Totally agree, he looked class against us in L1 promotion season when Southend beat us 2-0 Small player but very pacey would pick up loose balls nicely off Moore.
Either Payne or Oztumer would be good options but we would need to adapt our system to fit them in as they play the number 10 roles. Also saw someone post on here about a Swedish player we have been linked with too that seems to be similar to both Oztumer and Payne
Good player but another number 10. Struggled at Oxford since they went 4-4-2 and put him wide. Don’t think we can afford another luxury player at this time. Rather go with Mallan.
We've got options already there. It's the Scowen role we're struggling to fill - someone doing the nasty stuff deeper, which gives someone else the option to push on and support the front man.
Williams could do that but we don't have a proper holding midfielder... Oh if we could get Matty James back...
IMO we don’t have either a number 10 or a dirty horrible midfielder. The lack of goals is directly attributable to the lack of a midfielder getting beyond the striker and into the box. Potts is the only one that tries but is lacking quality at this level. As for the other 2 midfielders gardener is now match fit and looks capable of being that midfielder who can break up play and give the ball to someone better than him, if he continues to show what he did at the weekend and we get an attacking midfielder who is up to standard (moncur isn’t by the way) we may just be ok. Failing that chalk it off and play 442.
A goal every five games at league one level doesn't look like someone we need. Now isn't the time for gamble signings and that's what he'd be. Wouldn't be a surprise if his recall was to send him out on loan at a club that's deemed better than Oxford, but I don't think it would be us.
Looks like he's off Blackburn anyway. But 7 goals and 12 assists this season is pretty decent record for a midfielder to be fair...
I personally hope we would sign Gardner on a permanent & let him play the defensive midfield role like he did last saturday & whilst it would be prudent to strengthen our midfield , I would hope it would not be to the detrement of Mallan who I think has the potential to develop into a more than useful asset for the team
I would see it as a bit of a waste of money if we paid anything for Gardner in the summer. I'd much rather us focus our efforts into signing Williams, whos is far better in the role.
Like both and think they offer slightly different options. Would like to see us go in for both but think Gardner would be more realistic target.
I would like to see us sign Gardner now & not in the summer, because if his improvement continues as does his fitness, then I see other Championship clubs moving in for him
II am not so sure , it would appear Bruce does not fancy him at all . I looked down their list of playing staff & despite there being a dozen names or so as midfield players , he does not feature in the list & prior to being loaned to us , his previous game time was with Forest on loan , so , ask the question , you never know unless you ask
Yeah don't think they will want to keep him, but may prefer to let him stay here until the end of the season to put him in the shop window. But as you say, worth bidding for - getting better every game. Guess it depends on what the player wants as well.