Josh Eccles (4 Viewers)

[Mucca Mad Boys]

you didn’t answer the question though did you - is / will Josh Eccles be nailed on to start next season?

I personally don’t think he gets in ahead of Sheaf as DM, and he’s not the same level as Rudoni or Torp in my opinion in a more central / attacking role, and if / when we sign somebody else and if they are a top level midfielder, as it appears we are after, I can only see that push him further down the pecking order in that position.

I think he’s a great player to have available, but I’m not sure whether he’ll be ‘nailed on’ to start ahead of others. I also can’t see him playing a holding role on his own as I still think he has, at present, mistakes in his game which are costly when you’re playing there.

He played well on the right, but then we have options there again now Tats is back, and Rapha has signed…

Again, just my opinion and I’d love to be proved wrong this season

If we’re after a marquee signing in that position, it’s unlikely Eccles would be a nailed on starter. Rudoni has the benefit of being able to play as an AM and RW as well as the CM role. Likewise with Torp and Rudoni. If we actually want to get promoted we need more quality from somewhere. Either the players we’ve got increase their assists and goals, or we need better players.

Additionally, we also need an insurance policy and a succession plan should Sheaf decide he wants to move on.

 

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[Sky_Blue_Dreamer]

you didn’t answer the question though did you - is / will Josh Eccles be nailed on to start next season?

I personally don’t think he gets in ahead of Sheaf as DM, and he’s not the same level as Rudoni or Torp in my opinion in a more central / attacking role, and if / when we sign somebody else and if they are a top level midfielder, as it appears we are after, I can only see that push him further down the pecking order in that position.

I think he’s a great player to have available, but I’m not sure whether he’ll be ‘nailed on’ to start ahead of others. I also can’t see him playing a holding role on his own as I still think he has, at present, mistakes in his game which are costly when you’re playing there.

He played well on the right, but then we have options there again now Tats is back, and Rapha has signed…

Again, just my opinion and I’d love to be proved wrong this season

Obviously early on and we've not concluded our transfer business yet, but I could definitely see MR starting the season with a midfield three of Sheaf, Rudoni and Eccles. Good thing is with the likes of Torp also available we can rest players and prevent the burnoout and injury we've suffered from in previous seasons. I can see all of the getting a large number of minutes over the course of the season to keep them all fresh.

 

[Legia Sky Blue]

you didn’t answer the question though did you - is / will Josh Eccles be nailed on to start next season?

I personally don’t think he gets in ahead of Sheaf as DM, and he’s not the same level as Rudoni or Torp in my opinion in a more central / attacking role, and if / when we sign somebody else and if they are a top level midfielder, as it appears we are after, I can only see that push him further down the pecking order in that position.

I think he’s a great player to have available, but I’m not sure whether he’ll be ‘nailed on’ to start ahead of others. I also can’t see him playing a holding role on his own as I still think he has, at present, mistakes in his game which are costly when you’re playing there.

He played well on the right, but then we have options there again now Tats is back, and Rapha has signed…

Again, just my opinion and I’d love to be proved wrong this season

Well obviously that's up to MR but as things are at the moment I think Eccles is a nailed on starter, and that Torp would have to really tear up pre season to start ahead of him.

 

[skybluecam]

you didn’t answer the question though did you - is / will Josh Eccles be nailed on to start next season?

He is 100% starting unless we sign a new CM. Torp will have to earn his place.

 

[shmmeee]

Well obviously that's up to MR but as things are at the moment I think Eccles is a nailed on starter, and that Torp would have to really tear up pre season to start ahead of him.

I think if we were playing a double pivot that would be true, not so sure in a flatter midfield with two eights instead of a ten

 

[StrettoBoy]

if Torp pushes on like he was last season arguably he’ll also be ahead of Eccles, and I imagine Stamenic (or similar) would have been expected to start too….

Good point.

I’m really intrigued to see how Torp develops this season. If I remember correctly he hadn’t played for a few weeks when he joined us because of the winter break in Norway. Despite this I thought he showed a lot of potential, although he seemed to tire towards the end of the season as did a lot of our players.

I think a good pre-season will be good for him. I reckon he will be a real asset for us.

