"One or two signings before transfer deadline"

https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/football/articles/cly32vxlywvo

"We're looking to sign at least another one or two players". I assume one will be a striker with Kargbo out for three months, possibly a loan and hopefully some experience. But where else do County need to look at?

I realise it's a difficult question so early in the season because we've seen little of many of the players.

Left back

bonson&hunt wrote:Left back

I think part the problem is that because 4-4-2 is seen as an outdated tactic, Academies produce wing-backs not full backs. I think Glennon will improve over the season as he gets used to defensive responsibilities. I think Cameron Evans can cover both sides of the defence but interestingly has been played in midfield as sub in the two home games. There was a change in formation for the second half on the right side with McLoughlin pushed into midfield and Baker coming across to play right back, which made me think about County trying Sanca as a left back at some point, possibly in the Mickey Mouse Cup.

But there was a trialist v Barry Town United that looked promising playing as left back in the second half. I think the Argus (wrongly) stated it was Cameron Evans but I'm sure he was the trialist right back in that game, based on hair colour. Obviously he may have got a gig somewhere else...

Centre back. Our back ups if we are playing with a back 3 aren't good enough

Ugo. wrote:Centre back. Our back ups if we are playing with a back 3 aren't good enough

I can see your point. But if you look then there are 3 players (Clarke, Baker, Seberry) to play RCB and 3 players (Brennan, Jameson, Snaca) to play LCB, so there are sufficient numbers, even allowing for injuries over the course of the season. You could also add McLoughlin and possibly Cameron Evans to the mix. I would be surprised if another CB were added but accept that is a possible choice. My feeling is the back ups could be good enough but that concentration is the issue. Quite how you build up concentration levels in the young is a possible problem many different workplaces are struggling with...

Sanca and Seberry may benefit from time out on loan.

Ugo. wrote:Sanca and Seberry may benefit from time out on loan.

So you advocate bringing in another defender so that County can send other defenders out on loan? Surely that's the old way that Jenkins is trying to get rid of. Would any players sent out on loan (presumably to a non-league side) be guaranteed any more games than they might get by staying here? Could such a move stall their progress or destroy their confidence?

My feeling is that everyone is going to get a chance to impress this season, otherwise what's the point of offering two year contracts to unproven young players if you discard them after a year without seeing them in competitive games. And looking at the defensive situation I suspect that playing five at the back isn't going to be the default this season. Indeed it was abandoned for the second half v Accrington, with McLoughlin moving into the midfield and Baker playing RB. I'm also hopefully that no player plays the amount of games played last season and I suspect Clarke is going to have his workload managed (as the oldest player) and will be rested on occasions, and perhaps giving opportunities to Seberry.

I think Brennan may be tried again in midfield, as a defensive midfielder, perhaps in a diamond 4 formation. If that happens then the opportunity arises for either Jameson or Sanca to play LCB. I wouldn't mind seeing Sanca tried as LB in a game (or games) to see whether he could fill that role should Glennon be injured. Obviously McLoughlin (and Cameron Evans I believe) can play there too, but it's examining options (possibly in an unimportant game).

The make-up of the three in midfield wasn't right on Saturday and was better in the second half, partly with McLoughlin adding to the numbers and partly by a decent cameo from Cameron Evans when Morris tired. Obviously Keiron Evans will be in the mix on Saturday (I'm fairly sure Cardiff will have slipped a requirement that he plays games during his loan spell). Quite where he'll fit into the picture I'm unsure. I think he tends to play on the flank. I think the midfield is going to create a conumdrum for awhile, but a pleasant conumdrum because it seems an area of strength this season. I can't see another body coming in for midfield and muddying the waters further.

So it's almost certainly at least one striker, possibly two. Although I advocated against sending out a youngster on loan in defence I can see a benefit in perhaps taking an additional striker (on loan) to allow Rai to go out on loan. I think he's stalled in his development and might need some time in a different environment as a 'shock to the system'. I think he needs to be playing regularly against gnarled old defenders that'll kick lumps out of him (if they can catch him) to improve him. But you could also advocate that if Rai weren't sent out on loan, then perhaps Jephcott should be. He needs to get a goal, however it arrives, because he appears to be playing with little or no confidence. Perhaps that additional striker could allow for Jephcott to go non-league until January to get his eye in again...

Allegedly Jamie Miley to be announced tomorrow.

wattsville_boy wrote:I can't see another body coming in for midfield and muddying the waters further.

So it's almost certainly at least one striker, possibly two.

Well what do I know about football? One midfielder in and another heavily tipped to come in. Of course it may have been an either/or decision.

The next one is definitely a striker, even though I believe Spellman could be a useful goal contributor (if he can get into the side)...

wattsville_boy wrote:

Ugo. wrote:Sanca and Seberry may benefit from time out on loan.

So you advocate bringing in another defender so that County can send other defenders out on loan?  Surely that's the old way that Jenkins is trying to get rid of.  Would any players sent out on loan (presumably to a non-league side) be guaranteed any more games than they might get by staying here?  Could such a move stall their progress or destroy their confidence?

My feeling is that everyone is going to get a chance to impress this season, otherwise what's the point of offering two year contracts to unproven young players if you discard them after a year without seeing them in competitive games.  And looking at the defensive situation I suspect that playing five at the back isn't going to be the default this season.  Indeed it was abandoned for the second half v Accrington, with McLoughlin moving into the midfield and Baker playing RB.  I'm also hopefully that no player plays the amount of games played last season and I suspect Clarke is going to have his workload managed (as the oldest player) and will be rested on occasions, and perhaps giving opportunities to Seberry.

