I've read strong rumours that Walton is set to be recalled to Brighton - hopefully ahead of us making the move permanent? If he is sold to another club, then I think signing a good, experienced goalkeeper is a priority, particularly as both Hladky and Holy have been inconsistent and error-prone this season. I also think signing a left-back is key, probably our most important area to strengthen, as Coulson is frequently injured and I don't think Penney provides the right blend of defensive solidity and attacking prowess that we need in the role. Apparently we have the money, so I'd like to think we can target a box-to-box central midfielder and maybe depth out wide and up front (particularly if Bonne gets recalled and we continue to field two strikers up top). As for departures, I think we can trim the first team squad a bit. Holy should be allowed to find another team, if we sign Walton/new goalkeeper and retain Hladky as the back up. We don't need three senior goalkeepers on the books at this level and especially as we're out of the cups. Kenlock should also be allowed to move on, as I don't think there's a way back in the first team for him. Apparently Scott Fraser is moving to Swansea, I'd be happy for that to go ahead as he's struggled to carve out a starting role in the team - although I'd like to think we can make a profit on him. I'm surprised we've still got Jon Nolan on the books, if there's interest elsewhere, we should move him on. Louie Barry has been recalled to Villa, which is understandable, and I'd also expect to see Kaydan Jackson move on.
I won’t lose any sleep over Walton moving on. He’s a good shot stopper that has won us points with saves and assured command of his box but he’s cost us just as many points with his awful distribution. I’d like to get the deadwood cleared out too - Jackson, Nolan, Kenlock as you suggest. Piggott is a waste of space too IMO. The squad is too big as it is. We could in theory strengthen the squad without making a single signing.
I've been very impressed with Walton and wouldn't be surprised to see there be interest in him in higher leagues. Would be a real coup if we could sign him permanently. If that doesn't happen I'm not 100% convinced we'd need another keeper, Hladky clearly hasn't shown his best self but has decent pedigree so I'm willing to think he's just been through a bad run of form and Holy certainly isn't a bad back up for this level. I'd also be happy to see Fraser be given more game time, he's clearly a talented player and has shown glimpses of that but he hasn't been played in a role which suits him, clearly if Swansea are interested he can't be a bad player. Speaking of Swansea the type of player I really think would compliment this side would be a Flynn Downes type player, such a shame he wanted out. If we go 2 uptop more recently whilst I'm not the biggest fan of Kayden Jackson I think he could make a difference as an impact sub due to his pace, like others what I've seen of Pigott so far he hasn't been good enough but like Hladky I'm willing to give him the benefit of the doubt although he doesn't seem to be a particularly good impact sub. The squad is certainly bloated and one which I've always struggled with is the number of luxury/flair players in the squad, we've too many who want to play the 10 role and whilst all have quality above this division like so many flair players fail to deliver on a consistent basis, and IMO we would struggle to play more than 1 of them in the team as it makes us unbalanced and leave to much for others to pick up.
I will be surprised if we do sign Walton given that our prospects of promotion this season now are pretty poor. If we plan for League One football next season I can't imagine we can match the Championship wages he'll be offered elsewhere. Don't you think Jackson has been given enough opportunities now? Similarly Piggott has had a fair amount of game time and hasn't really seized his opportunity. Hladky had a very poor start but it felt like nerves rather than capability so I agree we shouldn't write him off yet.
I wouldn't be overly disappointed to see Jackson go but he does offer something slightly different in comparison to our other strikers and could be good as an impact sub using his pace particularly if we play 2 strikers. Fortunately unlike the last couple of seasons we're not having to rely on him as a first choice striker
Walton a must have if poss. Hladky showed what he can do in last game, much more confident. Jackson & the Pig, let go. Feel sorry for Barrie, no chance here. Hope he finds the right club to blossom.
We are becoming a very ruthless bunch here manager out after 20 games of first 'full' season, striker out after only starting 5 games
Ultimately, I think this 'ruthlessness' is impatience with where we're at as a club. Three seasons (most likely going to be at least four now) in the third tier. We have not witnessed a promotion for over two decades and we have not had any tangible sense of achievement arguably since the start of the 2000s. The new ownership and increased investment has been a welcome catalyst. This new approach definitely provides us with a more credible shot at getting promoted out of this division (and hopefully keeping us out of this division in the future). However, this new-found wealth and heightened expectations - set by the club - has understandably resulted in a massive increase in expectation and standards.
I don’t think it’s ruthless. When I think back to our more successful days, young players who weren’t the superstars like Tony Vaughan and Adam Tanner still came in and made an impact. I don’t remember players coming in and doing badly too often because the ones who were going to fail were so rarely allowed on the pitch.
With my punters hat on I’m pretty sure we have to lose one of Bonne or Norwood to sign a new striker. maybe both. Pig is on a longish deal, I reckon he’ll stay and Jackson is probably earning a wad so we need to move these guys out to sign someone here. people aren’t talking about signing Bonne so much now such is the fickle nature of fans. Would you guys say sign if we can now or let the loan run and see how we feel come season end? unless we go 433 I think Fraser could go to Swansea if they want him enough. Be a shame. Hope we sign Walton. think he’s as good as it gets at this level and def good enough to play a level higher. He’s also young, so big resale value. You’d be daft not too. The clubs management seem to rate him too as they’re trying to get him. Hampy better write them a letter asap to tell them it’s a mistake… defence. Would love to see toto go to free up wages for a good player in the left wing back position. burgess; would be happy to see him go but suspect his value has plummeted. Gotta wonder who thought he was worth that much money. Was it MAs clever data analysts or cooks idea?
Sometimes an increase in expectation leading to impatience isn't a good thing, we of all clubs should understand this after MEs arrival
I agree with the premise of what you're saying but sometimes players do take time to find their feet, sometimes a team isn't set up to their strengths and I think particularly with regards to our current scenario because we have a whole new squad those things can be exacerbated
Should definitely try to sign Bonne and keep Norwood, they've got real potential as a partnership together. I think Bonne will score a few goals second half of the season as long as we are creating chances, throughout his barren run he hasn't really missed many chances but from what I've seen he's still taking up good positions in the box. What I like about both of them is they've got a good all round game and will give defences a hard time through their physicality but they also take up go positions in the box and attack the ball, both can play on the last shoulder or come deep although Norwood is better holding the ball up. I get the dislike of Norwoods off field behaviour but he's never let us down on the pitch and his goals per game ratio for us is brilliant, we'd be silly to get rid of someone who scores goals pretty much everytime he gets a run in the team. I think Fraser could fit in lots of formations, so wouldn't say his career is over here, perhaps KM will play to his strengths, he just didn't really fit well into how Cook played his 4231. Be interesting to see how we operate in this window as KM hasn't been here long and neither has he had to be in the situation where he's dealt with transfers before, my gut says as he's firstly a coach he will probably want to work with what he's got than sign lots of players and also understand those currently within the squad before making a decision on whether they should leave. I think this transfer window could tell us alot of how the new club structure operates and who is has the power at the club.
Lots of valid points on here. KM just needs to browse our posts and comments to get all the advice he needs! I am sure he appreciates the extra time he's had with the players. A decent win v Gillingham will keep the momentum going. I would love Bonne to start scoring again. Now he has a partner to dance to!
