Donley, 12 clubs were in, plus other ML bits

[PKM]

In the ML podcast interview
RW had to do a presentation
Testament to RW’s abilities together with what the O’s can offer

Other bits of interest
Keeley, no chance of signing him permanent this window, we’ve asked. We are going to talk again in the summer
Teddy Lamb, still going through, a few weeks yet.
As documented elsewhere DA out 4-6 weeks, OON somewhat longer.
Re Getting transfer business done early, more important to get the right player for 20 games rather than bring someone in for the sake of a few extra games. The player they want is not always available there & now, have to wait till the other club is ready/gets replacements etc
Re Nige saying the recruitment process has to improve, ML enquired if Nige said that when we were in the bottom 4!
Re ideal squad numbers, give or take looking for 26, two for each position plus 4, with 4 or so academy players underneath. RW doesn’t like too large a squad.
If we were sitting here with Theo, Graham, DA & OON all fit wouldn’t be looking to do much/anything in this window.
DA & Galbraith, in contract extension talks.
Warrington, line to send him on loan to L2 club.
Tom James should be available for Tuesday
Dan Happe about a week or so away
Dom Ball, had an injection, couple of weeks

That’s what I can remember

[PKM]

To add
ML said in the main we are looking at permanent players as got 5 loans. Could take one more loan but max 5 in match day squad so not ideal.
Each loan deal is different
Kelman, no recall clause
Perkins , date for recall clause has passed
Currie, from memory 14-20th Jan, so it’s not nailed on.
Assume we’re ok re spurs boys.

[Hoover Attack]

Currie was the only one ever at risk of returning.

[Hoover Attack]

There was definitely chatter around signing one of the loanees, has that gone quiet?

[PKM]

It would seem so, sounds like Kelman could be possible but maybe end of season. Can’t remember exactly what was said, that’s the impression I got.

[Mistadobalina]

Losing O'Neill and Agyei for that long is a real kick in the bollox.

Guess Keeley has done well enough that Spurs no longer fancy doing an O'Neill style deal with us and reckon they could get proper money for him. Could've really done with freeing up a loan spot as well.

[PKM]

Re Kelman, just remembered, ML said QPR have lent him out to us with a view to him coming back and playing for them next season.
But I guess it’s a long time between now & end of season, never know, QPR with their dramatic upturn in form could go up via play offs, about the same chance as us re playoffs I reckon.

[Hoover Attack]

Losing O'Neill and Agyei for that long is a real kick in the bollox.

It's not a kick in the bollox, it's an inevitability. It was always going to happen, however much the old school thickheads say players should be able to play 3 games a week for the money they're paid etc etc.

Having such limited numbers in those positions is a total false economy.

[Hoover Attack]

Re Kelman, just remembered, ML said QPR have lent him out to us with a view to him coming back and playing for them next season.

They planning on getting relegated?

[aylesburyos]

There was definitely chatter around signing one of the loanees, has that gone quiet?

QPR want a big fee now.
ML also mentioned we have sold two 10 year olds to Chelkski & Arsenal
ML also said East London will always have kids that have talent playing football

[OyinbO]

Re Kelman, just remembered, ML said QPR have lent him out to us with a view to him coming back and playing for them next season.

They planning on getting relegated?

That's what I thought. I rate Kelman, and have always stuck up for him - but he's not close to being a Championship player yet.

[PKM]

Would agree re Kelman
Just reporting back what ML said
Tend to think there’s a strong chance Kelman stays here, so long as RW is still here! ML said Kelman can play the high press that Ritchie wants.

[Story of O]

Was Ling asked why we miss out on local non league player's? Kone is an example

[RedDwarf 1881]

Currie was the only one ever at risk of returning.

I sincerely hope I’m wrong but to be honest I’m expecting him to be recalled . Jack has been great for us so Oxford will probably want him back

[Wavenue]

Potential fixture against Man City surely makes us more attractive to possible signings.

[gshaw]

Losing O'Neill and Agyei for that long is a real kick in the bollox.

It's not a kick in the bollox, it's an inevitability. It was always going to happen, however much the old school thickheads say players should be able to play 3 games a week for the money they're paid etc etc.

Having such limited numbers in those positions is a total false economy.

Yup, I lose count of the people on socials saying we didn't need any players in Jan because of the winning run. You need cover especially for Agyei to be ready for this exact scenario

[Hoover Attack]

Our front 4 are worked harder than any other players in the squad (Galbraith and Brown excluded, but Brown does have cover and is rested).

This was literally always going to happen. We end up paying a years money to the likes of Agyei and ONeill but only get 6-9 months out of them. This approach has to change.

Kelman will be next unless we bring in someone adequate in the next week/10 days.

[Mistadobalina]

At what point can we say Agyei is injury prone. It's his third significant knock since joining and there's no way you could pin the other two on being overworked.

[Hoover Attack]

When were the other injuries? When he first joined, put down to a sh*tty pitch, then again December/January 23/24 when he was brought back too soon and overused because of lack of alternatives?

Agyei is asked to cover a lot of ground for a big fella. Injuries are always going to be a possibility. I think labelling him injury prone is a bit harsh, we as a club are not doing him any favours.

[Long slender neck]

Kelman is a free agent in May, as far as I'm aware.

But would QPR be due compo due to his age?

[FilipinO]

There was definitely chatter around signing one of the loanees, has that gone quiet?

They mention it as Kelman but that the valuation between the two clubs was far apart and so it was now unlikely, but could change in the Summer.

Same with Keeley, looking unlikely but conversations continue to happen so may change with evaluations in the summer.

[OyinbO]

Would agree re Kelman
Just reporting back what ML said
Tend to think there’s a strong chance Kelman stays here, so long as RW is still here! ML said Kelman can play the high press that Ritchie wants.

It does smack of QPR trying to have our pants down over a deal tbh, and you wouldn't necessarily trust Ling to see through it.

[Chief crazy horse]

At what point can we say Agyei is injury prone. It's his third significant knock since joining and there's no way you could pin the other two on being overworked.

It has to be quite close in thoughts. Personally, I think the Cambridge game could possibly have something to do with this latest lay off. In that game as you recall he ran himself into the ground with a fantastic performance. I think he stretched every sinew in his body on that day.

[gshaw]

Our front 4 are worked harder than any other players in the squad (Galbraith and Brown excluded, but Brown does have cover and is rested).

This was literally always going to happen. We end up paying a years money to the likes of Agyei and ONeill but only get 6-9 months out of them. This approach has to change.

Kelman will be next unless we bring in someone adequate in the next week/10 days.

We've been a striker light in the squad since last January when Drinan was released and the two anonymous loanees miles off the required level were the "replacement"

At least we're getting some output from Agyei and O'Neill, surely surely the club have now learnt their lesson about signing senior pros will poor injury records e.g. Graham as that's been a very expensive signing for the return on minutes played. With Graham (and sadly Theo) giving anything other than "pay as you play" would be crazy going forward imo.

The latest Agyei injury was his ankle going over off balance trying to take a shot, not much you can do about that really.

I was told this interview also confirms the academy still runs at a loss, is that correct?

[BiggsyMalone]

Worrying how much faith they put in players who have been plagued by injuries to stay fit.