Deal or no deal? - Summer 2022 Transfer gossip!

[Worthy4England]

If Fossey is off we want to be looking to convert a proper attacking player to wing back rather than signing a full back. I am concerned that Evatt doesn’t see that the wing back role needs specific characteristics. Sadlier for example is not one. Neither is Iredale. Ever. We need very specific types of a player.

Didn't we sign Fossey as a RB? Coz I'm fairly sure that's where we played him first couple of games...on the grounds there were plenty saying "he's no RB"...

Here's what the official site said...

"Fossey – a 23-year-old attack-minded right-back"

[GhostoftheBok]

To your point around we only know what we know, someone's going to be pretty pi$$ed off, if they thought they had all the terms agreed and verbally it was all "on"....

We'll never know, I suppose.

If he signs here this will have always been the destination of his heart and if he goes elsewhere it'll be that as soon as he heard about "club x" being interested it was a no-brainer. Everyone loves a cliche.

[GhostoftheBok]

For a manager who doesn't know what we need from a wing back he's picked out some decent ones.

[TANGODANCER]

To your point around we only know what we know, someone's going to be pretty pi$$ed off, if they thought they had all the terms agreed and verbally it was all "on"....

We'll never know, I suppose.

If he signs here this will have always been the destination of his heart and if he goes elsewhere it'll be that as soon as he heard about "club x" being interested it was a no-brainer. Everyone loves a cliche.

Loyalty v Money, no contest. I just hope it isn't an auction above our heads. Like lots I'll be bitterly disappointed if we lose out.

[irie Cee Bee]

Fossey definitely makes our Wing Back system work best, but there is always the risk that he would not come back because he was on loan. The same with Antonee Robinson who went to Wigan when we hoped to have signed him permanent. He has done very since then at Fulham. We also have Traff to be concerned about.

I am sure we have options as Fossey was never a done deal. Evatt and Markham knows how to find them, so fingers crossed that we find another "Fossey" if he signs somewhere else. Maybe someone can tell me which Championship sides play with a system like ours because Fossey is way less effective as a RB if they play in a 4.

[BWFC_Insane]

For a manager who doesn't know what we need from a wing back he's picked out some decent ones.

Fossey? Who else? John is a LB with good delivery whos better going forwards. I’m not convinced he’s an actual wing back but he does a job.

We haven’t as far as I recall had anyone else who is a bona fide it’s their actual position wing back.

And we’ve played a lot of people there who never ever should have been.

[The_Gun]

Fossey isn’t one to break the bank for given his injury record, so if he ends up in the Championship then no tears shed. Hopefully we’ve got some nice alternatives lined up.

[BWFC_Insane]

Fossey isn’t one to break the bank for given his injury record, so if he ends up in the Championship then no tears shed. Hopefully we’ve got some nice alternatives lined up.

Yep we are definitely going to be signing a championship level wing back if Fossey doesn’t sign…honestly his signing was a risk but anyone else we get will be worse and potentially completely break the point of a 3 at the back system.

He was unique in his abilities for the level we are at.

[GhostoftheBok]

Fossey? Who else? John

That's the fella. One of the most productive wingbacks in the division, despite carrying an injury. I'd say that for all the wingback theory going on here, just doing it on the pitch demonstrates that he can....er....do it.

[BWFC_Insane]

Fossey? Who else? John

That's the fella. One of the most productive wingbacks in the division, despite carrying an injury. I'd say that for all the wingback theory going on here, just doing it on the pitch demonstrates that he can....er....do it.

I mean he was signed to play LB and can’t defend brilliantly. I think he’s a decent enough player but you can’t have two like him in the side. It would be too pedestrian. The other wing back needs as an absolute must to be explosive. Not turn round. Otherwise we will lack that width high up the pitch Pru talks about.

[nicholaldo]

Fossey isn’t one to break the bank for given his injury record, so if he ends up in the Championship then no tears shed. Hopefully we’ve got some nice alternatives lined up.

Yep we are definitely going to be signing a championship level wing back if Fossey doesn’t sign…honestly his signing was a risk but anyone else we get will be worse and potentially completely break the point of a 3 at the back system.

He was unique in his abilities for the level we are at.

I think I remember similar claims being made about Kioso. Let's just see.

[Worthy4England]

And I'm fairly sure some folks said we couldn't play without Declan John...

[BWFC_Insane]

Fossey isn’t one to break the bank for given his injury record, so if he ends up in the Championship then no tears shed. Hopefully we’ve got some nice alternatives lined up.

Yep we are definitely going to be signing a championship level wing back if Fossey doesn’t sign…honestly his signing was a risk but anyone else we get will be worse and potentially completely break the point of a 3 at the back system.

He was unique in his abilities for the level we are at.

I think I remember similar claims being made about Kioso. Let's just see.

As Kioso left we found success switching to a back four.

I’m not convinced I trust Evatt recruiting to a back 3. He tried initially and it was a failure. Then he wasn’t actively looking to do that this winter but seemingly stumbled on it as it was clear it was far and away the best way to utilise Fossey. But we stumbled into it.

If he thinks Iredale for example is a wing back then I worry very seriously about whether he will get the ingredients right. We need a fast start and if we lose our main threat in the system elsewhere then I think a back four makes much more sense.

