Who’s in and who’s out in January?

[Weebaw1]

Are there any rumours? Are any loan deals ending?

We appear to be bloated. Lyon,Diack,Smith,McKenzie,McCready could all do with going out on loan.

We have cover in wing, full back and centre back but need a striker and defensive mid.

Once Stanway, Megwa, Mitchell and McKay are back and Stevie is up and running I don’t think we need the above players.

[Lenziejag]

We are far from bloated. I think there has hardly been a week this season when we haven’t had at least 5 out injured and on Saturday it was 8 or 9 - we couldn’t even fill the bench. 
I think he will keep McCready and probably McKenzie as he is more versatile than Stanway. There has been no word on McKay’s progress.

[jaggy]

Smith is on loan at us, so do you mean send him back? 

[JAG1970]

1 hour ago, Lenziejag said:

We are far from bloated. I think there has hardly been a week this season when we haven’t had at least 5 out injured and on Saturday it was 8 or 9 - we couldn’t even fill the bench. 
I think he will keep McCready and probably McKenzie as he is more versatile than Stanway. There has been no word on McKay’s progress.

What would be the point in retaining 3 keepers? Doolan brought in Roberts because Mitchell was injured and he didn’t fancy McCready. 

Diack wasn’t favoured on Saturday despite our only two other strikers being injured.

With Turner covering at RB for Megwa then do we really need to continue Casper’s loan?

Lyon hasn’t always been available but when he has he’s generally been unused. Smith gets 5 mins here and there. If and when Mackay returns I don’t see the point in continuing his loan either. He would be fifth choice behind Fitzy, Chalmers, Lawless and Mackay. 
 

We need another striker and defensive midfielder. If we got them the squad would total 28? and barring a catastrophic injury crisis we would definitely have some “serial bench warmers” which isn’t healthy for competition. 

[lady-isobel-barnett]

I'm assuming the financial situation is neutral (players out for players to come in). Also I don't know what the rules are re loan players so it's difficult for me to do more than a wish list. Like JAG1970 I'd go for a striker and a defensive midfielder in that order.

As said on another thread Diack needs to go out on loan and to a club where he'll be played enough.  Even if we only replaced him with a like for like loanee at least our lad would be getting game time. MacKenzie & Lyon could only benefit from going out on loan. Both going out would likely be dependent on us bringing in a defensive midfielder.

Smith's loan spell isn't really working and he appears to be fourth choice winger after MacKay returns. As for Nilsson I think we could return him under the trade descriptions act. To be kinder let's just say he's hardly cut out to be a fullback in our division. Obviously shortening loan spells requires negotiation and we may only be marginally better off in any case.

I've no idea whether there's enough credit from above to afford to bring in a striker and defensive mid (loan deals or otherwise) and still balance the books. 

 

 

[Lenziejag]

1 hour ago, JAG1970 said:

What would be the point in retaining 3 keepers? Doolan brought in Roberts because Mitchell was injured and he didn’t fancy McCready. 

Diack wasn’t favoured on Saturday despite our only two other strikers being injured.

With Turner covering at RB for Megwa then do we really need to continue Casper’s loan?

Lyon hasn’t always been available but when he has he’s generally been unused. Smith gets 5 mins here and there. If and when Mackay returns I don’t see the point in continuing his loan either. He would be fifth choice behind Fitzy, Chalmers, Lawless and Mackay. 
 

We need another striker and defensive midfielder. If we got them the squad would total 28? and barring a catastrophic injury crisis we would definitely have some “serial bench warmers” which isn’t healthy for competition. 

I think we need 3 keepers in case one gets injured. Diack can go on loan if we get another striker. Casper can go back and Lyon and Stanway can go. Even although Smith has hardly played, I would keep him unless Mackay is fit. We do need a defensive mid that is better quality than McBeth.

[jaggy]

Did I read somewhere that Nilsson is injured and back getting treatment?

