January 2024 Transfer Window

Hopefully he’ll have noticed Tompkinson offers something different and keep him over Taylor.
Hendrie I maintain is perfectly good back up at our level and can do a wingback job. It’s just whether he’s happier playing or as back up for us-doesn’t seem the sort to throw his toys out of the pram though.
Thinking that might be a bargaining ploy on our part-we’d like to bring player ‘x’ back to the squad unless you want to permanently sign them

 

4 for the back three is nowhere sufficient over winter. One suspension and just one injury and we are f*cked! . Oh and Odusina of course.

 

Thankfully, we don't play with a right back.

 

I think 5 would be enough as Halliday, Richards and Ridehalgh have all played right/left of a 3 before and could easily fill in if needed.

 

Fills me with dread Dave. All too small and not known as central defenders in my book. Ok as a 30 min emergency but I struggle with them otherwise.

 

I am, every time you post...

 

Having watched Tomkinson on Tuesday, I am hoping we agree that there's no need for him to come back as JT is as good or maybe better?

 

Dont wanna lose Halliday at 'right back' though..............Rides is ok in a 3 as a 5th choice.

Id like us to keep Tomkinson but think Norwich may recall him if he doesnt get regular starts.

 

You seriously cannot judge Tomkinson in a game against Liverpool kids vs Crichlow over a full season.

Crichlow would strengthen us regardless of Tomkinson staying or going.

 

I was meaning in an emergency. We can't just stockpile 6 centre halves "in case". We need players that can fill in and Richards, for instance, was a left sided centre half at Wolves so he should be more than capable of playing that role.

 

I absolutely agree but he'd be last of the 3 I mentioned anyway. Richards was actually a left sided centre half in a 5 at Wolves so there's no reason he couldn't also fill in at RCB for the odd game if absolutely necessary.

Hopefully though, it'll never come to that.

 

It depends what is in the loan agreement. The standard loan agreement that the parent club can put in a recall clause but if the we want to terminate the loan then it needs to be agreed by both sides. Realistically if we want to send back a player I don't see any of the clubs having an issue as it's in their player's interest to move somewhere else to play

 

@TallinnBantam said 'Tomkinson who has yet to start in the league? We’ve got Platt, Stubbs, Taylor and Kelly who can all play in his position. I see him going back in January unless he gets a run out tomorrow and stakes his claim'.

But, in the current system of 352 we're playing wing backs not fullbacks. Halliday is spending far more time attacking than defending these days. Wing back is supposed to be Oyegoke's best position and he certainly looks much better going forward than defending. I wouldn't be surprised to see us send Afoka and Tulloch back but hang on to Oyegoke as cover for Halliday. I know Gilly can play there but he's doing really well in CM at the moment and I doubt Alexander would want to move him from there.
I think we'll keep hold of Tomkinson. In a three CB system you need more than one as cover for injuries, suspensions and loss of form as we get into heavier pitches and towards the business end of the season. Unless, that is, we recall Odesina, who's supposed to be a back three specialist.

 

Isn't Oyegoke's injury long term though and returned to Brentford?

 

Ah, I didn't know that.

 

GA has confirmed we have kept Oyegoke registered and will stay the season. However, we have renegotiated the loan to save money on the months he'll miss. Hopes to have him back for the final run in.

 

Agreed, I had a similar conversation last week.

 

Yes .

 

Good news.

 

I'm judging him partly on being called up to the US U23 national team in October and consistently starting and playing since.

It's also a bit pointless to have both of them on our budget as they're basically the same.

If we started from scratch then we could have both of them but from the squad we have now it wouldn't make budgetary sense to add Critchlow now unless someone is leaving.