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Summer Window 2026 - Rumours and Discussion
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He needs crosses to score goals. Now we are playing with wingers he should hopefully get more of themwmcf123 said:
Oh yes , the people that sit there and shout “jummmppp!” For 90 minutes , as if that’s the most important thing . Leaburn’s best season by far was with JRS and CBT on the wings in a 433. Admittedly I don’t think he’s as good as he was then and it’s a higher level, but he might do better with a slightly more cultured midfield and threats from both sides .fenaddick said:
Leaburn won the most aerial duels per 90DOUCHER said:
I agree to an extent but if we are relying on Leaburn to win aerial duals, then we are in trouble - I think our striker needs to be able to hold the ball up but into feet this year - we hardly ever played into a strikers feet last year - Kelman did well up top on his own in that game against Hull last year and I think that’s the type of lone striker we are playing this year - Godden, Grant and Kelman can all do that and I’m assuming mbick will be the preferred alternative optionGarrymanilow said:
The thing is though you're taking from one area of need to populate another. Grant isn't a good centre forward in our set-up unless we're playing with 2 up front, in which case we're even more short. The striker in our set up needs to be able to challenge for the high ball as well as popping up in the box, Grant isn't the man for that job and it won't get the best out of him. Mbick is absolutely untested at this level both physically and in terms of ability. He spent last season looking decent in L2 but we can't be reliant on him as our third choice striker at this stage in the season, especially as he had a bad injury. He's fine at a 4th striker who we test out but he can't be counted as a serious option at this stage. So really if we get rid of Leaburn it's just Godden and Kelman and one injury later - Godden missed most of last season and Kelman is on his second injury with us already - we're totally unable to change a game.DOUCHER said:
Tc and Alli? the new winger r the 2 left side options, apter and the winger we r looking to bring in r the right side options leaving Grant and Godden to job share until mbick and Kelman r backthenewbie said:
Technically we could use Grant as an outrightbstriker but then we're back to not having many wide options so it would be a last resort.Garrymanilow said:
Can't be Leaburn and Kanu. That will leave us with a 35 year old Matt Godden, an injured Charlie Kelman and a 19 year old Micah Mbick returning from a knee injury. The only thing that would be ruthless towards would be our chances of staying in the ChampionshipDOUCHER said:Asiimwe ,JRC, Kanu - I think the 4th to go may have to be Leaburn - ruthless but that’s pro football
I can only see Leaburn going if it somehow means we can then get an oven ready proven striker with genuine Championship bona fides - which seems very very unlikely and doesn't do anything to solve the numbers problem anyway.
of any striker last season and was in the top 2% for % of aerial duels won. He’s good at winning those duels now, people just have unrealistic expectations
I think we will keep Leaburn, and I still think he’s got the potential to be a good player at this level, but this does feel like a really big season for him12 -
I also think that NJ wants to populate CM with beasts, too. Which is why Knibbs has played so many minutes in pre-season. Chalobah is huge, and will win his fair share of headers, and Ouma is a decent size too. Leaburn certainly fulfills the 'Beast' category.1
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JRS and TC are besties. We need a right wing player, sounds like a loan and some of us would like to see TC sign a new contract . We could do a lot worse in my opinion.1
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Or his skill set is not suited to hoofball, despite his height. He is far more suited to a ball into feet, on the counter, with a bit of space. Hopefully the change of formation will suit him, as will the experience of last season and the step up to the Championship.Berkshire1970 said:ButtleJR said:
He may win them, they just don't go to anyone. IMO he's poor and nowhere near championship level.fenaddick said:
Leaburn won the most aerial duels per 90DOUCHER said:
I agree to an extent but if we are relying on Leaburn to win aerial duals, then we are in trouble - I think our striker needs to be able to hold the ball up but into feet this year - we hardly ever played into a strikers feet last year - Kelman did well up top on his own in that game against Hull last year and I think that’s the type of lone striker we are playing this year - Godden, Grant and Kelman can all do that and I’m assuming mbick will be the preferred alternative optionGarrymanilow said:
