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It has got to be a right back coming in as well I was expecting at least 1 signing before Saturday game

Seems to me that Leake is a bit of a scapegoat. He was left more exposed than a naturist in Birkenhead town centre on a pre-Christmas Saturday afternoon. Salford’s 24 had clearly been awarded the Freedom of the Borough of Wirral. The guy is still young and learning his trade, but has shown enough to suggest he can make it.
In a game where none of the defence, or the midfield for their defensive duties, covered themselves in any glory, trying to single out Leake (even questioning Turnbull’s form due to Leake) is a stretch too far for me.
Regardless, strengthening the squad is a gimme if we can afford to/can find the right personnel. My first priority would be a sitting mid-fielder (if O’Connor or Merrie are not going to be given this role). We need a tiger back there to “bite legs” and halt some of the easy progression by-passing our midfield that we saw on Saturday; tackles being shirked is one of my biggest bug-bearers. Big, big question I know, but could Lewis do that role? He’s shown some aggression and ample work-rate in the past; maybe I’m stretching it on that one as he’s not exactly Mr popular; alternatively one of our resident fit notes becomes available.
Salford’s savvy at stopping our progress with frequent fouls/tackles might not be easy on the eye, but definitely something we were/are sorely lacking; League Two is often a bit of a dog fight and do we have the dogs who are big enough or have enough fight in them to progress; Norris most definitely fits that bill and a real shame about the injury, I’d also add Connor Jennings to a list of those I’d want for a battle (they both have refined enough skills to tick the “football” box too). I’m okay with the back four and some extra cover would be beneficial, highlighted by O’Connor’s injury, but thought Yarney looked good and a strong presence when he came on.
I’ve been impressed with Luke McGee, commanding presence and just hope his confidence isn’t affected by our shaky start; with Murphy around we’re sorted on the GK front.
On paper, we have more than enough up-front and we have been scoring (creating chances where we should have scored..MK Dons!!).
Anyway, enough of my bilge, only wanted to defend Leake (ironic as that’s what some have been calling for him to do!).

Strikers/Forwards.........you seem to have forgotten our joint top scorer.......SAM TAYLOR

Largely agree with this. The full back positions have always been an issue for me since Cogs & Bristow left but I agree players like Leake should not be scapegoated. The defence as a whole has really lacked protection from a defensive midfielder worth his salt and that is also a big position we need to address. The midfield generally has been my number one concern from a defensive and attacking point of view.

The problem for recruitment this season is we have inherited too many players who are not good enough or injury prone. The result is we have an unbalanced side with too many run-of-the-mill central midfielders, and too many average strikers, with not enough defensive cover, or certain effective profiles of midfielder (ie box to box, holding, pace on the wing etc)

I'm starting to get a bit twitchy now. Last minute fourth choice players incoming?

Up to now, I’ve been happy with our acquisitions I hope we don’t revert at the last minute and bring in bench warmers.

MP is very keen to cut the waste out so that gives grounds for optimism.

Dawes said in presser today looking at getting 1 or 2 in next few days with 1 or going out, then spoke about Prem clubs waiting to loan players out. So sounds like loans, not necessarily Prem youngsters (maybe) but could mean them allowing them out to clubs higher than us will potentially then release their players for loan.

Will be interesting to see who we let go, presumably Hockenhull, Hughes & Jolley could all go out on loan but depends on if we get another CB & fitness of strikers for the former & latter. Hemmings, don’t know what is going on but imagine he is going. And Hawkes, has he not been involved as much as we going to let him go and waiting on loan to come in? Probably just form that keeping him out. Currently can see Hemmings & Hughes as most likely to go, Merrie another not been involved but we only just give him a new deal so would be strange. If fit, should be starting for me.

Overall, squad massively imbalanced. To many CM’s and Forwards. No cover at either FB (unless you play people out of position) would be concerned if Davies or JT get injured and no cover or pace out wide, likely as he wants to play the diamond. Also could do with an athletic ball winning CM, which is crazy as we have we have 8.

