I think Elder showed plenty that season but agree I saw nothing that indicated Honeyman would be any good.
Elder got caught defensively pretty consistently, but didnt get much protection. and George was the only one who showed any heart after lockdown. Elder reminds me of a left sided Ricketts. Great on the front foot, but sometimes leaves a gap in behind. I wouldn't be surprised if Fleming gets loaned out for another loan incoming. If Emmanuel starts ahead of Fleming tomorrow then we really need someone else to genuinely compete with Elder at left back going forward.
If Emmanuel starts there tomorrow (or Coyle who I think played there in the game Elder got injured?) and is reasonable, isn't Emmanuel the competition?
I think they're ideally going to want two natural left backs and 2 natural right backs pushing each-other for the shirt. Theres a reason we had a good look at Max Clark last season.
In Elder's defence, whilst he's not a young player age wise, he's 26, he's not played that much senior football, especially before signing for us! He was another who improved last year and he was the best LB in L1 by a country mile. He's now had a couple of years playing regularly for the same team. I'm intrigued to see how he does, I think he could continue to push on. Agree on Fleming and I've said it several times. Don't see the point of him sitting on the bench for another year. Emmanuel & Coyle can both play there if necessary and Bernard can play RB too if we get really short. We've also got Leake coming through so loaning Fleming would open another spot.
The key to Elders success and in broader terms the teams ability to get the full/wing backs forward, depends really on a more mobile defensive midfielder then either Smallwood or Huddlestone. This Smith fella could be key. I hope he's got an engine and a tackle in him.
Smith appears to have an engine on him. I won't lie, I still expect us to get Slater in eventually. Jokanovic said they were close to new signings almost a week ago, but in his pre match presser it seemed less close. If they bring Vieira in, I think we'll get him in the end. Wouldn't be surprised if it's deadline day though. I wonder if he makes their squad for tomorrow, I'd be surprised if he did
Im pretty sceptical that both Slater and Huddlestone will come in as well as Smith. I think Thudd and maybe a loan centre-forward if we can loan out Scott or Eaves. Then maybe see what's possible as far as loans out and in as deadline day looms - without spending much, if anything at all, but with an eye on LB as the obvious lack of cover.
We've only got 1 loan spot left though that we can have in the matchday squad. Intrigued to know who these trialists were for the 23s today and was surprised that Tom didn't play
Tom wouldnt be a loan. We can sign a free but as Flores is no longer a loan we can replace with *either* a free or a loan. Theres a suggestion of a name on the u23's thread but dont know if its a pisstake 'cos i wasn' t there. We'd need another loan out to loan one in in anyway I think - or else use our free transfer slot up with our final loan.
Age can work 2 ways though can’t it. I’d look at our squad and suggest there’s not enough experience in it. In both age and the number of appearances at either Championship or Premier league level. Your post above doesn’t come across particularly well, just saying.
Wilks, KLP, Honeyman, Elder, Ingram were all in our Championship side in our last season, as was Magennis. What lack of experience are you talking about? I agree that I'm concerned about our CB pairing, but the discussion was around attacking players was it not? My post doesn't come across particularly well? For suggesting that people are wetting their knickers over a lack of signings despite quality signings made in L1 that would have gone to Championship sides in Alfie Jones and Docherty? That we have young players who proved themselves in the Championship last time around and are only better this time around in KLP and Wilks? What was poor about the post, pray tell?
I think it's the lack of proven championship quality and nous that some fear we don't possess. And we didn't cover ourselves in glory last time out, did we?
At some point, we have to trust those we bring through. He'll be an accomplished left back at that level
The players we had last time aren't being hamstrung by overpaid princesses and are a couple years on in development. We've got enough to stay up, and we're a better club than any to come from nowhere and surprise - as we've done before to great effect.
But youth is also fearless. I don't really care about Championship experience, it means sod all to be honest. Some of the biggest upsets over the last decade of clubs overachieving have largely been when they've recruited players without Championship experience. Wagner & Farke had a large German contingent, Brentford barely bring in players from domestic clubs either. It's also because Championship wages are ridiculous and if we're signing experienced championship players they'll cost a fortune or not be particularly good if they're cheap. It's funny but the person with the most Championship experience in our squad, is the one criticised most at present, Smallwood. But we've only got 1 loan spot left as we can only pick 5 in the 18. It's never easy bringing in a backup left back on loan, he'll rarely play and is unlikely to make the squad either (the downside of being a LB). Why would a parent club let him come to us to not feature? I'm not that bothered about a CF on loan. There's nobody that springs to make who'd be a good loan & I don't think we need another youngster up there either. It all depends who becomes available mind
So would be limited then to frees? How many players around available to loan on the last year of contract. - like Flores we could get on a free?
