He is a very good player. We've found an exciting replacement but Small is still very good.
Exactly this - I think we signed Edwards last season as back-up to both Small and Gillesphey, and it just happened that Edwards played so well he took that LWB slot and Jones moved Small to the right, it worked and that was that.
Likely we'd have happily kept Small as competition for Edwards and Apter (and the squad would have been better for it), but I suspect he felt Preston were more likely to start him more, he had more chance of playing on the left, and likely were offering to pay him more as a result.
Doesn't mean Jones didn't want to keep him.
And his reported wages at Preston will be in the upper 1/3 of our player wages, which does not fit for a backup / utility player. Apter is a much better overall choice I feel.
He is a very good player. We've found an exciting replacement but Small is still very good.
Exactly this - I think we signed Edwards last season as back-up to both Small and Gillesphey, and it just happened that Edwards played so well he took that LWB slot and Jones moved Small to the right, it worked and that was that.
Likely we'd have happily kept Small as competition for Edwards and Apter (and the squad would have been better for it), but I suspect he felt Preston were more likely to start him more, he had more chance of playing on the left, and likely were offering to pay him more as a result.
Doesn't mean Jones didn't want to keep him.
I don’t think Edwards was signed to be back up.
Nathan Jones wanted to build a solid foundation. The problem Thierry had as a young and exciting, flair player was consistency and that’s what Nathan Jones needed in the position over a 46 game season. A position was later found for Thierry where his defensive inconsistency was covered by the monster that is Kayne Ramsay.
Edwards started the last two pre season friendlies and was replaced by Thierry for the last 20 of each and we already had LB back up in Tayo Edun. He also started the season as first choice and then came straight back into the team as soon as he recovered from injury, by that point he was clearly the preferred choice.
At just 21 in August, I think Thierry Small will make great strides this season and seeing him on the left and making an accurate 25 yard pass for Osmajic to run on to score was impressive for Preston against Leicester in the 85th minute.
Rob Apter is a different type of player to Thierry and at 22 is more controlled and less erratic than Small was last season. My tip before the first league game was Apter would be the best of the new boys. With Ramsay having his back, any defensive short comings for Rob haven't been exposed up to now. Great start to his CAFC career and will be a fans favourite 👏🏼
It's amazing how many of the black players who make it as professional players whether from a Caribbean or an African background have strong religious beliefs and thank their god at every opportunity. Eze did it in post cup final interviews and Thierry Small was posting his thanks to the deity after his fine assist against Leicester. Joe Aribo and so many other players thank their Lord for the assists in their careers. Richard Rufus nearly went into the church before becoming a footballer and onto his financial conversion!
Making the sign of the cross as a match starts or when coming on to the field of play is made by many Christian players of all hues especially Catholic players whether strong believers or just more of a habit.
Nathan Jones is now the most famous white manic pitch preacher in football after the semi final win.
Alien to my humanist beliefs but if his Big G drives NJ on to success for CAFC then Amen 🙏🏻 to that.
It's amazing how many of the black players who make it as professional players whether from a Caribbean or an African background have strong religious beliefs and thank their god at every opportunity. Eze did it in post cup final interviews and Thierry Small was posting his thanks to the deity after his fine assist against Leicester. Joe Aribo and so many other players thank their Lord for the assists in their careers. Richard Rufus nearly went into the church before becoming a footballer and onto his financial conversion!
Making the sign of the cross as a match starts or when coming on to the field of play is made by many Christian players of all hues especially Catholic players whether strong believers or just more of a habit.
Nathan Jones is now the most famous white manic pitch preacher in football after the semi final win.
Alien to my humanist beliefs but if his Big G drives NJ on to success for CAFC then Amen 🙏🏻 to that.
I think Apter is the more rounded and consistent player, but Small will produce moments of magic amongst the less good moments.
And as fans you tend to remember the magic moments more than the dross.
