The new lad from chelski no idea, but all the others you have to say thanks but no thanks, lower mid table just isn't good enough and I'm really hoping TS will sanction a summer rebuild, we have plenty of players but sadly not enough to push us much higher up this league.
Famewo Not sure, right now leaning towards a no. Not good enough on the ball, cannot pick a pas, positioning is questionable, and not dominant enough in the air for his size. However, he is strong, he is mobile, and he is only young. If Pearce leaves, I’d sign Famewo but with the anticipation of signing another left sided centre back to provide proper competition for the position. He has potential but I haven’t seen enough of an improvement since he first joined.
Leko Regrettably leaning towards a no. He’s extremely frustrating, he often holds onto the ball for too long, and I don’t know what his best position is. However, I would sign him if he can learn to release the ball quickly and say you know what, I want to be a X player/play in X position, and he works on that. He has an upside if he can fulfil his potential, he now needs to get on with it.
Lee No, not based on his performances since Plymouth at home. People compare him to Williams but I preferred Jonny. Lee has a history of scoring goals and assists in this league, but right now he holds onto the ball for far too long, his deliveries are poor, he needs to take so many touches before passing the ball, and he is too selfish in certain positions when others are in a better place. If he releases the ball far quicker, plays one-twos and picks up his form before the end of the season, my opinion might change. But right now it’s a no.
Last season (before his injury) Famewo looked far too good for L1. Indeed a few were worried Norwich would recall him and send him to a Championship side in January.
Then when we got him back again last summer, and it was revealed we had an option to buy, I assumed it would only be triggered if we went up, as he would expect to be in the Championship next season. We won't be promoted now, but then he's regressed and now looks like a bog standard L1 defender. I'm not bothered if we sign him or not.
Leko - no, as we already have DJ and CBT under contract for next season Lee - not bothered either way
Need to let DJ go. Doesn’t do anywhere near enough, not quick enough, doesn’t get into scoring positions, he regularly slows the game down and doesn’t get his head up enough.
The positives are he can put in a dangerous cross, often when Stockley has been out the side at least one cross from DJ goes in and it would have been perfect for him. The other is he is relatively strong for his stature.
He’s not a player to get you promoted out of this league though.
Last season (before his injury) Famewo looked far too good for L1. Indeed a few were worried Norwich would recall him and send him to a Championship side in January.
Then when we got him back again last summer, and it was revealed we had an option to buy, I assumed it would only be triggered if we went up, as he would expect to be in the Championship next season. We won't be promoted now, but then he's regressed and now looks like a bog standard L1 defender. I'm not bothered if we sign him or not.
Leko - no, as we already have DJ and CBT under contract for next season Lee - not bothered either way
Need to let DJ go. Doesn’t do anywhere near enough, not quick enough, doesn’t get into scoring positions, he regularly slows the game down and doesn’t get his head up enough.
The positives are he can put in a dangerous cross, often when Stockley has been out the side at least one cross from DJ goes in and it would have been perfect for him. The other is he is relatively strong for his stature.
He’s not a player to get you promoted out of this league though.
Last season (before his injury) Famewo looked far too good for L1. Indeed a few were worried Norwich would recall him and send him to a Championship side in January.
Then when we got him back again last summer, and it was revealed we had an option to buy, I assumed it would only be triggered if we went up, as he would expect to be in the Championship next season. We won't be promoted now, but then he's regressed and now looks like a bog standard L1 defender. I'm not bothered if we sign him or not.
Leko - no, as we already have DJ and CBT under contract for next season Lee - not bothered either way
Need to let DJ go. Doesn’t do anywhere near enough, not quick enough, doesn’t get into scoring positions, he regularly slows the game down and doesn’t get his head up enough.
The positives are he can put in a dangerous cross, often when Stockley has been out the side at least one cross from DJ goes in and it would have been perfect for him. The other is he is relatively strong for his stature.
He’s not a player to get you promoted out of this league though.
Off topic, DJ isn't on loan
I know he’s not. Just thought I would share considering I saw his name and didn’t know where else to post it.
On their good days I'd sign all 3, on their bad days I'd get rid of all 3 - that's league 1 football.
