(That long since we've had any, couldn't find the thread)

Alan Nixon: "Top Liverpool starlet Cameron Branagan will Ben allowed out on loan in Jan.

Bolton lead the race for the 20 year old midfielder"

Edited December 11, 20169 yr by Ratwhite

29 minutes ago, Johnnyrotten said:

Fair summary.  I'm a big Dempsey fan and if he's fit he's one of the first names on teamsheet for me, so there'd be no need for Matete or A N Other.  But the reality is we have to assume his non availability much of the time.  Matete does appear to be one of those rare animals - a (ex) BW player that doesn't get injured every 5 minutes. 

We all have different opinions on every player and the truth is usually somewhere in the middle, but we do need someone in there to win a tackle, even more so with Tomo going.  That's 2 of our more combative players of last season gone when we were already lightweight and flimsy overall.

Yes, we all assumed Ceesay would be that middle man but that’s not happening now so I’m hoping Schu and Fergal have others in mind. I do agree though that we desperately need another Right Back, especially if Forrester’s going because we have no other cover for JDC and even if he stays fit he can’t possibly play all our games. CMG could stay as striker cover but we definitely need at least one other Dalby type plus someone to play off him. Let’s hope the GT deal goes through quickly so that Schu knows what he’s working with. I don’t see us having everything sorted by August and feel it will be Januarys window that sees the final pieces for strong second half if we can be in the mix.

8 minutes ago, Whitesince63 said:

Yes, we all assumed Ceesay would be that middle man but that’s not happening now so I’m hoping Schu and Fergal have others in mind. I do agree though that we desperately need another Right Back, especially if Forrester’s going because we have no other cover for JDC and even if he stays fit he can’t possibly play all our games. CMG could stay as striker cover but we definitely need at least one other Dalby type plus someone to play off him. Let’s hope the GT deal goes through quickly so that Schu knows what he’s working with. I don’t see us having everything sorted by August and feel it will be Januarys window that sees the final pieces for strong second half if we can be in the mix.

He will definitely need another transfer window, both for more signings and moving people on

40 minutes ago, Whitesince63 said:

Yes, we all assumed Ceesay would be that middle man but that’s not happening now so I’m hoping Schu and Fergal have others in mind. I do agree though that we desperately need another Right Back, especially if Forrester’s going because we have no other cover for JDC and even if he stays fit he can’t possibly play all our games. CMG could stay as striker cover but we definitely need at least one other Dalby type plus someone to play off him. Let’s hope the GT deal goes through quickly so that Schu knows what he’s working with. I don’t see us having everything sorted by August and feel it will be Januarys window that sees the final pieces for strong second half if we can be in the mix.

You keep talking about SS knowing what he is looking for but we have an expensive Director of Football plus Head of Recruitment who supposed to be doing something behind the scenes

3 hours ago, Rizlar said:

Didn’t SS state that he would decide on CMG before the season starts after trying him out in pre-season. 

I really want to like him. Has a touch too many every time.

1 hour ago, RUREADY2ROLL said:

You keep talking about SS knowing what he is looking for but we have an expensive Director of Football plus Head of Recruitment who supposed to be doing something behind the scenes

Quite right and I did say Schu and Fergal but doesn’t it start with Schu deciding what kind of player he needs and then work from there? Either way I’m sure all 3 involved know what we’re after and will hopefully bring some in soon.

Edited July 20, 2025Jul 20 by Whitesince63

1 hour ago, RUREADY2ROLL said:

You keep talking about SS knowing what he is looking for but we have an expensive Director of Football plus Head of Recruitment who supposed to be doing something behind the scenes

SS defines what he wants, recruitment identify who. Same as any business.

14 hours ago, Tombwfc said:

 

Dalby has scored 2 goals in 50 EFL appearances. And he's injured. Where has the belief come from that he's a nailed on starter and sure-fire hit? Wrexham had 4/5 strikers they thought were better than him last season, we're giving up on the idea we might find one?

I hope he's brilliant and I'm sure he'll have a part to play, but not much in his career says he should be automatically anointed as 'the guy' (whatever that means) with little competition. What if he's shit? What if we ever want to play with two up front? 

Sheehan, Morley and Simons are closer to being among the best at their position in the league than Dalby is. And Dempsey has more chance of playing well in a two than Dave or Warren have of being L1 strikers this year.

