The pre-season schedule seems to be rapidly drawing to a conclusion. Less than two weeks to go until the opener against Oxford and it feels like by now, with just two friendlies to go, we should be beginning to get a feel for what the starting XI will look like at the Kassam Stadium.
Of course, the transfer window remains worryingly ajar until the end of August, meaning that the team that runs out for that first fixture could change significantly for the following fixtures.
Which can only mean one thing… It’s time for that pre-season favourite, the football equivalent of ‘Snog, Marry, Avoid’, as we take a look at who has impressed in pre-season and who has not. So… I give you… ‘Squad, Start or Loan’.
We’ll begin at the back. Perhaps the easiest to pick are the goalkeepers. There is a real depth of talent amongst the ‘keepers at City’s disposal but the order seems quite clear. Angus Gunn will start every league game that he is fit for and George Long will continue to back him up. Archie Mair has done nothing wrong in pre-season – perhaps the choice between him and Dan Barden may well come down to the quality of loan spot that can be arranged for either of the pair.
Of the defenders, there seem to be only two guaranteed starters. Jack Stacey continues to impress while it seems inconceivable given the money spent, that Jose Cordoba won’t be a cert in the middle.
Jaden Warner looks like a Rolls Royce at the back and, given his previous first-team experience, would seem likely to stay. However, the future of Jonathan Tomkinson could have been derailed by the hugely impressive performances of Brad Hills. I suspect Tomkinson could go back on loan, allowing Hills to knock on the door of the first team.
Which leaves Shane Duffy and Grant Hanley. Is there a place for the two of them in the new set-up? Surely if we are to allow one to leave on loan or even a permanent transfer, then that would be Duffy given the incident he was involved in at the end of last season.
Now, left-back opens a whole new can of worms. Having allowed Dimi Giannoulis and Sam McCallum to leave, City seemingly have Callum Doyle lined up to come in on loan from Man City. However, Guilherme Montoia has been another player who has impressed in the recent friendlies and looks a capable player. Does he need a season of starts away though to mature his game?
Another to impress has been Kellen Fisher. Johannes Hoff Thorup has used him both in midfield and at left-back. He has disappointed in neither position but after spending last season in the wings, he too might benefit from a season of starts to develop his game, despite Thorup clearly valuing his talent and versatility.
The central midfield trio almost picks itself. Marcelino Nunez, Gabriel Sara, Kenny Mclean. Except for the elephant in the room. Will Sara still be at Carrow Road come August 10? Liam Gibbs is another that Thorup seems to like, so would probably make the starting XI in the place of Sara.
Having had his contract renewed, Jacob Sorensen seems set for another season as Mr Versatile, but other than that, this in many ways looks like City’s weakest line. Of the younger players, only Uriah Djedje has caught my eye, but he looks like one for whom a season away might reap rewards.
On to the wingers. In any sane world, Borja Sainz and Jon Rowe are the first two names on the team sheet. Yet again though, we are left wondering which of them will still be in the Fine City on September 1.
Christian Fassnacht is a very different player from either of these two, yet seems to have a knack of being in the right place at the right time. Given that The Hoff likes his ‘wide’ players to tuck inside, the Swiss international could be a good player to have in this system.
Tony Springett looks to be set for another season away, having apparently failed to impress at Northampton and not set the world alight over the last few weeks. As for everyone’s favourite catalogue shopper, Onel Hernandez is still a disruptive force to bring on late in a game, but perhaps his lack of technique may ease him towards an exit – although it pains me to even think this.
Instead, Elliot Myles has looked very lively in the pre-season cameos and may force his way into Thorup’s thinking as a wild card.
And finally… the strikers.
I’ll put it out there now. Adam Idah should stay. I think the brand of football that JHT wants to play could suit the Irishman down to the ground, and given the injury to Barnes, it would seem to be madness to let him go for anything other than a significant fee. The key might be to convince him that he can earn a starting berth, rather than be a first-choice substitute.
Because, of course, Josh Sargent will be City’s main man. I’m pinning all my hopes on the fact that his ankle injury will put off any potential suitors. If he goes, it will be a struggle to replace him.
If Barnes was fit, I’d say a loan elsewhere would be likely. The big man flourished in a very specific role under David Wagner. When Sargent and Idah were out, and he had to lead the line, he looked like a spent force. It is difficult to see him as the lone striker in a Thorup team.
As for the understudies, Abu Kamara and Ken Aboh, I’d hazard a guess that the latter is most likely to go out on loan. Kamara’s future could be dependent on what happens with Rowe. He didn’t really impress up front against Magdeburg and I wouldn’t be surprised either if he did a ‘Mumba’ and was sold back to Pompey.
Suffice it to say, that Thorup has a lot of exciting youngsters to work with and who leaves on loan will really depend on which players he feels can progress the most within the season, rather than who has looked good against Northampton Town.
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