Where are they now : Will Patching

[Piethagoram 𝕏 @piethagoram]

Credit to @ARLukomski for the heads up

Will Patching 'no longer a Derry City player' - Derry Now

WWW.DERRYNOW.COM

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Daniel Kelly also set to leave the Brandywell

 

[ARLukomski 𝕏 ARLukomski Instagram declanweliczko_arlki]

I would take him back at Notts. He's improved as a player since he left us and would suit us more now than he did back then. He was the right player at the wrong time previously

[Piethagoram 𝕏 @piethagoram]

I agree @ARLukomski but would he be competing in Centre midfield spots? Are our first priorities wing backs and strikers?

[Chris Website URL Visit Site 𝕏 fmcj10 Instagram fmcj10]

I would overlook trying to sign Will Patching for Notts, I think he will be looking for a League One team.

His time at Derry has allowed him to transform his career, as prior to that stint his direction within football wasn't looking good. He's a decent player, a bit lightweight when we had him, but I thought he had some promise. I find myself favouring him over the likes of Ed Francis. Patching always seems like a sensible player who would flourish within the right squad. So, I did feel a bit disappointed when he left. Whereas, Francis I thought it made sense that we didn't renew terms with him.

Northampton Town could be a good move for Patching, but English football is different compared to the League of Ireland. 

[ARLukomski 𝕏 ARLukomski Instagram declanweliczko_arlki]

He's been rumoured with Carlisle for the last month or two @Chris @Piethagoram

[Piethagoram 𝕏 @piethagoram]

I can see Carlisle splashing the cash in January to get out of the "hole". Could #Notts offer a realistic 1st team place?

[ARLukomski 𝕏 ARLukomski Instagram declanweliczko_arlki]

@Piethagoram Only if Crowley left, in my opinion. Although if Patching did arrive, it would help if he was played as a CAM and not a centre-back, like Crowley

[Piethagoram 𝕏 @piethagoram]

I have a nagging feeling that Crowley seemingly wants to leave in January... OK transfer fee receivable but the trick then is to find a like for like replacement, even an EU sourced player maybe?  Do you think Patching is now good enough to fill the Dan Crowley role as a CAM?

[Chris Website URL Visit Site 𝕏 fmcj10 Instagram fmcj10]

18 minutes ago, Piethagoram said:

I have a nagging feeling that Crowley seemingly wants to leave in January... OK transfer fee receivable but the trick then is to find a like for like replacement, even an EU sourced player maybe?  Do you think Patching is now good enough to fill the Dan Crowley role as a CAM?

I hope you are wrong, as Will Patching for me isn't good enough to replace Dan Crowley.

They are vastly different players in my eyes, Patching being more of a midfielder who pulls the strings with his passing. He might have developed more having played for Derry, but I don't think he would be the right type of replacement in this theory.

Patching would be a good signing for Carlisle, but I can't imagine him wanting to stick around with them because I can't see them doing much this year and I think improvements will only be seen within 2–3 seasons. I think they are destined to be a team who finish nowhere near a team fighting for playoffs. Unless they strengthen their squad massively, which could be done before, especially at the end of this season.

Personally, I don't think Dan Crowley wants out of Notts. I believe the niggles with the injuries mentioned, and I think he's committed to Notts. I also don't see the sense in jumping to a League One club when we have every chance of getting promotion if we could get the right mentality/effort across the board.