Nearly half way through the transfer window what would people target now? We've got our pacey winger and finisher, and after last nights sending off (although it would only be a 1 game ban) do we need to target a new CB in case of future injuries? Or a battling midfielder like Bowyer has voiced his desire for.
CB is a must , I'd look for someone as a long term Pearce replacement. CM if there's an outstanding talent that becomes available who could offer something a bit different to what we currently have then that would be good.
However to get 2 in you'd probably need 4 out and I just don't see that happening.
Nearly half way through the transfer window what would people target now? We've got our pacey winger and finisher, and after last nights sending off (although it would only be a 1 game ban) do we need to target a new CB in case of future injuries? Or a battling midfielder like Bowyer has voiced his desire for.
Centre-Back as thats an area we just cant get much consistency at the moment
And if they're out there a Josh Cullen type Midfielder who can carry the ball and has the bite of Pratley / Watson so a younger version of Shinnie effectively
Feel those two areas are the ones hurting us the most at the present
That's what I think but I don't think its achievable. Our squad is a decent size, and with the salary cap I can't see how we can afford to bring in two. We need a CB but I'd say we need to offload Pearce to afford it which is unlikely to happen. Same with the midfielder, I can only see it happening if we can move someone like Bogle on, which again is doubtful.
Inniss is injury prone, Famewo is quality but has hardly played, Pearce is turning into more and more of a carthorse every game, Oshilaja is ok and Barker is inexperienced.
Nearly half way through the transfer window what would people target now? We've got our pacey winger and finisher, and after last nights sending off (although it would only be a 1 game ban) do we need to target a new CB in case of future injuries? Or a battling midfielder like Bowyer has voiced his desire for.
CB is a must , I'd look for someone as a long term Pearce replacement. CM if there's an outstanding talent that becomes available who could offer something a bit different to what we currently have then that would be good.
However to get 2 in you'd probably need 4 out and I just don't see that happening.
I don't think we'll be able to get a long-term replacement in this window, with the wage cap. If anything, we will have to settle for a 5th choice CB from a bigger club on a loan where they will pay all of his wages (basically beg a favour) or an U21 in on loan. Or we could just put Barker in and develop him by playing him (in my view, the best way).
Inniss is injury prone, Famewo is quality but has hardly played, Pearce is turning into more and more of a carthorse every game, Oshilaja is ok and Barker is inexperienced.
Barker won't be inexperienced if he plays....we are a league 1 team after all so where better to start. He should at least be making the bench.
Nearly half way through the transfer window what would people target now? We've got our pacey winger and finisher, and after last nights sending off (although it would only be a 1 game ban) do we need to target a new CB in case of future injuries? Or a battling midfielder like Bowyer has voiced his desire for.
CB is a must , I'd look for someone as a long term Pearce replacement. CM if there's an outstanding talent that becomes available who could offer something a bit different to what we currently have then that would be good.
However to get 2 in you'd probably need 4 out and I just don't see that happening.
I don't think we'll be able to get a long-term replacement in this window, with the wage cap. If anything, we will have to settle for a 5th choice CB from a bigger club on a loan where they will pay all of his wages (basically beg a favour) or an U21 in on loan. Or we could just put Barker in and develop him by playing him (in my view, the best way).
Playing Barker is probably the best move actually. Get minutes into one of our own prospects .
Bowyer isn't going to play Barker, more likely to be someone like Mingi but even then if he hasn't done by now I can't see it. Could definitely do with one on the bench at least Saturday.
Nearly half way through the transfer window what would people target now? We've got our pacey winger and finisher, and after last nights sending off (although it would only be a 1 game ban) do we need to target a new CB in case of future injuries? Or a battling midfielder like Bowyer has voiced his desire for.
Centre-Back as thats an area we just cant get much consistency at the moment
And if they're out there a Josh Cullen type Midfielder who can carry the ball and has the bite of Pratley / Watson so a younger version of Shinnie effectively
Feel those two areas are the ones hurting us the most at the present
Definitely the 2 areas we need to beef up, but I don't think we can have both, so I think the management is going to have to choose one or the other.
