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Post by UpTheGas on Aug 22, 2014 11:43:21 GMT
Think this could be a decent signing for us. It's good to have the option to play it long to a genuine target man if we need to mix things up a little and I'm sure he will be a big threat from set-pieces.
Ideally I'd like to see us keep the ball down more than we did at Altrincham and Barnet - and I think we will in general - but against some sides we may have to fight fire with fire and go direct, which Cunnington looks suited to.
His record in this division is quite impressive given his obvious role up front and I think he may prove a useful acquisition.
Good luck, Adam.
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Post by UpTheGas on Aug 19, 2014 20:11:45 GMT
I know the likes of Taylor and White are on roughly £500-£600 p/w but I'm not sure what their bonuses are - not that they've earned any just yet. Fingers crossed that'll change soon cos it'll mean they have been scoring and winning!
I hope the performances so far have shown the Board that we lack quality in certain areas and have nowhere near enough depth to the squad. My opinion is that it has prompted them into action quickly enough for it to make a difference... instead of waiting until October for a loan signing like we normally do.
Here's to the new players adding to the team.
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Post by UpTheGas on Aug 19, 2014 16:34:00 GMT
It seems as if there is positive news regarding the UWE Stadium and that's offered me a bit of reassurance. It's interesting to note that we used to have nobody willing to invest in us and now we have loads but need to vet them... I hope there's some movement on that front soon - God knows we need it.
The three new players is also good news and the fact he has come out and said about wanting two of them this week suggests deals are close to completion. I'd rather, as others have said, we prioritised creative midfield players but I still think a striker is necessary. Fingers crossed we get one or two of them on board before Saturday because that would give us fans some sort of lift going into the game, which will hopefully translate across to the players.
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Post by UpTheGas on Aug 18, 2014 15:49:58 GMT
New low from some of our fans. Worst player ever after two and a half games? Utter, utter tosh. That's the reason I can't take some 'fans' seriously on here. It's laughable, it really is.
Leadbitter hasn't had the best of starts but who has? According to Hereford fans he was their best player last season and Southend wanted to keep him this summer so there must be a player in there, and I've seen some encouraging things from him to be fair. I absolutely feel a player should be judged by what they do in the quarters but you simply cannot form an accurate or fair opinion after two and a half games.
Let's get off his back and give the lad a chance to show what he's all about. Good luck Dan.
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DC
Aug 16, 2014 23:29:26 GMT
Post by UpTheGas on Aug 16, 2014 23:29:26 GMT
Don't think it was fair or right that DC was given the job after Higgs sacked Ward (way too late in the season in my opinion) but I don't think we'd gain anything by getting rid of him now. Who could we possible bring in who could be better? We won't get a big name manager and the likes of Martin Allen wouldn't touch us with a bargepole now, so we would end up with either a rookie or an unfancied out-of-work Conference manager. We have one of the former already and he is passionate about the job, which is a bonus.
I think it's better the devil you know in these circumstances... for the time being.
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Post by UpTheGas on Aug 15, 2014 10:17:52 GMT
Give the bloke a chance. I can't believe some people are moaning about him without even seeing him play for us (well actually I can because it's the same people every time).
He is an experienced player at every level and when on-form he is a good winger. Clearly he found it difficult at Luton but on occasions some players just don't settle and find their best form; it doesn't mean he won't here. We needed a wide man who can deliver a ball and create real chances for the likes of Taylor, Brunt and White and we may just have found our man.
I'm really not sure what type of players people genuinely believed we'd sign. It's not necessarily about doing things on the cheap but who we can attract to the club. Get in the real world guys.
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Post by UpTheGas on Aug 14, 2014 18:37:58 GMT
Almost certain it won't be someone like Haynes. There's no chance he'll want to drop to the Conference in the prime of his career regardless of whether he has fallen out of favour at Notts County at present. He'll be on big wages and it's a non-starter on that basis alone I would imagine.
Foley seems more likely as he'll be on less money and already plies his trade in the West Country but even he seems a long shot if he played the other day.
I am intrigued as to who it will be now though.
