"We think as a football club it's going to best for him to go on loan this season and get minutes having missed the first half of last season with injuries and then found opportunities limited in the second half with players coming in and doing well," explained McKenna.
"He's been training really well and is a top professional. We've had communication from some different clubs. That process is ongoing at the moment."
The Blues boss continued: "It's the same with Elkan Baggott. We think it's best for him to get minutes on loan this season and he is in agreement with that plan. Again, we've had communication with different clubs. There's nothing very imminent, but that will hopefully get sorted in the next few weeks."
Asked if both players were likely to join League One clubs, McKenna said: "There's interest from different levels for both. Nothing's agreed. We'll look at each case as it comes."
One appearence last season. He may have proved his top class in the past BUT no more injury prown loanees - pleeease.
I understand where you are coming from but think it is worth the risk. It would need a return clause in event of injury and that is probably going to be the stumbling block.
You can only return loans in January so little choice with that. I imagine Ipswich would want a recall clause in case he stayed fit and had a great first half of the season.
Would be an exciting signing, I tend to focus on our players rather than opponents but he was one that stood out. One of those that’s a gamble due to his injury last season but probably worth the risk due to the quality he’d bring if he stayed fit.
I'm not sure that's correct. You quite often see reports of loan players returning to their parent club because of injury.
You’re right but is that for treatment or officially terminating the loan? I think the loan still ends once the January window opens so they can’t play for their parent club before then.
It happened with AMB last season, fortunately as he hadn’t played for Gillingham he was able to play for us when fit.
Camera is a strange one. If he could replicate his Plymouth form then we should try to sign him as others have said, he always impressed when we played them. Although a note of caution would be that Marcus Maddison always looked exceptional for Peterborough.
After a year out through injury would he be the same player?
They’ve lost a lot of players already so I think it would take a lot of money to get them to sell him. Would make them one of the favourites for relegation so I can’t see it happening
After the May signing, I think we are a new CM and LWB away from having a pretty decent starting 11 (with everyone fit). Here’s the lineup I’ve gone with assuming Deano will be going with a 5 at the back this season.
That’s how I see it but with Fraser as the CAM and new CM alongside Dobbo. I guess then in games where we can’t score we go 343 bringing CBT/Campbell on for one of the CMs.
Connor Mcgrandles if he can repeat his cambridge form?
I’ll be totally honest I’ve absolutely no idea what McGrandles is like.
He should really be a direct replacement for Albie. Passing and moving the ball on, working in both directions, being able to snap into tackles without it being the main part of his game and able to create a bit. He can also take over set pieces from Albie; almost all of his assists for Cambridge were from free kicks or corners. You can get an idea of what he does from how Garner wanted to use him. Garner wanted him as the deepest midfielder but to give control rather than protect against what the opposition does. He even tried Albie a bit there in pre-season for the same reason but we didn't have the players around them to allow that and needed Dobson so we didn't get carved apart.
After the May signing, I think we are a new CM and LWB away from having a pretty decent starting 11 (with everyone fit). Here’s the lineup I’ve gone with assuming Deano will be going with a 5 at the back this season.
That’s how I see it but with Fraser as the CAM and new CM alongside Dobbo. I guess then in games where we can’t score we go 343 bringing CBT/Campbell on for one of the CMs.
Connor Mcgrandles if he can repeat his cambridge form?
I’ll be totally honest I’ve absolutely no idea what McGrandles is like.
He should really be a direct replacement for Albie. Passing and moving the ball on, working in both directions, being able to snap into tackles without it being the main part of his game and able to create a bit. He can also take over set pieces from Albie; almost all of his assists for Cambridge were from free kicks or corners. You can get an idea of what he does from how Garner wanted to use him. Garner wanted him as the deepest midfielder but to give control rather than protect against what the opposition does. He even tried Albie a bit there in pre-season for the same reason but we didn't have the players around them to allow that and needed Dobson so we didn't get carved apart.
My only worry is why wasn’t he played end of the last season? Rather than sent out on loan to enable Morgan to play instead. Perhaps it was because he wasn’t fit, or was it that he wasn’t fancied who knows. Like I say I’ve no idea what he’s like.
After the May signing, I think we are a new CM and LWB away from having a pretty decent starting 11 (with everyone fit). Here’s the lineup I’ve gone with assuming Deano will be going with a 5 at the back this season.
I do wonder what we'll do with the LWB spot, I have a bad feeling it might be sacrificed a bit if we struggle to get our targets. With May I expect us (hope) to play 352, in which case Holden might think he can get away with CBT and Campbell as his WB options there. Obviously that won't work as well if he wants to switch to 343, but even then he could put CBT at LWB behind Campbell at LW. I think we might only get on proper LB/LWB in and hope that player is very good and stays fit. I'd hate that though. I've never really rated CBT as a WB and cramming players into positions just because you want to play a certain way and that's what you've got is Jacksony and destined to fail
After the May signing, I think we are a new CM and LWB away from having a pretty decent starting 11 (with everyone fit). Here’s the lineup I’ve gone with assuming Deano will be going with a 5 at the back this season.
