If we were a Championship club you would be spot on. But we are a League One club and there are limited FFP rules that you cannot find a loophole for at this level.
Sadlier, Wheels and McCleary aren't getting any younger, if we add players in that position you'd probably want a bit more pace. Kodua or even Campbell could return (not over keen on the latter tbh) and if not then I'd expect someone similarly placed in a Prem youth team. Having said that if we have a bigger squad they don't all have to play so often.
Phillips was brilliant first time round and did really well higher up so wouldn't be at all upset if he was to pitch up but have no idea what he's been like recently or how he plays now.
I have no idea what he considers home, where his extended family are based, and more importantly what other offers he has. It's probably no less likely than Vokes, Tyson or Scowen's returns.
My thought is more, he's only 33. Still got a few seasons with Championship teams unless we can give him options for future career post hanging up the boots.
Does anyone know why we don't name our trialists? I've seen that Brentford and a few Championship clubs (sorry, their names escape me) have named / identified them pre game
Most clubs don’t. It’s a bit daft. If you have Hot Shot Hamish on trial it’s hardly gonna trigger a load of clubs saying ooo I remember him let’s sign him. His agent will be touting him anyway. The risk I guess is that if he scores a worldly that then turns his head as it does create interest.
It’s all downside. They don’t gain anything by releasing names, and there’s a chance they enable another club to muscle in on a potential deal. It also gives unnecessary info to other clubs about the types of players we might be looking to sign.
I can also see an argument, fairly flimsy I know, that says a trialist may not want it know he's played in a match for club B if he's also chasing a contract with club A and has a match lined up with club C next week.
Normally you'd think being in demand would be a good thing so why keep it secret, but then why keep length of contracts awarded a secret? We all know that's a thing.
Comments
If we were a Championship club you would be spot on. But we are a League One club and there are limited FFP rules that you cannot find a loophole for at this level.
Thankfully???
I want to tell somebody else's grandchildren that I saw Messi play for Wycombe.
Dangerous talk for an internet messaging board ;)
The key thing is never age itself but what condition the individual player is in.
McCleary for example will be quicker and fitter than huge amounts of players a decade younger.
No idea what fitness, pace and motivation levels Phillips has but I'm sure our coaching team will quickly work it out.
Sadlier, Wheels and McCleary aren't getting any younger, if we add players in that position you'd probably want a bit more pace. Kodua or even Campbell could return (not over keen on the latter tbh) and if not then I'd expect someone similarly placed in a Prem youth team. Having said that if we have a bigger squad they don't all have to play so often.
Phillips was brilliant first time round and did really well higher up so wouldn't be at all upset if he was to pitch up but have no idea what he's been like recently or how he plays now.
I just don't see Matty wanting to come back to us after so long away.
I have no idea what he considers home, where his extended family are based, and more importantly what other offers he has. It's probably no less likely than Vokes, Tyson or Scowen's returns.
My thought is more, he's only 33. Still got a few seasons with Championship teams unless we can give him options for future career post hanging up the boots.
True but remember Gareth McCleary was training in a park on his own for months before we signed him.
Oh absolutely
Plus having matt would be incredible for squad depth and the next generation of Generals supporting Kone and Udoh with assists.
Which has proven to be absolutely mental given we’re four years later and he’s not slowing down.
No Jokes today in the Colchester friendly that featured everyone else?
Why did the ColU fan cross the road?
Ha ha. It was supposed to say Vokes.
A lot of football fans are conditioned to think 30 is some sort of age where everything falls apart.
Probably a hangover from when players were a bit more likely to suffer from hangovers
For me, 30 was when everything fell into place.
(I'm talking jigsaws here)
Does anyone know why we don't name our trialists? I've seen that Brentford and a few Championship clubs (sorry, their names escape me) have named / identified them pre game
Because it alerts everyone they're available?
You'd think agents would be touting some of the players around elsewhere anyway, but probably makes no sense to do their job for them.
Most clubs don’t. It’s a bit daft. If you have Hot Shot Hamish on trial it’s hardly gonna trigger a load of clubs saying ooo I remember him let’s sign him. His agent will be touting him anyway. The risk I guess is that if he scores a worldly that then turns his head as it does create interest.
It’s all downside. They don’t gain anything by releasing names, and there’s a chance they enable another club to muscle in on a potential deal. It also gives unnecessary info to other clubs about the types of players we might be looking to sign.
I can also see an argument, fairly flimsy I know, that says a trialist may not want it know he's played in a match for club B if he's also chasing a contract with club A and has a match lined up with club C next week.
Normally you'd think being in demand would be a good thing so why keep it secret, but then why keep length of contracts awarded a secret? We all know that's a thing.
Plus we all enjoy the cryptic side of guessing a player based on blurred background photo.
Would you drop Vokesy for Hamish?
Who ?
Hot Shot Hamish
I agree our record of signing prolific Scottish players hasn’t been brilliant but Hamish has to be given the nod IMHO
According to the ever reliable BFP, Fred and Phillips are open to returning home....
I would get them both.