Hits and misses in transfer game
DANNY Cowley has said that recruitment is ‘85-90 per cent of the job’ and ‘absolutely defines you’ – so what do we make of Town’s transfer business since the end of last season?
Of course, Cowley himself – and new head of football operations David Webb – only had a hand in one of Town’s new additions for this season. It is also worth pointing out that some of these players were signed as long-term prospects, rather than as immediate stars. son has said that Brown is seen as one for the future and was never expected to be an immediate starter; the step up from League Two is pretty steep, after all and though Brown is 23, he has probably lost a couple of years of development through his own self-confessed attitude issues earlier in his career which appear to be firmly a thing of the past. CAMPBELL has been a key component in the Cowleys’ aggressive front line and brings true passion and energy that has really helped the team in recent weeks.
His signing on a free was a no-brainer: he gives Town good options up front and his ability to bring others into the game mean he has provided the missing link Town needed.
Campbell has been a key cog in the Cowleys’ aggressive front line – his signing on a free
was a no-brainer ELPHICK undeniably had a nightmare of a debut against Derby and that first impression has proven difficult to shake for a lot of Town fans.
He has played on the right of the two centre-backs, which when playing with the overlapping Hadergjonaj meant he was doing the work of one-and-a-half players.
The fact that Town have conceded just once in three games since Simpson has arrived – due to a goalkeeping error – suggests Elphick was not the main problem. He was immense against Stoke, in particular and looks to be developing a good partnership with Christopher Schindler. He’s not been perfect, but ultimately Elphick is a solid defender and a very experienced leader. FOR all Town’s defensive issues, Grabara has been largely blameless. Millwall aside, the young keeper has been a reliable figure between the sticks, with his shot-stopping ability particularly catching the eye.
More mistakes may come, but Grabara is about as good as any number 1 we’ve seen in the Championship this season. Team, scoring and assisting goals for fun. Everything we’ve been told about Koroma suggests to us he may have a big future ahead of him. BECAME a permanent signing having spent last season on loan, but has failed to impress so far as he has been largely limited to appearances off the bench.
His goal against Manchester United in Dean Hoyle’s last home game as chairman will last in the memory, but Mbenza needs to add more vigour and end product to his game if he is to be considered a success.
Hopefully the Cowleys can have the same effect on the Belgian that they have had on several other previously-struggling players in the squad, but until then and considering the transfer fee that was reportedly involved, he hasn’t yet lived up to expectations in a Town shirt. HAS made a world of difference to Town’s defensive stability with his experience, ability and willingness to fight for the cause.
Simpson has stepped into the biggest problem position and made it one of the areas of least concern.
The only downfall is that Town didn’t have a player of Simpson’s calibre at right-back at the start of the season. He will be 33 by the time his current deal expires at the end of the season, which means he is only likely to be a medium-term fix.
But that’s fine for now.