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+++ Rob Apter signs on four year deal +++

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  • fenaddick
    fenaddick Posts: 11,451
    If we have no idea how we'll set up I imagine some of our upcoming opponents will be thinking the same which is good
  • eastterrace6168
    eastterrace6168 Posts: 22,820
    He's certainly star of the show with the cameraman on the Slovenia Day 4 training video, has a couple of nice touches, but they couldn't show enough of the guy...
  • EugenesAxe
    EugenesAxe Posts: 3,373
    ShootersHillGuru said:
    One of Apters strengths as I understand it, is his first touch and ability to retain possession in tight spaces. That’s an asset that can be invaluable when you’re defending and looking for an outlet that doesn’t come straight back at you. Of course Apters been brought in primarily for his offensive potential but I can see him being very useful in other ways.
    Will we see him at the corner flag ala Tony Watt
  • jimmymelrose
    jimmymelrose Posts: 9,764
    edited July 18
    There seems to be an exaggerated level of excitement over this signing.
    He may have potential but so far he’s only played in League One or below - just like Charlie Kirk, another young lad who’d never left his family in the north-west before. 
    If the fee is seven figures then it seems extortionate to me. 
    Obviously I hope I’m wrong and we end up getting an 8 figure fee for him. Our signings since NJ arrived have been better than expected, but there seems rather too much expectation on this one rather than a more realistic hope.
  • NabySarr
    NabySarr Posts: 4,361
    ElliotCAFC said:

    I wouldn’t call Apter fast. He’s no slouch, but he’s certainly not the type to burst past defenders with pace and power like Thierry Small.

    That’s the concern with him playing the unorthodox RWB role that Small filled. Apter will have to carry the ball from deep, but he’s a player who comes alive around the box - which, funnily enough, is the complete opposite of Small.

    More importantly I have complete faith Nathan Jones knows exactly what he's doing and what's required for the level. 

    In the NTT20 write up they mentioned that for Blackpool he’d often receive the ball quite deep so I don’t have concern there. He played on the right of a 4-4-2 so wasn’t the usual 4-3-3 winger high up the pitch. 

    We regularly got Small into the areas that Apter wants to be in, just he didn’t have the final ball to the make the most of it 
  • NabySarr
    NabySarr Posts: 4,361
    edited July 18
    Braziliance said:
    I can't see Apter fulfilling the Small role, he doesn't appear athletic enough.

    I think it will be 343 with TC and Apter either side of a striker, or a 3412 and Apter will play in the 10 or maybe even do what TC does and drift out wide as a striker. 

    I can't see any scenario where he is up and down the right flank all game, I will be surprised if that isn't Ramsay now based on our transfer business so far, or maybe Costello, but I think he will be pairing Coventry in the middle.
    Interested to know how you came to that conclusion? 

    Last season he was clearly impacting things for Blackpool in the final third. But also defensively on the right of a 4-4-2 he would have been expected to get back into shape so this feels quite similar to what we would be asking him to do in our lopsided formation. If he did it last season then I don’t see a reason why he can’t now. I actually think if you were to put Small’s role last season into a traditional formation it is probably most similar to RM in a 4-4-2

    A big part of our success second half of last season was having a player on the right flank who could go past defenders and attack. We lost that player, but have now signed Apter who has those attributes. I can’t see why he doesn’t just slot in to that role. Ramsay behind him makes a lot of sense, JRC in midfield also makes a lot of sense as he will probably be much better covering from midfield out there than Docherty/Anderson

    I can see us flicking between lopsided 3-5-2 with Apter on the right and the 3-4-2-1 you describe. What I definitely can’t see is Jones deciding to play just 2 central midfielders. His whole managerial career any success has come from packing central areas of the pitch, so a 3-4-3 with 2 wide players in the front 3 I just can’t see him going for that. Maybe a 3-4-2-1 with Apter and Carey behind a striker is our defensive option but I still think a lot of games we will be 3-5-2/4-2-3-1 like last season 

    Would also add that at the start of last season Apter was playing as a wing back in a 3-5-2 so it’s something he has done before, and our wing back role is obviously not a normal one so would suit him more 
  • Callumcafc
    Callumcafc Posts: 63,836

  • Steven81
    Steven81 Posts: 1,023
    Riding along on my push bike honey 
  • fenaddick
    fenaddick Posts: 11,451
    edited July 18


    Compare their heat maps for last season (Apter - L, Small - R) and Apter actually played a lot more defensively than Small
  • Braziliance
    Braziliance Posts: 8,400
    edited July 18
    NabySarr said:
    Braziliance said:
    I can't see Apter fulfilling the Small role, he doesn't appear athletic enough.

