If anyone managed to catch his warm ups, I was truly baffled, similar shooting ability to Simon Church.
I can't see him scoring many with his feet
Of his 11 league goals last season, six were headers and three were penalties. So yeah, he scored twice last season with his feet from open play. And we would’ve been well aware of it before bringing him in.
I don't think you understand quite how bad he is though with his technical ability. I'm being serious, Jayden Stockley struck the ball better, and was better in the air.
I was really hopeful of this signing, but at 23, I don't see how his technique can improve, that's something you either have or don't have, I can't see it being coached.
Sounds early, but I'm now finding myself in agreement with others, I'm worried we have bought a complete dud.
If anyone managed to catch his warm ups, I was truly baffled, similar shooting ability to Simon Church.
I can't see him scoring many with his feet
It's funny you mention that as I sat facing the warm up goal. Ahadme missed every shot. On the other hand Docherty's shooting was brilliant.
It was a shambles! He either missed the target, or it was such a weak effort, it didn't even test the keeper.
As you say, on the other hand, Docherty had very very good technique, you'd think he was a striker the way he hits the ball, Godden as well looked on a different level technically.
Leaburn back in a couple of weeks. Ahadme is on the bench from that point
You can’t assume anything with Leaburn. He’s been out for a year with a major injury. There’s no guarantee he will be the same player he was pre injury, and if he is it could take a long time to fully rediscover his form. We’ve seen before that there can be lasting physical and psychological effects of such a long period out of the game and it’s hard to predict how it will affect any individual player.
Lots of players do come back from such major injuries without too much lasting damage so I’m not trying to be all doom and gloom, but it’s really important that as fans we temper our expectations with Leaburn and give him time and space to get back to his best.
If anyone managed to catch his warm ups, I was truly baffled, similar shooting ability to Simon Church.
I can't see him scoring many with his feet
Of his 11 league goals last season, six were headers and three were penalties. So yeah, he scored twice last season with his feet from open play. And we would’ve been well aware of it before bringing him in.
I don't think you understand quite how bad he is though with his technical ability. I'm being serious, Jayden Stockley struck the ball better, and was better in the air.
I was really hopeful of this signing, but at 23, I don't see how his technique can improve, that's something you either have or don't have, I can't see it being coached.
Sounds early, but I'm now finding myself in agreement with others, I'm worried we have bought a complete dud.
I was actually thinking during the game that we would be better off with Stockley. That isn't writing him off. I accept he can improve but he is not doing what we need so far and that includes when we have won.
I'd prefer Stockley to Ahadme based on the first 4 games and Stockley was shite (after his injury). I live in hope but he doesn't look like a decent L1 player. I've not a clue why we signed him/saw in him.
If anyone managed to catch his warm ups, I was truly baffled, similar shooting ability to Simon Church.
I can't see him scoring many with his feet
Of his 11 league goals last season, six were headers and three were penalties. So yeah, he scored twice last season with his feet from open play. And we would’ve been well aware of it before bringing him in.
I don't think you understand quite how bad he is though with his technical ability. I'm being serious, Jayden Stockley struck the ball better, and was better in the air.
I was really hopeful of this signing, but at 23, I don't see how his technique can improve, that's something you either have or don't have, I can't see it being coached.
Sounds early, but I'm now finding myself in agreement with others, I'm worried we have bought a complete dud.
I was actually thinking during the game that we would be better off with Stockley. That isn't writing him off. I accept he can improve but he is not doing what we need so far and that includes when we have won.
I don't think he will be able to replicate what Stockley ever did for us when he first arrived on loan. In my lifetime, I've never seen a striker at Charlton as good as that in the air that I can recall.
My concern with Ahadme, is we were given reviews that he bullies centre halves, we haven't seen it in a competitive match for us once yet, and I'm honestly concerned about his technique.
He turns 24 this year, how many players at that age drastically change their technique. I can't see him ever putting one round the keeper, or hitting one from far out, so we have to play to his strengths which is loose balls in the box, and headers. At Cambridge, he had the luxury of Liam Bennett supplying him, who has fantastic crosses in his locker, despite his defensive flaws. We don't have a player on our books who can cross as well as Bennett.
