The boss on the latest ins and outs at Kenilworth Road today.
Still on Pelly Ruddock: “I’ve known about Pelly since he was at Boreham Wood and, since he’s moved to West Ham, Terry and I have always kept an eye on him. At West Ham he’s grown in stature and played well against us in two development games. He’s strong and powerful, competitive and can play in midfield. We really like him as a player. We took a chance asking for him – if you don’t ask, you don’t get – and luckily West Ham have agreed to it. I think it’s helped playing those development games against West Ham because they know we try and do things the right way.”
JS on Joe Davis: “Joe’s played in League 2 for Port Vale and I’ve seen him play a number of times. With Alex Lacey and Anthony Charles suffering from knocks we felt it right because we didn’t want to be left short and unable to do anything further once the loan window’s closed. Joe’s got a bit of experience at a higher level and I think it’s a perfect fit.”
On Alfie Mawson: “Alfie took my eye in the development games we had against Brentford and he’s one where you think to yourself ‘he’s got something’. I think this loan will test him and push him and I know he’ll be up for the challenge. He’s behind the other two [Pelly and Joe] in terms of experience but he’s got bags of enthusiasm.”
Still on JJ O’Donnell and Jim Stevenson: “JJ’s found it hard to break into the first team and I think joining a club in our division will help him. It’s far from a closed door for JJ.
“I love Jim to bits. He’s been in the side and done okay but he’s been a bit apprehensive a times. It’s a case of finding him somewhere to play six or seven games over the festive period so when he’s back he can become a really forceful player for us. We think a lot of him and I think going to Dartford will benefit him a lot.”