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| An impressive debut for Michael Parker |
Paul Caddis has said he's been told there's no extra money for players – so he axed two players to make room for classy defender Michael Parker, with another new signing already in the pipeline.
Making his debut during the 2-0 win over Alfreton, the 20-year-old skilfully, confidently and neatly passed the ball around - with the intelligence to pick out passes and runs to match.
Asked why he'd brought Parker in on a month-long loan from West Bromwich Albion, Caddis said: "I think it's clear to see, you can see - first and foremost just by looking at him with your bare eyes - he's a big man.
"He's extremely quick. He's comfortable in possession, left-footed to give us that balance. He can play left back, he can play left of three, he can play left wing back.
"Really, really pleased to get them over the line. We managed to get it sorted yesterday [Friday]. We didn't want to say too much because we didn't want to let people know that we brought players in. We're continuously looking, trying to strengthen us as best as we possibly can."
Another player could also be arriving at Edgar Street on loan before the game against Bedford on Tuesday, with Caddis wanting supporters to know that he's actively trying to make additions - and he thinks he's close.
On the players he'd let go, Caddis said striker Chris Wreh was struggling with his hamstring and midfielder Kai Williams had "missed a lot of sessions".
"It's easy for for people to almost criticise and say, 'well, you should have known that'. But you don't.
"Somebody comes in and picked up a hamstring injury, there's nothing you can do about it. Kai was a bit stop start and we had to free up money.
"We obviously inquired if there was more available, which there wasn't, so it was then up to us to go and manipulate the squad.
"It's not the nice part of the job, but understandably, it's something that I need to do and both players were very respectful. We thank them for their efforts. We wish them all the best.
"But without moving players out, we wouldn't, for example, managed to get Michael in and more to come in."
More about Parker from West Brom
Michael joined Albion on a one-year deal in September 2024.
London-born Parker, who can operate at centre-back and as a left-sided defender, plied his trade in Burnley's U21s team prior to signing for the Baggies.
His professional career began in West Yorkshire, where he signed for Huddersfield Town as a first-year scholar in 2021.
At the end of his scholarship, Michael signed for Shrewsbury Town in 2023 before swapping Shropshire for Lancashire - playing for the Clarets' youth team for a season.
That led Michael to a similar situation without a club, which is where Albion came in and offered the towering 6ft 6in defender a chance to prove himself again.
The 24/25 season was certainly grasped by Parker, who became a vital cog in the PL2 team - making just under 25 appearances, scoring once and providing three assists. He was an important member of the team which reached the quarter-finals of the Premier League Cup that season, too.
But it was Michael's attributes which caught the eye most during his performances in the 21s, with his athleticism, power and rapid turn of pace making him one to watch going forward.
Parker was involved in the Baggies' senior side for Sky Bet Championship matches against Burnley and Watford during the 24/25 season, and more involvement at that level will be the next target for the defender in the next chapter of his Albion career.