Richie Smallwood

I would fully support his signature if it were to happen. Had a look at his career stats to date and he’s exactly what we need :

319 appearances
201 of these in the Championship
Not played below League 1 level

 

Does that mean he’s good?

 

I’d be reasonably happy with him signing. Would be a more than useful player in L1 next season too if/when we go down.

 

No it doesnt, but surely a less risky signing that some random French CM from Ligue 2 who has played 8 games this season

 

Potentially with a run of games but I think it’d be a risky signing worth taking if it meant just having his experience around the club helping the other lads.

 

You mean that French CM who can operate anywhere in the diamond, pushing players out of position, and can also drop in at left back or operate as sweeper if needed?

 

The same one who cannot get a regular start for a side in the second tier of French football.

He may well be great and versatile, but he also could be another flop that isn't good enough for us now in this league. Take Thiam, he was good in French Ligue 2 and looked a really exciting attacking option who scored goals from wide areas. But clearly he is not good enough for this league. Amos may well turn out to be a new Kante, but could also be pants like a lot of what we have signed from the continent lately.

 

Lol! I thought you had made up this CM from the French Ligue 2 but he actually exists? My god. I was jesting with the anywhere in the diamond/LB/sweeper ballax. Versatility can often be more of a hindrance than a useful tool where BFC are concerned. For example, I much prefer to hear, we have signed this player, he is a solid DM, he will not operate in either of the full back positions, at centre back, or under any circumstances as an emergency striker. This would fill me with more confidence than a new signing who can operate in 6 different positions, because the stability is gone.

 

No we are actually linked to a French Ligue 2 CM called Amos Youga (how true this is I don't know!) so that is why I used that example. We need some experienced heads who are comfortable in a set position that can help sort our defensive issues out.

 

I agree, and can see why you've used that example as a risk. Definitely is. An older, wiser head who can help out the defence would be ideal but will the powers that be invest in the right acquisition? We've been collectively banging the same drum all season

 

It means he won't be total gash. He wouldn't have accumulated that many 2nd tier games if he was. 'Good' is very subjective in football.