Summer 2023 Transfer Rumours

Regardless, Odour and Smith offer width and pace if required.

 

With regards to Smith we shouldn’t sign players if they will never be fit to play, I’ll treat that as they’re just been safe as it’s pre season. If Smith is out then Walker can still play there, he’s still a better option than a lot we’re likely to bring in. For me LWB is still far more important.

 

I agree but I wouldn't be rushing. I really want to see where Pointon is at and what he is capable of. If he can deputise/offer alternative for Smith by playing alongside with Cook then I want to see it before we push him down the pecking order with a probable crap loan.

Appreciate he isn't a striker by trade but Hughes seems to think he could offer something there. Dylan Youmbi wasn't given a pro contract to lurk around in the stands either.

If we want kids to come through and progress then we have to start giving them a chance rather than defaulting to loans from the leagues above.

 

Odusina clearly doesn't lack mobility, that's his main strength.

I'm also not convinced that Kelly lacks mobility. He looked absolutely fine last year.

 

I'm hoping Smith, Pattison and a fully fit Walker can fill that goal scoring void we desperately lacked last term.

 

Dont disagree, as I said I think LWB and forward will be address this month. But just for my opinion, going into Crawley I'd be comfortable with Ridehalgh, Gilly or Odour playing a game at LWB and us having a partner for Cook, than going in with 1 up top and a new wing back. Just because i dont think thats the plan going forward, it was looking pretty clear Hughes sees us playing 3 CBs and 2 strikers.

By Sept 1st, we'll have new faces in both roles.

 

When everyone is fit, LWB is still our weakest area by some distance as there's not a player in the squad capable of playing that role to a good enough standard.

No contest for me, where the priority should be.

 

If it was last year then 100%, give the youth a try. But this year I don't see us leaning towards youth too much as it's promotion or bust for Hughes. I cant see him wanting to stay or us offering a new deal if we are still in L2 come June. Maybe at the start of the season they might be given a go as fitness levels aren't what hey are, Hughes has said we are carrying a few knocks at the minute. They'll likely get a chance to impress in the PJT.

Can see Youmbi being loaned out to the NLN at some point in the coming months as we are probably going to bring a forward in and then he's like 5th or 6th choice? At that point, gametime anywhere is better than hanging around the squad. I think Pointon is the one they will likely keep around the place and see what they have in him, but likely until they know what's happening with Chapman in terms of fitness and FA charge. Once he's fit and not banned, if Pointon hasn't looked like a good option I cant see him getting many opportunities, so hopefully the lad grabs whatever shot he gets whilst he has a chance.

 

I reckon Walker just behind Cook is going to pay off better this season. An unfit/out of sorts Walker was having to go into midfield to get the ball last season and was easily stopped by the opposition. The addition of Pattison and the wing back system COULD/SHOULD take that burden off him and allow him to be higher up and in a more supportive role. Possibly. Or not. Is it still only Friday?

 

Guess I am just saying give them a chance while we have some time to address. They have 4 weeks of football to make an impression and install some confidence to at least see us through to January. If they don't, then address it towards the end of the window like we did last season. And like you say, Chapman will be back in 4/5 weeks and Oliver won't be far behind him.

The harder we make it (with a big squad) then the less likely they are to succeed. Again, appreciate this is a very important season.

 

I can see Pattison and Walker hitting double figures. Not sure on Smith, depends if we signed the Swindon version or the Oxford version.

Based on last season, it doesnt look like McDonald is a stranger to chipping in. 6 or 7 from him be helpful. Same with Richie.

 

So do I. For me, our prospects this season are a toss of a coin. No idea what to expect. At the end of last season I thought a few minor tweaks would do, but we're changing to a system that relies hugely on your back 3 and wing backs. And that's where I really worry.

I could see us winning the league (though unlikely), or I could see us in 16th come January and Hughes out of a job.

 

Fingers crossed. I think Walkers best spot is the 10 role, rather than playing on the left or right and cutting in. Best thing about this time of season, every fan thinks from pre-season they have a good idea of what we will do but none of us really know.

Guys like Patrick, Devine and Kennedy were never pegged for starting roles in the squad but all did and kept slots for a little bit. If Pointon was fit, I wouldn't have been surprised to see him in the squad for tomorrow but not sure they'll risk it if he still has a knock.

 

Yes 100%, if you're going to do it, do it early. Dont think Hughes has the best track record with youth, but his past is kind of irrelevant when when the Stokes/Fulhams of the world buy a new 11 over bringing in youth. Our level and the restrictions mean he'll probably have to look that way.

I think if Pointon didn't have his knock he'd be a cert for tomorrows Matchday 18. Good thing about the none league window never closing, we dont have to decide on these lads now. If Chapman has a set back or lengthy ban, Pointon wont be go anywhere until Jan at least then he has a chance to claim a shirt.

 

I don't think Smallwood has 6 or 7 in him. McDonald will have thar ability, but will he play often enough? And hopefully McDonald can take a set piece - Smallwoods are hit and miss, and that's being kind.

 

You are probably right, I was been generous. He bagged 3 last season so maybe chips in with 5.

 

Pattison is a strange one.
Personally,I think he’s going to be a revelation and be that regular goal scoring midfielder that all other teams seem to have.but his numbers are a bit strange.
9 in each of the last 2 seasons for a very ordinary Harrogate team but at his 2 previous league teams (champ,lge 1 and lge 2) he scored a grand total of 0 goals in 52 games.
I think Pattison and a fully fit Walker should be getting at least 20 goals between them which hopefully takes a bit of pressure off Cook.

 

If Pointon doesnt make the squad tomorrow then Richardson or Hendrie - maybe even Youmbi will have to take a place in the 18 due to the development rule.

 

Found his level at L2 perhaps???? Yeovil finished bottom 24th when he was there so maybe we can excuse that spell.

 

Depends how his knock is. Hughes said he did join in training yesterday so fingers crossed. If not, i can see Richardson being on the bench a lot this season for the rule.