Agree, so far I prefer Apter (after 2 games, granted) but Small was perhaps more capable of the outstanding moment. Apter will be great for us I feel on early showings.
It's amazing how many of the black players who make it as professional players whether from a Caribbean or an African background have strong religious beliefs and thank their god at every opportunity. Eze did it in post cup final interviews and Thierry Small was posting his thanks to the deity after his fine assist against Leicester. Joe Aribo and so many other players thank their Lord for the assists in their careers. Richard Rufus nearly went into the church before becoming a footballer and onto his financial conversion!
Making the sign of the cross as a match starts or when coming on to the field of play is made by many Christian players of all hues especially Catholic players whether strong believers or just more of a habit.
Nathan Jones is now the most famous white manic pitch preacher in football after the semi final win.
Alien to my humanist beliefs but if his Big G drives NJ on to success for CAFC then Amen 🙏🏻 to that.
Always find it a bit weird, even if you're religious do you think God is taking an interest in Preston v Leicester and picking a side?
It's amazing how many of the black players who make it as professional players whether from a Caribbean or an African background have strong religious beliefs and thank their god at every opportunity. Eze did it in post cup final interviews and Thierry Small was posting his thanks to the deity after his fine assist against Leicester. Joe Aribo and so many other players thank their Lord for the assists in their careers. Richard Rufus nearly went into the church before becoming a footballer and onto his financial conversion!
Making the sign of the cross as a match starts or when coming on to the field of play is made by many Christian players of all hues especially Catholic players whether strong believers or just more of a habit.
Nathan Jones is now the most famous white manic pitch preacher in football after the semi final win.
Alien to my humanist beliefs but if his Big G drives NJ on to success for CAFC then Amen 🙏🏻 to that.
Always find it a bit weird, even if you're religious do you think God is taking an interest in Preston v Leicester and picking a side?
No more interest than the Prophet Muhammad probably takes, but people dont tend to take issue with that
It's amazing how many of the black players who make it as professional players whether from a Caribbean or an African background have strong religious beliefs and thank their god at every opportunity. Eze did it in post cup final interviews and Thierry Small was posting his thanks to the deity after his fine assist against Leicester. Joe Aribo and so many other players thank their Lord for the assists in their careers. Richard Rufus nearly went into the church before becoming a footballer and onto his financial conversion!
Making the sign of the cross as a match starts or when coming on to the field of play is made by many Christian players of all hues especially Catholic players whether strong believers or just more of a habit.
Nathan Jones is now the most famous white manic pitch preacher in football after the semi final win.
Alien to my humanist beliefs but if his Big G drives NJ on to success for CAFC then Amen 🙏🏻 to that.
Always find it a bit weird, even if you're religious do you think God is taking an interest in Preston v Leicester and picking a side?
Not to get too theological but the idea is God is omnipresent and would help those who believe in him, not by choosing Preston or Leicester but by blessing certain players. Equally God might decide to challenge players for the future. The same principle would also stand for Islam
It's amazing how many of the black players who make it as professional players whether from a Caribbean or an African background have strong religious beliefs and thank their god at every opportunity. Eze did it in post cup final interviews and Thierry Small was posting his thanks to the deity after his fine assist against Leicester. Joe Aribo and so many other players thank their Lord for the assists in their careers. Richard Rufus nearly went into the church before becoming a footballer and onto his financial conversion!
Making the sign of the cross as a match starts or when coming on to the field of play is made by many Christian players of all hues especially Catholic players whether strong believers or just more of a habit.
Nathan Jones is now the most famous white manic pitch preacher in football after the semi final win.
Alien to my humanist beliefs but if his Big G drives NJ on to success for CAFC then Amen 🙏🏻 to that.
Always find it a bit weird, even if you're religious do you think God is taking an interest in Preston v Leicester and picking a side?
