| Lewis Gibson - An Insight 14:46 - Jul 2 with 1629 views | TomTheWriter |
This could be a really impressive signing from Paul Cook. Gibson himself knows that he can handle the pressure at the top of League 1, going unbeaten in the lead-up to the Play-Offs for Fleetwood.
Adds much-needed balance on the left-hand side, shouldn't be relying on right-footers to play that left centre-back role. If on loan, great addition for the season. If on a permanent, the fee could be around the £400,000 - £700,000 mark?
If this goes through, I fear for Luke Woolfenden. Gibson has proven he can handle League 1 with ease, and is a capable defender in the Championship. Woolfy, sadly, hasn't proven that yet. Interested to hear you're guys thoughts?
https://taleoftwofootballs.com/?p=735 |  |
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| Lewis Gibson - An Insight on 14:59 - Jul 2 with 1518 views | Vic |
Whilst I understand we want to upgrade all over the pitch, I can’t help feeling it would be such a shame if it was at the expense of Woolfie. I have a soft spot for him and think he could be a top championship player, if not above. But he could do with a year or two alongside an old head to help him develop. We don’t seem to have that time. Shouldn’t really complain because I want to see Town get upwardly mobile ASAP, but also don’t want to lose all our own home grown players. |  |
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| Lewis Gibson - An Insight on 15:08 - Jul 2 with 1446 views | TomTheWriter |
| Lewis Gibson - An Insight on 14:59 - Jul 2 by Vic |
Whilst I understand we want to upgrade all over the pitch, I can’t help feeling it would be such a shame if it was at the expense of Woolfie. I have a soft spot for him and think he could be a top championship player, if not above. But he could do with a year or two alongside an old head to help him develop. We don’t seem to have that time. Shouldn’t really complain because I want to see Town get upwardly mobile ASAP, but also don’t want to lose all our own home grown players. |
Absolutely agree, I think Woolfy has the potential to grow into a very accomplished centre back. My only worry with Luke, is that it feels like we are sacrificing a young, talented left-sided defender for someone of an older, more experience nature with a few years left in them, just to help Woolfenden develop.
Personally, I'd love to see a pairing of Luke Woolfenden and Lewis Gibson next season, but I do worry that the lack of experience could hamper the defence. It will be tough to find an experienced head to play at the back, because we know Cook loves ball-playing defenders, and there aren't many of those over 28/29.
If Cook believes he can work with Woolfenden and Gibson, let's say, and have Nsiala and a more experience 30+ centre back on the bench to push them, then I might not be against it. Maybe having Evans is front would help Woolfy as well, rather than when it was Downes and Dozzell, both young themselves? | |
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| Lewis Gibson - An Insight on 15:09 - Jul 2 with 1423 views | chrismakin |
| Lewis Gibson - An Insight on 14:59 - Jul 2 by Vic |
Whilst I understand we want to upgrade all over the pitch, I can’t help feeling it would be such a shame if it was at the expense of Woolfie. I have a soft spot for him and think he could be a top championship player, if not above. But he could do with a year or two alongside an old head to help him develop. We don’t seem to have that time. Shouldn’t really complain because I want to see Town get upwardly mobile ASAP, but also don’t want to lose all our own home grown players. |
We need 3 or 4 cbs for the season. There are plenty of games for the cbs to be used correctly whilst ensuring we develop wolfenden. At the moment wolfenden hasnt done anything to suggest he is a regular 1st teamer but he needs competition
Weve been here before with Tommy Smith. Tom Eastman. [Post edited 2 Jul 2021 15:13]
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| Lewis Gibson - An Insight on 15:13 - Jul 2 with 1393 views | Vic |
| Lewis Gibson - An Insight on 15:08 - Jul 2 by TomTheWriter |
Absolutely agree, I think Woolfy has the potential to grow into a very accomplished centre back. My only worry with Luke, is that it feels like we are sacrificing a young, talented left-sided defender for someone of an older, more experience nature with a few years left in them, just to help Woolfenden develop.