[Third Lanark]

I would argue we need 2 strikers- no idea who but Diack needs to go on loan.  At Grahams age he could be injured as he was last week.  While Ablade who is a loan seems to be injury prone and not overly prolific in front of goal 

[laukat]

I think the squad is too large. There are some obvious candidates to leave either on loan or permanently.

Lyon really needs to find another club. Its just not happening here and another 6 months on the bench probably makes it more unlikely he can find another club even at league 2 level.

Mackenzie needs a loan and to a club that will play him in whatever his preferred position is.

If we didn't play Smith when we had only 1 fit winger then he's really unlikely to get game time when we have 3 fit and 1 still to return. So best for both that his loan ends. Nillson also looks surplus to requirements now we know Turner can stand in at right-back.

Diack could do with a loan. I would have thought he could do a job at league 1 level particularly as league 1 this season looks a lower standard than previous seasons but he needs regular game time to improve his stamina and confidence.

McCready needs to get games. Did well when he stood in for Mitchell and needs game time elsewhere to build on that.

I would also say Stanway needs  to get out on loan. 

So to my mind 7 players potentially out and if brought in 2 thank we would have a squad around 23 which looks a lot better.

If we could get a striker in that can score goals and either push or play with Graham that would be good. Not sure what the latest is with Adeloye but would someone like Liam Boyce with Hearts be available on loan? Another first team starter in midfield who could play with Turner would be good. Docherty's contract with Dundee United will be up in May and whilst he probably has an injury to get over if he was fit in a few weeks and available for a loan it might suit all parties? 

[redandyellowallover]

4 hours ago, lady-isobel-barnett said:

as for Nilsson I think we could return him under the trade descriptions act. To be kinder let's just say he's hardly cut out to be a fullback in our division.

 

 

He's been back at Brighton for a while apparently, won't be returning.

[elevenone]

Who is January in the calendar?  That is usually a good indicator.

[Fawlty Towers]

1 hour ago, elevenone said:

Who is January in the calendar?  That is usually a good indicator.

Buy one and find out:

https://ptfc.co.uk/product/the-official-2025-calendar/

Seriously, I hope the players being in January's page equals free transfer curse is not in place this year otherwise we will have no keepers (male or female).

[thornwoodjag]

Wouldn’t b surprised if Docherty comes back to us. 

[JeanieD]

Let’s hope the Tranche thread is the first January departure 

[jagfox]

43 minutes ago, thornwoodjag said:

Wouldn’t b surprised if Docherty comes back to us. 

👀

[thornwoodjag]

13 hours ago, jagfox said:

👀

lol no. Not this time 

[Third Lanark]

no link whatsoever but would hope we are monitoring Connor Young at Edinburgh City who is scoring almost every game.  Would doubt he would expect to surplus Graham this season but if he was signed in January could be a time to build him up to speed for next season as Graham is another year older.  Unlike other potential strikers not likely to be put off as not first striker on the team sheet.

But as I say no link to him from our club so just a random name 

[lady-isobel-barnett]

18 minutes ago, Third Lanark said:

no link whatsoever but would hope we are monitoring Connor Young at Edinburgh City who is scoring almost every game.  Would doubt he would expect to surplus Graham this season but if he was signed in January could be a time to build him up to speed for next season as Graham is another year older.  Unlike other potential strikers not likely to be put off as not first striker on the team sheet.

But as I say no link to him from our club so just a random name 

If Young left Embra City I doubt they'd win another match this season. Wonder what sevco & Hibs didn't see in him as he's scoring for fun at the moment and just out his teens. Can't say I noticed him when we played them in the summer but then again you need binoculars at Meadowbank.

[exiledjag]

Agree with above. Squad too big and players need to go out on loan etc. I would let McCready go on loan provided we have a return clause in the loan agreement in case of another goalkeeper injury.

As far as Lyon, Stanway and McKenzie are concerned. I would be inclined to release Stanway and McKenzie as neither has impressed me as being up to Championship standard.  I haven't seen enough of Lyon to make a judgement. Others who have seen more of him are impressed so perhaps a loan spell is appropriate.

