Expectations were high for an immediate return, but at the very least an entry into the play-offs was expected. These expectations looked on course to be met for large parts of the season. The season fell apart after the fortuitous Boxing Day win over Stockport County. We then went 8 games without a win until our third victory of the season over Barnsley. With 3 wins in 15 games though Kevin Nagles’ management team made the decision to sack Michael Duff and appoint Jon Worthington until the end of the season. With that recent record and the dropping off, of performances it was understandable. Even earlier in the season the results and performances were not convincing. With the arrival of Worthington we played open attacking football, moving the ball quickly, unfortunately that only lasted for the Crawley game and then we returned to the slow laboured football we had come accustomed to. We never appeared to learn any lessons throughout the season regardless of who was in charge. The plus side was that we were never in a relegation battle, but the form since the turn of the year has been relegation form.
Kevin Nagle has said trust me I hear you, I know what is wrong. I suspect he does as it is obvious, results and performances are not good enough. The question is does he know how to put it right? Being a fan obviously I hope he does. I understand the sacking of Michael Duff, maybe it should have been sooner, maybe he should have seen the season out, but the sacking was understandable. The appointment of Worthington again was understandable, however was not successful and did we really need to stick with him till the end of the season when it had already become obvious long before then that it wasn’t working. The sacking of Mark Cartwright again was understandable and perhaps that should have happened sooner. Being in charge of footballing matters the coaching/managerial appointments and player recruitment has not been good for some time. After the Bristol Rovers match on 8th March Duff was sacked and it is disappointing that now come mid May we still have no replacement and appear without any direction, when we should already be building for next season.
Player Reviews
Lee Nicholls – Rating 6
The experienced keeper made 23 appearances in the 24/25 season starting the campaign in good form and some of the old Nicholls looked to be returning but then after injury he never looked the same again. Distribution is still his downfall, command of the area, handling and shot stopping is as good as any other at this level. Nicholls is still under contract and so hopefully he will remain.
Jacob Chapman – Rating 6
A real break through season for Jacob with 25 appearances across all competitions. Jacobs distribution is his real strength, however his command of the area, dealing with crosses and lack of ability to time coming off his line, all need to develop quickly if he is going to progress further.
Chris Maxwell – Rating 2
The keeper retired at the end of the campaign after 4 games. At the start of the season it looked like he gave us strength in depth, but it has to be said that he did not look comfortable in the games he did play.
Defenders
Lasse Sorensen – Rating 4
Lasse arrived in the summer looking like a good capture from Lincoln where he had been an integral part of the squad. He played 36 games over the season for us despite having some time out due to injury. Initially Lasse looked like he was going to have a positive affect on this season as he marauded down the right in early games causing problems for the opposition. It didn’t take our opponents long though to figure out how to nullify him and he was lacking in physicality to cope. Defensively he struggled as well, but often he was made to look worse by a lack of support down the right in both an attacking sense and defensive sense. It is unfair to judge Sorensen on this season alone as the way we played we asked him to do the job of 2 men consistently by isolating him on the flank.
Ollie Turton – Rating 4
The ‘Ginger Cafu’ finally had a season with no long term injury and finally he scored for the Town. Playing 33 times with 1 goal during the season, Ollie was used as a full-back, centre back and from the bench. As a centre back he lacks the physicality and as an attacking full-back he doesn’t get forward enough. Best position is as a traditional full-back with a consistent back line which we rarely had. I like Ollies attitude, but he can be easily replaced.
Josh Ruffles – Rating 5
Ruffles has survived most manages and the way he keeps bouncing back I wouldn’t be surprised to see him in a Town shirt again. Not comfortable as a full back as he is too easily exposed and does not offer enough going forward. His best position appears to be on the left of a 3 man central defence. Technically a good player but he always has a mistake in him which can prove costly. Managed 25 games with 1 goal over the season and as the second half of the season progressed with injuries he was a regular in the side. Now out of contract and hopefully moving on.
Mickel Miller – Rating 6.5
Was looking very good early in the season and proved to be a problem for the opposition. Mickel clocked up 20 games with no goals during the campaign. Certainly is best playing as a attacking left sided wing back but we did not really see enough end product. He was out with a long term injury and we missed his presence in the side. It will be interesting if the new manager plays with attacking wing backs to accommodate him next season.