Personally, I'd love to see a pairing of Luke Woolfenden and Lewis Gibson next season, but I do worry that the lack of experience could hamper the defence. It will be tough to find an experienced head to play at the back, because we know Cook loves ball-playing defenders, and there aren't many of those over 28/29.
If Cook believes he can work with Woolfenden and Gibson, let's say, and have Nsiala and a more experience 30+ centre back on the bench to push them, then I might not be against it. Maybe having Evans is front would help Woolfy as well, rather than when it was Downes and Dozzell, both young themselves? |
Your last comment could hold the key to this one. The team will also be a lot taller in general which will help in and around corners.
All that said, we can also remember that the defense wasn’t the big problem last season, so if someone like Gibson is an upgrade on Chambers or Wilson it is probably a deal worth doing. | |
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| Lewis Gibson - An Insight on 15:20 - Jul 2 with 1334 views | TomTheWriter |
| Lewis Gibson - An Insight on 15:09 - Jul 2 by chrismakin |
We need 3 or 4 cbs for the season. There are plenty of games for the cbs to be used correctly whilst ensuring we develop wolfenden. At the moment wolfenden hasnt done anything to suggest he is a regular 1st teamer but he needs competition
Weve been here before with Tommy Smith. Tom Eastman. [Post edited 2 Jul 2021 15:13]
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Can see at least two more coming in, that is dependant on Cook not letting Woolfenden or Nsiala leave. If one or both do go, then obviously that number will go up. Think the 'right-sided' centre back slot is sorted for the next season, all focus should be on that left-centre back slot.
As much as a I would love Ndaba and Baggott to make a breakthrough campaign, I think the former could do with a year in League 2, and the latter going to a high/mid level National League side. | |
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| Lewis Gibson - An Insight on 15:25 - Jul 2 with 1284 views | TomTheWriter |
| Lewis Gibson - An Insight on 15:13 - Jul 2 by Vic |
Your last comment could hold the key to this one. The team will also be a lot taller in general which will help in and around corners.
All that said, we can also remember that the defense wasn’t the big problem last season, so if someone like Gibson is an upgrade on Chambers or Wilson it is probably a deal worth doing. |
Think Woolfenden looked slightly exposed in the air last season, because despite being 6ft tall, he hasn't always looked the best in aerial battles with strikes. Opposition teams saw Flynn, Andre, Liam Gibbs, Judgey, Bish all playing centre mid last season. Average height of around 5ft8.
Teams just pumped it forward, rather than playing through the lines which suits Woolfy. He covers well, intercepts well, and obviously moves the ball well. Think if opposition sides see Harper, Evans, hopefully Crooks in the middle, they won't be pumping it as much because they won't win the headers in the middle or at the back. Might favour Luke more if he doesn't need to win headers more than pass the ball.
Defence was solid last year. Unspectacular, strong, solid. A good League One defence, now we need to build a defence that you can look at and go, that could develop enough to survive in the Championship. | |
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| Lewis Gibson - An Insight on 15:25 - Jul 2 with 1287 views | ArnieM |
I’ll be quite honest with you ( OP), my fears re Woolfie matches yours, although Id refrained from putting that on here for fear of reprisals. Woolfie is a good ball playing CB but for me he does get caught out quite a bit and makes the wrong choices. I suppose thats the devil in the younger player isn’t it. But apart from his Swindon loan, I don’t think he’s got too much other experience has he, and certainly not match8mg the Everton lad .
