[Wooden Spoon]

There will be literally dozens and dozens of players that we wouldn’t have seen or noticed that cookie will have had scouted and out of those targeted. I’d wager no more than 1 of the names people have suggested in here so far sign for us in the summer.

Pepple for example. Decent prospect but under contract. Cookie and his team will have identified players as good or better than pepple who are available for free. So why pay a fee?


I’d also imagine that Joe luton are in L2,!they may want to use him for them selves should they have injuries

This post has been edited by Wooden Spoon: 18 May 2025 - 09:31 PM

[Westbars Spireite]

SpireRam, on 18 May 2025 - 08:54 PM, said:

I think he’ll end up here.

I'd be very surprised at that.

[Wooden Spoon]

Walton Spireite, on 18 May 2025 - 04:56 PM, said:

Barn door & banjo

Raw player but joy someone we should be basing our hopes of promotion in.


Losing him made no difference to Southend - he was a stop gap brought in due to injuries, and Luton allowed it so they could see how he did at the next step up


Not what we need as first team starter if we are serious about promotion

[Tha Knows...]

Mr Mercury, on 18 May 2025 - 05:37 PM, said:

You think Sparkes, Markandy and Metcalfe will sign? I’ll have some of that! Sadly don’t think we’d get all three

If it was 2 of the 3 I'd take Sparkes and Markanday. I'd be a little surprised if Metcalfe got a L1 gig even though he came on a lot as the season progressed and did well for us. I wouldn't be peed off if he was with us next season but he isn't the powerhouse midfielder I'd like us to sign, not that I can suggest who we should sign.
Which 2 of the 3 would you choose?

[Mr Mercury]

Tha Knows..., on 18 May 2025 - 10:28 PM, said:

If it was 2 of the 3 I'd take Sparkes and Markanday. I'd be a little surprised if Metcalfe got a L1 gig even though he came on a lot as the season progressed and did well for us. I wouldn't be peed off if he was with us next season but he isn't the powerhouse midfielder I'd like us to sign, not that I can suggest who we should sign.
Which 2 of the 3 would you choose?

In the words of Meatloaf if “two outta three ain’t bad” I’d probably go for the same two you have for similar reasons. Although Metcalfe over Sparkes wouldn’t be a disaster.

[sewey89]

Metcalfe is highly rated by Everton, won their academy player of the year last season and made the bench for their first couple of premier league games this season.

There is absolutely no chance he signs here permanently this summer

[Fact Checker]

Let’s face it, Metcalfe will be a Championship regular in 2-3 years. He would be a massive coup for us and a big statement of intent if signed on a permanent.

I also like Pepple. Whilst I do agree that we need someone for the here and now, he’s another who I can see doing big things in future. Such a strong lad, good touch, can hold the ball up, nice little half turn - the only thing currently lacking is composure but that’ll come with age.
You can tell Cook loves him.

[The Earl of Chesterfield]

Pepple has all the attributes but the one that really matters

Sticking it away.

Quigley scored more...

[Goku]

The Earl of Chesterfield, on 19 May 2025 - 06:17 AM, said:

Pepple has all the attributes but the one that really matters

Sticking it away.

Quigley scored more...

You can teach finishing though. You can’t teach being a massive strong bastard who rolls defenders for fun.

Quigley scored 11 for us last season, Pepple scored 12 this season, 5 in league 2.

This post has been edited by Goku: 19 May 2025 - 06:24 AM

[Brookie]

Goku said:

1747635792[/url]' post='1895348']
You can teach finishing though. You can't teach being a massive strong bastard who rolls defenders for fun.

Quigley scored 11 for us last season, Pepple scored 12 this season, 5 in league 2.

Disagree, finishing is the one skill you can’t teach because a lot of it is about intuition and anticipation.

[Goku]

Brookie, on 19 May 2025 - 06:26 AM, said:

Disagree, finishing is the one skill you can’t teach because a lot of it is about intuition and anticipation.

I mean you are pretty much objectively wrong my friend, as if that was true there would be no point in practicing different types of finishing during training. Most things can be taught in football.

[Trigger]

Doyle improved his finishing from when he first joined us. To an extent I think quigley did too but he became really composed infront of goal which helped massively.

Pepple has something and another season with grigg wouldn't do him any harm for his development.

Think we'll be looking elsewhere though imo

[Fact Checker]

I think we have to take age into account here. He’s only 22 and can already easily turn seasoned defenders, hold the ball up very well, he has a more than decent touch, wins headers, and can power his way through regularly. Early acceleration is also good, albeit his pace thereafter does need some work. For me, if he’s under PC for another 2 years he’ll be something special when he hits his peak. Composure is key and I’m sure that’s what Cook and Grigg will instil in him, given time.

[Brookie]

Goku said:

1747637665[/url]' post='1895350']
I mean you are pretty much objectively wrong my friend, as if that was true there would be no point in practicing different types of finishing during training. Most things can be taught in football.

You can practice shooting but that anticipation of a striker being in the right place at the right time cannot be taught, Grigg is a past master and he can pass on tips but I will always believe a striker’s instinct is inbuilt.

[dim view]

Brookie, on 19 May 2025 - 10:20 AM, said:

You can practice shooting but that anticipation of a striker being in the right place at the right time cannot be taught, Grigg is a past master and he can pass on tips but I will always believe a striker’s instinct is inbuilt.

Pepple needs to practice heading, not shooting. He simply can't do it.

[Goku]

Brookie, on 19 May 2025 - 10:20 AM, said:

You can practice shooting but that anticipation of a striker being in the right place at the right time cannot be taught, Grigg is a past master and he can pass on tips but I will always believe a striker’s instinct is inbuilt.

Finishing is the act of kicking the ball into the net, you're talking about anticipation which is different. Agree that some seem to have an almost inherent knowledge of where the ball is going to be, and Grigg is obviously a good example. I don't expect Pepple to be a poacher, he has different weapons to Grigg. Grigg can't bounce a defender off him, spin him and charge towards goal. There's room for both in the squad imo.

[Dapets]

Anyone hearing any names being banded about?

[SocraticCFC]

The Earl of Chesterfield, on 19 May 2025 - 06:17 AM, said:

Pepple has all the attributes but the one that really matters

Sticking it away.

Quigley scored more...

In league two?

[prolurker]

Dapets, on 19 May 2025 - 11:32 AM, said:

Anyone hearing any names being banded about?

I wont believe until I see a Dapets ✅

[Exharboroughspireite]

there will be a pool of players available that can do more than a job in L2. The signings of markanday, metcalfe and lowe at walsall show that. I would not be tempted to be rushing into signing pepple. he does have promise however he is not prolific enough by a long way to be a sufficient replacement for grigg.