If they can recapture their best form for us on a consistent basis then it's a yes. At the moment though probably only Famewo would be worth investing in.
Shame cause I really like Lee and want him to work out as playing here clearly means alot to him
Last season (before his injury) Famewo looked far too good for L1. Indeed a few were worried Norwich would recall him and send him to a Championship side in January.
Then when we got him back again last summer, and it was revealed we had an option to buy, I assumed it would only be triggered if we went up, as he would expect to be in the Championship next season. We won't be promoted now, but then he's regressed and now looks like a bog standard L1 defender. I'm not bothered if we sign him or not.
Leko - no, as we already have DJ and CBT under contract for next season Lee - not bothered either way
Need to let DJ go. Doesn’t do anywhere near enough, not quick enough, doesn’t get into scoring positions, he regularly slows the game down and doesn’t get his head up enough.
The positives are he can put in a dangerous cross, often when Stockley has been out the side at least one cross from DJ goes in and it would have been perfect for him. The other is he is relatively strong for his stature.
He’s not a player to get you promoted out of this league though.
DJ is under contract until the summer of 2024, CBT until the summer of 2023.
It's a bit like the Pratley Watson situation, where Pratley would have been the more useful player but Watson was under contract for this season and we didn't want both. DJ is our player for another 2.5 seasons, so we need to somehow get the best out of him, especially if we are dumping Kirk after 6 months
I dont go to games much of late, but even though i wasn't impressed on the couple of times i have seen Lee. I am surprised he is not good enough when he has the most assists so far? I know its not a huge amount, but things like that are going to be key, although i do agree he can fade in and out of the game and misplaces too many passes, should do better on set pieces
Famewo - Keep, think he is quality when i have seen him just sounds out of form, maybe the formation or needs a regular partner
Lee- Keep, he might be a bit of a luxury player but does have that touch of quality (although admittedly he wastes it too often)
Leko - I'd keep but again not sure he should be starting, a bit of a deer in headlights but still at this level good enough.
When we can challenge for promotion and get to the championship only think Famewo is good enough to step up.
Last season (before his injury) Famewo looked far too good for L1. Indeed a few were worried Norwich would recall him and send him to a Championship side in January.
Then when we got him back again last summer, and it was revealed we had an option to buy, I assumed it would only be triggered if we went up, as he would expect to be in the Championship next season. We won't be promoted now, but then he's regressed and now looks like a bog standard L1 defender. I'm not bothered if we sign him or not.
Leko - no, as we already have DJ and CBT under contract for next season Lee - not bothered either way
Need to let DJ go. Doesn’t do anywhere near enough, not quick enough, doesn’t get into scoring positions, he regularly slows the game down and doesn’t get his head up enough.
The positives are he can put in a dangerous cross, often when Stockley has been out the side at least one cross from DJ goes in and it would have been perfect for him. The other is he is relatively strong for his stature.
He’s not a player to get you promoted out of this league though.
I know I'm rather tethered to defending DJ, but I'd add in the plus column that he has the best touch and close control in the entire squad, and he looks to play through-balls. In fact I'd almost be tempted to try him in the Lee/Morgan role. Also, 'doesn't do anywhere near enough' is a bit harsh considering he has an entire flank to cover, and plenty of defending to do (which he does - how many goals have come down his and Clare's side since they started playing there? I'd wager very few indeed)
Last season (before his injury) Famewo looked far too good for L1. Indeed a few were worried Norwich would recall him and send him to a Championship side in January.
Then when we got him back again last summer, and it was revealed we had an option to buy, I assumed it would only be triggered if we went up, as he would expect to be in the Championship next season. We won't be promoted now, but then he's regressed and now looks like a bog standard L1 defender. I'm not bothered if we sign him or not.
Leko - no, as we already have DJ and CBT under contract for next season Lee - not bothered either way
Need to let DJ go. Doesn’t do anywhere near enough, not quick enough, doesn’t get into scoring positions, he regularly slows the game down and doesn’t get his head up enough.
The positives are he can put in a dangerous cross, often when Stockley has been out the side at least one cross from DJ goes in and it would have been perfect for him. The other is he is relatively strong for his stature.
He’s not a player to get you promoted out of this league though.
