Player Suggestion Paudie O'Connor

[bongleblade]

Big 24yo 6ft3 Irish Centre Back plying his trade in League Two, he was given his debut by Hecky at Leeds and was nominated in their young player of the year award. He is currently Bradford City's Vice Captain and was their POTY in 20/21. He is a top rated defender in League two this season (7.27 rating) and is great in the air, chips in with a few goals from corners. Plenty of Championship interest this summer but stuck with the Bantems

Plus...

We could call him POC

 

[Flatcap]

Might be a good shout. Still young but that's a big step up to the championship. Any idea how he fared when he played for Leeds?

 

[Houston_Blade]

You've started a thread about 'Big CB's' then started 2 more for lads who are big CB's. The thread police need a call.

 

[bongleblade]

You've started a thread about 'Big CB's' then started 2 more for lads who are big CB's. The thread police need a call.

yeah my bad... i have a penchant for this kind of player atm Foxy merge in to the Big CB thread?

 

[Fulwood Blade]

We certainly need to talk about CB's.

The question is whether we would want to sign Ben Davies permanently? - he looks OK in a 3, not so OK in a 2, but I'd also lay that same issue on Egan when he's played this season in Slav's 4 at the back method. Our whole defence now looks better as a 3 with Bash/Egan/Davies now being first name son the team sheet barring injuries.

Personally, I like the 3 at the back - it makes up for inadequacies in players at Championship level which they all seem to have. Even if you have a good CH like Ben White, they will go for silly money and what ever division we are in, we aren't going to have silly money so we have to be creative with what we buy/have.

UTB

 

[Yogi]

We certainly need to talk about CB's.

The question is whether we would want to sign Ben Davies permanently? - he looks OK in a 3, not so OK in a 2, but I'd also lay that same issue on Egan when he's played this season in Slav's 4 at the back method. Our whole defence now looks better as a 3 with Bash/Egan/Davies now being first name son the team sheet barring injuries.

Personally, I like the 3 at the back - it makes up for inadequacies in players at Championship level which they all seem to have. Even if you have a good CH like Ben White, they will go for silly money and what ever division we are in, we aren't going to have silly money so we have to be creative with what we buy/have.

UTB

We certainly do unless we go all in on Gordon and Lopata next summer and move them into the first team full time then we need to go out and sign at least 2 centrebacks as currently we only have 3 centrebacks that are of championship standard and we only own 2 of them. That centreback department needs urgent attention.

 

[Fulwood Blade]

We certainly do unless we go all in on Gordon and Lopata next summer and move them into the first team full time then we need to go out and sign at least 2 centrebacks as currently we only have 3 centrebacks that are of championship standard and we only own 2 of them. That centreback department needs urgent attention.

Yes, Lopata may be a solution - he's big, looks as though he could become a powerful centre half, is now captain of the Canadian junior team he plays for.

Depends how he plays for Southend and what his progression is like.

Some players take to pro football easily and get better very quickly - we'll just have to hope him, Jebbo and a couple of others can break into the squad and progress to the first team.

UTB

 

[Yogi]

Yes, Lopata may be a solution - he's big, looks as though he could become a powerful centre half, is now captain of the Canadian junior team he plays for.

Depends how he plays for Southend and what his progression is like.

Some players take to pro football easily and get better very quickly - we'll just have to hope him, Jebbo and a couple of others can break into the squad and progress to the first team.

UTB

I think the board have everything crossed for that scenario being the one that plays out. I think we still need to bring in at least one from outside in the summer.

 

[Fulwood Blade]

I think the board have everything crossed for that scenario being the one that plays out. I think we still need to bring in at least one from outside in the summer.

Indeed - which is why I very much doubt Jebbo will be moved on - he's more valuable as a goal scoring, big centre forward to United. Same with the other juniors. Of course every player has his price, but 2 further years of PL payments means we are not desperate to sell juniors cheap - we need to see IF they develop and it's worth the gamble keeping them.

We still have Coulibye as a revenue stream by selling him off to a European club - so selling our existing juniors isn't a nessecity.

UTB

 

[Yogi]

Indeed - which is why I very much doubt Jebbo will be moved on - he's more valuable as a goal scoring, big centre forward to United. Same with the other juniors. Of course every player has his price, but 2 further years of PL payments means we are not desperate to sell juniors cheap - we need to see IF they develop and it's worth the gamble keeping them.

We still have Coulibye as a revenue stream by selling him off to a European club - so selling our existing juniors isn't a nessecity.

UTB

Yeah the clubs who have had success selling players have all held out for maximum value and that means not selling teenagers. It would be very United though to buy players from other clubs in their early 20’s and peak value and then sell our own youngsters before their time.

 

[Fulwood Blade]

Yeah the clubs who have had success selling players have all held out for maximum value and that means not selling teenagers. It would be very United though to buy players from other clubs in their early 20’s and peak value and then sell our own youngsters before their time.

Yes, you quote our past very well - I go right back to Jones & Birchenall ! - think the 4 1/2 years of Hecky has set our stall out and with the Prince fronting it, reckon for now we'll at least try and hold on to them.

 

[bongleblade]

moved to Lincoln City - did he play against us in the friendly? Will be keeping a close eye on how he does at League One level, one decent season and he'll be on a lot of Championship clubs' radar