January 2022 Transfer Thread

[Dave Sutton's barnet]

Iles reports we're interesting in signing Aaron Morley from Rochdale.

I did a bit on this lad, earlier in this thread or its predecessor. Will look to dig it out.

[BWFC_Insane]

Oh I’m quite sure at some point the question will be asked as to why we need to keep going into the market to replace players we already signed. Absolutely. That’s up to the owners to decide.

Having played in the league doesn’t mean you aren’t naive in the make up of a team needed to do well. We see the teams at the top and all of them without question are more physical and stronger than we are. So clearly that’s something we’ve neglected. Like last season when we had no presence in midfield and MJ came in and changed it.

You always seem to assume that Evatt hasn't seen the need of something, rather than that thing not being available within our budgets in the market at the time.

I don't think Evatt has suddenly realised League One is vastly different than he thought. I do think we are able to now spend some money on the kinds of players we couldn't get in the summer.

Do you imagine we were hanging on to Tutte and the like because Evatt thought they'd be top class options in League One?

I strongly dispute we couldn’t have signed some big powerful midfield players and some defenders who can defend. Of course we could. We might have had to sacrifice some other features to their game. But that’s it. We need balance in the team. If you are playing Sheehan he needs a couple of minders. If you are playing attacking full backs then your centre backs need to be rock solid.

I completely dispute the notion that we couldn’t have these players. Like last summer the balance went too far one way and we’ve been found out wanting in terms of physicality. So the balance needs rectifying. Everyone who watches us knows it. First principle if you can’t compete you are second best. So balance the squad out with some physical specimens who might not be as good at football as some others and give the others more leeway to play. And don’t pretend that is some sort of impossibility. Because it’s an essential.

If you cannot afford Kante or Viera or Gundogan you find a balance in midfield that incorporates their abilities across three rather than in one player. And we only have MJ with any physicality. So we need more. And then other players will have more ability to play.

[GhostoftheBok]

Honestly, this is getting a bit pointless.

If you think we'd be a better side playing the way Evatt does with "big lads" who can't kick a ball straight over 10 yards then fair enough.

The players who did best for us last season were all decent on the ball for the level. Some were also physically handy, but the constant was the ability to play a bit.

We do need more physicality. We can't sacrifice the ability to play football, though, as it'll break down everything Evatt has been trying to build for 18 months.

As I've said before. If you want that, you want a new manager. "I back Evatt, but he needs to stop playing Evattball" isn't coherent, given who he is.

If he could have signed powerful athletes who were good on the ball in the summer they'd be here.

[Prufrock]

There's a lot of weight being put on a particular set of words for me, Jeff.

[GhostoftheBok]

Rochdale's boss has confirmed bids have been accepted bids for two players he left out of his squad today.

One is reported to be Morley.

[BWFC_Insane]

Honestly, this is getting a bit pointless.

If you think we'd be a better side playing the way Evatt does with "big lads" who can't kick a ball straight over 10 yards then fair enough.

The players who did best for us last season were all decent on the ball for the level. Some were also physically handy, but the constant was the ability to play a bit.

We do need more physicality. We can't sacrifice the ability to play football, though, as it'll break down everything Evatt has been trying to build for 18 months.

As I've said before. If you want that, you want a new manager. "I back Evatt, but he needs to stop playing Evattball" isn't coherent, given who he is.

If he could have signed powerful athletes who were good on the ball in the summer they'd be here.

Sorry but I think this is complete and utter nonsense designed to try and paint a false picture to rationalise some clearly weaker decisions.


Every side needs a balance no matter who. If you can’t sign the attributes required in a single player you have to balance it out across the squad more. You won’t get out of league one unless you can deal with teams like Rotherham or Wigan or Plymouth or any number of teams away on a wet pitch with the wind blowing a gale. That means there are times you need more physicality in your team. And if it must then that comes at the expense of other stuff in order to compete in those scenarios.

Because no team will go up out of league one only being able to do one thing. No matter how well they can do it.

There is no suggestion that a big lad can’t kick straight is there? Or even that they need to be big. Just physically more capable. We saw a very clear example of this in our last league one promotion. As things went off the rails we had Pratley return to fitness and we went and physically dominated promotion rivals Fleetwood. Pratley a big athletic presence who wasn’t an amazing footballer but added to our midfield and allowed Morais the space and protection to put crosses onto heads.

