If we do sign him I will give him every opportunity to prove his worth, like every player we sign. Hopefully he is just a stop gap until we can sign a better/younger player in the summer.
At the end of the day, in typical Charlton fashion, have we left it too late to sign any decent players? We are crap on the pitch, the club has gone into panic mode and we are scrabbling round for anyone we can get in on loan.
This guy is 33 years old. Younger than me, but old in football terms. His goal scoring record is piss poor. He plays for a team already in the relegation zone and can't get a game there.
This is a genuine, serious question to all those that are giving this signing the thumbs up...what is it you're seeing in him that i'm not? What appeal does he have. I understand it's an extra pair of legs, adding to the squad etc. but he will come at some cost which will only impact upon any other possible signings. We have seen in the past, older loanees come to our club, do very little for us, show no passion or commitment (as they are only here on loan) but they're happy to pick up a wage which will still be several thousand a week.
We do need new players, new faces. All areas need a boost. We need to get rid of some of our existing players who are simply not good enough, but are these the signings that are realistically going to keep us up?
We don't NEED a striker with a good scoring record, Igor has shown he can bang them in when fit and confident, Watt has the potential and ability to do the same. What we have been missing for a long time is a big lump hold-up scrapper to give them the ball, this guy fits the bill and frankly he won't be THAT expensive given he can't even get into a struggling team.
It's nothing about him specifically as a player that I am (relatively) optimistic about but the fact that we are linked with a target man striker at all suggests that somehow, somewhere, someone has finally gone about looking at the positions we need players for, instead of looking at players then fitting them in somewhere.
That's it though Henry. Everything's so reactive. He dumped a load of players on Powell and sacked him presumably because he couldn't make it work with them, then went out in the summer and signed the sort of players (vetokele and gudmundsson) that Powell had been telling him we desperately needed. Then he dumped a load more on peeters, sacked him cos he wasn't doing the job with them; and a week later is going out to try quick fixes for the problems that peeters had identified.
I know there are other factors / variables, but his strategies are ludicrous and make no sense. Everything he does just seems to me to underline what a pig-headed arrogant **** he is.
Isn't this course of action best described as a "steep learning curve" ?
If so, let's hope RD has reached the summit and is now coming down the other side where common sense and humility regarding his past decisions kicks in.
Looking at that bought list there's about ten really decent signings in there which is pretty good going. Some are more debatable than others but there's few who can really argue with the signings of Vetokele, Gudmundsson and Coquelin for instance. The big problem is when you combine that with the sold list. Stephens, Yann, Hamer, Dervite, Poyet, Morrison and others were sold out of the first team for almost nothing so the astute strengthening job that seems to have been done is actually a session of plugging holes. We didn't add to our squad; we paid out to try and keep our heads above the water line and no matter how good the signings are that's not sustainable.
You can't blame this all on Roland. We ended up losing almost all of the players we wanted to keep due to TJ and Slater's inability to offer any new terms to players whose contracts were running down. Morrison was an avoidable loss brought on by Bob, but for all Poyet and Yann seemingly didn't want to re-sign because of Roland their situations were completely avoidable earlier in the season. Regardless, we're now in a situation where we've signed stacks and stacks of players but still have a thin squad. We need to focus on staying up this season and we need to build back a core into this team which we can add to in transfer windows. Right now we're in a state of transition and I worry that the Network policy means you're never really out of that. I hope to be proven wrong.
We have signed 3 THREE players in this transfer window--a goalkeeper and a forward for dosh and a defender/midfielder on loan (although there is a small transfer fee even on most loans). So all this " we havnt done f-all" etc etc is wrong.
As for us needing 5/6 players just to stay up ---well if this present squad do get their fecking act together (be bothered)they were good enough to go all those games un beaten. Someone needs to fecking kick their collective arses and get em playing again. hopefully the additional players will help(no one can be sure)
We have signed 3 THREE players in this transfer window--a goalkeeper and a forward for dosh and a defender/midfielder on loan (although there is a small transfer fee even on most loans). So all this " we havnt done f-all" etc etc is wrong.