    I think it will be 343 with TC and Apter either side of a striker, or a 3412 and Apter will play in the 10 or maybe even do what TC does and drift out wide as a striker. 

    I can't see any scenario where he is up and down the right flank all game, I will be surprised if that isn't Ramsay now based on our transfer business so far, or maybe Costello, but I think he will be pairing Coventry in the middle.
    Interested to know how you came to that conclusion? 

    Last season he was clearly impacting things for Blackpool in the final third. But also defensively on the right of a 4-4-2 he would have been expected to get back into shape so this feels quite similar to what we would be asking him to do in our lopsided formation. If he did it last season then I don’t see a reason why he can’t now. I actually think if you were to put Small’s role last season into a traditional formation it is probably most similar to RM in a 4-4-2

    A big part of our success second half of last season was having a player on the right flank who could go past defenders and attack. We lost that player, but have now signed Apter who has those attributes. I can’t see why he doesn’t just slot in to that role. Ramsay behind him makes a lot of sense, JRC in midfield also makes a lot of sense as he will probably be much better covering from midfield out there than Docherty/Anderson

    I can see us flicking between lopsided 3-5-2 with Apter on the right and the 3-4-2-1 you describe. What I definitely can’t see is Jones deciding to play just 2 central midfielders. His whole managerial career any success has come from packing central areas of the pitch, so a 3-4-3 with 2 wide players in the front 3 I just can’t see him going for that. Maybe a 3-4-2-1 with Apter and Carey behind a striker is our defensive option but I still think a lot of games we will be 3-5-2/4-2-3-1 like last season 

    Would also add that at the start of last season Apter was playing as a wing back in a 3-5-2 so it’s something he has done before, and our wing back role is obviously not a normal one so would suit him more 
    Because I am using my eyes? 

    Look at Small, and then look at Apter. Small is more muscly, more broad and we have seen how tough he is, Apter looks slimmer, quite narrow in frame, and I have read Blackpool fans say he isn't someone who is going to get up and down and may struggle against more physical defenders.

    It appears Apter is on a different level currently to Small in terms of attacking quality (the stats of footage we have seen don't lie), but if we are talking purely from an athletic build and physical strength, Small looks like he would have his number, which is no sly on Apter, Small is very tough for a full back.

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  • ShootersHillGuru
    ShootersHillGuru Posts: 50,658
    Quite Astonishing how close to the touchline Thierry stayed. 
  • fenaddick
    fenaddick Posts: 11,451
    edited July 18
    Braziliance said:
    NabySarr said:
    Braziliance said:
    I can't see Apter fulfilling the Small role, he doesn't appear athletic enough.

    I think it will be 343 with TC and Apter either side of a striker, or a 3412 and Apter will play in the 10 or maybe even do what TC does and drift out wide as a striker. 

    I can't see any scenario where he is up and down the right flank all game, I will be surprised if that isn't Ramsay now based on our transfer business so far, or maybe Costello, but I think he will be pairing Coventry in the middle.
    Interested to know how you came to that conclusion? 

    Last season he was clearly impacting things for Blackpool in the final third. But also defensively on the right of a 4-4-2 he would have been expected to get back into shape so this feels quite similar to what we would be asking him to do in our lopsided formation. If he did it last season then I don’t see a reason why he can’t now. I actually think if you were to put Small’s role last season into a traditional formation it is probably most similar to RM in a 4-4-2

    A big part of our success second half of last season was having a player on the right flank who could go past defenders and attack. We lost that player, but have now signed Apter who has those attributes. I can’t see why he doesn’t just slot in to that role. Ramsay behind him makes a lot of sense, JRC in midfield also makes a lot of sense as he will probably be much better covering from midfield out there than Docherty/Anderson

    I can see us flicking between lopsided 3-5-2 with Apter on the right and the 3-4-2-1 you describe. What I definitely can’t see is Jones deciding to play just 2 central midfielders. His whole managerial career any success has come from packing central areas of the pitch, so a 3-4-3 with 2 wide players in the front 3 I just can’t see him going for that. Maybe a 3-4-2-1 with Apter and Carey behind a striker is our defensive option but I still think a lot of games we will be 3-5-2/4-2-3-1 like last season 

    Would also add that at the start of last season Apter was playing as a wing back in a 3-5-2 so it’s something he has done before, and our wing back role is obviously not a normal one so would suit him more 
    Because I am using my eyes? 

    Look at Small, and then look at Apter. Small is more muscly, more broad and we have seen how tough he is, Apter looks slimmer, quite narrow in frame, and I have read Blackpool fans say he isn't someone who is not going to get up and down and may struggle against more physical defenders.

