Potential squad players

[winsumluzsum]

This isn't intended as a Bellamy bashing thread, rather an evaluation of which lower league players could be considered for squad selection in the event of a string of injuries.

Mullin and, to a lesser extent, Evans have been done to death, so I won't add anything further at this point, as far as they're.

The strongest candidate is certainly Lee Evans. Still only 30, he's currently topping the League One Fotmob average rankings with a 7.76 rating. 1 goal and 5 assists in 14 games is impressive enough, but it's his all round stats that really stand out. 53 chances created - 21 better than the next best player, is very impressive. His 131 accurate long balls of is also best in the league. His defensive stats are also exceptional.

If called upon his stats (and not just this season - they've been consistently excellent for 5 seasons) suggest he could do a similar job to Sheehan. Is he on Bellamy's radar?

[winsumluzsum]

The other strong candidate is Orient's Tom James. 28 year old with a 7.41 Fotmob rating, 11th best in League One. Can play right across the defensive line. Good stats although his defensive stats are mediocre. Would take a serious injury crisis for him to make the squad, but like Lee Evans, he plays in a position where we're relatively lacking in cover, so who knows.

[fiveattheback]

Lee Evans is also quite physically imposing, but I doubt he'll make it back into the fold unless there's a real injury crisis

Isn't Tom James primarily a right back? I don't think we have a lack of depth there and I imagine he'd be behind Regan Poole in the "defensive utility man" stakes

[winsumluzsum]

Nov 18, 2024 18:33:18 GMT fiveattheback said:

Lee Evans is also quite physically imposing, but I doubt he'll make it back into the fold unless there's a real injury crisis

Isn't Tom James primarily a right back? I don't think we have a lack of depth there and I imagine he'd be behind Regan Poole in the "defensive utility man" stakes

Agreed neither are likely to be called up, especially James (if only to save headaches for Rob Philips with 3 James's). However arguably Evans' credentials are stronger than Sheehan's. Evans' passing stats are off the scale: best in league for his position for assists, expected assists, successful passes, accurate long balls, chances created, successful crosses and touches. His defensive stats are also phenomenal (over 90th percentile on 6 metrics) and better than Sheehan's.

I rate Sheehan highly, and I think he's vindicated his selection, but I do wonder how close the decision was between him and Evans. The latter has certainly earned consideration, not least because he has Championship experience.

[welshwhite]

Always been bemused by the lack of call ups for Lee Evans, he always seems to have a purple patch at most clubs he's played at, playing well and scoring outrageous goals, then summarily moved on, generally in a downward trajectory. Wonder if there is a fitness or personal issue at play.
While we have had a dearth of players able to play LB/LCB (and still to be convinced by Owen Beck) Andrew Hughes seems to have been criminally overlooked having played over 400 games at a decent level, 32 now, so not too dissimilar to Evans.
A player I really like, but definitely already in Bellamy's thoughts, would be Joe Low.

[dai]

Possibly;

Terry Taylor - DM, CM - Charlton in League 1. Ex u21 captain. In the Ampadu mould, strong, intelligent.

Tom Lowery - DM,CM - Portsmouth, but exiled (not sure why). Reckon he could end up moving to League 1 in January as his contract is up on 2025. Was close to a Wales call up a few years ago, but as with so many Welsh players, injuries have ruined his progress.

Eli King - DM, CM - Stevenage (on loan from Cardiff). Has looked good at u21 level - imo. Could develop into an option going forward.

Taylor is the standout player at L1 though. 

[winsumluzsum]

Nov 18, 2024 19:43:09 GMT welshwhite said:

Always been bemused by the lack of call ups for Lee Evans, he always seems to have a purple patch at most clubs he's played at, playing well and scoring outrageous goals, then summarily moved on, generally in a downward trajectory. Wonder if there is a fitness or personal issue at play.
While we have had a dearth of players able to play LB/LCB (and still to be convinced by Owen Beck) Andrew Hughes seems to have been criminally overlooked having played over 400 games at a decent level, 32 now, so not too dissimilar to Evans.
A player I really like, but definitely already in Bellamy's thoughts, would be Joe Low.

I've been impressed with Joe Low too. However his defensive stats aren't great, especially his tackle success of only 28.6%. He will need to improve on his bread and butter defending if he's to challenge for the senior squad.

[winsumluzsum]

Low is below average on 7 defensive metrics, average on 5 and above average on none.

[welshwhite]

Nov 18, 2024 19:56:17 GMT winsumluzsum said:

Low is below average on 7 defensive metrics, average on 5 and above average on none.

That really surprises me. he's looked very solid, classy and confident when I've watched him.
I'm not one for stats, what is his heading like ?

[winsumluzsum]

Aerial Duels won 60%, which is decent but still only 39th percentile. His stats were similar last season.

[talyfan]

Evans been unfortunate with injuries, form and maybe overlooked when we were experimenting with Levitt & Matt Smith trying to bed them in with the the hope they'd come good.

Maybe unlucky to miss out recently but between him and Sheehan for the level of output we'd get it's much of muchness I think. Sheehan getting the edge purely on being involved in previous camps.