Pratley could pass ten yards and balanced our midfield out.

We need a younger version of Pratley or similar types rather than more technically solid but physically limited players. Because we have plenty of good technique but little power or physicality. And inspite of what you may claim a balance is needed in this league and our results so far only confirm this.

[GhostoftheBok]

And inspite of what you may claim a balance is needed in this league and our results so far only confirm this.

Trouble is, I've never claimed otherwise.

I said in summer (and before) that we needed to add pace and power. I also said it would be extremely difficult to do so effectively.

Regardless of what you want to be true, Evatt's style of play absolutely does demand a certain level of ability with the ball at feet.

Every team wants footballing athletes. No manager looks at a player and thinks "He's too fast and strong for my style of play."

Players like that are very, very difficult to get, due to that demand.

We are much better off than we were last season. We have more pace and power in the squad now than last season. Baka, Kachunga, Charles and Amaechi all add to that, for example.

We need more, but you're acting like every player we have signed is Sheehan's build.

Just to be clear. Everyone agrees we should want more physicality. Everyone.

[Bertie Wooster]

Morley looks a decent size if the rumours are true ? and a decent midfield player.

Saying that I have never heard of him before today.

[GhostoftheBok]

Morley looks a decent size if the rumours are true ? and a decent midfield player.

Saying that I have never heard of him before today.

He and MJ have played together before, so if he does come in they should have a bit of an advantage over lads who've never met. Similar build to MJ as well, if memory serves.

[BWFC_Insane]

And inspite of what you may claim a balance is needed in this league and our results so far only confirm this.

Trouble is, I've never claimed otherwise.

I said in summer (and before) that we needed to add pace and power. I also said it would be extremely difficult to do so effectively.

Regardless of what you want to be true, Evatt's style of play absolutely does demand a certain level of ability with the ball at feet.

Every team wants footballing athletes. No manager looks at a player and thinks "He's too fast and strong for my style of play."

Players like that are very, very difficult to get, due to that demand.

We are much better off than we were last season. We have more pace and power in the squad now than last season. Baka, Kachunga, Charles and Amaechi all add to that, for example.

We need more, but you're acting like every player we have signed is Sheehan's build.

Just to be clear. Everyone agrees we should want more physicality. Everyone.

But not every player needs to be great on the ball. You must agree that Pratley of 2017 would walk into this side. And I’m not having we can’t sign some players like that to go alongside the Sheehans and Dapos and Ameachis. We need the grafters to let the more able lads play. Lee of course does that but it’s legs and age the issue.

[GhostoftheBok]

But not every player needs to be great on the ball. You must agree that Pratley of 2017 would walk into this side. And I’m not having we can’t sign some players like that to go alongside the Sheehans and Dapos and Ameachis. We need the grafters to let the more able lads play. Lee of course does that but it’s legs and age the issue.

This current side? Where we have no midfield? Yes.

Would he be on an Evatt targets list? No.

[nicholaldo]

But not every player needs to be great on the ball. You must agree that Pratley of 2017 would walk into this side. And I’m not having we can’t sign some players like that to go alongside the Sheehans and Dapos and Ameachis. We need the grafters to let the more able lads play. Lee of course does that but it’s legs and age the issue.

This current side? Where we have no midfield? Yes.

Would he be on an Evatt targets list? No.

Perhaps not, but I think it was intended as a comment on his ability (or rather qualities) as opposed to the likelihood of Evatt being interested.

[GhostoftheBok]

You and I can go back and forth on this and get nowhere, so let's stop.

If you want to see Pratley type players come in, you will be disappointed unless and until we get a new manager.

I think you're wrong to say the sorts of players you want would make Evatt's side tick, but that is irrelevant. Evatt is fairly obviously not looking at players like that. I think you also said at one stage we needed to go out and get a load of experienced players, but again that's not happening. We might get one, but our targets at the minute seem to be of an age where they retain resale value. If we pay a fee, we probably want it back with interest at some stage. We will look for more athleticism, but we won't sacrifice technical ability for it.

