Manager James Beattie has said he’s looking to the loan market to get a few players some first team games, and also to strengthen us on a short term basis.
Speaking to the Official Site ahead of the game against Oxford United this weekend, Beattie admitted that we still had a number of players sidelined by injury, but he admitted we did have one player who may be back in contention in time for the game.
However, with the team’s performance not being too bad in general in his eyes, and his desire to stick with them in the main to play us into result form, he admits the time is probably right to get a few fringe players out for some first team action to not only keep them a bit happier but also keep them fitter for when he’s ready to call on them.
‘It’s important for the players who are on the periphery to go and get games. We sit down every week and try and decide who those players are.’
Clearly, one thing of concern for Beattie is in sending people out and then our injury situation not improving as we hope, or gaining further injuries and leaving ourselves short. So it is a balancing act, and he knows he needs the whole squad with him over the course of the season, but it’s no good a player just training and not being match sharp as they won’t be able to slot in properly when called upon. So a loan is more beneficial, it’s just finding the right club, and timing it right.
Clearly, one thing that the players have on their side is Beattie being a professional himself, he knows what it’s like to sit on the bench and train and not get game time, so he has their thoughts in his head as well which should contribute to a happy camp even for those not figuring immediately in his plans.
Of course, from a financial perspective as well, shedding a bit of wage bill with players leaving, not only helps balance books, but it frees up budgets for him to use to strengthen us with greater quality and depth, even if it’s equally only for a short period of time.
With his contacts in the game, Beattie also jokes that he’s constantly looking at lists of players and wondering who may owe him a favour – especially if that favour goes far enough for him to get somebody for ‘free!’
Not sure he’ll get many freebies, but he certainly knows enough people at the top levels to maybe get a few discounted deals that suits everybody.
In other news, Accrington have also confirmed that the appeal lodged over the red card suffered by Kayode Odejayi in our last game against Wimbledon has been rejected by the Appeal’s Panel.
He will now miss three matches with immediate effect. Therefore he is not in contention for Oxford, Bristol Rovers or Morecambe.
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