Paul Simpson reckons that he’s having ‘no luck’ trying to persuade managers of other clubs to allow their fringe players to come to Edgeley Park on loan, as the County boss talks ahead of the trip to Oxford.
There’s now more funds available for Simmo to go and bring players in, but he says ‘there’s no point in bringing players in who won’t improve the squad’, as numerous Championship clubs are refusing to budge in allowing their youngsters out on loan.
Vital Quotes:
Paul Simpson: “I’ve made enquiries about bringing a few lads in, lads who I believe will improve our squad – unfortunately, we’re having no luck as the parent clubs aren’t letting us take them on loan.”
“I don’t believe there’s any point in bringing players in who aren’t going to improve the squad, and the ones who I’m being offered won’t help us improve, rather than the ones I’d prefer. I’ve got to go with what we have at the moment. The difficulty now is that the lads who would have made a positive impact on our squad were available in June/July, they aren’t available now.”
“I know exactly what type of players I want, I’ve believed for a while that we need a tough midfielder to hold us together and another striker, but if the players out there don’t fit that criteria, then what’s the point in bringing them in? We’ll keep working on it.”
Oxford Utd Team News:
Ex-County full-back Anthony Tonkin says he’s ‘looking forward to putting his old club to the sword’ this Saturday as he looks set to return to United’s starting eleven. He says he ‘enjoyed his time’ at Edgeley Park.
Tonkin will be joined by another ex-Hatter, Harry Worley – who left County a few years back as a youngster to join Chelsea.
James Constable, who played under Paul Simpson at Shrewsbury, will be looking to continue in his rich vein of form at the moment.
Player to watch: James Constable
Oxford signed the hitman from Shrewsbury in 2008, then managed by Hatters gaffer Simpson. Apparently Simmo thought the 25-year-old ‘wasn’t up to playing regularly in the Football League’ and let him go out on loan to The U’s.
Constable’s back in the FL after helping Oxford gain promotion back to League 2 after four years away, and has already scored four goals this season.
County Team News:
Jordan Rose appears fit to make his County debut after missing the beginning of the season with a thigh injury, with County Development manager Alan Lord having high hopes for the youngster, signed from the Nike Academy by Paul Simpson.
And Robbie Williams looks set to return to the Hatters side for the first time since signing a permanent deal with the club – Williams hasn’t lost in a County shirt yet!
Player to watch: George Donnelly
The obvious one. The guy’s on fire and looks our only viable goal threat, other than 30-yard drives by the duo of Turnbull and Tansey.
He’s reiterated his desire to stay at EP for the third time this week, so sign ‘im up!
Match Facts & Stats
Oxford – 8/13
Draw – 14/5
County – 9/2
Match Prediction:
1-0 County. Erm.
Next Fixtures:
COUNTY vs Aldershot
Edgeley Park
Saturday 25th September
3pm
Npower League Two