Matty Pearson – Rating 6.5
The ‘Keighley Cannavaro’ played 35 times and scored 5 goals during the season. He started the season on the bench and perhaps it explains how our season collapsed that Matty started as our fourth choice to then finish the season as first choice centre back. Matty certainly put everything into his games, but he has never been the quickest and was left exposed too often, particularly in games where he was the only centre back on the pitch. Now out of contract and moving on I wish Matty well for the future. Watch him return and score against us.
Tom Lees – Rating 6
Tom has been slow for a number of years now, but his reading of the game has been the best out of all the centre backs and it is that that has got him/us out of trouble many times. When he was in the side our results were much better and we certainly missed him when he was out injured. Not enough of a presence when attacking set plays but was consistent defensively. Played 32 times and scored 1 goal. Now out of contract and moving on.
Nigel Lonwijk – Rating 6.5
The Wolves loanee had a positive affect on the side until injury. Good going forward and needs to react quicker defensively. Passing and pace was good but needs to be stronger physically. Played 26 times with 1 goal. I’d be happy to see us make his move permanent.
Radinio Balker – Rating 4
Balker finally returned from injury but finished the season out again. He managed 14 games during the campaign. Looks classy coming out of the defence with the ball and looks calm and in control. Unfortunately though for a bug guy he is physically beaten too often, not quick enough and doesn’t read the game well. I know he is highly rated but for me I don’t see enough from him, maybe he needs more of a regular run in the side with a settled back line but being as injury prone as he is I wouldn’t mind him moving on.
Brodie Spencer – Rating 7
Hopefully Brodie doesn’t move on in the summer. He can play across any of the positions along the back but is best as a full-back/wing/back on either side. Do actually wonder if he would be better as a central midfielder at times as he is good going forwards. Reads the game well and good both in and out of possession, one of the few that has continued to progress this season.
Neo Eccleston – Rating N/A (due to only playing 2 games)
Neo looks promising. Pacey and likes to get forward. To get the best out of him we would need to play him as a wing-back but have a good solid right sided centre back with pace behind him. Over the 2 games he caused a threat going forward but was susceptible to the ball in behind. Hopefully he gets plenty of game time next season or a quality loan to get competitive matches under his belt.
Midfield
Ruben Roosken – Rating 5
Ruben had a nightmare start with a red card after just nine minutes of his debut from the bench. His second appearance he went off injured. He did however go on to make 14 appearances over the season with 2 goals. Plays in an advanced left sided position (left winger) although was signed as a left wing-back. Ruben is the type of player that can go missing in matches and then suddenly pop up with a quality moment in attack. It is difficult to see how he fits into the side, but technically a good player.
Jonathan Hogg – Rating 5
Hoggy played his last season for the Terriers but may still be involved in the club in some way. His commitment cannot be questioned and always gave 100%. Not a bad passer of the ball but it was always a case of safety first with Hoggy. Rarely did he change a match for the better in this last season, but his drive and positive attitude shone through. He failed to get about the pitch as quickly as he needed to and as the season went on we relied on him too much. Good luck for the future.
Ben Wiles – Rating 6.5
Played out of position for most of the season being asked to operate on the left hand side when he is a central midfielder. This did not help the balance of the team overall and contributed to some fans turning on Ben unfairly. Certainly a player better on the ball than off it but his commitment should not be questioned. Made 50 appearances over the season with 9 goals which is a good return from midfield.
Anthony Evans – Rating 4.5
Had high hopes for Anthony when the highly rated player arrived. He went on to make 36 appearances with 2 goals over the season. Again, a player better on the ball than off it. Lacking in pace and physicality but technically very good. For a set piece expert though we should have had a better return and it will be interesting to see how he fits in under a new manager.
Herbie Kane – Rating 6.5
Technically a very good player and yet another one better on the ball than off it. Struggled with fitness over the season but I think he is one of the better midfielders that we could build a side around, but we have to play to his strengths and let him dictate the game. Made 31 appearances with 3 goals.
David Kasumu – Rating 8
The pick of the midfield for me. Good going forward and at breaking up play, a good all round box to box midfielder. Found it very frustrating when at the end of the season we were playing our best midfielder who could change a game out on the right wing or at right wing back. He stepped up this season and I hope that we get to keep him next term, if we play quick attacking football then Kasumu could make the difference.
