Originally Posted by
Armchair General
On the face of it, another decent signing that adds more goals, creativity and overall quality to our midfield and, at only 24 years of age, plenty of room for further development. He's also quite a strong, mobile lad as well, by all accounts
That does leave us a bit congested in midfield though as, by my count, that gives us Murphy, Lundstram, Griffiths, Lowery, Robertson, Ainley, Finney and now Gomes fighting for, at most, three starting places. Is this an indication that some are possibly going to go out on loan, to get more regular game time (Griffiths & Finney maybe), is the death Nell being rung for TL, a combination of the two maybe?
To add to the above, I would say our next priorities have to be a centre half and a striker. As we saw quite plainly in the Accrington game, Offord lacks the physicality to have long term future at centre half. I am a big fan of the lad, and firmly believe that, along with TL, he is the brightest prospect at the club, and could actually be our next Premiership export. However, I see this being as a holding midfielder, rather than a centre half. If we could bring in another Thomas-like centre half, with Daniels and BSD as back up, this would release Offord to play in front of the back four, where his ability to read the game and snuff out attacks before they get going will really come to the fore. As for needing another striker, as things stand we have Mandaron, Porter and Long. Porter's now to old to play too regularly, Ling's permanently injured, which leaves us with just Mandron. If there's a couple of freebies that fit that bill, I'd be ecstatic. Don't know how much more room DA and co have in the transfer/ wage budget though. Also a GK coach that can train our guys to come for crosses would be nice too.