So who's good enough to play in the Championship

T

tangerinedreams

Well-known member
Unfortunately part and parcel of progressing in football is moving on players and replacing them with better. I remember after the 2007 promotion thinking the side was that good it would have a great chance of promotion in the Championship. Truth is it wasn't, it's a massive step up.
I thought Morrell and Parker would score loads, they didn't and were moved on.
It's time to say goodbye to some of today's heroes and move onto the next.
Who do you think will make the grade in the Championship?
 
The good thing with our recruitment is that we're bringing him young hungry players who are open to improvement and stepping up a league. Yates overall game has come in leaps and bounds under Critch. Big Marv mproved game by game. The overall set up up is light years ahead of where we were under the Oyscums.
 
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I'll have a go. Our players only.

Definitely

Chris Maxwell

Stuart Moore? (not enough evidence)

Jordan Thorniley

Marvin Ekpiteta

Daniel Gretarrson

Demitri Mitchell

Luke Garbutt

Kevin Stewart

Grant Ward

Kenneth Dougall

CJ Hamilton

Jerry Yates

Can make a team out of those.

Unsure - benchwarmers?

Ollie Turton

Matty Virtue (worrying injury record)

Sullay Kaikai (what is going on with him?)

Youngsters - loan out - Shaw, Antwi, Apter, Holmes
 
Make no mistake, the squad got us up, no matter how good our stars are. The reason it worked is that the squad was coached in a way they can take on board, playing a style into which players slot in and out as needed. I would like to think Critch will continue, will bring in one or two more, maybe high quality and cost Prem level loans. Who is to know how far he can coach them, and the team ethos is worth a goal a game.

Grumpy, Kaikai, seriously?? Nailed on if his long term health is OK
 
Tangerinemoss said:
Make no mistake, the squad got us up, no matter how good our stars are. The reason it worked is that the squad was coached in a way they can take on board, playing a style into which players slot in and out as needed. I would like to think Critch will continue, will bring in one or two more, maybe high quality and cost Prem level loans. Who is to know how far he can coach them, and the team ethos is worth a goal a game.

Grumpy, Kaikai, seriously?? Nailed on if his long term health is OK
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Kaikai is a highly skilled player, and I love what he does. He can make the unexpected pass or shot and surprise the opposition.

As you say, he is nailed on if his long term health is OK. It's just that I don't know whether it will be. I expect Critch does, though, and I trust him.
 
I think that is the intriguing thing about a promotion - who is good enough and who isn’t. I think we have a lot of ‘problems’ in terms of who you take a chance with, who you release and who you bring in.

The most important thing (sadly) is the club - we know how tough it is to get out of League One and I don’t want to be troubling that league again.

Wycombe almost got it to work for them but had a horrendous start and I really think we need to hit the ground running. Good summer recruitment is essential and the right decisions have to be made - put it this way - I’m glad I’m not Critch.
 
It's always a hard one to call.

How many of our 09/10 squad would you have said could play in the Premier League? I reckon you could only say for sure 1 player, in reality a lot of them stepped up. I expect a lot of our boys, including some you won't expect, to make the step up to the Championship and give us a great first season back.
 
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my two penth for what it’s worth.

The majority of the squad we have today have the ability to play in the championship in a mid table side which is where we’re going to aim to be. I for one right now am confident that we’ll comfortably achieve this next term.

it seems fairly obvious people like Robson, Nuttall, Shaw, Garrity and Lubala will depart for various reasons.

With the remaining out of contract lads, Turton not only deserves but has value for us on a 1 + 1 deal.
Garbutt is a must for something like a 2 year deal
I’d give Husband similar to Turton forget the option and get him on a new 1+1

I’d take up the option on Wards contract and not give him a new contract purely because of the depth we have in central mid, but we could use him next season.

Two of the toughest ones would be Madine and KK. I’d again try and sign both to 1+1s. Would they go for that? Maybe not, but they’re both capable of winning us games in the Championship. Personally I’d class them as luxury players, isn’t it now amazing we can afford luxuries.

I’d do our best to get Ballard and Gabriel back in any capacity. A month ago I said Simms wasn’t good enough to be kept on next season, I’ve changed my mind after his end of season performances, I think he’s got a bright future and could bag a few next year.

much depends on coming and goings regarding new signings. If Ballard stays and Husband signs on, do we need Thorneily? Harsh as he’s barely put a foot wrong after a few early wobbles, but his wages could be freed up for one more potent attacker.
If we can’t get Gabriel again, which seems unlikely or They decide not to go for Turton right back will be need to be an area of investment.

what ever happens I think we need another main striker to work with Yates and take him to the next level.
 