As for us needing 5/6 players just to stay up ---well if this present squad to get their fecking act together (be bothered)they were good enough to go all those games un beaten. Someone needs to fecking kick their collective arses and get em playing again. hopefully the additional players will help(no one can be sure)
Seen 4 live and 2 streams, listened to the commentary on every other game I could which must be around 20 this season and you?
The stats speak for themselves, we started ok and have progressively got worse (as our luck ran out according to Bob or he began to bully the players according to insiders elsewhere on CL depending on who you believe)?
Not sure on the reasoning behind your question @Stu_of_Kunming ?
Because what I've seen watching Charlton over the last few months is a team not playing for each other, no heart, no spirit and no desire. Things that we seemed to have in abundance previously. I blame this on the instability brought in by RD, it must be hard for a player to really care about CAFC knowing they could be shipped off across Europe.
I asked how many games you'd seen as I thought it may afor relevant, I'm not sure you can see what I did having seen only 4 games live. I was quite supportive of RD and his ideas, like you are, until I actually saw some live games and how some of our players couldn't even be bothered to get into space for a throw in.
I certainly wasn't asking to have a dig, as I'm sure you can imagine, living in Asia I don't see too many games either
Still, I'm back home now so can go back to only having to endure the commentary from the warmth of my apartment.
Seen 4 live and 2 streams, listened to the commentary on every other game I could which must be around 20 this season and you?
The stats speak for themselves, we started ok and have progressively got worse (as our luck ran out according to Bob or he began to bully the players according to insiders elsewhere on CL depending on who you believe)?
Not sure on the reasoning behind your question @Stu_of_Kunming ?
Because what I've seen watching Charlton over the last few months is a team not playing for each other, no heart, no spirit and no desire. Things that we seemed to have in abundance previously. I blame this on the instability brought in by RD, it must be hard for a player to really care about CAFC knowing they could be shipped off across Europe.
I asked how many games you'd seen as I thought it may afor relevant, I'm not sure you can see what I did having seen only 4 games live. I was quite supportive of RD and his ideas, like you are, until I actually saw some live games and how some of our players couldn't even be bothered to get into space for a throw in.
I certainly wasn't asking to have a dig, as I'm sure you can imagine, living in Asia I don't see too many games either
Still, I'm back home now so can go back to only having to endure the commentary from the warmth of my apartment.
Touché
I had assumed it was an attack... Fan's are becoming less tolerant of opposing views everywhere!
I have to say the games I saw live were at the beginning of the season last of which was Fulham away and the 2 streams before Christmas, so I assume I'll change my attitude a bit when I see us the next time I go.
The stats haven't looked too harsh on us and the commentary hasn't been that bad, even the ratings thread has only looked awful the past 3-4 weeks (4 losses on the trot will do that).
I think the players relationships with Bob soured and as such he caused us to come apart a bit.
I suppose I may be a bit more forgiving, I guess we'll see if I still feel that way after Brentford!
If he's still big, strong and decent in the air he could do a job till the end of the season.
Not sure about a policy where we either sign/loan 19 y/o with no experience or 32+ y/o at the end of their careers, but he'd know more about champ defenses, how they bully and how to deal with it than anything we've got on our books.
If he does sign, he'll be lost in the town of Megyer which is next door to Upjest in about 7 months from now.
I seriously think that is a consideration for all potential signings now to consider what becomes of them if they don't make it with us.
If he's still big, strong and decent in the air he could do a job till the end of the season.
Not sure about a policy where we either sign/loan 19 y/o with no experience or 32+ y/o at the end of their careers, but he'd know more about champ defenses, how they bully and how to deal with it than anything we've got on our books.
If he does sign, he'll be lost in the town of Megyer which is next door to Upjest in about 7 months from now.
I seriously think that is a consideration for all potential signings now to consider what becomes of them if they don't make it with us.
and how many other examples are there of players coming to us from English clubs then being sent out to network teams outside the UK
If he's still big, strong and decent in the air he could do a job till the end of the season.