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Post by UpTheGas on Aug 13, 2014 11:42:01 GMT
I was at the game last night and I have to say the performance zapped a lot of my optimism. The first half was like any away game from the last 4-5 years. Nobody showed any confidence or intent on the ball and it meant we just lumped the ball forward to two small strikers who had no chance of getting it down. It was infuriating to watch and you could see DC was tearing his hair out.
Our left hand side is a real worry, particularly the left side of our defence. Brown is a favourite with a lot of people but every team target him and get so much joy, especially when Macca is the guy on the inside of him. Brown is too slow to be a threat going forward and his deliveries are so often very poor - with him in the side a quick winger is going to have a lot of joy.
Despite how poor we were first half, both goals were easily avoidable if we're being honest. Puddy, who was as quiet as a mouse and not very commanding, should have saved the second comfortably and the first came as a result of an awful Brown cross at the other end and Macca being caught out of position. We were better in the second period but still never really created a clear-cut chance; there were a few tame headers on target but nothing that had Graham Stack that worried. I do think there are goals in Taylor and White but they aren't being given the right opportunities to demonstrate their ability. They need through balls and quick counter attacks to finish off but we don't have it in our squad at the moment, which is why I am concerned by DC's admission post-match that we can't afford the winger he wants.
Barnet are a decent side at this level and I think they'll be right up there. Solid and aerially sound at the back, pace out wide and a little and large combo up front. It's not what we want to hear or admit but it's the reality of the situation. Akinde is nothing special as a player, in fact he's pretty poor, but Barnet play to his strengths and up against slow defenders he looks a threat. He thrived on the chants of 'sh*thead' from the fans yesterday as well and conducted himself really well I thought, doing his talking on the pitch.
I don't think we should get carried away and write anything off just yet because we have had a very difficult start to the season. We now have two very winnable looking games coming up and we simply have to get points on the board and, if we stick with a system and get the ball to feet in the final third of the pitch as opposed to lumping it, we give ourselves a chance. We aren't going to be right up there this season though unless we can bring in two good attacking players.
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Post by UpTheGas on Aug 11, 2014 15:36:34 GMT
Agree with most of the above posts - the bloke is exactly the type of player I am pleased to see playing for Rovers. He is relishing his opportunity here and is enthusiastic, which is something we haven't had for a good few years now. SS has the attitude and excitement any of us would have if we were ever given a professional contract.
I too smiled throughout a lot of the interview and I loved his answer about the kit already being in his car. Also, with no hesitation, he said he wanted/expected 6 points from our two away games, which gives me great optimism as a Gashead heading to Barnet tomorrow night.
I really like the bloke.
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Post by UpTheGas on Aug 11, 2014 10:26:43 GMT
I highly doubt Puddy will be here long term. What would be the point? It would be a waste of wages to have 3 keepers and would only detriment KP's progress if he was behind yet another player in the pecking order.
Having said that he's decent enough back-up while Preston is away.
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Post by UpTheGas on Aug 10, 2014 12:15:56 GMT
To say Higgins is a better player than Leadbitter is laughable. DL has played one game in a new team - give the guy a chance! I'm not suggesting Higgins is not a good player but DC clearly didn't think he was worth signing after having him on trial for so long and I fully support his decision. He also played in the Coventry game. I think people who have paid to see him play 180 minutes and also seen Higgins play in 4 + games are quite justified to compare. As yet Leadbitter has not shown any of the flair or excitement that Higgins did. I am very happy with all of DC's other signings. He should have signed Higgins IMHO. The Coventry game was a friendly and to judge any player seriously after a friendly is ridiculous. Higgins may have looked decent but for some reason DC clearly wasn't impressed enough to offer him something and decided he wanted Leadbitter. We'll have to see how the situation develops but I am happy to go with our manager on this one and not a few fans who got overly attached to a trialist. In a year's time people might be justified in saying we should have gone for Higgins but what's the point now?
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Post by UpTheGas on Aug 9, 2014 23:47:45 GMT
To say Higgins is a better player than Leadbitter is laughable. DL has played one game in a new team - give the guy a chance!
I'm not suggesting Higgins is not a good player but DC clearly didn't think he was worth signing after having him on trial for so long and I fully support his decision.