Diack is the problem case for me. Last season, when he played, he was very good and a very promising footballer. This season he seems to have lost interest in playing. It's  almost as if he was expecting more but hasn't been given the opportunities! He certainly doesn't look happy. Unless we can turn him round a loan deal would be good for him.

Adeloye coming back In January would IMO be good though he would need to be given time to reach match fitness.

I think Ablade will come good given the time. He will score the occasional goal but his main attribute I think is giving defences a hard time and making space for others.

Graham is doing well and if given the service, will score goals. He is one of the best 6 yard box players in Scotland. He is though in his later years and we really should be giving more minutes to Ablade (when fit) and Diack.

 

  

 

[King Kenny]

Probably a little harsh on Mackenzie, think I could count on one hand the amount of chances he's had to play in his preferred central role. A loan deal might suit him, our central areas are pretty well covered at the minute. I think he has decent potential. 

It is time for Lyon to move on. He's had numerous loan spells at lower levels and not stood out in any of them. He's never really impressed in any of the matches he's played for us and if he is looking for a decent career, I think he needs to move on. I think he benefitted from our financial situation post Ross County when it didn't look like we'd even have enough cash to field a full squad. 

I think Stanway has had a decent enough run in the team without ever showing that he is going to cut it. He's not progressed, if anything he's regressed recently. Too slow on the ball, too rash in the tackle. If we have aspirations of playing at a higher level, guys like Lyon and Stanway won't get us there. 

Diack needs a loan deal to get some goals under his belt or alternatively, he needs a rocket up his backside for the attitude he's shown in his recent appearances. He should be knocking the door down to get in the team, especially with Graham struggling for fitness. Instead, his sub appearances are poor, often looking shattered five minutes after coming on. 

All young guys trying to make it in the game but we can't afford to keep them just because they came through the academy. 

Smith and Nilsson haven't worked out and will most likely be away. 

[Third Lanark]

56 minutes ago, King Kenny said:

Probably a little harsh on Mackenzie, think I could count on one hand the amount of chances he's had to play in his preferred central role. A loan deal might suit him, our central areas are pretty well covered at the minute. I think he has decent potential. 

It is time for Lyon to move on. He's had numerous loan spells at lower levels and not stood out in any of them. He's never really impressed in any of the matches he's played for us and if he is looking for a decent career, I think he needs to move on. I think he benefitted from our financial situation post Ross County when it didn't look like we'd even have enough cash to field a full squad. 

I think Stanway has had a decent enough run in the team without ever showing that he is going to cut it. He's not progressed, if anything he's regressed recently. Too slow on the ball, too rash in the tackle. If we have aspirations of playing at a higher level, guys like Lyon and Stanway won't get us there. 

Diack needs a loan deal to get some goals under his belt or alternatively, he needs a rocket up his backside for the attitude he's shown in his recent appearances. He should be knocking the door down to get in the team, especially with Graham struggling for fitness. Instead, his sub appearances are poor, often looking shattered five minutes after coming on. 

All young guys trying to make it in the game but we can't afford to keep them just because they came through the academy. 

Smith and Nilsson haven't worked out and will most likely be away. 

Completely agree.  There tends to be far more loyalty shown to players from our academy by fans, which is understandable enough.  But the amount of times ive heard people say Stanway is such a good player based on nothing other than him coming through our academy.  He is an opposition players dream the way he is so easily brushed off the ball, struggles to pass the ball to a fellow player (not the only one of course) and far too rash with some challenges.  Lyon is either not been good enough or not given enough of a chance or maybe a bit of both but no point in giving him a new contract when the last 2 year deal he got has been completely pointless ultimately and really a waste of money, even though he will not be a high earner

[lady-isobel-barnett]

Feel a tad sorry for Lyon. If we had more muscle in midfield perhaps Lyon could come good. He's got plenty skill and an eye for goal, but it looks like he's not up to the more rigorous aspects of playing in our midfield. A balanced midfield should really have a place for a skilful lightweight. Instead we've a midfield where everyone is expected to do his share of defending and attempted ball winning no matter their inability to do so. 

