Who opened the door? My money is on Janus! 2024 January transfer thread.

[officer_dibble]

What are the thoughts on Matheson stepping up as the RWB after weds? I’m still undecided. Some good moments going forward but he worried me defensively.

[Worthy4England]

What are the thoughts on Matheson stepping up as the RWB after weds? I’m still undecided. Some good moments going forward but he worried me defensively.

Not ready for me, but I thought acquitted himself well vs the other side of the pitch...

[Mar]

On the face of it, we've pretty much got two players per each position, but I wouldn't be able to say we've got effective cover in terms of job roles. For instance, I wouldn't expect us to have adequate coverage for Dion's level of closing down the opposition.

Oddly enough, at the moment I think the one most likely to be able to cover Charles' position is the one that starts alongside him, whereas I see Bod and Jerome most likely to be able to cover Adeboyejo's role. That's what happens when we lose N'lundulu I guess. Maybe CMG can cover that, but he's also away on national duty.

As for defenders, it would seem we're short a couple, for now:
Williams, Toal, Santos, Forrester, JDC, Iredale, Ashworth, Matheson

Sure we've got Jones and Johnston to come back, but they're both a while away so a covering defender for their absence should be worth it. Another Mbete style deal is probably suitable, last time we had to rely upon Mbete and MJ Williams as much as we did, but I never thought that was the plan, just more of an unfortunate consequence.

As for wingbacks, I doubt we'll make a move in that area. We've got Williams, JDC, Iredale, Ashworth and Matheson. That should be sufficient coverage, but not necessarily the level we desire. Matheson and Ashworth have proved capable but a little nervous, Iredale is likely to be mixing his time between CB and LB. Bringing additional cover in might be the step up we need, but I think we're likely to wait for the right man, rather than bringing someone in just to add to the numbers.

[GhostoftheBok]

What are the thoughts on Matheson stepping up as the RWB after weds? I’m still undecided. Some good moments going forward but he worried me defensively.

Not ready for me, but I thought acquitted himself well vs the other side of the pitch...

Matheson's issues are mostly about his size. He's tiny. Not just short, but also lacks muscle mass. Dempsey is also a small lad, but he's built like a tank. He got bullied. Lovely technique at times, mind you.

I was also frustrated with Ashworth. He put in some good crosses, but he was lazy. I get it's his first start for ages, but he didn't make his recovery runs and he expected other players to cover his man way too often. You make the yards and if you fall down you fall down. I'm not having anyone waltz around. Who does he think he is, Declan John? Generally he was alright, in terms of his tactical approach and work rate out of possession (pressing, etc) - he just gave up trying to run back. Conor Bradley he was not.

There was a telling moment with Ashworth in the first half. The ball fell loose next to him and he just sort of looked at it. Iredale stormed past him, picked up the ball and ran down the left with it. Ashworth's job all day long, but Iredale was clearly making a point to the youngster.

[Mar]

Pretty much hit the nail on the head there Ghost.

Good when attacking. Out of sorts defending (late on). Needs work as its a tough ask that WB role. The demands are incredibly high, but if you're going to compete for that place then they'll have to do the hard yards. For Williams and JDC its pretty much second nature now, but for Ashworth and Matheson it seems like thats the bit that needs the work.

Perhaps thats why Evatt left them on the pitch, to gauge how adequate the cover was in those departments. One injury to the wingbacks and the drop off would likely affect our system.

[Worthy4England]

What are the thoughts on Matheson stepping up as the RWB after weds? I’m still undecided. Some good moments going forward but he worried me defensively.

Not ready for me, but I thought acquitted himself well vs the other side of the pitch...

Matheson's issues are mostly about his size. He's tiny. Not just short, but also lacks muscle mass. Dempsey is also a small lad, but he's built like a tank. He got bullied. Lovely technique at times, mind you.

I was also frustrated with Ashworth. He put in some good crosses, but he was lazy. I get it's his first start for ages, but he didn't make his recovery runs and he expected other players to cover his man way too often. You make the yards and if you fall down you fall down. I'm not having anyone waltz around. Who does he think he is, Declan John? Generally he was alright, in terms of his tactical approach and work rate out of possession (pressing, etc) - he just gave up trying to run back. Conor Bradley he was not.

