I have been critical of NJ but have to admit that he seems to be assembling a squad that will suit his style of play, which will become clearer as the friendlies progress, so well done NJ, the SMT and Owners. I know most will disagree but I hope that Scott Fraser will become our playmaker, he was good when he first came to us but deteriorated due to his injury, but is now injury free.
Yes I'd keep Fraser as well, he's not the workhorse, but he has a decisive pass on him.
I have been critical of NJ but have to admit that he seems to be assembling a squad that will suit his style of play, which will become clearer as the friendlies progress, so well done NJ, the SMT and Owners. I know most will disagree but I hope that Scott Fraser will become our playmaker, he was good when he first came to us but deteriorated due to his injury, but is now injury free.
For me there’s two big questions on Fraser - does he want to be here? He appeared to want to return to Scotland. Secondly does he have the fitness and can he play at the intensity Jones demands from his players? I’m not convinced as fitness and work rate have been some of his biggest weaknesses.
To summarise he was often played out wide, more recently he’s played centrally and they’re getting the best out of him to the point he’s seen as a top L1, borderline Championship player.
What else stands out are his dribbling stats, clearly a strength of his. Having a CM who can carry the ball well, drive us forward or win free kicks is currently a gap in our midfield. Aribo did it in Bowyer’s team and it adds that threat centrally, taking pressure off the wing backs in the 3-5-2 or 4-4-2 diamond formations NJ favours.
Danny Hylton isn't League One level anymore. No thanks, hard pass.
If Jones thinks he’s good round the dressing room and maybe a player coach I’m not against it.
Last year he played 35 minutes total in the season.
The year before that he was a sub in League Two.
We already have a big squad that needs to move more on, don't fancy more deadwood.
If he's hired purely as a coach, different story but he's not a player at this level anymore.
He’s not necessarily ‘deadwood’ if Jones thinks he trains well and can set the standard for others to follow. He adores the guy for a reason, and it can’t be his goalscoring record.
If he gets any minutes on the pitch in games that matter, that would be a concern.
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More attacking than someone like Dobson, but an 8 type not a 10 I think.
Was looking into what type of midfielder Bishop is, there’s a good article on his three years at Lincoln:
https://staceywest.net/2024/02/21/super-ted-the-rebirth-of-ted-bishop/
To summarise he was often played out wide, more recently he’s played centrally and they’re getting the best out of him to the point he’s seen as a top L1, borderline Championship player.
What else stands out are his dribbling stats, clearly a strength of his. Having a CM who can carry the ball well, drive us forward or win free kicks is currently a gap in our midfield. Aribo did it in Bowyer’s team and it adds that threat centrally, taking pressure off the wing backs in the 3-5-2 or 4-4-2 diamond formations NJ favours.
The year before that he was a sub in League Two.
We already have a big squad that needs to move more on, don't fancy more deadwood.
If he's hired purely as a coach, different story but he's not a player at this level anymore.
If he gets any minutes on the pitch in games that matter, that would be a concern.