up from Northern Monkey for that remark Park.

 

But he would miss the bus!

 

Pick on someone else chump

 

A lot of folk say Ridehlagh isn't good enough but he's not a left wing back. He's a solid left back. Send him to 70% of the league two clubs and he'd look like a solid defender. Unfortunately for us, in this system, we need a left wing back otherwise we lose attacking impetus. Still, no real fault of Ridehalgh whose been solid for us since he joined.

 

I hope there's room for improvement in Kelly. He's done well this season but he's clumsy at times, gives away silly fouls and he needs to learn that he has more time to pass to the left wing back or central midfielder rather than just hoofing it straight away.

If he can round out a bit more then I cam see him moving up the leagues.

 

Taking aside players improving from long term injuries ( Walker) or drops in form AND taking the newly applied system under GA, I’d agree re Kelly and Gilly are our most improved duo this season, closely followed by Smallwood.


Kelly is still raw as you correctly highlight but continually improving all the time.

Who has gone backwards or just doesn’t fit in the 18 man squad jigsaw under GA?

 

Ridhalge has had a decent career and has done reasonably well for us. But I like the cut of Richards I think we have missed his attacking pace down the left whilst he has been out.

 

Agree, however in the two games prior to his absence he seemed less enthusiastic getting up and down. I wonder if he was carrying an injury, hence his subsequent absence?