There was a telling moment with Ashworth in the first half. The ball fell loose next to him and he just sort of looked at it. Iredale stormed past him, picked up the ball and ran down the left with it. Ashworth's job all day long, but Iredale was clearly making a point to the youngster.

Yes to all of the above - put much more eloquently, than my meagre offering!

[TANGODANCER]

Not sure what level we're looking at with Matheson and Ashworth yet. Both are in the stepping up class, but not really there yet. I think we need a little better right now if we're thinking promotion. Might be a bit soon to be judging. Only time will tell.

[BWFC_Insane]

What are the thoughts on Matheson stepping up as the RWB after weds? I’m still undecided. Some good moments going forward but he worried me defensively.

Not ready for me, but I thought acquitted himself well vs the other side of the pitch...

Matheson's issues are mostly about his size. He's tiny. Not just short, but also lacks muscle mass. Dempsey is also a small lad, but he's built like a tank. He got bullied. Lovely technique at times, mind you.

I was also frustrated with Ashworth. He put in some good crosses, but he was lazy. I get it's his first start for ages, but he didn't make his recovery runs and he expected other players to cover his man way too often. You make the yards and if you fall down you fall down. I'm not having anyone waltz around. Who does he think he is, Declan John? Generally he was alright, in terms of his tactical approach and work rate out of possession (pressing, etc) - he just gave up trying to run back. Conor Bradley he was not.

There was a telling moment with Ashworth in the first half. The ball fell loose next to him and he just sort of looked at it. Iredale stormed past him, picked up the ball and ran down the left with it. Ashworth's job all day long, but Iredale was clearly making a point to the youngster.

Maybe. But I think wing back in our system requires a specific set of skills. Ashworth may very well be unable or unwilling to learn them. But on top I’m simply not convinced that he has the right physical attributes.

The stamina and pace and recovery and running power. Iredale doesn’t either and whilst he’s a trier he simply doesn’t and never will have those wing back skills - it’s not his build or natural game. He can do a job.

But that’s my issue in that these are specialised roles we can’t live without long term short of a system change. I don’t think we could ask Matheson or Ashworth to for example cover for the last month of the season in critical games. So we need to do something about it.

[GhostoftheBok]

Maybe. But I think wing back in our system requires a specific set of skills. Ashworth may very well be unable or unwilling to learn them. But on top I’m simply not convinced that he has the right physical attributes.

The stamina and pace and recovery and running power. Iredale doesn’t either and whilst he’s a trier he simply doesn’t and never will have those wing back skills - it’s not his build or natural game. He can do a job.

But that’s my issue in that these are specialised roles we can’t live without long term short of a system change. I don’t think we could ask Matheson or Ashworth to for example cover for the last month of the season in critical games. So we need to do something about it.

"He can do a job" is the point, though. Evatt has said that's what we are going for.

Getting everything in one package is hard, so we've split the skillset between two players.

We then have wide centre backs who offer even more depth.

I think we could ask Ashworth to cover the last month, so long as we give him some football. There was nothing fundamentally wrong with what he offered at Accy and his side wasn't a massive weakness, he was just blowing out of his arse far too soon. We've seen him bomb up and down for Burton, so he can do it. If Evatt won't play him then he needs to go back, but there's no indication we've got any intention of sending him anywhere. That should mean we see him start games to get that match fitness into him.

On the right I'd like to see us do something, yeah. Matheson isn't in "the first team plan" as it existed in the summer. However, he does prove the worth of the B Team. He stepped in against Accy and gave us a good performance, when "the plan" was two players down - Jones on international duty and not-Wilson having never arrived.

For a team that can't live without an overhaul in key roles we seem to be doing very well. Everything is currently working exactly how the manager said it should and we're 2nd (with two games in hand) whilst advancing in two cups.

The "Department of Redundancy Department" that is wide centre backs who can play wingback AND a B Team has kicked in and carried us forward. Rock on, Mr Evatt

[BWFC_Insane]

Maybe. But I think wing back in our system requires a specific set of skills. Ashworth may very well be unable or unwilling to learn them. But on top I’m simply not convinced that he has the right physical attributes.

