RoystonFoote'snephew Posted May 11, 2022 Report Share Posted May 11, 2022 Being reported that we are holding talks with Mark Sykes, right wingback at Oxford, who is shortly to be a free agent https://www.bristolworld.com/sport/football/bristol-city/exclusive-bristol-city-close-in-on-new-right-sided-player-as-nigel-pearson-conducts-talks-this-week-3689934 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Mr Popodopolous Posted May 11, 2022 Report Share Posted May 11, 2022 (edited) Interesting response by an Oxford fan to the wing-back bit.. Edited May 11, 2022 by Mr Popodopolous Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Jerseybean Posted May 11, 2022 Report Share Posted May 11, 2022 Sounds conceivable given our Oxford links, his age/profile and NPs recent watching brief Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Carey 6 Posted May 11, 2022 Report Share Posted May 11, 2022 (edited) Was at the training ground yesterday. Versatile, good age and decent stats this season. Can’t go wrong with a free transfer can you? Edited May 11, 2022 by Carey 6 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Mr Popodopolous Posted May 11, 2022 Report Share Posted May 11, 2022 (edited) Interesting response by OxfordAnalytics when asked on his style etc... Could be having a bit of fun of course. Edited May 11, 2022 by Mr Popodopolous Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Fordy62 Posted May 11, 2022 Report Share Posted May 11, 2022 13 minutes ago, Carey 6 said: Was at the training ground yesterday. Versatile, good age and decent stats this season. Can’t go wrong with a free transfer can you? At our training ground? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
AshtonRobin21 Posted May 11, 2022 Report Share Posted May 11, 2022 I would be happy with this. A free transfer, at the right age (24), and his career is on an upward trajectory. He has goals and assists to his game, let's hope he is determined to prove himself. Would be a good start to the window. I see the links to Pack have started as well (Richard Forrester - Bristol Post), as well as Andy King renewing for another year. 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Gazred Posted May 11, 2022 Report Share Posted May 11, 2022 Getting business done early is always a bonus. 2 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
chinapig Posted May 11, 2022 Report Share Posted May 11, 2022 Nigel did say a while ago that we don't have any genuine wide players. My guess is he might get Sykes for that purpose but still be looking for an experienced right back. 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
AshtonRobin21 Posted May 11, 2022 Report Share Posted May 11, 2022 5 minutes ago, Gazred said: Getting business done early is always a bonus. Guessing Nige wants deals done early. Then providing we get any offers we can't refuse for the likes of Semenyo, Scott or Massengo then we will have money available to replace them with quality additions. 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Gazred Posted May 11, 2022 Report Share Posted May 11, 2022 1 minute ago, AshtonRobin21 said: Guessing Nige wants deals done early. Then providing we get any offers we can't refuse for the likes of Semenyo, Scott or Massengo then we will have money available to replace them with quality additions. I think that is the strategy. Would not be surprised to see Massengo gone before the end of the month, then a good few weeks to reinvest. Get the free deals done as soon possible, with potential purchases lined up when/if we sell one of those 3. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Malago Posted May 11, 2022 Report Share Posted May 11, 2022 We need an out and out right back, so we can play a flat back 4, not another right side midfielder who can double up as a wing back. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
chinapig Posted May 11, 2022 Report Share Posted May 11, 2022 1 minute ago, Malago said: We need an out and out right back, so we can play a flat back 4, not another right side midfielder who can double up as a wing back. The two are not mutually exclusive. 4 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
AshtonRobin21 Posted May 11, 2022 Report Share Posted May 11, 2022 2 minutes ago, Malago said: We need an out and out right back, so we can play a flat back 4, not another right side midfielder who can double up as a wing back. I don't believe that is the purpose of signing Sykes. His style of play is solely attacking. He can play centrally or out wide right. Nige said before that we don't have any wide players, and we don't have any defensive midfielders. This signing addresses one of those issues. I would certainly expect an 'out and out' right back to arrive this summer. 2 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Carey 6 Posted May 11, 2022 Report Share Posted May 11, 2022 18 minutes ago, Fordy62 said: At our training ground? Yes mates Gregor mentions in that article he’d been there for talks this week. Cotterill got all his business done early that summer we got promoted & it worked wonders, hoping for the same again this year. 5 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Malago Posted May 11, 2022 Report Share Posted May 11, 2022 (edited) 5 minutes ago, chinapig said: The two are not mutually exclusive. You see I disagree. I think full back is specialist position which your average player needs time and games playing there to fully get the hang of it. Edited May 11, 2022 by Malago 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Malago Posted May 11, 2022 Report Share Posted May 11, 2022 5 minutes ago, AshtonRobin21 said: I don't believe that is the purpose of signing Sykes. His style of play is solely attacking. He can play centrally or out wide right. Nige said before that we don't have any wide players, and we don't have any defensive midfielders. This signing addresses one of those issues. I would certainly expect an 'out and out' right back to arrive this summer. I hope you’re right. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