I do wonder what we'll do with the LWB spot, I have a bad feeling it might be sacrificed a bit if we struggle to get our targets. With May I expect us (hope) to play 352, in which case Holden might think he can get away with CBT and Campbell as his WB options there. Obviously that won't work as well if he wants to switch to 343, but even then he could put CBT at LWB behind Campbell at LW. I think we might only get on proper LB/LWB in and hope that player is very good and stays fit. I'd hate that though. I've never really rated CBT as a WB and cramming players into positions just because you want to play a certain way and that's what you've got is Jacksony and destined to fail
If we play this formation at home, I would like to see CBT play between the front 2 and the central midfielders, or at least used as an impact sun to get the ball high up and run at tiring centre backs
"We think as a football club it's going to best for him to go on loan this season and get minutes having missed the first half of last season with injuries and then found opportunities limited in the second half with players coming in and doing well," explained McKenna.
"He's been training really well and is a top professional. We've had communication from some different clubs. That process is ongoing at the moment."
The Blues boss continued: "It's the same with Elkan Baggott. We think it's best for him to get minutes on loan this season and he is in agreement with that plan. Again, we've had communication with different clubs. There's nothing very imminent, but that will hopefully get sorted in the next few weeks."
Asked if both players were likely to join League One clubs, McKenna said: "There's interest from different levels for both. Nothing's agreed. We'll look at each case as it comes."
I suspect Richard Chin is going to be more involved this year.
I think Asiimwe could be involved as cover for Egbo. I think he will suit being an attacking wing back more than Chin will. Ideally we sign Sessegnon and a proper left wing back. Then those 3 along with CBT and Asiimwe would have us pretty well covered for either side.
Not sure what happens with TC. Might have to be more of an impact sub role for him this season which is a shame as he looks a real prospect
After the May signing, I think we are a new CM and LWB away from having a pretty decent starting 11 (with everyone fit). Here’s the lineup I’ve gone with assuming Deano will be going with a 5 at the back this season.
That’s how I see it but with Fraser as the CAM and new CM alongside Dobbo. I guess then in games where we can’t score we go 343 bringing CBT/Campbell on for one of the CMs.
Connor Mcgrandles if he can repeat his cambridge form?
I’ll be totally honest I’ve absolutely no idea what McGrandles is like.
He should really be a direct replacement for Albie. Passing and moving the ball on, working in both directions, being able to snap into tackles without it being the main part of his game and able to create a bit. He can also take over set pieces from Albie; almost all of his assists for Cambridge were from free kicks or corners. You can get an idea of what he does from how Garner wanted to use him. Garner wanted him as the deepest midfielder but to give control rather than protect against what the opposition does. He even tried Albie a bit there in pre-season for the same reason but we didn't have the players around them to allow that and needed Dobson so we didn't get carved apart.
My only worry is why wasn’t he played end of the last season? Rather than sent out on loan to enable Morgan to play instead. Perhaps it was because he wasn’t fit, or was it that he wasn’t fancied who knows. Like I say I’ve no idea what he’s like.
I think it's what had to happen. We were in a weird place in January; we'd hit a little bit of form in there and I think we were 6 points (though everyone else had games in hand) off the play-off spots and there was a feeling a really good run could put us in contention. We couldn't afford to put McGrandles in and let him try and play himself into form and fitness, and there was a feeling he needed consistent game time to get that back. He played every game for Cambridge after signing except the one against us and he looked very good as he went on. Considering our season fizzled out I think sending him somewhere to play with a bit less pressure was the best thing for him. I'm really hopeful he can get a fresh start this season and show what he's about
I'd snap Camara up in a flash, surely gotta be one we focus on. Got a great shot too from what I remember.
I imagine Alan Nikon will break the news.
lets wait and see how it develops
I'm having flashbacks to other such signings. He could be an inspired signing or a bit of a loose canon. Sometimes though these players just click. Can you picture him in our team?
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It happened with AMB last season, fortunately as he hadn’t played for Gillingham he was able to play for us when fit.
After a year out through injury would he be the same player?
I imagine Alan Nikon will break the news.
like to see CBT play between the front 2 and the central midfielders, or at least used as an impact sun to get the ball high up and run at tiring centre backs
Good in the slide tackle. Can project himself well. No negatives.
Will wear the number 35mm shirt.
Not sure what happens with TC. Might have to be more of an impact sub role for him this season which is a shame as he looks a real prospect
One week a trial at a middling League 1 club and then a trial at a new Premier club🤔
I'm having flashbacks to other such signings. He could be an inspired signing or a bit of a loose canon. Sometimes though these players just click. Can you picture him in our team?