| Squad - opinion 08:26 - Sep 6 with 10082 views | Gloucs_R |
Honestly, looks like a bottom half squad again so far. Too many at league one and two standard. But don't think we're far off.
First XI looks ok but injuries and suspensions are really going to hit us..
My choice would be..
Dieng (Lumley)
Kakay / Dickie / Barbet / Wallace
Ball / Carroll (Amos)
BOS / Chair / Manning
Dykes
3 of those are out of contract next season and might not be here by the time the transfer window shuts.
if I were Warburton I would be in the market for an attacking left winger, a striker on loan and a solid left back. Plus a defensive midfield general, as West London sport put it. Thomas and Smyth could cover AMR and AMC.
Not seen anything of Niko, Oteh or Shodipo to convince me that they're good enough at this level.
Bettache looks a great prospect and one for the future but perhaps needs season out on loan, the same with Gubbins.
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| Squad - opinion on 13:37 - Sep 6 with 2074 views | enfieldargh |
The fact that the #5 #7 shirts are free tells me the new owners of those numbers should be marquee ish signings to come |  |
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| Squad - opinion on 13:58 - Sep 6 with 2035 views | Antti_Heinola |
Agree with a lot of this (although sorry Bri, Lummers should have been saving the second).
Number 7 shirt - Ben Watson feels like a perfect fit. Someone like him would plug so many gaps and give us the organisation and nous we simply do not have. |  |
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| Squad - opinion on 14:00 - Sep 6 with 2032 views | BrianMcCarthy |
| Squad - opinion on 13:58 - Sep 6 by Antti_Heinola |
Agree with a lot of this (although sorry Bri, Lummers should have been saving the second).
Number 7 shirt - Ben Watson feels like a perfect fit. Someone like him would plug so many gaps and give us the organisation and nous we simply do not have. |
No bother, Antti - it's all just opinions anyway. |  |
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| Squad - opinion on 14:08 - Sep 6 with 2014 views | PinnerPaul |
| Squad - opinion on 10:37 - Sep 6 by Myke |
I think a lot depends on whether Manning and BOS stay or go. But one thing that is not influenced by this is our need for a proven goalscorer on loan. It's brilliant to have our own striker and I hope Dykes does the biz, but even if he doesn't get injured/lose form, we need a regular goalscorer to share the load. |
Can't believe that some still think losing Manning would be a negative |  | | |
| Squad - opinion on 14:13 - Sep 6 with 2003 views | Match82 |
| Squad - opinion on 14:08 - Sep 6 by PinnerPaul |
Can't believe that some still think losing Manning would be a negative |
I think losing Manning would definitely be a negative. Replacing him as a LEFT BACK however is another story |  | | |
| Squad - opinion on 14:21 - Sep 6 with 1991 views | rsonist |
| Squad - opinion on 13:58 - Sep 6 by Antti_Heinola |
Agree with a lot of this (although sorry Bri, Lummers should have been saving the second).
Number 7 shirt - Ben Watson feels like a perfect fit. Someone like him would plug so many gaps and give us the organisation and nous we simply do not have. |
Was wondering about this in light of the Carroll signing. As recently as three days ago Forest's boss was suggesting he's still in talks with a London club:
https://www.nottinghampost.com/sport/football/transfer-news/nottingham-forest-bo
Having not trained with Forest all pre season though you'd have thought he would at least have been around the squad like Carroll has been if we have indeed been interested for as long as we reportedly have.
There's also the question of whether and to what extent he duplicates Carroll's role. While I'm of the mind positiional nous is generally more important than tired old bruising enforcer cliches (just shift the Leistner arguments over to midfield, it's fine) he's still a pretty niche and un-dynamic piece of a puzzle. Is it our puzzle? I'd be okay with giving it a go in the absence of the cheap and available Yaya Toure no one's naming.
