Haven't replaced our top scorer yet or Millar, who most of those in the know rated highly. Or Maatsen, who I thought was great. I'd say we're possibly weaker than we were at the end of last season and definitely behind the curve.
I'll be much happier when we get...
A winger
A left back
A goalscorer And a centre half
I'm starting to think we might be under another secret transfer umbongo...
Amos - McGillivray AMB - AMB
Matthews - Matthews Gunter - Gunter
Maatsen - Purrington - Purrington
Famewo - Famewo Pearce - Pearce
Inniss - Inniss
Nobody -
Pratley - Dobson Watson - Watson Gilbey - Gilbey
JFC - JFC
Morgan - Morgan
Shinnie - Clare Smith -
Millar - DJ - DJ
Stockley - Stockley Washington - Washington Schwartz - Schwartz Aneke -
Hardly behind the curve, the two players really missing from ending last season are Millar and Aneke, granted both important, but those are the two players that we really need to get right, difference between playoffs auto.
We're not really in that bad a shape if the season was to start tomorrow, not perfect, but not relegation material.
We have baked the cake we just need to ice it and add a big fat cherry or two on the top.
Powell had an iced cake but even he still had to add the cherries. He didn't do that until well, after we had already beaten the cherries.
Last season we had some eggs and flour but couldn't afford the leccy to turn the oven on and we're just about to flog the baking tins.
Great...now I'm hungry
Yeah, that reminds me, what's for lunch everybody, plenty of time for rumours this afternoon, preferably on a full stomach....
Are you Steve Gallen? No wonder there's been no signings this morning.
Shucks, sussed me there...sorry must dash, pie and pint waiting...
I suspect Chelsea would want to see him loaned to a Championship club to increase he resale value while Charlton end up loaning a different Chelsea player.
Who that might be I have no idea but I'd never heard of Gallagher either. Gallen will know who's available and will probably already had talks with Chelsea and other EPL clubs.
Gallen will also know that he'll have to wait, perhaps until just before the window closes, until he gets a definite answer.
What I felt about Maatsen last season was at the beginning of the season he looked to be outrageously too good for the level. Then as the season progressed he sort of adapted to it. It is possible he looked good when the team was good, so the secret is probably having good players around him.
I suspect Chelsea would want to see him loaned to a Championship club to increase he resale value while Charlton end up loaning a different Chelsea player.
Who that might be I have no idea but I'd never heard of Gallagher either. Gallen will know who's available and will probably already had talks with Chelsea and other EPL clubs.
Gallen will also know that he'll have to wait, perhaps until just before the window closes, until he gets a definite answer.
What I felt about Maatsen last season was at the beginning of the season he looked to be outrageously too good for the level. Then as the season progressed he sort of adapted to it. It is possible he looked good when the team was good, so the secret is probably having good players around him.
Haven't replaced our top scorer yet or Millar, who most of those in the know rated highly. Or Maatsen, who I thought was great. I'd say we're possibly weaker than we were at the end of last season and definitely behind the curve.
I'll be much happier when we get...
A winger
A left back
A goalscorer And a centre half
I'm starting to think we might be under another secret transfer umbongo...
You don't often see 5 players signing when you're under an embargo...
You're also replacing Millar who got one assist in every six games he played, and scored one in every eight and a half games - somehow I think we'll be signing a winger who can at least match that contribution. If Jayasemi stays fit I can almost guarantee you he'll give you that return or better. Maatsen was a decent winger but was torrid in defence which is why when a technically astute manager actually come in, he barely got a game at left-back. We're in the market for at least a winger, striker and centre-half, but we're likely shopping in the Championship 'squad-player' market who haven't finalised their teams yet - that happens closer to the window so I'm sure in the end you'll be happier. I'd argue every position we've replaced we've strengthened, so have a little bit of faith and patience and I'm sure it'll pay off.
Gomes, konsa, Shelvey, lookman we’re all unknowns when we blooded them. Look where they are now. if they’re good enough then get our youngsters in the team. Theyre going to make some mistakes but perhaps Adkins is already seeing the promise.
I said that self same thing recently. I quoted ' If you are good enough, you are old enough '. I then listed a lot of players back to the 1950's to show how many were really successful.
All I got was mocking nonsense telling me I always talk rubbish.
Let us see if you get the same criticism.
That's because quoting footballers back to the 1950s is not relevant to today's game.
I included modern players and past players are relevant. Why do u think nothing counts unless you were around at the time.
