Imminent / incoming thread. It's that time

[sawmiller]

Tom Holmes is confirmed

Excellent

[mellowmiller]

I wonder if we've got any deal sheets registered which allow up to two hours after the window closes for a signing to be confirmed?
If so, I doubt if any more will be coming in but I'm a bit surprised one or two haven't gone out.

[Lolmorgan]

Excellent

He?s not played a lot of games over the last 2yrs, yes you?ve guessed it, out injured.

[RU66]

Tom Holmes is confirmed

Welcome let's go back to a back 4 now we've lost enough ground with 3-5-2.

[Nardendee]

Apparently we have made a loan move for Tom Holmes from Luton.

There you have it. As predicted by yours truly 2 days ago.

[mygiddypant]

He?s not played a lot of games over the last 2yrs, yes you?ve guessed it, out injured.

Mixed messages on Hatters board.

"No nonsense" "Slow as a snail" "Play to his strengths"

Let's see. Can't see him being worse than what we've got.

[Derbymiller]

Well we needed it a CB otherwise we would have been screwed with all these injuries. MH needs to move to 4-2-3-1 now only formation we have with fit players.

[Ericsladkilnhurst]

Our elite recruitment team probably think the window doesn?t close until 11pm ☹️

They must be getting mixed up with Scotland mellowmiller.
7pm England - 11pm Scotland.

So can we sell say a player to Scotland at 8pm tonight, or do we have to sell a player before 7pm.
Wonder out than one works with buying & selling over the borders.

[mellowmiller]

They must be getting mixed up with Scotland mellowmiller.
7pm England - 11pm Scotland.

So can we sell say a player to Scotland at 8pm tonight, or do we have to sell a player before 7pm.
Wonder out than one works with buying & selling over the borders.

No idea how that one works ELK. Seems unnecessarily complicated doesn't it?

[Ericsladkilnhurst]

There you have it. As predicted by yours truly 2 days ago.

Was you tipped off by the DWP 😄
It seems we seem to sign players who have a injury problem.

[MILLERSTALE]

Mixed messages on Hatters board.

"No nonsense" "Slow as a snail" "Play to his strengths"

Let's see. Can't see him being worse than what we've got.

I doubt he will be the slowest player we have ?

[Nardendee]

I doubt he will be the slowest player we have ?

Comparison between him and Tom McIntyre who was also linked to us:


Key Differences on injuries
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Holmes has had a relatively clean record .no fractures, no surgeries, and most absences were under a month.
?McIntyre, by contrast, has endured:
A broken foot (159 days out, 25 games missed)
A fractured ankle in 2024 that ended his season at Portsmouth
A head injury in 2018 that required metal plates and surgery
A hamstring strain and ankle injury that each kept him out for over 100 days


Durability Verdict
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Holmes is the more durable and consistent presence ? ideal for clubs needing week-in, week-out reliability.
McIntyre has shown grit and recovery strength, but his injury history may raise concerns for long-term squad planning.


If you are building a historical profile or comparing squad depth for a project, Holmes is your steady anchor; McIntyre is the comeback story with flashes of brilliance but more risk attached.

A steady anchor is what we need and they loved him in the Championship at Reading.

Career Appearances Comparison
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Player Club(s) Played For
?????????????
Thomas Holmes:
Reading, KSV Roeselare, Luton Town, Dender EH
165 appearances in total 2017-present

Tom McIntyre :
Reading, Portsmouth, Charlton Athletic
144 Appearances in total 2016-present


Key Takeaways
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Holmes has the edge in total appearances, thanks to consistent selection and fewer long-term injuries.
McIntyre has scored more goals, 7 to Holmes 2 which is notable given both play as centre-backs.
McIntyres career was interrupted by serious injuries (fractured ankle, head trauma), which likely accounts for the lower appearance count.

Holmes has played abroad twice (Belgium), while McIntyre has stayed within the English system.


Durability vs Impact
??????????-


Holmes: Reliable, steady, and durable a managers dependable pick.

McIntyre: More explosive moments, but a stop-start career due to injuries.


If you are building a squad profile or assessing historical resilience, Holmes is your iron man; McIntyre is the comeback kid with a knack for big moments.

So McIntyre (26) is about 20 months older than Holmes (25) ? not a huge gap, but enough that he broke into Reading?s senior setup a little earlier. Holmes has caught up in terms of appearances, though, thanks to his durability and consistent selection.

If you?re comparing them for squad planning or historical profiling, Holmes is still in his prime development phase, while McIntyre is entering what should be his peak years ? assuming injuries don?t interfere again.

[Ericsladkilnhurst]

Tom McIntyre gone to Bradford City.

[mellowmiller]

I doubt he will be the slowest player we have ?

Maybe not, but that one is out for 3 months.....again!

[Ericsladkilnhurst]

I think the club needs to change the doctor who does the medicals, when signing a player.
The players signing for us must leave their crutches outside, when going in for the medical.