So looks like I shot wide of the mark (forum appetite wise) with this idea so this will now be a 'limited edition' first and last of the player positivity threads.
For What it was worth my positive thoughts on some of the players:
Jaakkola - absolute quality that you get from an international keeper - great find and hopefully helping the younger Gas keepers progress and develop.
JvS - Pull more performances like that out and Jaakkola might not be so willing to help you
It must be tough as back up and the pressure has certainly previously got to him but we now know that he has the Plymouth performance in his locker so how comforting is that.
Leahy - did not rate him previously, but he has really started to grow on me. I think I loved Dave so much that I was blinded as to what Leahy can bring with him and his leadership showed against Plymouth. Good asset and great penalty taker and crosses are decent too!
Ehmer - Who would have thought that you could play so well at right back. Love you there, hoping to see how you stop the tricky B'stards out on that wing as the season continues. Solid and consistent player, great signing.
Kilgour - More solid in the position he knows best, both CB's have to be a little more sharp on the balls over the top but getting better with each game week. Can't wait for Kilgour to play more games in this position and kick on from last season and attract the sort of moneys a player of his ability can demand. Decent transfer fees for the club in the future.
Baldwin - Confidence player, who, after moved his family down, seemed more settled and in some games has literally bossed it. Loves getting his head on the ball this one. If in doubt mate give it a clout. Decent ball player but its those 50/50 decision that sometimes cause unnecessary pressure. Can clearly read the game well and pick out some lovely through balls.
Grant - Oh how the forum love to pick on you. For me you have done wonders for a player that was trained as CB and now is playing as a number 8 in the midfield and was playing the number 6 role under BG. I feel that Upson has brought the best/more confident version of you out for us to see and it's looking great for the future of the 3 midfielders. Expect You to take over from Upson as the number 6 role when developed further.
Upson - Another player that I was blinded by the whole BG era and youth will prevail (I'll hold my hand up and admit that I was wrong). You have come back into some fabulous form of late and playing that number 6 role seems to suit you well. With you and Westbrooke creating from those deeper positions we look like a completely different team. I love it. I'm sure like more of the other experienced players in the squad you are helping to develop those around you. Fair play sir.
Westbrooke - Our powerpoint hero! I loved the idea of you, and I loved what you seemed to be doing for BG - then when you dig into the stats, its so much better to see you further up the pitch playing at a higher tempo that you seem more comfortable with. You always want the ball and I love that. If we had (and we do have) lots of players looking to get on the ball then we would have found space and makes for a more creative and entertaining game. Keep doing what you are doing pal.
Oztumer - What a wizard. Not given enough playing time by the clubs that brought you in which is a shame, but I hope that we can keep you fit and playing as what you do with the ball is fantastic. Again i'm sure the younger players will learn loads from you and of the loan players you and Luke seem to be favoured by our new manager. I hope we have an option to sign you when your contract is up...(This summer?) I loved your passion when you scored your first goal and thank you for bringing our players in for chances - no surprise that we create more now you in the team more. Real pleasure to watch
McCormick - Love this lad. Player that celebrates the most when ever Rovers score... got to sign him for his passion. No idea if he is available or if we have options etc... Has really worked his way into the team and plays with pride for the badge and is pretty damn good too and getting better! Could see a world once Upson isn't a starter where he slots into that midfield three as the other number 8 alongside Westbrooke with Grant playing the number 6 role. Mouthwatering
Nicholson - What a find! what a player! We will struggle to keep him in our team based on the performances and what he can do with the ball and the way he reads the game. I tip him to be the first to be sold by the club for a very healthy margin as we signed him on a FREE!!! can you believe that. Could have easily had at least 3 more goals to his name this season but will no doubt get over 10 goals and probably push towards 20 the way we are going - if he can stay fit. Probably my favorite player so far this season and if Wael loved Bodin then I think Sammy is quickly going to become a rival to that.
Hanlan - Another fantastic find from the scouting network. Not a like for like JCH replacement (JCH is doing very well fair play) but does so much for the team and could already have had 10 goals in all competitions this season if not for a few off line clearances. Half of this period we were not playing to his strengths so expect him to start banging more goals regularly from now on. Like Nicholson I reckon he will end up 15-20 goals this season if we continue to create the way we have been. My tip for the second player to be sold by the club for a decent profit. Not sure what we paid for him in the tribunal but I would imagine if he keeps improving like his is then I think we could have a mill or two in the coffers although given his age if he can do it then dare we dream for a record sale? (Currently 2.7m Hayles and Robertson)
Daly - What is not to like about Daly? Ok he has had a few injuries, probably due to the fact his is fully committed every time he plays. He will only get stronger (what ever doesnt kill you) He has that keen eye for goal and puts himself in the right areas. A natural goal scorer who is also capable of a 15-20 goals season if he can stay injury free. My third tip for the player to be sold by the club. Highly regarded by his previous clubs fans and now us, hopeful for a decent windfall too when the time is right.
