I personally think Small is a better player than Apter….real excitement when got on the ball towards the end of last season….more athletic than Apter as well….just my personal opinion
I personally think Small is a better player than Apter….real excitement when got on the ball towards the end of last season….more athletic than Apter as well….just my personal opinion
I think that Apter is more of a Jones type player though - Small is just a bit too maverick. Yes it was exciting but you didn't know if he was going to do something spectacular or manage to mess up something very basic (although probably in a spectacular way.)
Nathan Jones (for better or worse) prefers players who are consistently a 6 or 7 out of 10 over one who could be either an 8 or a 4.
I personally think Small is a better player than Apter….real excitement when got on the ball towards the end of last season….more athletic than Apter as well….just my personal opinion
Less end product though, in my opinion. Apter will score more goals than Small this season, in my opinion.
I personally think Small is a better player than Apter….real excitement when got on the ball towards the end of last season….more athletic than Apter as well….just my personal opinion
I personally think Small is a better player than Apter….real excitement when got on the ball towards the end of last season….more athletic than Apter as well….just my personal opinion
I think Apter is a better player for the role we played them in. If you were just signing a standard wing back for a 3-5-2 like Preston were then I think Small is better
I personally think Small is a better player than Apter….real excitement when got on the ball towards the end of last season….more athletic than Apter as well….just my personal opinion
A better defender.....but not a better attacker / crosser or ability to score.
I personally think Small is a better player than Apter….real excitement when got on the ball towards the end of last season….more athletic than Apter as well….just my personal opinion
I think Apter is a better player for the role we played them in. If you were just signing a standard wing back for a 3-5-2 like Preston were then I think Small is better
This is kind of my thinking as well, except for the fact that we could use some LWB cover as well.
That being said, Small has gone to PNE, started well, I believe he got an assist, and is now in the U21s. I think it's possible that he's one we look back on in 2-3 years and wonder how we could have let him go (I know we didn't let him, his contract ran out, but you get my point). But also, Josh Edwards is really bloody good defensively and decent going forward.
I wish we'd kept Small, with him we'd have a lot of strength in depth on the flanks. But Jones player or not, I don't think he wanted to be a backup and I doubt he was content staying on the right. So it's a move that made sense for the player. Just wish we could have found a way to keep him as he was fun.
Once he didn't renew his contract last summer, and instead had to be retained with the 1 year option, it was always likely he would go at the end of that year. Especially once he lost his place on the left to Josh Edwards, as he realised that whatever division we're in, NJ prefers Edwards in that position.
The way Small drives forward and dribbles, he will look the better player from first look.
But from the few games seen so far, Apter is a more all round player, and dare I say it team player, as he looks up more to see the best options.
None of the above is a negative on either player and come end of the season, I'm certain both will have proved they are very good Championship level players (for now).
I personally think Small is a better player than Apter….real excitement when got on the ball towards the end of last season….more athletic than Apter as well….just my personal opinion
How many full games have you seen Apter play?
3….live in the USA but have a Charlton TV season pass…..was home for four games last season….again personal opinion….hope it changes
Small in my opinion could develop into a top left sided attacking player* and will make many Premiership 20 man squads eventually as he can go past players on the inside or outside. With a manager who encourages him, then the assist against Leicester by TS will be the start of a fruitful season.
*Whether Wingback, attacking back or left winger he will develop and by the Summer of 26 or the winter window 26/27 Thierry will be in demand. Plus the option of playing on the right when the cutting onto his strong left foot or going wide is still a weapon.
Apter had a terrific debut, followed up with a solid game against City and as long as Ramsay has his back then he will develop just fine.
We don't need to compare two different types of players who both do their best work in the opposition's half.
Looking forward to Rob's link up play with Knibbs, Leaburn, Kelman etc.
Small has looked proper quality for Preston from the highlights I've seen soo far and been getting rave reviews from them he has made the step up easily.
Small has looked proper quality for Preston from the highlights I've seen soo far and been getting rave reviews from them he has made the step up easily.
They should make the most of it, his agent is probably already looking at options.
The way Small drives forward and dribbles, he will look the better player from first look.
But from the few games seen so far, Apter is a more all round player, and dare I say it team player, as he looks up more to see the best options.
