Fully expect to see Mavididi on loan to us next season. If we somehow manage to keep Holmes, and maybe even sign Mark Marshall too, those 3 behind Magennis would be a very direct, quick and exciting attack.
Well Crofts has already signed, JJ will be announced soon, then the aging MK keeper. That is 3 through the door by the end of next week possibly. Exciting start.
Mavididi was okaaaaay. Hardly someone to pin your hopes of promotion on.
Was you watching the same player as I was? A tall Lookman. Head and shoulders above this league.
Didn't think he was anything like Lookman personally, didn't have that instant close control, magic touch and tricky little changes of direction. Much more about trying to beat players with pace, running at the defence head-on and sometimes found himself in blind alleys.
I do think he's good and would take him back, but we're talking like he's a proven match-winner and I haven't really seen that yet at all.
Well Crofts has already signed, JJ will be announced soon, then the aging MK keeper. That is 3 through the door by the end of next week possibly. Exciting start.
To be fair, Martin is 31, prime age for a goalkeeper. That said, us being linked with 32 year old Darren Potter, though he might be the best of our 30+ midfielders, is somewhat concerning. Ditto 33 year old Michael Turner (not sure if that's an actual link or just a "he lives in the area).
I'd definitely have DaSilva and Mvididi back. If nothing else, it'd give me more of a chance to learn to spell their names properly. But also, as mentioned, they have pace and technique that is almost impossible to come by at this level. Both were erratic, both made mistakes, but having a couple players who are 5/10 one week and 8/10 another is really useful in what is, shall we say, a limited league.
Well Crofts has already signed, JJ will be announced soon, then the aging MK keeper. That is 3 through the door by the end of next week possibly. Exciting start.
Sorry, quoting myself but I had forgotten we will also be-signing Ceballos, Vetokele and Sarr so that actually means 6 and gets us half way towards KR number.
I just found out Botaka is out of contract in the summer. I think he'd be decent on a free. He seemed to struggle to put a run of games together. From what I've seen, he seems to have the tools (including the work rate), but just hasn't put it all together yet. He was also played on the left a fair amount, which seems a bit odd given he seems more natural on the right.
I'd have him on a free. Think it's a low risk/high reward situation. He won't cost anything, I can't imagine his wages are too high. And this is League One, sometimes you need to game on players, especially technically gifted wingers. As I said above, I don't think it's bad to have young, quick, technically gifted players who are 5 or 8 out of 10 at this level.
On the prospect of Mavididi returning. I think he is definitely talented and can offer something.
Pace at this level is dangerous and often will lead to the defence panicking and making mistakes for a good striker to capitalise on.
However, I'm not sure I am 100% behind the idea that he can be the potent force up front that will fire us up the league to promotion. Although his signature for a loan spell, along with another proven striker would most definitely be welcomed!
I just found out Botaka is out of contract in the summer. I think he'd be decent on a free. He seemed to struggle to put a run of games together. From what I've seen, he seems to have the tools (including the work rate), but just hasn't put it all together yet. He was also played on the left a fair amount, which seems a bit odd given he seems more natural on the right.
I'd have him on a free. Think it's a low risk/high reward situation. He won't cost anything, I can't imagine his wages are too high. And this is League One, sometimes you need to game on players, especially technically gifted wingers. As I said above, I don't think it's bad to have young, quick, technically gifted players who are 5 or 8 out of 10 at this level.
I agree, Botaka on a free is worth the move - he sometimes is silly with his decision making, tries too hard to be the Messi of League One without the end product, and has lead to use on a few occasions wasting a goal scoring opportunity.
I just found out Botaka is out of contract in the summer. I think he'd be decent on a free. He seemed to struggle to put a run of games together. From what I've seen, he seems to have the tools (including the work rate), but just hasn't put it all together yet. He was also played on the left a fair amount, which seems a bit odd given he seems more natural on the right.
I'd have him on a free. Think it's a low risk/high reward situation. He won't cost anything, I can't imagine his wages are too high. And this is League One, sometimes you need to game on players, especially technically gifted wingers. As I said above, I don't think it's bad to have young, quick, technically gifted players who are 5 or 8 out of 10 at this level.
I agree, Botaka on a free is worth the move - he sometimes is silly with his decision making, tries too hard to be the Messi of League One without the end product, and has lead to use on a few occasions wasting a goal scoring opportunity.
But on a free? Definitely.
The problem is that they are never free. I'd be staggered if he's earning less than £10k a week, and in the year we had him he didn't do much to warrenty that kind of money. Also his agent will want a singing on bonus which, I am led to believe, is almost as much as a transfer fee.
I'm not sure he did enough to make him good value for money even if he was, literally, free.
Well Crofts has already signed, JJ will be announced soon, then the aging MK keeper. That is 3 through the door by the end of next week possibly. Exciting start.
To be fair, Martin is 31, prime age for a goalkeeper. That said, us being linked with 32 year old Darren Potter, though he might be the best of our 30+ midfielders, is somewhat concerning. Ditto 33 year old Michael Turner (not sure if that's an actual link or just a "he lives in the area).
I'd definitely have DaSilva and Mvididi back. If nothing else, it'd give me more of a chance to learn to spell their names properly. But also, as mentioned, they have pace and technique that is almost impossible to come by at this level. Both were erratic, both made mistakes, but having a couple players who are 5/10 one week and 8/10 another is really useful in what is, shall we say, a limited league.
Thing is, they were never 5/10 really, they were both consistently outstanding in their appearances. DaSilva got one 5.something on Players Marks but a) that was one of the higher marks of the worst home display of the season vs MK Dons and b) he actually played more like an 8 but most people were in no mood to hand out that kind of mark
I just found out Botaka is out of contract in the summer. I think he'd be decent on a free. He seemed to struggle to put a run of games together. From what I've seen, he seems to have the tools (including the work rate), but just hasn't put it all together yet. He was also played on the left a fair amount, which seems a bit odd given he seems more natural on the right.
I'd have him on a free. Think it's a low risk/high reward situation. He won't cost anything, I can't imagine his wages are too high. And this is League One, sometimes you need to game on players, especially technically gifted wingers. As I said above, I don't think it's bad to have young, quick, technically gifted players who are 5 or 8 out of 10 at this level.
Didn't see anything in the few times I saw him to think it would be worth bringing him back for next season. Particularly under an owner who wants a slim line squad and hence no / less room for "taking a chance".
Comments
Theoretical of course, but would be exciting.
Obviously he is way to talented for us.
I do think he's good and would take him back, but we're talking like he's a proven match-winner and I haven't really seen that yet at all.
I'd definitely have DaSilva and Mvididi back. If nothing else, it'd give me more of a chance to learn to spell their names properly. But also, as mentioned, they have pace and technique that is almost impossible to come by at this level. Both were erratic, both made mistakes, but having a couple players who are 5/10 one week and 8/10 another is really useful in what is, shall we say, a limited league.
Different class
I'd have him on a free. Think it's a low risk/high reward situation. He won't cost anything, I can't imagine his wages are too high. And this is League One, sometimes you need to game on players, especially technically gifted wingers. As I said above, I don't think it's bad to have young, quick, technically gifted players who are 5 or 8 out of 10 at this level.
Pace at this level is dangerous and often will lead to the defence panicking and making mistakes for a good striker to capitalise on.
However, I'm not sure I am 100% behind the idea that he can be the potent force up front that will fire us up the league to promotion. Although his signature for a loan spell, along with another proven striker would most definitely be welcomed!
But on a free? Definitely.
I'm not sure he did enough to make him good value for money even if he was, literally, free.