NJ now bemoans lack of cover in defence, after signing a player with a very well known injury record, who then plays a part in the 1st pre season game, and gets injured badly enough that he's missed the 1st month of the season.
The Burke singing is a little daft imho. He may have quality, but he's crocked.
He not crocked been training over a week with the first team .. all players get niggles in pre season look at Godden and Berry it’s negative side of getting to the playoff final and the shorter pre season you have afterwards
I know I shouldn't respond because I think you like to argue for argues sake, but it's a quiet night at work.
Ronnie you claim he's not crocked when he's only trained this week after well over a month out with injury. He's missed the majority of preseason, and 5 games this season already.
We don't know just how long it takes till he's in the squad again, let alone starting.
Granted Godden and Berry have been affected by the extra weeks playing playoffs, but that's not the case with Burke, so that argument is null and void mate.
He's had 5 injuries since March 2024. Was out injured from December 2024 till March 2025 with a hip injury. Looking back further he was out for a month in November 2024 with a groin injury, a leg injury had him sidelined for 3 months in the summer of 2024 resulting in missing all of pre-season and the beginning of the 24- 25 championship.
My point was NJ has bemoaned lack of cover, and that's compounded by a new signing in Burke, who can play CB and LCB,when match fit. Which he isn't.... Because he's feckin crocked Ronnie!
NJ now bemoans lack of cover in defence, after signing a player with a very well known injury record, who then plays a part in the 1st pre season game, and gets injured badly enough that he's missed the 1st month of the season.
The Burke singing is a little daft imho. He may have quality, but he's crocked.
He not crocked been training over a week with the first team .. all players get niggles in pre season look at Godden and Berry it’s negative side of getting to the playoff final and the shorter pre season you have afterwards
Godden was a meniscus injury. Bit more than a niggle.
I'm less bothered by wingback cover, as that's a much easier position for youngsters to cover. We had Small, a complete rookie at right wingback last season , and that worked fine.
It's the 3 centre back positions which are key, and we are definitely short. Especially in the middle, where Lloyd is a defensive colossus, and the leader. Zach is way too inexperienced to play there, that was a strange decision by NJ to start him there, rather than Gillesphey.
I understand letting Alex Mitchell go, but he needs a direct replacement. A proper defender.
NJ now bemoans lack of cover in defence, after signing a player with a very well known injury record, who then plays a part in the 1st pre season game, and gets injured badly enough that he's missed the 1st month of the season.
The Burke singing is a little daft imho. He may have quality, but he's crocked.
He not crocked been training over a week with the first team .. all players get niggles in pre season look at Godden and Berry it’s negative side of getting to the playoff final and the shorter pre season you have afterwards
Godden was a meniscus injury. Bit more than a niggle.
If it's a meniscus tear he could be out till Christmas at least...which is terrible...🤦♂️
NJ now bemoans lack of cover in defence, after signing a player with a very well known injury record, who then plays a part in the 1st pre season game, and gets injured badly enough that he's missed the 1st month of the season.
The Burke singing is a little daft imho. He may have quality, but he's crocked.
He not crocked been training over a week with the first team .. all players get niggles in pre season look at Godden and Berry it’s negative side of getting to the playoff final and the shorter pre season you have afterwards
Godden was a meniscus injury. Bit more than a niggle.
If it's a meniscus tear he could be out till Christmas at least...which is terrible...🤦♂️
I don’t think it is a tear but he has had the operation and I heard he would be out for a minimum of six weeks. But with these things it could be much longer.
If NJ considers ZM unsuitable yet as cover (unfairly I think because you need to play regularly in a stable defence), then I think we need a young L1/L2 CB who has played 60+ games. He will be benched most of the season, so the incentive to join is a big club and better wages. Its either that or Dan Potts 2.0.
I think Finn Delap is worth keeping an eye on but he hasn't played enough games.
NJ appears to have run the rule over ZM and AM deciding neither are good enough for Championship level cover quite yet - which I totally agree with btw. A CB appears essential now and RWB not far behind, ideally one who can switch to LWB if needed.
Hopefully they have players lined up, as a scramble last minute has rarely served us well. If Fukuda remains a possibility from January, perhaps a Prem loan at RWB (are half season loans any longer allowed) and perm CB?
Hopefully Burke can find some form of fitness to play a part, although I appreciate he’s had a career really hampered by injuries to date. Another CB would be advisable. I don’t blame Jones for letting A Mitchell go out on loan. It may be we need better options/cover than him. He didn’t fancy him in League One, has already opted for Bell ahead of Gillesphey, so this might just be the harsh realities of the step up.
We won’t know if Burke was a sensible signing until we get to the end of the season. We also don’t know if this ‘one more’ that seems to be pretty solid now in terms of incomings is the CB role or as has been suggested, cover at RWB or LWB.
The only thing that would worry me slightly is if this CB need is something that has cropped up off the back of questions about Burke’s fitness and is relatively new. If that’s the case then we’ve left it late to find the right player and this may be the only ‘panic signing’ of this window for want of a better term.