I know I'm rather tethered to defending DJ, but I'd add in the plus column that he has the best touch and close control in the entire squad, and he looks to play through-balls. In fact I'd almost be tempted to try him in the Lee/Morgan role. Also, 'doesn't do anywhere near enough' is a bit harsh considering he has an entire flank to cover, and plenty of defending to do (which he does - how many goals have come down his and Clare's side since they started playing there? I'd wager very few indeed)
Defensively he has improved and supports Clare more than any other wingers playing at wing back. I would agree with that.
However, I’d hate to see him the middle as he has no positional awareness for the middle and would leave a gaping hole.
The doesn’t do anywhere near enough is in relation to impacting the game.
He slows the game down, he’s not quick, he doesn’t score or get into scoring positions, he has very little variation to his game, he often receives the ball with his back to goal or at 140 degrees meaning he can only play backwards, he’s not done anything to tell me he is a player to get promoted from League One in a year of being here.
He isn't that quick, but his feet are often good enough to work space either for a cross or a layback for someone else to cross in more space.
He isn't in a position to score because he is instructed to stay wide.
If he had more explosive pace and slightly more reliable crossing he'd be playing at a higher level. I agree that this burst of pace is important for a winger, but at this level I'm taking DJ's skillset.
I will admit to a natural bias towards players with good touch and close control, which is why I haven't turned on Lee yet either.
There is not a single player, loanee or otherwise, in this squad that I would shed a tear for if I never saw them in a Charlton shirt again. I honestly mean that.
Edit. I exempt Dobbo from that swingeing generalisation.
He isn't that quick, but his feet are often good enough to work space either for a cross or a layback for someone else to cross in more space.
He isn't in a position to score because he is instructed to stay wide.
If he had more explosive pace and slightly more reliable crossing he'd be playing at a higher level. I agree that this burst of pace is important for a winger, but at this level I'm taking DJ's skillset.
I will admit to a natural bias towards players with good touch and close control, which is why I haven't turned on Lee yet either.
Not quite true.
Jackson has been banging on about the wing-backs getting into the box and at the back post when a ball comes in from the opposite side. He’s said it before and I’ve heard from multiple places that it’s something he’s getting frustrated about.
The idea is for two strikers in and around the 6 yard box, an advanced midfielder around the penalty spot, another midfielder around the edge of the box and the opposite wing-back coming in at the back post. Then behind the ball you have Dobson in front of the defence in case we have a counter attack situation against us.
DJ hasn’t done that as I don’t think he has the instincts to pull it off. Incredibly, Purrington does seem to more and did it to good effect early on but has since not performed great himself.
Wing-backs are crucial in this formation and I don’t think we have good enough ones right now. Castillo may be one, but we’re yet to find out. To me, DJ just never really looks threatening or gets me off my seat thinking he’s dangerous. The one time he has that I can remember is against Crewe in August where he scored the opener. That’s not enough in a season to tell me he’s at the level we really require.
Famewo - blows hot and cold. He isn’t the player we had on loan last season. His aimless balls down the line are really starting to get on my wick. He continues to do it, so I’m guessing he has been instructed to do so - I can’t understand why because 9 times out of 10 they either go to nobody or out of play.
Lee - looked good when he signed but for the last 2 months (maybe more) he has been a passenger. Doesn’t score, and doesn’t influence the play.
Leko - I was so pleased when we got him back, but he hasn’t offered a great deal. Looks disinterested and nobody, including himself knows what he is going to do when he has the ball at his feet. He looked good in the Championship but totally lost at the moment.
Ditto - completely agree. We need better players if we are going to mount a promotion challenge. Personally, I think most if not all bar one or two players aren’t good enough to get us out this league.
This includes the loanees (can’t comment on Castillo).
I think a lot of people think we have 7/8 good capable players who just need 3/4 better players around them. I cannot come to that opinion based on where we are in the table and the level of football served up collectively.
A good example is Gilbey. A lot of people rate him, he drives forward with runs throughout the game, but ultimately, ask yourself, what’s his end product over the course of this season. I would argue that’s a player that should be on the fringes of our team next season. Same with Lee, Leko, DJ, Purrington, Washington and so on.
