James Bree signs on loan from Southampton
Southampton’s James Bree has joined on loan until January.
The 27-year old Bree’s versatility will appeal to Nathan Jones. He will solve, temporarily at least, the need for more depth at right (wing) back, and can also play at centre-half.
Bree was signed by Nathan Jones at Southampton in 2019. He got sidelined after Jones was sacked, but still made 50 Premier League and Championship appearances including 17 last season.
The West Yorkshireman came through Barnsley’s academy and played 50 first team games before signing for Aston Villa for a ‘substantial fee’ when he was just 20.
Following Villa’s promotion back to the Premier League, Bree had loan spells at Ipswich and then Luton where he linked up with Jones for the first time. The Hatters signed him permanently on summer deadline day in 2020.
Bree has many of Jones’ favoured attributes including being able to move the ball up the field quickly and press opposing players high. Known to have a good delivery as well, whether crosses or set plays. His assist stats when at Luton were very good.
He hasn’t featured for Southampton so far this season, but was heavily involved in their pre-season friendlies.
Welcome to The Valley, James.
Looks like, similar to last season with a last minute panic signing, albeit a loan this time, for cover at the back, as obviously none of the others NJ wanted to sign did not materialise! Plus of course, he has previously played for NJ at Southampton and his old favourite club Luton, so knows him well!
Pretty underwelming considering NJ originally advised he wanted to bring in at least two players who would be as good if not better to complete the lack of depth in the main squad!
To be fair. We have already signed 9 players and Jones has long said it will be one more.
Agree CA, Jones orginally said that, but more recently he has implied he wanted at least two more as if there were a couple of injuries, presumingly meaning on top of the ones we already have who still are not fit enough to play, there would not be sufficent backup! I know one would be for the right side of defence as he has mentioned that, but not sure about the other area he was talking about, midfield or another striker!
Only that according Charlton today were in for Fofana a striker from Chelsea on loan, along with Preston and Celtic, but apart from that have seen nothing since of anyone actually getting him, and also know nothing about him or how good he is.
If he can score goals he would very much be a welcome addition 🙂
Mike – both BBC and Sky Sports were reporting Fofana, but assume it never happened.
Paperwork too late only at CAFC after apparently beaten off Celtic but only at CAFC right.
CA kinda guess this and if recall I mentioned this guy as he fits the Jones player description the other week.
Not sure he was our first choice but it is cover in an area we were lacking. I was hearing we are interested in the Japanese player and will go back in the January when their season is over. Anyway, good luck to him and hope he does well.
I expect now that we will sign Fakuda in January.
Rumour is Fofana is coming in on loan if they can get the paperwork done in time……apparently he fancied us rather than Celtic !!!
Of course he did 😀
A bit of sarcasm in there mate and it looks it is not happening.
Ye of little faith…..Lol Lol.
If the paperwork takes as long as it does to get the subs on, when they are ready, but have to wait until reading all the instructions first, there’s noway it would be done on time before the deadline 🙂
🤣 🤣. So true.
Just come through, whilst its been advised, Charlton were cock a hoop at beating Celtic to come to Charlton looks like they haven’t got the papers over in time to the EFL, so he won’t now be joining on loan! Celtic also aren’t happy, as if he had agreed to join them, they would have had until 11pm to get the papers agreed, so the player must also be pretty p…..d off, as looks like hes going nowhere now!
What a complete balls-up, it just has to be the same people who take so long to get the subs on! 🙂
Only at CAFC ridiculous and rather pathetic.
CA Whilst looking at the reasons why the papers weren’t done on time this morning, saw another bit of information on signing of Bree ” He is yet to play any minutes this season after injuring his calf against Brighton in pre-season.”
So is this yet another player we have signed who won’t able to play yet as he is still recovering from his injury, but due to this can’t be match fit anyway!
As that will now be three players that have been signed were carrying injuries, Burke, Costello and Bree, plus our own two Godden and Berry so that five in all, little wonder NJ saying we will struggle if two main players are injured.
The squad is done and the now real work begins as we look to achieve the safety net of 50 points.
Injuries and form are all part of the season. As supporters let’s get behind them and they need our support.
Disappointments will happen and frustrations can be vented as that is our right as supporters. But ultimately survival is the main objective and let’s not forget the key role we as supporters have in that journey. Nothing is ever perfect.. mistakes will be made. So let’s get behind the team.. we were tipped to be relegated by most… we have signed players, the board has supported the manager, this something that has not happened in previous seasons for along while. We may want better signings and different styles of football. But we may have to be patient and let the momentum build. It is a long season and the objective is survival by whatever means for me.