I’d agree we need a cover RB, obviously we do have Huggins who covers both sides and is 2-3 months out. We have to remember he is over the recurring injury and the new one was just bad fortune. Huggins is close to the best players in the squad. Triantis for me showed enough to be kept here and around the bench, there’s a real player in there. If that’s the back up, there are several who could slot into first 11 not as the whole group and be way better: It’s not at all dark for me we have a lot of talent. Supposedly the Cirkin ‘recurring’ injury has been fettled. He is the best LB in league fit on form and he loves playing. Hard to get a backup.
One thing to consider, is that we actively recruit players who can be utilised in multiple positions, this is not an accident. Pembele is a good example of recruiting a player who can only really play in one position, RB in this example, he couldn't cut it at LB and so was only really eligible for RB, trouble is Trai Hume is ahead of him. This is a sure fire way to sew dissent and unhappiness in the squad. Players like Aji (LB, CB), Mundle (RW, LW), Seelt (CB, RB) and Browne (DM, CM, AMC) are good examples of the direction we're moving in. The old idea of a single position specialist is more of a luxury. Edit:: Having multiple positions gives the player in question more than one outlet to get into the team.
Some harsh comments about some of the performances last night, good minutes for Rigg, Ekwah & Mundle & Adil all of who can make an impact on the 1st team. Some of the younger lads did struggle but they were up against big powerful experienced championship players, the only way they will improve is to gain this kind of experience and the cup games are the times to give them it. I understand the negativity around Ba, he just hasnt progressed the way we hoped he would and looks to have stagnated, the lad needs a run of games so a loan could help but I would look to try and recoup some money from a sale. There are others that need games and will be loaned out, thats why Le-Bris played them last night in my opinion just to confirm his thoughts.
A side from the striker situation I still think the recruitment team have done a decent job effectively replacing from scratch a decimated youth system, non existent 2nd string and a 1st team that was wallowing in League 1. Last night did show we are far behind competing at the top level but theres still players there that could come on or have developed slower than originally expected. Still huge amount of work to do but still feel we are going in the right direction just maybe not as quick as the fan base demands at times.
There must be some good young full backs knocking about in League 1 or 2. Lads who wouldn't expect to come in and start here but would jump at the chance to step up.
Look at what we have spent, and the squad we had 3 years back, and the value, and the recruitment has been magnificent. Just a goal scorer would be a game changer. Then it would be quite staggering work if we had a goal scorer on top.
I think this is fair, but I see it a little differently. In my opinion we have built an unbalanced squad. We seem to have an abundance of wide attacking players (Clarkd, Roberts, Mundle, Ba, Poveda, Watson, Bennette). Arguably we have 2 too many. Yet we have 1 legitimate full back cover and he is long term injured. I dont see Seelt, Alese, Hjelde as full backs in the mould we need. I also think picking up full backs would be possible, if they are of the right mindset. Players will often back themselves to earn a place in the team. My caveat on all of this is Pembele. I know he was long term injured but I dont blame the club for thinking he would be ready to challenge Hume this season.
Many of us, including me, thought Pembele was a real coup. A borderline wow pickup. Can’t blame the club for it not working out.
Go and look at our reserves (u23) in the League One era. We were picking up lads released from Hartlepool, Wrexham and Guiseley. Complete and utter sea change.
If we were to sign a right back this month, is that issue we have in the wing position not going to be the same at right back next summer? Next summer we'd have Hume, Huggins, Pembele and a new signing. We definitely need to sign a fullback I just worry that we'll struggle to sign one good enough to play in the championship if they know they are backup.
Hume, Pembele, Huggins (inj), Seelt (inj), O'Nien and Zak Johnson can all function at RB. I think even if Pembele goes we're unlikely to replace him, unless it's a young lad to go into the u21s.
Ballard and Rigg were massive statements but Jacky would be another level. Rigg may have a higher ceiling than Jacky but in the here and now folk outside would look at that and think ‘they mean business’. Would attract other players. Not just the intent but ‘what are they doing up there that everyone wants to stay?’ We haven’t had a player try push his way out for years.
Potentially mate yes. But then it also comes down to readiness to sell. At the minute I suspect the club would have to turn down big money for Hume. If we had the right lad ready to go, less so. In the wide positions now we seem to have this abundance of players but if we sold Clarke I doubt any of our existing options would be his replacemant. It would be a case of buying a replacement. It is an evolution for the club and I just think getting smarter at the quality buys, not the quantity, is the next step for us.
Not in our new system, for me anyway. Huggins would be the only one who could give us that quality option of joinging the wide triangle with Browne and Roberts. I might be proven wrong on Seelt, but he looks an out and out CB to me. Johnson the same.