Not sure about a policy where we either sign/loan 19 y/o with no experience or 32+ y/o at the end of their careers, but he'd know more about champ defenses, how they bully and how to deal with it than anything we've got on our books.
If he does sign, he'll be lost in the town of Megyer which is next door to Upjest in about 7 months from now.
I seriously think that is a consideration for all potential signings now to consider what becomes of them if they don't make it with us.
and how many other examples are there of players coming to us from English clubs then being sent out to network teams outside the UK
If they aren't good enough to get a contract here outside the network it might be the only option!
We have signed 3 THREE players in this transfer window--a goalkeeper and a forward for dosh and a defender/midfielder on loan (although there is a small transfer fee even on most loans). So all this " we havnt done f-all" etc etc is wrong.
As for us needing 5/6 players just to stay up ---well if this present squad to get their fecking act together (be bothered)they were good enough to go all those games un beaten. Someone needs to fecking kick their collective arses and get em playing again. hopefully the additional players will help(no one can be sure)
The dosh in the case of the Serbian keeper and the forward, if any, is just Roland moving money from one pocket to another. There is no evidence his outgoings have changed at all as a consequence (and I accept he doesn't strictly own the Hungarian club).
Of course, outcomes are what we will gauge these moves by, but let's not pretend it's new spending rather than trying to get more value out of his existing assets.
Seen 4 live and 2 streams, listened to the commentary on every other game I could which must be around 20 this season and you?
The stats speak for themselves, we started ok and have progressively got worse (as our luck ran out according to Bob or he began to bully the players according to insiders elsewhere on CL depending on who you believe)?
Not sure on the reasoning behind your question @Stu_of_Kunming ?
Because what I've seen watching Charlton over the last few months is a team not playing for each other, no heart, no spirit and no desire. Things that we seemed to have in abundance previously. I blame this on the instability brought in by RD, it must be hard for a player to really care about CAFC knowing they could be shipped off across Europe.
I asked how many games you'd seen as I thought it may afor relevant, I'm not sure you can see what I did having seen only 4 games live. I was quite supportive of RD and his ideas, like you are, until I actually saw some live games and how some of our players couldn't even be bothered to get into space for a throw in.
I certainly wasn't asking to have a dig, as I'm sure you can imagine, living in Asia I don't see too many games either
Still, I'm back home now so can go back to only having to endure the commentary from the warmth of my apartment.
cardiff 2nd half there was plenty heart, spirit desire and reading & forest away so they have it in them
Celtic tended to play him out wide (I stand to be corrected if I've got that wrong) as did Wigan so his actual scoring record may not be as bad as we fear.
Watt has been brought in; is Vetokele no longer considered up to the mark or are you all thinking we will now play 3 up front to accommodate a "hold-up" merchant? Why the **** would we need a hold-up player if we were able to get the ball forward, accurately, to the two existing strikers and support them from midfield? No, the problem is one that needs sorting out at Sparrows Lane rather than by hiring the likes of this fella.
The idea that you can get away with an apparently Belgian style non-urgent "let them have the ball and come on to us" approach in the championship in England was not going to be the answer, even if it does work on the continent. Peeters, of course, thought there was "nothing you can do" because "it's football" so he is gone. Lets hope newby actually has some different ideas with all his vast experience of the league we are in... oh, wait a mo....
I've read he's big. I've read he's strong. Some say it's right, I think it's wrong How can anyone give this guy the 'biggun' When he cant get a game at lowly Wigan?
I've followed Charlton all my life Even watched them when I married my wife But at the moment I just seem to despair I may be angry but it's because I care
So please, I beg Roland and Co. To get some new players and spend some more dough Cause if you don't it wont be much fun Watching this shite, down in League One
Watt has been brought in; is Vetokele no longer considered up to the mark or are you all thinking we will now play 3 up front to accommodate a "hold-up" merchant? Why the **** would we need a hold-up player if we were able to get the ball forward, accurately, to the two existing strikers and support them from midfield? No, the problem is one that needs sorting out at Sparrows Lane rather than by hiring the likes of this fella.
