Snog, Marry, Avoid: Summer 2023 Transfer Window

[Dave Sutton's barnet]

Out of boredom (while waiting for the Dad's Taxi call) and interest (as nowt's visibly happening, which is frustrating but not as much as "WE ARE SIGNING THIS PLAYEohnohehasgoneaway"), I've had a very quick initial look at potential midfielders we might liberate from Champo squads. It's not the same as eyeing freebies, as there's a lot more pieces need to fall into place, but it doesn't take ludicrous leaps of logic to see moves that would make sense for player and both clubs.

I started with the three promoted clubs. Ipswich have strengthened midfield by signing Jack Taylor from Peterborough, which presumably pushes some or other promotion-winner closer to the Suffolk exit. It's unlikely to be Samy Morsy, Lee Evans, January signing Massimo Luongo or promising youngster Cameron Humphreys, but there's a couple of players who might be on our radar.

First is Pan Camara, the rangy 26-year-old that Plymouth reluctantly let go to Suffolk for £500,000 last summer. He had groin surgery in December and they want to send him on loan this season (and his contract's up next summer). Sheffield Wednesday are interested and he might prefer the higher level, but equally Ipswich might prefer he wasn't helping a rival.

Dominic Ball has been mentioned in despatches before, when he was looking to leave QPR. Ipswich snaffled him last summer on a two-year deal but he ripped his meniscus in November. Turning 28 in August, the Spurs academy grad is a six-footer perhaps most at home as defensive midfielder but can also play centre-back or full-back - which would make him fill that MJ hole.

Sheffield Wednesday are yet to strengthen, but they surely will. When they do, it might not be to the advantage of Tyreeq Bakinson, a powerful midfielder previously eyed by Ghost among others. Last season he was usually season he was usually on the bench. Unless new manager Xisco Munoz thinks he was unfairly treated, you imagine post-promotion squad strengthening would only push him closer to the door. Out of contract next summer, and at 24 years old has plenty of resale value.

Plymouth are also being careful in the transfer market – but then they said they would, almost proudly insisting their expenditure would be the lowest in their new division. (They have, however, signed on a free Conor Hazard, the young Celtic keeper whom very attentive forum-watchers may recall Ghost suggested would be good for us.) You get the feeling Argyle might keep most players close in case they get relegated, and they've already released Danny Mayor and Conor Grant; but if they do get bodies through the door, it might free up players like Scouse attacking mid Callum Wright (23), Adam Randell (a defensive midfielder versatile enough to be wing-back), last summer's Wanderers target Matt Butcher or maybe triple-promoted Chelsea graduate Jordan Houghton.

So there's players out there. We just have to wait and see, and god isn't it irksome?

[BWFC_Insane]

https://www.theboltonnews.co.uk/sport/2 ... h-verdict/

[GhostoftheBok]

Scott Banks has been linked with Stockport this morning. That's one we were supposedly looking at, so it'll be interesting to see if he ends up there. Wand of a left, but doesn't fancy his right much. Was likely further down our list as although he's played 10 he's mostly featured off the wing.

[GhostoftheBok]

Some rumours have been knocking about on various Aberdeen socials and forums about Declan John, starting about a week ago. It's reached a point where a couple of journos up there have shown an interest, but there's no actual reportage at this stage.

Might be worth speculating a bit on whether Evatt's 5 upper limit would include another option on the left.

I was working on the basis it would probably be RWB, 3 different kinds of midfielder and another in attack; but you never know.

[Worthy4England]

I guess it comes down to whether 4/5 light was about total numbers...I don't think many would be convinced by 5 in, 3 out...but sure he might get away with John as it's fairly evidently not been a match blessed by the gods.

[sonicthewhite]

I think John and Sads both need to go as they're not fully invested in to the Club or Evattball. Just my opinion. So we'd need another two in through the door unless we carry them through to Jan.

