Defence

Coming in

The defence is a complicated area to assess. I think, first and foremost, I don’t expect anyone to come in at centre back. In Mitchell, Jackson, O’Connor, Eyoma, Roughan and injured Montsma, we have a superb selection of defenders. I don’t see an outgoing unless someone wants to offer us serious cash for one of our players, but there’s always an outside chance of Alex Mitchell being recalled – Millwall have changed their manager and are on a run of one clean sheet in nine matches.

At wing-back, there isn’t a pressing need to bring anyone in – Sorensen and Burroughs have those positions nailed down, and on the left, Brown and Roughan offer cover, whilst Eyoma does so on the right. However, if we do choose to go to a 4-2-3-1, then we may look to recruit more traditional full-backs. In that instance, Eyoma and Burroughs would likely be the likely starting pairing, Sorensen being more attack-minded. I wouldn’t be surprised if we recruited a wide defender, but it could be ‘one for the future’, a player like Dylan Duffy of Jay Benn.

Current loans

Talking of Jay Benn, he’s one player who has impressed on his loan spell at Solihull Moors. They’re fourth in the table, and Benn is recently back from injury. Do I see him being recalled? Absolutely not, no. He’s playing regularly in a good side, and that’s good for us.

Hayden Cann is also out on loan, impressing for Peterborough Sports in the National League North. I could see him being recalled if we were going to look at sending a player or two over to Ireland. Cann would be perfect for a spell over there, although given Drogheda’s recent buyout by Walsall’s owners, I wonder if we might look to offer those benefits to another team – could that be why Jez and Liam were at Shelbourne?

Elicha Ahui is also out on loan at Ayr United, and there’s an outside chance he could come back. He hasn’t played many games up there, and Ayr have struggled, considering their form last season. If he were to come back, it would be for a loan to another club, as he hasn’t been able to impress north of the border with just seven outings.