Boz
Member
- Joined
- 30 Sep 2005
- Messages
- 8,939
- Player
- Iain Hume
On strikers, we need to assess if Mullin is a potential replacement for Norwood, it’s far too early to write him off. Stockton may have been hampered by the hernia. The Italian isn’t an out and out striker, have fairly low expectations given his youth and lack of scoring record, probably this season’s Rokka/Green. Even if Cook were to leave Walsall, don’t think it’s a given he’d return here. So regardless of Nors’ situation, could see us in the market for a striker come January.
On the loan players, Smith is here for the season, though there is a recall option. Bristol City are well off for wingers and he’s getting plenty of game time, so think that unlikely they’ll activate it. The short-term loans are trickier. Gilmour hasn’t had that much game time, doubt he’s ready for Championship starts yet, so his club will have to weigh up if he could be getting more matchtime elsewhere. McCulloch is the one most likely to return to his parent club, his loan was about re-gaining match fitness and many Donny fans were surprised they lent him out.
The risk of being dependent on loans is known to us, through past slumps when key players have returned to their parent clubs. It’s unclear if the current reliance on loans was down to a lack of players of suitable quality to sign on permanent deals or our cash flow issues over the summer. Probably a combination of the two. Not much has been heard in that regard, are the funds from China now flowing freely or are we largely dependent on local revenue? Home crowds have been about 500 down on what I’d expected. If cash issues remain and we’re not promotion contenders then the owners may feel it’s prudent to cash in on Norwood.
On the loan players, Smith is here for the season, though there is a recall option. Bristol City are well off for wingers and he’s getting plenty of game time, so think that unlikely they’ll activate it. The short-term loans are trickier. Gilmour hasn’t had that much game time, doubt he’s ready for Championship starts yet, so his club will have to weigh up if he could be getting more matchtime elsewhere. McCulloch is the one most likely to return to his parent club, his loan was about re-gaining match fitness and many Donny fans were surprised they lent him out.
The risk of being dependent on loans is known to us, through past slumps when key players have returned to their parent clubs. It’s unclear if the current reliance on loans was down to a lack of players of suitable quality to sign on permanent deals or our cash flow issues over the summer. Probably a combination of the two. Not much has been heard in that regard, are the funds from China now flowing freely or are we largely dependent on local revenue? Home crowds have been about 500 down on what I’d expected. If cash issues remain and we’re not promotion contenders then the owners may feel it’s prudent to cash in on Norwood.