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Brenk
Up to now, I’ve been happy with our acquisitions I hope we don’t revert at the last minute and bring in bench warmers.
MP is very keen to cut the waste out so that gives grounds for optimism.

cut the waste, and yet he gave an injury prone Walker a 2 1/2 year deal.

Had they not heard of nominative determinism?

Having looked it up…..😂

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Brenk
Having looked it up…..😂

That’s why it has taken so long to get new players in. . Searching for players with surnames Winner, Champion and Striker

I understand that we have been left with a lot of in contract players and it’s frustrating them not being moved on. However we see it, Dawes may see it another, he seems to favour Lewis for example. Dawes also had a say in all of the signings in the last 2 years/Vaughan era, as MP stated in Q&A that him, MM, Vaughn, Parky & Dawes all agreed on them. So not necessarily not his signings, though we may see who doesn’t want with the outgoings over the next few days.

So far, I think the recruitment hasn’t been good enough, happy with MGee & the strikers but the rest has been poor, hoping he can rectify it over the next week. He said last week we will only get better than we’ve got. So let’s see.



Edited 1 time(s). Last edit at 2023:08:25:19:36:08 by stek26.

And yet… someone has been posting on here bemoaning the fact that a player hasn’t been given a longer contract. Go figure.

I would say signing the younger players with an option of a third in the clubs favour, makes obvious sense, protecting saleable assets. Depends if these players would sign them at this level, a whole host of reasons it wouldn’t. In Jan we got Walker on 2 half yr deal and Saunders 18 month deal, then Dennis signs 2 year but Norris and McGee sign 1 yr deals. Likely a mixture of club an player decisions on what they are will to give/sign based on circumstances, such as injury.

Pretty much the whole squad are out of contract next summer. Think only Davies, Walker, Hendry, Dennis & Taylor in contract. So a massive rebuild but also opportunity.

It’s not players we need. A new manager is required.

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Zint
It’s not players we need. A new manager is required.

This squad is not attractive for a new manager, which I think is what put off potential candidates in the summer.

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jonesy792

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Zint
It’s not players we need. A new manager is required.

This squad is not attractive for a new manager, which I think is what put off potential candidates in the summer.

Gifting MM a third spell as manager is probably the only logical answer



Edited 1 time(s). Last edit at 2023:08:26:20:05:53 by BirkenheadRover.

Hemmings will go then we need a CB, Davies has wooden legs, a FB poss 2, and a centre mid. Walker could go for me, good player but has his own butt groove on the physios table

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BirkenheadRover

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jonesy792

Quote:

Zint
It’s not players we need. A new manager is required.

This squad is not attractive for a new manager, which I think is what put off potential candidates in the summer.

Gifting MM a third spell as manager is probably the only logical answer

Yep

Managers or people with experience would take it, even if it meant getting a really successful non-league manager.

If a squad was not that attractive, then teams finishing 18th or below would be having to promote an assistant or player to the managers position, because no external candidates would give a flying fig.

Dawes made some sense and still does. Pulling the trigger now is a pointless endeavour. The first couple of games were down to profligacy in front of goal which is not Dawes' problem, if they create enough chances and don't finish.

The Salford game showed good attacking intent, but conceding 4 showed defensive concerns.

Dawes could perhaps take a bit of blame for today, but then he is missing key personnel who have made little impact thus far due to injury.

He definitely needs more time in the job. Knee-jerking over managers at such an early stage, is a precarious decision and one level headed people like the Palios' could be considered shrewd enough not to make.

Then I ate his Liver.......... with some baked beans and a can of coke.

We need a big window of ins and outs to turn this season around. Can’t see it happening myself. Time will tell with less than a week to go ….

Timing getting tight. Anyone heard any rumours?

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kennyspint

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BirkenheadRover

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jonesy792

Quote:

Zint
It’s not players we need. A new manager is required.

