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Post by localboy86 on Dec 12, 2023 14:23:04 GMT
An interesting topic of debate - what do people foresee us doing in the upcoming window?
Given a couple of wins in the FA Cup amassing some decent prize money could there be a little more in the way of budget for incomings in January.
It’s obviously imperative to keep hold of key performers this season, particularly Patrick (potential game-changer), N’Guessan (looking more and more like a top player) and Smith (chief goal-getter). We have 3 loanees whose spells are expiring on 31st December, I’d be happy to keep hold of O’Brien for the rest of the season but for Bouzanis and Mellor to head back to their parent clubs. Pereira’s loan is until the end of the campaign.
In terms of acquisitions (just my own thoughts - no rumours whatsoever) I’d look at prizing David Ogbonna away from Slough (he’s had lots of plaudits this season and looks like an Ajiboye mk II from various highlights I’ve seen). Secondly, central midfielder Reece Smith, only 21 but apparently one of the hottest prospects in the league below contributing goals and assists for Maidenhead this season. Lastly Swiss striker Lorent Tolaj (22) think he scored against us in pre-season and has scored at a steady rate this season for Aldershot. Given serious injuries to Kashket and Kasimu another striker could be an option.
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Post by Andy K on Dec 12, 2023 15:20:59 GMT
Oh why!
But anyway, we're allowed a squad size of 22 (not including goalkeepers or U21 contract players)
Amazingly enough we actually have 22, including 3 loanees. According to the EFL squad lists, there are not many that do, but it also looks like we have the fewest U21 players (some clubs have 10+ U21 contracted players, and far fewer main contracted players) e.g. Colchester have 15 players, plus another 25 U21 players! - correct when the lists were published in September.
If we're looking at keeping O'Brien (which I really hope we can) and don't try and renew Mellor's loan, that will give us one space to play with without releasing any other players (which I don't think we should do). To count as an U21 player, they have to be under 21 at the start of the calendar year, so Reece Smith, for example, wouldn't be on our U21 list. So we could only at best sign one of those 3. And of course that would also depend on which areas Matt wants to strengthen too.
We're probably more limited on what we can sign unless we sign a number of wunderkinds from the NL/NLS
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Post by boomboom on Dec 12, 2023 17:25:07 GMT
Of the "key performers", Smith is absolutely key. I fear without him that we're heading for the NL even if we aren't anyway. N'Guessan has been a decent signing but not that good IMO that other clubs will be looking to prise him away. There seem to be a range of views on here about Patrick's importance to the squad but it's what Matt thinks and our budget that ultimately count.
I don't follow other teams/players to the extent that some on here do so can't give an informed opinion on potential signings but wonder what competition we'd face from other clubs. Being stranded at the foot of EFL2 hardly makes us an attractive proposition.
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Post by paz on Dec 12, 2023 17:33:18 GMT
I cant see anyone leaving as I would imagine most are secured for the season. That said, Patrick must be on a decent wage and just warms the bench, so perhaps he will go despite him being our best attacking player, something not quite right there. Perhaps its an example of individuals not making a team, as while he has sat out we have certainly looked more durable. Surely when he joined Matt advised him of the style he would expect from his wingers and their willingness to track back and defend?
With Kashket out all season perhaps another forward comes in, does Kashket still count as a squad member while out injured for the season?. A centre back may he in the cards? Eastmonds fitness may be a big factor, and with Gape looking like he is the injury prone player we feared he might be, maybe another central midfielder needed.
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Post by FaultyyearsaU on Dec 12, 2023 19:27:59 GMT
“Given a couple of wins in the FA Cup amassing some decent prize money could there be a little more in the way of budget for incomings in January. “
Unfortunately this paragraph reminds of Blackadder talking to Lord Percy…
LP - “I have a little money put aside for just such an emergency “
Blackadder - “what, under your bed? Found it, nicked it , spent it”
My point being that I strongly suspect, blocked toilets, stand safety, boiler repairs, electricity and gas bills etc etc, not even to mention our current wage bill from the summer acquisitions will have “done for” any windfalls already , many many times over.
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Post by Stewart on Dec 12, 2023 19:28:46 GMT
I cant see anyone leaving as I would imagine most are secured for the season. That said, Patrick must be on a decent wage and just warms the bench, so perhaps he will go despite him being our best attacking player, something not quite right there. Perhaps its an example of individuals not making a team, as while he has sat out we have certainly looked more durable. Surely when he joined Matt advised him of the style he would expect from his wingers and their willingness to track back and defend? With Kashket out all season perhaps another forward comes in, does Kashket still count as a squad member while out injured for the season?. A centre back may he in the cards? Eastmonds fitness may be a big factor, and with Gape looking like he is the injury prone player we feared he might be, maybe another central midfielder needed. If Kashket is out for the season he could be removed from the squad. That could apply to Jon Barden if he is unlikely to be match fit this season. If desperate, Matt could do the unthinkable…….
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Post by andycapp on Dec 12, 2023 19:36:12 GMT
I wonder if any of the Crystal Palace Academy would get Matt’s attention.
I’m sure Matt is aware of the players
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Post by davethegrave on Dec 12, 2023 20:19:16 GMT
With Kashket out all season perhaps another forward comes in, does Kashket still count as a squad member while out injured for the season?. A centre back may he in the cards? Eastmonds fitness may be a big factor, and with Gape looking like he is the injury prone player we feared he might be, maybe another central midfielder needed. If Kashket is out for the season he could be removed from the squad. That could apply to Jon Barden if he is unlikely to be match fit this season. If desperate, Matt could do the unthinkable……. I'm not up to date with things but what is the latest position with John Barden?
