Summer 2023 Transfer Rumours

Plot twist - we sell Halliday and keep Hendrie.

 

I can see the cases for being positive about our prospects under Hughes, and I can absolutely see (and support) the case for him needing more time. But there's a nagging doubt I have over him, and I think it's this; There's always a question as to whether a higher pedigree manager can bring success to a level that's generally seen as beneath him. And the most optimistic I've been with Hughes was actually in the 3 months he started. He inherited someone else's squad, results and performances improved and we seemed to play with a mixture of purpose and technique - albeit with some flaws. My assumption was that with a summer of being backed, he'd reshape the squad and playing style and kick us on. Did he? From memory, we had play off form for much of his 3 month stint in 21/22. The style changed and for me, is duller to watch and no more effective at home. I worry that Cooks individual performance masked shortcomings last season. Then in January, he had a further opportunity to improve us and didn't. In fact, I thought our business was bizarre and generally poor, and we didnt improve. In fact, i thought the quality of our game went backwards if anything. This summer, he's changed the style and the recruitment approach has centred on a few punts with regard to young players or fringe players from other clubs in higher league's. The upshot is, I worry that with every chance to improve the team, he doesn't, and his style becomes more and more embedded without working.

 

Still sticking by goals been our main issue resulting in numerous draws. Cook won’t get 30, Walker injury prone so maybe 5, Smallwood 2-3 Chapman same.
Pattinson 4ish and smith 4ish. Rest of the team chipping in here and there.

Creativity and strikers were key and we still are relying on Cook. No one who was brought in this summer in my opinion will get over 5 max. That’s our problem.

 

It was a minor hamstring strain wasn't it? If he trained well enough I'm sure he'll be considered fit enough for selection.

 

Groin says Hughes. Hadn't trained all week until re joining the guys yesterday. Cant see us training today with a drive down to Crawley on the books. Hopefully he's on the bus.

 

Smith, Walker and Pattison all get over 5 IMO. I will have a £10 burns bet on each.

 

A different angle despite the dull football, despite the baffling decisions and despite the recruitment being suspect in some areas we came pretty close to promotion. Of course, pretty close isnt good enough but I dont think we are a million miles away.

One thing I will give Hughes credit for is the need to take the burden off Cook. And the formation change allows us to give him further support in the final 3rd. I think he wanted to do this last season but losing Wright and the injury to Derbyshire stopped those plans - especially when the answers were Nevers and Costelleo.

I wasn't upset by our recruitment last summer. Despite a few duds I think we brought in players that did enough for me and with a different tactical approach could really prosper this season. I think we have a good team on paper, one that can definitely mix it at the top (maybe with another addition or so) so it is down to Hughes now.

Appreciate Crichlow and Banks have gone - but the season before we lost Paudie, Watt and Vernam who were 3 of the better players. Despite that, we improved and made progress.

 

All fair. What I would say, is that the playoffs should be the minimum bar for this club, whenever its in League 2. Its a poor league, and the length of time it takes for us to get out is an indictment of the club and those running it.

Last summers recruitment was good, overall. It was January that was poor:

Stubbs - a good signing, no issue there.
Clayton - steady, but not what we needed. We needed energy and purpose, which we now hopefully have in Pattison.
Bola - awful,and a bizarre decision to replace Foulds with him
Costelloe - awful
Nevers - awful
Pereira - awful (though I get why we did it)
Derbyshire - every inch the knackers yard pro it seemed when he arrived.

Far more misses than hits in January.

 

Yep seems a fair assessment. I think Clayton was a back up to McDonald that fell through for whatever reason. Didnt sound like it was our fault.

 

I'd like to win the Lottery.

 

I'd like to win the Lottery.

Kelly definitely isn't slow. To be honest I think we are getting a bit fixated with needing quality centre backs who have pace. My preference is for a CB who can read a situation and also be commanding in both boxes. The situation at Crewe last season where Sam Stubbs was outpaced highlights something that shouldn't happen. Good teams don't allow a situation to occur where your CB ends up in a foot race with a pacey guy like that.

 

Agreed.
Walker scored 4 in 22 after coming back mid season from injury.
If he plays a full season he's in double figures.
I think a full season for Derbyshire as well will see him chip in with 7 or 8 goals.
We have a lot more goalscorers available to us at the beginning of this season than we did last imo

 

Is Kelly the reason Hughes was interviewed by a journalist from an Irish radio station at yesterday's pre-match presser? I know we've also got 'Paddy' Osadebe but I wonder if the Irish sports media expect him to figure regularly this season.

 

I dont even know why I took his bait.....

 

Strange that Paddy doesnt have an Irish accent considering he was there from 0-18 years. He doesnt have Irish blood though and has gone on record saying he has no ambitions to play for Ireland and Nigeria is where his heart is.

Don't think the Irish take too kindly to that kind of thing so I'm guessing its for Kelly!

 

Spot on most central defenders will get run if their isolated out wide. Haladay was caught out of position

 

I wouldn't even back Derbyshire to get 7 or 8 league appearances, never mind get that many goals.

I don't mind him as a squad player but we look like we've a few more options now and I just don't see him getting any game time.

 

Hughes was bigging Derbs up in the T&A yesterday

 

It's funny to think, last season we had one of the best defences and we have only lost 1 player in Critchlow from our defensive options. However, he is a big loss and would have been integral to how we are wanting to play, and that is the crux of the issue; the new system and the players we have to fit into it. I actually think Oyegoke has begun to demonstrate his ability as a right wing back. Recent friendlies have indicated he could be quite effective. The problem is the left side. Rides can't play it and Odour appears to be a risk from a defensive perspective. Therefore, we have the ultra versatile Gilliead being tried out as a left-wing back. I'm hoping we get a really good loan signing in to cover this position, I really do.

Although Ash Taylor has been a questionable acquisition, he does bring certain attributes we lacked - strength, aerial threat at set pieces and obviously the big booming throw he has. That said, he doesn't look right in a back three and perhaps this will be Odusina's big chance to impress. he certainly has the pace to cope with the system.

As for the goals. Although Cook is the clear favourite to be our top scorer, I do actually think we have recruited fairly well to beef up our attacking options and provide something different. Tyler Smith has pace and looks like a good partner up top for Cook. This is something we lacked last season. Opposition teams who push up against us will be more wary due to Smith's pace. There's no guarantees but this could be Smith's break through year and I'm going to stick my neck out and predict he gets between 10-12 goals. The other addition / factors to take into account is Pattison who has 18 in 2 seasons at this level, a fully fit Walker and the addition of the vision and guile of McDonald to make a killer pass. I just think we are going be a lot more clinical and threatening through the middle. Let's also not forget, Derbyshire has popped up with crucial goals in limited appearances and Oliver is a decent player who we have yet to see the best of.

Which leaves the big question of width. Oygoke I think can do it and will be an asset. But we will be unbalanced if we do not get that left side addressed. I know we have Chapman as our left winger, but he's injured and may face a suspension upon the conclusion of the investigation into his alleged betting offence. Oh, and he's not a wing back!

In summary, we are stronger in attack and down the middle and weakened down the sides and at the back. An interesting season ahead, and fortunately there's still time to address perceived deficiencies in the transfer window. Personally I think we should be very optimistic of our chances overall. I'm predicting we'll be top 7 and hopefully top 3!

 

Funny how fans of slow, plodding defenders are quick to spin the compensating attribute of them "being able to read the game"?

When you're paid to play football you should be aware of what the opportunities and threats are on the pitch.

There's no substitute for pace, especially when a speedy attacker can give you three metres over ten and then leave you trailing in their wake.

I've no time for plodders....in any occupation.