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Post by melbourneterrier on Nov 4, 2021 0:32:40 GMT 1
Not really strictly rumours, but as the January transfer window is (what seems like, extremely quickly) approaching. One has to turn an eye towards who could go out, and where we can strengthen
I like to look at positions..
GK - Nicholls is doing amazing.
I wouldn't mind seeing Schofield go out on loan or even sold, lads been injured and has properly been displaced as starting goalkeeper. Needs game time to improve and gain confidence. I don't doubt there is a gem of a keeper, his shot stopping shows his talent. However other areas of his game need work on to be at this level. I don't mean to sound like I'm knocking him, just stating my opinion. I've said it the past couple of transfer windows, a cheeky bid for David Marshall could be alright. He's currently third choice at Derby.
Defence - Honestly, with REG and Crichlow on loan and quite possibly coming into the squad for next season, I am happy with where we are at. Pearson, Lees and Colwill have improved our defence SO much in the space of 6 months. With Pipa and Ruffels to hopefully be fitter in the second half of the season as well, I don't really see the need to splash the cash. That could change obviously if someone does come in for Pipa.
Midfield - It's an interesting one this one. I wouldn't mind it honestly if High went out on loan and got game time week in-week out, seems he is very much a bit part player. Do we see a Reece Brown come into the squad? Honestly wouldn't be surprised if he goes elsewhere. If High does go on loan, then a replacement midfielder would be required, whether Jon Russell is upto it or not, I can't say. With Thomas, Koroma and Holmes occupying the wings, and Rowe hopefully on the mend, where does this leave our priority signing from a year ago Rolando Aarons? The guy often doesn't make the bench....
Attackers - This is the area where it's hard to predict. The West Ham lad for a start, does he stay or does he go back? I'm all for giving the guy a chance, and I hope he succeeds but at what point do we concede that this loan hasn't worked out yet (For both parties). Ward seems to be doing his best sign returning to the club. Rhodes to come back from injury, and Campbell having the typical terrier work load. Still not overly happy our 3 main strikers are on the back end of their careers, and scoring has been, or lack thereof is the main concern. Thing is, I can't see Ward going and Rhodes has barely had a chance to play. If changes were to happen, it may be Campbell that gets moved on. The other area of concern is Sinani. I like the way he plays, but his output is becoming, and I might be slated for this, but his output is becoming Pritchard-esque. I believe he's only had a single assist since turning up - THAT'S NOT TO SAY THAT HE ISN'T TRYING -
Long story short, we are overly reliant on Thomas to create, I wonder what precent of our goals have been a direct impact from his play
For me
Outs > Schofield (loan or buy) High (loan for game time) Reece Brown (sell) Rolando Aarons ?? Odubeko?? Campbell??
In> Back up keeper/ someone to push Nicholls A central midfield option (whether it's internal in Brown or Russell or a new player to the club) An attacking midfield option, someone to create Depending on what happens with Odubeko and Campbell, then a striker. Ideally someone in his prime I wouldn't be surprised if we pinch a lesser known talent from non-league or abroad to develop ala Thomas, Danny Grant etc (On Grant, I'd keep him for the B team)
*Caveat being anyone of our regular players (Koroma, Toffolo, LOB, Hogg, Thomas etc, etc) gets sold, then they will need replacing
Would any B team players be likely to setup up in the next 6 months? Harrett, Jackson, Diarra, Austerfield?
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Post by Gag_N_Bone_Man on Nov 4, 2021 20:13:13 GMT 1
Obviously the events of yesterday will probably impact any business we do but for me it's about finding loans for those young players unlikely to make an impact, possibly getting a creative midfielder in on loan (this seasons' Smith-Rowe would be awesome) and probably sending Mipo back and replacing with another loan.
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Tinpot
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Post by Tinpot on Nov 4, 2021 20:43:17 GMT 1
I had this discussion with somebody elsewhere on the forum. This is the first season since our relegation from the PL that it's been obvious which division we'll be in next season. We're plenty good enough to stay up, but streets behind Fulham, West Brom & Bournemouth - with Sheffield Utd, QPR, Stoke & Middlesbrough all underperforming vs expectations so far, and thus likely to improve in the 2nd half of the season.