You're going to be continually aggravated and disappointed by this manager, which is a shame. Fortunately I think he's right, so hopefully you'll enjoy it if we do see an uptick in form.

I've had enough experience looking at managers in who's judgement I had no confidence - so I genuinely feel for you. Hopefully you are wrong about Evatt.

[nicholaldo]

Morley has played over a hundred matches in his career, seventy in the third tier. That bodes very well for a player of such (relative) young age.

[officer_dibble]

He must have played against us about fifteen times in the last couple of seasons and I still can’t remember him

[GhostoftheBok]

Perhaps not, but I think it was intended as a comment on his ability (or rather qualities) as opposed to the likelihood of Evatt being interested.

Sure, but Liam Trotter would also have played lately. Because, again, we've had no midfield.

I have time for Prats. Pleasant guy and contributed more than a lot of fans will admit. He's not an example of what this side needs, though and Evatt won't sign the type.

[nicholaldo]

Perhaps not, but I think it was intended as a comment on his ability (or rather qualities) as opposed to the likelihood of Evatt being interested.

Sure, but Liam Trotter would also have played lately. Because, again, we've had no midfield.

I have time for Prats. Pleasant guy and contributed more than a lot of fans will admit. He's not an example of what this side needs, though and Evatt won't sign the type.

No, he means he thinks he'd be capable of playing in our best starting eleven should the squad have a clean bill of health not the best starting eleven we could name tomorrow. It was a comment on what he think is required to properly compete at the top end of this league.

[GhostoftheBok]

No, he means he thinks he'd be capable of playing in our best starting eleven should the squad have a clean bill of health not the best starting eleven we could name tomorrow. It was a comment on what he think is required to properly compete at the top end of this league.

I know, which is why I said I don't agree with him and he will be disappointed by Evatt.

I understand what BWFCi is saying. That's why I don't agree with him.

If Darren Pratley strikes you as an ideal addition to this side, with what Evatt has said about how he wants to play, that's a bold call.

[Dave Sutton's barnet]

Aaron Morley: here's what I posted on Nov 1st, just before we played them (but not him, he was rested)

Bury-born Rochdale centre-mid, DOB 27-2-2000 (ie underage) but experienced for it: he played 44 League One games last season (3 goals, 6 assists) and all 15 this season. Contract is up in summer. Rochdale “fought off” a £150k bid from Shrewsbury in late August but with Dale marooned in mid-table he might want out, and we’d be a good next step.

Aye but what’s in it for us? He seems to be Quite Good. Per WhoScored, he’s 2nd in League 2 (among centre-mids with at least 5 apps) for passes per game (58.4), 4th for accurate long passes (5.1), 5th for accurate short passes (40.3). He’s 2nd for key passes (ie chance-creation) with 2.6 per game. Among the same centre-mids cohort he’s also put in the 2nd most completed crosses per game (2) and the 5th most completed corners (1.4). The fact he only has one assist can be put down to his mates, then. Scored a 94th-minute winner last week v Sutton.

Does the other stuff too: 3rd for interceptions with 1.9 per game, he also attempts 3.1 tackles per game (20th) - only wins 1.9 of them, like (33rd).

Seems a very Evatt sort of signing...

[nicholaldo]

No, he means he thinks he'd be capable of playing in our best starting eleven should the squad have a clean bill of health not the best starting eleven we could name tomorrow. It was a comment on what he think is required to properly compete at the top end of this league.

I know, which is why I said I don't agree with him and he will be disappointed by Evatt.

I understand what BWFCi is saying. That's why I don't agree with him.

If Darren Pratley strikes you as an ideal addition to this side, with what Evatt has said about how he wants to play, that's a bold call.

But he was essentially asking for your opinion as to whether he'd be capable of playing in our best starting eleven and you responded with "he wouldn't be on Evatt's target list". Again, perhaps he wouldn't, but that's a different matter.

I sometimes read your posts and wonder if you do, in fact, understand the argument against you quite as clearly as claimed (not a criticism, just an observation). At no stage have I read the posts in this thread today and thought any poster was asking for Evatt to sign big lumps who can't pass a football. It just seems such an exaggerated interpretation.

To be honest, I don't think the two of you are quite that far apart in your views.