[Burgerman]

 Sammy Spireite, on 03 June 2025 - 09:09 AM, said:

You'd hope the visible improvement in Metcalfe during his time here will count in our favour, too?

It was obvious the lad had ability early on but since returning from injury and forcing his way back in the side, he's improved massively and really started to have a positive impact on games and becoming a goal threat, too.

There might be better out there right now, but maybe not with the potential to improve even more during the season.

For me, Metcalfe's signature would be a coup, a top signing. The lad has so much potential and he seemed to enjoy his football here. My fingers are well and truly crossed.

[Phil V 72]

 Sammy Spireite, on 03 June 2025 - 09:09 AM, said:

You'd hope the visible improvement in Metcalfe during his time here will count in our favour, too?

It was obvious the lad had ability early on but since returning from injury and forcing his way back in the side, he's improved massively and really started to have a positive impact on games and becoming a goal threat, too.

There might be better out there right now, but maybe not with the potential to improve even more during the season.

Wonder if him playing alongside Fleck when he came back was a factor in his improvement?

[dim view]

 Burgerman, on 03 June 2025 - 09:49 AM, said:

For me, Metcalfe's signature would be a coup, a top signing. The lad has so much potential and he seemed to enjoy his football here. My fingers are well and truly crossed.

I think he's very like Hobson. Likes a tackle but not silly. Great 90 minute engine. Always available. Great team man. BUT, passing and final ball sometimes wayward which meant he contributed to a lack of continuity/penetration. Perfect student for Dyer and Roberts.

[JonB]

 Sammy Spireite, on 03 June 2025 - 09:09 AM, said:

You'd hope the visible improvement in Metcalfe during his time here will count in our favour, too?

It was obvious the lad had ability early on but since returning from injury and forcing his way back in the side, he's improved massively and really started to have a positive impact on games and becoming a goal threat, too.

There might be better out there right now, but maybe not with the potential to improve even more during the season.

Yep agree, he was much better as he grew into things post Xmas especially when he was playing alongside Fleck who would i suspect was talking to him a lot through games let alone stuff on the training pitch.

[Dapets]

we do love pining for an ex loan player don’t we.

I think the longer they are away the better player they become in the fan base.

[JonB]

 Phil V 72, on 03 June 2025 - 10:37 AM, said:

Wonder if him playing alongside Fleck when he came back was a factor in his improvement?

Think it was a massive part of his improvement especially when they played together a lot in the run in that took us to the playoffs in the latter part of the season.

 dim view, on 03 June 2025 - 10:51 AM, said:

I think he's very like Hobson. Likes a tackle but not silly. Great 90 minute engine. Always available. Great team man. BUT, passing and final ball sometimes wayward which meant he contributed to a lack of continuity/penetration. Perfect student for Dyer and Roberts.

I think he is much better than Hobson. Hobson is a runner and gets around but Metcalfe is much more measured and a better footballer alongside his work rate. Passes like the one he provided to Grigg against Bradford show he has the eye for that sort of pass plus he is a good striker of a ball as his goal in that game showed plus he took some excellent set pieces at times. You wouldnt get any of that from Hobson i dont think.

[JonB]

 Dapets, on 03 June 2025 - 10:59 AM, said:

we do love pining for an ex loan player don’t we.

I think the longer they are away the better player they become in the fan base.

If you look back i certainly posted a few times as the season closed out that i would like Metcalfe back for next season, the way he finished the season it was obvious he would be an asset for us going forward. Also if he is available and wanting to come back why would you not take someone you know, seen is capable and know he is a good fit over taking a gamble on another loan that you dont know as much about.

[prolurker]

Metcalf is a non brainer for me, if he can progress as quickly as he did from the start of the season to the last 3 months again then we'll have one of the best midfielders in the league on our hands.

Fleck is an excellent mentor too, his prime was spent as an box-to-box instigator and Metcalf looks like he has the similar traits of energy, eye for a pass and ability to finish to chip in with a few goals next season.

[born in 1866]

 OneDecentLester, on 02 June 2025 - 10:58 PM, said:

If true, my thoughts on that are:

1) Happy to have 2 very experienced players on board, who with a full Cook pre season under their belts, I think could shine. People forget the lack of games both had had prior to joining us, and they got thrust straight in & ended up picking up injuries. Get them properly fit & we have 2 very good players. Aslong as the main bulk of our recruitment is players in and around their early / mid 20’s to give us a nice balance.