In my mind, as extreme as it may read, I can only see Dobson, Clare and potentially Stockley having the quality we need to get out this league, if they’re among better players. Not the other way round.
Time will tell. I could be massively wrong, but I think we’ve got very little chance if we persist with the majority of this squad next season
On the flip-side, we don't get very many crosses in from the left...
Supporters might think that but statistically that’s not true either. 38% of our attack comes down the left, 39% comes down the right. It’s very balanced as we rarely attack down the middle.
Additionally, via whoscored.com looking at the positive match impacts of players who have started at least 10 games this season, DJ is actually our worst performing player with Stockley our best. In the last game against Fleetwood, only Lee scored worse than DJ of positive match impact.
You can defend him and hope he comes good, I hope he does too. He is only 23 and there is room for improvement, that’s for sure. However, unfortunately so far I haven’t seen enough that suggests that’s going to be the case.
Some people quick to say no.... But there are times when it's not perhaps the players ability that's the issue, but how they fit into the formation and set up. So many players are off form and misfiring, it's not just the loan players. Maybe it's time for Jacko to take a fresh look at the system and set up?
None of the 3 have done themselves any favours this season as regards to wage demands if they were to become permanent. Famewo , Yes but on a lower fee and wages than we would probably have paid last summer. Leko , Yes if a free agent and on average league one wages. Lee , Yes as a squad player and free. Average league one wages
Two months ago I would have fought to sign Famewo and Lee. Today I would sign neither. Not sure what's happened to Famewo but he is all over the shop. Caught in possession and incapable of playing a decent pass. Lee's initial flurry has subsided and he is showing us why Luton don't want him. We can't afford to carry passengers any longer. Not sure what position Leko should play. He's nothing special in any of them.
Famewo a def yes. Leko needs to prove himself the rest of the season has not hit the heights of pre injury which makes him bang average, so right now no. Lee is the real disappointment given his family connections (his dad used to be on the turnstiles) we have seen what he can do but he seems to have lost his way, for now it's a no. If there is an opportunity to keep the Chelsea guy then let's see, if not then I do not understand getting him.
Here's a question for you all, given the hype surrounding the signings of Famewo, Leko and Lee, and the fact that all 3 are almost certainly available to purchase, would you sign any of them permanently?
FWIW, I wouldn't. Lee is largely ineffective in games, and just reminds me of Williams from the past 2 seasons, a lot of hustle and bustle but very little end product. Leko is a bang average winger in this league, and not good enough as a right wing back or as a striker to warrant buying him and playing him in one of those positions. Famewo is probably the best of the 3, but he's far too hot and cold for me, and his inability to pick out a pass, but this insistence on continuing to try to, is very grating. He also has a big mistake or two in him every game (remember any other left footed centre backs we've had recently like that? Spain and Senegal spring to mind)
I haven't included Castillo in this list as a) he'd never sign here permanently, b) he'll be on wages too big to warrant giving a wing back in League 1 and c) he's been here all of about 15 minutes.
Would you keep any of them on?
Although he’s been pretty average in recent games, I would keep Famewo. The others, definitely not . Leko has talent but rarely shows it and Lee clearly has these troughs of form, otherwise skint Luton wouldn’t have let him go .
Comments
Not sure, right now leaning towards a no. Not good enough on the ball, cannot pick a pas, positioning is questionable, and not dominant enough in the air for his size. However, he is strong, he is mobile, and he is only young. If Pearce leaves, I’d sign Famewo but with the anticipation of signing another left sided centre back to provide proper competition for the position. He has potential but I haven’t seen enough of an improvement since he first joined.
Leko
Regrettably leaning towards a no. He’s extremely frustrating, he often holds onto the ball for too long, and I don’t know what his best position is. However, I would sign him if he can learn to release the ball quickly and say you know what, I want to be a X player/play in X position, and he works on that. He has an upside if he can fulfil his potential, he now needs to get on with it.
Lee
No, not based on his performances since Plymouth at home. People compare him to Williams but I preferred Jonny. Lee has a history of scoring goals and assists in this league, but right now he holds onto the ball for far too long, his deliveries are poor, he needs to take so many touches before passing the ball, and he is too selfish in certain positions when others are in a better place. If he releases the ball far quicker, plays one-twos and picks up his form before the end of the season, my opinion might change. But right now it’s a no.