This squad is not attractive for a new manager, which I think is what put off potential candidates in the summer.

Gifting MM a third spell as manager is probably the only logical answer

Yep

+1

Mellon return. Not for me.

Just over 36 hours to go, nothing happening?

Seems like it’s FBs that are the primary targets in these couple of days given what Dawes said post match. Still hoping for another CB, a CM, and attacking mid/winger. Hopefully we get at least one of these in addition to FBs.

Maybe even a new target man type striker on loan, sounds like Norris has done damage to the same foot that he arrived injured with, the first scan didn’t reveal properly. Stats so far are showing we are one of the top long ball teams in the league, even more than when under Mickey which is a surprise so it seems this is how Dawes wants to play.

Just hope he keeps to his word and brings players in better than what we have, whatever the position.

Spoke to Norris on Tuesday. Said he will know more on Friday. Not wearing any dressing so may not be as bad as we thought.

LOC told me he was out for ‘6-8 weeks’.

Damn. That's not great for O'Connor.

I’m surprised we haven’t heard any rumours of who we are trying to get given Dawes said we have had loans lined up for a long time. Other than Koumas, haven’t heard anything and as it’s been mentioned about PL clubs holding onto onto to them because of cups & Europe, I have a feeling it could be Liverpool players.

LB - Callum Scanlon,18. Signed from Birmingham for 500k, been injured but was on pre season tour. Similar attributes to Bristow, though no first team/prior loan experience.

LB - James Norris, 20. Scouser who has a decent goals & assists record. Never had a loan before.

There is also Jaydon Danns, Neil’s lad. An attacking player who plays across the forward line.

Dawes on Radio Merseyside talking about transfers:

“We're still pursing a couple & potentially one or two might move out the building too. The next 24 hours I think will be busy."

Let's hope so.A couple of really good signings would make a world of difference. I suspect that we are more likely to see rookie loan players than any of experience

Fingers crossed.

Dawes reiterated today in the presser looking at players that are going to upgrade us, so I’m expecting decent players, that may well be a young lad with bags of talent who we’ve looked at for a while. Well by the sounds of it, we’ve wanted those targeted all summer, so we must really want them to be prepared to wait until the last day. Risky, Let’s hope it’s worth it and we dont end up with egg on our face.

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stek26
Dawes reiterated today in the presser looking at players that are going to upgrade us

Seems strange for him to mention that, considering he logically wouldn't look at bringing in substandard players. I would presume the interviewer could work out his motives for signing new players, rather than having to being told.

Then I ate his Liver.......... with some baked beans and a can of coke.

The problem is that if we've only got a couple of these upgrade targets we may well end up in our usual last minute scramble for anyone who vaguely fits the bill after they fall through. I hope I'm wrong.

If not we battle on with the lads we have. Hopefully O'Connor will be back soon.

***SPORTY VIKINGS - BBC Radio Merseyside with Sean Styles****
👊👊 [tinyurl.com] 👊👊

Didn't someone say he's out for six to eight weeks?

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dave-p
Didn't someone say he's out for six to eight weeks?

That’s what he told me.

It was obvious that it was a potentially bad one, but he carried on until half time ,when with the benefit of hindsight, should have come off straightaway.

Have we make it worse?

Assuming injuries are bad and we can offload a few, the shopping list should surely be:

- A right back
-A target man centre forward
- winger with pace

For me, we lack a “breaking up of play” central midfielder
in the mould of Spearing/Whitmore/Hall.

Are there any players we could off-load today before the window shuts? eg. McAlear.

Surely still waiting on a couple more? Would be disappointed if no more incomings, tell Liverpool we’l take another 3 on loan and play them 🤣

Well if we do sign more now then they will not play tomorrow
It would be good to sign Koumas as a boost to the squad,understanding with J.Norris and he is quick and be a introduction to man’s football that would help LFC
I wonder if the offer of paying £250 per week is holding us back😊

Koumas would be exciting, I hope so. Dawes also mentioned yesterday championship clubs holding onto players atm. So maybe waiting on a championship club to bring someone in before they allow players out.

