Who would you attempt to make permanent? McAtee obvs, tho I don't think we've a hope of succeeding in keeping him. Roberts, I'd have happily urged the board to chuck half a million at Middlesborough a few months ago, I'd hope recent performances mean we'd get him for at most, bugger all. He's not particularly consistent but still digs us out regularly and I don't see us getting any better for what we'd spend. * just realised Roberts is out of contract this summer, so we should be able offer him an option. McCart and Grant, thanks, but no thanks. Of those that are out, I'd look forward to the return of Lofthouse. Shepherd may have a role, but I'd get what we can for Styles, McCarthy, Shaw, Dallas, and Lopata, not good enough for where we should be, though again, will we actually recruit any better?
Grant is a weird one. Looked quite handy when we first signed him, but now seems to be that sub that literally never gets used
I wouldn't sign Roberts. Far too many deficiencies in his game. What he's good at doesn't compensate for those.
Like the OP says up to January Id have signed him - since then Im sure we would have conceded less with Collins or Isted in goal costing us a goal a game in recent games
I do wonder how exactly a goalkeeper can go from looking like the best in the league to one I wouldn't pick for a Sunday league game over the course of a few months. How is ability seemingly being zapped from all of our players?
I’d like McAtee but not likely to happen. I would also like Roberts on a permanent deal. He’s looked dodgy in the last few games but even then has still produced fantastic saves to keep us in it. First half of the season he was close to being player of the year for me. Not arsed about any of the others. Not sure about those returning either. Seen some comments recently slating Lofthouse but I guess we’ll have to judge him if he’s involved here next season. The rest don’t seem to be excelling in their loans.
I haven’t seen enough of Grant to make a judgement. Out of our own players currently on loan, I wouldn’t be too hasty to ship any of them out, apart from Styleski, who doesn’t seem to want to play. We’ve had some decent players that have taken a while to find their feet at the club, including Andersen, Mowatt, Kane & Mcgeehan.
I think that the longer you get to see someone play, the more you get an overall picture of their strengths and weaknesses. Roberts’ weaknesses – e.g. crosses, commanding his area, arranging and dealing with free kicks, are emerging. He does have great reflexes which have saved us regularly. Earl’s foibles are emerging too now – he looked a diamond at first but his carat has dropped a bit of late.
Grant has looked ok in a couple of cameos, but since hasn't had chance to show us anything. On that basis the club will offer him a 7yr contract.
Really not sure on Roberts now. Great shot stopper but his distribution is poor and those two free kick walls were unbelievable. Might still be worth a contract on the right terms.
I would of we're still league 1. If we were to go up I think we'd need someone better, but is still have him as no.2 if we could afford him.
I’m assuming either Roberts is still carrying some sort of injury or he is just the latest victim of Collins coaching.
possibly but what’s the excuse for his wall disasters? unbelievable for it to happen 2 games in a row too!
I wouldn't keep any loan signing. Some are doing OK but that's at this level. Roberts started brilliantly but I wouldn't sign him now. Decent keepers are easy to find.
Posted a few weeks back that it's worrying what will happen if we fail to go up..they'll not have cash to spend and if the 4 who are out of contract go as well as the loanee's then Cosgrove and Watters is the front line. ...O' Keefe and Cotter the wing backs. Centre mid is Connell, Russell and Phillips. the only area we look decent is Mael, Pines and Earl at the back..cant see Shepherd, Lopata, Dallas or Shaw troubling the team sheet..Jalo will be sold.