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Post by Del on Dec 13, 2023 8:14:53 GMT
I think that O'Brien wanted to move to the South for personal reasons and will be looking to make this a permanent move with the proviso that both parties are happy.
I don't feel that we need any other midfield players and in normal circumstances we have enough defenders and cover.Two right backs and two left backs with three central defenders. Up front we need a back up for Smith as Angol doesn't do it for me.I'm sure we can juggle the squad with Kashket and Barden out for the rest of the season supposedly.
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Post by Andy K on Dec 13, 2023 8:41:09 GMT
I cant see anyone leaving as I would imagine most are secured for the season. That said, Patrick must be on a decent wage and just warms the bench, so perhaps he will go despite him being our best attacking player, something not quite right there. Perhaps its an example of individuals not making a team, as while he has sat out we have certainly looked more durable. Surely when he joined Matt advised him of the style he would expect from his wingers and their willingness to track back and defend? With Kashket out all season perhaps another forward comes in, does Kashket still count as a squad member while out injured for the season?. A centre back may he in the cards? Eastmonds fitness may be a big factor, and with Gape looking like he is the injury prone player we feared he might be, maybe another central midfielder needed. As Gape isn't on the September squad list, maybe that card has already been played when we signed Gape(others will know this better than me)
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Post by baboonfish on Dec 13, 2023 9:20:59 GMT
We need a left back as a bare minimum, but sides around us will be strengthening for sure with the scramble for big sky cash next season. I'd suggest we also need a CM, winger and striker.
We have three senior keepers whereas most squads will be 2 and an U21, kashket has zero chance of playing this season (we know what acl usually means at our level, we may not see him again), barden who knows but likely to need a lot of fitness maybe not this season.
Mellor has hardly featured and will go back. I expect Patrick to be sold but hope not.
Dundo doesn't even get on at 3 0 up and matt is no sentimentalist so his squad place could be freed.
Plenty of options as you see. O brien, I'm on the fence but very much doubt we can afford his wages for a permanent move anyway. I'd guess he's on double our highest earner.
I expect matt and team have identified targets, but as we all know, quality is even more scarce and expensive in January. If we want to buy players who might make a real difference, we'll have to spend and Patrick might be the trade off.
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Post by Andy K on Dec 13, 2023 15:19:25 GMT
We need a left back as a bare minimum, but sides around us will be strengthening for sure with the scramble for big sky cash next season. I'd suggest we also need a CM, winger and striker. We have three senior keepers whereas most squads will be 2 and an U21, kashket has zero chance of playing this season (we know what acl usually means at our level, we may not see him again), barden who knows but likely to need a lot of fitness maybe not this season. Mellor has hardly featured and will go back. I expect Patrick to be sold but hope not. Dundo doesn't even get on at 3 0 up and matt is no sentimentalist so his squad place could be freed. Plenty of options as you see. O brien, I'm on the fence but very much doubt we can afford his wages for a permanent move anyway. I'd guess he's on double our highest earner. I expect matt and team have identified targets, but as we all know, quality is even more scarce and expensive in January. If we want to buy players who might make a real difference, we'll have to spend and Patrick might be the trade off. If that's the case we will have to get rid of players or sign mostly U21. And of course it may well be that we could get players that can make a real difference from the loan market, which O'Brien certainly has, and Pereira is starting to, but players such as Mellor and Kendall last season didn't. There is always a risk involved with loan players.
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Post by davethegrave on Dec 15, 2023 20:26:46 GMT
As Baboonfish says I think the priority is a left back. Rob Milson has been great there but he's not getting younger and can cover in midfield. I don't think there is another position where we are sadly lacking.
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Post by Big Al on Dec 16, 2023 7:03:07 GMT
Two schools of thought seem to be being expressed here. First is that the current squad lacks quality and/ or form for this level. Certainly Kizzi, Louis and Ben have looked off the pace this year compared to recent seasons whilst there seems general consensus that we need a new left back - that’s the whole defence that needs to either rediscover form and consistency quickly or require new personnel.
Harry is aging but actually playing well but our Captain and our new signing both look injury prone. Others have yet to impress. Personally I think Smith and O’Brien are the real deal at this level but other Summer arrivals don’t look up to it.
If we take the opposing view that actually the current squad only needs minimal tinkering to compete at this level then I guess the question has to be why is it we are bottom of the league with only three wins. Perhaps it’s not the players that need changing…
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Post by Del on Dec 16, 2023 9:07:32 GMT
Two schools of thought seem to be being expressed here. First is that the current squad lacks quality and/ or form for this level. Certainly Kizzi, Louis and Ben have looked off the pace this year compared to recent seasons whilst there seems general consensus that we need a new left back - that’s the whole defence that needs to either rediscover form and consistency quickly or require new personnel. Harry is aging but actually playing well but our Captain and our new signing both look injury prone. Others have yet to impress. Personally I think Smith and O’Brien are the real deal at this level but other Summer arrivals don’t look up to it. If we take the opposing view that actually the current squad only needs minimal tinkering to compete at this level then I guess the question has to be why is it we are bottom of the league with only three wins. Perhaps it’s not the players that need changing… Blah Blah Blah, Blah Blah Blah. You wanted Gray out when he took over in the National league !
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