Summer 26/27 Transfer Rumours

Humpries , wasted talent and looks to have a lazy sulky attitude, Thursday night his cameo was a disgrace, they would have been better playing me, I would have put more effort in
Tilt has also been poor over these two games and his replacement is Kelly, enough said
Scarce has been fantastic, but age and fitness is now an issue, we can’t afford to pay wages for players to sit at home
Will Swan again, bright start, but fell away and never recovered
Not sure I mentioned Jackson , I said of all the January signings, he was the only one I would keep, but not as an out and out forward leading the line

 

Don’t ask me. They are the ones that mentioned it.

 

It’s a “nice to have” , nothing more nothing less. Unless someone has a magic money tree it won’t happen. It didn’t stop us progressing in the post 85 era , it didn’t stop us getting promo last season and it certainly didn’t stop us getting to the play offs . Until the money is there……

 

In Parker''s interview with GA where he's talking about speaking to the out of contract players today, he also says they will be talking to all the players about what they will be expected to do over the summer to keep themselves fit. He mentions that they will also be having some individual conversations with certain players about that and my first thought was, I bet Humphrys is top of that list.

 

Let's start with this strange Sarcevic narrative I keep reading on here and explore it with facts.

He appeared in 38 out of 46 regular league games and was an unused sub in another. He played all 180 minutes of the play offs games and also completed over 70 minutes 31 times in those league appearances.

At what point did you decide that Sarcevic will be "sat at home" all next season?

 

Keeping oneself fit is one thing for sure, look at Patto, Cookie, Power for example , and maybe Humps as well, but how do you get rid of the “can’t be bothered” attitude.? That’s a big worry, especially if his last “showcase one’s talents ” turned out.

 

Yeah I thought the same. Humps & Leigh for sure. Then probably the younger lads who have been out in loan to see if they are worth keeping on or not. Maybe even Tilt has a conversation? He was dropping off week by week at the end and he turns 35 in the summer, might be time to tell him he wont be a starter here next season. I reckon some like Swan and Lapslie in the squad might want some assurances of time or they might look elsewhere too? Both are of an age where they should be about to get into their prime years and being bench warmers or sometimes even missing out on the squad all together wont be their goal for the season coming.

Interesting the T&A article didn't mention Powell as someone who's contract is up?

 

Blowing out of his backside after an hour, he is not getting any younger
If we can get someone like him, but in their midish 20’s then what’s not to like
As with Cook we have to move on at some point

 

Indeed. If you don't look up for it in a play off semi final then when will you?

 

Yeah, Powell's an interesting one. I'm not sure it's ever been fully confirmed what his contract length actually is?

 

We can’t afford to have players in the squad who can’t be bothered talented or not. We need grafters and quality preferably in the same person. They have to stay fit over the summer, yes relax with the family, but drinking and eating to excess is a no no if you are a professional athlete.

As for training facilities, we have been round the houses several times on this. We don’t have the cash available it is as simple as that. It would cost millions, if I had that kind of money I most certainly would buy the club a training ground, but as things stand the players will be training at the very well equipped school.

 

I've given you all the stat based facts and GA will also have all his running stats to ensure he's not dropping off. Given that he was very rarely subbed off I'd guess that actually, he wasn't knackered after an hour and his performance was pretty much maintained after that point.

For clarity, I'm not saying that he won't need to be replaced at some point and I'm not even saying it shouldn't be this summer but I'm not accepting your explanation that he should be moved on because he can't stay fit or contribute for next season when it's based on absolutely nothing.

 

Few names who are being branded already with the "a host of League One clubs are interested" type tags without really naming club names. It's agent season to get vague social media buzz going, but some names that might interest us or have already been linked.

Brad Collins (GK) - He has already been linked with us & Barnsley this summer. He's had a pretty good season at Burton but has been a good L1 level keeper for a little while. He has the 6th highest save percentage in L1 this season, and 11 clean sheets in 40 games for a struggling Burton is pretty good going.

Wes Harding (RB/CB) - Experienced defender, has been on loan at Plymouth and is linked to return but he was linked to us last season too and will want to keep his options open. He had a good run at Rotherham before joining Millwall and things just haven't kicked on for him. Can play anywhere along the back line and has some pace to him too.

