There is an option for an extra year in Batth's contract according to transfermarkt, but doesn't specify the terms of it (for Sorensen and Forshaw, it's the club's option to extend an extra year). Giannoulis and McCallum are the other two meaningful players with contracts up in 2024, so we have no senior LBs contracted beyond the summer. Were we to be a club run proactively, I wouldn't be totally surprised to see movement there by the end of January? My gut feeling is Giannoulis won't re-sign for another championship season, and despite a good performance recently, I don't think McCallum is a good enough LB for a promotion campaign. So I wouldn't be surprised to see Giannoulis move on for whatever fee we can get, and a new LB come in. The new signing can be compared to McCallum for the rest of the season, and then a decision can be made later on if the new signing is first choice and McCalllum re-signing as backup, of if we still need a first choice LB in the summer. (Giannoulis re-signing would be much simpler of course, if possible). Given the upheaval at the top of the club, I'm curious if they feel like they're in a position to invest in the squad in January, or whether they hold off til the summer.
Placheta’s contract is also due to expire, another option at left back would be gone. Gianoulis has been one of our better performers this season so I’d like to see him stay unless he gets a better offer. McCallum has also been good when we’ve seen him and at 23 he could be a starter or an understudy option. I really like Sorensen when I’ve seen him play and I believe he would be a decent defensive midfield regular for us however he has had some really bad luck with injuries and covid, I don’t know whether the club will risk another contract.
Wagner mentioned in his press conference that there has already been enquiries for our players, I think he mentioned loans as well. I wonder who that could be - Springett would be one for me in desperate need of a loan, Placheta may be looking for a loan to find a new club. With our team almost back to full fitness does Warner go out and get half a season of experience in senior football so that he can come back and stake a claim to start next season. What about Gibbs? He’s now 4th choice CM and with Forshaw and Sorensen coming back to fitness does he offer anything that they don’t. Could be useful for him to get half a season of regular football somewhere too.
If the target this season remains promotion (and recent club statements confirm that it is), then, despite our superfluity of wide players, I think we need someone with more Sainz-like productivity on loan to replace Hernandez.
Apparently we've been linked with a 19 year old midfielder from Aldershot Josh Stokes, who has taken the National League like a duck to water and is commanding interest from other championship clubs. Has netted 12 goals in 24 games for the Shots.
Now in South Korea helping the police with their inquiries. Seems we will be without him for some time? Shankland (Hearts) looks like a striker in form: pity we can’t get him even with Sargent fit again.
Apparently Dundee United's Lewis O’Donnell, 18, "has caught the eye on loan at Kelty Hearts in Scottish League One over recent times". Burnley and Watford are also interested.
Rumours on X that after a massive bust up after the Millwall game and being left out of the squad against Saints that Barnes will be leaving the club.
Hwang's loan has been cut short and he returns to parent club. Perhaps his problems in South Korea are bigger than is being reported. Hope we bring another striker in!
I've just seen Hull have brought Fabio Carvalho in on loan from Liverpool - that will make for a difficult game at the weekend!
Aboh and Reyes have been nominated for PL2 player of the month for December: https://www.canaries.co.uk/content/aboh-and-reyes-nominated-for-pl2-player-of-the-month Aboh is only 19, without that much experience. Perhaps we could get a young striker on loan to replace Hwang's loan?
Indeed, I was going to make a post about this, but you've beaten me He's a player who (was) top end championship and lower end prem. The exact type of player we should be aiming for whether on loan or permanent (i.e. pre-Liverpool signature). Instead we get radio silence from Colney HQ, are we to expect Azeez Beloso from Arsenal on loan until June as a lastminute.com window signing? (Marquinhos is already at Nantes)
I am sure I read somewhere in the last few days that Arsenal have recalled him from that loan. It may be my imagination of course.
