Tranmere tipping point

[Paulus]

Now that the last hopes of promotion this season have been extinguished it'll be very interesting to see Clough's selections in the remaining games. I have a sneaking suspicion that we may have seen the last of Porter and McGinn following their half time substitutions, I suspect both will be found new homes in the summer. Coady is an interesting one because although he has done well this season, he was pretty poor today and the chances are he won't be back next year, do we need to see him any more? or should we set see if Dimaio can play with Doyle and Scoogal (if fit)? Collins was pretty poor today, l think we will need to replace him over the summer; time to give Kennedy a few games? And maybe some match time for De Girolamo (if fit) and Calvert-Lewin. All these questions could make the dead rubbers quite interesting.

 

[alcoblade]

I have a sneaking suspicion that we may have seen the last of Porter and McGinn following their half time substitutions, I suspect both will be found new homes in the summer.

I can live in hope

The day we sign another player as devoid of any qualities as Porter will hopefully be a long, long way away.

UTB

 

[thevoot]

And maybe some match time for De Girolamo (if fit)

hehe, nice one.

 

[LoughboroBlade]

And maybe some match time for De Girolamo (if fit) and Calvert-Lewin.

I doubt the former will be given any game time till next year - by the way Clough talked in his interview a week ago, he doesn't deserve a start. Calvert-Lewin's season is over due to injury.

I'd like to see all 4 of the youngsters that played vs Rotherham played as much as possible before the summer, plus possible a debut for Willis. There isn't a better opportunity than in those three games to gauge whether these players can be viable first team squad options for next season.

 

[grafikhaus]

It seems that a lot of people think next season will be a stroll in the park. It won't. We're 3 or 4 players short and if Coady and Brailsford are recalled, make that 5 or 6.

Since the Wolves game, our form has been patchy - a very late penalty v. Rotherham, that incredible incident in the Brentford game, an own goal last Friday. We should be winning at places like Tranmere.

Can't take anything away from NC and the way he's turned this season around, but unless new players are brought in, I really can't see where all this optimism is coming from.

 

[blade too long]

As Ive posted before Clough came in to save us from going down , coming close to the play offs was not an option, he came in and the priority was to stop losing goals, and therefore games. Goal scorers availability at this level is like trying to find healthy food take away options after 10 pm at night, or a ryvita and cream cheese take away. Clean sheets and not losing was the only goal , the fact he built enough momentum to win so many games was a bonus. Im sure the man who got Burton into the league through scoring a then record number of goals will have some notion of a striker, but he had enough tools in his box to achieve this seasons primary objective, staying up .
Given a full pre season and having sourced a few gems from the academy as potential long term replacements already , I have no doubt we shall be more interested in the fight to get out from the right end than carrying worry beads like most of us were in early october last year, and local derbies with Rotherham perhaps Barnsley and Chesterfield thers far more to look forward to in games of interest .

 

[Woodwardfan]

Goalkeeper issue: Is Howard good enough for a promotion assault? Long out on loan presumably. New keeper required?

Defenders: Will Maguire leave? Part of any fee should be spent on like with like replacement i.e. big solid presence. Has Brayford found his level?, poor last three games, I wouldn't pay a relative fortune, need budget elsewhere. Collins, Hill, Kennedy good squad players, Kennedy should have a starting place pre-season. Not fully convinced about Harris yet but he is a given. Freeman would be a good signing depending on wages, not too much though, very good right back actually.

Midfield: Would take or leave Cody but continuity is important, however we are short of defensive ball winners and height( Simon Webster, Bob booker type needed). Scougall, Baxter, Doyle, Murphy, Flynn are the engine of the team and should get better together; Flynn may be pushed on to the bench.Should be able to keep all of them. Diego adds quality and complements the others, apart from being on the small side like the others. Whitehouse can do a job. McGinn not good enough. McFadzean needs to move away.

Strikers: Porter, Ironside out please. I'd keep Miller as squad player. The major bulk of any budget surely should go on three new strikers. The challenge is to find suitable players to fit into the style of play from the above midfield. Such as Henderson-type would be totally out of place. The strikers need to take a ball to feet and play one-twos, drift away from markers in the box for clever balls to feet. Dare I say Billy Sharp would revel in playing with the above midfield lads.

Looking at the squad my big concern is height for defending set pieces. That will be a big conundrum for Clough.

Young lads will get more and more playing time from the bench. Diego should be a regular, otherwise we will lose him.

