Transfer News Transfer window 2020/21

[RyanioBirdio]

There's a perfect example of what I referred to earlier.
If you're going to take his full number of appearances, then you have to take the full number of goals as well. So 15 in 53.
That season our top scorer across all competitions was Maguire with 17.

Over the next two seasons, our top scorers (across all competitions) have been 11 (Henry/Thomas), 15 (Henry) and 17 (Taylor).

I'm not saying Hemmings was Aguero but I do feel for whatever reason, the opinion of his time at Oxford is undeservedly overly negative, especially when looking at some of the strikers we've had since. (Jamie Mackie scored 8 goals in 91 appearances for example).

I said similar recently. If his cup goals against Newcastle and Rotherham (two Championship clubs at the time) were against Northampton and Rochdale, and if his hat trick against a full strength Scunthorpe side in the tinpot was in the league fixture instead, he would be thought of much more highly. Even though in some cases his goals would have been against lesser opposition, so it makes no sense that he be marked down for scoring them. Toni Martinez was largely crap that same season despite having a really fun song, yet he’s still largely spoken of as some sort of hero to this day. Hemmings scored more goals in 16/17 than Hylton scored in 15/16, for context. He did alright, and he has continued to do alright ever since. Not saying I wanted him back, but he was perfectly fine for us.

Anyway, good luck to him, but not against us.

Back on topic: it sounds like despite the PFA appeal we are very much planning for the salary cap to stand. The comments today about us only having one spot left in our squad for a player over the age of 20 is interesting.

 

[Marked Ox]

You can't compare to Maguire. Maguire played a lot not as a central striker and spent lots of times as a wider player. He also contributed more than just being a goal scorer, his set piece delivery for example. In fact, other than Taylor and Mackie, the other players you mentioned were not just playing as a central striker. All the others including Mackie I can think of other attributes they brought to the team. Without goal scoring there was not a lot else Hemmings brought unfortunately. He didn't hold the ball up particularly well, didn't have pace and didn't particularly chase lost causes and put pressure on defenders. Mackie has had a lot of negativity by the way. Hemmings came here for one reason only, his goal scoring record. It simply didn't happen. I've not actually noticed that much negativity about Hemmings to be honest. I certainly didn't hate him or think he was awful, he just didn't quite cut it and had chances to do it.

I can remember quite a bit of negative about Hemmings when he was here.

 

[IsleofWightYellow]

Hemmings is one of those players, that a sizeable number of our fans seem to write off the goals he scored for us because a majority of them were in the cup.

It never quite worked in our system for him to be a 10+ striker in the league. And I still can't decide whether that was down to him or the system.
Although, having just looked, he only started 22 games in the league in his season with us, scoring 6 goals. Overall record of 15 goals in 53 appearances.

But in the 3 seasons since leaving us, he has continued to score goals.
15 in 40 at Mansfield (L2)
14 in 37 at Notts County (L2)
10 in 27 at Dundee (Scottish Champ)

Granted those are at lower levels to L1. But, if we were signing a player on a free transfer, who had scored a fair number of goals in recent seasons at a lower level, we'd see it as a low risk decent signing surely?

I can guarantee you that if we were signing a 28 year old striker with that sort of goals record at those (low) levels, even on a free, there’d be plenty complaining on here, let me tell you!! ?

 

[Followtheox1]

I can remember quite a bit of negative about Hemmings when he was here.

Maybe there was and you are right but certainly no more than Mackie. From a personal perspective it was just he didn't quite cut it but no more than that.

 

[Marked Ox]

I said similar recently. If his cup goals against Newcastle and Rotherham (two Championship clubs at the time) were against Northampton and Rochdale, and if his hat trick against a full strength Scunthorpe side in the tinpot was in the league fixture instead, he would be thought of much more highly. Even though in some cases his goals would have been against lesser opposition, so it makes no sense that he be marked down for scoring them. Toni Martinez was largely crap that same season despite having a really fun song, yet he’s still largely spoken of as some sort of hero to this day. Hemmings scored more goals in 16/17 than Hylton scored in 15/16, for context. He did alright, and he has continued to do alright ever since. Not saying I wanted him back, but he was perfectly fine for us.

Anyway, good luck to him, but not against us.

Back on topic: it sounds like despite the PFA appeal we are very much planning for the salary cap to stand. The comments today about us only having one spot left in our squad for a player over the age of 20 is interesting.

