Out of interest, but if TC was on the released list at say Oxford or Northampton and we announced him this summer on a 2-3 year deal, would you be pleased with that signing?
I'd probably have hardly seen him play so wouldn't have a strong opinion either way. If I had seen him play as he has for us I would probably say he is worth a punt but with some reservations.
It's not really the same thing though. We've invested years of time, energy, and money in his development and wouldn't have done that if we were signing him from Oxford. He's progressed well enough to get in and around the first team. Yes, he had a bad stall in his form last season but he has also made positive contributions in what is only really his first 18 months in the first team. If you're going to put all that emphasis on having a proper youth development system at the club, then you have to give the few that come through to first team level and show a bit of promise at that level some time and breathing space to properly establish themselves. They won't all do it and eventually you may have to cut ties anyway (e.g. Albie Morgan) but you can't expect instant and consistent impact from all of them and it just feels a bit too early to write off Campbell. Another two-year deal with an option of a third, in the club's favour, seems a sensible outcome for all parties.
@AFKABartram if you saw a you tube reel of TC he would look a very exciting talent - I really like him, his movement is excellent and he was very effective when playing on the opposite side to JRS. I hope he flourishes under NJ
@AFKABartram if you saw a you tube reel of TC he would look a very exciting talent - I really like him, his movement is excellent and he was very effective when playing on the opposite side to JRS. I hope he flourishes under NJ
Im hoping he’ll be back on track, if we sign someone either more experienced, who he can learn from, or another promising and up and coming youngster with as much, if not better than him player, who he can learn off of.
Im wondering if Nathan will change systems, and be more inclusive of TC, who got a bit frozen out, when we were in the midst of a relegation battle, heck of a gamble selling CBT in January.
I don’t know if he has a lot going on , but he needs to get his mojo back, and a smile back on his face, can’t have helped having a cloud of uncertainty over whether he was going to be here or not next season, I felt the same way! 😂
As much as we all want (and rightly so) new players of high quality to be signed this summer, I am excited about the progress of our current players too.
Kanu's progress last season was very exciting, and feel confident with a decent summer, players like Campbell can up his game further.
There was a lot of excitement about signing Scott Fraser. There was hardly any excitement about signing Corey Blackett-Taylor. Fans get it wrong all the time when it comes to new signings.
There was a lot of celebrating when we signed Charlie Kirk.
It’s very easy in hindsight to say these things, but prior to coming to us Kirk had a couple of very good seasons at Crewe and Fraser was one of the best midfielders in league one. Can only go on there previous games, it’s unfair to say fans get it wrong because they were rightly excited
Out of interest, but if TC was on the released list at say Oxford or Northampton and we announced him this summer on a 2-3 year deal, would you be pleased with that signing?
Something tells me his YouTube clip would look amazing so that would be posted and people would be delighted. It wouldn't have featured any of the time Apples was with us.
It probably would be mostly that time actually. This season he got one assist under Holden, one goal under Pearce and the other 3 goals and 6 assists under Appleton. He scored a proper rocket against Reading and put through a brilliant ball for Leaburn's goal, absolutely skinned his man for an assist against Wycombe, his run and cross against Lincoln was great. His highlights this season make him look like a proper player
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It's not really the same thing though. We've invested years of time, energy, and money in his development and wouldn't have done that if we were signing him from Oxford. He's progressed well enough to get in and around the first team. Yes, he had a bad stall in his form last season but he has also made positive contributions in what is only really his first 18 months in the first team. If you're going to put all that emphasis on having a proper youth development system at the club, then you have to give the few that come through to first team level and show a bit of promise at that level some time and breathing space to properly establish themselves. They won't all do it and eventually you may have to cut ties anyway (e.g. Albie Morgan) but you can't expect instant and consistent impact from all of them and it just feels a bit too early to write off Campbell. Another two-year deal with an option of a third, in the club's favour, seems a sensible outcome for all parties.
Im wondering if Nathan will change systems, and be more inclusive of TC, who got a bit frozen out, when we were in the midst of a relegation battle, heck of a gamble selling CBT in January.
I don’t know if he has a lot going on , but he needs to get his mojo back, and a smile back on his face, can’t have helped having a cloud of uncertainty over whether he was going to be here or not next season, I felt the same way! 😂
Kanu's progress last season was very exciting, and feel confident with a decent summer, players like Campbell can up his game further.