The thing is though you're taking from one area of need to populate another. Grant isn't a good centre forward in our set-up unless we're playing with 2 up front, in which case we're even more short. The striker in our set up needs to be able to challenge for the high ball as well as popping up in the box, Grant isn't the man for that job and it won't get the best out of him. Mbick is absolutely untested at this level both physically and in terms of ability. He spent last season looking decent in L2 but we can't be reliant on him as our third choice striker at this stage in the season, especially as he had a bad injury. He's fine at a 4th striker who we test out but he can't be counted as a serious option at this stage. So really if we get rid of Leaburn it's just Godden and Kelman and one injury later - Godden missed most of last season and Kelman is on his second injury with us already - we're totally unable to change a game.DOUCHER said:
Tc and Alli? the new winger r the 2 left side options, apter and the winger we r looking to bring in r the right side options leaving Grant and Godden to job share until mbick and Kelman r backthenewbie said:
Technically we could use Grant as an outrightbstriker but then we're back to not having many wide options so it would be a last resort.Garrymanilow said:
Can't be Leaburn and Kanu. That will leave us with a 35 year old Matt Godden, an injured Charlie Kelman and a 19 year old Micah Mbick returning from a knee injury. The only thing that would be ruthless towards would be our chances of staying in the ChampionshipDOUCHER said:Asiimwe ,JRC, Kanu - I think the 4th to go may have to be Leaburn - ruthless but that’s pro football
I can only see Leaburn going if it somehow means we can then get an oven ready proven striker with genuine Championship bona fides - which seems very very unlikely and doesn't do anything to solve the numbers problem anyway.
of any striker last season and was in the top 2% for % of aerial duels won. He’s good at winning those duels now, people just have unrealistic expectations
It’s painful watching him play. His skill set is lacking and ability.4 -
I reckon this is a breakthrough season for Miles too. Our attack was too stunted last season to judge any of our attackers seriously. He did show glimpses when he was playing the target man role superbly but it was just that.0
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JRS contract runs out next year, no chance he goes out on loan. Palace will be looking to sell1
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In theory at least, with the likes of Alli, Grant and TC buzzing around and supporting the attack a bit more he will both have a better supply to his feet as well as more options/support when it comes to heading the ball on.mcgrandall said:
Or his skill set is not suited to hoofball, despite his height. He is far more suited to a ball into feet, on the counter, with a bit of space. Hopefully the change of formation will suit him, as will the experience of last season and the step up to the Championship.Berkshire1970 said:ButtleJR said:
He may win them, they just don't go to anyone. IMO he's poor and nowhere near championship level.fenaddick said:
Leaburn won the most aerial duels per 90DOUCHER said:
I agree to an extent but if we are relying on Leaburn to win aerial duals, then we are in trouble - I think our striker needs to be able to hold the ball up but into feet this year - we hardly ever played into a strikers feet last year - Kelman did well up top on his own in that game against Hull last year and I think that’s the type of lone striker we are playing this year - Godden, Grant and Kelman can all do that and I’m assuming mbick will be the preferred alternative optionGarrymanilow said:
The thing is though you're taking from one area of need to populate another. Grant isn't a good centre forward in our set-up unless we're playing with 2 up front, in which case we're even more short. The striker in our set up needs to be able to challenge for the high ball as well as popping up in the box, Grant isn't the man for that job and it won't get the best out of him. Mbick is absolutely untested at this level both physically and in terms of ability. He spent last season looking decent in L2 but we can't be reliant on him as our third choice striker at this stage in the season, especially as he had a bad injury. He's fine at a 4th striker who we test out but he can't be counted as a serious option at this stage. So really if we get rid of Leaburn it's just Godden and Kelman and one injury later - Godden missed most of last season and Kelman is on his second injury with us already - we're totally unable to change a game.DOUCHER said:
Tc and Alli? the new winger r the 2 left side options, apter and the winger we r looking to bring in r the right side options leaving Grant and Godden to job share until mbick and Kelman r backthenewbie said:
Technically we could use Grant as an outrightbstriker but then we're back to not having many wide options so it would be a last resort.Garrymanilow said:
Can't be Leaburn and Kanu. That will leave us with a 35 year old Matt Godden, an injured Charlie Kelman and a 19 year old Micah Mbick returning from a knee injury. The only thing that would be ruthless towards would be our chances of staying in the ChampionshipDOUCHER said:Asiimwe ,JRC, Kanu - I think the 4th to go may have to be Leaburn - ruthless but that’s pro football
I can only see Leaburn going if it somehow means we can then get an oven ready proven striker with genuine Championship bona fides - which seems very very unlikely and doesn't do anything to solve the numbers problem anyway.
