Vital win, but as others have said, our squad needs a major rebuild
Those not good enough or do not offer any value, in my view, must leave the club.
I know I am off topic, but watching today, I thought what a job NJ has to get us into the promotion push next year.
The problem will be Andy Scott, who is clueless on recruitment, given the chaotic nature of our squad.
NJ looks a proper manager, but the sorting out of the squad need to start in early May.
It is a massive challenge, but below is my take on it
Must keeps
- Small - EDG - ConCov - May - Leaburn - Kanu - Dobbo [if he plays like today and wants to stay] - Anderson [ he will get better]
Loans - please sort out the mess !
The rubbish loanees can all go back to their parent club The rubbish we have loaned out - that’s a huge issue/problem
Not good enough, so must go
Goalkeepers - Isted and AMB Thomas - get rid Edun - get rid Ladapo - get rid Bakinson - get rid Hector - get rid Ness - sell or loan out Chin - sell or loan out L Watson - get rid
The “never fit”, so must go
Taylor Ramsey Chuks Camara
Jury’s still out….a risk
Ghillesphey T Watson Jones Wickham [ his fitness will be the problem]
Youngsters not quite ready, so loan out?
Asiimwe - needs game time Campbell - need game time Henry - last chance saloon
Never let them wear the shirt again [if they are still on our books]
Payne Fraser Deejay Mcgrandles Kirk Fiorini
Nice one on padding out the "must go" category with loan players... they will go - like the loan players do every season.
edit to add (whilst I checked)
Payne, DJ contracts are up end of season (so essentially no longer CAFC players), Kirk doesn't have a contract with us, Fiorini is another loan so really you are saying Fraser and Mcgrandles.
True, but only when you write it all down can you see the poor state of our squad.
Fair comment on the detail, but whichever way you cut it, the squad needs a massive change - question is, will Scott be allowed to rule the roost on future transfers?
Yeah I don't disagree with what you say, and the squad is bloated as Jones has already said. Jones' "post window activities" would suggest perhaps the ownership are looking at his results and taking more notice of him than Scott in the last few weeks so i'd take that as a reason to be positive.
Yes, the behind the scenes conversations and "pecking order" will be very interesting...
I think those conversations, with the owners, would have taken place before NJ agreed to join. I am in no doubt that NJ is now in charge of recruitment.
It’s quite bad tbf - completely understandable why he struggles to get a long term contract anywhere. Bouncing from club to club who need a short term solution. I think Chuks might end up going the same way once his deal here runs out.
Gonna be a much tougher League One next season with the likes of Wrexham, Wednesday, etc being possible competitors, but for tonight, it's just a winning weekend feeling.
Agreed, looking like any 2 from Sheff Weds, Huddersfield, Birmingham, Stoke, QPR and Blackburn could be joining us next season and i think any of those sides would be amongst the favourites for promotion next year. Add in Wrexham who would throw money at championship level players and it'll be a tough division next year.
Hopefully whoever finishes 3rd out of Pompey, Derby and Bolton wins the play offs otherwise they'll be another contender next year.
At least we'll be in the division though and it's a hell of a lot better than where we were heading a few weeks ago under Appleton.
NJ has done a magnificent job changing a team where losing was the norm to a team very hard to beat. I would also like to praise the owners who despite misjudgements on certain recruitments have continued to put their hands in their pockets to get the reinforcements required to steer the club to safety.
The first thing I noticed was the lack of a press higher up the pitch which was probably deliberate as Carlisle pose much less of a threat than at least 3 of our last 4 opponents, Carlisle also were neat and tidy, they scored a well taken but messy goal against the run of play and only when we got the game to 2-1 did they emerge from their 9 behind the ball shell which is absolute credit to us and our endeavour. The ref was shite so were his linesmen, picky and inconsistent. Anderson was stymied by the stupid early yellow for which I see players do every week and not get punished for, he will learn as that intent and aggression is the best part of his game and Dobbo has learned how to play under a booking and still be aggressive and assertive when going into challenges.
The penalty looked very soft to me but I was about as far away from it as you can get, Small is quick becoming a favourite of mine, has proper football intelligence and I'll be very happy if we convince him to stay. Connor had a very decent game again, Alfie and Daniel Kanu are a brilliant combination and most defenders in this league have no idea what to do with them both especially when the youngster who they would be used to old-manning and being physicla with is more physical and determined than they are
And Connor Wickham, I'm glad we've picked him up, always been a classy player and contributed well when he came on, I never like us playing sides with him in the opposition squad and glad that he has showed he seems to be serious coming here
It’s quite bad tbf - completely understandable why he struggles to get a long term contract anywhere. Bouncing from club to club who need a short term solution. I think Chuks might end up going the same way once his deal here runs out.
Wickham, just like Chuks would absolutely not be playing at this level if it wasn't for injuries. Some players are just cursed.