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Post by UpTheGas on Aug 7, 2014 23:06:39 GMT
We wouldn't go far wrong signing James Norwood from Forest Green, not sure whether he would be within our price range though. Not sure we need a winger if we will be playing 3 at the back (as we have in pre-season)? When I had the pleasure of speaking to DC at the SC EGM in June someone suggested Norwood to him. He instantly shook his head and said he is the wrong type of personality and he wouldn't have him anywhere near our squad. I'm inclined to agree given the arrogant way he led Gasheads to believing he may be signing on Twitter. He's a bit of a t*t I think.
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Post by UpTheGas on Aug 7, 2014 20:28:31 GMT
In contrast I haven't heard too many positive reviews about Mitchell, Dinsdale. A number of people I know who have seen him play say he looks very shaky and is the weak link in our defence.
Personally I'm happy with Trotman signing, I think he will be a good addition. He is experienced and good aerially, which is what we need in this division. Good luck to him.
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Post by UpTheGas on Aug 5, 2014 23:32:59 GMT
Coles is exactly the type of player DC has been working tirelessly over the summer to avoid bringing to the club. He is a bad egg and it's easy to see why he would be a negative influence in the dressing room of any side.
Even if he hadn't already played for us, Clarke wouldn't look twice at him - despite the fact he is a very experienced FL centre half and available on a free transfer.
I'm very glad we have a manager who thinks personality is just as important as anything else. FGR have gone wrong with their recruitment method for a couple of years now and it's easy to see why. They have some proven players in their ranks but it wouldn't surprise me if they fall short again; most are only there for the big paycheque and we know from experience that doesn't work in the club's favour.
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Post by UpTheGas on Aug 5, 2014 12:41:17 GMT
On the subject of Jon Parkin, I see Forest Green are linked with Danny Coles. Danny Coles, Jon Parkin and an ex-Stoke City coach as manager. I wonder what sort of football they're going to be playing this season... I may be made to look a mug here and FGR will have the league sewn up by Christmas, but they're going about using their big budget in completely the wrong way IMO. I don't care what anyone says, the prime motivation for players dropping out of the league to play infront of 1,000+ at Forest Greed (see what I did there?) Rovers is £££. After years of unsuccessfully going down that route ourselves, this season we've finally put together a squad that have come to the Gas for the right reasons. I wouldn't swap any of our strikers for Lee Hughes or Jon Parkin and Taylor's pace and movement will tear Coles a new one if he signs for them. Agreed. Don't get me wrong, FGR have signed players of decent ability and there will be times where they win comfortably and edge tight games because they have FL standard players, but I certainly don't think we should fear them. This method of recruitment is something FGR have used for the last couple of years and it has got them nowhere so there's no reason why it won't this season. We have played against these players before and know they are nothing special. DC's business, in my opinion, has been very good and I for one am pleased that it is very, very different to what we've been used to in the past.
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Post by UpTheGas on Aug 4, 2014 14:19:59 GMT
Don't get too concerned yet Ras. I know what you mean about wanting them now but it seems from DC's comments today we could well end up with Turley, Trotman, Culley and a loan striker before the week is out.
Let's see what happens. For what it's worth I would be very, very pleased if we signed those four to add to our squad.
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Post by UpTheGas on Aug 2, 2014 23:58:29 GMT
I'd rather we sign him now, and he take four to five weeks into the season to heal up and get fit, rather than we leave him, and someone else snatches him up and he plays really well for them. We'd regret that. People will complain we've signed an injured player, but it's better to have him in the long term, by far. I just hope people see past that. You're of the same opinion as me, although you can guarantee people will moan whatever happens. I think he's worth the gamble and would love to see him wearing the quarters once fully fit.
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Post by UpTheGas on Aug 2, 2014 21:42:36 GMT
I'm glad a thread like this has been created because it would have looked like a 'I'm a true Gashead and your not' if I questioned why anyone would want to watch it on TV ahead of actually being at the game.
For me, if you support Rovers and can justify spending the money then there's no reason why you shouldn't be at the Mem. The new boys need our support and a good crowd could help us get the perfect start.
I can't wait. Bring it on.
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Post by UpTheGas on Aug 1, 2014 10:16:30 GMT
Happy to make a prediction once I've seen the next three players sign and after we've played Grimsby.
I am feeling optimistic though.
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