Just listened to the Adkins post match interview. Here are the flash bangs; 13 players unavailable for selection for one reason or another. Poor 1st half with players underperforming. Initial formation left the game far too open. Lallana in for minor criticism for the 1st half as he was supposed to give more width to the side but kept wanting to get involved in the centre of the pitch. Words said at half time and formation changed with players given specific roles and we produced a much better performance Holmes & Forte did not feature because like Dickson there immediate futures could lie elsewhere Kris Commons is unlikely to happen No to Nathan Delfonso on loan We are trying our best to get in players whether they be on loan or a major signing to give us the best opportunity to win the division. Our fantastic hard work for the 1st half of the season has given us a tremendous opportunity to get into the premier league.
Shame if Holmes goes, always liked him but he need to get regular football if he is to progress. I've always thought from the little I've seen of Forte he has been underated and could definitly be a good league one player but at the moment not up to our standards, will always be remebered for those two MK Dons goals if he does leave.
"13 players unavailable for selection for one reason or another." I don't understand,do you mean for next week's game?
Adkins was talking about available for selection. That will include squad players that he may not have picked anyway. He also included a couple who will be shipped out in this window..didn't want them injured or cup-tied.
Guly,Fonte,Richardson,Butterfield,Chaplow,Lambert...Ah I see,it was mainly the reserve players that were out.
Richardson, Fonte, Barnard, Lambert, Guly, Jaidi, Seaborne, De Ridder, Chaplow, Butterfield, Connolly - all 1st teamers just about when fit so, add Holmes & Forte to the list and you have 13
Why would you add Holmes and Forte to the list? They weren't part of the 13 unavailable for selection, as they were selected.
Adkins hinted they were moving on and didnt want to risk them in his post match interview hence why they didnt come on the pitch
I think the fact that it appears Forte and Holmes will be loaned out (even maybe even sold) just strengthens the fact that more signings look likely. Along with Dickson, they basically haven't featured at all this season any way - so new additions would just put even further distance between themselves and the first XI. If Adkins has said that they're both still part of his plans, I wouldn't be as confident as I am about some new faces in the next three weeks.
Adkins was shifty about Lee's work permit. Interviewer said you don't want to seem to be putting pressure on about it then. Obviously a very sensitive issue.
Martin also was cagey - said something along lines of "of course he hasn't actually trained with us as he doesn't have a permit, he just watches" (complete paraphrase)