Presumably Brandy will move away. Taylor would be OK I reckon but will not happen and we will hope to get some of his fee back.

 

[grafikhaus]

Well put, btl. And did I really say Brailsford?

 

[boo radley]

If I remember rightly George Long will go on loan next season and Willis will be back up. Nigel said this in a recent interview.

 

[SouthEssexBlade]

There will be outs, there will be more ins.

If most of what I hear is right, many on here will be very pleased with the business conducted.

P.S.

Don't be getting all mardy and stressed because we haven't signed 5 players by the middle of June! These things take time and most football contracts expire on 30th June. Please remember this!

 

[blade too long]

Its a fact of life with blades fans some will be bleating about the lack of signings if we havent bought Baldock and 3 or 4 other forwards by the end of May, but patience will be the watch word, Clough does his business in a professional and measured fashion , brought about by running Derby on a negative equity budget, saving them from being where we are,let him put together the retained list first, create the openings then see who is in his little black note pad to assist our assault at getting out the right end.
A few players are going to be moved on , some from being long in the tooth , some due to attitude , some due to a lack of talent , theres the usual suspects, and some may get lured elsewhere we dont want to lose, but come August , and hopefully with the euphoria of Englands triumph in Brazil still in the air ( you can dream cant you ) we can get behind a much leaner , younger fitter squad .

 

[dingledog]

Well it's will certainly be interesting and there should be enough speculation ITK etc to keep this forum busy over the summer.

 

[sheffielder]

There will be outs, there will be more ins.

If most of what I hear is right, many on here will be very pleased with the business conducted.

P.S.

Don't be getting all mardy and stressed because we haven't signed 5 players by the middle of June! These things take time and most football contracts expire on 30th June. Please remember this!

yes dad

 

[sheffielder]

One thing is for sure, we need more goals up front and from midfield. Although I would like to improve on Collins, we need to see what happens to Maguire. I also think we can say that defence wasn't our problem in the 2nd half of the year.

My 4 picks

Ryan Gauld - Left sided attacking midfielder who can play all across the midfield. Free's up Murphy to go up top on occassions.
Billy Sharp - His movement and finishing would be perfect.Out of contract I believe
Alex Pritchard - Attacking Central midfield currently on loan to Swindon from Spurs who scores goals. Not good enough for Spurs
Jake Cassidy - Striker, Wolves striker on loan at Tranmere. Wolves won't be wanting him back and he would give us a different look to Sharp.

Other notables.

Jamie Ward - Play outwide and up front. Out of contract and if Derby go up, most probably not needed.
Harry Winks - Right hand sided youth midfielder at Spurs who is highly rated
Andrew Shinnie - Attacking Central midfielder - Birmingham
Luke Varney - Striker, Leeds - See Billy Sharp. Out of contract I believe
Ryan Woods - Right Back, Shrewsbury
Martyn Waghorn - Striker, left winger - Leicester. Out of contract I believe and if Wigan go up, I doubt they pick him up.
Ishmael Miller - Striker, Forest who is on loan at Yeovil. Out of contract I believe

Players to let go.

Porter, McGinn, Johns, McGinty, Cuvellier, Brandy, Taylor, Whitehouse, McFadzean, Ironside

I would obviously like to resign Coady and Brayford. I wouldn't resign Davies as he would be a youth blocker to the likes of Khan and Calvert Lewin. Flynn is good enough and will do well from a pre season under Clough. If we signed Gauld then Murphy can also move right on occasions.

 

[SouthEssexBlade]

yes dad

Now get that room tidied up. Those porn mags under the bed need throwing out, one looks like it shattered like a windscreen. And stop throwing your used spliffs out of the window, the cat found them last week and is still chilling in the garage.

 

[itsinyerblood]

One thing is for sure, we need more goals up front and from midfield. Although I would like to improve on Collins, we need to see what happens to Maguire. I also think we can say that defence wasn't our problem in the 2nd half of the year.

My 4 picks

Ryan Gauld - Left sided attacking midfielder who can play all across the midfield. Free's up Murphy to go up top on occassions.
Billy Sharp - His movement and finishing would be perfect.Out of contract I believe
Alex Pritchard - Attacking Central midfield currently on loan to Swindon from Spurs who scores goals. Not good enough for Spurs
Jake Cassidy - Striker, Wolves striker on loan at Tranmere. Wolves won't be wanting him back and he would give us a different look to Sharp.

Other notables.

