Forget Gray and Varney Pards!

heavenSE7

This partnership is doing nothing for me. I can't really see either of them hitting over 15 goals this season.

I think Pardew has stuck with it as he made such a big deal out of it he feels as though he can't change it now. Varney/Gray cost a total of 4m. As I said on the match thread... I think Pardew is more concered about what he has produced. He wants to be able to say 'I created that partnership' or 'I made him the player he is now'. The good example is Nigel Reo-Coker, he always brags on about how he bought him from Wimbledon and sold him for 5.5m. (In all fairness pards I bought him on champ manager before you did and he turned out alot better than the real thing!)

We have Dickson and Fleetwood from non-league divisions and Mr 'I scored 1 goal last season but it was my settling in season' Mcleod.

When you look to the midfield Bailey seems to be the only player who is giving his all out there. As for Sam and Bouazza i'm still not too sure they are to up for the challenge. Matty Holland is Matty Holland, and is useful for a 30 minute cameo to steady the ship and grind out a performance.. but with Bailey in the middle we could do with somecreativity (Shelvey, Ambrose are the only names I can think of).

If the takeover doesn't happen then I think this squad could be in for abit of trouble this year. And as Southampton and Leicester showed, its easy to get sucked down into the bottom half. Hopefully Zaabel invest.

BigRedEvil

I think Varney is a poor striker. Lot of huff and puff, but doesn't have the finishing or composure to score enough goals. Would be better as a wide man...

Gray will get goals if he is given decent service, just look at Iwelumo now that Wolves. Problem is we don't create that service enough.

We have decent players in the squad, but we don't play well as a team often enough.

LargeAddick

I'd add forget Cranie and Youga to that. Moo2 and Semedo are better than Cranie and Basey is better then Youga who has been dreadful so far this season. I'm so glad I voted with my feet today. 1 goal in four away games and that in the first two minutes at Doncaster. One goal in 7.5 hours away from home, jeez.

Goonerhater

The spine aint to bad.
weaver
Hudson
Bailey
Gray

we are just unbalanced and dont play as a team. That has to be the manager. Shelvey and bassey should be in the side as well as smedo or Moto2. Cranie can go back down south.

carly burn

Agree about Varney.The step up to this league has been just too steep for him.

BexleyRed

The stats dont lie. We aren't scoring enough goals end of. I ve never been in favour of chopping and changing, but it must now be obvious that it's not working , and time to try some thing else. I love Luke Varney's work rate and commitment, on that alone he earns his place in the team,but he and Gray aren't the answer to our goal scoring problems. Whether Dicko or others are the answer, we'll never know unless Pards has the guts to give them a chance. I honestly dont believe he could score any less.

northstandsteve

or is it because we have no creativity in the middle of the park

BexleyRed

Good point Steve. Perhaps it's time to look at improving that area too.

ShootersHillGuru

Tend to agree that the lack of creativity in midfield and the lack of anyone who can pick a pass...Jonjo ? is our major problem. Gray did great at Burnley and dont mention Big Chris ! Luke is the best channel runner we have had since Garry Nelson. You need a defence splitting pass for that to be effective.

Ross

Dickson has to be on the bench at least on Tuesday. When else is he going to get his chance?

golfaddick

I was making the exact same point on the way home from today's game. Varnet & Gray have had enogh time up-front together and its just not working.

For tuesday and for the next few weeks they ned to be dropped (perhaps Varney out wide right as he is a decent crosser of a ball) and play 2 from Toddy/Dickson?mcLeod/Fleetwood (even if he has to be recalled)

we lost the game today because we didn't score - FACT.

As Large pointed pout earlier, we ahve scored 2 goals away from home all season. 1 at Donny and 1 at Preston. We are in the bottom 6 not because we are getting beaten by 3 or 4 every game, but because we cant score.

Here's are bet for you. Palace scored 3 past Barnsley today. we have Barnsley at home in 2 weeks time. Bet we wont put 3 past them as well .

northstandsteve

totally agree golfie totally agree

Screamer

I'll put my neck on the line now too and predict when we play our next away game versus Ipswich, I bet we don't score a goal and that they score at least 2. Pardew has no idea how to play away games.

northstandsteve

great im getting my tickets tuesday

JohnnyH2

For all Varneys efforts Gray and Toddy look a better bet, and I would have been more confident of either of them taking the chance that Varney missed today. I do really liked Varney because he does worked hard, but to me he is no different to Garry Nelson who I also really liked, the only exception being £1,925,000 in the transfer fee.

jimmymelrose

[cite]Posted By: Fish[/cite]I'll put my neck on the line now too and predict when we play our next away game versus Ipswich, I bet we don't score a goal and that they score at least 2. Pardew has no idea how to play away games.

