The circus has already started regarding transfers for next season, with the usual suspects of dubious sources claiming we’re in for an ever-increasing number of different players.
I thought I’d do a quick round-up of the links being made between us and other club’s players, and whether there is anything to be gleaned from them. After all, scouting goes on all the time and Michael himself has already stated that the summer’s recruitment strategy has already begun. What are the sites and Twitter accounts saying about us?
For the purpose of the article, I will only refer to those accounts which do seem to have got at least one thing right without guessing in the past!
Macauley Southam-Hales
Let’s start with the latest, Stockport County’s Macauley Southam-Hales. He’s been linked to us by Football Insider, a site I didn’t always have a lot of belief in. Once upon a time, when Pete Rourke wrote for them, I tended to believe the names they linked with us. I’m not convinced since he has gone their information is as accurate, but it is viable at least. Today, they have linked us with a move for Stockport County’s Macauley Southam-Hales, but is it one I could see happening?
He doesn’t fit the typical profile of a player we might sign, being 25-years-old and currently in the National League. I guess it depends on whether there is value in turning him around and maybe making a profit. he is a right-sided attacker, comfortable anywhere from wing back to attacking midfield, with a single goal and three assists to his name this season. He started his career as a youth with Cardiff City and played for Barry Town before a move to Fleetwood. It didn’t really work out at Fleetwood, he appeared a handful of times for them, including an outing in last year’s play-offs, before leaving for the non-league scene. Since then he has thrived, named as one of the Hatters key players this season with super-quick rampaging runs down the flank.
Apparently, we’re being linked with him, as are Huddersfield and Hull City. I can see some legs in this, maybe Michael is looking for more cover in wide areas. After all, TJ will leave the club in the summer and we will only have Regan Poole as our dedicated right back, so there might be legs in this. If you asked whether I thought I’d see the lad in an Imps shirt next season I’d say no, but you never know.