Jamie Ward - Play outwide and up front. Out of contract and if Derby go up, most probably not needed.
Harry Winks - Right hand sided youth midfielder at Spurs who is highly rated
Andrew Shinnie - Attacking Central midfielder - Birmingham
Luke Varney - Striker, Leeds - See Billy Sharp. Out of contract I believe
Ryan Woods - Right Back, Shrewsbury
Martyn Waghorn - Striker, left winger - Leicester. Out of contract I believe and if Wigan go up, I doubt they pick him up.
Ishmael Miller - Striker, Forest who is on loan at Yeovil. Out of contract I believe

Players to let go.

Porter, McGinn, Johns, McGinty, Cuvellier, Brandy, Taylor, Whitehouse, McFadzean, Ironside

I would obviously like to resign Coady and Brayford. I wouldn't resign Davies as he would be a youth blocker to the likes of Khan and Calvert Lewin. Flynn is good enough and will do well from a pre season under Clough. If we signed Gauld then Murphy can also move right on occasions.

Interesting observations mate. I wrote about Gauld a few months ago, a not dissimilar player to young Scougall, very skilful and one I've thought could make that transition from Scottish football to the demands of division 1. From the little I've seen of Woods he impressed too. Cloughie will no doubt be aware of who's available or could be persuaded to make a move to united, but I'd also be looking at cover for the centre half position. As much as Matt Hill has done a decent job when called upon, If Maguire should move on who steps in to take his place? I disagree about Davies though. I think he'd bring the necessary experience that would benefit the young players. The type of guidance a senior contingent can offer shouldn't be overlooked, and it seems he's a superb professional whose application both on and off the pitch might offer the right example to those young guys with too much money and the world at their feet. Being talented isn't the only quality you need to be successful, so a little balance will repay dividends in terms of what we get from the new breed.

 

[sitwell]

mcginn was ill ,that's why he was taken off

 

[blader]

Young lads will get more and more playing time from the bench. Diego should be a regular, otherwise we will lose him.

I agreed with you right up until this point. This seems illogical. So if he is playing, and playing well, we will keep him. However, if he can't get in the team, he will move on? (My query is only valid if you are inferring he will move to a better side)

 

[sheffielder]

Interesting observations mate. I wrote about Gauld a few months ago, a not dissimilar player to young Scougall, very skilful and one I've thought could make that transition from Scottish football to the demands of division 1. From the little I've seen of Woods he impressed too. Cloughie will no doubt be aware of who's available or could be persuaded to make a move to united, but I'd also be looking at cover for the centre half position. As much as Matt Hill has done a decent job when called upon, If Maguire should move on who steps in to take his place? I disagree about Davies though. I think he'd bring the necessary experience that would benefit the young players. The type of guidance a senior contingent can offer shouldn't be overlooked, and it seems he's a superb professional whose application both on and off the pitch might offer the right example to those young guys with too much money and the world at their feet. Being talented isn't the only quality you need to be successful, so a little balance will repay dividends in terms of what we get from the new breed.

The only thing about Hill is that although he is a completely fucking useless left back, he plays very well at Centre Half. I would resign him as backup unless we can upgrade him in the summer.

 

[itsinyerblood]

The only thing about Hill is that although he is a completely fucking useless left back, he plays very well at Centre Half. I would resign him as backup unless we can upgrade him in the summer.

Sorry, I should have made my thoughts on Hill clearer. You're absolutely right, Hill does an ok job when called upon to fill in at C/H, but apart from that I agree that we could do better at left back, and in Harris we have someone who seems a good first choice at the moment.

 

[true99blade]

Ryan Gauld - Left sided attacking midfielder who can play all across the midfield. Free's up Murphy to go up top on occassions.
Billy Sharp - His movement and finishing would be perfect.Out of contract I believe
Alex Pritchard - Attacking Central midfield currently on loan to Swindon from Spurs who scores goals. Not good enough for Spurs
Jake Cassidy - Striker, Wolves striker on loan at Tranmere. Wolves won't be wanting him back and he would give us a different look to Sharp.

Gauld would be a top signing for the future as well as the present since he's only 18 but he has been scouted by many clubs far bigger and richer than ours. It would be impossible to buy him I'd have thought. Pritchard was nominated for player of the year this season so I can imagine clubs possibly from the Championship would be interested. We might have a chance though but do we really need another midfielder? Cassidy seems to be a bit of a one season wonder to me. Hasn't performed to the standard he did last season. I'd love it if we managed to get Sharp.