Harries - The ever present under BG and you could see why. Has a range of passes and seems confident enough on the ball. The questions around his tacking and clearances were answered in the early games, but we were playing way too much direct football when we didn't have the front men required of that play. I think he still has a decent role at the club either in the number 6 role (he will require a bit of developing in that) or at the left CB which is currently being owned by Baldwin. I do wonder if we will ever see him at LB... as we are a bit short in that department...
Harsh on him that we dropped the 3 at the back... like Dave T seems like they will now have to work hard and come back into the side in what ever position PT asks of them.
Tutonda - What a player he looked at the start of all this. Eager to get on that ball and drive... surely we can use that further up the pitch and throw away is LB/LWB status and try him in attacking wide positions or dare I say it in the Nicholson if a game comes along worth experimenting in. Maybe in the U23's like Barrett was. If we keep him as LB I can't see him playing much and that will be a shame as he excites and isn't that half of our new ethos?
Barrett - The outcast, for what ever reasons, not preferred despite being signed for cash monies by BG. Have seem glimpses of him in sub appearances and PT is obviously keen to see what he has to offer as played the U23 friendly. I can see a player hungry for the ball and that can play a range of passes too, more often can be seen looking for that over the top quality pass (that take from Nicholson). Hope he get can a chance soon as he has waited long enough. I'd like to see Barrett start a game and prove to any doubters what he can do.
Koiki - Big, strong and fast and has come in do jobs not overly familiar to him (attacking left mid) and has done them well. Lots of competition down that left but he seems to have the best overall game and will get his chances although maybe not a full time place yet. Maybe one to take over from Leahy in the future and hold down the LB role... maybe unlikely being played so far forward but a player that has done well (first senior goal too) and I like what i have seen from him.
Hare - Must be thinking FML after losing his spot to a seasoned CB but in fairness Ehmer looks arguably more comfortable there at the moment. Josh Hare has ability, that right boot is a thing of beauty! If PT can pull up his defensive duties then I can see him making his way back in the side soon enough. Loves a trip on camera - wheeeey.
Hargreaves - Saw more of him last season than this, but he does the hard working every time I see him and we need players that graft in this division. Still young with amazing players around him to make him develop, his an ever-present on the bench, so closer than some in breaking into the first team. I believe him to have a number of positions he can play which PT does love about his players. Just needs a break and then to take his chance and show that he is more than just a superb presser (I recall that pre season goal he scored - beaut)
Liddle - I haven't seen much, but played pretty well and looked calm and confident enough in the cup game. I think he is one for the future to slot in the number 6 or number 8 roles within our midfield set up. I think the club will listen to offers for Westbrooke when he starts banging more goals in as his number 8 role will see his opportunities for goals and assists increase and his key passes are already up there in the top 10 for this league. If and when he does get sold I think Liddle will fit in nicely. Future talent well scouted.
Ayunga - Real shame he got injured as I was really looking forward to what he could bring to the team, bloomin strong and loves to shoot (albeit the last one went for a beer) I like a player that goes for goal and he really is. Will bring that forward player we need to aim those direct balls to against team that are not comfortably defending them. You could easily see two number 10's feeing off him and we have plenty of players who can play THAT role in our squad. Lots to come from this young man and I am hopeful he can show us what he is capable of in the run of games we have after isolation.
Walker - Came onto the scene in the preseason and then quickly had a contract extension as we realised that he was a bit better than we thought. Fair play to him. Has had minutes during our striker injury crisis and performed well which may result in him being loaned out if we get another striker in on loan for cover. I imagine the club would like him to get regular game time in order for him to gain experience in mens football. Deffo one for the future or maybe PT sees the future as now (next Ollie Watkins?). Interesting to see what happens in the Jan window for him.
Rodman, Little, Davis, Ogogo, Bennett, JML, Tomlinson, Kelly, Andre and Armstrong have not featured for us enough for me to comment so far this season as they are either injured, loaned or just not being picked. You might expect some of these players to extend loans etc in the Jan window. (JML has already retured it seems)
If you read this players... Happy Christmas and Stay Safe
Lots of love GI1883
It must be tough as back up and the pressure has certainly previously got to him but we now know that he has the Plymouth performance in his locker so how comforting is that.