Not to get too theological but the idea is God is omnipresent and would help those who believe in him, not by choosing Preston or Leicester but by blessing certain players. Equally God might decide to challenge players for the future. The same principle would also stand for Islam
The no-mark Welling centre-back who crippled Miles and ensured Dean Holden wouldn't last the season apparently believes he does God's work. Just sayin....
It's amazing how many of the black players who make it as professional players whether from a Caribbean or an African background have strong religious beliefs and thank their god at every opportunity. Eze did it in post cup final interviews and Thierry Small was posting his thanks to the deity after his fine assist against Leicester. Joe Aribo and so many other players thank their Lord for the assists in their careers. Richard Rufus nearly went into the church before becoming a footballer and onto his financial conversion!
Making the sign of the cross as a match starts or when coming on to the field of play is made by many Christian players of all hues especially Catholic players whether strong believers or just more of a habit.
Nathan Jones is now the most famous white manic pitch preacher in football after the semi final win.
Alien to my humanist beliefs but if his Big G drives NJ on to success for CAFC then Amen 🙏🏻 to that.
Always find it a bit weird, even if you're religious do you think God is taking an interest in Preston v Leicester and picking a side?
Not to get too theological but the idea is God is omnipresent and would help those who believe in him, not by choosing Preston or Leicester but by blessing certain players. Equally God might decide to challenge players for the future. The same principle would also stand for Islam
The no-mark Welling centre-back who crippled Miles and ensured Dean Holden wouldn't last the season apparently believes he does God's work. Just sayin....
There's no need to make this a debate about religion, I was simply stating the theory
I saw this comment on another forum. Thierry had a great game on Saturday
Best I've seen us play in a long, long while - a complete contrast to the end of last season. Some of our signings (the ones that aren't injured!) look superb particularly Small who ran Leicester ragged.
If I could add one (realistic) player to our squad I think it would be Thierry.
He covers both wing back roles where we are short of cover and offers something different in both. Physicality and aggression. That ability to beat a man on both sides. He probably wouldn't be starting every game but would get enough across the season rotating with Josh and Rob. Would leave me comfortable with our depth in every position.
I really like Small as he is without doubt exciting to watch and I was gutted when he left but having seen the money the club have spent I’m sure if NJ wanted to keep him we could have he must think there was better out there
Apter and Small are different players and both have massive potential.
Agree, though Apter suits what we need in the role more with his goalscoring record and technical ability over Small’s tricks, pace and power.
Small would have been great as an option in our squad but I don’t think we could guarantee regular starts in the way Preston can, so that suits him.
If we don’t bring a WB in, it’ll be interesting how we cover Apter and Edwards, as we have options with moving senior players, or giving young players their chance.
If I could add one (realistic) player to our squad I think it would be Thierry.
He covers both wing back roles where we are short of cover and offers something different in both. Physicality and aggression. That ability to beat a man on both sides. He probably wouldn't be starting every game but would get enough across the season rotating with Josh and Rob. Would leave me comfortable with our depth in every position.
You have to ask whether Thierry as "cover" is realistic?
I don't think it is. Ideal scenario perhaps, but somebody who has made an impact in the Championship, now earns £10k+, aged 21, Midlands lad was unlikely to stay for such a role.
If I could add one (realistic) player to our squad I think it would be Thierry.
He covers both wing back roles where we are short of cover and offers something different in both. Physicality and aggression. That ability to beat a man on both sides. He probably wouldn't be starting every game but would get enough across the season rotating with Josh and Rob. Would leave me comfortable with our depth in every position.
You have to ask whether Thierry as "cover" is realistic?
I don't think it is. Ideal scenario perhaps, but somebody who has made an impact in the Championship, now earns £10k+, aged 21, Midlands lad was unlikely to stay for such a role.
I did mean in an ideal world. Even still I don't think the concept of cover/backup players really applies in the same sense anymore. This league is intense. There are periods when we play league games saturday-tuesday for weeks. We will have to use multiple players in every position even if by some miracle there is no injuries at all this year. With Thierry being an option at both RWB and LWB he would likely have played a lot of games even if not "first choice".
