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Zach Mitchell - Sept 2025 on a season long loan to Hibernian (p22)
Comments
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No doubt he has a lot of talent on the ball but he is very much a work in progress defensively. He might on the fringes of the team during the preseason but unless he makes a big developmental jump, I doubt he is going to be in the first team mix next year. Just too early in his career if we are looking at being a promotion winning side. After a good start at Colchester, things went downhill for him very quickly and he struggled before being pulled by the new manager. Read colchester’s fan forum from back in December after he was directly at fault for 3 goals in a 5-3 loss to Wimbledon. Now some of that was probably an over reaction to one bad performance and when you are surrounded by a poor team, the defense is going to be under a lot of pressure which is difficult for an inexperienced 19 year old but it wasn’t an isolated situation. I really think the best thing for his development is another loan to league two and then we might have a better idea of his true potential0
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Bostonaddick said:No doubt he has a lot of talent on the ball but he is very much a work in progress defensively. He might on the fringes of the team during the preseason but unless he makes a big developmental jump, I doubt he is going to be in the first team mix next year. Just too early in his career if we are looking at being a promotion winning side. After a good start at Colchester, things went downhill for him very quickly and he struggled before being pulled by the new manager. Read colchester’s fan forum from back in December after he was directly at fault for 3 goals in a 5-3 loss to Wimbledon. Now some of that was probably an over reaction to one bad performance and when you are surrounded by a poor team, the defense is going to be under a lot of pressure which is difficult for an inexperienced 19 year old but it wasn’t an isolated situation. I really think the best thing for his development is another loan to league two and then we might have a better idea of his true potential
Both played their parts in the current season and with the number of matchday subs allowed these days, surely there's a place in the overall squad for our own Academy players who show more than just promise ?
You appear to be somewhat of an expert on Colchester's season, even reading their fans' forum or maybe just interested in Zach's progress and wonder whether you've watched him in person.
Let's see what Nathan 's views are once next season starts.2 -
Bostonaddick said:No doubt he has a lot of talent on the ball but he is very much a work in progress defensively. He might on the fringes of the team during the preseason but unless he makes a big developmental jump, I doubt he is going to be in the first team mix next year. Just too early in his career if we are looking at being a promotion winning side. After a good start at Colchester, things went downhill for him very quickly and he struggled before being pulled by the new manager. Read colchester’s fan forum from back in December after he was directly at fault for 3 goals in a 5-3 loss to Wimbledon. Now some of that was probably an over reaction to one bad performance and when you are surrounded by a poor team, the defense is going to be under a lot of pressure which is difficult for an inexperienced 19 year old but it wasn’t an isolated situation. I really think the best thing for his development is another loan to league two and then we might have a better idea of his true potential
I have watched Zach play live about 20 times for the u18s, u21s & our 1st team & in all of them games he has been impressive, it would be madness to loan him out again, especially if this is the last year of his existing contract.
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The boy can play. Extend his contract and lend him out to someone who will play him every week. No point going to a League Two club if they just want him as back up. Better to drop a league or three and play week in, week out. U21 football for him is a waste of time. Get into proper league football, with a few cups thrown in too. Play where league results matter and where cup results matter just as much.1
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Simonsen said:The boy can play. Extend his contract and lend him out to someone who will play him every week. No point going to a League Two club if they just want him as back up. Better to drop a league or three and play week in, week out. U21 football for him is a waste of time. Get into proper league football, with a few cups thrown in too. Play where league results matter and where cup results matter just as much.2
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clive said:Bostonaddick said:No doubt he has a lot of talent on the ball but he is very much a work in progress defensively. He might on the fringes of the team during the preseason but unless he makes a big developmental jump, I doubt he is going to be in the first team mix next year. Just too early in his career if we are looking at being a promotion winning side. After a good start at Colchester, things went downhill for him very quickly and he struggled before being pulled by the new manager. Read colchester’s fan forum from back in December after he was directly at fault for 3 goals in a 5-3 loss to Wimbledon. Now some of that was probably an over reaction to one bad performance and when you are surrounded by a poor team, the defense is going to be under a lot of pressure which is difficult for an inexperienced 19 year old but it wasn’t an isolated situation. I really think the best thing for his development is another loan to league two and then we might have a better idea of his true potential
I have watched Zach play live about 20 times for the u18s, u21s & our 1st team & in all of them games he has been impressive, it would be madness to loan him out again, especially if this is the last year of his existing contract.
