News that Karoy Anderson has signed for Blackpool doesn’t come as a surprise, but it is tinged with a little disappointment, rather like Albie Morgan’s departure to Blackpool. Sometimes a move suits both parties and this looks like one. Karoy has during his time with us endeared himself to everyone in and around the club and he leaves with all our best wishes. In an ideal world he’ll get lots of play-time, develop into the controlling midfield player we know he can become, and we are able to buy him back (or more cynically get a decent chunk of any sell-on fee). After all, players do return.
Karlan Grant returning after seven years away has promoted a more mixed reaction. As an additional forward option, one now with plenty of Championship (and top-flight) experience, it clearly has to be a plus, especially with Kelman picking up an injury against Gillingham that looks likely to sideline him for a few weeks. And on a free (although we are not privy to the financial details of the deal). On the negative side, it doesn’t feel like a signing that will make the real difference to the season ahead (or to put it bluntly/negatively the difference between staying up and not). We can’t expect loads of goals from him (same applies to Dykes if he still ends up accepting our offer over others; I assume it’s still on the table, it’s not as if he and Grant are interchangeable and it seems he hasn’t yet agreed a deal at Bristol City). Of course I very much hope I’m proved wrong, he bangs in 20+ and walks away with PotY.
There are still so many players, old and young, we are not sure will be with us when the transfer window closes – and no indication of who may be brought in. So still far too soon to be drawing any conclusions, as Jones the Boss keeps urging, even if any were possible before a ball is kicked in anger.
So far exiting are Ahadme, Mitchell(Z), both on loan, and Anderson (on loan), with Koumetio, Mesic and Grant joining us, with a decision awaited on trialist (ie Redman) as well as from Dykes. So yes the quality of the squad is being improved, just that we are waiting for more. The absence from pre-season friendlies so far of both Edwards and Sichenje is disappointing, as is the injury to Kelman at Gillingham, which is bound to disrupt his pre-season. Jones talked of the shoulder popping out and back in. I did that many moons ago, playing American Football in Greenwich Park on a works do. Didn’t hurt at first - and only realised I had a problem when someone threw me the ball and only one arm went up to catch it – but it sure did later. And although I’m sure Kelman will get more intensive treatment than I did, I’d assume a few weeks of not being able to play football.
Jones is understandably appealing for calm on the transfers front and for the three we’ve signed we didn’t get a lot of notice, so something can happen any time. Equally we are aware of the need to strengthen if we are to progress, which means avoiding a relegation scrap. It isn’t an accident that at the moment only Lincoln are considered by the bookies more likely to go down than us. We are on a par with promoted Bolton and Cardiff, suggesting that two from these three would join Lincoln going down. Doesn’t really mean much, but it doesn’t mean nothing.
What is rather surprising is that all the indications from the pre-season so far is that Jones is ditching the five at the back. That has some significant implications in all departments.
In defence, from looking at a combination of three from Jones, Burke, Bell, Sichenje, Ramsay and Koumetio, assuming Mitchell(A) is still on his way to Plymouth, we are now looking at Jones and one other. The relative absence of wing-back options – Asiimwe and Ramsay on the right, Edwards, Bell and Mesic on the left – becomes less of an issue if we are looking at full-backs instead of wing-backs.
Although it’s unclear whether we will favour 4-4-2 or 4-3-3 (or variations of either), I’d suggest that in midfield the formation change makes things more problematic for Carey and Knibbs, or Fullah, in that the more advanced role in a three no longer works. Now Carey’s goals sustained us last season while we’ve yet to see what Knibbs can offer in the Championship given his extended absence through injury. They don’t play wide and don’t stack up as holding midfielders. Presumably Jones has thought about this one, but whether or not Carey can be as effective in a new set-up remains to be seen.
It’s equally unclear if we are moving to a front three or a front two with wingers. Is Campbell going to be treated as a winger now (which he clearly is)? Does it mean that Apter has more of a role to play? Does Grant play as a second forward or one of a three? All of which still leaves us in doubt over which out of Leaburn, Dykes(?), Kelman, Godden, Kanu (if he stays) and Grant are considered first choice.
All of these issues will of course be worked out. But for me if there’s cause for concern at this stage it’s because, IMO, every successful team knows its strengths (and resulting weaknesses) and plays accordingly. I haven’t a clue right now what our strengths are/will be. Last season we were successful when we focused on defence and possibly nicking something at the other end. The number of clean sheets is the testimony for that. But we are it seems changing the defensive structure, as well as personnel, and adjusting the midfield in a way which may well compromise a major source of goals for us last season (Carey). So please forgive us Mr Jones, because we don’t yet see (or rather I don’t) just how we intend to play and why. Improving quality is of course a desirable objective, but it's a little vague unless you already know the structure and are looking for better options in defined roles.
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