Thanks for sharing Nick.. sounds interesting! Big as in tall? or big as in known name? Or both? :D
I was discussing further possible signings with a few people the other day and I said I thought we needed another 4 permanent - a left footed attacking midfielder (who can play either centrally or out wide), a left footed defender (who can play left CB or left FB), a fox in the box type striker as a replacement for Cody Mac, and a big no nonsense defensive midfielder (as we don't know how fit or good Morris will be after spending the whole of last season out, and whom I think we need to be easing back into the team very slowly over the coming months, and would prefer to keep as a squad/back up player)..
If what you're saying comes to fruition, then I would have predicted 3 our of the 4 :17:
I am surprised some people think our midfield is ok as it is, and that we don't need anyone else in that area. Even though we had lots of midfield players last season, minus Dack (on a good day) and arguably Wright (when playing more advanced) I think it was one of the weakest midfields i've seen in a long time. Yes our defence was poor, but our midfield was a massive part of the problem and all round, just wasn't good or strong enough in most games.
Now that Bradley has been sold, Knott has gone to Lincoln, Osedebe released etc, we're left with Wright, Byrne, Hess, Morris, and Oldaker in the central positions. Martin can play in the hole and Wagstaff can play central right I know, but will both stay fit? And would they not be better utilised out wide. I personally would rather both be used as wide players, so that leaves five predominantly right footed players in the middle:
- Wright: Best of what we have left I think. OK defensively at times, but better used as an attacking midfielder I think (as his goals tally proved towards the end of the season once Ade gave him license to get forward)
- Byrne: Hard working but very inconsistent and small
- Hess: Shows glimpses of quality at times but also very inconsistent and gets caught flat footed fair to often defensively for my liking. Not up to league 1 standard in my opinion and should either be loaned out or sold.
- Morris: decent player, works hard, puts his foot in and breaks up play well, and good positionally. IF he gets back to full fitness and his injury hasn't taken away his edge, then all good, but I suspect that it will take him some time to reach full fitness/confidence etc, so better used as a squad player for the first half of the season I think
- Oldaker: Looks as though he could be decent, but is relatively untested and would better be to be sent out on loan to a league 2 club until Jan in my opinion
For me, we desperately need a big mobile defensive minded midfielder (preferably left footed or both) who is half decent at breaking up play and keeping possession, and an attack minded left sided midfield player (as a replacement for / preferably better than Knott).
That way then we'd have be more balanced, and would have more options tactically, both going forward and defensively.
Regardless of who else we sign, as long as we get through pre season without any major injuries this year, then I will be happy!