He definitely needs a new contract, and personally I would prefer to keep him around the first team.5 -
Henry Irving said:Zak was training at Sparrows Lane today, as was Aaron Henry.1
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If he’s as good as some say (not doubting them) then at 19 he’s an age where he should in and around the first team, and if not someone who isn’t too far off.
Playing a back three probably suits a young CB who’s good on the ball. It’ll be important to get the right players around him, which probably isn’t Hector or Thomas.4 -
It must be noted that we are losing a ball-winning defensive midfielder, who has been in our top two players for three seasons. If only we could find a defensive, physical player who is good on the ball, because it doesn't seem to be Connor Coventry.0
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Dobson's replacement? - Try him in Midfield?2
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killerandflash said:Henry Irving said:Zak was training at Sparrows Lane today, as was Aaron Henry.
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killerandflash said:Henry Irving said:Zak was training at Sparrows Lane today, as was Aaron Henry.0
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Henry Irving said:killerandflash said:Henry Irving said:Zak was training at Sparrows Lane today, as was Aaron Henry.0
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ForeverAddickted said:Dobson's replacement? - Try him in Midfield?1
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ForeverAddickted said:Dobson's replacement? - Try him in Midfield?2
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If he can add some aerial ability, he's on the way to being a Krystian Bielek type of player. Very well balanced, whose strength is carrying the ball.4
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fenaddick said:ForeverAddickted said:Dobson's replacement? - Try him in Midfield?0
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Absolutely could see Mitchell being used in midfield. He's so comfortable on the ball that I could see that being a seamless transition for him, obviously not a Dobbo replacement instantly but something I'd like to see tried.2
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I havent seen Zach play, which side does he favour or is is he equally happy with both feet?0
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He tended to occupy the centre right.
He was never the commanding defensive centre half type, a decent partner would help in that regard. He can sniff danger and get back and tackle mind.
He is in command of the ball rather than being ‘comfortable’ on the ball if that makes sense, and he has good awareness of where his team mates are, the command and awareness are evident when he makes brave/risky forward runs with the ball, and just when you think he is running out of time, space and options, he will find a team mate rather unexpectedly with a decent progressive pass.
He remains young and inexperienced and is not the finished article.
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To be honest, I like him at CDM. He carries the ball well, can tackle and can pick passes.
He's not ready to own that position, but should progress well training with the senior squad. I wouldn't loan him out personally unless we have much better options available.1 -
If 3 at the back is the favoured system then having a player who can drop back from midfield as an extra CB, or conversely can bring the ball out of defence into midfield, would be a very useful asset - someone possibly in the general mold of Bielik though hopefully less troubled by injury.
I've not seen Mitchell play but from what has been said he sounds like the kind of bright young thing that Jones will be very keen to work with.2 -
It's fairly clear with NJ's latest comments is that he is now part of the first team squad and won't be going out on loan again.7
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We need to sign him up to a longer contract though.2
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Met Zach through a friend last year and the first thing that struck me was just how mature he is for someone so young. He's also just desperate to play games which is why he asked for a loan last season. Hopefully he gets a few more chances.4
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Crusty54 said:It's fairly clear with NJ's latest comments is that he is now part of the first team squad and won't be going out on loan again.
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He travelled with the squad to Wigan.0
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clive said:Crusty54 said:It's fairly clear with NJ's latest comments is that he is now part of the first team squad and won't be going out on loan again.1
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In a back 3 you do need a CB who's comfortable on the ball, and can move into midfield, as otherwise you can end up with 3 CBs marking one centre forward.3