Our crossing and general set piece taking is very poor. It's something we need to improve on massively to make this style work.
In the two home games his positioning seemed all over the place. Either he’s not got any positional sense or he was hiding from the ball with a lack of confidence. Hopefully Jones can get something out of him, otherwise it is really worrying as we paid a sizeable fee for a player at this level.
is it possible to delete the Ipswich numbers from Scott’s phone?
I was early at saying he’s a dud, but I think I’ll reserve judgement until he’s had a few games alongside Godden, it’s maybe not fair to judge him with TC
I'd prefer Stockley to Ahadme based on the first 4 games and Stockley was shite (after his injury). I live in hope but he doesn't look like a decent L1 player. I've not a clue why we signed him/saw in him.
And we gave him a 4 year deal so presumably think he's good enough to play in The Championship.
I was early at saying he’s a dud, but I think I’ll reserve judgement until he’s had a few games alongside Godden, it’s maybe not far to judge him with TC
He could be playing alongside anyone in the world, it wouldn’t matter
He’s shown absolutely nothing so far this season, he’s not looked a threat once. TC has looked a threat in that position, and it’s not his normal role. Ahadme is meant to be a striker, really think we’ve got this one wrong. But if it turns out to be the only one wrong this window, that’s pretty good going.
Just a shame it’s a player on a long contract and in an area we really need to get right to have success.
I think the difference we are going to see once Leaburn is back is going to show Ahadme as a weakness even more.
My concern here is then getting Leaburn signed on a new contract.
If anyone managed to catch his warm ups, I was truly baffled, similar shooting ability to Simon Church.
I can't see him scoring many with his feet
Of his 11 league goals last season, six were headers and three were penalties. So yeah, he scored twice last season with his feet from open play. And we would’ve been well aware of it before bringing him in.
I don't think you understand quite how bad he is though with his technical ability. I'm being serious, Jayden Stockley struck the ball better, and was better in the air.
I was really hopeful of this signing, but at 23, I don't see how his technique can improve, that's something you either have or don't have, I can't see it being coached.
Sounds early, but I'm now finding myself in agreement with others, I'm worried we have bought a complete dud.
I'm surprised at how very slow he appears. He works hard, tires out players and gets in their faces but one on one with even medium paced CB he seems to be going backwards.
I was early at saying he’s a dud, but I think I’ll reserve judgement until he’s had a few games alongside Godden, it’s maybe not far to judge him with TC
He could be playing alongside anyone in the world, it wouldn’t matter
He’s shown absolutely nothing so far this season, he’s not looked a threat once. TC has looked a threat in that position, and it’s not his normal role. Ahadme is meant to be a striker, really think we’ve got this one wrong. But if it turns out to be the only one wrong this window, that’s pretty good going.
Just a shame it’s a player on a long contract and in an area we really need to get right to have success.
I think the difference we are going to see once Leaburn is back is going to show Ahadme as a weakness even more.
My concern here is then getting Leaburn signed on a new contract.
Disagree. I think part of the issue here is TC is learning to play as a striker and I don’t think that helps GA. He looks more like a player who normally drops off and works with a bigger striker like Chuks.
You can understand why NJ has stuck with the system of TC and GA then switch at 60mins or whatever for MG and CA - because we’ve won the first three games doing exactly that. GA has tired defences out (Orient and Bolton) with his constant chasing and TC has used his pace to run at them. They haven’t particualrly linked up as a paring but done their own thing which has been effective. I think GA would do better with someone else to share the battering ram role so he can focus on his first touch and general craft as a striker.
But who knows. Maybe I’m being too positive. I just wouldn’t give up on him yet. We’ve had a good start to the season and there’s a danger he’s written off before he’s had chance to show what he’s really about.
I can't fathom how he's starting ahead of Godden, who always looks dangerous when comes on.
Because they’re totally different styles of player and if we’re going to play direct football one of your strikers needs the height to challenge for those balls
Can't disagree with most of the cmments on here but there must be something about him or Jones would be playing Kanu in that role. Godden may not be quite up to speed and he's a great runner but definitely not a target man. I really hope Ahadme improves.