Nearly half way through the transfer window what would people target now? We've got our pacey winger and finisher, and after last nights sending off (although it would only be a 1 game ban) do we need to target a new CB in case of future injuries? Or a battling midfielder like Bowyer has voiced his desire for.
Centre-Back as thats an area we just cant get much consistency at the moment
And if they're out there a Josh Cullen type Midfielder who can carry the ball and has the bite of Pratley / Watson so a younger version of Shinnie effectively
Feel those two areas are the ones hurting us the most at the present
Definitely the 2 areas we need to beef up, but I don't think we can have both, so I think the management is going to have to choose one or the other.
I also think we will only get one, but I think it will be less what the manager wants and more as to who is available for the money we have left.
What is it with Barker, I've heard from people at the club say he's miles off first team. He's not the answer. We need a free loan
Think its pretty understandable, people want round pegs in round holes and we've got a pretty chronic shortage at CB. Plus I think its fair to say in his first team performance early in the season (And preseason?) he was one of the top rated players. Plus, we all want to see our academy players succeed.
What is it with Barker, I've heard from people at the club say he's miles off first team. He's not the answer. We need a free loan
I think it's just that he played a handful of games for us and barely put a foot wrong. We're now in a position where we have 1 available natural (senior centre back) + no Pratley to fill in there. For the weekends game I'd play him over Gunter in that position and see how he gets on.
We've only ever seen Barker played out of position in League One, which is something people on here hate. Bowyer didn't feel confident putting him in at centre half because he wasn't ready and he felt less damage would be done to him and the team if he was at RB. Pratley played at centre back in two of those games to accommodate him. He did well against Crewe, scored an own goal and was subbed after 60 minutes against Doncaster and was completely lost against Lincoln. I don't blame him for any of that, but he's very young and he's clearly not ready. It doesn't matter that Pele was playing for Brazil at his age, players progress at different speeds and Barker isn't there yet according to a manager who has never been shy about using our youth players in a pinch. You can do a lot of harm to a player by throwing them into a difficult situation and putting too much responsibility on them too early; just look how long it took Grant to regain his confidence after being chucked up against Championship sides when he was miles off.
So, 11 points from 11 games suggests the decision not to blood a youth team CB has backfired. We've conceded quite heavily in this period, so experience did not lead to a better resolution of this situation really, did it?
That could have been 10 games of invaluable experience for somebody like Barker or Mingi, but as it would have led to tougher decisions in midfield, I feel it was avoided.
We've only ever seen Barker played out of position in League One, which is something people on here hate. Bowyer didn't feel confident putting him in at centre half because he wasn't ready and he felt less damage would be done to him and the team if he was at RB. Pratley played at centre back in two of those games to accommodate him. He did well against Crewe, scored an own goal and was subbed after 60 minutes against Doncaster and was completely lost against Lincoln. I don't blame him for any of that, but he's very young and he's clearly not ready. It doesn't matter that Pele was playing for Brazil at his age, players progress at different speeds and Barker isn't there yet according to a manager who has never been shy about using our youth players in a pinch. You can do a lot of harm to a player by throwing them into a difficult situation and putting too much responsibility on them too early; just look how long it took Grant to regain his confidence after being chucked up against Championship sides when he was miles off.
Exactly right.
People also forget that Barker was only thrown in at the time because we were under an embargo and he didn't qualify as a senior player (something like that anyway). If it wasn't for that, he wouldn't have even been playing, but that aside i still don't get why in our time of need and CB shortage, we haven't looked to the U23s. There must be one centre back who can do a job there?
