[dtp]

Metcalfe is my preference over Akinola. Jenson does not take up a squad place as being U21, Akinola does. Akinola often looks busy but rarely provides anything other than the odd tackle. Metcalfe looks calmer and has a decent range of passing. Because he is a few years younger he has more time to improve. If available for next season I would take him as he could mature into a replacement for Tom Naylor.

I compare Akinola more to Hobson and, again, I would choose the latter if only for his ability to play in a number of positions.

[Rodney's Moustache]

No brainer for me Metcalfe every time. Lets not forget he's still a kid learning his trade in mens football he'll have off days but can only improve with game time. His range of passing is better than Tims not as physically strong but still gets stuck in when needed,

[prolurker]

dim view, on 18 February 2025 - 08:42 PM, said:

ok, ta.
Confused by TransfermarkT. 2025 expiry refers to loan contract with CFC.
Damn. Everton will want him out on loan next season at a higher level.

I know he's been injured but I'd say he's a long way from showing premier league potential. He'll be 21 at the start of next year so may be running out of time to be considered a prospect for Everton's first team.

Think he'd be an excellent investment for the club if available.

[hilly81]

prolurker, on 19 February 2025 - 09:59 AM, said:

I know he's been injured but I'd say he's a long way from showing premier league potential. He'll be 21 at the start of next year so may be running out of time to be considered a prospect for Everton's first team.

Think he'd be an excellent investment for the club if available.

Agree. I would 100% want us to sign him if he was available. When he first came into the team he looked like a kid playing a mans game, but there was clearly talent. I thought he was really starting to adapt and looking a player when he got injured. Another who injury has just killed this season.

[Westbars Spireite]

Crucially Metcalfe is also Cook's preference given Akinola is nowhere to be seen.

[dim view]

prolurker, on 19 February 2025 - 09:59 AM, said:

I know he's been injured but I'd say he's a long way from showing premier league potential. He'll be 21 at the start of next year so may be running out of time to be considered a prospect for Everton's first team.

Think he'd be an excellent investment for the club if available.

In my view he's got pace, stamina, and he gets stuck in, but best of all he's got the natural ability to break free of a tight marker and create space.

[RN Blue]

dtp, on 18 February 2025 - 09:58 PM, said:

Metcalfe is my preference over Akinola. Jenson does not take up a squad place as being U21, Akinola does. Akinola often looks busy but rarely provides anything other than the odd tackle. Metcalfe looks calmer and has a decent range of passing. Because he is a few years younger he has more time to improve. If available for next season I would take him as he could mature into a replacement for Tom Naylor.

I compare Akinola more to Hobson and, again, I would choose the latter if only for his ability to play in a number of positions.

Apparently Metcalfe limped off yesterday

[JonB]

RN Blue, on 19 February 2025 - 11:20 AM, said:

Apparently Metcalfe limped off yesterday

Got a kick towards the end of the game by the sounds of it...see what comes of it.

[dtp]

RN Blue, on 19 February 2025 - 11:20 AM, said:

Apparently Metcalfe limped off yesterday

Whether he is injured or not, short-term or long-term, it does not impact on our squad of 22 and he can be named in our match day squad as and when it is considered appropriate.

However, Akinola cannot be named in our match day squad without being named in our 22 and thus taking up one of the two places we have left available. At his age he needs to be playing games and, hopefully, earning himself a contract for next season. It will be best if he moves out on loan or permanently with that aim in mind as I doubt he will be offered an extended stay with us.

[Westbars Spireite]

dtp, on 19 February 2025 - 11:49 AM, said:

Whether he is injured or not, short-term or long-term, it does not impact on our squad of 22 and he can be named in our match day squad as and when it is considered appropriate.

However, Akinola cannot be named in our match day squad without being named in our 22 and thus taking up one of the two places we have left available. At his age he needs to be playing games and, hopefully, earning himself a contract for next season. It will be best if he moves out on loan or permanently with that aim in mind as I doubt he will be offered an extended stay with us.

It would take a near miracle for that to happen! He could do with getting himself to Oldham or some similarly out of form NL side to get some game time.

[clarevoyant.]

Westbars Spireite, on 19 February 2025 - 12:01 PM, said:

It would take a near miracle for that to happen! He could do with getting himself to Oldham or some similarly out of form NL side to get some game time.

Don't send him there, I want him to succeed, but certainly don't want oldham too

This post has been edited by clarevoyant.: 19 February 2025 - 12:28 PM

[warfey is a spireite]

Hi mate ,so would I like to see akinola succeed something isn't clicking with him,will it ever is the question?

Who was that against when as a sub he nearly scored into kop first kick this season?

[jack bauer]

is the bigger question in this topic around the DCM players we currently have?

akinola, looks in the end a mystery of a signing and metcalfe has for me at least not shown much to suggest he's a first choice for that position,

jones, a season too far
oldaker, at times looks great, at times looks nowhere near
naylor, not played there much this but when he has looks a shadow of last seasons version
fleck, just can't get him on the pitch
mandy, filled in ok but not sure
banks, prefer him further up the pitch in truth.

so it seems to me it's a department that hasn't quite happened all season, i'm sure it will be an area the management will address in the summer, whichever league we are in.

[Search & Destroy]

jack bauer, on 21 February 2025 - 09:49 AM, said:

is the bigger question in this topic around the DCM players we currently have?

akinola, looks in the end a mystery of a signing and metcalfe has for me at least not shown much to suggest he's a first choice for that position,

jones, a season too far
oldaker, at times looks great, at times looks nowhere near
naylor, not played there much this but when he has looks a shadow of last seasons version
fleck, just can't get him on the pitch
mandy, filled in ok but not sure
banks, prefer him further up the pitch in truth.

so it seems to me it's a department that hasn't quite happened all season, i'm sure it will be an area the management will address in the summer, whichever league we are in.

Fair assessment, Naylor is perplexing this time around

[twistedspire]

Personally i think that Banks looked really comfortable in there during a 4-5 game spell when along side Dobs & Mandy but that permutation seems to have been discarded of for some reason.

[rodney]

twistedspire, on 21 February 2025 - 02:42 PM, said:

Personally i think that Banks looked really comfortable in there during a 4-5 game spell when along side Dobs & Mandy but that permutation seems to have been discarded of for some reason.

I must admit I totally agree. We were playing 4-1-4-1 then due to injuries which isn?t Cooks preferred style.

[Valley Blues]

Akinola to Solihull on a months loan.

Clarevoyant wont be happy with him

This post has been edited by Valley Blues: 21 February 2025 - 06:03 PM

[clarevoyant.]

Valley Blues, on 21 February 2025 - 06:03 PM, said:

Akinola to Solihull on a months loan.

Clarevoyant wont be happy with him

I've no problem with Akinola and wish him all the best and hope he returns here as an asset to CFC, but would suggest he sacks his agent off, an agent who is clearly thick and not very knowledgeable of a clubs infrastructure.
Soilyhull a club rotten from the top.

[JonB]

Akinola started for Solihull as they are 3-0 down at aldershot.

[Westbars Spireite]

Akinola has signed for Gateshead on a permanent deal. Odd signing.