George Dobson signs
I can’t complain that I’ve never heard of him as I was calling for young players proven at this level that I’d never heard off!
George Dobson fits that re-build, released by Sunderland today, the 23-year old defensive holding midfielder that impressed on loan at AFC Wimbledon this past season joins on a 2-year deal.
Dobson is a younger replacement for Darren Pratley and will help be a steely foundation for our midfield that was so lacking last season. Possibly in the Josh Cullen mould, but that may just be that George was born in Essex and played at West Ham.
We will see, but the welcome George and good luck.
It is July 1st today, the day that player’s contracts expire, so I hope now to see a lot more activity.
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Chicago Addick 
Shoring up our defence was one of the priorities of the close season, we leaked far too many goals last year – many of them avoidable. So far we’ve brought in a new keeper, renewed Jason Pearce’s contract and now brought in George Dobson presumably to play defensive midfield and if needed at centre-back. As a 23 yo he’s stil learning his trade but has plenty of experience at this level and can grow with the club, so a decent signing witth longer term potential. Opinions were mixed – at Sunderland he fell out of favour but then went to the Dons on loan where he received much better reviews andis credited with helping to save them from relegation. He can job share with Ben Watson at DM with the latter sitting on the bench and playing as back-up when needed.
Currently we have 14 players in the first team squad so we are around 12-14 bodies light, defensively we need a right-back (Adam Matthews?) a left-back and a couple of centre backs.
Pre-season training has started and player contracts are expiring so a big few weeks coming up.
We have a good U23 squad and some may be good enough to breakthrough this season. Players to watch for include French and Barker at full back Mingi , Ness ,Toure (U18) in central defence, Mingi can also play midfield other midfield options include Dempsey, Vennings, Williams, Henry and Mitchell (still U18), forwards Aouachria, Davison, and Clayden. I have not seen much of them in last year because of Covid but if they have progressed then 2 or 3 could surprise. Preseason friendlies may give them the opportunity to show what they have to offer.
Dobson and Gilbey in midfield is a class combo at this level. Dobson was captain of Walsall at 21 didn’t work out at Sunderland. Gilbey was just starting to show his game under Adkins. Bright future for us I reckon.
I hope that we can improve our options at full-back as Gunter failed to impress and is probably a good choice for the subs bench as he can play all back four positions. I have always regarded Purrington as a squad player rather than a first team regular so we need a left back (maybe Maatsen will return). I like Matthews but as he is out of contract this will be the third preseason he has missed, in the last 2 seasons when he has signed late he has needed games before showing his best form. I think the club should tell him that if he doesn’t sign by say next Friday the 9th then he is no longer in our plans. We need the bulk of the squad to be in place for the preseason matches. What we don’t know of course is whether there are any trialists training with the club, there are usually one or two. What has happened regarding Oguntayo who played on trial for the U23s in a dozen or so games the consensus was that he looked very useful as a left back or right winger.
rierti – agree on Matthews. I like him and much prefer him over Gunter but he can’t keep holding us hostage and have each summer off and then play catch up.