Deal or no deal? - Summer 2022 Transfer gossip!

[Prufrock]

I thought we needed a CB and to replace Baptiste as well. We've signed Iredale who you'd think would bump Aimson down, and be fighting Johnstone, and Baps barely played second half of the season.

I'd like the other centre back to be another potential first teamer. But I can see how it budgets don't allow for that we might just want cover. Not ideal, but it could be priorities. My argument then I guess would be - should not that be for a potential B-teamer?

We can think of it as a one-in, one-out thing – but in that case we need to replace Gordon too. It's slightly more complicated than that because we're hiring versatile players - eg Iredale replaces Gordon but also Baps; arguably Sadlier was bought in case Dapo leaves, but he also sort of covers wing-back (even though you're clear he isn't very good at the defensive side of it); Dempsey was probably bought as a 10 but looks much better as an 8; etc.

I don't think our squad lacks numbers, but if it lacks them anywhere it's at the back. Clearly we want to be able to play a back three (as an option) but in terms of centre-backs we've only got Santos, Aimson, Johnston and Iredale, with Gethin guesting. Working on two per position, that's not enough. (Arguably you could draft in Williams, but I doubt it.)

More obviously, while we would presumably seize quality wherever we can find it, it seems clear to me that the defence is the main area for improvement. If we spend most of our summer budget on two centre-backs who improve us, then so be it. If we're eyeing promotion, it doesn't seem to make much sense to only make one upgrade to the worst unit.

I broadly agree. It's pretty high up my own priorities list, and I explained yesterday why I'd want us to be aiming for someone to come and push Geth I'm just playing devil's advocate as we don't know the budgets.

If it's a back 3 I don't think Geth is guesting as a centre back, I think that's where he'll play, with (we assume) Fossey and Sadlier and maybe Izzy (though I think he'll go) fighting for the wing back spot. So we'd have 5 "centre backs" (though I suspect Iredale is part of the cover for LWB and he can't play twice). That's borderline, but given the option to go to a normal back 4 with Fossey RB if things got right, they might be opting for AN Other body who can cover the right side but isn't expecting to play much.

I understand the concerns on that as the defence is the biggest weakness, but I can see it.

[sonicthewhite]

I think Evatt will be looking for a right sided version of Iredale AND possibly another CB who can push Santos in the middle of the defence.

[GhostoftheBok]

they might be opting for AN Other body who can cover the right side but isn't expecting to play much.

I understand the concerns on that as the defence is the biggest weakness, but I can see it.

I think my question then is, given the fact we'll have a B squad, what's the point?

Why throw a wage at a lad who doesn't improve us and isn't expected to play when we should have 2-3 lads in the Bs who can do the same job of "maybe good enough"?

If we're basically chancing it on quality I think I'd rather chance it with (for arguments sake) an 18-to-20-year-old who didn't make the cut at Southampton vs a 28-year-old who couldn't get a starting birth in any other League One side.

If the B team serves any purpose at all it's that.

[Prufrock]

I agree

I thought we needed a CB and to replace Baptiste as well. We've signed Iredale who you'd think would bump Aimson down, and be fighting Johnstone, and Baps barely played second half of the season.

I'd like the other centre back to be another potential first teamer. But I can see how it budgets don't allow for that we might just want cover. Not ideal, but it could be priorities. My argument then I guess would be - should not that be for a potential B-teamer?

[GhostoftheBok]

I agree

I knew I liked you.

[Dave Sutton's barnet]

The thing to bear in mind with the (laudable) idea of "promoting the Bs" is that they may have to be named on the EFL list, unless they were born on/after 1.1.2001. Assuming the same rules as last season, we're allowed 22 overage outfielders.

CB (5): Jones, Santos, Aimson, Johnston, Iredale
WB (2?): (Fossey?), John
CM (5): MJ, Lee, Sheehan, Dempsey, Morley
WA (4): Isgrove, Kachunga, Sadlier, Darcy
CF (4): Baka, Bod, Dapo, Charles

If we assume/hope we sign Fossey or at least an alternative, that would give us 20 overage outfielders (plus Thomo, still underage for one last season). So we'd then have two slots left - possibly three if Darcy's shunted out.