So you don’t think the games changed in the last 50-60 years?
Why are you asking such a stupid question. For a start it is extremely disingenuous and designed to try to pick on me. Nobody critisised others for the same view but because I extrapolated back to what you consider pre history it is irrelevant.
Only a fool would think that.
The phrase was , "If you are good enough you are old enough.
Firmani in ' 51, Campbell and Reeves in '65, Paul Elliot and Paul Walsh in '81, Konchesky in '97 and Gomez plus Konsa and others in the last 5 years.
So what are you asking me. Has the game changed since Djiksteel was bloode in place of Solly.
Yes is the answer as the rules often change . But the phrase stands the test of time , a bit like your stupidity in this case
No but he was in his 20s and his 3rd year of men's football before he actually became our first choice right back. Bloode.
We've got a better starting 11 than last season, but we still lack depth. Lack of depth is what has fucked us over the past 2 seasons, so hopefully we address that before the season starts. I have no reason to believe that we won't.
We've got a better starting 11 than last season, but we still lack depth. Lack of depth is what has fucked us over the past 2 seasons, so hopefully we address that before the season starts. I have no reason to believe that we won't.
We also need to find a way to reduce the number of injuries. Adkins replacing Bowyer may help that.
Personally I don’t understand the fuss about Maatsen, he had one decent game against Donny but other than that he was average at best.
I suppose there is a case for being one year older and wiser.
I think that's unfair, he was certainly inconsistent but one decent game is wrong. In fact, I don't think he even played that well against Donny, he just happened to score his only goal. He had a few blinders and I'd be confident he could really progress.
Put it this way, if Maatsen had come through our academy they'd be spunk all over this forum. He's 19, we've got players older than that who are still regarded as promising but yet to make their mark in the first team.
We've got a better starting 11 than last season, but we still lack depth. Lack of depth is what has fucked us over the past 2 seasons, so hopefully we address that before the season starts. I have no reason to believe that we won't.
We do, not doubting that but most other teams in the division are in the same boat
Personally I don’t understand the fuss about Maatsen, he had one decent game against Donny but other than that he was average at best.
I suppose there is a case for being one year older and wiser.
I think that's unfair, he was certainly inconsistent but one decent game is wrong. In fact, I don't think he even played that well against Donny, he just happened to score his only goal. He had a few blinders and I'd be confident he could really progress.
Put it this way, if Maatsen had come through our academy they'd be spunk all over this forum. He's 19, we've got players older than that who are still regarded as promising but yet to make their mark in the first team.
I agree with you there. He really improved under Adkins. Millar and Maatsen actually started to look like a really dangerous pairing.
Gomes, konsa, Shelvey, lookman we’re all unknowns when we blooded them. Look where they are now. if they’re good enough then get our youngsters in the team. Theyre going to make some mistakes but perhaps Adkins is already seeing the promise.
I said that self same thing recently. I quoted ' If you are good enough, you are old enough '. I then listed a lot of players back to the 1950's to show how many were really successful.
All I got was mocking nonsense telling me I always talk rubbish.
Let us see if you get the same criticism.
That's because quoting footballers back to the 1950s is not relevant to today's game.
I included modern players and past players are relevant. Why do u think nothing counts unless you were around at the time.
So you don’t think the games changed in the last 50-60 years?
Why are you asking such a stupid question. For a start it is extremely disingenuous and designed to try to pick on me. Nobody critisised others for the same view but because I extrapolated back to what you consider pre history it is irrelevant.
Only a fool would think that.
The phrase was , "If you are good enough you are old enough.
Firmani in ' 51, Campbell and Reeves in '65, Paul Elliot and Paul Walsh in '81, Konchesky in '97 and Gomez plus Konsa and others in the last 5 years.
So what are you asking me. Has the game changed since Djiksteel was bloode in place of Solly.
Yes is the answer as the rules often change . But the phrase stands the test of time , a bit like your stupidity in this case
If you weren't such a grumpy old sod, you'd get on with people on this forum a lot better.
Isn’t it less about how we compare to the start of last season and more about how we compare to the end of it?
the squad at the end was potentially promotion strength. We’re a top scorer, a Maatsen and a Millar down on that squad.
I’m a bit worried about Innis. Is he going to be around much? Another ’needs looking after’ player. That’s why I think we need some cover. Bowyer not bringing in a CB last season was, for me, the single-most critical factor in us not getting in the playoffs.
I’m hoping Nigel has seen stuff in the kids that makes all this transfer tittle-tattle irrelevant.
