I cant see how they will attract a decent striker into the building if they aren't playing most weeks, and i cant see us paying top dollar for a backup.
A decent striker will look at Stockley, with his back problems last season and without the sort of goal record which makes him undroppable, and Aneke who only seems suited to being a supersub, and fancy their chances.
A decent striker will look at Stockley and think “you should be in midfield mate”.
Anyone who looks at Stockley and thinks that should be classed as criminally insane.
Of anyone I think DJ would actually make a good CM. Could be a poor man's Aribo and still be pretty good I reckon.
I cant see how they will attract a decent striker into the building if they aren't playing most weeks, and i cant see us paying top dollar for a backup.
A decent striker will look at Stockley, with his back problems last season and without the sort of goal record which makes him undroppable, and Aneke who only seems suited to being a supersub, and fancy their chances.
A decent striker will look at Stockley and think “you should be in midfield mate”.
A decent striker will look at Stockley & watch our matches and think " you should be in defence mate".
I cant see how they will attract a decent striker into the building if they aren't playing most weeks, and i cant see us paying top dollar for a backup.
A decent striker will look at Stockley, with his back problems last season and without the sort of goal record which makes him undroppable, and Aneke who only seems suited to being a supersub, and fancy their chances.
A decent striker will look at Stockley and think “you should be in midfield mate”.
A decent striker will look at Stockley & watch our matches and think " you should be in defence mate".
If Stockley plays in defence, who is going to score all the goals. Gotta keep your eye on the ball golfie. 😉
Thanks for the memories, Ben. The painful, awful memories.
I think we should henceforth refer to that Pratley-Watson midfield pairing as 'The Partnership that shall not be Named.' Like Voldemort.
Outrageously harsh on Pratters that. One of the best midfielders we’ve had in the last 15 years
Thought this reply was a joke at first, some are easily pleased. I would put Pratley in the bottom half…and the comment got 23 likes 🤣
That would go back to, what, the 2008/09 season? Some sad act will have to work out all the midfielders we've had in that 15 year period and then work out if he's bottom half or not. That sad act will be me. See you later.
Thanks for the memories, Ben. The painful, awful memories.
I think we should henceforth refer to that Pratley-Watson midfield pairing as 'The Partnership that shall not be Named.' Like Voldemort.
Outrageously harsh on Pratters that. One of the best midfielders we’ve had in the last 15 years
Thought this reply was a joke at first, some are easily pleased. I would put Pratley in the bottom half…and the comment got 23 likes 🤣
That would go back to, what, the 2008/09 season? Some sad act will have to work out all the midfielders we've had in that 15 year period and then work out if he's bottom half or not. That sad act will be me. See you later.
I was hoping someone would do this. Looking forward to the results.
Thanks for the memories, Ben. The painful, awful memories.
I think we should henceforth refer to that Pratley-Watson midfield pairing as 'The Partnership that shall not be Named.' Like Voldemort.
Outrageously harsh on Pratters that. One of the best midfielders we’ve had in the last 15 years
Thought this reply was a joke at first, some are easily pleased. I would put Pratley in the bottom half…and the comment got 23 likes 🤣
That would go back to, what, the 2008/09 season? Some sad act will have to work out all the midfielders we've had in that 15 year period and then work out if he's bottom half or not. That sad act will be me. See you later.
I was hoping someone would do this. Looking forward to the results.
I've been doing it for 5 minutes and I already wish I was dead. I'm remembering some stuff that no Charlton fan should ever willingly be exposed to again.
Jordan Cousins is a good over/under. Same virtues and vices as Pratley except younger and quicker. I'd actually put Pratley above him though, he was SO crap on the ball
The term “nouse” is the key for players like Pratley. his brain was mostly excellent in those dark arts. Someone who knew when to foul and how much to foul.
Some players just foul when s player gets away but it’s the ones who do it when they need to that are particularly eye catching for me - the ones who see the impending danger - not just pissed off for getting turned over
Pratley was obviously past his best when he joined us but decent enough at our level. The sort of player skilled in the dark arts that you need.
Pratley was already 33 when he joined us from Bolton; and had played most of his football in the Championship plus a few seasons in the Prem.
And then you also need to consider what Bowyer said at the time of signing Pratley ....... that he thought the team were a bit of a soft touch and he needed a ball winner in midfield, a physical presence to add bite and experience. And had a reputation for being a leader both on and off the pitch.
Pratley was obviously past his best when he joined us but decent enough at our level. The sort of player skilled in the dark arts that you need.