Just seen the TROSC put a couple of Tweets out;

Surely Not?

Oh what a night…

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TRFC1960
For me, we lack a “breaking up of play” central midfielder
in the mould of Spearing/Whitmore/Hall.

I couldn’t agree more ..A Shaun Flynn type would definitely fit the bill ⚽️⚽️

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stek26
Just seen the TROSC put a couple of Tweets out;
Surely Not?

Oh what a night…

"Surely not" was the last one. Expected more incoming and didn't get any?

When's the deadline? Tonight at 11pm?

We’re one of several clubs targeting Spurs’ defensive midfielder Harvey White, according to a tweet from Pete O’Rourke.

i see Tshimanga has gone on loan to Fleetwood from Peterborough.

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hong kong rover
i see Tshimanga has gone on loan to Fleetwood from Peterborough.

And his strike partner when we played against him in that 3-3 with Oxford City, Sam Nombe, moved to Rotherham for a reported £1m yesterday.

Incidentally Nya Kirby, who we had on loan from Palace under Keith Hill, has signed for Oxford City.



Edited 1 time(s). Last edit at 2023:09:01:19:34:18 by XFA.

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dave-p

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stek26
Just seen the TROSC put a couple of Tweets out;
Surely Not?

Oh what a night…

"Surely not" was the last one. Expected more incoming and didn't get any?

Got until 2300 mate. Couple of rumours on Twitter,

Harvey White, Spurs. Attacking midfielder

Ethan Brierley, Brentford. Bought from Rochdale last season and play against us as welll. Another CM, more attacking.

Obviously just rumours but you never know. Can still see us doing something, maybe Hughes go out on loan as well. Still think we need a pacy winger, attack mid and as mentioned, a CDM. A whole new midfield pretty much🤣. Hopefully get at least one 🤞

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XFA

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hong kong rover
i see Tshimanga has gone on loan to Fleetwood from Peterborough.

And his strike partner when we played against him in that 3-3 with Oxford City, Sam Nombe, moved to Rotherham for a reported £1m yesterday.

Incidentally Nya Kirby, who we had on loan from Palace under Keith Hill, has signed for Oxford City.

thats a nice wad that Exeter have received for Nombe.

i see that a few weeks ago former Rochdale wonder kid Luke Matheson joined Bolton on a 1 year deal after a successful trial..it never worked out for him at Wolves..Not sure if he will get into the Bolton first team though.

Rob Apter, midfielder, signed on loan until January

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Zint
Rob Apter, midfielder, signed on loan until January

That's 2 x 20 year old Scousers we have got in today,,,will there be a third to make the trio before 11pm?

No League experience, another one involved in Scunny’s relegation last season.

Not sure about this. Cannot help feeling if he is not ready for Blackpool then he is unlikely to be ready for us

Bit of nostalgia with both these signings, both here when 8 years old, maybe they know/played with each other ha. Dawes coached Norris at Liverpool and probably knows Apter or of him from his time at Blackpool. Interesting that Critchley said he going to a team that will suit his style of play, saying he knows Dawes and our coaching staff well.

Yes in that relegated scunny team but appears a goalscoring midfielder with a decent record. The Blackpool fans kicking off on Twitter and really rate the lad, which is a good sign. Be interesting to see how we use him, is he a box2box or behind the striker type attacking mid.

Hopefully a winger to follow

you do get some funny comments on transfer deadline day, this one amused me,,,

'Just delivered a take away to Mo Salahs house, bit frantic and suitcases at the front door,'

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stek26
Bit of nostalgia with both these signings, both here when 8 years old, maybe they know/played with each other ha. Dawes coached Norris at Liverpool and probably knows Apter or of him from his time at Blackpool. Interesting that Critchley said he going to a team that will suit his style of play, saying he knows Dawes and our coaching staff well.
Yes in that relegated scunny team but appears a goalscoring midfielder with a decent record. The Blackpool fans kicking off on Twitter and really rate the lad, which is a good sign. Be interesting to see how we use him, is he a box2box or behind the striker type attacking mid.