In other words, the priority should be to build the club. If great offers come in for any of our players, take them. If any opportunities to buy quality come up, lets take them. Otherwise, I'm not too worried. There are areas we need to improve, but if we're doing that via the transfer market then we're going to struggle to get anyone in that's ready to hit the ground running without paying through the nose - whether it's a loan deal or permanent. I'd be more excited by "the next Sorba Thomas" than I would be by "the next Emile Smith Rowe".
Outgoing? I'd like to see Reece Brown move on. It's not worked out here and it's not likely to. His contract is up at the end of the season IIRC so he'll be gone then anyway, but if we can get anything for him at all (even just the new club paying a proportion of his salary between now & the end of the season) then let's take it. Mipo Odubeko is 3rd choice striker at best, and likely to drop to 4th once JR returns from injury. This loan isn't doing anyone any good.
Aside from that, any youngsters that aren't making an impact in the first team & would benefit from first team men's football. The ones we've done this season seem to have worked out with Krasniqi, Daly, REG, Crichlow & Phillips the most noteable, although other loans for Ayina, Roxburgh & Shanks appear to be going well from what I can see. Perhaps a loan for one of either Bilokapic or Schofield (with the other being 2nd choice keeper) or any of the other B team prospects.
For me, the priority is to build the club, with special focus on developing B team prospects & fringe players.
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Post by Deleted on Nov 4, 2021 21:22:29 GMT 1
I think at the back we’re fine. Nicholls has been good, and our back 3 of Colwill, Lees and Pearson can’t realistically be improved in January.
I also think a central midfield of O’Brien and Hogg works quite well, but as the latter isn’t getting any younger, maybe bringing someone in who can shadow him might be an idea.
Up front is where we could improve quite drastically. Holmes has impressed recently, but I think we can replace him fairly easily. As for the central striker position, that explains itself.
For the first team, I’d like a winger and a striker. For back-up/future, I’d like a CB, CDM, STR and a winger.
But I appreciate I’m being greedy!
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Tinpot
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Post by Tinpot on Nov 4, 2021 22:39:00 GMT 1
Koroma Holmes Thomas Sinani Rowe Jones Grant Aarons Pipa Bright
All of the above can play on the wing, and in most cases it's their preferred position. Do we really need another winger?
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Post by terriersyndrome on Nov 5, 2021 10:09:13 GMT 1
Send Mipo back because he's clearly not in the first team thinking & bring in another striker.
Send Schofield out on loan to gain experience & bring in a senior keeper.
That's all the business I'd do unless we sell one of our assets, e.g, O’Brien.
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crux
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Post by crux on Nov 5, 2021 12:39:34 GMT 1
Can't disagree with most of what has been posted above.
However, central midfield is an area of major concern at the moment. We're over reliant on an ageing and injury prone Hogg and a presumably soon to be departed O'Brien. Vallejo looks a decent player, but every time he gets an injury he's out for weeks. High looks OK, but needs some experience alongside him. Everyone else is young and untried at this level.
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Post by saintlyterrier on Nov 5, 2021 22:21:52 GMT 1
Jez Wallace? Hesitating over a new contract at Millwall.
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Post by Tinpot on Nov 6, 2021 9:46:51 GMT 1
Jez Wallace? Hesitating over a new contract at Millwall. I assume you mean Jed Wallace. Much as I'd have him here in a heartbeat if he was available, I expect him to go to either one of the less fashionable PL clubs or a more fashionable Championship club than us. I could see him at Fulham or Watford, somewhere like that. We're more likely to get Jed Ward.