According to the Oxford Mail who list the players out, we currently have 3 places for those over 21yo and if Dickie goes then it will be 4. So have the club included the 2 loans KR talked about previously? The article is below:

Why Oxford United can still succeed with the salary cap

IT is clear Oxford United did not want the salary cap to come in – but they were in the relatively fortunate position of being able to make it…

www.oxfordmail.co.uk

It further highlights that those players who develop late or have had injury problems will find it harder to get a career going in the lower leagues. Greater allowance should be made for players that come through the Academy system of the club but are over 21 (ie. Sam Long which if youth development is the plan then this system curtails it). It just demonstrates the lack of planning taken in rushing through this system.

 

[Marked Ox]

Maybe there was and you are right but certainly no more than Mackie. From a personal perspective it was just he didn't quite cut it but no more than that.

Oh agreed, no more than Mackie.

 

[captainox]

You can't compare to Maguire. Maguire played a lot not as a central striker and spent lots of times as a wider player. He also contributed more than just being a goal scorer, his set piece delivery for example. In fact, other than Taylor and Mackie, the other players you mentioned were not just playing as a central striker. All the others including Mackie I can think of other attributes they brought to the team. Without goal scoring there was not a lot else Hemmings brought unfortunately. He didn't hold the ball up particularly well, didn't have pace and didn't particularly chase lost causes and put pressure on defenders. Mackie has had a lot of negativity by the way. Hemmings came here for one reason only, his goal scoring record. It simply didn't happen. I've not actually noticed that much negativity about Hemmings to be honest. I certainly didn't hate him or think he was awful, he just didn't quite cut it and had chances to do it. His record since supports this.

I'm not directly comparing to anyone in particular.

I'm just looking at number of goals scored across a single season, he actually sits right up towards the top for the last few seasons. But for whatever reason, it's the "he only got 6 in the league" that is often thrown about as a way to criticise him. If you were to ignore cup goals of other top scorers in recent season then Roofe comes down from 26 to 18, James Henry 15 to 11, Marcus Browne 10 to 7, Beano 14 to 9 in 12/13.

Actually a much better way to criticise him is some of the points you've picked upon there which are far more critical in the round at L1 level and are all pretty fair, but I do think they relate to the system we play - hence why wide players often get in amongst the goals.
But I don't think that is the most common method of criticism he receives, I would say I have seen far more comments about his goalscoring record which over a season wasn't too shabby.

It will be very interesting to see how he does at Burton, especially if he is played as the main striker. Three seasons since he last played in L1, IF he has developed the other attributes to his game and continues his recent ration, it could be a productive signing, especially for Burton who very rarely go out and sign strikers for fees.

 

[captainox]

I can guarantee you that if we were signing a 28 year old striker with that sort of goals record at those (low) levels, even on a free, there’d be plenty complaining on here, let me tell you!! ?

There'd be plenty complaining on here, if we signed a 28 goal striker from a lower level ?

 

[captainox]

Two players who could well get picked up by other L1 clubs

Ogogo and Bennett will not be part of Bristol Rovers' squad next season

The pair have almost certainly played their final game in the blue and white quarters

www.bristolpost.co.uk

 

[pidge]

According to the Oxford Mail who list the players out, we currently have 3 places for those over 21yo and if Dickie goes then it will be 4. So have the club included the 2 loans KR talked about previously? The article is below:

Why Oxford United can still succeed with the salary cap

IT is clear Oxford United did not want the salary cap to come in – but they were in the relatively fortunate position of being able to make it…

www.oxfordmail.co.uk

It further highlights that those players who develop late or have had injury problems will find it harder to get a career going in the lower leagues. Greater allowance should be made for players that come through the Academy system of the club but are over 21 (ie. Sam Long which if youth development is the plan then this system curtails it). It just demonstrates the lack of planning taken in rushing through this system.

That’s 4 on the average wage of 110k per year. Wouldn’t surprise me if it was 2 more and then a third if Dickie leaves to get higher quality within the budget.

Maybe we’ll see the likes of Hanson go out on loan or be sold to free up wages?

 

[Followtheox1]

I'm not directly comparing to anyone in particular.

I'm just looking at number of goals scored across a single season, he actually sits right up towards the top for the last few seasons. But for whatever reason, it's the "he only got 6 in the league" that is often thrown about as a way to criticise him. If you were to ignore cup goals of other top scorers in recent season then Roofe comes down from 26 to 18, James Henry 15 to 11, Marcus Browne 10 to 7, Beano 14 to 9 in 12/13.

