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Post by madgas on Jul 19, 2019 8:55:09 GMT
I'm going with us to finish top.
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Post by madgas on Jul 19, 2019 7:40:30 GMT
Busy two weeks coming up - Couple in and a couple out ! Been told? Or gut feeling?
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Post by madgas on Jul 19, 2019 7:14:21 GMT
I remain on the fence over GC as Manager. he deserved the chance by keeping us up but so far IMO his summer dealings have been a bit of a disaster as he has NOT improved on what was a shocking aspect of the team- pace ,creativity and goals.We are left in a position where at the moment we have three strikers other than JCH none of whom has a goalscoring record over the past season and the youngster Deon Moore.Why we signed Smith I just don't know as it seems desperation to sign him when he is about as physical as Reilly and Nichols,neither of whom have done much and the thought of getting Jacubiak back now as well tells me that GC has failed miserably on the attacking front and also has fail;ed to bring in any attacking midfeld players. I agreed with getting rid of Lines but only with a suitable replacement. The same now goes for keeping or releasing Bennett- does anybody think that GC is capable of bringing in better?? Theres been a lot of gas from GC but action speaks louder than words and big scores against crap teams, a draw against a national league team and a 2-0 win against Bath are not going to suddenly make us any better than last season- in fact I think even defence wise we will struggle without Lockyers pace. At the moment I am prepared to give GC the benefit of doubtbut IMO striker was the one position we should have put the boat out to get a "Ched Evans" that would have guaranteed goals but also put out a message that the owners are really interested- not convinced myself at all that they are but we shall see. Ah, that old 'guarantees goals' thing. How do you guarantee goals?
The usual answer is, they have a consistent goalscoring record, and one reasonable definition of this is that they have a record of consistently scoring 15 league goals or more in a League 1 season. Out of last season's top goalscorers in League 1, before last season:
James Collins has this record. Lyle Taylor had only once before scored 15 or more league goals in a season. John Marquis had only done it once before and his one goalscoring season was in League 2. Tom Eaves had only done it once before. Ian Henderson had done it twice before, so might have fitted the criteria, although only scored 13 league goals in 16/17. Freddie Ladapo had never done it before, in fact had a pretty rubbish goalscoring record. Ched Evans, the answer to all out prayers apparently. But before last season, he'd only had one previous season in which he scored more than 10 goals, and that was 7 years ago. In 16/17, he scored 5 goals in 25 league games. Keiffer Moore - only one previous season ion which he scored 15 or more league goals, and that included a run of 4 goals in 20 games in the Championship. Ivan Toney - had never previously scored 15 goals in a season. Cauley Woodrow - had never previously scored 15 goals in a season. Jonson Clarke-Harris - had never previously scored 15 goals in a season.
So, out of last season's top goalscorers, there was only one, maybe two players who you could say 'guaranteed' goals.
What I'm saying is, signing a goalscorer is not as easy as some seem to make out. Without using the power of hindsight, they aren't that easy to predict.
I really get the sentiment. Nothing is guaranteed and I think I've made it before. However, I think its fair to say that many of those names had been muted before. With maybe the only exception being JCH. So people can predict these things. It's about getting the best of what we have. We're not as desperate for this or that as many are suggesting. We appear to have a super striker. Some adequate support. I believe theres goals and assists in: Bennett, Clarke, Sercombe and rodders. We look stronger at fullback. If the Gks and CBs prove to be good- we"ll be alright.
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Post by madgas on Jul 17, 2019 10:41:00 GMT
Blackpool have just rejected a bid of £750,000 for him from Brentford apparently. Fair play to the lad for kicking on with his career after being released by Arsenal. My god that’s sickening. Also makes you realize how much we would have gotten for Lockyer Think it shows how many on here are quick to write off players. At his best he looked a very good defender for us. Yes, inconsistent but he looked like one with potential. I'd site Bola to those those that think the Jak would be a bad signing... look at the smaller bits he did. There's certainly evidence that he could be a good striker in this division.
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Post by madgas on Jul 15, 2019 19:58:57 GMT
Hi Pirate (Wes) Was told today that we came close to getting a Everton youngster on loan who plays midfield/winger, but fell through at the last minute, Any ideas who it could have been ? Potential Josh Bowler? Out of interest... what's your source?
