incoing players rumours

[Hog]

Another nipper on trial http://nonleague.pitchero.com/news/five ... ars-32374/

[OUFC4eva]

The U's sign experienced midfielder Micky Collins who was released
by Scunthorpe United.

[Werthers Original]

Looks like a nice lad

[OUFC4eva]

United snap up highly rated 20 year old Sheffield United 'keeper George Long on a six month loan.

[Kairdiff Exile]

I notice on another forum that we're being linked with former Newport County centre-back Darcy Blake. That, IMHO, would be an excellent signing having seen him a fair few times last year.

[OUFC4eva]

United sign 22 year old Bolton Wanderers right back Joe Riley
on a six month loan.

[tomoufc]

Thanks for keeping this updated OUFC4eva.

This is shaping up to be one of our most talented squads in years. What do people think? Should we be concentrating on signing forwards, or go for any quality player that is available? To state the bleedin obvious we need some fire power up front.

My only worry is that by the time we have assembled a suitable squad it'll be on the eve of the league season. Often that means a struggle to gel, and a few bad initial results can have an effect on confidence. However, I'm expecting a roller-coaster of a (ultimately successful) season.

[Hog]

Mmmm, at this rate every game is going to end 0-0! I am worried.

[Kernow Yellow]

It's funny, Appleton often mentions our lack of forwards but the first few signings and rumours have all been players from midfield backwards. I'm sure we have irons in the fire with strikers though, and we'll sign a couple before long.

Also, we obviously needed goalkeeping cover (though I strongly suspect that we'll see Long as first choice straight away), and plenty of people have moaned about our full backs and midfield steel, so these signings are not exactly unexpected luxuries.

Whether it's a good idea to be signing players only until January is another matter, but I guess that's the only way to secure the services of higher-level loan players at this time of year...

[Old Abingdonian]

Presumably, it's also the attitude of the player himself.

If Riley is as good as some say he is, then his comments about finding his way back into the Bolton first team are not unrealistic. It is much easier to say to a young player, "Go out on loan for six months, get yourself fit after injury," than "Accept you're not going to make it at this level", and a year at his time of life would feel like a very long time.

[OUFC4eva]

Are we trying to sign a player today as yesterday's press
alluded to two players joining - one being a midfielder?

[joepoolman]

If we play a 4-3-3 we have Hylton, Potter, Roberts, Marsh and Shama who can play in the front 3. Appleton wants Marsh to go out on loan, and Roberts and Shama don't have a single minute of competetive football between them. In David Hunt, Matt Bevans and Andy Whing we have three players very capable of playing right back, and yet Appleton think's it's necessary to sign a right back?! A great player he may be but it strikes me as a very odd signing at best.

[Myles Francis]

Have to agree with Joe on this one. A very odd signing indeed for a number of reasons.

Firstly, I'd argue that right back is probably the least important position in Lg 2. How many goals are conceded from attacks down the left flank? Not many. When we literally don't have the bodies to properly full the front line positions, to get another right back in is just weird.

Secondly, what must this signing do for Matt Bevans' morale? He came in and did well overall last season and should really be in a position where he is looking to get more first team appearances under his belt this year. Instead it now looks like he'll be shunted out on loan. I would imagine Max Crocombe had similar feelings about another youngster being signed in his position.

Thirdly, Riley may well be on loan but I'd wager that it's not at zero cost to OUFC. Presumably, this then means that there is less in the pot to fill the more pressing holes in the squad.

Ten days until the season starts and the squad still looks very thin indeed.

[GodalmingYellow]

Thanks for keeping this updated OUFC4eva.

This is shaping up to be one of our most talented squads in years. What do people think? Should we be concentrating on signing forwards, or go for any quality player that is available? To state the bleedin obvious we need some fire power up front.

My only worry is that by the time we have assembled a suitable squad it'll be on the eve of the league season. Often that means a struggle to gel, and a few bad initial results can have an effect on confidence. However, I'm expecting a roller-coaster of a (ultimately successful) season.

Are you joking?

I think the squad looks very poor at present.

Up front, which is the most important position, we have very little. I don't rate Hylton, Potter can't finish and is really a winger trying to play up front, and the remaining players are youngsters still learning.

If Potter is to be played up front, as looks likely, we have very little quality in wide midfield, which is essential at league 2 level.

As Hog said, be prepared for lots of bore draws.

We won't win many games without at least 2 top strikers and at least 2 quality wide midfielders.

[Kernow Yellow]

Up front, which is the most important position, we have very little. I don't rate Hylton, Potter can't finish and is really a winger trying to play up front, and the remaining players are youngsters still learning.

If Potter is to be played up front, as looks likely, we have very little quality in wide midfield, which is essential at league 2 level.

As Hog said, be prepared for lots of bore draws.

Good grief. Appleton has acknowledged in every interview that we need forwards and that we will get some.

We also needed a goalkeeper and a central midfielder (right back is more arguable, although i don't recall many people praising Hunt last season).

We have lost Constable, Smalley, Wroe, Kitson, Williams, Connolly, Scott Davies and Sean Rigg from the wage bill. We've got a long way to go before we get even close to last year's playing budget. Attacking players are going to be signed. Let's judge the squad once they've arrived shall we?