Probably turn out he'sbeen talking to Charlton the whole time. |  | | |
| Squad - opinion on 14:35 - Sep 6 with 1978 views | Gloucs_R |
| Squad - opinion on 13:58 - Sep 6 by Antti_Heinola |
Agree with a lot of this (although sorry Bri, Lummers should have been saving the second).
Number 7 shirt - Ben Watson feels like a perfect fit. Someone like him would plug so many gaps and give us the organisation and nous we simply do not have. |
If Ben Watson, at 106 years old, is our marquee signing.... Id be worried.
Not saying I wouldn't want him for a year though [Post edited 6 Sep 2020 15:23]
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| Squad - opinion on 15:06 - Sep 6 with 1937 views | Dixie_CT |
The goalkeeper situation is getting really desperate if we think Deing, who at the tender age of nearly 26 has never played a game at this level, is going to come in and be better than Lumley and Kelly.
Watson, Hogan and a young prospect that is more Jerome Thomas than Jack Clarke, plus Manning and Bright signing contract extensions and that is a squad that could look to finish 9th - 15th. |  | | |
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| Squad - opinion on 15:24 - Sep 6 with 1900 views | daveB |
| Squad - opinion on 14:08 - Sep 6 by PinnerPaul |
Can't believe that some still think losing Manning would be a negative |
incredible how quickly Manning has gone down in fans estimations. He needs to improve aspects of his game as a defender but yesterday was 3 goals in his last 3 competitive games for us, he creates chances, scores goals from left back, you don't get many like that without paying big money.
Coaches should be working hard with him on his positional play and massive part of his problem is lack of concentration, both things that can be fixed |  | | |
| Squad - opinion on 15:40 - Sep 6 with 1879 views | BrianMcCarthy |
| Squad - opinion on 15:24 - Sep 6 by daveB |
incredible how quickly Manning has gone down in fans estimations. He needs to improve aspects of his game as a defender but yesterday was 3 goals in his last 3 competitive games for us, he creates chances, scores goals from left back, you don't get many like that without paying big money.
Coaches should be working hard with him on his positional play and massive part of his problem is lack of concentration, both things that can be fixed |
I think he definitely has value, Dave, because of many of the assets you mention (though I thought his crossing - as was the case for both teams - was below his usual high standard).
But I think his weakest point is his lack of desire to mark up. You call it concentration, and that's ok, but a certain amount of marking up and indeed tracking back is pure desire.
On the third goal yesterday the centre-backs rightly moved to their right as the ball was out wide on the right, Nouble moved on to Manning who had rightly moved infield. Then... he just left him. That's not concentration, which can cost you in quiet moments of the game when something happens out of nothing and you're caught for a milisecond of reaction time. This was simple - 2-2, late on, man-on-man marking, it's me or no-one else. And he just left him.
It's a recurring problem and it will follow him if he's moved to anchor, centre-mid, wide-left or anywhere else.
He has assets, yes. But he is a ship holed beneath the water because of that failing. And no-one, but no-one, can fix it but himself. | |
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| Squad - opinion on 15:49 - Sep 6 with 1860 views | stevec |
| Squad - opinion on 15:24 - Sep 6 by daveB |
incredible how quickly Manning has gone down in fans estimations. He needs to improve aspects of his game as a defender but yesterday was 3 goals in his last 3 competitive games for us, he creates chances, scores goals from left back, you don't get many like that without paying big money.
Coaches should be working hard with him on his positional play and massive part of his problem is lack of concentration, both things that can be fixed |
Manning is a decent player but never a left back in a million years.
I thought we were heading for 3 at the back, which might have covered his issues to a certain extent, but didn’t try it yesterday which suggests that is not in MW plans.
We need a CDM who can cover some ground, Ball is too half hearted with his defensive side, don’t see a future with him in the side. |  | | |
| Squad - opinion on 15:53 - Sep 6 with 1848 views | daveB |
| Squad - opinion on 15:40 - Sep 6 by BrianMcCarthy |
I think he definitely has value, Dave, because of many of the assets you mention (though I thought his crossing - as was the case for both teams - was below his usual high standard).
