It's taken half a season to build this team but my own personal opinion is that this squad now is as good as, if not better than the one that Ritchie took us up to the Championship. For what its worth here's my summary of the current team. 1. Adam Davies - Has improved beyond recognition over past 3 months, his distribution and throwing have come on leaps and bounds and he's now starting attacks. His penalty saving is up there with the best. Well done to the goalkeeping coaches. 2. James Bree - Looks a quality player in the same mould as Stones & Holgate. Has beefed up as well and isn't as easily knocked off the ball as last season. 6. Kevin Long - Made all the difference at the back and has been a rock from day 1. No coincidence that the great run started with his signing. Best defensive record in the league since the turn of the year. Shame we can't extend his loan till the end of the season given Burnley have just signed Brentford's centre-half 26. Alfie Mawson - Has benefited from playing alongside Long and looks a real quality player 35. Aidan White - Can't believe he can't get in Rotherham's team. He's been outstanding since he joined us and is a thrill to watch him link up with Hammill. Far too good for this Division. 34. Lloyd Isgrove - Started quietly and I wondered what the fuss was about. He suddenly clicked into gear and has been outstanding for the last 6 games. Gives everything and does a lot of covering for Bree. Brilliant in the air for a little feller and wouldn't mind signing him full time. 11. Josh Brownhill - Fantastic replacement for Pearson and has played well since making his debut at Shrewsbury. I'd get a bid in for him now before word gets around of his form and some Championship contender poaches him. If we could get him for £100,000, we could make a fortune on him. 8. Conor Hourihane - Captain fantastic. Didn't like him playing deep initially and thought he was wasted but along with Brownhill, he's shown how adaptable he is. Would like him to take more free-kicks but with Hammill and Brownhill vying for them, we have three players who can score directly from a free-kick. Another one who could go for huge money. 20. Adam Hammill - No idea what Huddersfield were playing at by letting him go but this guy oozes skill. I just love to watch players of his ilk and we seem to have secured both wings with the White/Hammill partnership and Isgrove/Bree partnership. Hammill is a match winner and we should try to get him on a longer contract ASAP 9. Sam Winnall - Says it all that he's 2nd highest goalscorer in the Division despite being played out of position in the early part of the season. First chance he got against Bury was stuck away with aplomb - the sign of a great marksman. 15. Marley Watkins - Didn't rate him early doors, thought he was a headless chicken with not much skill. How wrong was I? Apologies Marley. He's turned into the ideal link man for Sam and puts a shift in every game closing defenders down at every opportunity. Not seen any stats but he must run further than any other player. 18. Ashley Fletcher - Not first choice but had to mention him for his contribution every time he comes on. Must have set up at least 4 goals so far and scored the crucial equaliser in the JPT. He has it all this kid - pace, skill, vision and heading ability - what more could you ask from a young kid. I'd be making a cheeky bid for him to test the water - he's never going to get in Man United's first team so why not try now.
Good read, although don't think we have any chance of signing Fletcher permanently. Would be a brilliant signing though. Definitely have him on a season long loan again next season, whatever league we're in. Proper super-sub!
Lots of good comments there. Worrying that 50% of that lot are only with us until the end of he season with 2 more entering the last year of their contracts.
That is without mentioning George Williams who was superb in his three recent appearances and on his 'wrong' side
Brownhills contract is up at the end of the season with Preston, they would like to keep him but he wants to move on. We only have to show him some love and he might want to stay. http://www.hitc.com/en-gb/2016/01/13/gb-josh-brownhill-set-for-loan-move-to-barnsley/
Start of the season we needed to strengthen all over the park. I don't honestly think there's an obvious weakness in the current starting XI plus a few super-subs.
No weaknesses at all at the minute. Just imagine how good we could be if Isgrove got amoungst the goals/assists.
