Ethan Wheatley | Signs a new contract (2028+1)

top1whoisman said:
Click to expand...

Thanks for that. :+1:

That's a real shame. I know Walsall are top of league 2, and signed an experienced lower league striker on deadline day, but they also lost their previous top scorer at the end of his loan and Wheatley was signed as a replacement.

That loan player, Nathan Lowe, was also 19 and on his first EFL loan. Though he had also played some first team games for Stoke so had a little more senior football experience. But still a startlingly poor comparison of loan spell when Wheatley can't even make the matchday squad in comparison to Lowe's 18 goals in the first half of the season!

Hopefully he'll earn some opportunities later in the season and get to make some positive contributions. But I think it's, sadly, probably a good reflection of where he is ability wise.
 
Shame to see him not playing. Still, a good lesson to keep working and wait for his opportunity.
 
Bertie Wooster said:
Thanks for that. :+1:

That's a real shame. I know Walsall are top of league 2, and signed an experienced lower league striker on deadline day, but they also lost their previous top scorer at the end of his loan and Wheatley was signed as a replacement.

That loan player, Nathan Lowe, was also 19 and on his first EFL loan. Though he had also played some first team games for Stoke so had a little more senior football experience. But still a startlingly poor comparison of loan spell when Wheatley can't even make the matchday squad in comparison to Lowe's 18 goals in the first half of the season!

Hopefully he'll earn some opportunities later in the season and get to make some positive contributions. But I think it's, sadly, probably a good reflection of where he is ability wise.
Click to expand...

As I said multiple times before, he's not a consistent goalscorer (good striker of the ball and decent technique for a player of his size though) and as long as that's still the case, he isn't gonna cut it on senior football. He has time on his side to work on his consistency though.
 
Last edited:
Looking at the Walsall forum there's a couple of comments about his reaction to being subbed against Salford which was his last appearance. Doesn't sound like he impressed in the couple of games he's played either.

It's the risk you take sending youth to clubs that are fighting for promotion or to stay up. They're not in a position to give them time to settle in and learn about the senior game. Makes more sense to loan them to mid-table sides who would be more willing to do that.
 
Don't think he's anywhere near good enough.. not enough weapons for PL football. Leagues below Biancheri and Obi for me in terms of potential.
 
IRN-BRUno said:
Looking at the Walsall forum there's a couple of comments about his reaction to being subbed against Salford which was his last appearance. Doesn't sound like he impressed in the couple of games he's played either.

It's the risk you take sending youth to clubs that are fighting for promotion or to stay up. They're not in a position to give them time to settle in and learn about the senior game. Makes more sense to loan them to mid-table sides who would be more willing to do that.
Click to expand...

Then again they need games with high pressure and those mid-table teams would not be able to provide that experience.
 
top1whoisman said:
Then again they need games with high pressure and those mid-table teams would not be able to provide that experience.
Click to expand...
True, it's about finding that balance between the two I guess. Similarly you have Jackson and Mather who went to a Tranmere side trying to stay in the EFL and they have a total of 3 minutes between them.

For a first loan I do think the mid-table route would be more ideal, that step up to a more high pressure environment could come after if that's successful. Getting used to playing senior football is the main thing.
 
I'm assuming they're hoping for a good loan next season and have renewed his deal to sell him when he builds up more value. I don't see the new deal as a sign he's expected to make it at United; super high bar and failing at Walsall doesn't bode well.
 
It does seem that strikers are breaking through older and older. He's not a greenwood but he could eventually become a Solanke or something like that. I believe in him long term but I don't think he'll make it here as a regular starter.
We should get a good fee for him when the time comes. It'll be interesting to see how much he can improve because I think he has a lot of raw talent
 
You must log in or register to reply here.