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.
If Rotherham are interested, I would imagine he would go there. It would be a no-brainier for the lad. They are a championship side who despatched Reading 4-0 today, he could stay in the north of the country, and no doubt Rotherham could and would beat us on a salary package. It’s difficult to come up with any pros why he might come to us, sadly only cons.
Our football this year may be much easier on the eye, but the sad truth is that there are several other teams who are superior to us in most of the departments that matter.
I don’t believe we are in for Stockton. He’s the same type as Stockley. Not sure there’s much credibility to the story when we haven’t paid a fee for any of our players.
The other thing I feel itchy on Stockton, is he’s never really played outside the North West, and your expecting him to settle in London. Gets all a bit Andy Gray for me
Same here. Feels like a disaster waiting to happen.
After 2 first team friendlies against league teams, 3 league games and 1 cup game we have scored 4 goals from open play, and one of them from the youth team. Those of us who have been saying for several months that there are not enough goals in this squad have now been publicly joined by Curbs and Brownie. All down to the owner now to make a season of it.
After 2 first team friendlies against league teams, 3 league games and 1 cup game we have scored 4 goals from open play, and one of them from the youth team. Those of us who have been saying for several months that there are not enough goals in this squad have now been publicly joined by Curbs and Brownie. All down to the owner now to make a season of it.
After 2 first team friendlies against league teams, 3 league games and 1 cup game we have scored 4 goals from open play, and one of them from the youth team. Those of us who have been saying for several months that there are not enough goals in this squad have now been publicly joined by Curbs and Brownie. All down to the owner now to make a season of it.
And one good signing could do that.
Would have to be a proven goalscorer in the Lee Gregory mode then, not some unproven loanee from the Prem.
Would have to be somebody or sombodies who meets the shortfall. Proven or unproven. Ideally proven but that won't be easy but we need to try to sort this issue out as it is very likely to cost us and as people have said, there are a lot of positives around how we are playing to the point that doing nothing would almost be criminal.
After 2 first team friendlies against league teams, 3 league games and 1 cup game we have scored 4 goals from open play, and one of them from the youth team. Those of us who have been saying for several months that there are not enough goals in this squad have now been publicly joined by Curbs and Brownie. All down to the owner now to make a season of it.
Not the same situation, but Everton remind me slightly of us at the moment in that they've brought in several decent players in other positions, but not up front yet, which is their biggest weakness
PWR - From what I’ve heard, Stockton has gone to Fleetwood
It may prove to be a great signing but as someone else posted earlier there's got to be a reason the top clubs aren't looking to sign him. If he was as good as this forum seems to think he is then the likes of Ipswich, Derby and Sheff Weds would've been after him.
PWR - From what I’ve heard, Stockton has gone to Fleetwood
It may prove to be a great signing but as someone else posted earlier there's got to be a reason the top clubs aren't looking to sign him. If he was as good as this forum seems to think he is then the likes of Ipswich, Derby and Sheff Weds would've been after him.
Is Morecambe to Fleetwood even a step up?
Fleetwood and Morecambe aren’t likely to be playing on the deck!!
Stockley and Kirk can fuck right off asap because thay bring fuck all to this team stockley was bad won fuck all
Ridiculously harsh on Stockley. System may not suit him but he has given 100% every game he has played for us and we would have quote possibly dropped to L2 without him last season. Tend to agree that Kirk is a luxury player who is not good enough to be one.
Think Kirk will be dropped for JRS on Tuesday, or if not, replaced by him on 60 mins. After that he’ll be his backup. I’d be fine with him coming on to face tiring defenders from time to time.
Simpson or Stockton would be an upgrade on Stockley.
It is obvious we need a striker,but they dont grow on trees,the Mendoncas,Hales,Bents of this world are hard to find,a rare breed.you wont get an established one for our budget,so a chance has to be taken somewhere,dont ask me who,it could be a kid from the premier or an unknown from non league(Jamie Vardy) prime example,or dare I say a Lyle Taylor doing the rounds in the lower league.I am not going to have a go at Stockley,but we loads of crosses yesterday which he was no where near,they had one and scored.Stockley has to spend more time at the back of the area running on to crosses,not trying to head them from a standing position.(Watch the best,Shearer,Ronaldo).
Don't think it is as simple as 'get a new striker'. The biggest problem I saw yesterday was our inability to get numbers in the box in good positions. CBT did well on this but couldn't finish, but at least he was there, the rest will come with confidence. Kirk was probably the biggest culprit - as the wide man in the 5 he should be the one racing in when the ball is coming in on the right. Morgan and Fraser should also be taking it in turns to get to the edge of the box to pick up any loose ball that results from a cross. Stockley and the incoming wide man should also be switching between near and far post to give the defenders something to think about. Too often Stockley was coming near/central making him easier to mark.
I think BG has done really well in changing the general style of play but it still needs a lot of work in the final third mobillty (not just Stockley). He may be tempted to try a false 9 to draw central defenders but who of the current squad can play that role (Payne, JRS?). I don't think a Stockton type is the answer or Leaburn (but he does have more mobility and would learn quicker). A fit Aneke has the skills but we all know the problem there.
Will be interesting to see what Garner does on Tuesday and would expect to see a few changes - some players will not have recovered sufficiently from Saturday (e.g. Fraser) and two performances were unacceptable for differing reasons (Kirk and Stockley).
Garner’s way of playing does as pointed out, needs midfielders to get into the box, and load it up, Fraser isn’t doing that, so suspect that’s where a Payne comes in and does that job
Several times in the first half Stockley made good near paper runs that drew feeders with him and left the far post exposed. Good crosses were then sent to the far post no one was attacking that area. Kirk the biggest culprit, for me, but midfielders need to get in there two. Payne in for Fraser and RakSaki in for Kirk will hopefully help but we’ll have to wait and see.
I tend to agree Stockley isn’t naturally suited to this style of play, but it is a completely new style of play for us.
We’ve improved with every performance so far and he has had two excellent chances I’d have expected him to take. He needs some support in the shape of another striker coming in because he can’t do that job Saturday/Tuesday every week, but don’t write his season off just yet. He’s a really good league one player with an excellent attitude and a willingness to learn.
The club know I am sure that we need another one in upfront. And I am sure they’ll get the right person for the team. 👍
Comments
It’s difficult to come up with any pros why he might come to us, sadly only cons.
https://www.twtd.co.uk/ipswich-town-news/42823/huddersfield-and-boro-linked-with-simpson
He’s the same type as Stockley.
Not sure there’s much credibility to the story when we haven’t paid a fee for any of our players.
Same here. Feels like a disaster waiting to happen.
All down to the owner now to make a season of it.
Is Morecambe to Fleetwood even a step up?
Derek Adams said in his post match interview that Stockton called up morning of the game yesterday saying he was sick and unable to play.
Be a bit weird to go all Lyle Taylor for a move to Fleetwood though.
I think BG has done really well in changing the general style of play but it still needs a lot of work in the final third mobillty (not just Stockley). He may be tempted to try a false 9 to draw central defenders but who of the current squad can play that role (Payne, JRS?). I don't think a Stockton type is the answer or Leaburn (but he does have more mobility and would learn quicker). A fit Aneke has the skills but we all know the problem there.
Will be interesting to see what Garner does on Tuesday and would expect to see a few changes - some players will not have recovered sufficiently from Saturday (e.g. Fraser) and two performances were unacceptable for differing reasons (Kirk and Stockley).