I bet 0-0 and it will be really boring.

bc_addick

Just thought |'d ask. What exactly does Gray do to warrent a place in the team?

ISawLeaburnScore

[cite]Posted By: bc_addick[/cite]Just thought |'d ask. What exactly does Gray do to warrent a place in the team?

score penalties or from 2 yards... he's an absolute load

get dickson in

bc_addick

My thoughts exactly since mmm let me see............... THE WHOLE BLOODY SEASON

SidewaysInOz

[cite]Posted By: Fish[/cite]I'll put my neck on the line now too and predict when we play our next away game versus Ipswich, I bet we don't score a goal and that they score at least 2. Pardew has no idea how to play away games.

I was thinking of going as have family in Suffolk so could go out on the lash before, during and after the game and then crash at theirs. Based on what I'm reading I might still go to Ipswich but not bother going to the game! FFS!!!!

razil

I still maintain our problem is more about service, bouazza is too selfish, ambrose absent (back to his old tricks) sam not very good... we just aren't firing on all cylinders in attacking as a team.

Scoham

[cite]Posted By: razil[/cite]I still maintain our problem is more about service, bouazza is too selfish, ambrose absent (back to his old tricks) sam not very good... we just aren't firing on all cylinders in attacking as a team.

Yep we have a big problem with keeping the ball and then creating chances.

Ambrose, Sam or Zheng aren't actually creative, they are just attacking players so they're going to pass forward more often than Holland or Semedo do.

Racon another one who although he's looked good, looks like someone else who plays a simple pass most of the time.

Bailey has shown he's a good passer, creative at times, but not compared to someone like Reid. Todorov is one of the most creative players, but its something we need in midfield first.

Big problem when Shelvey is probably more creative most of our more experienced midfielders.

Oggy Red

Play Todorovor Ambrose as an attacking midfielder in a midfield centre 3, even if we only have 1 winger - Moo2 can play fullback and overlap the outside flank, providing he gets covered when he moves forward.

Ledge

I am finding it hard to defend the pair especially Varney's miss BUT we are not creating enough.

Gray at Burnley was all about getting it out wide ball in the box early he attacked it and scored a hat ful. Our wingers can't cross or when they do they go nowhere near their target

Southendaddick

Difficult one as Varney usually plays well at home, maybe give him and Dickson a run together?

Words cant describe my hatred of Gray without getting a ban.

Unfortunately Varney will never be a big goalscorer at this level, however he is likeable for the effort he puts in. But just like when we had Garry Nelson, that wont be the sort of quality that will get us out of the division.

Well apart from the other way :(

SoundAsa£

Can't argue with the stats...much as we all like Varney and his fantastic work ethic it just aint happening.
You just know that if he ever gets transfered he'll not stop scoring for his new club....that's just the way it goes sometimes.
Could also be the same with Gray of course.

shirty5

Varney had a shocker on saturday, but that happens once in a while to every player. Maybe can seen Toddy coming in for Gray.

oohaahmortimer

i really thought varney was gonna bang em in for us but it just hasn't worked and i thought him and gray would make a decent partnership(WRONG again)
but from the very very little i have seen of dickson and izzy i can only see toddy improving us in attacking ways
pardew can't seem to get the best out of any of his players at the moment ... still his 2-3-4-5 year plan might come to fruition soon , probably at another club!!

somerton

The two worst players on the fielsd on Saturday where Cranie and Youga. Going forward both are next to useless niether can pass the ball or cross it into the box, how many time did I see Ambrose and Bouazza get the ball then pass it to cranie or Youga only to see them loose it or deliver a cr*** pass or cross and so waste all the good work. Then add the fact in defence they where too often out of posistion not tracking their man.
This does not exonerate others of the team for below par show on Saturday but these two where the stand out disasters and have been in a number of games.
It looks like relegation, and i do not see the Dubai lot buying a team in 19th place and going down.

Oggy Red

[cite]Posted By: somerton[/cite]
It looks like relegation, and i do not see the Dubai lot buying a team in 19th place and going down.

That's it then. All give up.

ShootersHillGuru

I already don`t smoke ;-)