Omar Sowunmi (CB) - A highly rated defender in L2 this season. He has been linked with a host of L1 names already this summer, and the Bromley defender was the 2nd highest overall FotMob rating in League 2. Big unit, pace as well and is used to a pressing defender with a lot of work to do playing for Bromley, who weren't known for keeping the ball. He also had 7 goals from set pieces. He would cost a fee, but it sounds like there are many chasers this summer.

Nigel Lonwijk (CB/RB) - The Dutch defender is going to be a free agent this summer. He has been on loan at Luton this season and has played either right back in a 4 or right centre back in a 5, the odd time at right wing back too covering but he's mainly a right sided defender. He is 6'5ft and only 23 years old with over 100 L1 games under his belt, he will be another chased man this summer. He is also known for a long throw. He's had time in the region before, a loan spell at the dogs.

Jake Batty (LB/LWB) - this lad could be a decent understudy to Touray or potential taker of that role. He's 21 years old and is due to be a free agent this summer, he has been on loan at Swindon for the back half of the season and seemingly impressed with his play. He's had two loan spells in L2 so far in his career and now as a free agent, maybe he will be looking to join a L1 side to kick on.

Dylan Tait (CM) - Another name linked to a fair few L1 clubs already this summer including Plymouth, MK and Barnsley. He's a defensive midfielder playing at Falkirk, his work rate and engine to get around the pitch seem to be his key point but he is a goal threat too with 7 goals and 2 assists from his deeper role. At 24, he could be someone to challenge our current midfield.

Zak Brunt (CAM) - A name from the National League who is being touted for a move this summer. Brunt managed 18 goals and 19 assists for Boreham Wood this season in all comps, playing either in the 10 or right or a two man attacking mid setup similar to our setup this season. He is another linked to unnamed clubs at this level.

Abdul Abdulmalik (LW/LAM) - this lads name has been all over social media in the last few weeks and every EFL fanbase has said they should be after this fella. He looked dynamite in the NL Play offs, another for Boreham Wood who will look to bring some cash in for them this summer, he is 23 and bagged 17 goals and 10 assists in the NL this season. Very quick, very direct and isn't shy of having a pop at goal.

Jordan Thomas (RW/RAM) - He has been linked for a few windows to us, but now he is going to be a free agent after leaving Cheltenham. He can play on either wing but mainly on the right, he's bagged 6 goals and 5 assists in a poor Cheltenham side, he sounds like he is looking to get a L1 club and as we have been linked before, you could easily see it again.

Jake Beesley (ST) - With how publicly we chased him in the winter, it would be strange if we didn't try again. Big unit, has played in the region before, big goal threat and is very handy int he box defensively too. We will surely be linked with his name again as he goes into the final year of his Burton deal and they'll likely try cash in.

Jacob Brown (FWD) - another victim of Luton signing a million players this season, but Brown is certainly going to have his chasers this summer. He can play any of the attacking positions we have with a quick burst of pace under his belt too. He was in and out of the Luton side before joining Pompey on loan in Jan. He's from Halifax and has had time at Guiseley in his youth. He's been a CH/L1 level player for years now and looking for a fresh start, maybe back up north?

 

Incoming rebuild, which seems a really strange thing to say after coming 4th in our first L1 campaign, but looking at the names out or potentially out, it's a lot of change.

 

Opinions. Everyone around me thought he looked gone around the hour mark most games
I also think that not having a direct replacement that could cut the mustard meant that he had to play
I am not doubting his ability, but like Tilt and a few others in the squad, age catches up with you

 

On other teams recruitment plans, think it was mentioned before that Simon Wilson who has been the DOF type figure at Stockport and running their transfer business for years now, he is off to Sheff Weds at the end of the season.

But it also sounds like Luton are starting again and have managed to get Hearts head of recruitment Will Lancefield in to head their new operations. Hearts business in the last few years have been really well regarded, imagine Luton will have had to pay a fair whack to get him down south.

 

Stevenages list has been released, they are in talks with Charlie Goode and Harvey White but both have had impressive seasons and i reckon will keep their options open. Goode i think got in the L1 team of the season and was a danger with his long throws, imagine a fair few will be after him.

Matt Phillips & Dan Sweeney released, experienced campaigners now who will probs end up at another smaller L1 club. I guess ours will have to be out today or tomorrow with the deadline extension for PO teams.