    It appears Apter is on a different level currently to Small in terms of attacking quality (the stats of footage we have seen don't lie), but if we are talking purely from an athletic build and physical strength, Small looks like he would have his number.
    Except when Small had a torrid time against him last season
  • eastterrace6168
    eastterrace6168 Posts: 22,820
    edited July 18
    fenaddick said:


    Compare their heat maps for last season (Apter - L, Small - R) and Apter actually played a lot more defensively than Small
    Agree re the defensive part, but will be interesting to see if Apter can switch sides as effectively as Small did, he is left footed, so will be one to watch...
  • MarcusH26
    MarcusH26 Posts: 8,098
    fenaddick said:


    Compare their heat maps for last season (Apter - L, Small - R) and Apter actually played a lot more defensively than Small
    Interesting heat map for Apter given he had a naturally more defensive RB behind him in Offiah. Bodes well work rate wise that he puts the defensive work in. 
  • NabySarr
    NabySarr Posts: 4,361
    Braziliance said:
    NabySarr said:
    Braziliance said:
    I can't see Apter fulfilling the Small role, he doesn't appear athletic enough.

    I think it will be 343 with TC and Apter either side of a striker, or a 3412 and Apter will play in the 10 or maybe even do what TC does and drift out wide as a striker. 

    I can't see any scenario where he is up and down the right flank all game, I will be surprised if that isn't Ramsay now based on our transfer business so far, or maybe Costello, but I think he will be pairing Coventry in the middle.
    Interested to know how you came to that conclusion? 

    Last season he was clearly impacting things for Blackpool in the final third. But also defensively on the right of a 4-4-2 he would have been expected to get back into shape so this feels quite similar to what we would be asking him to do in our lopsided formation. If he did it last season then I don’t see a reason why he can’t now. I actually think if you were to put Small’s role last season into a traditional formation it is probably most similar to RM in a 4-4-2

    A big part of our success second half of last season was having a player on the right flank who could go past defenders and attack. We lost that player, but have now signed Apter who has those attributes. I can’t see why he doesn’t just slot in to that role. Ramsay behind him makes a lot of sense, JRC in midfield also makes a lot of sense as he will probably be much better covering from midfield out there than Docherty/Anderson

    I can see us flicking between lopsided 3-5-2 with Apter on the right and the 3-4-2-1 you describe. What I definitely can’t see is Jones deciding to play just 2 central midfielders. His whole managerial career any success has come from packing central areas of the pitch, so a 3-4-3 with 2 wide players in the front 3 I just can’t see him going for that. Maybe a 3-4-2-1 with Apter and Carey behind a striker is our defensive option but I still think a lot of games we will be 3-5-2/4-2-3-1 like last season 

    Would also add that at the start of last season Apter was playing as a wing back in a 3-5-2 so it’s something he has done before, and our wing back role is obviously not a normal one so would suit him more 
    Because I am using my eyes? 

    Look at Small, and then look at Apter. Small is more muscly, more broad and we have seen how tough he is, Apter looks slimmer, quite narrow in frame, and I have read Blackpool fans say he isn't someone who is going to get up and down and may struggle against more physical defenders.

    It appears Apter is on a different level currently to Small in terms of attacking quality (the stats of footage we have seen don't lie), but if we are talking purely from an athletic build and physical strength, Small looks like he would have his number, which is no sly on Apter, Small is very tough for a full back.
    Because he’s bigger doesn’t mean he’s more able to get up and down. Apter got up and down fine last season for Blackpool in their 4-4-2 as I said. And looking at those heat maps backs that up that he’s capable of the demands of that hybrid role Small played last season 
  • Braziliance
    Braziliance Posts: 8,400
    fenaddick said:
    Braziliance said:
    NabySarr said:
    Braziliance said:
    I can't see Apter fulfilling the Small role, he doesn't appear athletic enough.

    I think it will be 343 with TC and Apter either side of a striker, or a 3412 and Apter will play in the 10 or maybe even do what TC does and drift out wide as a striker. 

    I can't see any scenario where he is up and down the right flank all game, I will be surprised if that isn't Ramsay now based on our transfer business so far, or maybe Costello, but I think he will be pairing Coventry in the middle.
    Interested to know how you came to that conclusion? 