 

[wizadry]

I agreed with you right up until this point. This seems illogical. So if he is playing, and playing well, we will keep him. However, if he can't get in the team, he will move on? (My query is only valid if you are inferring he will move to a better side)

Blader have you seen diego play?if you have then you know hes going places and thats what woodward is implying,why are you allways questioning diegos talents all the time whats your beef with him.if he doesnt start for us next season he will be off and it will be to a better side rest assured

 

[blader]

Blader have you seen diego play?if you have then you know hes going places and thats what woodward is implying,why are you allways questioning diegos talents all the time whats your beef with him.if he doesnt start for us next season he will be off and it will be to a better side rest assured

I have no beef with him. However, this constant lauding of him frustrates me as it undermines the other young players. Clough said in an interview the other when asked about Diego that players who deserve their chance will get it. Nobody has seen him play at a standard anywhere near league 1 level, I just get frustrated when everyone goes on about how good he is, when we actually have no evidence he can cut it at this level. I think it's a ridiculous statement to make that if he is incapable of getting in our team next season he will be signed by a better team. You must see that is nonsensical?

 

[stringjunior]

There will be outs, there will be more ins.

If most of what I hear is right, many on here will be very pleased with the business conducted.

P.S.

Don't be getting all mardy and stressed because we haven't signed 5 players by the middle of June! These things take time and most football contracts expire on 30th June. Please remember this!

Hey SEB, how come you seem to know so much? I've seen you post previously with a dregree of authority but haven't been able to figure out if you're a run of the mill ITK'er, or you're actually In The Know?

 

[blader]

Let me emhpasise, this is not about Diego, it's a general football point. On that logic, are Khan, Reed, Dimaio etc all off to Premier League sides in the summer? Ofcourse not. The statement 'if he doesnt play, he will move to a better club' is simply not true. It's a football point which happens to include Diego, it is not targeted at him.

 

[itsinyerblood]

Hey SEB, how come you seem to know so much? I've seen you post previously with a dregree of authority but haven't been able to figure out if you're a run of the mill ITK'er, or you're actually In The Know?

Hi stringjunior, I don't think SEB is particularly more informed than anyone else, but he does apply a high degree of common-sense when it comes to knowing the difference between speculation and confirmed facts. We all have access to the same sources of transfer activity, so it's not difficult to know who is or isn't under Cloughie's watchful eye.

 

[SouthEssexBlade]

Hey SEB, how come you seem to know so much? I've seen you post previously with a dregree of authority but haven't been able to figure out if you're a run of the mill ITK'er, or you're actually In The Know?

Couldn't possibly comment.

 

[wizadry]

I have no beef with him. However, this constant lauding of him frustrates me as it undermines the other young players. Clough said in an interview the other when asked about Diego that players who deserve their chance will get it. Nobody has seen him play at a standard anywhere near league 1 level, I just get frustrated when everyone goes on about how good he is, when we actually have no evidence he can cut it at this level. I think it's a ridiculous statement to make that if he is incapable of getting in our team next season he will be signed by a better team. You must see that is nonsensical?

No evidence at this level?did you go to coventry last season away ,i know it was 1 match but it was there for all to see his talents.Oh and by the way it doesnt take much to be good at our level with the dross of shit ive seen at the lane this season and im not just talking about our side.As for the lauding i wouldnt call it that ,i just know a good player when i see one,i dont want to undermine our other youngsters as i think nearly all of them should be given starts,i love to see them come through and more should have started the season,they are more hungrier for success and perhaps we wouldnt have been in the mess we were in ,but having said all that we wouldnt have ended up with clough if that was the case

 

[Pinchy]

It seems Diego doesn't see eye to eye with Nigel. If that's right there is only one winner and rightly so. One of them has achieved something in football and knows the game. The other ought to reflect upon that.

 

[Woodwardfan]

I agreed with you right up until this point. This seems illogical. So if he is playing, and playing well, we will keep him. However, if he can't get in the team, he will move on? (My query is only valid if you are inferring he will move to a better side)

I mean the lad is different class and we will have to give him loads of first team experience to enable his personal development before he moves on to a bigger club in due course ( unless he rises with us to the Premiership!!!). If he doesn't get picked for the first team he will demand a move and there will be quality clubs interested in taking him off our hands.

The lad was playing for Italy 2 years underage; that is quality the like of which we are unused to.