The idea that you can get away with an apparently Belgian style non-urgent "let them have the ball and come on to us" approach in the championship in England was not going to be the answer, even if it does work on the continent. Peeters, of course, thought there was "nothing you can do" because "it's football" so he is gone. Lets hope newby actually has some different ideas with all his vast experience of the league we are in... oh, wait a mo....
The main reason for the 'let them come' approach was mainly because we didn't/don't have any real alternatives. Igor is more of a poacher than a target man, Watt seems more inclined to take the ball on past defenders than try and hold them off, George is/was bigger but doesn't have the mindset and Harriott is, well, Harriott, and not really a striker anyway. There was no support from the midfield because the ball never stuck long enough for them to get there in time to provide support - no coincidence that Jacko and Stephens both did better at the 'late arrival' game when Yann was still around to hold up the ball.
So even if this particular signing doesn't come off, one in this style/mould is essential, otherwise we are going to have a strike force, midfield and defence who are all individually adequate but with no cohesion between them, which is where I think a lot of our problems come from. In each third of the pitch we are a decent team mostly, but transitioning between each is the big problem and has been for a while.
Watt has been brought in; is Vetokele no longer considered up to the mark or are you all thinking we will now play 3 up front to accommodate a "hold-up" merchant? Why the **** would we need a hold-up player if we were able to get the ball forward, accurately, to the two existing strikers and support them from midfield? No, the problem is one that needs sorting out at Sparrows Lane rather than by hiring the likes of this fella.
The idea that you can get away with an apparently Belgian style non-urgent "let them have the ball and come on to us" approach in the championship in England was not going to be the answer, even if it does work on the continent. Peeters, of course, thought there was "nothing you can do" because "it's football" so he is gone. Lets hope newby actually has some different ideas with all his vast experience of the league we are in... oh, wait a mo....
The main reason for the 'let them come' approach was mainly because we didn't/don't have any real alternatives. Igor is more of a poacher than a target man, Watt seems more inclined to take the ball on past defenders than try and hold them off, George is/was bigger but doesn't have the mindset and Harriott is, well, Harriott, and not really a striker anyway. There was no support from the midfield because the ball never stuck long enough for them to get there in time to provide support - no coincidence that Jacko and Stephens both did better at the 'late arrival' game when Yann was still around to hold up the ball.
So even if this particular signing doesn't come off, one in this style/mould is essential, otherwise we are going to have a strike force, midfield and defence who are all individually adequate but with no cohesion between them, which is where I think a lot of our problems come from. In each third of the pitch we are a decent team mostly, but transitioning between each is the big problem and has been for a while.
Agree, we don't have a balanced team. Vetokele's goals all come from poaching in the penalty box. Vetokele needs to feed off knock downs and others making space for him. Watt will hopefully operate from deeper and create chances and occupy defenders. A big target man to hold up play and allow midfield to connect is the obvious complement. Nearly as much negativity about this rumour as there was about Yann Kermogant joining.
If he's still big, strong and decent in the air he could do a job till the end of the season.
Not sure about a policy where we either sign/loan 19 y/o with no experience or 32+ y/o at the end of their careers, but he'd know more about champ defenses, how they bully and how to deal with it than anything we've got on our books.
If he does sign, he'll be lost in the town of Megyer which is next door to Upjest in about 7 months from now.
I seriously think that is a consideration for all potential signings now to consider what becomes of them if they don't make it with us.
and how many other examples are there of players coming to us from English clubs then being sent out to network teams outside the UK
The attraction of any championship experienced forward able to lead the line is simple - if you have ever played as a central defender just occasionally when you "welly" the ball up front you like to think there was a reasonable chance it might stay there for more than nanosecond.
As a balance to the seeming negativity about his scoring record I will contribute this from the Wigan Fans Forum
"The latest player linked with a move away from the DW Stadium is attacking wide man, Marc-Antoine Fortune, with both Ipswich Town and Charlton Athletic reportedly interested in the 33 year old.