Ahadme was the only signing that I wasn’t that thrilled about. He gave me hope in the Pompey pre-season game but so far that looks like a one off. Really hope he can find that level of performance again
I get all the concerns but it’s still incredibly early to write a new signing off.
He scored 6 in 14 starts and 6 sub apps in his first spell at Burton which convinced Ipswich to sign him.
At Cambridge last season he scored 11 in 22 starts and 7 sub apps.
Roughly one in three which is fine if the other striker is the main goal threat.
With any striker goals are always a concern. I think most would agree we’ve tightened up defensively this season but partly at a cost of creativity and possession. We still need to find the right balance without completely abandoning this style of play.
I believe the majority of Ahadme’s goals have come from headers - and linked to the above our crossing and set piece delivery needs to improve.
He did though fail to get onto a great low ball across the box from Campbell on Saturday. As much as heading is a strength he needs to anticipate chances like that better. His main competition will be Leaburn and he’s scored goals like that for us.
On his hold up play it’s not been good enough but I’m not ready to completely write him off on that area of his game. Football can come down to fine margins. There is no issue with his work rate and pressing, but that constant running might not be helping him when he gets the ball. That’s one of the potential costs of pressing, it tires players and that can impact a players touch, composure and decision making. He even mentioned in a SLP interview that one of his former managers helped him put more focus on hold up play and less on running and effort.
He’s also a relatively young player stepping up to a bigger club with higher expectations (vs his recent loan clubs). Some players need time, some make an instant impact and others struggle and don’t handle it.
Up front he’s alongside a converted winger who plays like one - Campbell drifts wide, uses his pace and takes players on, as great as that’s been at times his strengths don’t include how he links with Ahadme. A winger can look good on their own if they get the ball in the right areas, a target man needs players close and making runs to link up with.
I’m not making excuses for him as he won’t keep his place if he doesn’t improve, but opinions of players do change over time as performances improve or decline. There are areas he needs to get better at, but the team also need to provide more and better service and Jones overall has the responsibility of getting the most out of his squad.
Not going to write him off yet, every season I give it 10 games to see how we look.
I don't think we can deny defensively we look much better (despite the second goal on Saturday). In attack we look about the same, just with two players that need to work on their finishing. We really need Miles back for the hold up role too. I think if TC buried that pen in game one, he'd be looking much more confident, but it seems his confidence is fragile.
I can't fathom how he's starting ahead of Godden, who always looks dangerous when comes on.
Because they’re totally different styles of player and if we’re going to play direct football one of your strikers needs the height to challenge for those balls
Is Ahadme actually winning aerial battles though?
Direct football needs a hold up player, but they don't need to be tall as long as they are strong and wily as a lot of the long balls will be lower down on the body. Deon Burton did a great job as a no 9 for us, and surprisingly he was only 5'9.
Not going to write him off yet, every season I give it 10 games to see how we look.
I don't think we can deny defensively we look much better (despite the second goal on Saturday). In attack we look about the same, just with two players that need to work on their finishing. We really need Miles back for the hold up role too. I think if TC buried that pen in game one, he'd be looking much more confident, but it seems his confidence is fragile.
TC's penalty was against Birmingham in the League Cup
I can't fathom how he's starting ahead of Godden, who always looks dangerous when comes on.
Because they’re totally different styles of player and if we’re going to play direct football one of your strikers needs the height to challenge for those balls
Is Ahadme actually winning aerial battles though?
Direct football needs a hold up player, but they don't need to be tall as long as they are strong and wily as a lot of the long balls will be lower down on the body. Deon Burton did a great job as a no 9 for us, and surprisingly he was only 5'9.
He isn’t winning enough for sure but if you don’t have someone realistically challenging for them then it’s an easy header for the opposing CB
Comments
I was really hopeful of this signing, but at 23, I don't see how his technique can improve, that's something you either have or don't have, I can't see it being coached.
Sounds early, but I'm now finding myself in agreement with others, I'm worried we have bought a complete dud.
As you say, on the other hand, Docherty had very very good technique, you'd think he was a striker the way he hits the ball, Godden as well looked on a different level technically.