We've only ever seen Barker played out of position in League One, which is something people on here hate. Bowyer didn't feel confident putting him in at centre half because he wasn't ready and he felt less damage would be done to him and the team if he was at RB. Pratley played at centre back in two of those games to accommodate him. He did well against Crewe, scored an own goal and was subbed after 60 minutes against Doncaster and was completely lost against Lincoln. I don't blame him for any of that, but he's very young and he's clearly not ready. It doesn't matter that Pele was playing for Brazil at his age, players progress at different speeds and Barker isn't there yet according to a manager who has never been shy about using our youth players in a pinch. You can do a lot of harm to a player by throwing them into a difficult situation and putting too much responsibility on them too early; just look how long it took Grant to regain his confidence after being chucked up against Championship sides when he was miles off.
Exactly right.
People also forget that Barker was only thrown in at the time because we were under an embargo and he didn't qualify as a senior player (something like that anyway). If it wasn't for that, he wouldn't have even been playing, but that aside i still don't get why in our time of need and CB shortage, we haven't looked to the U23s. There must be one centre back who can do a job there?
They would have looked and discussed it as a management team. They obviously concluded that none were ready yet, or not as good as those who played.
Whilst I "kind of" agree that Barker may not be the answer - Pratley and Gunther certainly hasn't been with 11 points from 11 games. Barker is a round peg for a round hole. So is Mings. I am pretty sure one of them playing there, with Pratley in centre midfield could well have returned more points - I doubt less, given the sides we have been playing.
Having an unfit Gilbey in there hasn't been working. Neither has Bogle. I reckon Barker would have done just as well up front as Bogle.... kidding, but you see the point - play a centre half - one of our own, at centre half...
I'm sorry if my questioning of Lee Bowyer's judgement is debatable - given I have just watched the worst 35 minutes in the history of watching Charlton Athletic and seen a centre forward, playing at wing back have another arsehole torn out of him by a 17 year old Palace reject....
Whilst I "kind of" agree that Barker may not be the answer - Pratley and Gunther certainly hasn't been with 11 points from 11 games. Barker is a round peg for a round hole. So is Mings. I am pretty sure one of them playing there, with Pratley in centre midfield could well have returned more points - I doubt less, given the sides we have been playing.
Having an unfit Gilbey in there hasn't been working. Neither has Bogle. I reckon Barker would have done just as well up front as Bogle.... kidding, but you see the point - play a centre half - one of our own, at centre half...
I'm sorry if my questioning of Lee Bowyer's judgement is debatable - given I have just watched the worst 35 minutes in the history of watching Charlton Athletic and seen a centre forward, playing at wing back have another arsehole torn out of him by a 17 year old Palace reject....
Watson was playing midfield so would you have both him and Pratley or dropped Watson?
You can question Lee’s judgement as much as you like, but I remain totally unconvinced that Barker would have been better than Pratley at centre half. Has Mings even played a men’s game yet? Have you seen him play?
Whilst I "kind of" agree that Barker may not be the answer - Pratley and Gunther certainly hasn't been with 11 points from 11 games. Barker is a round peg for a round hole. So is Mings. I am pretty sure one of them playing there, with Pratley in centre midfield could well have returned more points - I doubt less, given the sides we have been playing.
Having an unfit Gilbey in there hasn't been working. Neither has Bogle. I reckon Barker would have done just as well up front as Bogle.... kidding, but you see the point - play a centre half - one of our own, at centre half...
I'm sorry if my questioning of Lee Bowyer's judgement is debatable - given I have just watched the worst 35 minutes in the history of watching Charlton Athletic and seen a centre forward, playing at wing back have another arsehole torn out of him by a 17 year old Palace reject....
Watson was playing midfield so would you have both him and Pratley or dropped Watson?
You can question Lee’s judgement as much as you like, but I remain totally unconvinced that Barker would have been better than Pratley at centre half. Has Mings even played a men’s game yet? Have you seen him play?
Oshi however.