Fortune is out of contract in the summer, so wouldn't cost the earth to any potential suitor, so far this season he has made 15 appearances, plus 2 from the bench, scoring two goals, one of which was in the Capital One cup.
Never a goal scorer, more of a provider throughout his career, the former West Brom and Celtic man is more of a support player for the main striker, unfortunately due to our lack of attacking prowess he has found himself leading the line for quite a bit of last season and most of this one to date.
Watt has been brought in; is Vetokele no longer considered up to the mark or are you all thinking we will now play 3 up front to accommodate a "hold-up" merchant? Why the **** would we need a hold-up player if we were able to get the ball forward, accurately, to the two existing strikers and support them from midfield? No, the problem is one that needs sorting out at Sparrows Lane rather than by hiring the likes of this fella.
The idea that you can get away with an apparently Belgian style non-urgent "let them have the ball and come on to us" approach in the championship in England was not going to be the answer, even if it does work on the continent. Peeters, of course, thought there was "nothing you can do" because "it's football" so he is gone. Lets hope newby actually has some different ideas with all his vast experience of the league we are in... oh, wait a mo....
The main reason for the 'let them come' approach was mainly because we didn't/don't have any real alternatives. Igor is more of a poacher than a target man, Watt seems more inclined to take the ball on past defenders than try and hold them off, George is/was bigger but doesn't have the mindset and Harriott is, well, Harriott, and not really a striker anyway. There was no support from the midfield because the ball never stuck long enough for them to get there in time to provide support - no coincidence that Jacko and Stephens both did better at the 'late arrival' game when Yann was still around to hold up the ball.
So even if this particular signing doesn't come off, one in this style/mould is essential, otherwise we are going to have a strike force, midfield and defence who are all individually adequate but with no cohesion between them, which is where I think a lot of our problems come from. In each third of the pitch we are a decent team mostly, but transitioning between each is the big problem and has been for a while.
Agree, we don't have a balanced team. Vetokele's goals all come from poaching in the penalty box. Vetokele needs to feed off knock downs and others making space for him. Watt will hopefully operate from deeper and create chances and occupy defenders. A big target man to hold up play and allow midfield to connect is the obvious complement. Nearly as much negativity about this rumour as there was about Yann Kermogant joining.
So you would play all three then? What you are saying is that a deep lying midfield 4 were playing the ball up to the front men and not getting forward to support them quickly. That would be a long ball otherwise they would not be so detached. I didn't think we were attempting a long ball game under Peeters. Is it really all about a lack of a hold up man or how we approach build up play?
Why not try passing with movement as a way of getting the ball forward? Oh and here's a radical idea, let's try shooting at the goal when we get the opportunity.
Watt has been brought in; is Vetokele no longer considered up to the mark or are you all thinking we will now play 3 up front to accommodate a "hold-up" merchant? Why the **** would we need a hold-up player if we were able to get the ball forward, accurately, to the two existing strikers and support them from midfield? No, the problem is one that needs sorting out at Sparrows Lane rather than by hiring the likes of this fella.
The idea that you can get away with an apparently Belgian style non-urgent "let them have the ball and come on to us" approach in the championship in England was not going to be the answer, even if it does work on the continent. Peeters, of course, thought there was "nothing you can do" because "it's football" so he is gone. Lets hope newby actually has some different ideas with all his vast experience of the league we are in... oh, wait a mo....
The main reason for the 'let them come' approach was mainly because we didn't/don't have any real alternatives. Igor is more of a poacher than a target man, Watt seems more inclined to take the ball on past defenders than try and hold them off, George is/was bigger but doesn't have the mindset and Harriott is, well, Harriott, and not really a striker anyway. There was no support from the midfield because the ball never stuck long enough for them to get there in time to provide support - no coincidence that Jacko and Stephens both did better at the 'late arrival' game when Yann was still around to hold up the ball.