Pratley was already 33 when he joined us from Bolton; and had played most of his football in the Championship plus a few seasons in the Prem.
And then you also need to consider what Bowyer said at the time of signing Pratley ....... that he thought the team were a bit of a soft touch and he needed a ball winner in midfield, a physical presence to add bite and experience. And had a reputation for being a leader both on and off the pitch.
We got exactly what it said on the tin.
I still think he could have 'done a job for us' at certain points last season although Dobson has proved an able replacement.
Hard to be so dismissive of Pratley as he got us through the Doncaster semi final and a big contribution in the final v Sunderland. As he had energy and leadership, (alongside a dodgy transfer policy), we over relied on him being our "general" for too long.
It's too easy to disregard Pratley's presence and leadership qualities. When the ball playing snowflakes go missing, or when some oaf scores an own goal in the first few minutes of a play off final, you need someone with balls to step up to the plate. And fwiw he was a tidy footballer at his best.
Pratley was a very good player and leader for us but he left a season ago and he's not coming back (as a player anyway) so no need to discuss on this rumours thread.
Now, back to potential signings.
Simpson? Yes, please but think it will go to the wire as we wait for Ipswich to blink on the price.
Sarr? He's 29 now and isn't a left back but he's available on a free. Reading struggling to sign him so maybe there is a chance for us to nick him IF he drops his wage demands.
More likely that the LCH and LB will be one player, not two, and someone the vast majority of us, me included, haven't heard of.
It won’t be sarr as his wage demands will be far too high he was earning £15k a week at Huddersfield, I know this to be true as a guy I know knew him well
It won’t be sarr as his wage demands will be far too high he was earning £15k a week at Huddersfield, I know this to be true as a guy I know knew him well
He only stayed with us so long because he wages were so high
Pratley was an asset to our squad imo, I hold him in high estimation. We know what he was good at but in addition he filled in at CB when we we’re desperately short handed in the second half of the season. I actually think he was over used (for his age) in that period playing every game, affecting his form somewhat during the last few games of the season.
Thanks for the memories, Ben. The painful, awful memories.
I think we should henceforth refer to that Pratley-Watson midfield pairing as 'The Partnership that shall not be Named.' Like Voldemort.
Outrageously harsh on Pratters that. One of the best midfielders we’ve had in the last 15 years
Thought this reply was a joke at first, some are easily pleased. I would put Pratley in the bottom half…and the comment got 23 likes 🤣
That would go back to, what, the 2008/09 season? Some sad act will have to work out all the midfielders we've had in that 15 year period and then work out if he's bottom half or not. That sad act will be me. See you later.
Mullins who can blame him! Was at Cambridge and we I think offered him a two year deal on 5k a week he is from Liverpool so Wrexham he can commute gave him a 3 year deal at believed to be 9k a week! we would do the same given his situation
Comments
Anyone who looks at Stockley and thinks that should be classed as criminally insane.
Of anyone I think DJ would actually make a good CM. Could be a poor man's Aribo and still be pretty good I reckon.
Gotta keep your eye on the ball golfie. 😉
his brain was mostly excellent in those dark arts. Someone who knew when to foul and how much to foul.
And then you also need to consider what Bowyer said at the time of signing Pratley ....... that he thought the team were a bit of a soft touch and he needed a ball winner in midfield, a physical presence to add bite and experience. And had a reputation for being a leader both on and off the pitch.
We got exactly what it said on the tin.
When the ball playing snowflakes go missing, or when some oaf scores an own goal in the first few minutes of a play off final, you need someone with balls to step up to the plate.
And fwiw he was a tidy footballer at his best.
Now, back to potential signings.
Simpson? Yes, please but think it will go to the wire as we wait for Ipswich to blink on the price.
Sarr? He's 29 now and isn't a left back but he's available on a free. Reading struggling to sign him so maybe there is a chance for us to nick him IF he drops his wage demands.
More likely that the LCH and LB will be one player, not two, and someone the vast majority of us, me included, haven't heard of.
No complaints from me.
he was earning £15k a week at Huddersfield, I know this to be true as a guy I know knew him well
We know what he was good at but in addition he filled in at CB when we we’re desperately short handed in the second half of the season. I actually think he was over used (for his age) in that period playing every game, affecting his form somewhat during the last few games of the season.
that’s not to say we pay low wages but just shows how ridiculous their financial weight is at that level.
he is from Liverpool so Wrexham he can commute gave him a 3 year deal at believed to be 9k a week!
we would do the same given his situation