Feels like the transfer window is a bit of a failure now that we've not got Donley - Really hoped that we'd show some ambition this summer... Clearly not though
Think Knibbs will play in a hybrid 10/8 role, Berry did similar last year but Gilbert couldn’t quite master it positionally. Knibbs was basically doing it last season (albeit a bit further back) so seems a pretty natural fit
That was in addition to two engine room midfielders. A division up, I'm sure NJ will prioritise us being sold in midfield, especially in tough away games, so it'll be Knibbs as the most advanced of the 3 central midfielders.
Yeah that’s the point I was making, Knibbs will play a similar role to Berry with Coventry and Doc/JRC behind but he won’t be your classic luxury player style 10. He’ll be expected to track back and get stuck in
Feels like the transfer window is a bit of a failure now that we've not got Donley - Really hoped that we'd show some ambition this summer... Clearly not though
Think Knibbs will play in a hybrid 10/8 role, Berry did similar last year but Gilbert couldn’t quite master it positionally. Knibbs was basically doing it last season (albeit a bit further back) so seems a pretty natural fit
Knibbs is very versatile: The Man city midfielders all played hybrid roles and interchanged and when they were winning leagues and cups they interchanged with ease with KDB, Gundogan, Foden, Silva etc; they all played the 8, 10 and would drift wide if Grealish or Doku wasn't playing wide on the left. It seemed they took turns to support Haaland and arrive in the box. I'm sure we all agree, losing their defensive 6 or central midfielder in the impressive Rodri they looked more vulnerable. Rodri reads the game so well and city missed his protection of the defence on the counter attack.
Coventry as the 6 and Knibbs as the hybrid 8/10 will I believe be the first names down on the team sheet regarding midfielders. The rest we will have to wait and see what Nathan decides
All gone a bit quiet on Fukuda now... Have really enjoyed the recent influx of Japanese players into the EFL over the last season or so and would've loved Charlton to get in on the act! Does anyone think it'll still happen?
All gone a bit quiet on Fukuda now... Have really enjoyed the recent influx of Japanese players into the EFL over the last season or so and would've loved Charlton to get in on the act! Does anyone think it'll still happen?
We wanted a loan with an option to buy which to me always seemed odd when he is out of contract in January. Why was it reported we wanted to buy. Doesn’t make sense. His club knocked back our loan enquiry and unless they have an option to extend his contract which we haven’t heard about I think this one is dead. Once he’s a free agent he’ll probably and sadly have better options than us. I’m hoping that we’ve got an agreement with him but I can’t see that either.
I know it isn't a rumour, and someone will inevitably complain about more posts and no rumours, but Coventry will be so important and imo, look better a level above.
I've become a bit addicted to using sofascore as a metric and comparing players, Ebou Adams whos is fairly regarded as one of the best/most active DMs in the Championship is very similar to Conor statistically. I know it's a league above, but Ebou basically jumped straight from League 2 to the Championship (Barely featured in League1) and managed the jump fairly comfortably.
Another DM that is similar to Cov is Blackburn's Lewis Travis. Who sounds like he is off to Derby funny enough.
I can see people raving about Conor and I would like to see him sign a new deal, we only have him for 2 more seasons and I reckon he will be worth around 7-10 million after one good season in the Champ if he can match his League 1 performances.
I'll add his stats as a spoiler compared to Ebou & Travis just so you can see how active he actually is as I think it goes under the radar a bit. I think after one season he is going to be regarded as one of the best defensive mids in the Championship
Those possession stats don’t really show it (I think due to style of play issues) but I think Coventry is better on the ball than Adams too. A lot of his work goes under the radar but I can see Coventry being up there in the POTY vote come the end of the season. You just have to see the way the other players in the squad talk about him to see how important he is to the team.
Think Knibbs will play in a hybrid 10/8 role, Berry did similar last year but Gilbert couldn’t quite master it positionally. Knibbs was basically doing it last season (albeit a bit further back) so seems a pretty natural fit
Knibbs is very versatile: The Man city midfielders all played hybrid roles and interchanged and when they were winning leagues and cups they interchanged with ease with KDB, Gundogan, Foden, Silva etc; they all played the 8, 10 and would drift wide if Grealish or Doku wasn't playing wide on the left. It seemed they took turns to support Haaland and arrive in the box. I'm sure we all agree, losing their defensive 6 or central midfielder in the impressive Rodri they looked more vulnerable. Rodri reads the game so well and city missed his protection of the defence on the counter attack.