Lots of players do come back from such major injuries without too much lasting damage so I’m not trying to be all doom and gloom, but it’s really important that as fans we temper our expectations with Leaburn and give him time and space to get back to his best.
I live in hope but he doesn't look like a decent L1 player.
I've not a clue why we signed him/saw in him.
My concern with Ahadme, is we were given reviews that he bullies centre halves, we haven't seen it in a competitive match for us once yet, and I'm honestly concerned about his technique.
He turns 24 this year, how many players at that age drastically change their technique. I can't see him ever putting one round the keeper, or hitting one from far out, so we have to play to his strengths which is loose balls in the box, and headers. At Cambridge, he had the luxury of Liam Bennett supplying him, who has fantastic crosses in his locker, despite his defensive flaws. We don't have a player on our books who can cross as well as Bennett.
Our crossing and general set piece taking is very poor. It's something we need to improve on massively to make this style work.
is it possible to delete the Ipswich numbers from Scott’s phone?
He’s shown absolutely nothing so far this season, he’s not looked a threat once. TC has looked a threat in that position, and it’s not his normal role. Ahadme is meant to be a striker, really think we’ve got this one wrong. But if it turns out to be the only one wrong this window, that’s pretty good going.
Just a shame it’s a player on a long contract and in an area we really need to get right to have success.
I think the difference we are going to see once Leaburn is back is going to show Ahadme as a weakness even more.
My concern here is then getting Leaburn signed on a new contract.
GA has tired defences out (Orient and Bolton) with his constant chasing and TC has used his pace to run at them. They haven’t particualrly linked up as a paring but done their own thing which has been effective. I think GA would do better with someone else to share the battering ram role so he can focus on his first touch and general craft as a striker.
He scored 6 in 14 starts and 6 sub apps in his first spell at Burton which convinced Ipswich to sign him.
At Cambridge last season he scored 11 in 22 starts and 7 sub apps.
Roughly one in three which is fine if the other striker is the main goal threat.
With any striker goals are always a concern. I think most would agree we’ve tightened up defensively this season but partly at a cost of creativity and possession. We still need to find the right balance without completely abandoning this style of play.
I believe the majority of Ahadme’s goals have come from headers - and linked to the above our crossing and set piece delivery needs to improve.
He did though fail to get onto a great low ball across the box from Campbell on Saturday. As much as heading is a strength he needs to anticipate chances like that better. His main competition will be Leaburn and he’s scored goals like that for us.
On his hold up play it’s not been good enough but I’m not ready to completely write him off on that area of his game. Football can come down to fine margins. There is no issue with his work rate and pressing, but that constant running might not be helping him when he gets the ball. That’s one of the potential costs of pressing, it tires players and that can impact a players touch, composure and decision making. He even mentioned in a SLP interview that one of his former managers helped him put more focus on hold up play and less on running and effort.
He’s also a relatively young player stepping up to a bigger club with higher expectations (vs his recent loan clubs). Some players need time, some make an instant impact and others struggle and don’t handle it.
Up front he’s alongside a converted winger who plays like one - Campbell drifts wide, uses his pace and takes players on, as great as that’s been at times his strengths don’t include how he links with Ahadme. A winger can look good on their own if they get the ball in the right areas, a target man needs players close and making runs to link up with.
I’m not making excuses for him as he won’t keep his place if he doesn’t improve, but opinions of players do change over time as performances improve or decline. There are areas he needs to get better at, but the team also need to provide more and better service and Jones overall has the responsibility of getting the most out of his squad.
I don't think we can deny defensively we look much better (despite the second goal on Saturday). In attack we look about the same, just with two players that need to work on their finishing. We really need Miles back for the hold up role too. I think if TC buried that pen in game one, he'd be looking much more confident, but it seems his confidence is fragile.
Direct football needs a hold up player, but they don't need to be tall as long as they are strong and wily as a lot of the long balls will be lower down on the body. Deon Burton did a great job as a no 9 for us, and surprisingly he was only 5'9.
I’d be surprised if it’s the up front fee, it’s not as if this ownership have thrown money around.
Coventry was reported to be a £1m signing in some places before Cawley confirmed he was a free with a big sell on clause.