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Post by cheshire on Dec 20, 2021 14:25:54 GMT
And lets not forget, these conversations may also be occurring among the supporters of other (SE) clubs too. Whilst we concern ourselves about which Championship side is sniffing around our best talent, Matt, Jason and Terry are also likely thinking about the best talent at Bromley, D & R, Woking, Barnet, Ebbsfleet, Dartford, Aldershot and whether they can further bolster the squad.
Supporters at those clubs are probably wondering if a larger football league club (like Sutton United) may be after the brightest and the best, offering them the chance to play in the EFL. If we have to lose players, they can and will be replaced with other good up and coming talent from other divisions.
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Post by Del on Dec 20, 2021 14:26:49 GMT
I'm not comfortable speculating either. Doesn't do much for the confidence of the others who don't get a mention.
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Post by garethl on Dec 20, 2021 15:54:32 GMT
We're in a position we've never been in before. A transfer window. There was one in the National League which I believe was dropped a season or two before we were promoted. Bearing in mind we're 3rd in the league in terms of players coming in, I expect we will buy but I can't see any marquee signings, not only for financial reasons but more because Matt already has pretty much a squad he's really happy with. In that situation I except any signings we will get in will more than likely be from 1/2 levels below us, generally young and more squad players than going straight into the first team. In terms of players going out, I've said this before and I'll say it again. The only player I think who could get a transfer and not end up playing in the reserves would be Ben Goodliffe. To me, there has been lots of talk of David Ajiboye, but there are parts of him game that he still needs to work on before he's ready for a step up, namely staying on his feet (far too often this season he's slipped over, often with no one near him) and his delivery. If you are a winger, you need to be able to put a good cross in, and 8 times out of 10 he doesn't sadly. He's a brilliant player but I think he's selling himself short not being able to do what is really a day to day task of someone in his position. Reminds me a lot of Tom Bolarinwa, who could skin any player he wanted, but his crossing was terrible. As soon as he improved that part of his game, Grimsby signed him. But I get the feeling there are none of our players so mentally fragile to swap the atmosphere of being in a successful and positive club like ours to being in a club in decline with issues, regardless of the money. Ajiboye is able to conjure something out of nothing and clubs will pay for that. Some of your comments strike me as a hugely negative outlook on the guy. I’d prefer to look at what he can do! He has stepped up to league football, scored goals, is our main threat with 2/3 guys on him a lot of the time. He has created goals at Cardiff and Forest Green just as an example, scored 2 quality goals at Newport i.e. has had success against some of the better sides we have played. There will not be many wide players with his end product return this season so far, not sure you can ask for more than that in his position. He also tries to do his defensive work too and has often been feeding off scraps! A comparison to Bolarwina also seems unfair seeing as he didn’t step up to league football. He’s a far better player. As to the last part quoted I don’t understand why you’d frame a move in those circumstances as mentally fragile? |
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Post by garethl on Dec 20, 2021 15:55:42 GMT
I'm not comfortable speculating either. Doesn't do much for the confidence of the others who don't get a mention. I think they’ll cope!! |
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Post by Andy K on Dec 20, 2021 15:56:14 GMT
I'm not comfortable speculating either. Doesn't do much for the confidence of the others who don't get a mention. I do see your point, but there will be the vast majority of the squad who won't be looked at in "moving up" for various factors e.g. age, lack of experience, lack of games. Not being considered by other sides isn't really something that should affect the confidence of anyone at our club. By the same token being touted as someone who could be "on the move" could also affect that players confidence in other ways, and could well unsettle them. The thing that is blindingly obvious, and I think was one of the major factors in our success in 2021 is how every player is really happy playing for Sutton. There isn't a player here who is outright looking for a move away from the club. That will stand us in very good stead and that's a huge credit to the management team. |
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Post by garethl on Dec 20, 2021 15:57:57 GMT
And lets not forget, these conversations may also be occurring among the supporters of other (SE) clubs too. Whilst we concern ourselves about which Championship side is sniffing around our best talent, Matt, Jason and Terry are also likely thinking about the best talent at Bromley, D & R, Woking, Barnet, Ebbsfleet, Dartford, Aldershot and whether they can further bolster the squad. Supporters at those clubs are probably wondering if a larger football league club (like Sutton United) may be after the brightest and the best, offering them the chance to play in the EFL. If we have to lose players, they can and will be replaced with other good up and coming talent from other divisions. Absolutely. We have options if the worst happens. A player might be loaned back to us til season end, we might have replacements lined up or we could wait until season end. Whilst the window is January of course conversations can happen earlier so we may have forewarning if anything is in the offing. |
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Post by Andy K on Dec 20, 2021 16:12:32 GMT
We're in a position we've never been in before. A transfer window. There was one in the National League which I believe was dropped a season or two before we were promoted. Bearing in mind we're 3rd in the league in terms of players coming in, I expect we will buy but I can't see any marquee signings, not only for financial reasons but more because Matt already has pretty much a squad he's really happy with. In that situation I except any signings we will get in will more than likely be from 1/2 levels below us, generally young and more squad players than going straight into the first team. In terms of players going out, I've said this before and I'll say it again. The only player I think who could get a transfer and not end up playing in the reserves would be Ben Goodliffe. To me, there has been lots of talk of David Ajiboye, but there are parts of him game that he still needs to work on before he's ready for a step up, namely staying on his feet (far too often this season he's slipped over, often with no one near him) and his delivery. If you are a winger, you need to be able to put a good cross in, and 8 times out of 10 he doesn't sadly. He's a brilliant player but I think he's selling himself short not being able to do what is really a day to day task of someone in his position. Reminds me a lot of Tom Bolarinwa, who could skin any player he wanted, but his crossing was terrible. As soon as he improved that part of his game, Grimsby signed him. But I get the feeling there are none of our players so mentally fragile to swap the atmosphere of being in a successful and positive club like ours to being in a club in decline with issues, regardless of the money. Ajiboye is able to conjure something out of nothing and clubs will pay for that. Some of your comments strike me as a hugely negative outlook on the guy. I’d prefer to look at what he can do! He has stepped up to league football, scored goals, is our main threat with 2/3 guys on him a lot of the time. He has created goals at Cardiff and Forest Green just as an example, scored 2 quality goals at Newport i.e. has had success against some of the better sides we have played. There will not be many wide players with his end product return this season so far, not sure you can ask for more than that in his position. He also tries to do his defensive work too and has often been feeding off scraps! A comparison to Bolarwina also seems unfair seeing as he didn’t step up to league football. He’s a far better player. As to the last part quoted I don’t understand why you’d frame a move in those circumstances as mentally fragile? They may strike you as negative even if they were not meant to be. I expect you missed the "He is a brilliant player". I'm not saying he hasn't done all the things you've said. I'm saying that clubs doing well higher than us may probably see him as not having the consistency in his game. Which to be honest is probably where he is at the moment. I'm sorry you don't understand the last part. Have a think about it. There could have plenty of players who could have left in the summer to go to other L2 (or even L1) clubs just for the money. They didn't. |
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Post by garethl on Dec 20, 2021 16:18:03 GMT
No I didn’t miss that bit.