 

[Legia Sky Blue]

I think if we were playing a double pivot that would be true, not so sure in a flatter midfield with two eights instead of a ten

With the players currently available to MR it is fair to presume that he will start with a back 4, and a front 3 of Wright, Simms and Sakamoto or Mason-Clark. I'm presuming Rudoni starts behind them, but also in considering that we have full backs that like to attack (certainly MVE anyway), not then playing 2 holding midfielders in Sheaf and Eccles would lead us wide open defensively. While I'm sure if needed Torp could play that role, overall Eccles is a much better fit. On a wider note, apart from Dovin if and when he eventually signs, I suspect that any further signings will be squad fillers rather than automatic starters. As such barring injury Eccles is a nailed on starter for me.

 

[Perennial Lurker]

From what Saddlebrains was saying the type of midfielder we are looking to sign is a more progressive type . So I don't think Eccles will be replaced .
If we are to play with two 8s in the side , it will be Sheaf or Eccles eventually in the 6 role but starting the season I think it will be Eccles holding with Rudoni and Sheaf in the 8 roles

 

[shmmeee]

With the players currently available to MR it is fair to presume that he will start with a back 4, and a front 3 of Wright, Simms and Sakamoto or Mason-Clark. I'm presuming Rudoni starts behind them, but also in considering that we have full backs that like to attack (certainly MVE anyway), not then playing 2 holding midfielders in Sheaf and Eccles would lead us wide open defensively. While I'm sure if needed Torp could play that role, overall Eccles is a much better fit. On a wider note, apart from Dovin if and when he eventually signs, I suspect that any further signings will be squad fillers rather than automatic starters. As such barring injury Eccles is a nailed on starter for me.

We played 433 in the only preseason game so far apparently. I agree if it’s 4231 Eccles is a better fit. I think we might see some big changes in our style this year though, new broom and all that.

 

[BlueSkiesForever]

We played 433 in the only preseason game so far apparently. I agree if it’s 4231 Eccles is a better fit. I think we might see some big changes in our style this year though, new broom and all that.

I hope we do see some changes because at times it was very flat and boring, lots of passing from side to side in a horseshoe shape. It’s fine if we create a lot from it or make teams work but we don’t, teams just keep their shape and block all game.

We also don’t win enough games 3-0 or 4-1 etc for my liking. When was the last spell we really put teams to the sword? Need to make opponents fear us if we’re to go for automatics, or play-offs at a minimum.

 

[Perennial Lurker]

I hope we do see some changes because at times it was very flat and boring, lots of passing from side to side in a horseshoe shape. It’s fine if we create a lot from it or make teams work but we don’t, teams just keep their shape and block all game.

We also don’t win enough games 3-0 or 4-1 etc for my liking. When was the last spell we really put teams to the sword? Need to make opponents fear us if we’re to go for automatics, or play-offs at a minimum.

Just watching the preseason videos there's a lot of focus on fast transitional play

 

[2024/25 League 1 Champs?]

I hope we do see some changes because at times it was very flat and boring, lots of passing from side to side in a horseshoe shape. It’s fine if we create a lot from it or make teams work but we don’t, teams just keep their shape and block all game.

We also don’t win enough games 3-0 or 4-1 etc for my liking. When was the last spell we really put teams to the sword? Need to make opponents fear us if we’re to go for automatics, or play-offs at a minimum.

probably 2021/22 when we beat Peterborough 3-0, Fulham 4-1, Peterborough 4-1, Sheff Utd 4-1, Fulham 3-1, Brum 4-2…

 

[2024/25 League 1 Champs?]

From what Saddlebrains was saying the type of midfielder we are looking to sign is a more progressive type . So I don't think Eccles will be replaced .
If we are to play with two 8s in the side , it will be Sheaf or Eccles eventually in the 6 role but starting the season I think it will be Eccles holding with Rudoni and Sheaf in the 8 roles

interesting take - I would have thought Sheaf starts holding with Rudoni and one other 8, and if we were playing Sheaf and Eccles together Eccles would be more suited to the 8 that the 6 - I just don’t think he’s strong / confident enough to play a holding role on his own

 

[Perennial Lurker]

interesting take - I would have thought Sheaf starts holding with Rudoni and one other 8, and if we were playing Sheaf and Eccles together Eccles would be more suited to the 8 that the 6 - I just don’t think he’s strong / confident enough to play a holding role on his own

I disagree I think he's done it successfully many times when Sheafs been injured but hey it's all about opinions

 

[fatso]

I'm expecting Eccles to push on and make another improvement this season. (As he has done every season) the big advantage we have is that there is now some real quality competition for places in midfield which will keep all the players on their toes.

