22/23 Squad building - The Left Backs
(Image: HTAFC)
Matt Shaw, Founder.
Twitter: @TTCMatt
This is probably the most straight forward position in the squad barring one pretty major issue. That issue involves Harry Toffolo’s hand, a contract and a pen. Last season Town possessed one of the finest left backs in the division and that man Harry Toffolo found his way into many independent observers Championship team of the season. Toffolo was the highest goalscoring left back in the Championship with six goals and the highest assister with eight. Only Tom Lees and Levi Colwill were dribbled past less in the Town side and no other Championship left back was beaten less whilst one-on-one. So, it’s no surprise that Toffolo is perhaps wanting an improvement on his current deal, statistically he’s worth it. Off of the field Toffolo also excels. He’s a player who happily interacts with fans, groups and understands the importance of the man in the stand, he is imperative to the fabric of the club and the good feeling that surrounds it. NOW F*&$(“G SIGN YOUR CONTRACT HARRY!
The best-case scenario is that Harry Toffolo signs a new deal and this section is the easiest of the lot. The worst case is if Town try to cash in on a player coming into his prime who has 12 months of his contract left. This would then leave Town with work to do in this area and having already lost Pipa on the other flank I don’t think Town would relish a scenario where a pair of attacking fullbacks have left the club. That loss of flexibility would certainly hit Carlos Corberan. However, waiting in the wings all of last season was Josh Ruffels. A player similar in style to Toffolo who was beset by covid issues early in the season and couldn’t oust Town’s form player in the latter part only playing just over 400 minutes. Ruffels offers a similar attacking threat and height at the end of a trademark far post dash, but defensively is not renowned to be as strong as Toffolo. Town have young options waiting for an opportunity as well and we’ll analyse those below.
The systems of Carlos Corberan
Town generally have a really good balance here between two good players at their peak and several up and coming players. There are over 600 games played between Toffolo and Ruffels which is great experience for peak players.
OUTS
Jaheim Headley - Harrogate Town (Loan).
Sam Peplow - Released.
Ok let’s have a look at our options.
Harry Toffolo
Age: 26
Contract: Expiring 2023.
Verdict: Sign the damn contract!
Oh help! Oh no! It’s a Toffolo! Was the cry from mouse like right sided defender’s last season. Town’s left back kicked on another gear in the 2nd half of last season but as I mentioned earlier in this feature, his future needs settling. Hopefully the club and player reach an amicable agreement and Town’s left side will look solid for years to come.
EDIT: It looks like Forest are making progress in trying to sign Toffolo. It would be a bit of a kick in the jewels that one and would make me Harry Frotholo but it is what it is if it is what it is… At 26 (or 27 next summer), Toffolo likely might not get another chance to go to The Premier League, Forest are a club that has excitement bubbling through it so you can understand the attractiveness of the move even before any financials are involved. If he goes go, will I be disappointed? Absolutely, players like Toffolo with their on and off field qualities don’t come and go so easily. Will I understand it and wish him luck? Of course I will. After a period of sulking, naturally.
Josh Ruffels
Age: 28
Contract: Expiring 2023 (1 year extension)
Verdict: Good deputy
It will be a fair assumption that Josh Ruffels will want to increase the amount of time that he’s had on the pitch. The former Oxford man has looked capable in his brief showings and from Town’s point of view, we have two very decent options for left back, it probably doesn’t get much better in Championship terms. The problem may be keeping Ruffels happy, but when fit he can also provide an option on the left of midfield or in the middle of the park where he spent many seasons playing.
Ben Jackson
Age: 21
Contract: Expiring 2024 (1 year option)
Verdict: Loan with a view.
Ben Jackson is in that little awkward area now where he’s too good to play in Town’s B team but 3rd in the pecking order for the left back slot with the first team. At 21, he ideally needs to go and play games to improve his chances of dislodging Toffolo or Ruffels on return. Staying at Huddersfield will do little for his development if Toffolo and Ruffels stay fit, but Jackson now needs to go away and grab some headlines. The reports from Stockport, Bolton and Doncaster were all that he did “ok”. This is of course fine for a player who is only 21 but he will need to do a little more to get closer to the first team on his next return. Town should be able to make a more informed decision on Jackson in another 12 months.
Jaheim Headley
Age: 20
Contract: Expiring 2024 (1 year option)
Verdict: Loaned to Harrogate.
Headley isn’t going to be in the reckoning this season but has been given a great opportunity to go out on loan to Harrogate. Headley is an attack minded left back capable of some barnstorming runs, learning how to curb and utilise that is going to be his main challenge this season.
Luke Daley
Age: 19
Contract: Expiring 2023
Verdict: B Team minutes
Daley’s transfer to Town caused a few little ripples in The Potteries as he had interest from a host of other clubs including Liverpool, but plumped for The Terriers offerings. Since then, Town have converted the flying winger to left back and prior to an injury was making solid progress. The challenge for Daley this season will more than likely be to play more B Team minutes and loan manager David Fox will have half an eye on his progress and may find him a work experience none league loan.
Left Back’s Verdict
What is noticeable about this area compared to the opposite flank is that Town have a great balance with players throughout the first team down to the u19’s with players who can play either a defensive full back role or be highly effective in positions higher up the pitch. As highlighted already though, Town’s long-term direction in this area is currently hostage to the Toffolo contract/Forest situation. If Town can get Harry Toffolo to sign a new deal, then the left back department is in rude health. This would give Town continuity and consistency down the left with Toffolo and Ruffels adept at going both forwards and backwards whilst being able to slip seamlessly from full back to wing back with every Carlos tweak and tactical change. As well as the current, the future looks interesting as well. Ben Jackson, Jaheim Headley and Luke Daley could have bright futures in the game if nurtured correctly and I’m yet to mention Charles Ondo or Shane Maroodza who at 18 are also pushing towards the B Team.
If Town can’t get Toffolo to sign a new deal and the worst-case scenario of him leaving for Forest or another club happens, then Town’s left side would need a short and maybe medium-term fix. Ruffels will be given the initial chance to stake a claim for the shirt but Town would at least need a loan in this area to cover and rotate with 48+ games on the horizon. I’ll have a look at some possible players for this below, but of course I hope Toffolo stays for the long term (please don’t move before this is released).
Possible left back signings:
Sam McCallum - Norwich. A quick and enterprising left back, McCallum has spent the last two seasons on loan at Coventry and QPR. A player capable of playing anywhere up the left-hand side, his versatility and speed would be attractive to Carlos Corberan.
Ian Maatsen - Chelsea. Town have an excellent rapport with Chelsea and this is unlikely to be the last time that I discuss a potential Chelsea target. Maatsen like McCallum has spent the last two seasons out on loan. Maatsen shone brightly at Coventry last season and Charlton the year before. The Dutch u21 International has a big future ahead.
Kristian Pedersen - Free. Pedersen has just left Birmingham City where he has made over 150 appearances. With his performances over the last few years, I expect Pedersen will have a lot of suitors and a decent move will materialise shortly.