Grumpy_no_more said:
I'll have a go. Our players only.

Definitely

Chris Maxwell

Stuart Moore? (not enough evidence)

Jordan Thorniley

Marvin Ekpiteta

Daniel Gretarrson

Demitri Mitchell

Luke Garbutt

Kevin Stewart

Grant Ward

Kenneth Dougall

CJ Hamilton

Jerry Yates

Can make a team out of those.

Unsure - benchwarmers?

Ollie Turton

Matty Virtue (worrying injury record)

Sullay Kaikai (what is going on with him?)

Youngsters - loan out - Shaw, Antwi, Apter, Holmes
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Agree with all of that list but would have Kaikai included as well. Squad players would include Virtue, Turton and Husband although Virtue might surprise alot of us if he can stay injury free. Add the likes of Ballard and Ellis to that list, plus 4/5 other signings including loans and we have a good Championship team in the making.
 
Rektseasider said:
my two penth for what it’s worth.

The majority of the squad we have today have the ability to play in the championship in a mid table side which is where we’re going to aim to be. I for one right now am confident that we’ll comfortably achieve this next term.

it seems fairly obvious people like Robson, Nuttall, Shaw, Garrity and Lubala will depart for various reasons.

With the remaining out of contract lads, Turton not only deserves but has value for us on a 1 + 1 deal.
Garbutt is a must for something like a 2 year deal
I’d give Husband similar to Turton forget the option and get him on a new 1+1

I’d take up the option on Wards contract and not give him a new contract purely because of the depth we have in central mid, but we could use him next season.

Two of the toughest ones would be Madine and KK. I’d again try and sign both to 1+1s. Would they go for that? Maybe not, but they’re both capable of winning us games in the Championship. Personally I’d class them as luxury players, isn’t it now amazing we can afford luxuries.

I’d do our best to get Ballard and Gabriel back in any capacity. A month ago I said Simms wasn’t good enough to be kept on next season, I’ve changed my mind after his end of season performances, I think he’s got a bright future and could bag a few next year.

much depends on coming and goings regarding new signings. If Ballard stays and Husband signs on, do we need Thorneily? Harsh as he’s barely put a foot wrong after a few early wobbles, but his wages could be freed up for one more potent attacker.
If we can’t get Gabriel again, which seems unlikely or They decide not to go for Turton right back will be need to be an area of investment.

what ever happens I think we need another main striker to work with Yates and take him to the next level.
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I'd be more inclined to hang on to Robson than Kaikai or Madine, myself. But Robson wouldn't be a huge loss unless he can recover the form he showed early on.

Garbutt I'm in two minds about. Not great defensively. Didn't create as much as he should. Talent there, though, some potential to keep improving.

I wouldn't keep Gabriel either, I think. Good athlete but a lot of work needed on his positioning, distribution and reading of the game. Critch will maybe think those things are fixable. But Forest might not want him at a rival club anyway.
 
Of the players who’ve played regularly since Christmas I don’t there’s any that jump out as ‘not good enough’ for the step up. What I would like is to get Ballard & Simms back on season long loans, topped up with Championship quality additions at right back, attacking midfielder, centre forward and a winger who can play either side
 
voyeur said:
I'd be more inclined to hang on to Robson than Kaikai or Madine, myself. But Robson wouldn't be a huge loss unless he can recover the form he showed early on.

Garbutt I'm in two minds about. Not great defensively. Didn't create as much as he should. Talent there, though, some potential to keep improving.

I wouldn't keep Gabriel either, I think. Good athlete but a lot of work needed on his positioning, distribution and reading of the game. Critch will maybe think those things are fixable. But Forest might not want him at a rival club anyway.
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Ah just don’t think Robson has ever shown us anything, and must be way short of the already loaded midfield we have to hardly get a sniff.

KK and Madine just have something in them to nick a point or win a game, I’d try and keep them. But I think the management won’t go down that route and have replacements lined up. In KKs case we have 3 or so players of similar ilk in the attacking midfield and Madine’s a bit of a handful on and off the pitch.

Agree Gabs will probably go back to Forest but he showed some great glimpses midway through his time with us. Think he’ll go on to have a good career. Do you trust Turton to be your only option there though? Not sure. Then what do you do? Is Turton your main man or a back up to a new signing. It’s a tough one. Or doesn’t he feature at all.