The stamina and pace and recovery and running power. Iredale doesn’t either and whilst he’s a trier he simply doesn’t and never will have those wing back skills - it’s not his build or natural game. He can do a job.

But that’s my issue in that these are specialised roles we can’t live without long term short of a system change. I don’t think we could ask Matheson or Ashworth to for example cover for the last month of the season in critical games. So we need to do something about it.

"He can do a job" is the point, though. Evatt has said that's what we are going for.

Getting everything in one package is hard, so we've split the skillset between two players.

We then have wide centre backs who offer even more depth.

I think we could ask Ashworth to cover the last month, so long as we give him some football. There was nothing fundamentally wrong with what he offered at Accy and his side wasn't a massive weakness, he was just blowing out of his arse far too soon. We've seen him bomb up and down for Burton, so he can do it. If Evatt won't play him then he needs to go back, but there's no indication we've got any intention of sending him anywhere. That should mean we see him start games to get that match fitness into him.

On the right I'd like to see us do something, yeah. Matheson isn't in "the first team plan" as it existed in the summer. However, he does prove the worth of the B Team. He stepped in against Accy and gave us a good performance, when "the plan" was two players down - Jones on international duty and not-Wilson having never arrived.

For a team that can't live without an overhaul in key roles we seem to be doing very well. Everything is currently working exactly how the manager said it should and we're 2nd (with two games in hand) whilst advancing in two cups.

The "Department of Redundancy Department" that is wide centre backs who can play wingback AND a B Team has kicked in and carried us forward. Rock on, Mr Evatt

I somehow forgot to finish the sentence. I meant to say ‘he can do a job in a game here or there but wouldn’t fancy an extended run of him at wing back’.

[GhostoftheBok]

Idris El Mizouni, who has his future "clarified" to interested clubs recently, apparently played very well today.

Anyone catch the game?

[Dave Sutton's barnet]

Idris El Mizouni, who has his future "clarified" to interested clubs recently, apparently played very well today.

Anyone catch the game?

Could you clarify the clarification?

Meanwhile, Nixon is saying Burton Albion would let Cole Stockton go on loan to a club who pays his wages in full; he cites Charlton, Stevenage and Oldham(!) as interested.

Stockton turns 30 in March and although Evatt has been an admirer – especially around Stockton's wonder season of 2021/22, when he bagged 23 in 44 - I assume we would no longer be interested in someone who's goalless in 10 League One games this season and also only scored 4 in his first 37 League One games last season before a curious burst of 7 in 4 games as Morecambe were relegated...

...but then again, a loan might fill a gap...

...personally I'm against it but others might be for it, and if it's Stockton or nowt...

(alright I'm ill and bored)

[GhostoftheBok]

Could you clarify the clarification?

No, other than that Ipswich have informed interested parties of the asking price and dismissed some offers to take over his loan move.

Past that I don't know any particulars. I only know that much because Barnsley were interested and now are not. My neighbour and I were chatting about it (he works over there).

I also bumped into someone involved at Morecambe last night (almost literally, in a local shop) who said Adam Mayor is trying to get out of there this month - with our name being one of the ones mentioned. I don't think that makes a lot of sense for us in January, but I suppose our hand could be forced if he were to look to move somewhere else and we'd planned to have a go in the summer

[sonicthewhite]

Could you clarify the clarification?

No, other than that Ipswich have informed interested parties of the asking price and dismissed some offers to take over his loan move.

Past that I don't know any particulars. I only know that much because Barnsley were interested and now are not. My neighbour and I were chatting about it (he works over there).

I also bumped into someone involved at Morecambe last night (almost literally, in a local shop) who said Adam Mayor is trying to get out of there this month - with our name being one of the ones mentioned. I don't think that makes a lot of sense for us in January, but I suppose our hand could be forced if he were to look to move somewhere else and we'd planned to have a go in the summer

Having no idea who Adam Mayor is, except what I found on Transfermarket, and if we were interested, would he be signed as a forward or a left winger who might be able to be converted to a LWB? Or given his age both lol?

[GhostoftheBok]

Having no idea who Adam Mayor is, except what I found on Transfermarket, and if we were interested, would he be signed as a forward or a left winger who might be able to be converted to a LWB? Or given his age both lol?