I still think we need to exercise patience re: the reaction off the back of the last 2 results. On Saturday people were edgy because of the lack of end product in attack. After last night it’s the defence were poor and it needs sorting etc.
10 games is still a good benchmark imo, and we know this is a massive step up. We’ve still got a lot of promise to come from JRC, Tanto, Kelman and Knibbs imo. Be good to add one/two decent additions at CB/RWB maybe LWB, but we’ve got a good bunch. Hopefully they just need the time to bed in
NJ appears to have run the rule over ZM and AM deciding neither are good enough for Championship level cover quite yet - which I totally agree with btw. A CB appears essential now and RWB not far behind, ideally one who can switch to LWB if needed.
Hopefully they have players lined up, as a scramble last minute has rarely served us well. If Fukuda remains a possibility from January, perhaps a Prem loan at RWB (are half season loans any longer allowed) and perm CB?
Yes and in essence I view all season long loans as half season ones anyway as if the player does really well they'll be recalled and sent up a level and the opposite for if they're doing badly. Slightly different for more senior players like Mitchell, Kanu and Asiimwe (I know they're young) as we know their quality, they need regular game time and their loans have been pitched well
If Kanu does really well, I could see us recalling him and sending him to a L1 club in January.
He turned down a loan to Wimbledon earlier in the window .. cause he wanted to stay and fight for his place
My partner works closely with his mum, he didn't turn it down the club were holding out for something and the oppurtunity went missing which is why he ended up at Walsall
If Kanu does really well, I could see us recalling him and sending him to a L1 club in January.
He turned down a loan to Wimbledon earlier in the window .. cause he wanted to stay and fight for his place
My partner works closely with his mum, he didn't turn it down the club were holding out for something and the oppurtunity went missing which is why he ended up at Walsall
I assume the Godden injury and the length of time the Kelman deal took is what ultimately scuppered Kanu to the Wombles. They went and got Antoine Hackford on a free instead
I wonder if the plan had been to keep Alex Mitchell but he wanted to go and play somewhere. He was useful to have around as someone who could play RCB or CB and is generally fit. That allowed him to cover for Ramsay, Jones and Burke, all of whom have injury history. If we're going to properly cover Ramsay though it will need to be someone who is naturally comfortable covering RB when Apter goes forward as well as being strong. Can't be that many of those knocking about, especially one who is happy to be a backup. It's not as easy as it was in L1 where you can take an unwanted Championship defender where their parent club doesn't really care if they play or not. Premier League sides will be wanting their youngsters to play and Championship sides are less likely to let you beg poverty and improve your side potentially at their expense
Yep I would liked us to keep A Mitchell, I think he is a little underrated on here and always gives 100%. I know he made a few mistakes but it’s a shame he wanted to play more games elsewhere.
I wonder if the plan had been to keep Alex Mitchell but he wanted to go and play somewhere. He was useful to have around as someone who could play RCB or CB and is generally fit. That allowed him to cover for Ramsay, Jones and Burke, all of whom have injury history. If we're going to properly cover Ramsay though it will need to be someone who is naturally comfortable covering RB when Apter goes forward as well as being strong. Can't be that many of those knocking about, especially one who is happy to be a backup. It's not as easy as it was in L1 where you can take an unwanted Championship defender where their parent club doesn't really care if they play or not. Premier League sides will be wanting their youngsters to play and Championship sides are less likely to let you beg poverty and improve your side potentially at their expense
I also think we need to avoid those players that have been floating about the championship for a few years and just see us as another year/2 year’s contract
What I’ve liked about this window is that on paper, although a gamble at this level, a lot of our signings have been players that would hopefully want to step up, have hunger and can prove a point they should be given a shot (Apter, Knibbs, Kelman, Tanto and Carey etc). If we find ourselves with a player who has unsuccessfully been mulling about the championship for a few years now, mid to lower table, we don’t know if they’ll have the hunger for when times could get tough
I wonder if the plan had been to keep Alex Mitchell but he wanted to go and play somewhere. He was useful to have around as someone who could play RCB or CB and is generally fit. That allowed him to cover for Ramsay, Jones and Burke, all of whom have injury history. If we're going to properly cover Ramsay though it will need to be someone who is naturally comfortable covering RB when Apter goes forward as well as being strong. Can't be that many of those knocking about, especially one who is happy to be a backup. It's not as easy as it was in L1 where you can take an unwanted Championship defender where their parent club doesn't really care if they play or not. Premier League sides will be wanting their youngsters to play and Championship sides are less likely to let you beg poverty and improve your side potentially at their expense
I also think we need to avoid those players that have been floating about the championship for a few years and just see us as another year/2 year’s contract
What I’ve liked about this window is that on paper, although a gamble at this level, a lot of our signings have been players that would hopefully want to step up, have hunger and can prove a point they should be given a shot (Apter, Knibbs, Kelman, Tanto and Carey etc). If we find ourselves with a player who has unsuccessfully been mulling about the championship for a few years now, mid to lower table, we don’t know if they’ll have the hunger for when times could get tough
Going to be difficult finding a player with hunger with them fully aware that they have no chance of breaking into the XI over Jones and Ramsay and Burke if he is fit and even Apter if you’re looking at a RWB as well. One thing we do have is a good environment should be looking for decent players who just want out of a toxic environment or a club that’s just not suitable for them, similar to when Dobson joined us from Sunderland or T.Taylor is for Northampton
If Kanu does really well, I could see us recalling him and sending him to a L1 club in January.