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Post by madgas on Jul 15, 2019 17:20:38 GMT
I swear there was a specific mention of release clause not being in his contract a few months back...
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Post by madgas on Jul 15, 2019 17:16:29 GMT
You couldn't find anything on a serious football site, then? I’m afraid it’s worse than Taylor’s. £200k buy out clause. Was told this from a ex-player that left over the summer... OTIB clearly love gaschat.
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Post by madgas on Jul 15, 2019 13:36:26 GMT
Peterborough United have today confirmed that fan favourite George Boyd has completed a return to the club, putting pen to paper on a two-year deal with the club. Wow that is some AM options they have. Ward Dembele Maddison Boyd
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Post by madgas on Jul 15, 2019 6:53:43 GMT
Have to say I'm a bit disappointed we're still going to Jakubiak. I guess we can only get 1 more striker into the squad, so no 'marquee' signing potentially then? I will say on AJ- it feels like were wanting to get him on a perm. (No ITK). Which I think is the type of signing we need to make once in a while. Ie someone you believe you might get a few million down the line. I liked Alex, think he's raw and needs a little more coaching but I think theres a guy with Championship potential.
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Post by madgas on Jul 13, 2019 10:39:59 GMT
I think that having a forward thinking RB will increase our creativity significantly. I also think Ogogo is a slight upgrade on Sincs. I agree that sincs was underrated. But also in truth- he rarely had a season without injury interruption. That was very sad. Ogogo has very good switch ball. How can a player who hardly started last season be underated? Truth is that he should have been released last summer and an Ogogo type player brought in then. He really wasted a year of his EFL career with us last season. Crazy amount of hindsight being used here. Yes, looking back perhaps I'd agree. He could have moved on last summer. But he wasnt to know DC would be sacked? There weren't too many predicting the truly awful start we had. And clearly a player not used can be underrated.... Jose barely used De Bruyne. Or closer to home- JCH. Ogogo is decent.
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Post by madgas on Jul 13, 2019 8:22:23 GMT
When I say I don't rate either, of course I appreciate what Sincs did for us and I thought he was a decent player at league two level, but his tactical disciple was poor and when he was running around like a heaďless chicken he left gaps that were exposed at this level. Ogogo has better tactical discipline which gives him the slight edge for me. But, if we want to challènge for the top 10 or even the playoffs (which has to be the aim at the start of every season, even if that means over achieving) then we have to get better IMHO. If play offs or top ten is the aim, then I would agree that we may need better to achieve that. As would be the case in a number of positions. I understand what you are saying about the top ten or play offs being the aim. Yes, the club, manager and players should aim for that, but as fans we need to be mindful that achieving that may not be realistic. I think this squad is and should be capable of finishing mid table IF we add some creativity AND the manager changes our style of play. If not, I think it's another relegation battle. I think that having a forward thinking RB will increase our creativity significantly. I also think Ogogo is a slight upgrade on Sincs. I agree that sincs was underrated. But also in truth- he rarely had a season without injury interruption. That was very sad. Ogogo has very good switch ball.
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Post by madgas on Jul 12, 2019 18:20:07 GMT
His apology was pretty limp. But as many say, everyone deserves second chances. But on the face of what I've seen regarding the trial and subsequent actions I wouldn't sign him. But I don't have to do my due diligence like coggy. If cogs determines different. I'm not boycotting. His behaviour was really poor no doubt. But we're kidding ourselves if we think footballers are angels and are worthy of role model status off the pitch. You're right. There are other footballers that misbehave. And in truth, I don't think those who look for their moral guidance from footballers will get that far... But just because other footballers have been bad doesn't mean that it's ok for them to be so. If someone does multiple murders, no remorse, would you sign them because well we've had players that have had speeding fines in the past. I appreciate that the law is binary. And he was found not guilty. But morality is not. Its grey. And from everything I read on the case I'd suggest- he's a bad egg. Butttttttt again, if cogs speaks to him and gets a different vibe- I'm content with that. But in a binary poll I think the logical conclusion is "no" or "yes if."
