January 2022 Transfer Thread

[BWFC_Insane]

If we assess Kachunga as a signing and one Evatt mentioned as being a top target I’d say that I’m not overly enthused. Good sort. Works hard but struggling to see what he adds. And whilst a false choice we turned down McClean saying he wasn’t what we wanted but he’s a better player than Elias. And would offer us something we don’t have that direct pace and running from out wide.

[officer_dibble]

To take this back to the thread topic. If it turns out we have signed Morley, what else (aside from our desperate need for Darren Pratley) do people think we need to either survive or thrive in this league?

Charles, Fossey, Morley and Xav (who is essentially a new signing due to fitness) would have been added. Waddaya want?

With all due respect to Morley I'd personally rather we sign Adrian Morley the ex rugby player as this team needs some leaders and some steel in the team, not another young midfielder with potential. Regardless of how talented this young Morley is really do need a combative midfielder (who we could make captain) to make this team tick, someone in central midfield who would battle, tackle, fight, lead and then let the likes of Dapo, Ameachi go and play.

Btw dibs I've also had a few.

Give us the keys to Sharon’s purse whilst she’s off for a quick pray, we’ll sort this shower if shite out!

[GhostoftheBok]

What type of player does he need to bring in to start playing Evatt ball successfully ?

Breaking it down and dealing with the transfer thread bit, I'll use that horrible phrase "system players" again.

Evatt's system is breaking down for a number of reasons and they all add up to make us crap.

If teams are good at the high press they can press us all day, because we've no pace in behind centrally. If teams are good at defending deep they can frustrate us, because we can't break the lines through the middle. If teams go open against us attack vs attack then they often win, because we can't finish. If teams go defensive we often lose, because we make silly individual errors at the back.

Obviously, that's a fecking disaster. It's not something you need magic to fix, though. It's something like a 3-4 player job, because the actual coached bits are not that far off and we've some decent players.

You need a lad up top who can pin defenders back, because they're scared he'll run them. You need a lad deeper in midfield who can pass and carry to split lines, as well as cover MJ to protect the back four. You need a lad at 10 who can draw markers to himself and reliably deal with that pressure (that's your genuine technician), as well as pop up with goals. You then need to either bring in a couple of bodies at the back or get the back four settled and organised. A commanding keeper would be lovely, but you know...

[Bertie Wooster]

What type of player does he need to bring in to start playing Evatt ball successfully ?

Breaking it down and dealing with the transfer thread bit, I'll use that horrible phrase "system players" again.

Evatt's system is breaking down for a number of reasons and they all add up to make us crap.

If teams are good at the high press they can press us all day, because we've no pace in behind centrally. If teams are good at defending deep they can frustrate us, because we can't break the lines through the middle. If teams go open against us attack vs attack then they often win, because we can't finish. If teams go defensive we often lose, because we make silly individual errors at the back.

Obviously, that's a fecking disaster. It's not something you need magic to fix, though. It's something like a 3-4 player job, because the actual coached bits are not that far off and we've some decent players.

You need a lad up top who can pin defenders back, because they're scared he'll run them. You need a lad deeper in midfield who can pass and carry to split lines, as well as cover MJ to protect the back four. You need a lad at 10 who can draw markers to himself and reliably deal with that pressure (that's your genuine technician), as well as pop up with goals. You then need to either bring in a couple of bodies at the back or get the back four settled and organised. A commanding keeper would be lovely, but you know...

Do you think Evatt agrees with you & is targeting these type of players to make his system work ?, because I don't.

[GhostoftheBok]

To do a final thing with the Pratley bit....it's in that "split the lines vertically" position you'd desperately love a player of Prat's physicality. Someone who is hard to knock-off the ball and can give you want the Yanks call "field position."

Bakinson signed a new deal after he patched things up with his gaffer, so it's not going to be him.

[GhostoftheBok]

Do you think Evatt agrees with you & is targeting these type of players to make his system work ?, because I don't.

Not sure I can answer that, mate.

Purely on opinion, yes and no. I think the manager has to strike a balance between getting the right sorts in for his system and trying to make money in the market as a selling club.

I think lads like Morley, Dapo, Johnston etc are all designed to be sold on, not just to win us games.

Some players will be compromises between points and profits.

Again, though, guessing.

[KeyserSoze]

Do you know what I’ve had a few beers and I’m struggling with the intensity of the argument. Have we re-signed Darren pratley?

We all agreed via priivate messages to fake this discussion to wind up Pruf.

You need to get on the tim ream bandwagon for a full Pru meltdown.