So even if this particular signing doesn't come off, one in this style/mould is essential, otherwise we are going to have a strike force, midfield and defence who are all individually adequate but with no cohesion between them, which is where I think a lot of our problems come from. In each third of the pitch we are a decent team mostly, but transitioning between each is the big problem and has been for a while.
Agree, we don't have a balanced team. Vetokele's goals all come from poaching in the penalty box. Vetokele needs to feed off knock downs and others making space for him. Watt will hopefully operate from deeper and create chances and occupy defenders. A big target man to hold up play and allow midfield to connect is the obvious complement. Nearly as much negativity about this rumour as there was about Yann Kermogant joining.
So you would play all three then? What you are saying is that a deep lying midfield 4 were playing the ball up to the front men and not getting forward to support them quickly. That would be a long ball otherwise they would not be so detached. I didn't think we were attempting a long ball game under Peeters. Is it really all about a lack of a hold up man or how we approach build up play?
Why not try passing with movement as a way of getting the ball forward? Oh and here's a radical idea, let's try shooting at the goal when we get the opportunity.
I can't speak for Dippenhall but what I actually meant was that the ball goes forward from midfield, Watt/Igor/George takes it under pressure... and loses it, and the midfield starts going backwards again to get the ball back again. It's not long ball, it's not having any kind of muscle up front to hold onto the ball if the perfect pass is not available RIGHT THEN. So many times any two of the four we've tried up front will pass the ball too far ahead/behind of the other because a meaty old centreback is glaring at them too hard. Someone LIKE Fortune (if not him) would receive the ball and then have options other than A) pass the ball, B Lose the ball. If you look at recent games, there haven't even been many opportunities to shoot at the goal as the ball is nicked away sharply.
Watt and Vetokele aren't the same kind of player - Igor will make the runs behind/around defenders, Watt will take them on with the ball at his feet, neither of them have the mentality/physique to fight for a loose ball with a six foot plus musclebound lummox of a defender. We need that kind of player, Yann wasn't the biggest but he could mix it up physically. It's about at least having the options for me. If we need to resort to more direct/long ball/flood the box attacking, there is not a defender in the league who would be worried seeing Harriott come on up front. They see a wily old scrapper getting ready to throw his weight around and it's a totally different prospect.
This is NOT saying Fortune is the answer, he's merely a stop gap (with luck at least.)
You're forgetting Kurtis Cumberbatch as well. Another amazing import.
That's not really fair to an 18/19 year old, Seth.
Watford don't run an U-21 development team side and let him go because he wasn't ready for the 1st team. He's only got a year's contract at Charlton to see if he can kick on - it's up to the lad right now to earn himself another contract or bust.
Comments
Never rated him IMO.
It's nothing about him specifically as a player that I am (relatively) optimistic about but the fact that we are linked with a target man striker at all suggests that somehow, somewhere, someone has finally gone about looking at the positions we need players for, instead of looking at players then fitting them in somewhere.
If so, let's hope RD has reached the summit and is now coming down the other side where common sense and humility regarding his past decisions kicks in.
You can't blame this all on Roland. We ended up losing almost all of the players we wanted to keep due to TJ and Slater's inability to offer any new terms to players whose contracts were running down. Morrison was an avoidable loss brought on by Bob, but for all Poyet and Yann seemingly didn't want to re-sign because of Roland their situations were completely avoidable earlier in the season. Regardless, we're now in a situation where we've signed stacks and stacks of players but still have a thin squad. We need to focus on staying up this season and we need to build back a core into this team which we can add to in transfer windows. Right now we're in a state of transition and I worry that the Network policy means you're never really out of that. I hope to be proven wrong.
As for us needing 5/6 players just to stay up ---well if this present squad do get their fecking act together (be bothered)they were good enough to go all those games un beaten. Someone needs to fecking kick their collective arses and get em playing again. hopefully the additional players will help(no one can be sure)
I asked how many games you'd seen as I thought it may afor relevant, I'm not sure you can see what I did having seen only 4 games live. I was quite supportive of RD and his ideas, like you are, until I actually saw some live games and how some of our players couldn't even be bothered to get into space for a throw in.