It's not impossible, and I don't know what the rules are for promoting from within – it could be that the EFL will allow clubs to add their contracted players after the deadline (there was some talk, for example, of Sheffield Wednesday being able to do this with their on-loan winger Shodipo this spring, although that was more about recovery from injury). But it's something we would have to check. If there's no such exemption, then basically the B-team players born before 1.1.01 have until that first deadline day to break into the squad.

[Worthy4England]

Can we cut down the million and one perms a sec?

Who is first pick, where for a 3 (and the two WB's), and for a 4? I'm getting lost.

For me the three would be Fossey, Jones, Santos, Iredale, John and the 4 would be Jones, Santos, Iredale, John. Understanding that we could use either Aimson or Johnston somewhere in those perms..Or is the suggestion that Johnston is better bet in one of them than Iredale?

[Prufrock]

Take the point but 2 overage outfield players per position is a lot at this level, especially when we now have versatility between systems. And even that would leave you two more spots to 22.

Putting it this way, I'd be very very surprised if we finished this window with 10 defenders (6xCB +4xFB) as well as Sadlier and Isgrove. I'm not *that* worried about running out of room. I think we'll be expecting several players to be cover for several positions.

Even now, if say if the gun forward became available I think we'd try to move Isgrove or Kacha on, just from a happy squad size perspective, rather than registration issues. And I v much doubt Darcy will be registered unless we happen to have a space.

I know we bumped up against numbers last year but that was mainly due to churn of lots of players not up to it, I'm hoping we don't need to see that this summer!

[boltonboris]

I think Evatt will be looking for a right sided version of Iredale AND possibly another CB who can push Santos in the middle of the defence.

If he signs Fossey, then Jones will play there. If he doesn't, then Aimson will most likely play there, or we'll play a back 4

I don't think a right sided version of Iredale is a priority, but then, I didn't think a left sided version was either!

[Dave Sutton's barnet]

I think Evatt will be looking for a right sided version of Iredale AND possibly another CB who can push Santos in the middle of the defence.

If he signs Fossey, then Jones will play there. If he doesn't, then Aimson will most likely play there, or we'll play a back 4

I don't think a right sided version of Iredale is a priority, but then, I didn't think a left sided version was either!

Interesting - what was your priority, then?

Meanwhile...
GILLINGHAM release nine, spearheaded by 10-goal target man Vadaine Oliver. Also defenders Ryan Jackson, Christian Maghoma and young Harvey Lintott, crocked ex-Tranmere/Salford winger Danny Lloyd, ageing winger Mustapha Carayol and unfortunately-named young forward Gerald Sithole.

Two interesting names also released. One is ex-Millwall midfielder Ben Thompson, who was certainly mentioned on here in January - can't recall if he was "linked" or if it was just Ghost admiring him. And if you cast your mind slightly further back, you might dimly recall that in summer 2020, when Evatt arrived, I named Aaron Chapman on a list of free-transfer goalkeepers who looked useful with the ball at their feet - see below.

They have offered new deals to young'uns Jack Tucker, Bailey Akehurst and Josh Chambers, although these may be deals offered to leverage transfer fees should they go - especially Tucker.

Couple of things I've dug up on some names above

Aaron Chapman, the guy released by Peterborough, is a crossbar-threatening 6ft 7in tall. Or 6ft 8in, depending which site you believe. And if you think that's odd, I've seen his birthplace listed as London, Rotherham and Birmingham. Oh and in 2017/18 he won the Fourth Division title (and Golden Gloves award for clean sheets) with Accy. Didn't realise that before, so now he's jumped up my list a little. (He was first-choice for Posh the following season, but lost his place to new signing Christy Pym last summer.) No mention of his ability with his feet but upon signing him for Posh, Steve Evans said "his distribution is excellent". Here's he, with his best saves of the season before last and (in the last 30 seconds) a couple of nice little touches with his boots:

[Prufrock]

Can we cut down the million and one perms a sec?