Tawanda Chirewa – Rating 4
Came on loan in January and is a young man with plenty of skill which got people off their seats, unfortunately there was no end product as his final ball was poor or he would try beating his man several times and then loose possession. Played 13 times with no goals. Could go on and have a good career but too much of a luxury player for us.
Tom Iorpenda – Rating 2
At times Tom looked good but at times you also forgot he was on the pitch. Needs to go out on loan next season and get regular game time under his belt. Made 11 appearances during this season.
Joe Hodge – Rating 3
Wolves loanee Hodge is good on the ball but lacks physicality. Far too much of a luxury player for a league one side. He made 27 appearances with 1 goal. Technically good on the ball and will have a good career but not with us.
Forwards
Callum Marshall – Rating 7
What Callum lacks in physical attributes he makes up for in his tenacity. Gave 100% in every game, chased every ball and closed every player down. Unlike a lot of the midfield he is better off the ball than on it and maybe he should play in a deeper role. Played 46 times with 10 goals. I don’t see Callum as a Premier League player (West Ham loanee) and I don’t feel he is what we need next season as we need to stretch our opponents with pace up front.
Bojan Radulovic – Rating 2
Bojan tried his best for Town but struggled to settle in. He struggled with the physicality and only appeared to be settling at the time that he left on loan in January. Played 21 times with 1 goal. Hopefully we find a permanent move away for Bojan.
Josh Koroma – Rating 7
A player that frustrates me, he can play well but misses some easy chances too. When he plays on instinct and has little time on the ball he does better, if he is given time on the ball then he always makes the wrong choice. Been at Town for some years now and leaving as his contract is up. I can’t fault his effort over the seasons but it is time for him to move on. Played 39 times with 11 goals.
Rhys Healey – Rating 5
If Rhys could stay fit he would not be a League One striker as he can score goals. A good centre forward but far too injury prone. Played 11 times with 2 goals this season and hopefully we can find him a move away this summer.
Dion Charles – Rating 1
Oh dear. Charles had a decent scoring record with Bolton but had been struggling with them of late. I therefore was not elated when we signed him in January and unfortunately, he failed to deliver despite being giving the chances. 17 games and no goals tells a story. He likes to be physical but looses that battle consistently.
Freddie Ladapo – Rating 1
Freddie had a good reputation at his other clubs of being a goal scorer. He was only usually used from the bench and then it was often for only 10 minutes. Perhaps we should have given Freddie more of a chance when you consider how many opportunities we gave others. Not sure though that it would have been any better, Freddie managed 1 goal in 25 games and remains under contract.
Joe Taylor – Rating 5
Arrived in January with expectations high. Joe took time to get match fit and did manage to score on his debut, but fitness remained an issue. He made 14 appearances scoring twice. Physically a strong and quick player but he isn’t going to win any aerial duals, so we need to get balls played in behind for Joe but when our attacks have been slow it is no wonder that we haven’t seen the best of him.
Danny Ward – Rating 4.5
Danny played 20 times with 3 goals prior to injury finishing his season. Now out of contract Danny has left the club. A good forward who defended from the front and if he had of stayed fit I think we would have done much better. I can’t see Danny playing much more elsewhere as fitness appears to be a problem.
Managers
Michael Duff – Rating 4
43 games played in all competitions. Won 20, drawn 7, lost 16. Scored 60 and conceded 43. With a 46.5 win percentage we have definitely had worse, but we were a side relegated from the Championship last season with money spent and a genuine hope for promotion. The results and performances were not good enough. Duff has not been particularly successful elsewhere and it will be interesting to see where he goes next.
Away from home he made us hard to beat and some times we did well at nicking a goal and then spaces would open up for us to take the 3 points. At home it was dull and ponderous and we were often there for the taking. Once sides realised we were nothing to fear then things started to come crashing down. Yes the injuries definitely added to it. Helik leaving in January and not being replaced and having an injury crisis at the same time had an inevitable affect. Was it Duff or Cartwright who did not react, we will never know.
When fully fit though Duff would set us up with 2 attacking players down the left (Koroma and Miller) and 1 down the right (Sorensen) with Wiles asked to operate wide and central at the same time. We sometimes played with Koroma wide left and nothing at all on the right. It became very easy to defend against us with no balance to the side and very one dimensional. It was no wonder that we were on a loosing streak and then often operating with 1 centre back as well. In midfield we had Kane, Wiles and Evans all good on the ball but not hard working tackling midfielders. We only had Hogg (too slow) and Kasumu who could put a foot in. It was obvious that from the recruitment we did not have the correct blend of players on the pitch in key areas.