    Last season he was clearly impacting things for Blackpool in the final third. But also defensively on the right of a 4-4-2 he would have been expected to get back into shape so this feels quite similar to what we would be asking him to do in our lopsided formation. If he did it last season then I don’t see a reason why he can’t now. I actually think if you were to put Small’s role last season into a traditional formation it is probably most similar to RM in a 4-4-2

    A big part of our success second half of last season was having a player on the right flank who could go past defenders and attack. We lost that player, but have now signed Apter who has those attributes. I can’t see why he doesn’t just slot in to that role. Ramsay behind him makes a lot of sense, JRC in midfield also makes a lot of sense as he will probably be much better covering from midfield out there than Docherty/Anderson

    I can see us flicking between lopsided 3-5-2 with Apter on the right and the 3-4-2-1 you describe. What I definitely can’t see is Jones deciding to play just 2 central midfielders. His whole managerial career any success has come from packing central areas of the pitch, so a 3-4-3 with 2 wide players in the front 3 I just can’t see him going for that. Maybe a 3-4-2-1 with Apter and Carey behind a striker is our defensive option but I still think a lot of games we will be 3-5-2/4-2-3-1 like last season 

    Would also add that at the start of last season Apter was playing as a wing back in a 3-5-2 so it’s something he has done before, and our wing back role is obviously not a normal one so would suit him more 
    Because I am using my eyes? 

    Look at Small, and then look at Apter. Small is more muscly, more broad and we have seen how tough he is, Apter looks slimmer, quite narrow in frame, and I have read Blackpool fans say he isn't someone who is not going to get up and down and may struggle against more physical defenders.

    It appears Apter is on a different level currently to Small in terms of attacking quality (the stats of footage we have seen don't lie), but if we are talking purely from an athletic build and physical strength, Small looks like he would have his number.
    Except when Small had a torrid time against him last season
    Yeah I'm not about to start slagging off a new signing to point score beyond what I have said when I actually like the look of him. Just pointing out something extremely obvious. 

    Torrid time is such a Charlton Life exaggeration for the narrative. Christ alive man 😂

    If you think Apter is as athletic as Small, fair enough. 


  • ShootersHillGuru
    ShootersHillGuru Posts: 50,658
    edited July 18
    Without derailing this thread back onto Thierry Small, my guess is that he found a role with us that catered for his strengths and made allowances for his weaknesses. If he’s reverted back to being a left wing back, which I think is Preston’s intention and Smalls preference, I think the frailties in his defensive duties are going to very cruelly exposed in The Championship. Looks to me like Apter can play the Small roll at least as well and might well have more end product.
  • gringo
    gringo Posts: 618
    edited July 18
    Garrymanilow said:
    I'm not going all the way to Blackpool for a stereo
    you could also shop lift a "little stick of Blackpool rock" while youre up there.
  • NabySarr
    NabySarr Posts: 4,361
    Braziliance said:
    fenaddick said:
    Braziliance said:
    NabySarr said:
    Braziliance said:
    I can't see Apter fulfilling the Small role, he doesn't appear athletic enough.

    I think it will be 343 with TC and Apter either side of a striker, or a 3412 and Apter will play in the 10 or maybe even do what TC does and drift out wide as a striker. 

    I can't see any scenario where he is up and down the right flank all game, I will be surprised if that isn't Ramsay now based on our transfer business so far, or maybe Costello, but I think he will be pairing Coventry in the middle.
    Interested to know how you came to that conclusion? 

    Last season he was clearly impacting things for Blackpool in the final third. But also defensively on the right of a 4-4-2 he would have been expected to get back into shape so this feels quite similar to what we would be asking him to do in our lopsided formation. If he did it last season then I don’t see a reason why he can’t now. I actually think if you were to put Small’s role last season into a traditional formation it is probably most similar to RM in a 4-4-2

    A big part of our success second half of last season was having a player on the right flank who could go past defenders and attack. We lost that player, but have now signed Apter who has those attributes. I can’t see why he doesn’t just slot in to that role. Ramsay behind him makes a lot of sense, JRC in midfield also makes a lot of sense as he will probably be much better covering from midfield out there than Docherty/Anderson

    I can see us flicking between lopsided 3-5-2 with Apter on the right and the 3-4-2-1 you describe. What I definitely can’t see is Jones deciding to play just 2 central midfielders. His whole managerial career any success has come from packing central areas of the pitch, so a 3-4-3 with 2 wide players in the front 3 I just can’t see him going for that. Maybe a 3-4-2-1 with Apter and Carey behind a striker is our defensive option but I still think a lot of games we will be 3-5-2/4-2-3-1 like last season 

    Would also add that at the start of last season Apter was playing as a wing back in a 3-5-2 so it’s something he has done before, and our wing back role is obviously not a normal one so would suit him more 
    Because I am using my eyes? 

    Look at Small, and then look at Apter. Small is more muscly, more broad and we have seen how tough he is, Apter looks slimmer, quite narrow in frame, and I have read Blackpool fans say he isn't someone who is not going to get up and down and may struggle against more physical defenders.