My thoughts match others on here, that whilst this Everton player would be a good recruit, we do IMO need an older experienced head to partner any of the younger CB’s. My one big fear is Toto might be used in this role. I hope not. |  |
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| Lewis Gibson - An Insight on 15:28 - Jul 2 with 1268 views | pointofblue |
| Lewis Gibson - An Insight on 15:09 - Jul 2 by chrismakin |
We need 3 or 4 cbs for the season. There are plenty of games for the cbs to be used correctly whilst ensuring we develop wolfenden. At the moment wolfenden hasnt done anything to suggest he is a regular 1st teamer but he needs competition
Weve been here before with Tommy Smith. Tom Eastman. [Post edited 2 Jul 2021 15:13]
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Woolfenden more than proved himself in the first season in League One that he was more than good enough at this level with an experienced player next to him. He struggled slightly - though our defence was not dreadful - when we partnered him with someone who had no league experience whatsoever. Maybe Woolfenden and Gibson might be ok as the latter isn’t going into the season with no experienced? |  |
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| Lewis Gibson - An Insight on 15:31 - Jul 2 with 1237 views | chrismakin |
| Lewis Gibson - An Insight on 15:28 - Jul 2 by pointofblue |
Woolfenden more than proved himself in the first season in League One that he was more than good enough at this level with an experienced player next to him. He struggled slightly - though our defence was not dreadful - when we partnered him with someone who had no league experience whatsoever. Maybe Woolfenden and Gibson might be ok as the latter isn’t going into the season with no experienced? |
Yeah I can see Wolfy getting more next to Gibson over Mcguiness.
Ideally. I'd have Wolfy. Gibson. Dunkley. Toto. | |
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| Lewis Gibson - An Insight on 15:39 - Jul 2 with 1191 views | MerseyBlue |
| Lewis Gibson - An Insight on 15:25 - Jul 2 by TomTheWriter |
Think Woolfenden looked slightly exposed in the air last season, because despite being 6ft tall, he hasn't always looked the best in aerial battles with strikes. Opposition teams saw Flynn, Andre, Liam Gibbs, Judgey, Bish all playing centre mid last season. Average height of around 5ft8.
Teams just pumped it forward, rather than playing through the lines which suits Woolfy. He covers well, intercepts well, and obviously moves the ball well. Think if opposition sides see Harper, Evans, hopefully Crooks in the middle, they won't be pumping it as much because they won't win the headers in the middle or at the back. Might favour Luke more if he doesn't need to win headers more than pass the ball.
Defence was solid last year. Unspectacular, strong, solid. A good League One defence, now we need to build a defence that you can look at and go, that could develop enough to survive in the Championship. |
Hard to argue with the defensive stats from last season, one of only a handful of teams to let in less than 50 goals across the campaign. That being said, I never felt confident in them. We played a lot of safe football at times which may have helped their cause. The full backs were often slow and and lumbering, whilst the centre backs always seemed a bit naive and clumsy.
This is a big season for Woolfy, needs to consistently perform at a level above what he has offered so far. The new signings should help with that, so hopefully he is given his chance, seizes it and delivers on his potential. It'll be interesting to see who else comes in to challenge for places across the side but for the start of July, I'm optimistic about where we are. |  |
| "Never argue with an idiot. They will drag you down to their level and beat you with experience." | | Poll: | Who will be the winner? |
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| Lewis Gibson - An Insight on 15:43 - Jul 2 with 1141 views | TomTheWriter |
| Lewis Gibson - An Insight on 15:25 - Jul 2 by ArnieM |
I’ll be quite honest with you ( OP), my fears re Woolfie matches yours, although Id refrained from putting that on here for fear of reprisals. Woolfie is a good ball playing CB but for me he does get caught out quite a bit and makes the wrong choices. I suppose thats the devil in the younger player isn’t it. But apart from his Swindon loan, I don’t think he’s got too much other experience has he, and certainly not match8mg the Everton lad .
My thoughts match others on here, that whilst this Everton player would be a good recruit, we do IMO need an older experienced head to partner any of the younger CB’s. My one big fear is Toto might be used in this role. I hope not. |
I shoot straight from the hip!
In all seriousness, I echo your opinion on Woolfy as well. He has the potential to play in the Premier League in three years time, but he also has the potential of being stuck in League One if he doesn't work on his concentration.
Woolfenden has League One and League Two experience, Gibson has Championship and League One experience. If I was building the team, I'd have four centre backs. You have two who can play the exact way Cook wants. Passing, confident, quick, strong interception.