And there's the great option for MR to rotate players to keep them fresh and reducing the risk of injury, without reducing the standard of play. That wasn't a realistic option at the back end of last season.

 

[2024/25 League 1 Champs?]

I disagree I think he's done it successfully many times when Sheafs been injured but hey it's all about opinions

I think most of the time when Sheaf was injured he played alongside Torp, both deeper lying with three attacking midfielders / forwards in front of them - it was more a needs must given we were painfully short of midfield options

I can’t recall him being the lone DM but to be fair my memory isn’t what it used to be….

 

[better days]

I'm expecting Eccles to push on and make another improvement this season. (As he has done every season) the big advantage we have is that there is now some real quality competition for places in midfield which will keep all the players on their toes.

And there's the great option for MR to rotate players to keep them fresh and reducing the risk of injury, without reducing the standard of play. That wasn't a realistic option at the back end of last season.

Yep
Adi Viveash said from when he was a kid that Eccles will play at a high level
I'd expect clubs from higher up the pyramid to be keeping an eye on Eccles as there are vanishingly few players of his type about
I don't think we've heard the last of Adi btw...

 

[procdoc]

Yep
Adi Viveash said from when he was a kid that Eccles will play at a high level
I'd expect clubs from higher up the pyramid to be keeping an eye on Eccles as there are vanishingly few players of his type about
I don't think we've heard the last of Adi btw...

Ooh what have you heard?

 

[better days]

Ooh what have you heard?

Unsurprisingly not everyone was happy with AV's robust approach
Possibly symptomatic of the times we live in
Not sure exactly what brought things to a head but Adi had a contract and hasn't left of his own accord
I'd guess his legal representatives are examining options

 

[2024/25 League 1 Champs?]

Unsurprisingly not everyone was happy with AV's robust approach
Possibly symptomatic of the times we live in
Not sure exactly what brought things to a head but Adi had a contract and hasn't left of his own accord
I'd guess his legal representatives are examining options

nonsense

 

[fatso]

Unsurprisingly not everyone was happy with AV's robust approach
Possibly symptomatic of the times we live in
Not sure exactly what brought things to a head but Adi had a contract and hasn't left of his own accord
I'd guess his legal representatives are examining options

He's being looked after financially.
As it wasn't his idea to leave.
NDA in place
End of.

 

[Hobo]

I think most of the time when Sheaf was injured he played alongside Torp, both deeper lying with three attacking midfielders / forwards in front of them - it was more a needs must given we were painfully short of midfield options

I can’t recall him being the lone DM but to be fair my memory isn’t what it used to be….

When Sheaf was out there were various combinations of Eccles, Kelly, Torp and Latibeaudiere. I think Torp and Eccles only started as a combination on three occasions?

In fact we rarely play Sheaf as a loan DM we tend to play two who rotate a bit to push forward on occasions. Kelly is the only out and out DM we had really.

 

[2024/25 League 1 Champs?]

When Sheaf was out there were various combinations of Eccles, Kelly, Torp and Latibeaudiere. I think Torp and Eccles only started as a combination on three occasions?

In fact we rarely play Sheaf as a loan DM we tend to play two who rotate a bit to push forward on occasions. Kelly is the only out and out DM we had really.

yes I pretty much agree with this, but these comments were in response to the suggestion we would now play with one DM and two 8s, and that Josh Eccles would be the lone DM

 

[2024/25 League 1 Champs?]

He's being looked after financially.
As it wasn't his idea to leave.
NDA in place
End of.

it won’t be an NDA, at best there’s a settlement agreement - we’ll pay you X in lieu of any notice period, claims etc

 

[Mucca Mad Boys]

interesting take - I would have thought Sheaf starts holding with Rudoni and one other 8, and if we were playing Sheaf and Eccles together Eccles would be more suited to the 8 that the 6 - I just don’t think he’s strong / confident enough to play a holding role on his own

Eccles’ best game for us was v Leeds at home imo. Sheaf is better as an all action 6 winning the ball over the pitch whereas Eccles’ strength is progressive passing. It’s a good blend.