    It appears Apter is on a different level currently to Small in terms of attacking quality (the stats of footage we have seen don't lie), but if we are talking purely from an athletic build and physical strength, Small looks like he would have his number.
    Except when Small had a torrid time against him last season
    Yeah I'm not about to start slagging off a new signing to point score beyond what I have said when I actually like the look of him. Just pointing out something extremely obvious. 

    Torrid time is such a Charlton Life exaggeration for the narrative. Christ alive man 😂

    If you think Apter is as athletic as Small, fair enough. 


    No one said he’s as athletic as Small. You said he wasn’t athletic enough to play the Small role. There’s a big difference between those statements 

    That’s where I’d disagree, yes hes not as athletic as Small (not many players are), but he’s played wing back before and looking at his role for Blackpool last season he should be absolutely fine playing the role Small did last season, which is why we’ve signed him imo 
  • NabySarr
    NabySarr Posts: 4,361
    ShootersHillGuru said:
    Without derailing this thread back onto Thierry Small, my guess is that he found a role with us that catered for his strengths and made allowances for his weaknesses. If he’s reverted back to being a left wing back, which I think is Preston’s intention and Smalls preference, I think the frailties in his defensive duties are going to very cruelly exposed in The Championship. Looks to me like Apter can play the Small roll at least as well and might well have more end product.
    I think Small is much better on the right than the left also. On the left any defenders know exactly what he’s going to do with the ball, take you on the outside. 

    He was much better on the right because he was less predictable, he could go around the outside but also come inside. 

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  • Braziliance
    Braziliance Posts: 8,400
    edited July 18
    NabySarr said:
    Braziliance said:
    NabySarr said:
    Braziliance said:
    I can't see Apter fulfilling the Small role, he doesn't appear athletic enough.

    I think it will be 343 with TC and Apter either side of a striker, or a 3412 and Apter will play in the 10 or maybe even do what TC does and drift out wide as a striker. 

    I can't see any scenario where he is up and down the right flank all game, I will be surprised if that isn't Ramsay now based on our transfer business so far, or maybe Costello, but I think he will be pairing Coventry in the middle.
    Interested to know how you came to that conclusion? 

    Last season he was clearly impacting things for Blackpool in the final third. But also defensively on the right of a 4-4-2 he would have been expected to get back into shape so this feels quite similar to what we would be asking him to do in our lopsided formation. If he did it last season then I don’t see a reason why he can’t now. I actually think if you were to put Small’s role last season into a traditional formation it is probably most similar to RM in a 4-4-2

    A big part of our success second half of last season was having a player on the right flank who could go past defenders and attack. We lost that player, but have now signed Apter who has those attributes. I can’t see why he doesn’t just slot in to that role. Ramsay behind him makes a lot of sense, JRC in midfield also makes a lot of sense as he will probably be much better covering from midfield out there than Docherty/Anderson

    I can see us flicking between lopsided 3-5-2 with Apter on the right and the 3-4-2-1 you describe. What I definitely can’t see is Jones deciding to play just 2 central midfielders. His whole managerial career any success has come from packing central areas of the pitch, so a 3-4-3 with 2 wide players in the front 3 I just can’t see him going for that. Maybe a 3-4-2-1 with Apter and Carey behind a striker is our defensive option but I still think a lot of games we will be 3-5-2/4-2-3-1 like last season 

    Would also add that at the start of last season Apter was playing as a wing back in a 3-5-2 so it’s something he has done before, and our wing back role is obviously not a normal one so would suit him more 
    Because I am using my eyes? 

    Look at Small, and then look at Apter. Small is more muscly, more broad and we have seen how tough he is, Apter looks slimmer, quite narrow in frame, and I have read Blackpool fans say he isn't someone who is going to get up and down and may struggle against more physical defenders.

    It appears Apter is on a different level currently to Small in terms of attacking quality (the stats of footage we have seen don't lie), but if we are talking purely from an athletic build and physical strength, Small looks like he would have his number, which is no sly on Apter, Small is very tough for a full back.
    Because he’s bigger doesn’t mean he’s more able to get up and down. Apter got up and down fine last season for Blackpool in their 4-4-2 as I said. And looking at those heat maps backs that up that he’s capable of the demands of that hybrid role Small played last season 
    Yeah we have signed the winger Rob Apter to play right wing back. Ffs. Thankfully Jones is calling the shots and won't waste an out-and-out 2.5 million pounds winger in a defensive hybrid role.  