If we end up with Dalby or a million pound striker sat permanently on the bench, that would actually be good thing. It'd mean we have a good striker in the team. There's no guarantee of that at all with what we've currently got.

He's reported as being paid the top end of our wage structure. You don't pay someone top end wage to sit on the bench.  Nobody can predict he's going to be a sure fire hit but they are paying him like they think he will be. Plus I don't see a world where he agrees to come if he's not been given assurances of starting. 

You mention his 2 goals in the EFL but chose not to mention the much more recent 15 spl goals last season. 

There's no doubt we need at least one more forward. I doubt they will want to spend a million pound on someone when they are paying dalby. So I would think Kenny is more likely to end up being a loan considering he's signed a new deal at Celtic. A loan makes more sense.

 

15 hours ago, Johnnyrotten said:

I'd love to know who you're comparing him with in our squad. Out of a squad of 20+ I just like to see one player that can win a tackle cleanly and hold someone off with body strength, as well as beat a man and drive forward.  If you have an alternative on a free, bring it on.

The fact that we agreed a 375k deal with another midfielder when we could of just gone after matete tells me we aren't after him. The fact that Schumacher has had him at two clubs and hasn't been linked with us once , tells me we aren't after him. 

He can't pass water. He's 4 ft tall. He's shite. 

Edited July 20, 2025Jul 20 by Arrested development

14 hours ago, Tombwfc said:

 

Dalby has scored 2 goals in 50 EFL appearances. And he's injured. Where has the belief come from that he's a nailed on starter and sure-fire hit? Wrexham had 4/5 strikers they thought were better than him last season, we're giving up on the idea we might find one?

 

 

4 hours ago, Tombwfc said:

Given his versatility and the fact he's one of very few players in the squad with a history of scoring goals in the EFL, there's every chance CMG could end up as a regular starter.

Dalby has scored as many EFL goals in the last two years as CMG has. And has been injured a lot less.

Not sure why you the oft injured CMG should be a regular starter, and the player the club has just splashed out on, shouldnt.

CMG is not a solution to any of the problems we have 

3 minutes ago, Big E said:

CMG is not a solution to any of the problems we have 

He might be. Highly doubt we've seen the best of him yet.

I don't understand how people can't consider Dalbys season in the SPL when spouting off his stats since some think it's the same standard or level as the SPL.

Last season he scored 15 in 35 appearances. 

31 minutes ago, SalCity Biggie said:

I don't understand how people can't consider Dalbys season in the SPL when spouting off his stats since some think it's the same standard or level as the SPL.

Last season he scored 15 in 35 appearances. 

Agree most of Dalby appearances are off the bench.....Was never getting the main gig with Mullin ahead of him

48 minutes ago, Cheese said:

He might be. Highly doubt we've seen the best of him yet.

Injury prone and done little when he has played to signal he is anything more than another mistake from the last regime imo 

55 minutes ago, Cheese said:

He might be. Highly doubt we've seen the best of him yet.

4 years too late for that I fear.

1 hour ago, Cheese said:

He might be. Highly doubt we've seen the best of him yet.

I'd like to think the same, he's running out of road though.

17 minutes ago, ZiggyStardust said:

4 years too late for that I fear.

Am I missing something? He's only 26.

1 hour ago, ZiggyStardust said:

 

Dalby has scored as many EFL goals in the last two years as CMG has. And has been injured a lot less.

Not sure why you the oft injured CMG should be a regular starter, and the player the club has just splashed out on, shouldnt.

 

I can answer why you're not sure... you haven't read it properly. Why does it say CMG 'should' be starting and Dalby shouldn't?

But as we're counting...

Dalby - 25 years old - 189 appearances, 33 goals - 1 goal every 5.7 games

CMG - 26 years old - 142 appearances, 24 goals - 1 goal every 5.3 games

And the majority of Dalby's appearances have been in non-league.

As it happens, I think both will play a lot of games for us this season. My only question has been on the idea that Dalby will be an every week starter with no serious competition. And how absurd that is given his record to date.

6 hours ago, Cheese said:

He's played in all of them so far, and looked very sharp. Started against Tranmere, Orlando and Barrow. Came on as a sub against Hibs.

pretty much my view. 

Didn't see Tranmere obviously, but he's looked lively in other games. Probably the pick from the first half v Orlando Pirates. 

21 minutes ago, gonzo said:

I'd like to think the same, he's running out of road though.