of any striker last season and was in the top 2% for % of aerial duels won. He’s good at winning those duels now, people just have unrealistic expectations
It’s painful watching him play. His skill set is lacking and ability.
He is/was criticised for not directing his headers to anyone last season but outside of Carey (and even he ran out of steam in the last months) he had very little to direct them TO. With Knibbs and Carey rotating and maybe Ouma piling in from deep too he will have more to aim for.1 -
JRC way better technically than people giving him credit for. Indeed he’s probably one of our most technical players. NJ has said previously he will be better suited to us as we evolve into more of
a footballing side for that very reason. I think he even alluded to the fact that he was a victim of us needing to play a certain way last season.
I think that’s why he’ll be retained and it may be Doc that moves on. Just not up to the level technically I’m afraid. There were rumours previously in the window and feels like maybe one where we were waiting for a replacement which we now have. No rumours of JRC departing in contrast.
Coventry has been put in the same bracket with the ‘Doc and Cov’ characterisation but he’s a better player and can operate in the new style - he may even thrive in it.3 -
Top Heavy Ken?Danny Addick said:
Did he? I think it was more that were top heavy and that for us to be able to sign a new striker someone would need to leave.RonnieMoore said:Jones said when we lose a striker another will come in0 -
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Been hearing this for years, we can't just wait around for it to click for him. Obviously I hope it does, but very thin chance of that IMO.fenaddick said:
He’s 22, plenty of time to learn. It’s harder to teach how to win those duels than how to direct the header once you’ve won them. Plus with more runners besides him he’ll have more targetsButtleJR said:
He may win them, they just don't go to anyone. IMO he's poor and nowhere near championship level.fenaddick said:
Leaburn won the most aerial duels per 90DOUCHER said:
I agree to an extent but if we are relying on Leaburn to win aerial duals, then we are in trouble - I think our striker needs to be able to hold the ball up but into feet this year - we hardly ever played into a strikers feet last year - Kelman did well up top on his own in that game against Hull last year and I think that’s the type of lone striker we are playing this year - Godden, Grant and Kelman can all do that and I’m assuming mbick will be the preferred alternative optionGarrymanilow said:
The thing is though you're taking from one area of need to populate another. Grant isn't a good centre forward in our set-up unless we're playing with 2 up front, in which case we're even more short. The striker in our set up needs to be able to challenge for the high ball as well as popping up in the box, Grant isn't the man for that job and it won't get the best out of him. Mbick is absolutely untested at this level both physically and in terms of ability. He spent last season looking decent in L2 but we can't be reliant on him as our third choice striker at this stage in the season, especially as he had a bad injury. He's fine at a 4th striker who we test out but he can't be counted as a serious option at this stage. So really if we get rid of Leaburn it's just Godden and Kelman and one injury later - Godden missed most of last season and Kelman is on his second injury with us already - we're totally unable to change a game.DOUCHER said:
Tc and Alli? the new winger r the 2 left side options, apter and the winger we r looking to bring in r the right side options leaving Grant and Godden to job share until mbick and Kelman r backthenewbie said:
Technically we could use Grant as an outrightbstriker but then we're back to not having many wide options so it would be a last resort.Garrymanilow said:
Can't be Leaburn and Kanu. That will leave us with a 35 year old Matt Godden, an injured Charlie Kelman and a 19 year old Micah Mbick returning from a knee injury. The only thing that would be ruthless towards would be our chances of staying in the ChampionshipDOUCHER said:Asiimwe ,JRC, Kanu - I think the 4th to go may have to be Leaburn - ruthless but that’s pro football
I can only see Leaburn going if it somehow means we can then get an oven ready proven striker with genuine Championship bona fides - which seems very very unlikely and doesn't do anything to solve the numbers problem anyway.