    Just because he is bigger and more broader yes it does mean he is stronger physically which is what I was alluding to. He has less of an athletic frame, again, I have seen Blackpool fans multiple times highlight how he may find more physical games more difficult where he won't get as much time on the ball.

    Luckily he probably won't be playing the Thierry role of defensive duties as I highly doubt our recruitment team have identified a pure winger to be running up and down busting a gut when we already play with 5 defenders
  • covered_end_junior
    covered_end_junior Posts: 4,530
    Scoham said:
    covered_end_junior said:
    From what I've seen of him he reminds be a bit of a Jack Grealish but on the other side.

    Not super quick but skilful and good in tight spaces. 


    Apter mentions Grealish (and Countinho) in a quote on Cawley’s recent article about the move. He said he tries to play like him, and the article points out he even wears his socks in the same way.

    That's interesting, I hadn't listened to Cawleys latest stuff but there's definitely similarities there in the way they play. 
  • Braziliance
    Braziliance Posts: 8,400
    edited July 18
    NabySarr said:
    Braziliance said:
    fenaddick said:
    Braziliance said:
    NabySarr said:
    Braziliance said:
    I can't see Apter fulfilling the Small role, he doesn't appear athletic enough.

    I think it will be 343 with TC and Apter either side of a striker, or a 3412 and Apter will play in the 10 or maybe even do what TC does and drift out wide as a striker. 

    I can't see any scenario where he is up and down the right flank all game, I will be surprised if that isn't Ramsay now based on our transfer business so far, or maybe Costello, but I think he will be pairing Coventry in the middle.
    Interested to know how you came to that conclusion? 

    Last season he was clearly impacting things for Blackpool in the final third. But also defensively on the right of a 4-4-2 he would have been expected to get back into shape so this feels quite similar to what we would be asking him to do in our lopsided formation. If he did it last season then I don’t see a reason why he can’t now. I actually think if you were to put Small’s role last season into a traditional formation it is probably most similar to RM in a 4-4-2

    A big part of our success second half of last season was having a player on the right flank who could go past defenders and attack. We lost that player, but have now signed Apter who has those attributes. I can’t see why he doesn’t just slot in to that role. Ramsay behind him makes a lot of sense, JRC in midfield also makes a lot of sense as he will probably be much better covering from midfield out there than Docherty/Anderson

    I can see us flicking between lopsided 3-5-2 with Apter on the right and the 3-4-2-1 you describe. What I definitely can’t see is Jones deciding to play just 2 central midfielders. His whole managerial career any success has come from packing central areas of the pitch, so a 3-4-3 with 2 wide players in the front 3 I just can’t see him going for that. Maybe a 3-4-2-1 with Apter and Carey behind a striker is our defensive option but I still think a lot of games we will be 3-5-2/4-2-3-1 like last season 

    Would also add that at the start of last season Apter was playing as a wing back in a 3-5-2 so it’s something he has done before, and our wing back role is obviously not a normal one so would suit him more 
    Because I am using my eyes? 

    Look at Small, and then look at Apter. Small is more muscly, more broad and we have seen how tough he is, Apter looks slimmer, quite narrow in frame, and I have read Blackpool fans say he isn't someone who is not going to get up and down and may struggle against more physical defenders.

    It appears Apter is on a different level currently to Small in terms of attacking quality (the stats of footage we have seen don't lie), but if we are talking purely from an athletic build and physical strength, Small looks like he would have his number.
    Except when Small had a torrid time against him last season
    Yeah I'm not about to start slagging off a new signing to point score beyond what I have said when I actually like the look of him. Just pointing out something extremely obvious. 

    Torrid time is such a Charlton Life exaggeration for the narrative. Christ alive man 😂

    If you think Apter is as athletic as Small, fair enough. 


    No one said he’s as athletic as Small. You said he wasn’t athletic enough to play the Small role. There’s a big difference between those statements 

    That’s where I’d disagree, yes hes not as athletic as Small (not many players are), but he’s played wing back before and looking at his role for Blackpool last season he should be absolutely fine playing the role Small did last season, which is why we’ve signed him imo 
    Yeah, thankfully Nathan Jones is the manager though and will probably play the winger as a winger, not as a wing back. 

    You challenging my view of him not being athletic enough is basically the same thing, cmon, don't play coy. 

    I mean it's likely that he physically will not be able to match strong attackers, Small can and has. That's where my part about athleticism comes from, not that he can run up and down a pitch which I expect any professional footballer be able to do. 

