Alex Neil gives his verdict on Stoke City triple deadline day swoop
Reaction from the bet365 Stadium as Stoke City closed a busy summer window with the signing of Lynden Gooch, Sead Haksabanovic and Junior Tchamadeu
Alex Neil believes that Stoke City got a glimpse of what Lynden Gooch can offer in a bright debut cameo – and that it would have been the perfect game for fellow new boy Sead Haksabanovic to showcase what he will bring too.
Gooch, aged 27, signed on Friday from Sunderland with a reputation for being able to play in virtually any outfield role but particularly down the right. He came on as right-back against Preston but made an impact getting down the line and throwing dangerous crosses into the area.
Haksabanovic, aged 24, is a winger or attacking midfielder who has joined on a season-long loan from Celtic and his strengths might lie in helping to break down massed ranks of defenders like Stoke faced in the second half.
Neil said: “I thought you could see against Preston what Goochy can bring. He plays with personality, he can take the ball and stay on the ball, he knows when to combine, he can go down the outside, he can put balls in the box, he can play right back, he can play right wing, he can play left back… He’s can play in a number of positions.
He added: “I thought, without obviously seeing him in our colours, that Haks is the type of player who would have been perfect for us in a match like the Preston one. He’s a final third player, he can stay on the ball, he can chop people up, he can go outside and can play with both feet, he’s got a rocket shot on him with both feet.
“I think when you’re playing against that low block in the second half and we need to break them down they are the type of player that you require. Unfortunately he wasn’t registered in time but we’ve got plenty of games to go.”
Gooch has signed a two-year contract after an undisclosed fee was agreed with Sunderland, who he helped win promotion to the Championship under Neil.
Haksabanovic emerged as a late window option as Stoke hunted for more creativity, particularly as Chiquinho – who it was becoming clear wasn’t going to get the game time he wanted – was recalled by Wolves to be sent out to Famalicao in Portugal.
Junior Tchamadeu completed a busy day of dealing after summer long speculation about his future at Colchester United – and persistent reports of Stoke’s interest.
The League Two young player of the year was signed too late to be involved against Preston.
Neil said: “He broke in when he was 16. It speaks volumes in terms of his mentality and playing games. He can play right back, he can play left back.
“He’s a young lad, still only 19, and all his games have been in League Two so it’s a bit of a step up but we believe he can be a really good talent.”
Leave a Reply