I certainly wasn't asking to have a dig, as I'm sure you can imagine, living in Asia I don't see too many games either
Still, I'm back home now so can go back to only having to endure the commentary from the warmth of my apartment.
I had assumed it was an attack... Fan's are becoming less tolerant of opposing views everywhere!
I have to say the games I saw live were at the beginning of the season last of which was Fulham away and the 2 streams before Christmas, so I assume I'll change my attitude a bit when I see us the next time I go.
The stats haven't looked too harsh on us and the commentary hasn't been that bad, even the ratings thread has only looked awful the past 3-4 weeks (4 losses on the trot will do that).
I think the players relationships with Bob soured and as such he caused us to come apart a bit.
I suppose I may be a bit more forgiving, I guess we'll see if I still feel that way after Brentford!
I seriously think that is a consideration for all potential signings now to consider what becomes of them if they don't make it with us.
His reply :-
"He's shit !"
If they aren't good enough to get a contract here outside the network it might be the only option!
Of course, outcomes are what we will gauge these moves by, but let's not pretend it's new spending rather than trying to get more value out of his existing assets.
cardiff 2nd half there was plenty heart, spirit desire and reading & forest away so they have it in them
The idea that you can get away with an apparently Belgian style non-urgent "let them have the ball and come on to us" approach in the championship in England was not going to be the answer, even if it does work on the continent. Peeters, of course, thought there was "nothing you can do" because "it's football" so he is gone. Lets hope newby actually has some different ideas with all his vast experience of the league we are in... oh, wait a mo....
I've read he's strong.
Some say it's right, I think it's wrong
How can anyone give this guy the 'biggun'
When he cant get a game at lowly Wigan?
I've followed Charlton all my life
Even watched them when I married my wife
But at the moment I just seem to despair
I may be angry but it's because I care
So please, I beg Roland and Co.
To get some new players and spend some more dough
Cause if you don't it wont be much fun
Watching this shite, down in League One
So even if this particular signing doesn't come off, one in this style/mould is essential, otherwise we are going to have a strike force, midfield and defence who are all individually adequate but with no cohesion between them, which is where I think a lot of our problems come from. In each third of the pitch we are a decent team mostly, but transitioning between each is the big problem and has been for a while.
As a balance to the seeming negativity about his scoring record I will contribute this from the Wigan Fans Forum
"The latest player linked with a move away from the DW Stadium is attacking wide man, Marc-Antoine Fortune, with both Ipswich Town and Charlton Athletic reportedly interested in the 33 year old.
Fortune is out of contract in the summer, so wouldn't cost the earth to any potential suitor, so far this season he has made 15 appearances, plus 2 from the bench, scoring two goals, one of which was in the Capital One cup.
Never a goal scorer, more of a provider throughout his career, the former West Brom and Celtic man is more of a support player for the main striker, unfortunately due to our lack of attacking prowess he has found himself leading the line for quite a bit of last season and most of this one to date.
More on this as it develops, if indeed it does.
Why not try passing with movement as a way of getting the ball forward? Oh and here's a radical idea, let's try shooting at the goal when we get the opportunity.
Watt and Vetokele aren't the same kind of player - Igor will make the runs behind/around defenders, Watt will take them on with the ball at his feet, neither of them have the mentality/physique to fight for a loose ball with a six foot plus musclebound lummox of a defender. We need that kind of player, Yann wasn't the biggest but he could mix it up physically. It's about at least having the options for me. If we need to resort to more direct/long ball/flood the box attacking, there is not a defender in the league who would be worried seeing Harriott come on up front. They see a wily old scrapper getting ready to throw his weight around and it's a totally different prospect.
This is NOT saying Fortune is the answer, he's merely a stop gap (with luck at least.)
Watford don't run an U-21 development team side and let him go because he wasn't ready for the 1st team.
He's only got a year's contract at Charlton to see if he can kick on - it's up to the lad right now to earn himself another contract or bust.