2) Can only assume if he’s coming back it’ll be permanent, as Everton have form for sending their loan players out to a division higher than they were previous as we saw with Tyrer. Would be a great signing if so.

3) Palmer to York would surprise me as their owner didn’t even know who he was the other day when he did the Banks interview. I would not be surprised to see him go though, as I can imagine we probably offered reduced terms and max 1 year contract, but his end of season performances will probably earn him a 2 year deal elsewhere.

4) Thoughts on Markanday in post above

I can't see Everton releasing a 20yo that will be earning very little and has loads of potential. If he comes back it will be because they have been impressed with his progress and would like that to continue, hopefully without a half season lay off.

[Dapets]

A very emotional Ollie banks exit interview 🥹

[Norton Blue]

 born in 1866, on 03 June 2025 - 11:07 AM, said:

I can't see Everton releasing a 20yo that will be earning very little and has loads of potential. If he comes back it will be because they have been impressed with his progress and would like that to continue, hopefully without a half season lay off.

Maybe, maybe not. It could also depend on how far they expect him to go in the game and whether he could perform at the highest level. If they don’t think he can, or they think what is best for him now is to play, they may be willing, for the sake of his football development, to let him leave to a club where he’s going to get regular game time.

This post has been edited by Norton Blue: 03 June 2025 - 11:21 AM

[Westbars Spireite]

 Dapets, on 03 June 2025 - 11:10 AM, said:

A very emotional Ollie banks exit interview 🥹

For him or you?

 born in 1866, on 03 June 2025 - 11:07 AM, said:

I can't see Everton releasing a 20yo that will be earning very little and has loads of potential. If he comes back it will be because they have been impressed with his progress and would like that to continue, hopefully without a half season lay off.

Potential for us, definitely. I don't see him as a future Premier League player though.

[Dapets]

 Westbars Spireite, on 03 June 2025 - 11:22 AM, said:

For him or you?



Potential for us, definitely. I don't see him as a future Premier League player though.

🥱

[JonB]

 Dapets, on 03 June 2025 - 11:10 AM, said:

A very emotional Ollie banks exit interview 🥹

Thought it was going to be a short interview when they asked him if he could express his emotions currently and he answered with "no not really"!

[SpireRam]

 Brimington spireite, on 02 June 2025 - 09:21 PM, said:

Not overjoyed about Mcfadzean + Fleck
Signing New Contracts to be honest
But what do I know 😞

I’m in this camp. Play-offs found Fleck out in particular imo. Well off it.

[Trigger]

 born in 1866, on 03 June 2025 - 11:07 AM, said:

I can't see Everton releasing a 20yo that will be earning very little and has loads of potential. If he comes back it will be because they have been impressed with his progress and would like that to continue, hopefully without a half season lay off.

I could see it happening with a buy back clause. Covers all bases then.

[SpireRam]

 Dapets, on 03 June 2025 - 11:10 AM, said:

A very emotional Ollie banks exit interview 🥹

Yeah can tell how much the club means to him. Feel like those are the kind of players you need to keep around but he was never getting the same deal here as he got with York. Bit of a shame all round really.

[Sammy Spireite]

 Trigger, on 03 June 2025 - 11:35 AM, said:

I could see it happening with a buy back clause. Covers all bases then.

or a hefty sell-on (like with Liam Cooper)

[dtp]

 Sammy Spireite, on 03 June 2025 - 11:40 AM, said:

or a hefty sell-on (like with Liam Cooper)

That would be my thoughts.

Whichever way, we need to be recruiting some young talent capable of competing for a starting position but also of being developed further in order to have sell-on value.

[CFC91]

 JonB, on 02 June 2025 - 08:55 PM, said:

What i've heard on the grapevine.....

Mcfadzean and Fleck signed
Metcalfe looking like he is coming back, no idea if loan or permanent
Palmer off to York
We're very much in the mix for Markanday but he's got a lot of offers including one from Luton

1,3 & 4 align with much of what I know. Grimes also agreed a new deal + expecting a couple of those who triggered deals to depart + a couple under contract to be made surplus to requirements. Names all touted on here already so no real suprises..