of any striker last season and was in the top 2% for % of aerial duels won. He’s good at winning those duels now, people just have unrealistic expectations0 -
I might get pelters for this, but what condition is Josh in ? Yes I know he’s our best LB but how long until he’s ready for full training/run outs? I’d have thought he’d have been involved in some of the friendlies/action by now. So maybe he’s not as recovered as we’d hoped? And not part of the 25 - maybe he’ll be left out until Xmas when we reassess. Like NJ said some tough decisions will be made.0
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Lucky we've kept our powder dry then.......Chawlton said:JRS contract runs out next year, no chance he goes out on loan. Palace will be looking to sell0 -
Pacey players like TC tend to peak earlier, target men and CBs often get there much later on (Jones is a great example, and think about strikers like Kermorgant).ButtleJR said:
Been hearing this for years, we can't just wait around for it to click for him. Obviously I hope it does, but very thin chance of that IMO.fenaddick said:
He’s 22, plenty of time to learn. It’s harder to teach how to win those duels than how to direct the header once you’ve won them. Plus with more runners besides him he’ll have more targetsButtleJR said:
He may win them, they just don't go to anyone. IMO he's poor and nowhere near championship level.fenaddick said:
Leaburn won the most aerial duels per 90DOUCHER said:
I agree to an extent but if we are relying on Leaburn to win aerial duals, then we are in trouble - I think our striker needs to be able to hold the ball up but into feet this year - we hardly ever played into a strikers feet last year - Kelman did well up top on his own in that game against Hull last year and I think that’s the type of lone striker we are playing this year - Godden, Grant and Kelman can all do that and I’m assuming mbick will be the preferred alternative optionGarrymanilow said:
The thing is though you're taking from one area of need to populate another. Grant isn't a good centre forward in our set-up unless we're playing with 2 up front, in which case we're even more short. The striker in our set up needs to be able to challenge for the high ball as well as popping up in the box, Grant isn't the man for that job and it won't get the best out of him. Mbick is absolutely untested at this level both physically and in terms of ability. He spent last season looking decent in L2 but we can't be reliant on him as our third choice striker at this stage in the season, especially as he had a bad injury. He's fine at a 4th striker who we test out but he can't be counted as a serious option at this stage. So really if we get rid of Leaburn it's just Godden and Kelman and one injury later - Godden missed most of last season and Kelman is on his second injury with us already - we're totally unable to change a game.DOUCHER said:
Tc and Alli? the new winger r the 2 left side options, apter and the winger we r looking to bring in r the right side options leaving Grant and Godden to job share until mbick and Kelman r backthenewbie said:
Technically we could use Grant as an outrightbstriker but then we're back to not having many wide options so it would be a last resort.Garrymanilow said:
Can't be Leaburn and Kanu. That will leave us with a 35 year old Matt Godden, an injured Charlie Kelman and a 19 year old Micah Mbick returning from a knee injury. The only thing that would be ruthless towards would be our chances of staying in the ChampionshipDOUCHER said:Asiimwe ,JRC, Kanu - I think the 4th to go may have to be Leaburn - ruthless but that’s pro football
I can only see Leaburn going if it somehow means we can then get an oven ready proven striker with genuine Championship bona fides - which seems very very unlikely and doesn't do anything to solve the numbers problem anyway.
of any striker last season and was in the top 2% for % of aerial duels won. He’s good at winning those duels now, people just have unrealistic expectations
Not saying we should give him another 5 years, but every striker struggle in our system last season, it’s not a stretch that he can improve enough to make an impact at this level. A lot of the qualities are there, just not the consistency, decision making etc, but this style and formation should get more out of him which can only help.