    Do you know how insane it would be to spend 2 and a half million on a winger to make him play as part of a back 5 who has never been succesful there as a professional off of the back of a season playing purely as a winger. (Which is what Small was doing out of possession playing in a back 5)

    Last post on it genuinely cause it sounds like I am digging him out, I think he's going to be quality but only for where I believe Jones will play him. That's that.
  • ShootersHillGuru
    ShootersHillGuru Posts: 50,658
    edited July 18
    Braziliance said:
    NabySarr said:
    Braziliance said:
    NabySarr said:
    Braziliance said:
    I can't see Apter fulfilling the Small role, he doesn't appear athletic enough.

    I think it will be 343 with TC and Apter either side of a striker, or a 3412 and Apter will play in the 10 or maybe even do what TC does and drift out wide as a striker. 

    I can't see any scenario where he is up and down the right flank all game, I will be surprised if that isn't Ramsay now based on our transfer business so far, or maybe Costello, but I think he will be pairing Coventry in the middle.
    Interested to know how you came to that conclusion? 

    Last season he was clearly impacting things for Blackpool in the final third. But also defensively on the right of a 4-4-2 he would have been expected to get back into shape so this feels quite similar to what we would be asking him to do in our lopsided formation. If he did it last season then I don’t see a reason why he can’t now. I actually think if you were to put Small’s role last season into a traditional formation it is probably most similar to RM in a 4-4-2

    A big part of our success second half of last season was having a player on the right flank who could go past defenders and attack. We lost that player, but have now signed Apter who has those attributes. I can’t see why he doesn’t just slot in to that role. Ramsay behind him makes a lot of sense, JRC in midfield also makes a lot of sense as he will probably be much better covering from midfield out there than Docherty/Anderson

    I can see us flicking between lopsided 3-5-2 with Apter on the right and the 3-4-2-1 you describe. What I definitely can’t see is Jones deciding to play just 2 central midfielders. His whole managerial career any success has come from packing central areas of the pitch, so a 3-4-3 with 2 wide players in the front 3 I just can’t see him going for that. Maybe a 3-4-2-1 with Apter and Carey behind a striker is our defensive option but I still think a lot of games we will be 3-5-2/4-2-3-1 like last season 

    Would also add that at the start of last season Apter was playing as a wing back in a 3-5-2 so it’s something he has done before, and our wing back role is obviously not a normal one so would suit him more 
    Because I am using my eyes? 

    Look at Small, and then look at Apter. Small is more muscly, more broad and we have seen how tough he is, Apter looks slimmer, quite narrow in frame, and I have read Blackpool fans say he isn't someone who is going to get up and down and may struggle against more physical defenders.

    It appears Apter is on a different level currently to Small in terms of attacking quality (the stats of footage we have seen don't lie), but if we are talking purely from an athletic build and physical strength, Small looks like he would have his number, which is no sly on Apter, Small is very tough for a full back.
    Because he’s bigger doesn’t mean he’s more able to get up and down. Apter got up and down fine last season for Blackpool in their 4-4-2 as I said. And looking at those heat maps backs that up that he’s capable of the demands of that hybrid role Small played last season 
    Yeah we have signed the winger Rob Apter to play right wing back. Ffs. Thankfully Jones is calling the shots and won't waste an out-and-out 2.5 million pounds winger in a defensive hybrid role.  

    Just because he is bigger and more broader yes it does mean he is stronger physically which is what I was alluding to. He has less of an athletic frame, again, I have seen Blackpool fans multiple times highlight how he may find more physical games more difficult where he won't get as much time on the ball.

    Luckily he probably won't be playing the Thierry role of defensive duties as I highly doubt our recruitment team have identified a pure winger to be running up and down busting a gut when we already play with 5 defenders
    Small wasn’t a typical RWB either. It was a hybrid roll that played to his strength. He hugged the right touchline and was good going forward but poor defensively. I see nothing in the make up of Apters heat map and anecdotal evidence to suggest he isn’t perfect for the Small hybrid roll with the added benefit of more goals and assists. I’d also say Apters profile isn’t just of an out and out winger. 
  • NabySarr
    NabySarr Posts: 4,361
    Braziliance said:
    NabySarr said:
    Braziliance said:
    fenaddick said:
    Braziliance said:
    NabySarr said:
    Braziliance said:
    I can't see Apter fulfilling the Small role, he doesn't appear athletic enough.

    I think it will be 343 with TC and Apter either side of a striker, or a 3412 and Apter will play in the 10 or maybe even do what TC does and drift out wide as a striker. 

    I can't see any scenario where he is up and down the right flank all game, I will be surprised if that isn't Ramsay now based on our transfer business so far, or maybe Costello, but I think he will be pairing Coventry in the middle.
    Interested to know how you came to that conclusion? 

