I see we've let a few of our youngsters go out, either on loan, or permanent. Currently, out the door is.. Out Patterson - Loan to NZ. From what i've seen of him playing for NZ, i've never rated him George Fowler - Permanent to Aldershot Downes - Loan to Luton. Now this one surprises me, with the length of our midfield injury list. Was one of our better players at the start of the season In Gleeson - will be an ok squad player Kai Brown - 16yr old from Grays. Has been getting rave reviews from the non league voices Barry Cotter - 19yr old RB from Ireland. Could be anything, but does look like Neymar (LOL) Carter-Vickers - CB loan Drinan - 19yr old striker permanent Looking likely Carayol - 6m contract from Forrest. I do remember him a few years back smashing them in for Boro from a wide position, so if fit, could be a decent move. Have i missed anyone? Will update if any more happen
Flynn Downes to Luton is a strange one. I would have preferred for him to get first team football here, but I guess regular football at a table-topping side isn't a bad compromise. If he impresses and comes back with more confidence, especially after playing his part in a a potential promotion winning side, then that can only be viewed as a positive. Monty Patterson and George Fowler do not appear to have cut the mustard here, so it's only right we let them go (Patteron's contract expires in the summer and unlikely to be renewed). I don't really know too much about Mustapha Carayol, but the fact we have signed him for free, on a provisional six month contract, sums up our short term, cheap transfer window policy this month. This is either a sign of McCarthy not being here for the long haul or further proof that Evans is not loosening the purse strings and looking to save more money. Maybe it's both, come to think of it. Either way, Carayol helps us as we are lacking options out wide, particularly with David McGoldrick's struggles out on the right wing and Grant Ward being played more as a central midfielder because of injuries.
Know quite a lot re Carayol due to living in Bristol / seeing him at the Gas several times be it league 2. On his day he'll be superb, very low risk good signing this. Direct / pacy - trouble final ball...... Downes loan will do him the world of good - too many niggly injuries to really let him settle. If he's good enough at Luton, he'll push on. Let us not forget his age, and the fact he came back last summer in sensational shape. He wasn't even at that point being thought about playing at all this season - but his performances / fitness were so surprisingly good that Mick and co had no choice. Go on lad, tear up league 2.
