As we move to within just two weeks of our opening pre-season friendly on Saturday 5th July, away at Exmouth Town, Yeovil have finally announced their first signing of the Summer, after plenty of chance at the very top of the club. The Glovers have announced the permanent addition of two-time, former loanee, Tahvon Campbell. The 28 year-old forward has signed a 1-year contract at Huish Park, keeping the former Solihull Moors forward in the Southwest until the end of the 2025/26 season.
In this upcoming blog piece, I will be completing a detained analysis on our new forward-option, explaining and analysing key parts of his game, including strengths, weaknesses and how he’ll fit into Mark Cooper’s system, as well as much, much more.
I’ll be completing a similar analysis on ALL of our Yeovil’s signings through the 2025/26 season, so make sure you subscribe to my blog page and follow my Twitter page, @CallumHallett6. If you have any requests for blog pieces you’d like me to make, be sure to comment on this blog piece, or through my Twitter page, or my email, which is linked in my Twitter Bio.
Just before we get into the analysis, I hope you enjoy the read, any shares, likes or follows would be massively appreciated, thankyou! Let’s get into it!
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An Introduction…
Tahvon Campbell is a name who will sound familiar to most Yeovil Town fans, who watched the Glovers throughout the 2015/16 and 2016/17 seasons, where the now 28-year-old forward, joined the club on two separate loan spells from West Brom. During his first spell in Green & White, Campbell played 17 times in League Two, scoring once. During his second spell, just one season later, he scored another singular goal.
Since then, Campbell has moved around a lot, spending time at many different sides through The National League and League Two. His two most successful, high-profile, periods came in a spell at Woking, in which he scored thirteen times in 21 National League games, earning himself a move to Rochdale in League Two, where it unfortunately didn’t work out.
Campbell moved to Solihull Moors at the beginning of the 2023/24 season, where he’s had a tough time with injuries, whilst displaying real quality when he has been available. He’s scored twelve times for The Moors, across 28 National League games. His record in the fifth tier is fairly impressive, scoring 34 times in his last seventy games. Unfortunately he’s had an issues with his knee over the past 24 months, which has seriously hindered his game-time.
At 28, Campbell is entering his prime years, so will be hoping for more consistent minutes next season, back playing in Green & White, in-front of a fanbase who have reacted well to his return!
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Strengths…
As previously mentioned; Tahvon Campbell is a forward who will bring fantastic physical attributes to our squad, allowing him to be a different profile to the current forwards at the club (Aaron Jarvis & Harvey Greenslade). Campbell, who turns 29 in January, brings a mixture of pace, power, strength and mobility to our frontline. These attributes will allow him to change his game up, either being able to run the channels, play off of the last line in defence or even drop into the half spaces to receive possession.
His ability to move freely when in control of the ball should allow him to thrive in pockets of space where a player like Jarvis may struggle. He’s nimble and light-footed, giving him the ability to weave in between players and create angles for shooting/passing opportunities. He’s often able to create chances for himself, utilising his excellent footwork and physical attributes, meaning he should still find himself having opportunities to score, even in a game where the team struggles to create.
Campbell, who has played under manager Mark Cooper at Forest Green and Notts County previously, has scored 34 times in his past 70 National League appearances, displaying a clinical, killers-instinct side to his game. He’s known to score a wide variety of goals during his career, often with his right foot. He’s someone who score scrappy goals, goals from range, penalties, one-on-ones and also the spectacular with skillful goes as well. This is the type of variety we will be looking for next season to bring that sense of class and trust in having a player who can score from nowhere.
Campbell will thrive in a forward pairing alongside Aaron Jarvis; Both players attributes will allow them to combine superbly, utilising Jarvis as a proper “Number Nine” with Campbell given a licence to move around and get on the ball.
As mentioned previously, Tahv’ has spent time being coached by Mark Cooper previously, during his loans spells at Notts County and Forest Green Rovers. This can only be seen as a positive, meaning it’ll take less time to settle into the style and system.
Additionally, this is likely a signing showing the pulling-power of the training ground move; Tahvon Campbell is located in Bristol and has had injury issues previously, meaning the quality of pitch provided in Bristol will give him the best chance of staying fit for as much of the season as possible.
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Weaknesses…
Weaknesses were few and far between for Tahvon Campbell in terms of play as a “Number Nine.” I spoke to Solihull Moors fan, Callum Moseley who mentioned Campbell’s lack of good decision making at times, so decided to take a look myself. Sometimes he’d fail to lift his head to look for a better pass/option, displaying a lack of vision and awareness. It’s good for forwards to have selfishness at times but his decision making of when to pass, shoot or carry needs to improve.
Another notable weakness/worry is obviously his injury record. He broke his foot at Rochdale and has struggled with a knee injury since rejoining Solihull Moors in 2023. Recovery and surgery has kept him out for a long, long time, only returning towards the back end of last season. I think Campbell will benefit massively from training in Bristol with the best facilities and pitches available, giving him as a little opportunity to get injuries as possible.
The final weakness I have is potentially a character issue. He shows signs of dropping his head and getting frustrated easily if he’s not getting on the ball to make things happen.
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Tactical Fit…
From his time at Solihull Moors, Campbell displayed a willingness to pop in different areas across the top of the pitch, making himself difficult to mark. With Jarvis also being fairly mobile, I could see the two constantly rotating between positions in the front two positions. Both are willing to run the channels and work hard for their side, whilst being open to giving options for teammates with the central areas of the pitch. Playing the two upfront together will allow us to carry more of an offensive threat.
Both Jarvis and Campbell are capable of spinning in behind the opposition defence but I’d say Campbell’s physical attributes are more-suited to that, with Jarvis showing great capabilities of dropping a little bit deeper to link play and hold up the ball. Tahvon Campbell gives Jarvis a target from his headers or knock-ons, where Jarvis became very successful last year, without having anyone running onto the loose balls.
The screenshot above is from Tahvon Campbell’s goal for Solihull Moors versus Dorking Wanderers. The screenshot displays one of Campbell’s favourite movements from in between the two central defenders, not allowing the defender, who’s behind Campbell, to get goal side of the former West Brom youngster. His movement is sharp and proactive, allowing him to get a few steps ahead of the opposition, giving him the momentum to find space in behind, before finishing first time into the bottom corner.
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Overall, I think this is an excellent first signing for Mark Cooper, especially if we can keep Campbell fit. He’s proven to score goals at the level and his whole game suits what we are trying to do by signing athletes – He’ll make for a perfect partner to Aaron Jarvis. The move to Bristol Training Ground will have helped with this signing massively – These excellent facilities give Campbell a much lesser chance of gaining another injury. He’s also located in Bristol as well.
So, Signing Number One is in the door at Huish Park; 28 year-old forward, Tahvon Campbell has agreed a 1-year-deal in Green & White. I’d love to hear your opinions on the signing! Any shares are much appreciated and any feedback on a piece that is quite different, would be taken on-board as well.
I hope you enjoyed the read!
Callum Hallett 
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