The positives are he can put in a dangerous cross, often when Stockley has been out the side at least one cross from DJ goes in and it would have been perfect for him. The other is he is relatively strong for his stature.
He’s not a player to get you promoted out of this league though.
If they can recapture their best form for us on a consistent basis then it's a yes. At the moment though probably only Famewo would be worth investing in.
Shame cause I really like Lee and want him to work out as playing here clearly means alot to him
It's a bit like the Pratley Watson situation, where Pratley would have been the more useful player but Watson was under contract for this season and we didn't want both. DJ is our player for another 2.5 seasons, so we need to somehow get the best out of him, especially if we are dumping Kirk after 6 months
Famewo - Keep, think he is quality when i have seen him just sounds out of form, maybe the formation or needs a regular partner
Lee- Keep, he might be a bit of a luxury player but does have that touch of quality (although admittedly he wastes it too often)
Leko - I'd keep but again not sure he should be starting, a bit of a deer in headlights but still at this level good enough.
When we can challenge for promotion and get to the championship only think Famewo is good enough to step up.
However, I’d hate to see him the middle as he has no positional awareness for the middle and would leave a gaping hole.
The doesn’t do anywhere near enough is in relation to impacting the game.
He slows the game down, he’s not quick, he doesn’t score or get into scoring positions, he has very little variation to his game, he often receives the ball with his back to goal or at 140 degrees meaning he can only play backwards, he’s not done anything to tell me he is a player to get promoted from League One in a year of being here.
He isn't in a position to score because he is instructed to stay wide.
If he had more explosive pace and slightly more reliable crossing he'd be playing at a higher level. I agree that this burst of pace is important for a winger, but at this level I'm taking DJ's skillset.
I will admit to a natural bias towards players with good touch and close control, which is why I haven't turned on Lee yet either.
Jackson has been banging on about the wing-backs getting into the box and at the back post when a ball comes in from the opposite side. He’s said it before and I’ve heard from multiple places that it’s something he’s getting frustrated about.
The idea is for two strikers in and around the 6 yard box, an advanced midfielder around the penalty spot, another midfielder around the edge of the box and the opposite wing-back coming in at the back post. Then behind the ball you have Dobson in front of the defence in case we have a counter attack situation against us.
DJ hasn’t done that as I don’t think he has the instincts to pull it off. Incredibly, Purrington does seem to more and did it to good effect early on but has since not performed great himself.
Wing-backs are crucial in this formation and I don’t think we have good enough ones right now. Castillo may be one, but we’re yet to find out. To me, DJ just never really looks threatening or gets me off my seat thinking he’s dangerous. The one time he has that I can remember is against Crewe in August where he scored the opener. That’s not enough in a season to tell me he’s at the level we really require.
I think a lot of people think we have 7/8 good capable players who just need 3/4 better players around them. I cannot come to that opinion based on where we are in the table and the level of football served up collectively.
Time will tell. I could be massively wrong, but I think we’ve got very little chance if we persist with the majority of this squad next season
Additionally, via whoscored.com looking at the positive match impacts of players who have started at least 10 games this season, DJ is actually our worst performing player with Stockley our best. In the last game against Fleetwood, only Lee scored worse than DJ of positive match impact.
You can defend him and hope he comes good, I hope he does too. He is only 23 and there is room for improvement, that’s for sure. However, unfortunately so far I haven’t seen enough that suggests that’s going to be the case.
Lee - no sorry
Leko - no sorry
Maybe it's time for Jacko to take a fresh look at the system and set up?
Famewo , Yes but on a lower fee and wages than we would probably have paid last summer.
Leko , Yes if a free agent and on average league one wages.
Lee , Yes as a squad player and free. Average league one wages
Leko needs to prove himself the rest of the season has not hit the heights of pre injury which makes him bang average, so right now no.
Lee is the real disappointment given his family connections (his dad used to be on the turnstiles) we have seen what he can do but he seems to have lost his way, for now it's a no.
If there is an opportunity to keep the Chelsea guy then let's see, if not then I do not understand getting him.