Coventry as the 6 and Knibbs as the hybrid 8/10 will I believe be the first names down on the team sheet regarding midfielders. The rest we will have to wait and see what Nathan decides
Interesting times.
Been quite a while since Charlton have been compared with Man City
I know it isn't a rumour, and someone will inevitably complain about more posts and no rumours, but Coventry will be so important and imo, look better a level above.
I've become a bit addicted to using sofascore as a metric and comparing players, Ebou Adams whos is fairly regarded as one of the best/most active DMs in the Championship is very similar to Conor statistically. I know it's a league above, but Ebou basically jumped straight from League 2 to the Championship (Barely featured in League1) and managed the jump fairly comfortably.
Another DM that is similar to Cov is Blackburn's Lewis Travis. Who sounds like he is off to Derby funny enough.
I can see people raving about Conor and I would like to see him sign a new deal, we only have him for 2 more seasons and I reckon he will be worth around 7-10 million after one good season in the Champ if he can match his League 1 performances.
I'll add his stats as a spoiler compared to Ebou & Travis just so you can see how active he actually is as I think it goes under the radar a bit. I think after one season he is going to be regarded as one of the best defensive mids in the Championship
Adams plays a very different role to Coventry. Was basically an attacking midfielder for them last season. Travis is a lot more similar as a player
I do think Coventry may end up being our best player this season and hopefully is one we can tie down with a new contract
Those possession stats don’t really show it (I think due to style of play issues) but I think Coventry is better on the ball than Adams too. A lot of his work goes under the radar but I can see Coventry being up there in the POTY vote come the end of the season. You just have to see the way the other players in the squad talk about him to see how important he is to the team.
Those possession stats don’t really show it (I think due to style of play issues) but I think Coventry is better on the ball than Adams too. A lot of his work goes under the radar but I can see Coventry being up there in the POTY vote come the end of the season. You just have to see the way the other players in the squad talk about him to see how important he is to the team.
100%. His team mates clearly recognise his value to the team. He does all the leg work to help others play to their strengths. But as you point out is also technically an excellent footballer. Get the ball, find a team mate. Excellent.
Also performances aside, seems like a thoroughly humble and decent lad.
Why would we be looking at Donley? Surely Apter fits that role?
We'd be well overstocked. I think we need to be looking a little further down the pitch than up it if we are looking at more
Donley is a number 10, attacking midfielder, Apter is a right winger who can and will fill in as an attacking wing back in our system, completely different players, like saying Liverpool don't need to sign Wirtz as they have Salah
I have to say I am surprised we haven’t seen a natural RWB come in especially as we have let Assiimwe go out on loan. Apter is a great attacking option down that side but not a natural defender.
I’m pretty confident we will get 1 in before the window shuts
I know it isn't a rumour, and someone will inevitably complain about more posts and no rumours, but Coventry will be so important and imo, look better a level above.
I've become a bit addicted to using sofascore as a metric and comparing players, Ebou Adams whos is fairly regarded as one of the best/most active DMs in the Championship is very similar to Conor statistically. I know it's a league above, but Ebou basically jumped straight from League 2 to the Championship (Barely featured in League1) and managed the jump fairly comfortably.
Another DM that is similar to Cov is Blackburn's Lewis Travis. Who sounds like he is off to Derby funny enough.
I can see people raving about Conor and I would like to see him sign a new deal, we only have him for 2 more seasons and I reckon he will be worth around 7-10 million after one good season in the Champ if he can match his League 1 performances.
I'll add his stats as a spoiler compared to Ebou & Travis just so you can see how active he actually is as I think it goes under the radar a bit. I think after one season he is going to be regarded as one of the best defensive mids in the Championship
Could be interesting for a new thread - predictions on who will be our best players, who will improve and who won’t make the set up.