He turned down a loan to Wimbledon earlier in the window .. cause he wanted to stay and fight for his place
My partner works closely with his mum, he didn't turn it down the club were holding out for something and the oppurtunity went missing which is why he ended up at Walsall
If Kanu does really well, I could see us recalling him and sending him to a L1 club in January.
He turned down a loan to Wimbledon earlier in the window .. cause he wanted to stay and fight for his place
My partner works closely with his mum, he didn't turn it down the club were holding out for something and the oppurtunity went missing which is why he ended up at Walsall
But Kanu himself said that he'd been talking to Walsall all summer & that was where he wanted to go.
If Kanu does really well, I could see us recalling him and sending him to a L1 club in January.
He turned down a loan to Wimbledon earlier in the window .. cause he wanted to stay and fight for his place
My partner works closely with his mum, he didn't turn it down the club were holding out for something and the oppurtunity went missing which is why he ended up at Walsall
But Kanu himself said that he'd been talking to Walsall all summer & that was where he wanted to go.
Well ur not gonna tell the club you’ve just signed for you wanted to go somewhere else instead
If Kanu does really well, I could see us recalling him and sending him to a L1 club in January.
He turned down a loan to Wimbledon earlier in the window .. cause he wanted to stay and fight for his place
My partner works closely with his mum, he didn't turn it down the club were holding out for something and the oppurtunity went missing which is why he ended up at Walsall
But Kanu himself said that he'd been talking to Walsall all summer & that was where he wanted to go.
He could have been talking to Walsall AND Wimbledon at the same time.
If Kanu does really well, I could see us recalling him and sending him to a L1 club in January.
He turned down a loan to Wimbledon earlier in the window .. cause he wanted to stay and fight for his place
My partner works closely with his mum, he didn't turn it down the club were holding out for something and the oppurtunity went missing which is why he ended up at Walsall
But Kanu himself said that he'd been talking to Walsall all summer & that was where he wanted to go.
He could have been talking to Walsall AND Wimbledon at the same time.
Comments
Ronnie you claim he's not crocked when he's only trained this week after well over a month out with injury. He's missed the majority of preseason, and 5 games this season already.
We don't know just how long it takes till he's in the squad again, let alone starting.
Granted Godden and Berry have been affected by the extra weeks playing playoffs, but that's not the case with Burke, so that argument is null and void mate.
He's had 5 injuries since March 2024. Was out injured from December 2024 till March 2025 with a hip injury. Looking back further he was out for a month in November 2024 with a groin injury, a leg injury had him sidelined for 3 months in the summer of 2024 resulting in missing all of pre-season and the beginning of the 24- 25 championship.
My point was NJ has bemoaned lack of cover, and that's compounded by a new signing in Burke, who can play CB and LCB, when match fit. Which he isn't.... Because he's feckin crocked Ronnie!
It's the 3 centre back positions which are key, and we are definitely short. Especially in the middle, where Lloyd is a defensive colossus, and the leader. Zach is way too inexperienced to play there, that was a strange decision by NJ to start him there, rather than Gillesphey.
I understand letting Alex Mitchell go, but he needs a direct replacement. A proper defender.
I think Finn Delap is worth keeping an eye on but he hasn't played enough games.
We won’t know if Burke was a sensible signing until we get to the end of the season. We also don’t know if this ‘one more’ that seems to be pretty solid now in terms of incomings is the CB role or as has been suggested, cover at RWB or LWB.
The only thing that would worry me slightly is if this CB need is something that has cropped up off the back of questions about Burke’s fitness and is relatively new. If that’s the case then we’ve left it late to find the right player and this may be the only ‘panic signing’ of this window for want of a better term.
I still think we need to exercise patience re: the reaction off the back of the last 2 results. On Saturday people were edgy because of the lack of end product in attack. After last night it’s the defence were poor and it needs sorting etc.
10 games is still a good benchmark imo, and we know this is a massive step up. We’ve still got a lot of promise to come from JRC, Tanto, Kelman and Knibbs imo. Be good to add one/two decent additions at CB/RWB maybe LWB, but we’ve got a good bunch. Hopefully they just need the time to bed in
What I’ve liked about this window is that on paper, although a gamble at this level, a lot of our signings have been players that would hopefully want to step up, have hunger and can prove a point they should be given a shot (Apter, Knibbs, Kelman, Tanto and Carey etc). If we find ourselves with a player who has unsuccessfully been mulling about the championship for a few years now, mid to lower table, we don’t know if they’ll have the hunger for when times could get tough