After the last couple of games I think if Oshi is dropped once Pratley and Watson are back he would be within his rights to be pissed off, I dont think he has done much wrong and is good enough to start ahead of the stand in's we have been utilising. Barker as well I dont really understand, the only time I have seen him play is when he was drafted into the team and again I thought he played ok and didnt look out of place. Mings I havent seen so cannot comment, all I can say is I really would rather not see Pratley back in CB when we have players that can play that position.
Whilst I "kind of" agree that Barker may not be the answer - Pratley and Gunther certainly hasn't been with 11 points from 11 games. Barker is a round peg for a round hole. So is Mings. I am pretty sure one of them playing there, with Pratley in centre midfield could well have returned more points - I doubt less, given the sides we have been playing.
Having an unfit Gilbey in there hasn't been working. Neither has Bogle. I reckon Barker would have done just as well up front as Bogle.... kidding, but you see the point - play a centre half - one of our own, at centre half...
I'm sorry if my questioning of Lee Bowyer's judgement is debatable - given I have just watched the worst 35 minutes in the history of watching Charlton Athletic and seen a centre forward, playing at wing back have another arsehole torn out of him by a 17 year old Palace reject....
Watson was playing midfield so would you have both him and Pratley or dropped Watson?
You can question Lee’s judgement as much as you like, but I remain totally unconvinced that Barker would have been better than Pratley at centre half. Has Mings even played a men’s game yet? Have you seen him play?
Oshi however.
I would have played them both or dropped Watson, with Albie in front and Chuks as the one man up front with Smyth/Williams/Maddison as wide men- 4-2-3-1
Keep seeing “Barker did ok” - it’s fairly normal for youth players to look ok when they play 2/3 games, but it’s doing it consistently that is the issue. He was a complete unknown when he first played, after a few games teams would start working out his weaknesses. Not many 17 year olds break through at centre back given how important it is to be physically up to it and keep concentration.
It’s also not that uncommon for players to change position later on in their career, for example a defensive midfielder like Pratley covering at centre back, so I understand why Bowyer went with Pratley over Barker.
LB said when asked last night, are we near to making a third signing, he said NO. I imagine he is at the stage where he has to get players out before we get anyone in, which is what SG said, two at the beginning of the window and hopefully two at the end
Comments
However to get 2 in you'd probably need 4 out and I just don't see that happening.
Inniss is injury prone, Famewo is quality but has hardly played, Pearce is turning into more and more of a carthorse every game, Oshilaja is ok and Barker is inexperienced.
I think it's just that he played a handful of games for us and barely put a foot wrong. We're now in a position where we have 1 available natural (senior centre back) + no Pratley to fill in there. For the weekends game I'd play him over Gunter in that position and see how he gets on.
That could have been 10 games of invaluable experience for somebody like Barker or Mingi, but as it would have led to tougher decisions in midfield, I feel it was avoided.
People also forget that Barker was only thrown in at the time because we were under an embargo and he didn't qualify as a senior player (something like that anyway).
If it wasn't for that, he wouldn't have even been playing, but that aside i still don't get why in our time of need and CB shortage, we haven't looked to the U23s. There must be one centre back who can do a job there?
Having an unfit Gilbey in there hasn't been working. Neither has Bogle. I reckon Barker would have done just as well up front as Bogle.... kidding, but you see the point - play a centre half - one of our own, at centre half...
I'm sorry if my questioning of Lee Bowyer's judgement is debatable - given I have just watched the worst 35 minutes in the history of watching Charlton Athletic and seen a centre forward, playing at wing back have another arsehole torn out of him by a 17 year old Palace reject....
I thought he was highly rated. If Arsenal paid his wages he might be worth a punt.
Oshi however.
Jokes aside that doesn't surprise me, he has been fantastic in ligue 1, one of the top players there, built for the prem from what I've seen of him
Or 4-5-1
But Desi would have played for sure.
Now we have Schwartz and Millar.
It’s also not that uncommon for players to change position later on in their career, for example a defensive midfielder like Pratley covering at centre back, so I understand why Bowyer went with Pratley over Barker.