You have one who defends like a freak. Blocks, tackles, headers, not great on the ball but will dive in front of anything. That is Toto. Then you need someone who can is experienced, mature, capable of passing but not to a high level. It's tough to find that. We need a 30/31 year old Chambers basically. | |
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| Lewis Gibson - An Insight on 15:51 - Jul 2 with 1095 views | TomTheWriter |
| Lewis Gibson - An Insight on 15:28 - Jul 2 by pointofblue |
Woolfenden more than proved himself in the first season in League One that he was more than good enough at this level with an experienced player next to him. He struggled slightly - though our defence was not dreadful - when we partnered him with someone who had no league experience whatsoever. Maybe Woolfenden and Gibson might be ok as the latter isn’t going into the season with no experienced? |
Absolutely, first season he was very good. Being with Chambers helped him out, and then moving to predominantly McGuinness didn't seem to work with him.
Something I'm more interested in looking at, rather than the centre back partner, is the relationship between Kane Vincent-Young and Luke Woolfenden. I know that there isn't a large sample size, but the two of them have started together on 11 occasions over the last two years, In that time, its been 5 wins, 5 draws and 1 defeat, conceding only five goals. 3 of those were in one game against Northampton.
I know it's not been many games, but that shows a solid partnership forming between the two, almost eighteen months apart between sets of games for KVY. If we keep KVY fit, we could see the best of Woolfenden | |
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| Lewis Gibson - An Insight on 15:55 - Jul 2 with 1068 views | TomTheWriter |
| Lewis Gibson - An Insight on 15:31 - Jul 2 by chrismakin |
Yeah I can see Wolfy getting more next to Gibson over Mcguiness.
Ideally. I'd have Wolfy. Gibson. Dunkley. Toto. |
I like that group of four, saw someone on here offered up Tom Lees as an option. Saw he had interest from Bristol City and Huddersfield in May. Dunkley just knows everything Cook wants to do.
Might even be a case of us looking at Leon Balogun at Rangers, 33 years old and was with Cook in the 2019/20 season. Played 11 times on loan from Brighton, losing only one game. Featured on 28 occasions for Rangers last year, but only 19 times in the league? | |
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| Lewis Gibson - An Insight on 16:00 - Jul 2 with 1034 views | TomTheWriter |
| Lewis Gibson - An Insight on 15:39 - Jul 2 by MerseyBlue |
Hard to argue with the defensive stats from last season, one of only a handful of teams to let in less than 50 goals across the campaign. That being said, I never felt confident in them. We played a lot of safe football at times which may have helped their cause. The full backs were often slow and and lumbering, whilst the centre backs always seemed a bit naive and clumsy.
This is a big season for Woolfy, needs to consistently perform at a level above what he has offered so far. The new signings should help with that, so hopefully he is given his chance, seizes it and delivers on his potential. It'll be interesting to see who else comes in to challenge for places across the side but for the start of July, I'm optimistic about where we are. |
Sometimes we would concede a lot of goals in games (Northampton, Wimbledon and Doncaster come to mind) but on a lot of occasions, the games would finish 0-0 or a 1-0 defeat. Holy was rarely tested each game, when he was he usually let them in, but we got a lot of clean sheets because we defended pretty well.
The problem, like you say, was the inability to turn defence into attack quick enough. So lethargic under Lambert this season, everything was sideways. Do think Woolf will be the number one defender this season, will be a big pre-season for him thats for sure. The way that Cook wants to play, with attacking, athletic football, the centre back's jobs might be just stopping counter attacks next season. That is where Wolf needs to improve his concentration and focus, because he might have long spells without the ball if the midfield and attack can hold it. | |
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| Lewis Gibson - An Insight on 16:49 - Jul 2 with 883 views | TomTheWriter |
Just seen that the move has now been reported as being 'well progressed' rather than 'considering' which is a good sign. Looking forward to seeing how this one plays out, and whether or not it is a season-long loan deal, a permanent move, or a loan with an option to buy. | |
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