Rudoni offers versatility too as he can play AM, CM, RW, LW and even DM last season. Give us a lot of options to change formations mid game without making subs. I’m currently watching the preseason friendly as we speak so will see what got everyone excited about Rudoni last night.

 

[better days]

it won’t be an NDA, at best there’s a settlement agreement - we’ll pay you X in lieu of any notice period, claims etc

I heard it was going legal but don't know the details
I'm sure it'll be settled confidentially one way or another - Fatso is probably right to say it's already done based on Adi's recent comments via his solicitor

 

[Diogenes]

He's being looked after financially.
As it wasn't his idea to leave.
NDA in place
End of.

 

[Hobo]

yes I pretty much agree with this, but these comments were in response to the suggestion we would now play with one DM and two 8s, and that Josh Eccles would be the lone DM

I still think with the change in formation we will have some fluidity and not just have a sitting DM. I think the midfield will be coached to be quick thinking and react to what is happening and the person that sits and covers when we attack won't necessarily be one or the same player each time.

Time will tell?

 

[Deity]

I heard it was going legal but don't know the details
I'm sure it'll be settled confidentially one way or another - Fatso is probably right to say it's already done based on Adi's recent comments via his solicitor

No one gives a settlement agreement without an NDA ….

 

[Deity]

Huge season for Eccles.

He’s not a 6 or a 10. He might be an 8 but has to improve his passing and final ball.

I think he’s improving rapidly but he needs to determine what type of midfielder he is and become brilliant at it if he’s to step up another division.

 

[mmttww]

Huge season for Eccles.

He’s not a 6 or a 10. He might be an 8 but has to improve his passing and final ball.

I think he’s improving rapidly but he needs to determine what type of midfielder he is and become brilliant at it if he’s to step up another division.

Exactly this. His chance to make a proper mark.

I think it's just decision making with him tbh.

Physically and technically he's there.

Needs to make the right decision more often now.

 

[stevefloyd]

Yep
Adi Viveash said from when he was a kid that Eccles will play at a high level
I'd expect clubs from higher up the pyramid to be keeping an eye on Eccles as there are vanishingly few players of his type about
I don't think we've heard the last of Adi btw...

How did Adi know when he was a kid Eccles wasn't even born then

 

[Cally Fedora]

Eccles is probably in our top three of consistent players. I think he’d be viewed massively differently if we’d signed him for a few million. He suffers, for some reason, because he’s come through the ranks. You’d have to pay big money to get a midfielder if his quality.

 

[2024/25 League 1 Champs?]

Eccles is probably in our top three of consistent players. I think he’d be viewed massively differently if we’d signed him for a few million. He suffers, for some reason, because he’s come through the ranks. You’d have to pay big money to get a midfielder if his quality.

I don’t buy this at all - standard response ‘he suffers because he’s homegrown’, ‘ it’d be different if we’d paid X million for him’…

If we had paid a few million for him there would be even more pressure and, to be honest, I think people would be disappointed he isn’t performing to a better level. If anything he gets more love BECAUSE he’s homegrown, and gets away with more!

We paid £1.5M for Hamer, and they are streets apart in terms of ability

I would agree that’s he’s pretty consistent though, but just consistently steady - he’s not going to set the league alight just yet

 

[Yorkshire SB]

I don’t buy this at all - standard response ‘he suffers because he’s homegrown’, ‘ it’d be different if we’d paid X million for him’…

If we had paid a few million for him there would be even more pressure and, to be honest, I think people would be disappointed he isn’t performing to a better level. If anything he gets more love BECAUSE he’s homegrown, and gets away with more!

We paid £1.5M for Hamer, and they are streets apart in terms of ability

I would agree that’s he’s pretty consistent though, but just consistently steady - he’s not going to set the league alight just yet

Eccles moving into the category of so under rated he’s becoming over rated.

Good player and deserves a lot of credit for how he’s grown over the past two year, but I don’t think we miss him when he doesn’t play.

I hope he can improve and step on again.