[vaulksthrowfanclub]

Nov 18, 2024 19:48:43 GMT dai said:

Possibly;

Terry Taylor - DM, CM - Charlton in League 1. Ex u21 captain. In the Ampadu mould, strong, intelligent.

Tom Lowery - DM,CM - Portsmouth, but exiled (not sure why). Reckon he could end up moving to League 1 in January as his contract is up on 2025. Was close to a Wales call up a few years ago, but as with so many Welsh players, injuries have ruined his progress.

Eli King - DM, CM - Stevenage (on loan from Cardiff). Has looked good at u21 level - imo. Could develop into an option going forward.

Taylor is the standout player at L1 though. 

For me Terry Taylor should be given a crack at some point. As you say, our most natural Ampadu understudy

[ddirpytnop]

Very surprised by the stats quoted for Joe Low. He's a first choice player playing for the team currently sitting top of League 1, so he's clearly doing something right. And he scores a goal or two too. I've been impressed by him when I've seen him play. Big and physical but also confident with the ball at his feet. There are four centre backs currently ahead of him in the Wales set up, but I wouldn't be surprised to see him feature at some point in the next year or two, especially if he gets a crack at the Championship.

[fiveattheback]

Nov 18, 2024 19:48:43 GMT dai said:

Possibly;

Terry Taylor - DM, CM - Charlton in League 1. Ex u21 captain. In the Ampadu mould, strong, intelligent.

Tom Lowery - DM,CM - Portsmouth, but exiled (not sure why). Reckon he could end up moving to League 1 in January as his contract is up on 2025. Was close to a Wales call up a few years ago, but as with so many Welsh players, injuries have ruined his progress.

Eli King - DM, CM - Stevenage (on loan from Cardiff). Has looked good at u21 level - imo. Could develop into an option going forward.

Taylor is the standout player at L1 though. 

Eli King highly rated at Cardiff

Also offers plenty of athleticism, which isn't to be sniffed at. I know there's a premium placed on technical ability (which King has plenty of), but we are a noticeably small side

[jimexotic]

The versatility of Will Evans could come in very handy if he continues to improve and prove himself at every level he plays at.
I'm interested to see how far Joe Low and Matt Baker can go, I read in here that Low statistically isn't that great but from the little I've seen of him I've thought he's looked the part, he's currently top of League One with Wycombe and could potentially be a Championship regular soon.

[iot]

Nov 19, 2024 13:12:47 GMT jimexotic said:

The versatility of Will Evans could come in very handy if he continues to improve and prove himself at every level he plays at.
I'm interested to see how far Joe Low and Matt Baker can go, I read in here that Low statistically isn't that great but from the little I've seen of him I've thought he's looked the part, he's currently top of League One with Wycombe and could potentially be a Championship regular soon.

I like Low, but without meaning to sound harsh I think Matt Baker has probably found his level in League 2. I would be very surprised if he climbed up the leagues and became a Championship quality player. 

Brayden Clarke and potentially Dan Cox (and maybe even Dylan Lawlor) ar good centre back prospects with a far higher ceiling than Baker imo. 

[redwall]

Other than youth players or standout talents I think there are a few decent names who are one realistically good season away from being useful for us, Joe Low, Joe Taylor, Niall Huggins, Terry Taylor. If Isaak Davies and Joe Morrell could get themselves fit and playing regularly, I think they could be alright squad filler. Don't see how Davies could offer less than Harris or Cullen anyway. 

It doesn't seem like Regan Poole is kicking on to be a good championship player, sadly. Had high hopes for him. Likewise it looks like Lockyer is done despite only being 29 and having a great season in the championship a few years ago. Aaron Collins is at a crucial point in his career where he needs to keep progressing quickly if he's going to be a viable option for us and he seems to have cooled right off. We've got a few players playing in Scotland too but none of them look like they're improving. Not expecting much from any of them. 

[welshrover]

I am quite surprised we have never called up Dave Lee Travis.

[bale-droed]

If he's up for it we need Scott Banks.

Id assume we've already asked but he'd be a great player to have in our squad.

[garynysmon]

In all honesty my view is that if you're not a regular in the Wales squad by the time you're 27, 28 or so, then that ship has sailed.

[allezlesrouges]

Terry Taylor is one I see as worthy of keeping a close eye on. Was on the verge of a call up when he had that brilliant run of form for Burton in League One. Had a season ending injury when he was being touted to join a Championship club. He then landed back in League One returning from his injury, but he's the most like for like Ampadu replacement for sure. Physicality and good on the ball

One run of form like he managed before and he's a better option than the likes of Savage/Crew for that 6 position in my opinion

[spiritof16]

Johnny Williams only turned 31 last month. Enough injuries and he would be in line no?

As I’m writing this I’ve just remembered he retired from international didn’t he?

[dai]

Nov 21, 2024 16:48:02 GMT spiritof16 said:

Johnny Williams only turned 31 last month. Enough injuries and he would be in line no?

As I’m writing this I’ve just remembered he retired from international didn’t he?

He did officially retire. 

He's in League 2 now, and not actually a starter. We have others playing in League 1 - Taylor, Savage, Evans, Eli King etc.

Absolutely loved the guy, and a terrific player at international level, but ship sailed a while ago now.