Ah I really liked Garbutt thought he improved greatly towards the end. I feared the worst after the first five minutes in the final for him but looked really comfortable after that and Johnson lived of scraps really.
 
Another 20 goal striker is a must....only Ipswich and Crewe scored less than us in the top 14 teams...Our success has been driven by our defensive record and it would be a big ask to expect it to happen again in the Championship.We have a good nucleus of youth and experience in the squad...I would jump through hoops to get Ballard back and build defence around him...a striker who knows where the onion bag is and a creative midfield player. Not sure how Maxwell will do in Championship as it didnt work out for him last time he was there.
 
Qblock said:
Of the players who’ve played regularly since Christmas I don’t there’s any that jump out as ‘not good enough’ for the step up. What I would like is to get Ballard & Simms back on season long loans, topped up with Championship quality additions at right back, attacking midfielder, centre forward and a winger who can play either side
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I think your pretty much spot on...I was typing similar when you posted this.
 
There are a lot of unknowns but this is my thoughts on who we should keep and who should be let go.

Championship Quality

Maxwell
Big Marv
Grettarson
Garbutt (offer 2+1 deal)
Mitchell
Ward
Dougall
Hamilton (pace always scares teams)
Stewart
Anderson
Yates


squad player for championship

Moore (unless we get a better back up then let him go)
Husband (offer new 1+1 deal)
Turton )offer 1+1 deal)
Thornilly
KaiKai (take up his option to see how he performs, if he plays well offer a new deal)
Virtue
Apter (potential to develop for the future, keep under critch for now)
Holmes (not sure if he is better on loan or staying working under Critch)

sell/let go/loan

Sims
Fojiteck
Robson (too much talent ahead of him in the side)
Antwi (send out on loan to a L2 club)
Shaw
Madine (tough to handle of the pitch apparently)
Lubala (time to move him on)

loan Players

Ballard (retain if possible on loan)
Gabriel (buy if possible)
Simms (retain if possible on loan)
Embelton (send back to Sunderland)
 
Actually think a majority of our players are already Championship caliber.

Keshi
CJ
Yates
Kenny
Kevin
Maxwell
Garbs
Wardy
Gretarrson
Marvin
Mitchell
Kaikai

That's a great nucleus to our squad for next year.

They will all improve with playing time and Critchley.

Add in 5-6 more permanent signings and 3-4 loan signings and I think the team we have next year will not struggle too much at all.
 
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Rektseasider said:
Ah just don’t think Robson has ever shown us anything, and must be way short of the already loaded midfield we have to hardly get a sniff.

KK and Madine just have something in them to nick a point or win a game, I’d try and keep them. But I think the management won’t go down that route and have replacements lined up. In KKs case we have 3 or so players of similar ilk in the attacking midfield and Madine’s a bit of a handful on and off the pitch.

Agree Gabs will probably go back to Forest but he showed some great glimpses midway through his time with us. Think he’ll go on to have a good career. Do you trust Turton to be your only option there though? Not sure. Then what do you do? Is Turton your main man or a back up to a new signing. It’s a tough one. Or doesn’t he feature at all.

Ah I really liked Garbutt thought he improved greatly towards the end. I feared the worst after the first five minutes in the final for him but looked really comfortable after that and Johnson lived of scraps really.
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We need a new right back definitely.

Robson is 24 and looked good during the early season period when we weren't getting results. It wasn't his fault IMO. But he hasn't recovered that form, or had chance to. Dougall, Stewart and Ward ahead of him but we could still use him if Critch believes in him.

Madine and KK have had 2 year spells with us and not done enough to deserve a Championship contract in my opinion. Bit part players in League One are not what we need next, surely.

I like Garbutt too, but we need to resolve how we use him. He's not a back four left back.
 
There’s some like Robson, Thorniley, maybe Lubala, mayyyybe Embleton, Husband, Turton who i think might not make 2nd tier grade but I think for the next season or so we have so much team spirit and momentum you’ll see exactly that sort of player play the best football of their careers.

The rest of the team to a man I think will all surpass all current realistic expectations and end up being very successful 2nd tier players or better. When you have such a successful moment between the ages 23-25 and you’re working under a great coach whose main skill is development, at a club which is specifically aiming to do everything right by your development, you don’t suddenly find your level.
 
Really have to look at the squad as a whole not just the first eleven
I hope that some of the youngsters start pressing for inclusion in the team
Critch can t improve them if they are farmed out to lower league clubs
 
voyeur said:
We need a new right back definitely.