Hopefully a winger to follow

I think he is here to get game time to sharpen him and spring board him into the first team at black pool in January but hopefully he can kickstart us and we can look out for similar player in Jan window.Also I wonder if Dawes actually called in in favours for both players

Very poor outcome. If we can't use Dennis properly then dumping his cover in Hemmings will make the accountant happy if no one else.
By my reckoning we have eleven qualified Pro league players, with several positions overmanned and the most critical lead strikers covered by an injured Norris.
Among the rest you have another eleven players aged 20-26 who have never claimed a regular league spot in a convincing way, Saunders for example a striker at 26 with less than ten career goals. That grouping over recent years have tended to end up in non-league ultimately.
You do have the complete novice Taylor who could be anything yet, hopefully. Then you have another enigma like Maguire and Nolan, Walker who seems capable but incapable of playing regularly.
I fear for today anyway but by spring our two clubs will have regained clear blue water between them, a complete reversal of the last decade or so. This has sinking feel. Poor notes played in the wrong order.

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Rhineman
Very poor outcome. If we can't use Dennis properly then dumping his cover in Hemmings will make the accountant happy if no one else.
By my reckoning we have eleven qualified Pro league players, with several positions overmanned and the most critical lead strikers covered by an injured Norris.
Among the rest you have another eleven players aged 20-26 who have never claimed a regular league spot in a convincing way, Saunders for example a striker at 26 with less than ten career goals. That grouping over recent years have tended to end up in non-league ultimately.
You do have the complete novice Taylor who could be anything yet, hopefully. Then you have another enigma like Maguire and Nolan, Walker who seems capable but incapable of playing regularly.
I fear for today anyway but by spring our two clubs will have regained clear blue water between them, a complete reversal of the last decade or so. This has sinking feel. Poor notes played in the wrong order.

What was Alan Hansens famous quote

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Rhineman
Very poor outcome. If we can't use Dennis properly then dumping his cover in Hemmings will make the accountant happy if no one else.
By my reckoning we have eleven qualified Pro league players, with several positions overmanned and the most critical lead strikers covered by an injured Norris.
Among the rest you have another eleven players aged 20-26 who have never claimed a regular league spot in a convincing way, Saunders for example a striker at 26 with less than ten career goals. That grouping over recent years have tended to end up in non-league ultimately.
You do have the complete novice Taylor who could be anything yet, hopefully. Then you have another enigma like Maguire and Nolan, Walker who seems capable but incapable of playing regularly.
I fear for today anyway but by spring our two clubs will have regained clear blue water between them, a complete reversal of the last decade or so. This has sinking feel. Poor notes played in the wrong order.

Close to how I feel, but need to see what the signings are like. I would have preferred us to have made permanent signings, but maybe our Board don’t want to tie our managers hands. The signings have a feeling of shopping by brand rather than by quality. ‘We’ll have him, he’s played for Liverpool, he must be good. He’s great cos he plays for Blackpool’. Given Adkins has operated at League 1 level and above you can’t help feeling that he could’ve had a greater influence. Dawes has nothing much to draw upon in terms of other players.

The squad has holes in it. It still has holes in it. Short of Saudi clubs coming in for the likes of Macaleer, we are lumbered with what we have and a manager who can’t get a tune out of a kazoo.

I presume that we had to give Hemmings some cash to get rid of him, so it will only have partially benefited the finances. Obviously the best thing for everyone, though, if he couldn't give his all for the club.

On paper, it's a decent squad and certainly not a cheap one.

We ought to be solidly mid-table come the end of the season.