[jaggymct]

Heard that Mason McCready is off to America for a football scholarship, not sure when but does not look like he will be around long term certainly

[laukat]

I think conversation about apprentices is a necessary one. To my mind the only one I've thought that could make it at Championship level or higher is Diack but he has regressed badly in the last 12 months.

Stanway looks like league 1 level at best and nor sure Lyon will make it in the top 4 leagues. Haven't seen enough of McCreadie to form a clear view but that in itself is indicative of a player not having played enough. I still have no idea if MacKenzie is any good because we have played him in loads of positions and never usually the same spot twice so he could be a brilliant midfielder or winger or fullback but we'll never know with the current approach.

I think over the last few years we have used Apprentices and the Academy graduates to provide depth to the squad at low cost and in the hope that they will make it and become a saleable asset. It always appears as though the end of the pathway is when they get a spot on the bench rather than how do establish them as players or cut our losses. So I think that development route needs looked at as its just not working.

To my mind we should be looking to secure loans for Academy Graduates to lower league teams so they have a better chance of prospering rather than putting them if the first team squad. We have loaned players to juniors and sometimes that can help but it doesn't really tell you if they will make it as a pro. Turay has been on loan to Benburb and we have loaned to Benburb in the past but is that level the pathway to make it as a pro? If Turay scores a few is he then expected to dislodge Graham?

In general we put youngsters out on loan to fairly random clubs and it doesn't feel like there's a huge amount of thought to it. Lyon's last loan was Dick Campbell's East Fife who is not exactly known for developing young players. 

I think we should be looking to establish with league 2 teams like Clyde and Stirling a more regular arrangement so that it forms fuller pathway and view the pathway to our team as academy>apprentice>league 2 and then either first team or cut our losses not straight from apprentice to first team

 

[Third Lanark]

15 minutes ago, laukat said:

I think conversation about apprentices is a necessary one. To my mind the only one I've thought that could make it at Championship level or higher is Diack but he has regressed badly in the last 12 months.

Stanway looks like league 1 level at best and nor sure Lyon will make it in the top 4 leagues. Haven't seen enough of McCreadie to form a clear view but that in itself is indicative of a player not having played enough. I still have no idea if MacKenzie is any good because we have played him in loads of positions and never usually the same spot twice so he could be a brilliant midfielder or winger or fullback but we'll never know with the current approach.

I think over the last few years we have used Apprentices and the Academy graduates to provide depth to the squad at low cost and in the hope that they will make it and become a saleable asset. It always appears as though the end of the pathway is when they get a spot on the bench rather than how do establish them as players or cut our losses. So I think that development route needs looked at as its just not working.

To my mind we should be looking to secure loans for Academy Graduates to lower league teams so they have a better chance of prospering rather than putting them if the first team squad. We have loaned players to juniors and sometimes that can help but it doesn't really tell you if they will make it as a pro. Turay has been on loan to Benburb and we have loaned to Benburb in the past but is that level the pathway to make it as a pro? If Turay scores a few is he then expected to dislodge Graham?

In general we put youngsters out on loan to fairly random clubs and it doesn't feel like there's a huge amount of thought to it. Lyon's last loan was Dick Campbell's East Fife who is not exactly known for developing young players. 

I think we should be looking to establish with league 2 teams like Clyde and Stirling a more regular arrangement so that it forms fuller pathway and view the pathway to our team as academy>apprentice>league 2 and then either first team or cut our losses not straight from apprentice to first team

 

Why Clyde? Their fans and club hate us with a passion- why should we help them out.  You have mentioned Clyde before 

Stirling I agree with, why not the likes of Stenhousemuir, Edinburgh city - teams relatively local who don’t hate us with every fibre of their being