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Post by saintlyterrier on Nov 6, 2021 17:01:55 GMT 1
Jez Wallace? Hesitating over a new contract at Millwall. I assume you mean Jed Wallace. Much as I'd have him here in a heartbeat if he was available, I expect him to go to either one of the less fashionable PL clubs or a more fashionable Championship club than us. I could see him at Fulham or Watford, somewhere like that. We're more likely to get Jed Ward. Indeed, I did. My mistake. I'm glad you agree he would be an asset.
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Post by saintlyterrier on Nov 6, 2021 23:43:36 GMT 1
A new name to be considered as a "striker with potential" who might interest Town: Johnny Kenny of Sligo Rovers (my third side!). Yes - I know we need someone now.
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Tinpot
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Post by Tinpot on Nov 7, 2021 0:51:03 GMT 1
A new name to be considered as a "striker with potential" who might interest Town: Johnny Kenny of Sligo Rovers (my third side!). Yes - I know we need someone now. said earlier, I don't think we "need someone now", but based on this Youtube video (yeah, I know) there does look to be something: Good movement & quick reactions if nothing else, although there is some pretty atrocious defending that he's doing it against. Worth a look nonetheless. Good spot.
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Post by terriers2000 on Nov 7, 2021 14:46:32 GMT 1
a player who a lot of town fans don't like but is a player who would fit into our system and a playmaker Barry bannan
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Post by orinoco on Nov 7, 2021 15:07:53 GMT 1
Need to send mipo back and replace with another loan striker. 1 who will hopefully make the squad. Also will depend on if any of our sought after players leave, and of course our financial situation.
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Post by Gold Coast Terrier on Nov 8, 2021 6:34:44 GMT 1
Pretty sure we'll be back in for David Kasumu as we need a long term replacement for Hogg
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Post by Essex Terrier on Nov 8, 2021 9:38:52 GMT 1
Pretty sure we'll be back in for David Kasumu as we need a long term replacement for Hogg You know - some people on here think Hogg should be dropped "past it" they say Yet, every time he is missing, we realise how important he is to us!
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Post by Gold Coast Terrier on Nov 8, 2021 9:48:16 GMT 1
Pretty sure we'll be back in for David Kasumu as we need a long term replacement for Hogg You know - some people on here think Hogg should be dropped "past it" they say He’s probably still the fittest at the club! Having a vocal presence like that on the pitch is going to take some replacing. I’m not sure if Kasumu offers that side particularly, but from what I’ve seen he’s got the tenacity in the tackle and adds a bit more composure on the ball. I hope it comes off, but MK Dons are gunning for the playoffs so we may have to wait until the summer. Obviously it’s all up in the air at the moment with finances as it is.
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Post by Terrier Ramone on Nov 8, 2021 13:09:46 GMT 1
We need a different type of striker to what we already have (I don't mean one who knows how to score, though that would be helpful), some serious presence in the air. I have said it before but there would be nothing wrong in playing Sarr up there for the last 20 if we either need a goal or some extra help at defending set pieces.
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Post by Terrier Ramone on Nov 8, 2021 13:11:47 GMT 1
However, a lot will now depend on our financial situation - according to Phil, there must have been money available as he said he'd bid big for Mipu but that may well have changed now.
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goodbet
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Post by goodbet on Nov 8, 2021 16:36:12 GMT 1
You know - some people on here think Hogg should be dropped "past it" they say He’s probably still the fittest at the club! Having a vocal presence like that on the pitch is going to take some replacing. I’m not sure if Kasumu offers that side particularly, but from what I’ve seen he’s got the tenacity in the tackle and adds a bit more composure on the ball. I hope it comes off, but MK Dons are gunning for the playoffs so we may have to wait until the summer. Obviously it’s all up in the air at the moment with finances as it is. I always think that Hoggy shouts and points a lot but is not the best aspect of his game. We ideally need someone with a bit more of a footballing brain to do the shouting, but some is better than none.
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Post by orinoco on Nov 9, 2021 1:03:31 GMT 1
We will all be astounded if a striker does come in!!
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Post by HuddsTerrier on Nov 9, 2021 10:24:20 GMT 1
A big part for me is the loans out.