Robson is 24 and looked good during the early season period when we weren't getting results. It wasn't his fault IMO. But he hasn't recovered that form, or had chance to. Dougall, Stewart and Ward ahead of him but we could still use him if Critch believes in him.

Madine and KK have had 2 year spells with us and not done enough to deserve a Championship contract in my opinion. Bit part players in League One are not what we need next, surely.

I like Garbutt too, but we need to resolve how we use him. He's not a back four left back.
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You’re probably correct an upgrade at right back will be required. I’d still keep Turton on as I think he’ll provide value for us.

just can’t see how Robson gets past any of those players or MVT coming back. Shame for the lad there probably is a talented player in there.

I can definitely see the argument against Madine, although with Yates and another Championship quality striker I could see him being a good option. But KK is quality at times, yeh it’s about 1 game in 4 even in the correct position. A luxury, but could get us some handy points here and there. We can afford luxury now. I’d offer him a deal. I actually argued against doing his a few months ago. But I think he can play a part for us next season.

As a few have said most of the squad is settled bar the odd right back of left mid. Striking options is one of the last pieces of the puzzle.

I think we should take a calculated risk on a bigish money striker who has a bit of history notching in the Championship.

Last year was a bit of a mixed bag transfer wise. But there were lots of mitigating factors. This year I’d expect it to be much more focused and targeted.
 
voyeur said:
We need a new right back definitely.

Robson is 24 and looked good during the early season period when we weren't getting results. It wasn't his fault IMO. But he hasn't recovered that form, or had chance to. Dougall, Stewart and Ward ahead of him but we could still use him if Critch believes in him.

Madine and KK have had 2 year spells with us and not done enough to deserve a Championship contract in my opinion. Bit part players in League One are not what we need next, surely.

I like Garbutt too, but we need to resolve how we use him. He's not a back four left back.
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I agree about Garbutt...defensively weak but a sweet left peg...left midfield or wing back at best...does remind of Hillsy.
 
Rektseasider said:
You’re probably correct an upgrade at right back will be required. I’d still keep Turton on as I think he’ll provide value for us.

just can’t see how Robson gets past any of those players or MVT coming back. Shame for the lad there probably is a talented player in there.

I can definitely see the argument against Madine, although with Yates and another Championship quality striker I could see him being a good option. But KK is quality at times, yeh it’s about 1 game in 4 even in the correct position. A luxury, but could get us some handy points here and there. We can afford luxury now. I’d offer him a deal. I actually argued against doing his a few months ago. But I think he can play a part for us next season.

As a few have said most of the squad is settled bar the odd right back of left mid. Striking options is one of the last pieces of the puzzle.

I think we should take a calculated risk on a bigish money striker who has a bit of history notching in the Championship.

Last year was a bit of a mixed bag transfer wise. But there were lots of mitigating factors. This year I’d expect it to be much more focused and targeted.
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Yeah Turton is a good squad player.

I think Robson could be a good squad player too, but Critch will have to make a judgement and it's likely Robson will go elsewhere to get game time. Even if that's on loan. Why have a player as inconsistent as KK? It's not what I would choose.

I don't agree about last year being a mixed bag transfer wise. Sure, Sarkic and Bez haven't worked out, but we've had a very high success rate for such a large turnover.
 
ElBurroSinNombre said:
Can't believe the stuff about Kai Kai on here.
7 goals (4th), 8 assists (2nd) he has been an integral part of the success we have achieved. Of course he is good enough for the Championship and Critchley will improve him further.
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I hope you're right. But you are ignoring his level of inconsistency. Too many anonymous games. If Critch can improve that then cool.
 
TangerinePeel said:
It's always a hard one to call.

How many of our 09/10 squad would you have said could play in the Premier League? I reckon you could only say for sure 1 player, in reality a lot of them stepped up. I expect a lot of our boys, including some you won't expect, to make the step up to the Championship and give us a great first season back.
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Good call Tangerine.

When we went up from League 1 to the Championship last time I thought Evatt and GTF might be found out but they thrived and were central to our Premier League side.
 
voyeur said:
Yeah Turton is a good squad player.

I think Robson could be a good squad player too, but Critch will have to make a judgement and it's likely Robson will go elsewhere to get game time. Even if that's on loan. Why have a player as inconsistent as KK? It's not what I would choose.