I agree Coventry could have a very good season, his role will really make him stand out either way, but hopefully for the right reasons.
Donley's a good player but a problem with these loans - apart from any loan fee - is the risk that Spurs could recall the player in January or sell him to another club. The uncertainty makes it difficult to build a side.
Donley's a good player but a problem with these loans - apart from any loan fee - is the risk that Spurs could recall the player in January or sell him to another club. The uncertainty makes it difficult to build a side.
Yeah I remember Conor Gallagher leaving was such a kick in the guts for us many moons ago. That said I still think one or two will arrive in next couple of weeks. I think we’re seen as a good place to send youngsters, except by Spurs maybe.
All I know is if somebody told me we would be signing Apter and Kelman a month ago I wouldn't have believed them. They were two players on my best of league one radar from last season. I'm sure they were on others too so we should be happy with that.
I know it isn't a rumour, and someone will inevitably complain about more posts and no rumours, but Coventry will be so important and imo, look better a level above.
I've become a bit addicted to using sofascore as a metric and comparing players, Ebou Adams whos is fairly regarded as one of the best/most active DMs in the Championship is very similar to Conor statistically. I know it's a league above, but Ebou basically jumped straight from League 2 to the Championship (Barely featured in League1) and managed the jump fairly comfortably.
Another DM that is similar to Cov is Blackburn's Lewis Travis. Who sounds like he is off to Derby funny enough.
I can see people raving about Conor and I would like to see him sign a new deal, we only have him for 2 more seasons and I reckon he will be worth around 7-10 million after one good season in the Champ if he can match his League 1 performances.
I'll add his stats as a spoiler compared to Ebou & Travis just so you can see how active he actually is as I think it goes under the radar a bit. I think after one season he is going to be regarded as one of the best defensive mids in the Championship
Adams plays a very different role to Coventry. Was basically an attacking midfielder for them last season. Travis is a lot more similar as a player
I do think Coventry may end up being our best player this season and hopefully is one we can tie down with a new contract
Adams is a DM. My uncle is a Derby fan so I know a fair bit about them and have an interest.
His stats and positions show he was as well. Being trialled as a 10 now in pre-season, but last season he was definitely more of a 4, and that's why I used him as a comparison.
Edit: can't say I have watched Adams all 40+ games but he is a DM to my knowledge, if I am wrong fair enough.
Second Tier podcast Ep 2 has predicted we finish 14th and question whether that may be a bit conservative.
Very impressed with the blend of signings while they believe Nathan will have all we need to be competitive.
It’s a good listen and they know their stuff.
One name which is consistently coming up as an exciting signing is Rob Apter. All bar none think he will do very well despite the step up.
I think they are going overboard here and getting too excited by some shiny new faces, like everyone did with Rotherham last summer.
The prediction that they are being conservative when saying 14th could turn out to be bang on the money, but that’s reliant on almost every signing turning out to be success which we know never happens - even last summer we had the Allan Campbells together with the Matty Goddens.
What this window has done is given us a proper fighting chance of staying up. And we should still consider 21st (and maintaining Championship status) a success for 25/26, with aspiration being 12th-16th for 26/27 with some further investment next summer.
Donley's a good player but a problem with these loans - apart from any loan fee - is the risk that Spurs could recall the player in January or sell him to another club. The uncertainty makes it difficult to build a side.
Yeah I remember Conor Gallagher leaving was such a kick in the guts for us many moons ago. That said I still think one or two will arrive in next couple of weeks. I think we’re seen as a good place to send youngsters, except by Spurs maybe.
I’m not sure we are seen that way at all anymore. We’ve got quite a big squad full of players we have spent decent fees on and our own academy players that we want to develop. So game time is hardly guaranteed
Add to that our manager has stated he doesn’t like loans and prefers to develop our own players, and we play a style of football that isn’t favourable to those PL clubs. Add to that our only young player on loan last season barely played and I wouldn’t say he developed much either
I’m not surprised we haven’t signed anyone on loan, because the best loan players won’t be available to us because PL teams are quite picky about what the best move is for their players. I’m not complaining as this is a better way to run a club than relying on loans like we have in the past, but we definitely won’t be seen like we used to be by those PL clubs using the loan market
Donley's a good player but a problem with these loans - apart from any loan fee - is the risk that Spurs could recall the player in January or sell him to another club. The uncertainty makes it difficult to build a side.