The B Team are beating teams 6-0, 7-0 and so on. Meanwhile the first team keep creating chances but can't finish them
Given that someone like Harratt is free scoring at B team but isn't deemed worthy of a place on the bench - let alone 20 mins on the pitch - suggests that the club don't feel B Team games come remotely close to bridging the gap to the first team.
The only way to bridge the gap it would seem is for players going out and getting 20+ first team games in League One, Two or even the Conference
For me I'd like to see as many of the lads who are 20 or soon to be 20 out on loan at a full time professional level; Jackson, Headly, Austerfield, Obiero, Elliott, Harratt, Bellgambi and Kherbouche. Then they can come back in 2022 preseason and lay down markers to be part of the first team squad. Smashing other B teams for the next 6 months won't adavnce them any further from where they are now and would be a waste of development time IMO
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Post by terriersyndrome on Nov 9, 2021 10:50:38 GMT 1
A big part for me is the loans out. The B Team are beating teams 6-0, 7-0 and so on. Meanwhile the first team keep creating chances but can't finish them Given that someone like Harratt is free scoring at B team but isn't deemed worthy of a place on the bench - let alone 20 mins on the pitch - suggests that the club don't feel B Team games come remotely close to bridging the gap to the first team. The only way to bridge the gap it would seem is for players going out and getting 20+ first team games in League One, Two or even the Conference For me I'd like to see as many of the lads who are 20 or soon to be 20 out on loan at a full time professional level; Jackson, Headly, Austerfield, Obiero, Elliott, Harratt, Bellgambi and Kherbouche. Then they can come back in 2022 preseason and lay down markers to be part of the first team squad. Smashing other B teams for the next 6 months won't adavnce them any further from where they are now and would be a waste of development time IMO The loans we've given to some of the lads on the fringes of the first team all seem to be going well so far. REG & Critchlow are key players for Rotherham & Swindon respectively, Matty Daly is really starting to find his feet at Hartlepool & now has 5 goals with 2 assists in all comps with them, Phillips is doing well at Walsall aswell with 4 goals & 1 assist to his name. A few more loans for some of the B team lads would be a good idea to test them in mens football. I'd like to see how players like Diarra & Austerfield get on at a league 2 club.
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Post by cyberman on Nov 10, 2021 21:54:09 GMT 1
Ash Flynn - from Golcar United
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Post by kwami-hodouto on Nov 11, 2021 16:24:41 GMT 1
Anyone got a list of our players who are out of contract at the end of the season?
I Know Toffolo is for example. If we can't pin him down on another contract, is it better to sell in January rather the go for nothing.
I imagine other players are similar.
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Post by terriersyndrome on Nov 11, 2021 16:43:37 GMT 1
Anyone got a list of our players who are out of contract at the end of the season? I Know Toffolo is for example. If we can't pin him down on another contract, is it better to sell in January rather the go for nothing. I imagine other players are similar. The club have an option of a further year with Toffolo which I'm sure they'll trigger if he doesn't sign a new deal beforehand. www.htafc.com/news/2020/january/transfer-harry-toffolo-signed-from-lincoln-city/
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Tinpot
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Post by Tinpot on Nov 13, 2021 2:22:26 GMT 1
Same for Koroma.
I'm concerned that they haven't signed new contracts. No least because Lewis o'Brien has, and he was in a similar situation. I expected Toff & JK to follow on shortly afterwards.
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Post by orinoco on Nov 13, 2021 5:28:59 GMT 1
It will certainly be an interesting window.
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Post by tvor on Nov 13, 2021 18:26:47 GMT 1
It will certainly be an interesting window. Hope so but won’t be surprised if it isn’t for us.
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Post by JonsonClarkParis on Nov 14, 2021 10:26:41 GMT 1
Loaned out Schofield Jackson High Maybe even Aarons if he's isn't getting a look in.
We could do with a cm coming in on loan from a prem club to cover hoggy and Vallejo. Striker is a must for me other than that I think we are OK.
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