Forwards

Coming in

Here’s the thing – I’ve suggested possibly two signings in the two areas of the field, but now we’re heading onto the top line, all sorts could happen. There are so many variables – will we be 4-2-3-1 or 3-4-3? Who will be fit, and who will not? Which of our two current strikers will stay at the club? Let’s break it down.

Firstly, I strongly believe Jovon Makama should head out on loan. Makama is showing signs of turning into a good player for us, but if we want to challenge the top six, we need better from the start right now. I can see him possibly joining Gallagher on an Irish loan, or heading to the National League for regular football. If he gets 15 or 20 starts under his belt up until May, it will benefit us in the long term. As for Jack Vale, will Blackburn be happy that currently, our 19-year-old academy graduate is keeping their player out of the side? Possibly not. That could mean two outgoings up top.

Then there are the injured players – Ben House and Tyler Walker are both first-team strikers, but I fear they will struggle to come back and get match fit in time for a serious run in the team. Relying on injured players returning is a risky business, but as is signing a permanent player when those two will be back eventually. Then there’s Reeco Hackett, a player who impressed me hugely before his injury. We’re hoping to see him back soon, but he isn’t an out-and-out striker. Remember, we also have Jack Moylan coming in, an unknown quantity, but a player who has played up top for Shelbourne.

I think we might look to sign a loan striker, as we did with (don’t shoot me please) Cullen and Plange the last two seasons. It depends on Vale staying, but it wouldn’t surprise me if we don’t look for a striker who could make an immediate impact, someone with an air of physicality and a clean bill of health. Of course, there are so many variables here it’s almost impossible to call.

We’ve also got to think about the support attackers – Mandroiu, Duffy, Adelakun and Shodipo. In a 3-4-3, we play two players tight behind a striker – Smith and Bishop have played there, and when we want width, Sorensen and Duffy have. However, I think we could see changes here as well. I expect Adelakun to leave, and I don’t expect us to keep Shodipo on a longer deal, so that frees up some space and finances. If we’re going to a 4-2-3-1, then we’re sure to want wider players – Mandroiu would likely play in the ten role, Hackett and Duffy are good out wide, but we’d still be short.

It’s a good market to fish for loans as well. We’ve seen those pacey wide players on loan before – Ginnelly, Anderson, Danny Rowe, Brennan Johnson, etc. It’s possible to get good players full fo tricks and skills in on loan out wide, and it wouldn’t surprise me if we didn’t seek to do that. Of course, there’s Jack Moylan, who is yet to show us where he can and can’t play, and if we stick to a 3-4-3, then we won’t bring out-and-out wingers in; so much depends on Skubala’s direction.

Also, remember we might not sign players for immediate impact. If the long-term plan is to go to a 4-2-3-1, we may bring in a player or two with the future in mind, as we did with Duffy a year ago.

Current loans

Two words for you – Freddie Draper. We know he’s been on fire for Walsall, although he hasn’t scored since late October, due to injury. If we’re uncertain about the fitness of our forward line, but we want someone to come in without us making a major outlay, then Freddie Draper could well be recalled.

We’ve also got Charley Kendall out on loan as well – he’s been alright for Dagenham, but I can’t see us bringing him back, unless there’s an onward loan planned.

Conclusion

Here’s the thing – if we got our current players fit, and nobody came in or out, it would feel like a big boost. I firmly believe with no new faces, this squad (fully fit) would finish top six. Bold? perhaps, but it really tests the recruitment team this winter.

The problem is fans will expect signings, but the squad looks good, and adding quality is going to be difficult. The variables, injuries up top and the uncertainty (for supporters, at least) around tactics make this a hugely unpredictable window.

Unpredictable, but dare I say nothing like as critical as the last two seasons. Our squad feels about as complete as it did in 2020/21, a window where we added just three players – Morgan Rogers, Regan Poole and Cohen Bramall. That was a good window; less really can be more, and in 2023/24, I see the same happening.

Less is moe.