But I think his weakest point is his lack of desire to mark up. You call it concentration, and that's ok, but a certain amount of marking up and indeed tracking back is pure desire.
On the third goal yesterday the centre-backs rightly moved to their right as the ball was out wide on the right, Nouble moved on to Manning who had rightly moved infield. Then... he just left him. That's not concentration, which can cost you in quiet moments of the game when something happens out of nothing and you're caught for a milisecond of reaction time. This was simple - 2-2, late on, man-on-man marking, it's me or no-one else. And he just left him.
It's a recurring problem and it will follow him if he's moved to anchor, centre-mid, wide-left or anywhere else.
He has assets, yes. But he is a ship holed beneath the water because of that failing. And no-one, but no-one, can fix it but himself. |
i do agree he has to improve those areas of his games but thats what we are supposed to be doing, taking rough diamonds and improving them. If Manning could defend he'd be in the premier league by now and if he has ambition to get to that level there are some obvious flaws in his games that can be fixed.
I think an experienced head in central midfield on his case the whole game would help but as you say ultimately it's going to come down to him. | | | |
| Squad - opinion on 15:58 - Sep 6 with 1823 views | BrianMcCarthy |
| Squad - opinion on 15:53 - Sep 6 by daveB |
i do agree he has to improve those areas of his games but thats what we are supposed to be doing, taking rough diamonds and improving them. If Manning could defend he'd be in the premier league by now and if he has ambition to get to that level there are some obvious flaws in his games that can be fixed.
I think an experienced head in central midfield on his case the whole game would help but as you say ultimately it's going to come down to him. |
Ya, good post Dave.
Very good summary. | |
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| Squad - opinion on 16:03 - Sep 6 with 1810 views | bosh67 |
For me we need an experienced centre back on loan. Shame we didn't get the Fulham lad we were after but there are others. I notice that the highly experienced Daniel Schwaab is without a club at the moment. 32 but a very decent player and has played number 5 at most clubs.
And we need another half decent striker on loan. Scott Hogan if the maths is right. Alternatively Jordan Rhodes isn't managing to hold down a place at Weds and we could probably get him for about a million, perhaps less. Experienced at this level and has in the past scored goals at Loftus Road for fun. He's suits our way of playing as well. Could be a move that sees him rediscover his goal mojo. |  |
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| Squad - opinion on 16:42 - Sep 6 with 1749 views | Antti_Heinola |
| Squad - opinion on 14:35 - Sep 6 by Gloucs_R |
If Ben Watson, at 106 years old, is our marquee signing.... Id be worried.
Not saying I wouldn't want him for a year though [Post edited 6 Sep 2020 15:23]
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Yeah, i think if you’re expecting ANY kind of marquee signing you’re going to be disappointed. But agree a year - or two - from Watson would be decent for us imo. He’s 35, and we’ve had plenty of players at that age and above in the last 30 years who have been excellent for us. And with the c average age of the rest of the side, we can afford it. | |
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| Squad - opinion on 17:32 - Sep 6 with 1640 views | rsonist |
Even by this board's standards, pre-emptively criticising BW's suitability as a "marquee signing" all of a sudden is pretty fkn special. | | | |
| Squad - opinion on 17:48 - Sep 6 with 1621 views | essextaxiboy |
| Squad - opinion on 12:10 - Sep 6 by Nov77 |
For their second goal Lumley was beaten at his near post with once again no real effort to make a save, it happens too often with him. |
If it had gone to penaltys we would have had no chance. |  | | |
| Squad - opinion on 17:51 - Sep 6 with 1615 views | Gloucs_R |
| Squad - opinion on 17:32 - Sep 6 by rsonist |
Even by this board's standards, pre-emptively criticising BW's suitability as a "marquee signing" all of a sudden is pretty fkn special. |
Wind it in sweetheart 😘
PS..I also know he's not really 100+ years old...🙄 [Post edited 6 Sep 2020 17:56]
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| Squad - opinion on 17:52 - Sep 6 with 1609 views | distortR |
| Squad - opinion on 14:00 - Sep 6 by BrianMcCarthy |
No bother, Antti - it's all just opinions anyway. |
I speak facts. | | | |
| Squad - opinion on 17:53 - Sep 6 with 1605 views | essextaxiboy |
| Squad - opinion on 12:34 - Sep 6 by NorthantsHoop |
Time to worry is if we get ripped to pieces by Forest next Saturday, like we did in that 4-0 disaster last November. Still think we need another striker alongside Dykes. Scott Hogan would be a reasonable option, if we can fit him into our wage structure.