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Post by madgas on Jul 11, 2019 22:25:49 GMT
What about when we signed Adam Smith I'm not sure what's to be achieved going through each ex player... or each player with baggage. To answer your question I was a little wary when we signed Smith. And at least character wise Smith seemed to prove any doubts I had wrong. In my opinion, it seems many on here want second chances as a right. Which is nice and all but they don't come free. If cogs signs him I'm not wishing him bad or wanting him to fail. Its simply a case of based on all the information I have about the trial and behaviour at it- I wouldn't go there. Thankfully, the people who will make the decision probably know alot more than me. Its clearly not one you choose on purely football terms otherwise this poll would be 98% in a single direction.
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Post by madgas on Jul 11, 2019 21:36:49 GMT
Football wise: yes Criminal: No, the law decided that. Decent bloke: Nah, guilty or innocent aside. If you read what he actually admits to doing he's still not good enough to wear the quarters. I know, people deserve second chances. But guilty or innocent his behaviour that night was awful and he never really apologised. Would I want my kids idolising him? Nope, sorry. He did make a public apology for his actions FYI. His apology was pretty limp. But as many say, everyone deserves second chances. But on the face of what I've seen regarding the trial and subsequent actions I wouldn't sign him. But I don't have to do my due diligence like coggy. If cogs determines different. I'm not boycotting.
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Post by madgas on Jul 11, 2019 21:22:40 GMT
Football wise: yes Criminal: No, the law decided that. Decent bloke: Nah, guilty or innocent aside. If you read what he actually admits to doing he's still not good enough to wear the quarters. I know, people deserve second chances. But guilty or innocent his behaviour that night was awful and he never really apologised. Would I want my kids idolising him? Nope, sorry. I presume you were of the same opinion when his co-defendant was here on loan a few years ago? Yes.
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Post by madgas on Jul 11, 2019 20:07:49 GMT
Football wise: yes Criminal: No, the law decided that. Decent bloke: Nah, guilty or innocent aside. If you read what he actually admits to doing he's still not good enough to wear the quarters. I know, people deserve second chances. But guilty or innocent his behaviour that night was awful and he never really apologised. Would I want my kids idolising him? Nope, sorry. if we are signing players based on being good boys with the ladies then I think the pool will shrink significantly! Lol! Or does it only matter if they’ve been caught and it’s been publicised? #playingdevilsadvocate Does it only matter if they've been caught and it's been publicised? - Getting caught is clearly relevant. Cant not be. Look everyone deserves second chances and he was found not guilty.
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Post by madgas on Jul 11, 2019 19:00:00 GMT
Football wise: yes
Criminal: No, the law decided that.
Decent bloke: Nah, guilty or innocent aside. If you read what he actually admits to doing he's still not good enough to wear the quarters. I know, people deserve second chances. But guilty or innocent his behaviour that night was awful and he never really apologised. Would I want my kids idolising him? Nope, sorry.
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Post by madgas on Jul 10, 2019 21:12:32 GMT
Last season I remember keeping an eye on him having read a few good "pirate" reviews. Very tidy footballer. If Cogs can get him battling- it'll be ace signing.
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Post by madgas on Jul 8, 2019 18:16:22 GMT
Not overly worried. Right now I think we're in decent shape. Absolutely need a winger winger and another striker. Do think something must be close on the latter as I doubt we'd of released Payne without that knowledge. Pretty sure we'd habe let Payne go to anyone who wanted him at the time they wanted him. Don't look a carthorse in the mouth, so to speak. Possibly, but with us paying a portion of his contract I suspect they did the maths on other deals too. Perhaps wrong. We'll see. A month to find a couple of options.
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Post by madgas on Jul 8, 2019 16:57:53 GMT
Not overly worried. Right now I think we're in decent shape. Absolutely need a winger winger and another striker. Do think something must be close on the latter as I doubt we'd of released Payne without that knowledge. A winger winger or just a winger? I mean a winger that's not afraid of chalk on the boots. I like the wide options, but there all wide players that like the middle. Maybe rodders will go on the outside but hes so useful in the air- it's a clear tactic to get him inside the penalty box as much as possible.
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