I don't agree about last year being a mixed bag transfer wise. Sure, Sarkic and Bez haven't worked out, but we've had a very high success rate for such a large turnover.
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I don’t understand how you can argue for Robson to stay and KK to leave. 🤷‍♂️

KK has proved he can add things, he frustrates me at times but in our first season back in the Championship I think he could add some value. I think CJ and Keshi would be ahead of him now for a starting berth. But as we’ve seen injuries can decimate a squad, so he’d be useful to have.

There’s more than just those two though. Williams, Fotofit, Gretarson ( could be good but we’ve hardly seen him), Robson will likely leave. It’s probably at 50% the hit rate for last summer off the top of my head. Like I say mixed bag. You’re right with a large turn over it’s more likely to happen, and this summer will be more targeted as we have a more settled squad and For that matter a more settled club.
 
voyeur said:
I hope you're right. But you are ignoring his level of inconsistency. Too many anonymous games. If Critch can improve that then cool.
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Lots of our players are anonymous from time to time (Embleton anyone). But in the case of Embleton it's a case of we must sign him.
The stats don't lie. 8 assists one behind Yates, next nearest player is on 4. If we ditch Kai Kai as some on here would like we are taking 15 goals out of a team that doesn't score very often.
 
southshorepool said:
He'll have more time on the ball.
His problem is his injury issues.
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His problem is he drifts in and out of games, as has been said he lacks any kind of consistency. Then he will come up with a game where he looks marvellous and scores a worldy. An enigma to be sure, but can we afford enigmas?
 
The one good thing for any of our current squad that are released is that because of the promotion their stock will be very high in League 1. They will all land themselves nice contracts at other clubs.
 
ElBurroSinNombre said:
Lots of our players are anonymous from time to time (Embleton anyone). But in the case of Embleton it's a case of we must sign him.
The stats don't lie. 8 assists one behind Yates, next nearest player is on 4. If we ditch Kai Kai as some on here would like we are taking 15 goals out of a team that doesn't score very often.
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Embleton has only had 4 months with us, 15 games, and is only 22. Bad comparison. I also said he's not a must signing, but could be a good signing. Kaikai has had 2 years and not nailed down a starting place. In League One.
 
Rektseasider said:
I don’t understand how you can argue for Robson to stay and KK to leave. 🤷‍♂️

KK has proved he can add things, he frustrates me at times but in our first season back in the Championship I think he could add some value. I think CJ and Keshi would be ahead of him now for a starting berth. But as we’ve seen injuries can decimate a squad, so he’d be useful to have.

There’s more than just those two though. Williams, Fotofit, Gretarson ( could be good but we’ve hardly seen him), Robson will likely leave. It’s probably at 50% the hit rate for last summer off the top of my head. Like I say mixed bag. You’re right with a large turn over it’s more likely to happen, and this summer will be more targeted as we have a more settled squad and For that matter a more settled club.
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We do tend to see things differently. I think Robson and KK are both borderline, to be clear, I just think Robson has had less opportunity to prove himself and is only 24.

Williams was a temporary stop gap signing who served a purpose, Fotofit a cheap youth development option, Gretarsson is a great player unlucky with injury.
 
voyeur said:
We do tend to see things differently. I think Robson and KK are both borderline, to be clear, I just think Robson has had less opportunity to prove himself and is only 24.

Williams was a temporary stop gap signing who served a purpose, Fotofit a cheap youth development option, Gretarsson is a great player unlucky with injury.
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You say that but I think we actually see a lot of things similarly. KK does my head in. And like I said a few months ago I really argued against taking up his option. But with the squad fairly settled now, he provides a decent option going forward from the middle.

For me there’s a reason Robson hasn’t been given a sniff.

So a mixed bag then 😂 see we do agree.
 
Funnily enough, i think some of our players will be better suited to Championship football than League 1. The higher up the leagues you go, you tend to get more time on the ball.

Stewart is a prime example of that for me, with time to get his head up and pick a pass i think he'll be a better player for us next season.

Kaikai for me wasn't involved in games often enough and couldn't stamp his authority on them, for the wage he no doubt commands i think that money could be spent more wisely.

Players who i think can definitely step up and form the nucleus of a good squad;

Maxwell
Ekpiteta
Thorniley
Gretarsson
Garbutt
Dougall
Stewart
Ward
CJ
Mitchell
Anderson
Yates

Add Simms and Ballard and i think we have a great starting point.
 