Yesterday in the first half some good quick moves outside the box, but no one ever unleashes a shot just outside the box. Ironically the time we did unleash a shot first time coming onto something was when Kakay scored. Same when Chair scored against Wimbledon a couple of weeks ago. |
Is it really time to worry if we lose to Forest ?
We beat Stoke away first game of last year .Still finished where we normally do . We would have just 37 games to go .. [Post edited 6 Sep 2020 17:54]
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| Squad - opinion on 17:54 - Sep 6 with 1603 views | Gloucs_R |
| Squad - opinion on 16:42 - Sep 6 by Antti_Heinola |
Yeah, i think if you’re expecting ANY kind of marquee signing you’re going to be disappointed. But agree a year - or two - from Watson would be decent for us imo. He’s 35, and we’ve had plenty of players at that age and above in the last 30 years who have been excellent for us. And with the c average age of the rest of the side, we can afford it. |
Look at what Wilkins did for us, age can be just a number... Agree with you, we don't need any marquee signings.... Just some solid players, who can improve the squad and get the job done.
We've been missing that midfield general for a while now. [Post edited 6 Sep 2020 17:55]
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| Squad - opinion on 18:17 - Sep 6 with 1571 views | kensalriser |
| Squad - opinion on 17:53 - Sep 6 by essextaxiboy |
Is it really time to worry if we lose to Forest ?
We beat Stoke away first game of last year .Still finished where we normally do . We would have just 37 games to go .. [Post edited 6 Sep 2020 17:54]
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Last season was slightly better, second highest finish in five years.
I really don't know what to expect this season, other than I very much doubt we'll trouble the top 6. Beyond that, who knows. |  |
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| Squad - opinion on 18:39 - Sep 6 with 1531 views | qprd |
We replaced about 45 goals between Eze hugill and Wells with an unknown commodity in dykes
There’s no reason to believe our defense is any better than last year
We’ve lost quite a few experienced heads between Pugh wells hugill hall
I’m not overly optimistic | | | |
| Squad - opinion on 19:20 - Sep 6 with 1482 views | rsonist |
| Squad - opinion on 18:17 - Sep 6 by kensalriser |
Last season was slightly better, second highest finish in five years.
I really don't know what to expect this season, other than I very much doubt we'll trouble the top 6. Beyond that, who knows. |
I'm tearfully shaking with worry rn we might finish lower mid table and not upper mid table. | | | |
| Squad - opinion on 20:00 - Sep 6 with 1389 views | bakerloo8 |
| Squad - opinion on 12:18 - Sep 6 by BrianMcCarthy |
I'm not sure, Nov77. He does dive but it's well hit.
Also, I wouldn't consider that a near-post situation. From that angle you cover as much of the goal as you can and stay central. The near-post is only an issue when shots are hit from tight angles and the goalie's the only player who can mind the near post and relies on his defenders to cover the far post.
We only have one camera angle but I don't think many Rangers keepers down the years would've saved that one. |
That's just not true. A goalkeeper gets his positioning at all times from his near post, much like a cricketer needs to know where his off stump is.
Was a near post goal again, and lumley was at least partially at fault. |  | | |
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