Who is first pick, where for a 3 (and the two WB's), and for a 4? I'm getting lost.

For me the three would be Fossey, Jones, Santos, Iredale, John and the 4 would be Jones, Santos, Iredale, John. Understanding that we could use either Aimson or Johnston somewhere in those perms..Or is the suggestion that Johnston is better bet in one of them than Iredale?

I'd agree with those, with Johnstone pushing Iredale and John hard. Aimson as cover. And I'd throw Sadlier in the mix too. If Fossey gets injured (surely not!) I think we're more likely to see Sadlier in a wonky 5 than Gethin move to WB.

[Prufrock]

I think Evatt will be looking for a right sided version of Iredale AND possibly another CB who can push Santos in the middle of the defence.

If he signs Fossey, then Jones will play there. If he doesn't, then Aimson will most likely play there, or we'll play a back 4

I don't think a right sided version of Iredale is a priority, but then, I didn't think a left sided version was either!

Interesting - what was your priority, then?

Meanwhile...
GILLINGHAM release nine, spearheaded by 10-goal target man Vadaine Oliver. Also defenders Ryan Jackson, Christian Maghoma and young Harvey Lintott, crocked ex-Tranmere/Salford winger Danny Lloyd, ageing winger Mustapha Carayol and unfortunately-named young forward Gerald Sithole.

Two interesting names also released. One is ex-Millwall midfielder Ben Thompson, who was certainly mentioned on here in January - can't recall if he was "linked" or if it was just Ghost admiring him. And if you cast your mind slightly further back, you might dimly recall that in summer 2020, when Evatt arrived, I named Aaron Chapman on a list of free-transfer goalkeepers who looked useful with the ball at their feet - see below.

They have offered new deals to young'uns Jack Tucker, Bailey Akehurst and Josh Chambers, although these may be deals offered to leverage transfer fees should they go - especially Tucker.

Couple of things I've dug up on some names above

Aaron Chapman, the guy released by Peterborough, is a crossbar-threatening 6ft 7in tall. Or 6ft 8in, depending which site you believe. And if you think that's odd, I've seen his birthplace listed as London, Rotherham and Birmingham. Oh and in 2017/18 he won the Fourth Division title (and Golden Gloves award for clean sheets) with Accy. Didn't realise that before, so now he's jumped up my list a little. (He was first-choice for Posh the following season, but lost his place to new signing Christy Pym last summer.) No mention of his ability with his feet but upon signing him for Posh, Steve Evans said "his distribution is excellent". Here's he, with his best saves of the season before last and (in the last 30 seconds) a couple of nice little touches with his boots:

Did he play at their place against us? Their keeper was giant either way.

I remember noticing him as being either good or bad, but can't remember which. Happy to help

[boltonboris]

I think Evatt will be looking for a right sided version of Iredale AND possibly another CB who can push Santos in the middle of the defence.

If he signs Fossey, then Jones will play there. If he doesn't, then Aimson will most likely play there, or we'll play a back 4

I don't think a right sided version of Iredale is a priority, but then, I didn't think a left sided version was either!

Interesting - what was your priority, then?

I just thought he'd go for a 'normal' centre back, seeing as John & Johnson can both play left back / wing back

I'm delighted with Ireldale's signing mind and once it was done, it made total sense, but I'm nit sure we'd be in the market for one on each side, as we do have options already on the right (not forgetting the fact that Evatt likes Adam Senior, too)

[GhostoftheBok]

then basically the B-team players born before 1.1.01 have until that first deadline day to break into the squad.

Which is why I think anyone who isn't player-coaching should be 20 or under.

Personal take rather than gospel, but I think all of them should have that fire under them every day in training that they might get a go in the senior team if they impress.

[brommers95]

Of our defensive players only Santos and Aimson are close to being sufficiently strong aerially and that’s a fix that is needed. Iredale may help a bit too.