I've seen some people say his signing could be with an eye on signing him for next season but i seriously doubt we could afford to go into a season with him and Chuks as 2 of our 5 striker options as it's highly likely both would be injured before October.
First match at Valley all year. Not pretty but a wins a win. Loved Alfie’s tunnel jump. Love NJ. The man has passion. How did we convince either Alfie or NJ to join us???
BTW please can someone explain the words to Alfie and Kanu’s songs please?
And Connor Wickham, I'm glad we've picked him up, always been a classy player and contributed well when he came on, I never like us playing sides with him in the opposition squad and glad that he has showed he seems to be serious coming here
It’s quite bad tbf - completely understandable why he struggles to get a long term contract anywhere. Bouncing from club to club who need a short term solution. I think Chuks might end up going the same way once his deal here runs out.
470 days injured in 16/17! More than 365 days injured in a season is impressive, even for some of the players we’ve had
Was it Coventry who played the ball to Kanu for his goal? If so very reminiscent of the pass he made against Derby when Kanu won the penalty. Developing a good understanding.
Was it Coventry who played the ball to Kanu for his goal? If so very reminiscent of the pass he made against Derby when Kanu won the penalty. Developing a good understanding.
That was a lot harder than I thought it would be Carlisle gave us a good game Could have gone either way but we stuck in there & got the win It's looking a lot better now in the league I think that's us definitely safe now Well done you Reds 👏
I felt Carlisle knew they were down but at least they played with a bit of freedom and I've seen far worse than them so credit to them and their 800 fans, a horrible journey.
I though Kanu was superb but May seemed backed to his best, his second goal I thought was one of his best of the season purely for the composure.
Its good to see Jones has got some fire in the belly... We need it badly as the last few years it's been like watching a team of Tellytubbies!
Not sure about Fleetwood next week, would love a win but I'll take a point purely because we know Stockley will up his game. I'd like to Jones return but he may keep the same aquad.
By the way not much has been said so far about this Brighton player Lukaku? Is that the fella that you used to do somersaults after scoring? Apologies if I'm wrong I'm old.
Anyway first Saturday league win since October 21st.... You couldn't make it up.
Delighted we have won as think we are basically safe now baring a biblical collapse by us. Thought the main positive was the link up play between May & Kanu.
Still annoyed that we gift goals away to weak opposition. Can’t remember Carlisle having a substained period of attack but still scored two goals.
Vital win, but as others have said, our squad needs a major rebuild
Those not good enough or do not offer any value, in my view, must leave the club.
I know I am off topic, but watching today, I thought what a job NJ has to get us into the promotion push next year.
The problem will be Andy Scott, who is clueless on recruitment, given the chaotic nature of our squad.
NJ looks a proper manager, but the sorting out of the squad need to start in early May.
It is a massive challenge, but below is my take on it
Must keeps
- Small - EDG - ConCov - May - Leaburn - Kanu - Dobbo [if he plays like today and wants to stay] - Anderson [ he will get better]
Loans - please sort out the mess !
The rubbish loanees can all go back to their parent club The rubbish we have loaned out - that’s a huge issue/problem
Not good enough, so must go
Goalkeepers - Isted and AMB Thomas - get rid Edun - get rid Ladapo - get rid Bakinson - get rid Hector - get rid Ness - sell or loan out Chin - sell or loan out L Watson - get rid
The “never fit”, so must go
Taylor Ramsey Chuks Camara
Jury’s still out….a risk
Ghillesphey T Watson Jones Wickham [ his fitness will be the problem]
Youngsters not quite ready, so loan out?
Asiimwe - needs game time Campbell - need game time Henry - last chance saloon
Never let them wear the shirt again [if they are still on our books]
Payne Fraser Deejay Mcgrandles Kirk Fiorini
Ffs Ramsay!!!!!!! Jesus, let's write a player off after 100 minutes shall we
Madness… “Never fit” but played 24 games this season prior to signing for us. Terry Taylor not dissimilar.
Our signings have been poor over many seasons - look at the size of our squad and where we are now.
We cant go on as before and yes some departures may be brutal - NJ seems very good, so the squad will be an issue and decisions will need to be made about some players.
It’s madness to have a massive squad like ours with the range of crap or unfit players.
Thats the main point - if Ramsey and Taylor do turn out, of course they can then be judged, but I’ve seen little of either, hence my view
So because "you've seen little of either Ramsay or Taylor" they must go. Hilarious.
This season proves we cannot carry unavailable players. We were flirting with relegation for a reason and not just Appleton.
It’s not hilarious, but actually shocking the depths we have fallen to this season.
If they keep players that cannot play, it will extend the problems we have now into the future.
The focus should also be about the wider squad and not just these two and you miss the point of my post, like a few others have too.
