Transfer News and Gossip Transfer Rumours Thread 2024/25 - Time to Cook 👨‍🍳

[BriggBlue]

One thing that has perhaps been missed a bit is that the consortium seem to be more willing to sign players from further up the pyramid than we have had in the last couple of seasons.

So far we have 3 new arrivals that played in L1 last season and tried to bring in another.

Our model clearly isn't just about finding rough diamonds

 

[Blues4LifeDan]

We miss Powell.

Unpopular opinion but players like him that will run at defenders (regardless of whether they score or not) they get the opposition to step backwards and create space

This further demonstrates the really difficult position we were in during the off-season. Kev and most fans wanted upgrades on those two. The problem was, no one knew when to takeover would happen.

You have two options as a club and management team, offer them a better deal to convince them to stay (even though you want better) but you don't know when the takeover will happen or let them go hoping the deal gets done quickly and you can move in on your targets. Obviously, because the deal took so long, those targets were snapped up and we were left without Powell and Wes too. It's the gamble you take.

I think, even now though, Kev would have still gone with the same choice. Especially if we do recruit a couple of quality players after the EFL window shuts. Only time will tell.

 

[danbowen]

absolutely correct , the game has changed significantly

Firstly injuries are up around 52% in the past 23 years, Therefore should you have a larger or smaller squad. Having capable replacements in each position reduces the risk of a single injury disrupting the team's rhythm and ambitions.

The number of hamstrings pinging now averages 7 per year. Impact? smaller or larger squad

The intensity of the game has , well intensified ! impact? proper rotation serves several purposes. It keeps players fit and fresh(er) over the course of the whole season, given the sharing of the burden of games, and it reduces injuries

More injuries are now recorded early in the season than ever before . response capability? smaller or larger squad

The number of games has increased significantly ?impact This intensity allows minimal time for player recovery between games, subsequently increasing the likelihood of fatigue-related injuries.

Players tend now to have to be more of a specialist in their position more so than previously, , centre mid, wing back, etc, therefore you need to double up to cover the potential loss of one "specialist " Because the positions are MORE specialized., Diverse Skill Sets and Expertise are required .One of the most significant advantages of a large squad is the potential to bring together individuals with diverse skill sets and expertise

A game changer is the facility to have 7 subs ? impact Would you make your squad the smallest in town?

Fatigue is now the second biggest cause of game time loss. Rotation allows the boss to play around with formations and also ensures that first teamers do not slack off, because they know that any dip in form will see them swiftly replaced. It also gives everyone a taste of the action, making them even hungrier and more determined to do their best to win their positions, So Bigger or smaller?

Best medics physio team etc essential

All of this comes from very thorough detailed research over years

Look at all football not just the top leagues. The increase in these injuries is in line with more 3G and 4G pitches. They are a ******* for joints etc. Women football is often played on these surfaces and their injuries are much more common that higher levels in mens football. Look at how ours have increased since we have played more games on these surfaces too.

 

[Chris Powell's mate]

I think right now Wes is a bigger loss, he had attacking intent and his link up play with Bridge / Cav was a big part of how we played.

That will change though as Moncur can provide that attacking intent in central areas, Bridge might suffer a bit as a result though

You would need to ask Ebbsfleet what they currently think of Wes.
He's only played just over a third of their last three games, benched entirely for one.
He is no loss, and the three amigos would agree based on the contract they offered him.
You could call him an impact player, if he had any impact.

 

[Boreham Blue]

Wes is a loss because we are comparing him to no direct replacement. We should be able to find better.

 

[overseas shrimper]

I think right now Wes is a bigger loss, he had attacking intent and his link up play with Bridge / Cav was a big part of how we played.

That will change though as Moncur can provide that attacking intent in central areas, Bridge might suffer a bit as a result though

Ebsfleet obviously agree with your appreciation of Wes, so much so that they don't want to play him, obviously keeping him fresh I guess.

 

[BriggBlue]

Ebsfleet obviously agree with your appreciation of Wes, so much so that they don't want to play him, obviously keeping him fresh I guess.

Either that or they don't have a Jack Bridge for him to link up with, it is a team game after all

 

[Colchester and proud!]

That's exactly it. He had Mullin and Palmer ahead of him. In the games he started, he did well for them. I honestly think his class on the ball would bring out the best in Cardwell. It's all hypothetical as I really can't see why he'd drop down to the NL. I don't think we could afford it either. I'm sure he'll get a league 2 club. Like I said, he's still only 23, so can still improve massively. I hate to say it, but if I were Col U and I were looking for a long term replacement for Hopper, I'd go for him.

We don't need him, we already have plenty of strikers who don’t score thanks

 

[Hadleigh Blue]

One thing that has perhaps been missed a bit is that the cconsortium seem to be more willing to sign players.

Edited for accuracy

 

[hlane17]

We looked at Harry Kite at all?

 

[SeldomSeenShrimper]

We looked at Harry Kite at all?

He's up there somewhere

 

[SHRIMPERPETER]

We looked at Harry Kite at all?

Can't see that one taking off

 

[Blues ‘n’ twos]

We looked at Harry Kite at all?

We already have the Wind for him to fly with us!

 

[* ORM *]

Well we have Wind and string, though there’s a Col Ewe fan attached to the latter

 

[jimmyshrimp]

We looked at Harry Kite at all?

Too many strings attached

 

[Jmayhew32]

We looked at Harry Kite at all?

Would he be deemed a rough diamond…?

 

[bluethroughandthrough]

Again I here what you are saying. Not disputing but you acting as though other clubs don't have there own problems.

Gateshead are a great example.

Crowds of just 900 and play in an athletics track of a stadium.

How do they manage to churn our regular teams who play great football and score goals for fun.

It can be done on a tight budget.

This is spot on. I love this post as it's a benchmark statement. If this is the case do we really need more players or do we need to play great football. And where does that sit?

Adding more players feels like playing championship manager pysche

 

[BoyWonder2]

Is our ethos any different to the majority? I highly doubt clubs would choose to go for someone who is known to have a poor attitude. It's usually only done when the player has huge potential of a skill upgrade.

For clarity I am fully behind sticking to the right ethos. Just don't think that's anything new or surprising.

No, we aren’t inventing the wheel with what we do, but we also aren’t ripping up our ethos because we need players

 

[Thundersley Blue]

Personally would think the Loan Market will have to play a part in the short term. Kevin can't afford to have too large a squad, After all we don't operate a Reserve side or B team, whatever you want to call it. Must be soul destroying for a player not to play for weeks on end. Things will change, but like everything else will take time.

 

[Flinty]

Once the EFL window closes are clubs still allowed to sell / loan players out or is it a complete standstill ? From memory they just can’t buy anymore players but can still sell / loan