[irie Cee Bee]

The system works like a charm when Fossey plays.. pace, skill, his attacking and crossing ability. A class above L1. Will not find a like for like replacement, but yes, I would be happy with a replacement similar to Declan's ability.

[GhostoftheBok]

Evatt picked the system to the available players. John has proven to be an excellent wing back in League One.

Evatt recruited to a three at the back when we were throwing together a squad under embargo. If you think that means he can't recruit to a back three then fair enough.

I don't think we're recruiting to either a 3 or 4. We're recruiting to be able to play multiple systems, depending on the opponent.

My own opinion is that Evatt and Markham have shown they can recruit well and I'm surprised anyone feels differently at this point.

[Dave Sutton's barnet]

As Kioso left we found success switching to a back four.

I’m not convinced I trust Evatt recruiting to a back 3. He tried initially and it was a failure. Then he wasn’t actively looking to do that this winter but seemingly stumbled on it as it was clear it was far and away the best way to utilise Fossey. But we stumbled into it.

If he thinks Iredale for example is a wing back then I worry very seriously about whether he will get the ingredients right. We need a fast start and if we lose our main threat in the system elsewhere then I think a back four makes much more sense.

Strikes me, my dear man, you worry far too much about far too much.

Seems that you castigate half our potential wingbacks for not being good enough defensively, and half of them for not being good enough attackingly.

And while you're about it, you castigate the manager for switching systems to good effect last season, and for switching systems to good effect the season before.

I'm guessing your glass is never as much as half-full even when the meniscus brushes the ceiling.

[BWFC_Insane]

As Kioso left we found success switching to a back four.

I’m not convinced I trust Evatt recruiting to a back 3. He tried initially and it was a failure. Then he wasn’t actively looking to do that this winter but seemingly stumbled on it as it was clear it was far and away the best way to utilise Fossey. But we stumbled into it.

If he thinks Iredale for example is a wing back then I worry very seriously about whether he will get the ingredients right. We need a fast start and if we lose our main threat in the system elsewhere then I think a back four makes much more sense.

Strikes me, my dear man, you worry far too much about far too much.

Seems that you castigate half our potential wingbacks for not being good enough defensively, and half of them for not being good enough attackingly.

And while you're about it, you castigate the manager for switching systems to good effect last season, and for switching systems to good effect the season before.

I'm guessing your glass is never as much as half-full even when the meniscus brushes the ceiling.

We’ve had two seasons where mid way through we’ve changed systems.

I’d like to build to one system or another here. It’s fine to be flexible but I’d like to think we can start the season with players in their optimal positions.

As it stands we’ve nobody who is a right wing back as Isgrove isn’t fit for several months we are told. So a right wing back and cover is essential. Jones isn’t one. Neither is Sadlier. They can be considered emergencies only. On the left we only have John.

And my view is that generally whoever the manager is recruiting to a three at the back requires very specific specialisms at wing back roles especially but also your wide centre backs.

I think Jones and Iredale are good picks as wide centre halves in a back three.

But we need another left wing back, a specialist and two right wing backs. And we need the delicate balance in those positions that Fossey offered to avoid us being too often lacking in width and direct drive.

My point is that looks harder than necessarily picking up the ingredients for a back four if Fossey isn’t coming back. There aren’t that many natural wing backs and it means either converting someone or finding the right sort already established.

If Fossey isn’t coming back id be much more comfortable if we went to a back four. For the reasons above. And we know Evatt has had two seasons where we’ve rebuilt in January we aren’t in that position and if we want to win promotion it’s crucial we get it right from the start.

[Worthy4England]

Hmmm. One of my criticisms is that managers come in "with a system" that may or not reflect the squad's natural strengths...whereas they need initially to play to what they've got. I'd be disappointed if we didn't try to adapt based on who we have...

[The_Gun]

Fossey isn’t one to break the bank for given his injury record, so if he ends up in the Championship then no tears shed. Hopefully we’ve got some nice alternatives lined up.

Yep we are definitely going to be signing a championship level wing back if Fossey doesn’t sign…honestly his signing was a risk but anyone else we get will be worse and potentially completely break the point of a 3 at the back system.

He was unique in his abilities for the level we are at.

Fossey probably is a Championship level wing back, but I think you’re in danger of overrating him. Also, without wanting to be cruel, he’s potentially a permacrock. I’d be happy to get him back, but only for a modest fee, so if multiple Championship teams are getting involved and a bidding war is developing then we should definitely step back.

[BWFC_Insane]

Fossey isn’t one to break the bank for given his injury record, so if he ends up in the Championship then no tears shed. Hopefully we’ve got some nice alternatives lined up.

Yep we are definitely going to be signing a championship level wing back if Fossey doesn’t sign…honestly his signing was a risk but anyone else we get will be worse and potentially completely break the point of a 3 at the back system.

He was unique in his abilities for the level we are at.

Fossey probably is a Championship level wing back, but I think you’re in danger of overrating him. Also, without wanting to be cruel, he’s potentially a permacrock. I’d be happy to get him back, but only for a modest fee, so if multiple Championship teams are getting involved and a bidding war is developing then we should definitely step back.

In danger of overrating him? He was way above our level and the level of anyone else in this squad. Our only hope of getting him back is the fact he’s a risk injury wise. Otherwise no player at his level would be down here.