Delighted we have won as think we are basically safe now baring a biblical collapse by us. Thought the main positive was the link up play between May & Kanu.
Still annoyed that we gift goals away to weak opposition. Can’t remember Carlisle having a substained period of attack but still scored two goals.
I'm still unsure if their opening goal was a stroke of genius or a total fluke (I'm still leaning towards the latter). Our equaliser had a touch of fortune, but that's the reward of of bursting into the box for those "just in case" moments. Great composure from DK for the second goal, as (to me at least) looked like his first touch was a bit awkward, so done well to get it under control. Then came the Marshmellow penalty. If that's a gauge of what's deemed worthy of a spotkick, then we'd see a dozen every game. Fair play to the taker for a well placed shot. Great ball from Wickham (with a little help from our friend) and May done well to round the keeper and tuck it away from a tight angle. Special mention for Wickham for not only flicking the ball on, but then bursting into the box and was standing on the line ready for a tap in, should May's shot gone across the face of goal.
Ref was shit, but we've come to expect that by now.
Vital win, but as others have said, our squad needs a major rebuild
Those not good enough or do not offer any value, in my view, must leave the club.
I know I am off topic, but watching today, I thought what a job NJ has to get us into the promotion push next year.
The problem will be Andy Scott, who is clueless on recruitment, given the chaotic nature of our squad.
NJ looks a proper manager, but the sorting out of the squad need to start in early May.
Out of interest, who recruited Nathan Jones?
Jones would have been recruited by those above him - Warwick and Methven.
I think the owners look as though they will spend - my gripe is not about them, but is about the senior team here. If Jones is now making key decisions on recruitment, what is the point of Scott?
Just need very good scouts to check out targets and report.
My point is about the piss poor recruitment that has led to us flirting with relegation this year - that must never happen again, so it will start with how we do in the next window, not wait until the ends of the window to pick up whoever is left in the market
NJ has done a great job, but we still look like a mid table L1 team, with a few really good players.
That is why the club needs to change recruitment [and retention] and it needs to start in May.
Comments
Hopefully whoever finishes 3rd out of Pompey, Derby and Bolton wins the play offs otherwise they'll be another contender next year.
At least we'll be in the division though and it's a hell of a lot better than where we were heading a few weeks ago under Appleton.
The penalty looked very soft to me but I was about as far away from it as you can get, Small is quick becoming a favourite of mine, has proper football intelligence and I'll be very happy if we convince him to stay. Connor had a very decent game again, Alfie and Daniel Kanu are a brilliant combination and most defenders in this league have no idea what to do with them both especially when the youngster who they would be used to old-manning and being physicla with is more physical and determined than they are
And Connor Wickham, I'm glad we've picked him up, always been a classy player and contributed well when he came on, I never like us playing sides with him in the opposition squad and glad that he has showed he seems to be serious coming here
I've seen some people say his signing could be with an eye on signing him for next season but i seriously doubt we could afford to go into a season with him and Chuks as 2 of our 5 striker options as it's highly likely both would be injured before October.
So maybe two crocks make a whole.
It was quite a leap too I think. Any Vloggers got this?
If so very reminiscent of the pass he made against Derby when Kanu won the penalty. Developing a good understanding.
Carlisle gave us a good game
Could have gone either way but we stuck in there & got the win
It's looking a lot better now in the league I think that's us definitely safe now
Well done you Reds 👏
I though Kanu was superb but May seemed backed to his best, his second goal I thought was one of his best of the season purely for the composure.
Its good to see Jones has got some fire in the belly... We need it badly as the last few years it's been like watching a team of Tellytubbies!
Not sure about Fleetwood next week, would love a win but I'll take a point purely because we know Stockley will up his game. I'd like to Jones return but he may keep the same aquad.
By the way not much has been said so far about this Brighton player Lukaku? Is that the fella that you used to do somersaults after scoring? Apologies if I'm wrong I'm old.
Anyway first Saturday league win since October 21st.... You couldn't make it up.
Still annoyed that we gift goals away to weak opposition. Can’t remember Carlisle having a substained period of attack but still scored two goals.
It’s not hilarious, but actually shocking the depths we have fallen to this season.
If they keep players that cannot play, it will extend the problems we have now into the future.
The focus should also be about the wider squad and not just these two and you miss the point of my post, like a few others have too.
Ref was shit, but we've come to expect that by now.
I think the owners look as though they will spend - my gripe is not about them, but is about the senior team here. If Jones is now making key decisions on recruitment, what is the point of Scott?
Just need very good scouts to check out targets and report.
My point is about the piss poor recruitment that has led to us flirting with relegation this year - that must never happen again, so it will start with how we do in the next window, not wait until the ends of the window to pick up whoever is left in the market
NJ has done a great job, but we still look like a mid table L1 team, with a few really good players.
That is why the club needs to change recruitment [and retention] and it needs to start in May.