If he’s still not progressed by this time next year then I’d agree with it a lot more.4 -
Even if he was a viable option would Jones actually want him. Always talks about wanting athletes with pace and power and a decent work ethic. that’s obviously evident in TC Grant and Alli don’t think it applies to JRS.Chawlton said:JRS contract runs out next year, no chance he goes out on loan. Palace will be looking to sell0 -
But he is improving, he wasn’t as good in the air as he is now for example. I think people are expecting it to click all at once rather than incrementally so ignore the progress along the wayButtleJR said:
Been hearing this for years, we can't just wait around for it to click for him. Obviously I hope it does, but very thin chance of that IMO.fenaddick said:
He’s 22, plenty of time to learn. It’s harder to teach how to win those duels than how to direct the header once you’ve won them. Plus with more runners besides him he’ll have more targetsButtleJR said:
He may win them, they just don't go to anyone. IMO he's poor and nowhere near championship level.fenaddick said:
Leaburn won the most aerial duels per 90DOUCHER said:
I agree to an extent but if we are relying on Leaburn to win aerial duals, then we are in trouble - I think our striker needs to be able to hold the ball up but into feet this year - we hardly ever played into a strikers feet last year - Kelman did well up top on his own in that game against Hull last year and I think that’s the type of lone striker we are playing this year - Godden, Grant and Kelman can all do that and I’m assuming mbick will be the preferred alternative optionGarrymanilow said:
The thing is though you're taking from one area of need to populate another. Grant isn't a good centre forward in our set-up unless we're playing with 2 up front, in which case we're even more short. The striker in our set up needs to be able to challenge for the high ball as well as popping up in the box, Grant isn't the man for that job and it won't get the best out of him. Mbick is absolutely untested at this level both physically and in terms of ability. He spent last season looking decent in L2 but we can't be reliant on him as our third choice striker at this stage in the season, especially as he had a bad injury. He's fine at a 4th striker who we test out but he can't be counted as a serious option at this stage. So really if we get rid of Leaburn it's just Godden and Kelman and one injury later - Godden missed most of last season and Kelman is on his second injury with us already - we're totally unable to change a game.DOUCHER said:
Tc and Alli? the new winger r the 2 left side options, apter and the winger we r looking to bring in r the right side options leaving Grant and Godden to job share until mbick and Kelman r backthenewbie said:
Technically we could use Grant as an outrightbstriker but then we're back to not having many wide options so it would be a last resort.Garrymanilow said:
Can't be Leaburn and Kanu. That will leave us with a 35 year old Matt Godden, an injured Charlie Kelman and a 19 year old Micah Mbick returning from a knee injury. The only thing that would be ruthless towards would be our chances of staying in the ChampionshipDOUCHER said:Asiimwe ,JRC, Kanu - I think the 4th to go may have to be Leaburn - ruthless but that’s pro football
I can only see Leaburn going if it somehow means we can then get an oven ready proven striker with genuine Championship bona fides - which seems very very unlikely and doesn't do anything to solve the numbers problem anyway.
of any striker last season and was in the top 2% for % of aerial duels won. He’s good at winning those duels now, people just have unrealistic expectations0 -
I posted on here a month or two back that he wouldn’t make the start of the season. The club have known this since the start of pre season.Coveredendchoir said:I might get pelters for this, but what condition is Josh in ? Yes I know he’s our best LB but how long until he’s ready for full training/run outs? I’d have thought he’d have been involved in some of the friendlies/action by now. So maybe he’s not as recovered as we’d hoped? And not part of the 25 - maybe he’ll be left out until Xmas when we reassess. Like NJ said some tough decisions will be made.0
