As long as we have a decent replacement with a bit of experience, I see Vokins getting some proper league football as a positive, and better than playing in the occasional U23s and sitting on the bench. Playing at a lower level really shaped a lot of our youngsters, on our return to the PL. And if it turns out that he can’t defend, then given the quality of his left foot try playing him further forward as competition for Redmond/Armstrong/Walcott/Djenepo.
I really like Ainsley Maitland-Niles. I remember his name being discussed on here in the summer. He’s multi-faceted but I remember reading that he wanted to have a future at CM, rather than as a fullback. He reminds me a lot of a young JWP in that he’s been bounced around from role to role and hasn’t been able to nail down a regular position. If he’s coming to us then maybe he’s happy with a regular position at RB/LB.
https://rokerreport.sbnation.com/20...eft-back-jake-vokins-on-loan-from-southampton Im guessing by some of the comments on here he's a good player. Fingers crossed he can help us get promoted and he comes back to yous a better player from his experience.
If we bring in AMN and loan out Vokins that is a good window (considering we are broke af of course). Not only is AMN an improvement on Vokins but he can also play on either flank and further forward so will add depth throughout.
I was going to say 23’s not that old but I suppose if you look at James when he was that age & how far he’s progressed, maybe there is some hope for AMN. Of course, only with a stellar manager tho.
Haven’t seen enough of him to know how good he is or might be, defensively. Going forward he will put in some very good crosses and in the two games he just started for us, he could easily have had at least two assists to his name, had the finish been as good as his delivery. Don’t break him.
Being reported Ainsley Maitland-Niles would prefer West Brom as he would get more chances to play .....with Vooosskins now gone, who could we get instead.
Oh I think AMN will have a very good career ahead, too talented not to. I think sometimes these players who (like JWP) are intelligent and very good athletes who are pretty good at most of the required things on a pitch (good tackles, good passing, just good at a bit of everything) lose out from lack of a true specialisation. Part of JWP’s emergence is from coaching, but it’s mostly just from a more defined role which he’s been able to play regularly. Think back to previous regimes and he was used wide, centrally, deeper as a QB, right back, as the central or wide player in an attacking three... being in and out of the starting lineup too and sometimes off the bench as a fill in. Being a Jack of all Trades is great, but sometimes it’s a way of saying that you suck at a lot of different things at the same time!
AMN may be needed at right back too! Good versatility. Regarding him playing less, that's probably as a result of being at a 'big' club.
Interesting that AMN prefers West Brom - choice between playing **** football and getting relegated but playing regularly in his preferred position vs playing as back up, most likely in defence but for a decent side that play good football. I can see it from both ways in fairness, although if I were a youngster playing under Hasenhuttl over Fat Sam would be be an easy choice.
Blimey Vookins out on loan really came from nowhere. We must be very confident we can get someone in otherwise that is so risky.
Maitland-Niles would be a good signing. Full back cover, can play on the wing and also fancies himself as a CM. So rather than sign three players we just get someone like him
Possibly not,but a good addition to the squad, I suppose the question we have to ask ourselves would you prefer him or Vokins on the bench(if that was the case)?