…and running into tackles and losing the ball if yesterday was anything to go by. I also want him to come good and he does have something but doesn’t show it often enough sadly. Don’t think CMG v Dalby is an either/or situation and a lot will depend on who Schuey brings in - hopefully someone better than either of them.

2 hours ago, Arrested development said:

He's reported as being paid the top end of our wage structure. You don't pay someone top end wage to sit on the bench.  Nobody can predict he's going to be a sure fire hit but they are paying him like they think he will be. Plus I don't see a world where he agrees to come if he's not been given assurances of starting. 

You mention his 2 goals in the EFL but chose not to mention the much more recent 15 spl goals last season. 

There's no doubt we need at least one more forward. I doubt they will want to spend a million pound on someone when they are paying dalby. So I would think Kenny is more likely to end up being a loan considering he's signed a new deal at Celtic. A loan makes more sense.

 

 

Why are Celtic sending Kenny here to sit on the bench?

Obviously they wouldn't. So I agree, he would be good competition for Dalby and provide some insurance for if he's shite or gets injured.

That's all I'm asking for, I'm not bothered whether we buy a striker, loan one or get one on a free. Just lets not bet the season on a player who ultimately wasn't good enough for a team with the same ambitions as us a year ago.

49 minutes ago, ZiggyStardust said:

4 years too late for that I fear.

He’s only been here 2! 

5 minutes ago, Tombwfc said:

 

Why are Celtic sending Kenny here to sit on the bench?

Obviously they wouldn't. So I agree, he would be good competition for Dalby and provide some insurance for if he's shite or gets injured.

That's all I'm asking for, I'm not bothered whether we buy a striker, loan one or get one on a free. Just lets not bet the season on a player who ultimately wasn't good enough for a team with the same ambitions as us a year ago.

Dalby isn’t the same player he was a year ago. Marginalised at Wrexham but got his confidence and sharpness back last season. He’ll be a good un for us. 
 

Regarding Kenny. Clubs and players know the game these days. If they play 30 games, they’re happy and the club is happy. They’ll alternate from the bench, times when one or both is injured, suspensions and so on. Celtic want Kenny at a level that tests him without breaking him. And gives them a clue as to how he’d fare in their league. They’ll also want him in a side that wins more than loses (since they do) and see if he retains that hunger regardless of opposition. Bolton is an ideal fit. If he can’t get in our team regularly, that will tell Celtic all they need to know so, in a strange way, they’ll be happy to take that risk. Neither he nor Dalby would be first choice. They’ll both get their chances. 

If I was betting I’d say Kenny will arrive on loan at some point in next couple of weeks. 

Keeper will come, right back but I wouldn’t be so sure about another midfielder. Depends how far SS thinks Dempsey is from fitness and whether he feels he can trust him not to break down again (gut feeling is we can’t but SS may take the chance). As mentioned before, this is a two transfer window job. 

Fully expect us to finish the season far stronger than we start it. 

4 minutes ago, thebells said:

As mentioned before, this is a two transfer window job. 

Fully expect us to finish the season far stronger than we start

Indeed. I recall many of us on here discussing how much overhaul was needed but how restricted SS might be initially due to so many of our underachievers being tied up in contracts with time to run. 

SS has done well to manoeuvre out and in those he has so far, has put some money in the coffers, still some scope for 2-3 more in if one or two more of the remaining deadwood can be eased out, but another go in Jan may be needed to help us be strong finishers.

Short-term the job is to be in the mix and be showing decent, solid signs of all round improvement.

45 minutes ago, Tombwfc said:

 

I can answer why you're not sure... you haven't read it properly. Why does it say CMG 'should' be starting and Dalby shouldn't?

But as we're counting...

Dalby - 25 years old - 189 appearances, 33 goals - 1 goal every 5.7 games

CMG - 26 years old - 142 appearances, 24 goals - 1 goal every 5.3 games

And the majority of Dalby's appearances have been in non-league.

As it happens, I think both will play a lot of games for us this season. My only question has been on the idea that Dalby will be an every week starter with no serious competition. And how absurd that is given his record to date.

I've no opinion on whether he should start, I've never seen him play, but presumably he's looking nailed on because he's an old fashioned centre forward with height, strength and aerial ability and so has no current competition for that role.  His stats are irrelevant in that respect, if he doesn't score a goal it doesn't mean he hasn't contributed.

I like CMG (when fit) and he can do a job in a few positions but he has plenty of competition for each of those positions, he'll hopefully get some games but it would take injuries for him to start I'd guess.