‘It’s dog eat dog in football and Robins clearly feels he’s strengthened his squad by bringing Mccallum back’
SAM’S CITY RETURN A SHREWD BIT OF BUSINESS BUT ACE WILL FACE BATTLE TO DISLODGE GILES
ALTHOUGH the return of Sam Mccallum had been on the rumour mill for a few days, Sunday’s announcement that the 20-year-old is back at Coventry City will have come as a pleasant surprise to many fans.
His arrival on a season-long loan from Norwich City, the club that only bought him in January, begs a number of questions, not least where will he fit in, where does he stand with the Canaries and what does it mean for the future of Brandon Mason?
First and foremost, it appears to be a shrewd bit of business by Mark Robins and his recruitment staff who have clearly seized on an opportunity to add proven strength to an already impressive squad intent in punching above its weight in the Championship.
The arrival of Xavi Quintilla on loan from Spanish La Liga side Villarreal immediately meant Mccallum’s opportunities at Carrow Road were going to be limited this season.
Mccallum made his competitive debut for Daniel Farke’s newly-relegated side in the EFL Cup against Luton Town when the plan, no doubt, was to play him in the competition this season as part of his bedding in process.
Norwich, however, went out of the competition at the first hurdle, beaten 3-1 at Kenilworth Road earlier this month, and a loan move suddenly appeared to be a perfect opportunity for the lad to continue his development rather than being stuck in an Under-23s side, patiently waiting for a chance to impress at a club blessed with plenty of more experienced back-up options to aid their quest for a swift return to the Premier League.
And where better to go than a club that already feels like home.
His sudden arrival back in the Sky Blues camp, meanwhile, has supporters wondering what’s behind Robins’ thinking.
The obvious answer is strength in depth. Ryan Giles was kept out of the side by Mccallum last term but the Wolves loan man appears firmly in possession of the left wing-back shirt after his first two impressive Championship showings, during which he has proved to be a real attacking threat, providing great balance to Fankaty
Dabo’s marauding runs down the right.
The way Giles glides effortlessly past players with his electric pace, coupled with his ability to cross a brilliant ball on the run – as he did for Matty Godden’s equaliser against QPR on Friday night – means Mccallum is likely to have his work cut out to displace him in the short-term.
But when games start coming thick and fast, Robins has shown in the past that he’s happy to make changes and rest players.
On the face of it, competition in the position just ramped up a notch. Some fans have wondered if both could fit into the same side with Giles maybe pushed forward, but unless the manager changes his tried and trusted 3-4-2-1 formation and starts playing with wingers, that seems very unlikely.
Giles can play, realistically, in three positions – left-back, wingback and as a winger. It’s unlikely that he’ll be deployed at the top of the box midfield where Jamie Allen and Callum O’hare are currently operating behind Godden.
That’s not to say he couldn’t play there but it wouldn’t be playing to his strengths. So it would seem that it’s going to be an either or situation.
As for Mason’s future, the writing appears to be on the wall. He is a good player but appears not to fit into the manager’s thinking.
Looking from the outside it may feel a bit harsh but it’s dog eat dog in football and Robins knows quality when he sees it, and the manager clearly feels he’s strengthened his squad by bringing Mccallum back.