[Worthy4England]

Yes, Sonic, think it's fairly clear that there's a mismatch. I'm fairly stunned Dec is still with us, because he's been in the departure lounge for maybe 4 windows.

[GhostoftheBok]

Dec and Sads were both "off it" yesterday in terms of being arsed to get the system right. That was probably noted by the staff. Talented lads, but this is professional football and the professional part was lacking for me yesterday.

They can't leave unless replaced, though. If we replace those two man for man and then add 3 more I don't think we can complain much about numbers.

You'd imagine we'd fancy the mid who can play centre back, a pure mid and a lad who can play 8/10/false-9.

So in terms of recent names Flick, Baccus and Shoretire types. Hopefully with the odd goal in there.

[Worthy4England]

Think we've both said wouldn't be entirely surprised to see Shortire return. But also think he might be another "tough sell" until he can more obviously handle mens game...

[BWFC_Insane]

I agree that ideally both would be sold on and replaced with better fits for us. I think we’ve right now though got quite a lot on our plates as it is.

It makes me smile that if you had Dougie or Meggo for example freezing our players like Sadlier and John for their lack of defensive work you’d hear the Reebok boos from here. Indeed there’d be half a dozen cheerleaders on here complaining.

I do think it’s time for both to move on but I do hope we find players who can be a bit unpredictable at times and have that ability on the ball. I agree that we are in danger of becoming too ‘one note’.

[TANGODANCER]

I do think it’s time for both to move on but I do hope we find players who can be a bit unpredictable at times and have that ability on the ball. I agree that we are in danger of becoming too ‘one note’.

Just my opinion, but football itself seems to be have become stat-automated -by the manual- as a whole. Everything is predictable and, all too often predicted. We need a couple of free rangers of the Kevin de Bruyne, Jack Grealish variety. I'm fully away they don't come from Green shield stamp acquisition, but a team setting up to block etc, shows predictability of their opponents where they should be guessing, not predicting.
Bolton tend to fit this pattern right now.

[Harry Genshaw]

It makes me smile that if you had Dougie or Meggo for example freezing our players like Sadlier and John for their lack of defensive work you’d hear the Reebok boos from here. Indeed there’d be half a dozen cheerleaders on here complaining.

Dougie was a complete charlatan, why on earth would anyone trust his judgement on a player?!

Sadlier scored a few match winners in his first month's with us but is clearly surplus to Evatts requirements. Evatt's earned the trust imo to make such decisions.

[Bertie Wooster]

I've said it before under Evatt's current system we are robotic, for whatever reason he doesn't appear to like flair players. Forward players need to work as hard defending as they do attacking. I also think that's one of the reasons why we don't score enough goals, as sometimes the forward players are actually glorified midfielders as they are so busy tracking back when we go forward we don't have enough players in the box or in forward positions.

Skilful players with individuality & flair do not appear to be favoured by Evatt - I honestly hope he changes his mind and recruits 1 or 2 to get fans off their seats, but it just doesn't appear to be his style.

[Worthy4England]

I've said it before under Evatt's current system we are robotic, for whatever reason he doesn't appear to like flair players. Forward players need to work as hard defending as they do attacking. I also think that's one of the reasons why we don't score enough goals, as sometimes the forward players are actually glorified midfielders as they are so busy tracking back when we go forward we don't have enough players in the box or in forward positions.

Skilful players with individuality & flair do not appear to be favoured by Evatt - I honestly hope he changes his mind and recruits 1 or 2 to get fans off their seats, but it just doesn't appear to be his style.

I'd struggle to disagree with this, outside of our "number focussed" sports scientists, Bertie. We have something generally called "the watermelon" in IT. All the key "stats" show everything is green, but to an end user it feels shit...they lose sight of "outcome" because all the shit below it, all checks out as perfect...

[GhostoftheBok]

I'm not convinced Evatt doesn't favour flair players. He has signed flair players and he's tried to sign more. He had Rooney and others at Barrow.