Actually a much better way to criticise him is some of the points you've picked upon there which are far more critical in the round at L1 level and are all pretty fair, but I do think they relate to the system we play - hence why wide players often get in amongst the goals.
But I don't think that is the most common method of criticism he receives, I would say I have seen far more comments about his goalscoring record which over a season wasn't too shabby.

It will be very interesting to see how he does at Burton, especially if he is played as the main striker. Three seasons since he last played in L1, IF he has developed the other attributes to his game and continues his recent ration, it could be a productive signing, especially for Burton who very rarely go out and sign strikers for fees.

Yes your points on his development since are good. In terms of comparing, you are comparing directly his goal scoring record to others most who didn't play solely as strikers. He came here with a fantastic scoring ratio from the SPL and I think there was a lot of excitement that this would translate into the same for us. His total goal scoring record as a central striker was OK but certainly no more than that.

 

[Marked Ox]

Two players who could well get picked up by other L1 clubs

Ogogo and Bennett will not be part of Bristol Rovers' squad next season

The pair have almost certainly played their final game in the blue and white quarters

www.bristolpost.co.uk

Quite a chunk of their wage cap if they can't secure a move away to have them sat doing nothing.

 

[greatunclekip]

17/18 when we loaned him out, think we only had Wes and Beeks?

Yep. It was a financial decision to loan out and not recall even when we couldnt score in a brothel. Part of the overall cost cutting at the time.

 

[Scotchegg]

I believe one of the loan players we were looking to sign has travelled with the team to Wales, with the second expected to join them tomorrow. We are holding back announcements, so I expect the new coach to be known today, but players may not be known until back at the training ground next week.

 

[Jason N]

I believe one of the loan players we were looking to sign has travelled with the team to Wales, with the second expected to join them tomorrow. We are holding back announcements, so I expect the new coach to be known today, but players may not be known until back at the training ground next week.

You said something similar last week, the week before and the week before...

I feel a pattern forming here. Don't worry you're bound to get it right eventually.

In the mid season transfer window you'll tell us how you were correct in the summer. Say it often enough some will start to believe.

 

[Whingit]

Karl was looking at the floor when he mentioned the loanees in his interview, so I'm not too confident that it's nailed on.

 

[MJB]

Karl was looking at the floor when he mentioned the loanees in his interview, so I'm not too confident that it's nailed on.

Was he looking down at a returning Jake Wright and Alfie Potter?

 

[Scotchegg]

You said something similar last week, the week before and the week before...

I feel a pattern forming here. Don't worry you're bound to get it right eventually.

In the mid season transfer window you tell us how you were correct in the summer. Say it often enough some will start to believe.

It's not compulsory to believe anything written by me or anyone else on here!!

I post with snippets I hear, and have said that with limited background staff around that things are quieter than they would otherwise be. Along with @Front Post I said that the Taylor deal was imminent, but would have also expected another deal to have been completed by now, so I'm by no means perfect.

The whole transfer window is a collection of rumours, half truths and wild speculation. It makes it fun for some and hugely frustrating for others.

Sit back and enjoy the ride, and never take anything I post too seriously!!!

 

[Scotchegg]

Was he looking down at a returning Jake Wright and Alfie Potter?

It's a 5'10 Liam Kelly!!!

 

[battman]

Thing you have to look at with Jerome Sinclair Is what does he bring you that we are missing up top. Personally I don’t think he adds much to what we will be getting from Taylor and Agyei. We got pace and power upfront with Dan Agyei and we got a fox in the box in Matty Taylor who would get into probably 20 other teams and start in this league.
What we are missing however is a target man someone who can win headers and be a threat from the set piece.

I think at this level Brett Pitman or Devante Cole would be quality back up striker who will get you goals and bring something different to the side. Wouldn’t be disappointed or against Jerome Sinclair just don’t see him adding much.

But Taylor won't play every game, and if you only had Agyei and a target man to choose from, you'd have to alter the way you play whether you want to or not. I think Sinclair is a similar player to Taylor, but not identical. Yes, they both know where the goal is, but Sinclair does have a more physical presence and isn't bad aerially. I think a more complete striker could offer what a target man could whilst still allowing us to maintain the way we want to play regularly.