chinapig Posted May 11, 2022 Report Share Posted May 11, 2022 Just now, Malago said: You see I disagree. I think full back is specialist position which your average players needs time and games playing there to fully get the hang of it. Maybe I wasn't clear. My point is that signing Sykes does not mean we won't sign an experienced out and out right back as well. We know Nigel would ideally prefer to play 4-3-1-2. 5 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Gazred Posted May 11, 2022 Report Share Posted May 11, 2022 Also about good partnerships between RB and RW/RM in a 4-4 or 4-3. For example, him and Tanner could compliment each other well iin NP's estimation. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
INCRED Posted May 11, 2022 Report Share Posted May 11, 2022 13 minutes ago, Carey 6 said: Yes mates Gregor mentions in that article he’d been there for talks this week. Cotterill got all his business done early that summer we got promoted & it worked wonders, hoping for the same again this year. He has met with NP more than once now and he spoke with him after the game when he watched Oxford a few weeks ago. I would think this one is well advanced and possibly our first summer addition 1 4 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Davefevs Posted May 11, 2022 Report Share Posted May 11, 2022 Got to say, he hasn’t leapt out at me, but good age, free, the right type / trajectory of signing if it goes through. Looks to have plenty of energy, and his versatility will help. Huddersfield allegedly interested in January??? Always excited by new signings nonetheless. 1 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
SBB Posted May 11, 2022 Report Share Posted May 11, 2022 22 minutes ago, Malago said: We need an out and out right back, so we can play a flat back 4, not another right side midfielder who can double up as a wing back. This was NPs back 4 when pressing and counter attacking at Watford. I’m not saying this is how we will line up and obviously personnel is very different but a back 4 doesn’t have to be flat and or static. 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
chinapig Posted May 11, 2022 Report Share Posted May 11, 2022 2 minutes ago, SBB said: This was NPs back 4 when pressing and counter attacking at Watford. I’m not saying this is how we will line up and obviously personnel is very different but a back 4 doesn’t have to be flat and or static. Yes, that kind of lop sided set up with one full back pushed high is not unusual these days. 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
And Its Smith Posted May 11, 2022 Report Share Posted May 11, 2022 Sykes isn’t a wing back, he’s a winger. Unless I’m thinking of someone else! Question marks on his attitude as well. Accused of downing tools when he knew he was moving. Guess whether you think it’s understandable for a player to do that or if they should always try 100% will shape your view on how important that is seeing as when he signs for us he won’t be having his head turned 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
SinéadB Posted May 11, 2022 Report Share Posted May 11, 2022 I asked an Oxford fan who I trust about Sykes and he came back with this: "Still not sure what his best position is. Came as an attacking midfielder who could play wide. We've played him as a winger, a number 10, a central midfielder and at wing back. His best 6 months with us was the start of this season. Has some pace and covers a lot of ground. Can hit a good cross and find a pass. Incredibly skilful but frustrating. Kind of player who'd do a cruyff turn past a player then stick the pass into touch. Finishing prior to this season was terrible, there will be numerous podcasts where i said if he could finish then he wouldn't be in League One. Think his main issue has been attitude/training work rate. Got bombed out publicly a few times by KR, which seemed to work. If he was consistent, he'd be a very good player but still got age on his side. A lot to work with and going up a level and getting around the national squad could/should see him develop further. Can see him growing into a role like Joe Rothwell did after leaving us in a similar way. On a free transfer, it's a no brainer." 3 7 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
James54De Posted May 11, 2022 Report Share Posted May 11, 2022 Sykes has mainly played wide right midfield this season but it generally a central midfielder. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
RoystonFoote'snephew Posted May 11, 2022 Author Report Share Posted May 11, 2022 I'm sure Nige will have done his due diligence on both his skills and where he'd want him to play when selected, and also on his character. If doesn't have the right attitude he won't last long with NP. 2 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Davefevs Posted May 11, 2022 Report Share Posted May 11, 2022 18 minutes ago, SBB said: This was NPs back 4 when pressing and counter attacking at Watford. I’m not saying this is how we will line up and obviously personnel is very different but a back 4 doesn’t have to be flat and or static. I think this kind of thing feeds into Nige’s “front sweeper” thinking. Just for example, Joe Williams sat in, able to take the ball from GK and CBs and then spreading it side to a high FB (WB). It’s a bit like Grimes did for Swansea second half when he kept pinging it out to a wide and high Ethan Laird (who’d been pinned back by Pring first half). Digressing slightly, might Williams’s hamstrings be better not having to make lung-busting runs? The thing Sykes has is energy by the looks of it. 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
And Its Smith Posted May 11, 2022 Report Share Posted May 11, 2022 14 minutes ago, James54De said: Sykes has mainly played wide right midfield this season but it generally a central midfielder. I would say he’s much more of a wide player than a central midfielder. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
James54De Posted May 11, 2022 Report Share Posted May 11, 2022 Just now, And Its Smith said: I would say he’s much more of a wide player than a central midfielder. I wouldn’t. Prior to this season he has played most of his games as an attacking midfielder. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Recommended Posts
Join the conversation
You can post now and register later. If you have an account, sign in now to post with your account.
Note: Your post will require moderator approval before it will be visible.