    Last season he was clearly impacting things for Blackpool in the final third. But also defensively on the right of a 4-4-2 he would have been expected to get back into shape so this feels quite similar to what we would be asking him to do in our lopsided formation. If he did it last season then I don’t see a reason why he can’t now. I actually think if you were to put Small’s role last season into a traditional formation it is probably most similar to RM in a 4-4-2

    A big part of our success second half of last season was having a player on the right flank who could go past defenders and attack. We lost that player, but have now signed Apter who has those attributes. I can’t see why he doesn’t just slot in to that role. Ramsay behind him makes a lot of sense, JRC in midfield also makes a lot of sense as he will probably be much better covering from midfield out there than Docherty/Anderson

    I can see us flicking between lopsided 3-5-2 with Apter on the right and the 3-4-2-1 you describe. What I definitely can’t see is Jones deciding to play just 2 central midfielders. His whole managerial career any success has come from packing central areas of the pitch, so a 3-4-3 with 2 wide players in the front 3 I just can’t see him going for that. Maybe a 3-4-2-1 with Apter and Carey behind a striker is our defensive option but I still think a lot of games we will be 3-5-2/4-2-3-1 like last season 

    Would also add that at the start of last season Apter was playing as a wing back in a 3-5-2 so it’s something he has done before, and our wing back role is obviously not a normal one so would suit him more 
    Because I am using my eyes? 

    Look at Small, and then look at Apter. Small is more muscly, more broad and we have seen how tough he is, Apter looks slimmer, quite narrow in frame, and I have read Blackpool fans say he isn't someone who is not going to get up and down and may struggle against more physical defenders.

    It appears Apter is on a different level currently to Small in terms of attacking quality (the stats of footage we have seen don't lie), but if we are talking purely from an athletic build and physical strength, Small looks like he would have his number.
    Except when Small had a torrid time against him last season
    Yeah I'm not about to start slagging off a new signing to point score beyond what I have said when I actually like the look of him. Just pointing out something extremely obvious. 

    Torrid time is such a Charlton Life exaggeration for the narrative. Christ alive man 😂

    If you think Apter is as athletic as Small, fair enough. 


    No one said he’s as athletic as Small. You said he wasn’t athletic enough to play the Small role. There’s a big difference between those statements 

    That’s where I’d disagree, yes hes not as athletic as Small (not many players are), but he’s played wing back before and looking at his role for Blackpool last season he should be absolutely fine playing the role Small did last season, which is why we’ve signed him imo 
    Yeah, thankfully Nathan Jones is the manager though and will probably play the winger as a winger, not as a wing back. 

    You challenging my view of him not being athletic enough is basically the same thing, cmon, don't play coy. 

    I mean it's likely that he physically will not be able to match strong attackers, Small can and has. That's where my part about athleticism comes from, not that he can run up and down a pitch which I expect any professional footballer be able to do. 

    Do you know how insane it would be to spend 2 and a half million on a winger to make him play as part of a back 5 who has never been succesful there as a professional off of the back of a season playing purely as a winger. (Which is what Small was doing out of possession)

    Last post on it genuinely cause it sounds like I am digging him out, I think he's going to be quality but only for where I believe Jones will play him. That's that.
    He had a very successful season where he started out playing as a normal wing back, then under Steve Bruce he played on the right of a 4-4-2. Those 2 roles are pretty close to what Small was doing last season 

    I think you’ll be surprised how we use him. I think it will be a mix of the Small role in a 3-5-2 and then maybe an advanced role against the big teams in a 3-4-2-1 
  • MarcusH26
    MarcusH26 Posts: 8,098
    Interesting I've seen a few Blackpool fans say that they think his long term role actually projects playing inside as a 10 where he can get on the ball with his close control. 
  • NabySarr
    NabySarr Posts: 4,361
    MarcusH26 said:
    Interesting I've seen a few Blackpool fans say that they think his long term role actually projects playing inside as a 10 where he can get on the ball with his close control. 
    I could see a 3-4-2-1 with Carey and Apter the 2 behind a striker being an option in some games. Think that would suit both of their games very well 
  • MarcusH26
    MarcusH26 Posts: 8,098
    NabySarr said:
    MarcusH26 said:
    Interesting I've seen a few Blackpool fans say that they think his long term role actually projects playing inside as a 10 where he can get on the ball with his close control. 
    I could see a 3-4-2-1 with Carey and Apter the 2 behind a striker being an option in some games. Think that would suit both of their games very well 
    I think away from home I could see that. Would need to be off of Miles or Tanto I would think to make it work. 
  • eastterrace6168
    eastterrace6168 Posts: 22,820
    edited July 18
    ....🙄
  • robroy
    robroy Posts: 4,451
    edited July 18
    .

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