Iredale should help considerably. If you look at his aerial duel win %age - helpfully, on another of Brommers' blogs (the one about left-backs) - it's up in the high-80s percentile for the Third Division (although maybe Brommers can explain whether this is compared to all D3 players, or left-backs).

FWIW I agree that right now, only Santos and Aimson give me the belief they can win a header. I don't get that sense from Gethin, which means he's part of the problem. He brings an awful lot to the team, but none of them are "set piece impregnability".

On holiday atm so got a lot to catch up on but yes Iredale’s ‘Aerial Duel Win %’ percentile rank is just compared with other L1 LB/LWBs.

Re Platt, I would have to watch more of his games to see why his defensive duel win % is comparatively low compared to other L2 CBs. Important to note that the Wyscout stats aren’t the be all and end all, more of an indication - for example a defender who shepherds the attacker away from goal but doesn’t win the ball, wouldn’t necessarily be credited with ‘winning’ the defensive duel. But that figure would also concern me slightly DSB if Platt does sign.

The Platt signing makes sense due to the Evatt link but I’m not sure there’s much more in the rumours than a post on Barrow’s forum. FWIW I think Platt would be a fairly low risk signing - more of a backup with a view to possibly becoming a regular starter if all goes well.

[Dave Sutton's barnet]

Did he play at their place against us? Their keeper was giant either way.

I remember noticing him as being either good or bad, but can't remember which. Happy to help

Ha! He did. We had nine efforts on target and the ones he didn't save were Morley's howitzer plus two close-range stabs from Dec and Bod. He also, not that this is important to a scout, quickly notified the ref when some fella in the away end had a medical emergency. No idea if he's any good generally, I just remember him from a couple of summers ago.

I just thought he'd go for a 'normal' centre back, seeing as John & Johnson can both play left back / wing back

I'm delighted with Ireldale's signing mind and once it was done, it made total sense, but I'm nit sure we'd be in the market for one on each side, as we do have options already on the right (not forgetting the fact that Evatt likes Adam Senior, too)

Does Evatt think Senior's a senior player, though? Or a centre-back at all? True, maybe he's a hybrid...

then basically the B-team players born before 1.1.01 have until that first deadline day to break into the squad.

Which is why I think anyone who isn't player-coaching should be 20 or under.

Personal take rather than gospel, but I think all of them should have that fire under them every day in training that they might get a go in the senior team if they impress.

Yeah, all fine, but I don't think we should ignore a potentially brilliant player born on 31.12.00. He would just have to bide his time - get in the squad in January - that's if we don't have space anyway; if we have enough versatile first-teamers, we could keep one or two spaces open for any overagers who impress.


Brommers: Cheers. Enjoy your holibobs. When you get back, do us some comparative stats

[Bruce Rioja]

PETERBOROUGH release three players and put five on the transfer list.

Mark Beevers (stop it),

We could wheel him out to get on the end of set pieces

[sonicthewhite]

PETERBOROUGH release three players and put five on the transfer list.

Mark Beevers (stop it),

We could wheel him out to get on the end of set pieces

Get the Beever out

[GhostoftheBok]

Yeah, all fine, but I don't think we should ignore a potentially brilliant player born on 31.12.00. He would just have to bide his time - get in the squad in January - that's if we don't have space anyway; if we have enough versatile first-teamers, we could keep one or two spaces open for any overagers who impress.


Brommers: Cheers. Enjoy your holibobs. When you get back, do us some comparative stats

I think my counter would be that a potentially brilliant older lad would probably be on first team money and have other offers, so that sort is generally one you need to take a risk on in the first team set up. Not always, and I could imagine exceptions.

What I could see is an older player who has had a bad injury and other clubs won't touch being given a go in the B team to prove his fitness. Lads like that often fall out of the game, but sometimes show up later at non-league level and play their way back into league football.

[Bruce Rioja]

PETERBOROUGH release three players and put five on the transfer list.

Mark Beevers (stop it),

We could wheel him out to get on the end of set pieces

Get the Beever out

And position him next to Danny Shittu