Yeah I remember Conor Gallagher leaving was such a kick in the guts for us many moons ago. That said I still think one or two will arrive in next couple of weeks. I think we’re seen as a good place to send youngsters, except by Spurs maybe.
I’m not sure we are seen that way at all anymore. We’ve got quite a big squad full of players we have spent decent fees on and our own academy players that we want to develop. So game time is hardly guaranteed
Add to that our manager has stated he doesn’t like loans and prefers to develop our own players, and we play a style of football that isn’t favourable to those PL clubs. Add to that our only young player on loan last season barely played and I wouldn’t say he developed much either
I’m not surprised we haven’t signed anyone on loan, because the best loan players won’t be available to us because PL teams are quite picky about what the best move is for their players. I’m not complaining as this is a better way to run a club than relying on loans like we have in the past, but we definitely won’t be seen like we used to be by those PL clubs using the loan market
I agree with this 100%, I don't think we're that attractive to PL clubs at least for youngsters on loan because of our own academy being the priority.
If we make any late loan moves I could see it being a more "senior" player that doesn't make someone's 25 man squad.
Comments
Knibbs is very versatile:
The Man city midfielders all played hybrid roles and interchanged and when they were winning leagues and cups they interchanged with ease with KDB, Gundogan, Foden, Silva etc; they all played the 8, 10 and would drift wide if Grealish or Doku wasn't playing wide on the left. It seemed they took turns to support Haaland and arrive in the box.
I'm sure we all agree, losing their defensive 6 or central midfielder in the impressive Rodri they looked more vulnerable. Rodri reads the game so well and city missed his protection of the defence on the counter attack.
Coventry as the 6 and Knibbs as the hybrid 8/10 will I believe be the first names down on the team sheet regarding midfielders. The rest we will have to wait and see what Nathan decides
Interesting times.
I've become a bit addicted to using sofascore as a metric and comparing players, Ebou Adams whos is fairly regarded as one of the best/most active DMs in the Championship is very similar to Conor statistically. I know it's a league above, but Ebou basically jumped straight from League 2 to the Championship (Barely featured in League1) and managed the jump fairly comfortably.
Another DM that is similar to Cov is Blackburn's Lewis Travis. Who sounds like he is off to Derby funny enough.
I can see people raving about Conor and I would like to see him sign a new deal, we only have him for 2 more seasons and I reckon he will be worth around 7-10 million after one good season in the Champ if he can match his League 1 performances.
I'll add his stats as a spoiler compared to Ebou & Travis just so you can see how active he actually is as I think it goes under the radar a bit. I think after one season he is going to be regarded as one of the best defensive mids in the Championship
I do think Coventry may end up being our best player this season and hopefully is one we can tie down with a new contract
Surely Apter fits that role?
We'd be well overstocked. I think we need to be looking a little further down the pitch than up it if we are looking at more
Also performances aside, seems like a thoroughly humble and decent lad.
I agree Coventry could have a very good season, his role will really make him stand out either way, but hopefully for the right reasons.
His stats and positions show he was as well. Being trialled as a 10 now in pre-season, but last season he was definitely more of a 4, and that's why I used him as a comparison.
Edit: can't say I have watched Adams all 40+ games but he is a DM to my knowledge, if I am wrong fair enough.
What this window has done is given us a proper fighting chance of staying up. And we should still consider 21st (and maintaining Championship status) a success for 25/26, with aspiration being 12th-16th for 26/27 with some further investment next summer.
Add to that our manager has stated he doesn’t like loans and prefers to develop our own players, and we play a style of football that isn’t favourable to those PL clubs. Add to that our only young player on loan last season barely played and I wouldn’t say he developed much either
I agree with this 100%, I don't think we're that attractive to PL clubs at least for youngsters on loan because of our own academy being the priority.
If we make any late loan moves I could see it being a more "senior" player that doesn't make someone's 25 man squad.