None of the above is a negative on either player and come end of the season, I'm certain both will have proved they are very good Championship level players (for now).
Spot on.
Personally thought Small got a little overconfident in his shooting ability at times and took shots when there were clearly better options. It was almost as if, as soon as he got the ball -wherever he was on the pitch - there was only one thing / outcome on his mind: run towards the goal line and, when he couldn’t run any further, have a pop regardless.
I was, and still am, a big fan of his, but noticed this creeping into his game more and more for us. At the moment (only seen him twice tbh), I reckon Apter looks the better player, imo
Small has looked proper quality for Preston from the highlights I've seen soo far and been getting rave reviews from them he has made the step up easily.
They should make the most of it, his agent is probably already looking at options.
Yeah they should but didn't they get him on a four year contract ? Which is quids in if he does go regardless.
Small has looked proper quality for Preston from the highlights I've seen soo far and been getting rave reviews from them he has made the step up easily.
They should make the most of it, his agent is probably already looking at options.
Yeah they should but didn't they get him on a four year contract ? Which is quids in if he does go regardless.
Yeah four year deal. Would not be surprised if he's only there a year and coupled with his England U21 callups if they turn that £200k training compensation into £4-6m
Small has looked proper quality for Preston from the highlights I've seen soo far and been getting rave reviews from them he has made the step up easily.
You’re right of course but one of his issues was always consistency. I really hope it works for the lad and that he finds the consistency, finds his end product and gets the move his potential deserves.
I think Apter also has the potential to end up in the PL (why not with us eh?). Going off the first few games it looks like we’ve just nailed the the recruitment and we’re lucky enough to have had 3 fantastic players on the right (including Ramsay) recently
I’d rather have both in the squad . Apter is better technically , Small is more athletic. I don’t see this wing back role lasting for Apter - we need him higher up the pitch with less defensive responsibility , in my view .
I’d rather have both in the squad . Apter is better technically , Small is more athletic. I don’t see this wing back role lasting for Apter - we need him higher up the pitch with less defensive responsibility , in my view .
Getting up the pitch is not an issue, in terms of touches on the ball he is the most attacking player we have
Comments
Nathan Jones (for better or worse) prefers players who are consistently a 6 or 7 out of 10 over one who could be either an 8 or a 4.
Apter isn’t as explosive, but from what we’ve seen so far appears to be very secure on the ball. Clean touch and some good crosses.
Hard to fully compare at this stage.
That being said, Small has gone to PNE, started well, I believe he got an assist, and is now in the U21s. I think it's possible that he's one we look back on in 2-3 years and wonder how we could have let him go (I know we didn't let him, his contract ran out, but you get my point). But also, Josh Edwards is really bloody good defensively and decent going forward.
I wish we'd kept Small, with him we'd have a lot of strength in depth on the flanks. But Jones player or not, I don't think he wanted to be a backup and I doubt he was content staying on the right. So it's a move that made sense for the player. Just wish we could have found a way to keep him as he was fun.
With a manager who encourages him, then the assist against Leicester by TS will be the start of a fruitful season.
*Whether Wingback, attacking back or left winger he will develop and by the Summer of 26 or the winter window 26/27 Thierry will be in demand. Plus the option of playing on the right when the cutting onto his strong left foot or going wide is still a weapon.
Apter had a terrific debut, followed up with a solid game against City and as long as Ramsay has his back then he will develop just fine.
We don't need to compare two different types of players who both do their best work in the opposition's half.
Looking forward to Rob's link up play with Knibbs, Leaburn, Kelman etc.
Personally thought Small got a little overconfident in his shooting ability at times and took shots when there were clearly better options. It was almost as if, as soon as he got the ball -wherever he was on the pitch - there was only one thing / outcome on his mind: run towards the goal line and, when he couldn’t run any further, have a pop regardless.
I was, and still am, a big fan of his, but noticed this creeping into his game more and more for us. At the moment (only seen him twice tbh), I reckon Apter looks the better player, imo
I think Apter also has the potential to end up in the PL (why not with us eh?). Going off the first few games it looks like we’ve just nailed the the recruitment and we’re lucky enough to have had 3 fantastic players on the right (including Ramsay) recently