Positive indicators on Matty James

The forward positions are definitely the priority aswel as some outgoings whether that is out on loan or permanent. I wouldn't have said centre back was a position we needed to invest in so I do agree with what your saying.

 

To be totally honest I still don't trust this lot (as I have said before I haven't renewed my season ticket this year, I haven't been to game since Brentford at home last season). The last two transfer windows have been encouraging but still lacking (still no replacement for Moore). The strongest part of this team at present is the midfield, But if James did not come back and Mowatt and maybe Styles are sold then it won't look very good then. Unless of course they bring in ready for the first team players in instead of player's for the future.
Before anyone that comes out with we always have been a selling club. Even Brentford sell player's, Yes they do but not for peanuts like we do which means they can buy players for millions instead of hundreds of thousands.
The owners want to increase the matchday experience the best way to do that is to keep up the good work they have done in the last 12 months and winning games help of course. People like myself won't take much convincing, People like 90% on here will be at the ground (when fans are allowed back) whatever the club do. But the floating supporter will not enter the stadium regularly until the team are going for a top six finnish season after season that will never happen if profit comes before ambition season after season.

 

All fair points mate, well made.

 

I think there is a good chance we keep him on loan, unless another Championship club are willing to make an offer to sign him. Looking at the teams at the top of the table I'm not sure that is very likely, so we must have a decent chance. There isn't bags of money kicking about & he has an injury record that would worry most teams. He's in the shop window & they could cash in in the summer, if they can, with a year of regular football behind him. I can't see us having any chance of us signing him beyond a loan deal. He's on too much money.

 

He'll know full well he won't be able to earn half of the salary he's on now in his next contract.

 

That is true, but he has 18 months to run. Given his injury record he'd be mad to take a massive pay cut sadly. I think a loan to the end of the season will give players like Palmer & Kane time to get more experience & hopefully take over next season. They both have potential, but are not quite the finished article at the moment. If Mowatt goes we may need a but more experience in the middle of the park next season, although we may choose to move Styles centrally.

 

I think Kane's main problem will be he hasn't played. He looks safe in the middle because he's scared to do anything wrong. If he got a run in the team through either of Mowatt or James leaving we might see what he is capable off.

 

I think he'll get a start vs Tranmere, if the game goes ahead. There is a very good chance other players may yet test positive though & all fixtures have to be in doubt given the national situation with covid.

Unless a player gets a consistent run of games it is hard to make a proper judgement. Styles still has odd off days, like Saturday, but overall has become a mainstay of the team. I think either Palmer or Kane may well step up. For now it isn't bad that they are getting 30 minutes here & there & the odd start in cups, or where injury / covid may dictate. One can't expect too much too soon though as it is a big learning curve from under 23's to first team. Back in the old days reserve team games were full of old pros & were probably a lot better test for the younger players. I only draw this conclusion from former players talking on podcasts, like Undr the Cosh.