CreweAlex.com look at transfers

The season ended just over a week ago, just 12 more weeks to go till the new season, we now look at who’s off and who’s coming. I would say it’s a safe bet to say Dave Walton and Rodney Jack will not be at the Alex next year. Walton has had a decent season but next season would he keep up the pace in Division One? I doubt it, he hasn’t got the pace for Division One. Bristol City is waiting. Rodney Jack, well he would be a good player to stay next season as his pure pace alone takes apart the best of defences, he however wants a longer contract and it’s something Dario and John Bowler don’t want to offer, I think he’ll be off before the month is out. The only other out of contract first team player is Neil Sorvel. Two clubs after him while he’s got a 1 year deal on the table from Dario and being honest it wouldn’t bother me either way if he stayed or went. Excellent addition to any 2^nd Division squad if playing as an anchor man but, if he stays, he’ll need to prove his worth in Division One. He has improved on his passing and his tackling and if he continues form into next season he could well be vital in avoiding relegation. Saying that though if he goes we do have back up in the likes of Lee Bell, who although young and inexperience, he looks a very bright young player… tough tackler, play right or centre, defence or midfield, and decent passer of the ball… maybe chucking him in at the deep end might be a bit much?

Entering the Gresty Road doors isn’t clear. Stefan Oakes was confirmed to be leaving, Coventry keeper Gary Montgomery isn’t of interest to Dario which means the only player Dario has confirmed interest in is loanee Paul Tierney, to come in as left back. There are though no fixed rumours on any players coming. We’ve heard Luke Rodgers from Shrewsbury but he’ll be chased by half of Britain after much publicity over the last season, a lot of them clubs will be able to offer better deals than the Alex. We have a 21 year old non-league midfielder on trial, yet to be named, who could sign but will probably spend a year in the reserves or out on loan before given a chance.

At the moment it’s well known we need a left back. Vaughan is wasted in left back, although is one of the best young left backs in Britain(Maybe I'm biased), and up as a winger is even better and can beat 4 or 5 players at a time – he’s the edge of your seat player we want to see. So which left back could we have? Well Tierney is the main possibility but Dario doesn’t seem certain Tierney would stay for another year and if we can’t sign Tierney on a permanent basis then is there much point? We’ll only have the same problem next year. Well looking down the list of the players who are jobless this summer the only realistic left back target is Andy Myers of Bradford City who is rated in Div 1. Who knows though? Dario will probably find an unknown gem from someone’s reserves, if it isn’t Paul Tierney.

Dario’s also said that a centre back is high on his list of signings. This however is probably more of tightening the squad than bringing in a top quality player to play 50 games a season. On the list of free central defenders are the likes of Peter Handyside – a decent Nationwide player & Sonko of Brentford was excellent against the Alex at Griffin Park last season. Just someone to either stamp some authority on the back line or someone with a bit of experience to come in and sit on the bench as back up for Foz and Walker.

Another area needing a bit of depth is up front. If Jack goes, who do we have? Ashton, Hulse and Jones(Who isn’t even a striker). Lets not be stupid with the likes of Teddy Sheringham and Shaun Goater – we can’t afford £15k a week. Look at someone like Andy Morrell (Wrexham), Richard Naylor (Ipswich), Michael Branch (Wolves) and maybe even Dele Adebola. Just someone who can come in and play next to one of the two main strikers or to back them up. Even if just one of Ashton or Hulse gets injured we’ll struggle.

Strengthening will have to be done over the summer to ensure we are good enough to go up and stay up.