Personally I don’t understand the fuss about Maatsen, he had one decent game against Donny but other than that he was average at best.
I suppose there is a case for being one year older and wiser.
It's the De Silva effect.
What’s that? Had a much better second loan so expect him to do the same?
Most, I would say almost all, players of that age improve after a year of men's football. With Gallagher being the exception (although you could say he did still improve in his second year out on loan).
Look at the difference when we get players on their first season of loans to their second. Obviously some just aren't good enough but Cullen, Beilik, Millar, Famewo, Field, Steer, Da Silva mk2, Leko had all played men's football before. It makes a massive difference.
I would say we need to have 2 players able to cover each position in the squad. Assuming it’s a more defensive 433 (cos that’s what Adkins played mostly last season).
GK: Macgillivray, AMB RB: Mathews, Gunter RCB: Inniss, signing needed LCB: Famewo, Pearce LB: signing needed, Purrington CDM: Dobson, Watson CM: Clare, Morgan CM: Gilbey, JFC (return unknown so signing needed) RW: signing need, Washington ST: Stockley, signing needed LW: Jaiyesimi, signing needed
I’ve put Washington as a RW purely because he can cover there and we need a new striker regardless.
I also think we need an attacking midfielder incase we want to switch things up so that’s another signing needed
In which case, that leaves us needing 7 signings before the window closes if we want the best possible depth. RCB, LB, CM, CAM, RW, ST, LW. But we could potentially get away with just one winger if need be, since DJ can play both sides and Washington can cover.
I suspect Chelsea would want to see him loaned to a Championship club to increase he resale value while Charlton end up loaning a different Chelsea player.
Who that might be I have no idea but I'd never heard of Gallagher either. Gallen will know who's available and will probably already had talks with Chelsea and other EPL clubs.
Gallen will also know that he'll have to wait, perhaps until just before the window closes, until he gets a definite answer.
What I felt about Maatsen last season was at the beginning of the season he looked to be outrageously too good for the level. Then as the season progressed he sort of adapted to it. It is possible he looked good when the team was good, so the secret is probably having good players around him.
Or other teams worked him out, as after a few weeks he was no longer an unknown quantity
You can imagine the scout reports, saying how to defend against him and how to exploit his weaknesses. The important thing is how the player improves their game to counter this, through coaching and football intelligence.
Comments
What do you know that we don't?
Herr Bartram has already issued a warning letter to your parents and you’d be sensible to heed its content.
You won’t be able to blame anyone but yourselves if you end up with a detention.
I suppose there is a case for being one year older and wiser.
Put it this way, if Maatsen had come through our academy they'd be spunk all over this forum. He's 19, we've got players older than that who are still regarded as promising but yet to make their mark in the first team.
He really improved under Adkins.
Millar and Maatsen actually started to look like a really dangerous pairing.
the squad at the end was potentially promotion strength. We’re a top scorer, a Maatsen and a Millar down on that squad.
I’m a bit worried about Innis. Is he going to be around much? Another ’needs looking after’ player. That’s why I think we need some cover. Bowyer not bringing in a CB last season was, for me, the single-most critical factor in us not getting in the playoffs.
I’m hoping Nigel has seen stuff in the kids that makes all this transfer tittle-tattle irrelevant.
Look at the difference when we get players on their first season of loans to their second. Obviously some just aren't good enough but Cullen, Beilik, Millar, Famewo, Field, Steer, Da Silva mk2, Leko had all played men's football before. It makes a massive difference.
GK: Macgillivray, AMB
RB: Mathews, Gunter
RCB: Inniss, signing needed
LCB: Famewo, Pearce
LB: signing needed, Purrington
CDM: Dobson, Watson
CM: Clare, Morgan
CM: Gilbey, JFC (return unknown so signing needed)
RW: signing need, Washington
ST: Stockley, signing needed
LW: Jaiyesimi, signing needed
I’ve put Washington as a RW purely because he can cover there and we need a new striker regardless.
I also think we need an attacking midfielder incase we want to switch things up so that’s another signing needed
In which case, that leaves us needing 7 signings before the window closes if we want the best possible depth. RCB, LB, CM, CAM, RW, ST, LW. But we could potentially get away with just one winger if need be, since DJ can play both sides and Washington can cover.
You can imagine the scout reports, saying how to defend against him and how to exploit his weaknesses. The important thing is how the player improves their game to counter this, through coaching and football intelligence.