Same could be said for Carey as backup to Knibbs. Or any 3 of our 5 strikers. Out top scorer from last year, our 1.5m signing, our 3.5m signing, our jamaican international kid whontore it up last year, our 20 year old rising star. Surely they aren't happy as cover either.
If I could add one (realistic) player to our squad I think it would be Thierry.
He covers both wing back roles where we are short of cover and offers something different in both. Physicality and aggression. That ability to beat a man on both sides. He probably wouldn't be starting every game but would get enough across the season rotating with Josh and Rob. Would leave me comfortable with our depth in every position.
You have to ask whether Thierry as "cover" is realistic?
I don't think it is. Ideal scenario perhaps, but somebody who has made an impact in the Championship, now earns £10k+, aged 21, Midlands lad was unlikely to stay for such a role.
I did mean in an ideal world. Even still I don't think the concept of cover/backup players really applies in the same sense anymore. This league is intense. There are periods when we play league games saturday-tuesday for weeks. We will have to use multiple players in every position even if by some miracle there is no injuries at all this year. With Thierry being an option at both RWB and LWB he would likely have played a lot of games even if not "first choice".
Same could be said for Carey as backup to Knibbs. Or any 3 of our 5 strikers. Out top scorer from last year, our 1.5m signing, our 3.5m signing, our jamaican international kid whontore it up last year, our 20 year old rising star. Surely they aren't happy as cover either.
Obviously all our players are ambitious and want to play but for players like Oloafe and Carey if they’re offered the opportunity of starting L1 football or squad players in the championship on bigger wages I’m sure theyre happy with the latter. With Small there was no guarantee NJ would have not brought in someone else we saw for the first few months how he opted for Ramsay and Edwards and even at the back end of the season he utilised Watson a fair bit for Small from the bench, if Preston a team in the same division offered him more first team football and higher wages closer to home we never stood a chance.
Comments
Rob Apter is a different type of player to Thierry and at 22 is more controlled and less erratic than Small was last season. My tip before the first league game was Apter would be the best of the new boys. With Ramsay having his back, any defensive short comings for Rob haven't been exposed up to now. Great start to his CAFC career and will be a fans favourite 👏🏼
And as fans you tend to remember the magic moments more than the dross.
Making the sign of the cross as a match starts or when coming on to the field of play is made by many Christian players of all hues especially Catholic players whether strong believers or just more of a habit.
Nathan Jones is now the most famous white manic pitch preacher in football after the semi final win.
Alien to my humanist beliefs but if his Big G drives NJ on to success for CAFC then Amen 🙏🏻 to that.
It's not relevant and will only provoke arguments that admin have constantly asked us to avoid.
Best I've seen us play in a long, long while - a complete contrast to the end of last season. Some of our signings (the ones that aren't injured!) look superb particularly Small who ran Leicester ragged.
He covers both wing back roles where we are short of cover and offers something different in both. Physicality and aggression. That ability to beat a man on both sides. He probably wouldn't be starting every game but would get enough across the season rotating with Josh and Rob. Would leave me comfortable with our depth in every position.
Small would have been great as an option in our squad but I don’t think we could guarantee regular starts in the way Preston can, so that suits him.
If we don’t bring a WB in, it’ll be interesting how we cover Apter and Edwards, as we have options with moving senior players, or giving young players their chance.
I don't think it is. Ideal scenario perhaps, but somebody who has made an impact in the Championship, now earns £10k+, aged 21, Midlands lad was unlikely to stay for such a role.
Same could be said for Carey as backup to Knibbs. Or any 3 of our 5 strikers. Out top scorer from last year, our 1.5m signing, our 3.5m signing, our jamaican international kid whontore it up last year, our 20 year old rising star. Surely they aren't happy as cover either.