Summer 2022 - Transfer Talk

I know Gillead is far from your favourite and I agree with you about his end product. But since MH has moved him further back in midfield he has probably been one of our best players and he was missed against Doncaster and Crewe

 

He has tackled and retained the ball very well. His touch and skill level is way beyond Sutton, but he still creates nothing going forward, IMO

 

His job now is to play alongside Smallwood and link up play he carries the ball better than East and he is a decent tackler we have any number of attacking midfielders who can create

 

I was slated by one or two when I questioned keeping Sutton and not looking for an upgrade, tbh he looks best in a more direct side where his lack of technical ability isn’t as important but his high energy in your face play is, i.e fighting for seconds up the pitch. Although since his illness that has also diminished. He’s not a player for a possession based team where you have to try pass your way passed your opponents. Pre illness he may have been suitable for the RB position, but that now looks beyond him as I think Covid has had an effect.

 

I wouldn't say he was missed because in his time with us he has created very few assists. What we lacked to beat Donny and Crewe was not anything Gilliead could contribute towards.

 

Yeah I agree that Sutton is probably 3rd choice in Hughes mind, I just don't believe there's much in it and don't think we'd be noticeably weaker if he started over the other 2.

 

Hughes has indicated that almost certainly our business is finished in and out. I think Hughes has been given backing any of our managers in recent years could only dream off. So the onus is on him now automatics should be the aim anything less than the top seven and it would go down as abject failure

 

If Gillead has been one of our best players (which he hasn't been) it highlights EXACTLY why we've had a very average start to the season.

Gillead is pretty much anonymous and is fortunate that his rivals for that position are also not really pulling up trees.

 

Nonsense in my opinion we have been static in both those games Gillead carries the ball from defence something we lack without him

 

Kudos to the club for the way its gone about its business this summer. We've shown ambition, recruited younger players with resale potential, done business early, brought in competition and cover for every position and look to have secured the majority of targets we wanted. A couple of tweaks at the deadline, but no scrambling around in the final hours for players no one else wants.

Well done to all involved. We may or may not succeed this season, but its the first time in years that I can see the club operating to a plan, with reasonable and controlled ambition and doing all it can to create success. And all with a sustainable element, as we've recruited players on multi year contracts.

 

I suggest then your bias against him his showing because he has clearly made that position his own

 

There's no point in carrying it 20 yards though if you then turn around and knock it 10 yards backwards to the full back.

Gillead needs to be braver and back his ability to pick a forward pass, even if that means he loses it high up the pitch now and again. If he could do that then it would certainly add a different dimension to his game.

 

Yep, he's fought off a player who couldn't make the first XI for his last league two club and indeed has never been considering part of a first XI and another who the majority want rid of as he's struggling to even make the bench.

Some achievement that.

 

I actually like Gilliead and the amount of work he puts in, but for someone with so much skill he really needs to back himself more and make things happen

 

Yep, that's my point. He's completely ineffective because he lacks the bravery and always chooses the safe option.

That's the very reason he was so poor when played further forward and its a shame because he does have ability, he's just playing very much within himself.

 

He is effective because he carries the ball and links defence with attack which in his absence is sadly lacking he is decent defensively which was quite unexpected. In my opinion his transformation into this position has saved the money in the transfer market

 

The squad appears quite strong and most add some quality in certain areas..just a case of finding the best fit.Great for competition though and looks promising.

 

He may carry the ball well but invariably gives it away. I would love to see his pass completion rate.

 

Matty Longstaff in L2 again, this time on loan at Colchester. He was supposed to join Barnsley today on a perm deal but it's all fallen through. Another talented lad at this level.