I think Brennan may be tried again in midfield, as a defensive midfielder, perhaps in a diamond 4 formation.  If that happens then the opportunity arises for either Jameson or Sanca to play LCB.  I wouldn't mind seeing Sanca tried as LB in a game (or games) to see whether he could fill that role should Glennon be injured.  Obviously McLoughlin (and Cameron Evans I believe) can play there too, but it's examining options (possibly in an unimportant game).

The make-up of the three in midfield wasn't right on Saturday and was better in the second half, partly with McLoughlin adding to the numbers and partly by a decent cameo from Cameron Evans when Morris tired.  Obviously Keiron Evans will be in the mix on Saturday (I'm fairly sure Cardiff will have slipped a requirement that he plays games during his loan spell).  Quite where he'll fit into the picture I'm unsure.  I think he tends to play on the flank.  I think the midfield is going to create a conumdrum for awhile, but a pleasant conumdrum because it seems an area of strength this season.  I can't see another body coming in for midfield and muddying the waters further.

So it's almost certainly at least one striker, possibly two.  Although I advocated against sending out a youngster on loan in defence I can see a benefit in perhaps taking an additional striker (on loan) to allow Rai to go out on loan.  I think he's stalled in his development and might need some time in a different environment as a 'shock to the system'.  I think he needs to be playing regularly against gnarled old defenders that'll kick lumps out of him (if they can catch him) to improve him.  But you could also advocate that if Rai weren't sent out on loan, then perhaps Jephcott should be.  He needs to get a goal, however it arrives, because he appears to be playing with little or no confidence.  Perhaps that additional striker could allow for Jephcott to go non-league until January to get his eye in again...

Today is why I advocated for another centre back. Without Clarke and Brennan we are very short no matter on the numbers. Sanca and Seberry didn't get a look in so would have been better sending them on loan and trying to get an experienced centre back in expecially when Clarke is never going to be fit for long periods of time as has been proven in past seasons.

Ugo. wrote:

wattsville_boy wrote:

Ugo. wrote:Sanca and Seberry may benefit from time out on loan.

So you advocate bringing in another defender so that County can send other defenders out on loan?  Surely that's the old way that Jenkins is trying to get rid of.  Would any players sent out on loan (presumably to a non-league side) be guaranteed any more games than they might get by staying here?  Could such a move stall their progress or destroy their confidence?

My feeling is that everyone is going to get a chance to impress this season, otherwise what's the point of offering two year contracts to unproven young players if you discard them after a year without seeing them in competitive games.  And looking at the defensive situation I suspect that playing five at the back isn't going to be the default this season.  Indeed it was abandoned for the second half v Accrington, with McLoughlin moving into the midfield and Baker playing RB.  I'm also hopefully that no player plays the amount of games played last season and I suspect Clarke is going to have his workload managed (as the oldest player) and will be rested on occasions, and perhaps giving opportunities to Seberry.

I think Brennan may be tried again in midfield, as a defensive midfielder, perhaps in a diamond 4 formation.  If that happens then the opportunity arises for either Jameson or Sanca to play LCB.  I wouldn't mind seeing Sanca tried as LB in a game (or games) to see whether he could fill that role should Glennon be injured.  Obviously McLoughlin (and Cameron Evans I believe) can play there too, but it's examining options (possibly in an unimportant game).

The make-up of the three in midfield wasn't right on Saturday and was better in the second half, partly with McLoughlin adding to the numbers and partly by a decent cameo from Cameron Evans when Morris tired.  Obviously Keiron Evans will be in the mix on Saturday (I'm fairly sure Cardiff will have slipped a requirement that he plays games during his loan spell).  Quite where he'll fit into the picture I'm unsure.  I think he tends to play on the flank.  I think the midfield is going to create a conumdrum for awhile, but a pleasant conumdrum because it seems an area of strength this season.  I can't see another body coming in for midfield and muddying the waters further.

So it's almost certainly at least one striker, possibly two.  Although I advocated against sending out a youngster on loan in defence I can see a benefit in perhaps taking an additional striker (on loan) to allow Rai to go out on loan.  I think he's stalled in his development and might need some time in a different environment as a 'shock to the system'.  I think he needs to be playing regularly against gnarled old defenders that'll kick lumps out of him (if they can catch him) to improve him.  But you could also advocate that if Rai weren't sent out on loan, then perhaps Jephcott should be.  He needs to get a goal, however it arrives, because he appears to be playing with little or no confidence.  Perhaps that additional striker could allow for Jephcott to go non-league until January to get his eye in again...

Today is why I advocated for another centre back. Without Clarke and Brennan we are very short no matter on the numbers. Sanca and Seberry didn't get a look in so would have been better sending them on loan and trying to get an experienced centre back in expecially when Clarke is never going to be fit for long periods of time as has been proven in past seasons.  

Perhaps you were correct. But perhaps today should be put in context, in that three of those six CB's were missing (1 injured, 2 banned) and a further two were sitting on the bench. So the defensive five was made up of 1 CB, 2 that can fill in as CB's and a midfielder filling in at RWB. I'm sure they will have practiced during the week but the one CB in that back five was on international duty for part of the week, so perhaps that contributed to the meagre performance.

I maintain what Ive been saying since Accrington when County's set up was exposed in the first half - that County are playing the wrong system to suit the defenders they have. In the second half of the Accrington game, McLoughlin was pushed into midfield and County changed to a back four and looked much more solid defensively. Although all the CB's have played in a five, I don't think they are comfortable doing so. So Jardim should look at playing a four on Tuesday. And practice, practice, practice defending. Because unless County can find an experienced (and possibly cheap) CB out of contract these are the players that are going to make up the defence until January...