I wish Duff well and genuinely think he did his best, but that was not good enough.
Jon Worthington – Rating 1
Long standing servant at the club Worthy took up the caretaker role again and must have been thinking that he might take it on a permanent basis. A good start with a convincing home win over Crawley was soon forgotten as we collapsed in the following games. We suffered heavy defeats at Charlton, Burton and home to Leyton Orient and only managed 2 wins in his 10 games in charge. At times the tactical decisions were naive, and we made it all too easy for the opposition. Trying to control possession in the oppositions half with the defensive line pushed up when we lack pace defensively and the opposition are quick in attack. Time again the wrong choices were made. Hope he continue to work with the club but I don’t see a managerial future for Worthy
What next?
Many new manager names have been touted but no decisions made yet. I understand making sure we get it right but we need to see some positive movement or perhaps we have someone lined up but need to wait until their season is over.
Which players do we need to bring in? Well we need to be realistic, at best we might be able to tempt Championship players that are not guaranteed regular football. So here are a few suggestions:-
Keepers
In goal if either Chapman or Nicholls leave:-
Teddy Sharman-Lowe
The Chelsea man spent last season on loan at Doncaster Rovers winning the League Two title. A highly rated young keeper who is supposed to be out of contract this summer would be an upgrade on either of our 2 existing options.
Joe Whitworth
Spent last season on loan at Exeter City picking up their player of the season award. A young keeper who commands the area, Crystal Palace may be looking for another loan for the keeper and he would fit in well at Town.
Defence
In central defence we only now have Balker (Spencer if you include him as a central defender), and he is very injury prone so we need at least 3 options in this position:-
Eoin Toal
The big centre back has been at Bolton now since 2022. He is physically strong and mobile. Can score from set pieces and would fit in well.
Connor Taylor
The young Bristol Rovers centre back was named player of the season for ‘The Gas’. He dominated against Town this season and in some other games I have seen him in too. He is passionate and committed and would fit in well and we should be able to get him from Rovers.
Nigel Lonwijk
I believe Nigels’ contract at Wolves may be coming to an end. We know what he can offer and where he needs to develop. Nigel would be a good permanent fit for Town.
Fraser Horsfall
It is unlikely that he would join or that Stockport would allow him to leave but worth an enquiry as would certainly be a good addition.
Sonny Bradley
Would be a good addition for 1 year at the heart of the defence. Strong and no nonsense centre back.
Midfield
Ryan Ledson
Not one to get excited about, but experienced and at 27 could add something to the side.
Charlie Savage
Gets forward well from midfield and scores goals. Not injury prone and only 22. He would be a good addition.
Malik Willks
Out of contract now and would add something down the flanks. Quick and direct and we are one of the few Yorkshire clubs he has not played for.
Forwards
We need to off load Healey, Radulovic and Ladapo if there are any takers. That would free up space for some new recruits. We have Taylor and we need to use his pace in behind the back line. A few good options that could be added to the attacking line would be:-
Nathan Lowe
He may stay at Stoke but it is worth us looking at him. If we could take the youngster on a permanent deal or if it had to be a loan. Free scoring on loan at Walsall this last season. He looked good against us and never let his head drop when things weren’t going his way in the first half. Would be a good addition.
Harvey Knibbs
The 6 foot 2 Reading frontman could be a good addition if we could get him. Not injury prone and 14 goal return this season.
Charlie Kelman
Wishfull thinking really. A strong forward, good finisher, hard worker, would certainly be a good addition.
Kwame Poku
Looked good for Peterborough this season and believed to be a free agent in the summer. Plays more as a winger than out and out striker but with his goal tally he would be a good addition.
Success next season?
We have a depleted squad at present, no manager and no Director of Football. It is really difficult to gauge what next season will bring. Some of the current retained squad need to leave and we need to spend wisely with a clear plan. The Manager and DoF need to be on the same page as it feels like they weren’t previously with players being played out of position regularly to fit a system that did not suit them. Hopefully we make some good decisions and soon.
View From the Stand 