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Yeah I think it may well be Downs. I can't see anyone prepared to take him and his considerable -I assume for this division-wages for the season.

I'd prefer that over selling them all and risking it.

Makes sense on paper. Third choice striker who gets 10-15 mins here and there and warms the bench if one of the first two options gets hurt. Archer and BBD are both capable of 5-10 goals a season based on their records at this level. Downs... not so sure but maybe he's the most receptive to playing third fiddle right now

Up front as the lone striker?

It'll be one of Archer, Downs or BBD. No way will we sign anyone to come in as 3rd choice.

Exactly. When you’re getting down to third choice striker it’s always going to be somewhat bit part. Very optimistic for people to think otherwise.

I was kind of hoping the role could go to a youngster who would be given opportunities to prove himself when he gets a chance (a bit like Bragg last year.)

Tough sell though, isn't it? 'Want to come and play for us? We only play with one up front and you'll be third in line'

You'd assume that would be Oyekunle but he's just gone on loan.

I don't remember that far back, I was just scratching around. For positives and you've just poured cold water on my only one! 🤣

That’s a little hyperbole. Half his senior career and his entire youth career was in that role.

Pretty obvious really. He’s not going to come here to be third choice. He’ll be expecting to start so will share with Larin. Didn’t Dragon say we’d get someone to share the load with Azaz and then whoever would depend on whole left so this guy is Stewarts replacement. Cheap or loan to replace Charles and we’ll be done unless anyone leaves

That's a terrible idea. No evidence Dobbin can play that role at all. We need a proper third option.

Good to hear he is keen, but Mubama would probably need to score more than one goal in seven games to be in Tonda’s starting eleven.

Wonder what happened to Baylee Dipepa. Seemed to get overshadowed by Oyekunle in the u21s but he was considered quite the coup when we picked him up. Princewill Ehibhatiomhan is probably still knocking about too.

For the ladies, from looking at the table and fixtures, the only road leading to non-qualitication would be a defeat against the Rockets and an abandoned (or tied) match between Manchester and Leeds.

He’ll deffo get games at West Ham this year

Tonda seemed to be talking up the opportunities for the youngsters this season. I know zip about who's coming through but is there anyone in that group who might be able to make the step up?

Probably Dobbin becomes the second option and plays with Azaz at the same time. I didn’t realise Oyenkule had gone out on loan to be fair. I still think it’ll be a late Premier League loan for somebody who can play across the front three. Gnonto kind of player?

Might look for a versatile forward who can play wide and up front I guess, if all three of those go out the door in the next 3 weeks. We only used Larin and Stewart up front last season though so wouldn't be surprised to see the same with Larin and Mubama

Disagree tbh, England u21 number 9, played well for man city in preseason. I’d argue he’s exactly the type of player we should be looking at.

Duncan, How is Sam enjoying life in the Potteries? Does he fancy the teams chances this season? I had always hoped he could have made progress at SMS

Which means finishing above Durham and Worcs, the top two places being beyond our reach. It's as I've said. A thumping defeat for Durham at Worcs, not enough to make Worcs RRR better than ours though and a massive win for us, making 350+and bowling Derbs out for 60 or 70 sort of thing, I haven't done any projections but as said it's extremely unlikely with only the top 3 progressing.

Who are you playing in the likely event that either of the striker sustain an injury at any point this season?

Larin/Mubama Scienza/Edozie - Azaz/Dobbin - Fellows/Matsuki It’s really strong, with the assumption that Archer goes as well who is probably the only one who could contribute on top of the names above. I’d like one more wide player on loan to push Fellows, which could easily happen at the end of the window. Dobbin could even be another option up front, forgot about that. No need to panic about no other striker coming in.