Can you help me by explaining further how a move for more cash in those circumstances is mentally fragile so I can understand?
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Post by Andy K on Dec 20, 2021 16:26:39 GMT
No I didn’t miss that bit. Can you help me by explaining further how a move for more cash in those circumstances is mentally fragile so I can understand? No Gareth, you're smart enough to work it out yourself. |
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Post by garethl on Dec 20, 2021 16:29:02 GMT
You give me way too much credit 🤷♂️😂
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Post by baboonfish on Dec 20, 2021 18:04:08 GMT
I expect Matt to bring in one or two faces but it'll be replacements rather than additions. As others have said, a few of our players may attract bids, which may or may not be accepted. John is probably more likely to attract bids that goodliffe for reasons mentioned, ie he isn't a ball playing defender. John is complete enough to play in L1 now, goodliffe with time yes, he's young enough. Whether there are still direct teams in L1 with budgets to pay 6 figures for goodliffe, who knows.
Ajiboye must be attracting interest, but it'd probably need to be a decent L1 side so quite narrow options.
The only peice of business I'd want to see is shipping sho silva out to free up budget for a decent utility squad player who can cover a few defensive positions inc CD and DM. He's the only player who hasn't been able to make the step up and from the reports Kai Tanner would make a more than able 5th choice striking option. Sho silva might as well be playing regularly at the right level than staying here, as we need cover in other positions far more.
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jr
1st team skipper
Posts: 2,195
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Post by jr on Dec 20, 2021 18:13:47 GMT
I expect Matt to bring in one or two faces but it'll be replacements rather than additions. As others have said, a few of our players may attract bids, which may or may not be accepted. John is probably more likely to attract bids that goodliffe for reasons mentioned, ie he isn't a ball playing defender. John is complete enough to play in L1 now, goodliffe with time yes, he's young enough. Whether there are still direct teams in L1 with budgets to pay 6 figures for goodliffe, who knows. Ajiboye must be attracting interest, but it'd probably need to be a decent L1 side so quite narrow options. The only peice of business I'd want to see is shipping sho silva out to free up budget for a decent utility squad player who can cover a few defensive positions inc CD and DM. He's the only player who hasn't been able to make the step up and from the reports Kai Tanner would make a more than able 5th choice striking option. Sho silva might as well be playing regularly at the right level than staying here, as we need cover in other positions far more. Tobi is on contract so he could go out on loan or be bought for a fee. Remember he's been injured a fair bit. |
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Post by localboy86 on Dec 20, 2021 22:41:18 GMT
A good thread this.
I also have fears we may be subject to an offer or two for star assets in January (Ajiboye and Goodliffe particularly, but with Smiths rise to prominence in the team this season he could also yield some interest from clubs in higher divisions) - needless to say I hope they all stay with us! We must surely hope that Olaofe doesn't get recalled by a goal-shy Millwall (just 24 goals in 22 league games), however I read their manager has suggested this won't happen.
I agree that another centre-back should be a priority on the incomings list to bolster our options there - though I haven't really got any names off the top of my head to suggest. There seems to have been some interest in a highly-rated full-back from a lower league club (I wont divulge further) and also saw our name linked in a report a couple of months back with a keeper who's currently on loan at a lower division side from a Premier League club.
Just personal thoughts the following.. wouldn't mind us having a look at the lad Sbarra who's been scoring quite freely for Solihull this season if Ajiboye were to leave and/or Bromley's young prodigy Sablier who's burst onto the scene there in the last few months.
I was impressed recently with the St Albans left-back Alex Lankshear during their televised cup-tie against Forest Green, he's young but athletic and looked to have bags of potential. One other name Chris Missilou who's just had his contact cancelled at Newport (their fans being peeved at that news) - he's a centre-mid with previous football league experience who could provide another good option for us in that position where we've been so stretched of late.
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Post by davethegrave on Dec 21, 2021 20:45:27 GMT
Hopefully nobody will leave but I think we need to loan in a couple of players as cover.
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Post by Andy K on Dec 22, 2021 11:15:45 GMT
Hopefully nobody will leave but I think we need to loan in a couple of players as cover. Generally clubs loan players out for then to get game time and match experience because those players are already "cover" at their parent club. So more than likely not. |
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