[GhostoftheBok]

You need to get on the tim ream bandwagon for a full Pru meltdown.

Funniest part about that is that Tim would walk into Evatt's side even at 34. Playing regularly for Fulham. Great example of a player who is shocking in one system and really good in another. Lovely bloke, too.

[Prufrock]

Do you know what I’ve had a few beers and I’m struggling with the intensity of the argument. Have we re-signed Darren pratley?

We all agreed via priivate messages to fake this discussion to wind up Pruf.

You need to get on the tim ream bandwagon for a full Pru meltdown.

Throw in David N'Gog for free too, if you want.

What's the football equivalent of Stockholm syndrome? It's like baby boomers nostalgic for the second world war except, unlike them, we all actually lived through Pratley. The world's first defensive attacking midfielder. The anti-Pirlo.

[Dave Sutton's barnet]

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.

I cannot confirm that we or anyone has bid for Morley, but I can confirm that he was not in today's Rochdale matchday squad, despite having started eight of their last nine games (and 24 out of 30 over the season).

Iles "links" Barnsley, Hull, Pompey and Shrewsbury (whom he says have bid £150k), so it may be far from a shoo-in. However, locality might help us, as might our relevant positional depth, or rather lack thereof: I don't think Evatt would have to cross his fingers behind his back while promising regular first-team football sharpish.

[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.

I cannot confirm that we or anyone has bid for Morley, but I can confirm that he was not in today's Rochdale matchday squad, despite having started eight of their last nine games (and 24 out of 30 over the season).

About 2 mins in, DSB...

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Ypdjt_G2Yl0

[Dave Sutton's barnet]

Updated Aaron Morley stats per 90 minutes, with divisional rankings among centre-mids and defensive centre-mids with at least 5 apps:

1st for key passes (ie chance-creation) with 2.6 per game
4th for total passes attempted per game (56.7)
5th for accurate long passes (4.6),
10th for accurate short passes (37.7)
2nd for completed crosses (1.
5th for completed corners (1.4)

And for the record, he and MJ started 22 Rochdale games together, including two wins against us: their 5-2 League Cup shellacking of our sorry arses at Spotland and the subsequent 3-1 win at the UniBok (although MJ was subbed on the hour when we were winning 1-0…)

[Dave Sutton's barnet]

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.

I cannot confirm that we or anyone has bid for Morley, but I can confirm that he was not in today's Rochdale matchday squad, despite having started eight of their last nine games (and 24 out of 30 over the season).

About 2 mins in, DSB...

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Ypdjt_G2Yl0

Yep, interesting - in case y'all can't watch that, Dale manager Robbie Stockdale confirms that two players were left off today's teamsheet (the game was postponed at 2.30pm due to waterlogged pitch) because the club have accepted "good bids" for them. He doesn't name who they are, but it's a fair assumption that it's Morley and Blackpool-linked forward Jake (son of Paul) Beesley, who's scored 12 in 26 for them this season.

Also, slight amendment to what I wrote - he's started eight of their last 10. Just, y'know, accuracy.

[Worthy4England]

I'm confused now. Can I have a new CB or not?

[Dave Sutton's barnet]

I'm confused now. Can I have a new CB or not?

As long as he's called Darren. Paging Mr Peacock.

[GhostoftheBok]

I'm confused now. Can I have a new CB or not?

Have you eaten all your broccoli?

[GhostoftheBok]

Updated Aaron Morley stats per 90 minutes, with divisional rankings among centre-mids and defensive centre-mids with at least 5 apps:

1st for key passes (ie chance-creation) with 2.6 per game
4th for total passes attempted per game (56.7)
5th for accurate long passes (4.6),
10th for accurate short passes (37.7)
2nd for completed crosses (1.
5th for completed corners (1.4)

And for the record, he and MJ started 22 Rochdale games together, including two wins against us: their 5-2 League Cup shellacking of our sorry arses at Spotland and the subsequent 3-1 win at the UniBok (although MJ was subbed on the hour when we were winning 1-0…)

Anything on his set piece delivery, DSB?

[GhostoftheBok]

Just as an aside, regarding complaints about signings and records and such. Answering honestly, how many people would have complained if we'd signed Ross Stewart in the summer?

[Worthy4England]

I'm confused now. Can I have a new CB or not?

Have you eaten all your broccoli?

Pfft. I did tactical broccoli and sent it out wide on the side of the plate, moving the beef into the middle...

[officer_dibble]

If we are in for this Morley lad he’s signing for us…it’s Bolton fecking wanderers we are massive!