Kaikai is like a bargain basement Gazza, not in the same league as him but worth hanging onto for what he can do. Have we got a better creative midfielder? He’s only had 12 months with injuries under Critchley, I think there’s a consistent player in there if he can coach it out 👍
 
Rektseasider said:
You say that but I think we actually see a lot of things similarly. KK does my head in. And like I said a few months ago I really argued against taking up his option. But with the squad fairly settled now, he provides a decent option going forward from the middle.

For me there’s a reason Robson hasn’t been given a sniff.

So a mixed bag then 😂 see we do agree.
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Not a mixed bag. A very high success rate! 🤣
 
Junior_BentsPlatformShoes said:
Kaikai is like a bargain basement Gazza, not in the same league as him but worth hanging onto for what he can do. Have we got a better creative midfielder? He’s only had 12 months with injuries under Critchley, I think there’s a consistent player in there if he can coach it out 👍
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This might be true, I'm very happy to let Critch be the judge! Which is good cos he will be, whatever I might say!
 
voyeur said:
This might be true, I'm very happy to let Critch be the judge! Which is good cos he will be, whatever I might say!
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That’s true Voy 😁. He may fancy there’s more to come from KK, who knows which players he’s got an eye on and what he’ll be given to spend, could be in with some real players and breaking club transfer records.
 
I can't believe everyone is leaving out Husband! He's been fantastic this season and is more than good enough for the Championship .

Kaikai needs to be signed on a new contract, our most skilful player and Demi Mitchell needs to have a contract extension, he is mustard and is going to ge better and better.

I would let Robson and Virtue go. I would keep Thorniley, he has really impressed me and I would look to get Madine on a 1+1 but I think he will go.

Not sure about Ollie, he has been great this season but I'm not sure he will cut it in the Championship.

I can't see Ben being here and I think Nathan Shaw will be offloaded too.

I am hopeful we will have Ballard and Simms back, probably on loan, but permanent signings would be dreamland. It also sounds like players have already been contacted so I expect we won't be waiting long for new signings.
 
voyeur said:
Embleton has only had 4 months with us, 15 games, and is only 22. Bad comparison. I also said he's not a must signing, but could be a good signing. Kaikai has had 2 years and not nailed down a starting place. In League One.
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The stats are here;

Blackpool Top Scorers - BBC Sport

Blackpool top scorers. Showing assists, time on pitch and the shots on and off target.
www.bbc.co.uk www.bbc.co.uk

Embleton has played 21 games and scored twice with four assists, goal conversion 8%
It is IMO a good comparison because they both play in the same position and Embleton has played often enough for a comparison to be made.
Kai Kai goal conversion more than double that of Embleton's (I think that is shot to goal ratio)
The stats show pretty clearly that Kai Kai is the better of the two. Kai Kai's problem, if that is what it is, is that when he doesn't perform to his potential it really shows because he is so influential when on form.
 
ElBurroSinNombre said:
The stats are here;

Blackpool Top Scorers - BBC Sport

Blackpool top scorers. Showing assists, time on pitch and the shots on and off target.
www.bbc.co.uk www.bbc.co.uk

Embleton has played 21 games and scored twice with four assists, goal conversion 8%
It is IMO a good comparison because they both play in the same position and Embleton has played often enough for a comparison to be made.
Kai Kai goal conversion more than double that of Embleton's (I think that is shot to goal ratio)
The stats show pretty clearly that Kai Kai is the better of the two. Kai Kai's problem, if that is what it is, is that when he doesn't perform to his potential it really shows because he is so influential when on form.
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I'm looking at potential, not stats. Kaikai has had several clubs and lots of games. Never yet had a good run of consistency. Embleton a much better prospect IMO, in the very early stages of his senior career, with a solid England youth background.
 
voyeur said:
I'm looking at potential, not stats. Kaikai has had several clubs and lots of games. Never yet had a good run of consistency. Embleton a much better prospect IMO, in the very early stages of his senior career, with a solid England youth background.
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So Embleton can improve under Critchley but Kai Kai cannot because he is a bit older?
Stats are not meaningless, however I'd sign them both if it was my choice.
Critchley knows best.
 
ElBurroSinNombre said:
So Embleton can improve under Critchley but Kai Kai cannot because he is a bit older?
Stats are not meaningless, however I'd sign them both if it was my choice.
Critchley knows best.
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Kaikai might improve yes, and Critch will be the judge. He does know best.

But Kaikai has been with us 2 years and Embleton only 4 months. And the age difference is significant, by age 25 you expect to see a lot of development from a 22 year old who has only a small number of senior games.

Let Critch decide.
 
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