It was clear that Mellon didn’t initially rate Fondop. Was prepared to let him go, this time last year. Clear that his preferred strike partnership was going to be Norwood and Stones - with Garner as first backup. But couldn’t get Stones and both Norwood and Garner out with long term injuries at start of last season. So had little choice but to backtrack, retain and play Fondop. Dropped him as soon as Stones belatedly arrived.

But Fondop changed a lot of people’s minds during the course of last season. Improved dramatically over anything he had shown previously. With us or anyone else. Mainly because he knuckled down and got himself properly fit to play a full 90 minutes.

Mellon included (in terms of winning him round). That’s why he got another 2 year contract from beginning of this season. From being prepared to release a year earlier.

In my mind, while being delighted (and amazed) at his improvement last year - still had doubts about his ability to cut it at EFL level. His only real attributes are strength, competitiveness and physical aggression. His touch is poor (although improving) and his ratio of scoring chances converted is also poor. Wembley a prime example.

Effort (now) is second to none. But he’s clearly still a very limited player. Particularly as a goal scorer. Although done better than Harratt, Waters or Drummond. And Garner isn’t going to score any goals when seemingly almost perpetually injured.

Surprised Mellon went for Quigley. Had presumed he would go for more of a clinical finisher / poacher type in the Norwood mould, to play alongside Fondop as the target man. And if he did reckon a new big lump /target man was the answer, thought he w ould have gone for someone from a higher level - like Sam Cosgrove, for example. But maybe the budget is done and he believed Quigley was the best we could afford.

Drummond’s game isn’t to get crosses in. His only attribute is pace to run on to balls played ahead of him - whether playing wide or as a central second striker.. And from the brief glimpses we have had so far, I fancy Hannant to fill the Yoganathan role.