Pure assumption would be he'd fit us as a wingback, but I'd be surprised if we were actively in for him. As I say, it was literally just "Oh, it's you" in a shop.

Evatt has said recently that we are in for a couple, but I have no clue who they are. I'd like to see us sign Mayor, I think he's a talent; but I'd not have had him on my list of likely lads for this window.

[Worthy4England]

Happens more often than you think, nip out for 20 Woodbines and a nodding acquaintance in the shop for tripe and cowheel says "Alright mate, I hear your in for Adam Mayor from Morecambe."

[GhostoftheBok]

Happens more often than you think, nip out for 20 Woodbines and a nodding acquaintance in the shop for tripe and cowheel says "Alright mate, I hear your in for Adam Mayor from Morecambe."

Ha. Fair enough. Take it or leave it. Not like we have much else to go on at the minute, though.

[Worthy4England]

Happens more often than you think, nip out for 20 Woodbines and a nodding acquaintance in the shop for tripe and cowheel says "Alright mate, I hear your in for Adam Mayor from Morecambe."

Ha. Fair enough. Take it or leave it. Not like we have much else to go on at the minute, though.

Wasn't doubting the veracity, at all, mate. Just how unlikely that I'd bump into a neighbour with similar Intel.

[brommers95]

Idris El Mizouni, who has his future "clarified" to interested clubs recently, apparently played very well today.

Anyone catch the game?

Could you clarify the clarification?

Meanwhile, Nixon is saying Burton Albion would let Cole Stockton go on loan to a club who pays his wages in full; he cites Charlton, Stevenage and Oldham(!) as interested.

Stockton turns 30 in March and although Evatt has been an admirer – especially around Stockton's wonder season of 2021/22, when he bagged 23 in 44 - I assume we would no longer be interested in someone who's goalless in 10 League One games this season and also only scored 4 in his first 37 League One games last season before a curious burst of 7 in 4 games as Morecambe were relegated...

...but then again, a loan might fill a gap...

...personally I'm against it but others might be for it, and if it's Stockton or nowt...

(alright I'm ill and bored)

I was thinking the same a few days ago. It is risky as he comes across as a bit of a tit and that might ruin the squad chemistry Evatt’s worked hard to build, but he does have a record of goals at this level and getting a proven goal scorer in is hard enough in summer let alone in January.

A loan would mean a nice clean break at the end of the season - both parties could shake hands at the end of the loan and happily go their separate ways, us after a few ‘Cole goals’ have helped us to promotion and him after raising his profile for a summer move.

I have read he’s on £7k a week at Burton though, so not sure who’s going to cough up 100% of those wages…

[GhostoftheBok]

I was thinking the same a few days ago. It is risky as he comes across as a bit of a tit and that might ruin the squad chemistry Evatt’s worked hard to build, but he does have a record of goals at this level and getting a proven goal scorer in is hard enough in summer let alone in January.

A loan would mean a nice clean break at the end of the season - both parties could shake hands at the end of the loan and happily go their separate ways, us after a few ‘Cole goals’ have helped us to promotion and him after raising his profile for a summer move.

I have read he’s on £7k a week at Burton though, so not sure who’s going to cough up 100% of those wages…

Stockton would struggle to do it in our system on the regular, but as one of Evatt's "finishers" I could see it.

We know Evatt rates him as a player.

Heard worse ideas.

However, he doesn't solve any actual issues. The Cheltenham game put the pace thing into stark relief. They held a line almost on halfway and we had the job of running in behind to try and beat the press...we absolutely couldn't do it.

Dempsey, Vic and Charles were the three options. One dropped off and two stretched. The ball went over the top and if we could catch it their defenders were on us, if it went beyond the range of the defence we lacked the pace to beat their keeper to it. Tactically they were there for the taking, but we simply didn't have the pace. We lost the ball and it came right back at us.

When we got down the flanks on transition the central players couldn't get into the box in time for the cross, so the wide men had to cut back and wait.

One quick player and teams like that are toast by half time.

Give Evatt some quality pace and we'll win this division in slippers with a fag on. Maybe CMG has enough in his legs to offer that, but I think we need another.