He's definitely a "system first" coach, but he clearly understands the need for skill and creativity. As Sam would have said, talent doesn't get you a pass on hard work.

Getting those flair players in League One is another issue entirely. As has been noted before, players who can run all day AND have technical flair don't usually have to slum it.

Some fall through the gaps, though. It's those chaps we need.

Evatt loved Dapo. He chased Sadlier for ages. He wanted Fossey to come in permanently. He just tried to sign Kane Wilson. He clearly wants these kinds of lads in the building who offer unpredictability and creativity in the final third.

At the minute we are all potatoes and no beef. That'll need to change.

[BWFC_Insane]

I'm not convinced Evatt doesn't favour flair players. He has signed flair players and he's tried to sign more. He had Rooney and others at Barrow.

He's definitely a "system first" coach, but he clearly understands the need for skill and creativity. As Sam would have said, talent doesn't get you a pass on hard work.

Getting those flair players in League One is another issue entirely. As has been noted before, players who can run all day AND have technical flair don't usually have to slum it.

Some fall through the gaps, though. It's those chaps we need.

Evatt loved Dapo. He chased Sadlier for ages. He wanted Fossey to come in permanently. He just tried to sign Kane Wilson. He clearly wants these kinds of lads in the building who offer unpredictability and creativity in the final third.

At the minute we are all potatoes and no beef. That'll need to change.

The thing Sam learned is that you can get those unbelievable players and they will still work for you if the environment is right. But you have to make sure they are maximised to deliver. It’s no good sticking them where they aren’t effective.

I think Evatt wants flair players but the places we can use them in this system are either up front maybe wing back and attacking mid.

But wing back and midfield roles aren’t free hits. You can’t really accommodate just anyone. They need to pull their weight in various ways.

It’s why I’m a bit disappointed that our strikers are a bit one note.

[GhostoftheBok]

The thing Sam learned is that you can get those unbelievable players and they will still work for you if the environment is right. But you have to make sure they are maximised to deliver. It’s no good sticking them where they aren’t effective.

I think Evatt wants flair players but the places we can use them in this system are either up front maybe wing back and attacking mid.

But wing back and midfield roles aren’t free hits. You can’t really accommodate just anyone. They need to pull their weight in various ways.

It’s why I’m a bit disappointed that our strikers are a bit one note.

Well, that kills my dream of a flair centre back.

[BWFC_Insane]

The thing Sam learned is that you can get those unbelievable players and they will still work for you if the environment is right. But you have to make sure they are maximised to deliver. It’s no good sticking them where they aren’t effective.

I think Evatt wants flair players but the places we can use them in this system are either up front maybe wing back and attacking mid.

But wing back and midfield roles aren’t free hits. You can’t really accommodate just anyone. They need to pull their weight in various ways.

It’s why I’m a bit disappointed that our strikers are a bit one note.

Well, that kills my dream of a flair centre back.

My TLDR is that most flair players play across the front three or behind a striker nowadays. Those roles we don’t have.

[GhostoftheBok]

My TLDR is that most flair players play across the front three or behind a striker nowadays. Those roles we don’t have.

TLDR? Hmm...ok.

Flair is needed out wide and at 8/10 in our system, at times in preseason we have played a front 4 or 5. Our wing backs play in-line with the two strikers and a mid pushes up.

[BWFC_Insane]

My TLDR is that most flair players play across the front three or behind a striker nowadays. Those roles we don’t have.

TLDR? Hmm...ok.

Flair is needed out wide and at 8/10 in our system, at times in preseason we have played a front 4 or 5. Our wing backs play in-line with the two strikers and a mid pushes up.

I'm thinking of the sort of 'flair' players we've had in relatively recent times...

For me they'd be Zach at his best, Sammy Ameobi, Mark Davies....

I'm probably missing some but for me those were the sorts who could make you feel like they were about to do something exciting. When on form.

Could I see them fitting into our system under Evatt? No. Bar maybe Mark Davies as a number 10 - but Davies was at his best not in that role....