Just to clarify my point on Adil. It would be a case of letting him go if he wanted to, not a case of pushing him out the door. From the club perpsective. From his perspective I can see him feeling frustrated as he doesnt look a regular starter to me and at 22 he needs to be to be honest. Since his breakthrough as a 17 year old wonderkid it hasnt really happened for him anywhere. As an impact sub he would be worthwhile on the bench, no doubt. But we are perhaps building up a lot of these sub options in Poveda, Mundle, etc. Adil needs to start playing games for me, as that is how his decision making improves, but he has a battle on his hands to start them here IMO.
Looking at the squad, I think we could probably handle letting Adil and Ekwah leave and still be okay, I think with Adil it will be mostly a break even deal, but if Leicester like Ekwah I think there's an opportunity to take the pisś a bit.
Be disappointed to see Adil go as think theres a real player in there, was hoping with a more stable coaching staff this season he would kick on
I think the pre season games have just reinforced in RLB what he has to deal with with. His first eleven can compete with the majority in this league and as it is will probably finish half way/ish. I do believe he probably now knows a "ready to go" striker just may tilt the balance to get us pushed up the league. However, his strength in depth may just be an issue. The games against Hartlepool and Bradford didn't do any of our fringe players and favours. I say that, yet I still believe preseason games are there for fitness, trying tactics, and getting minutes into some players. But after watching both games be interesting to see who the new boss is prepared to let let before the window ends.
I’d rather play Adil over Jobe personally, one of our only players who takes a risk and try’s to play the ball forward or create through the lines, can be frustrating at times as he needs to work on his decision making at times, a lot more creative than Jobe in that role but Jobe will always play over anyone!
I'd want replacements if we sold either/both of them to be honest. I know the squad is bloated, but the quality and strength in depth just isn't there
Jobe is an automatic pick for us at this point, I don't see him being displaced unless he is injured or moved to a different position out of necessity. I think Adil probably sees the writing on the wall, I made the prediction last week that he will end up on loan to a Saudi club in January, looks like it might happen earlier than I anticipated.
We have the numbers with Embo and Matete, who have been crying out for a chance, but seeing as Embo is likely on his way to Blackpool, I can agree we'd need one more body in. One thing a graph like this misses is that players can function in multiple positions, Poveda for example can operate on the left or as the most advanced of a midfield three, probably half the squad has a functional second position, this is important and realistic if you're going to have a squad full of players happy with their playing time.
Other than the Southampton game last season did Ekwah do anything to merit a place in our team? He has boatloads of talent, just no heart or desire (IMHO of course)
Yeah absolutely and I was considering that when labelling the likes of Alese as a CB and Poveda/Mundle as right and left wingers. We certainly have flexibility and numbers within the squad, but our 2nd choice XI is miles behind the quality of the first XI (not unusual) and given our injury record I'd like to see a wee bit more strength in depth. In recent seasons we've seen the likes of Hume and Gooch play centre back, not to mention Clarke and Jobe up top. Ideally we'd have 2 players for every position. but realistically you want about 18-20 first teamers and some solid youngsters as backup.
I’d like Adil to stay, but I do struggle to see him starting. He is as close to an actual 10 as we have but too inconsistent to play there. If he was consistent he’d have been a starter for a good while cos he has ability, he can pass and he can move. There’s a reason for his fall from grace but if he comes good someone has a real player.
Good assessment, I think the reason our squad has gotten so big is to do with the wages we pay, picking up young lads (Triantis, Mayenda, Hemir, Hjelde, Ba etc) who were mostly new pros, they were happy to receive offers in the £2-6K bracket, which is about 20-50% of the wages a first team player gets, it has meant we can sign more than a few extra players and not be as burdened by it. I am a bit worried when people say they're not good enough though because the implication is that we should sign more players on big wages who are already first team ready and if we want to stay in the black we have to be careful with that.
Personally, I think it would be a mistake to let Ekwah leave. He was very average last season but that can happen, and for me he's shown enough to at least be fighting it out for a place. Could well bring the best out in him. If Leicester are interested that tells it's own story. His ceiling is as high as anyones if he can kick on.
If RLB wants the ball to move quicker Aouchiche is important ... ... leaving Ekwah, Jobe, Neil in there and we look sluggish imo. RLB seems to appreciate that players like Mundle, Poveda and Aouchiche can quickly turn defence into attack imo, something we really failed with last season.
I checked out of curiosity and Ekwah's next goal/assist after the Southampton game was on 1/1/24 against Preston. He hasn't given consistently good performances but Ekwah's goals did help to win 4 games last season.
Leicester have money though, if they're willing to pay top dollar, it's probably worth doing. I think he has Premier League potential, but lacks the quick mind and play of a player capable of winning international caps for France, for example.
Yeah and I'm probably being harsh but the lad frustrates the hell out of me with his 5-a-side challenges and his refusal to track back (or at least refusal to run when his opposition number runs)
