[Bald magician]

[quote name='Cum on u blues' timestamp='1728156178' post='1844818']
Fortunately I?ve got hard skin as most of the comments have been personal rather than aimed at where they should, nor being very constructive either. Better to answer the comments made rather than looking to join the hyenas and grab a bit of flesh when the chance arises methinks.

Having trawled through today?s Walsall thread it?s the usual over optimistic nod to the boss prematch after the Saviour?s 5 changes. That changed of course as the match progresses and only when crisis point arrives at 60m (a bit earlier than usual which is progress) PC makes 4 desperate changes at which point we were more effective for a while going forward and changed a lost game into a relatively undeserved point.

At the same time let?s not overrate the opposition today: Walsall aren?t as good as Grimsby nor Donny, for instance. Can?t comment on Port Vale as it?s the only game I haven?t seen. The difference today is their manager did his homework. They were as busy as Bromley off the ball, pressed high, always seemed to be first to a loose ball and stifled any attempt to open up the game. Plus they had a decent outlet in their striker, Lowe, on loan from Stoke who they used to good effect by threading him balls on the deck through the heart of our back line which we just couldn?t handle and which is our big problem as I?ve pointed out elsewhere. We could and should have been punished much more but got out of jail regularly. Other than their LB Gordon they were no great shakes in my opinion. They were simply set up better tactically which regrettably we were too late in recognising, playing our usual laborious passing sideways and backwards with little urgency to go forward until the subs came on.

About time the management team did a bit of homework too if we?re going to progress in this league
[/quote
Psychology of posts determines nobody reads past one paragraph, certainly not two paragraphs. I have no idea what your post says

[Blue5]

Cum on u blues, on 05 October 2024 - 07:22 PM, said:

Fortunately I?ve got hard skin as most of the comments have been personal rather than aimed at where they should

Can you point me in the direction of a post on this thread that gets remotely as personal as this one here: https://www.thecfss....dpost&p=1660656

[Bonnyman]

Goku, on 05 October 2024 - 07:30 PM, said:

Notice how Cook?s subs were ?desperate? today. Usually they are ?robotic?.

So, folks, how do we think Cook can make substitutions that aren?t viewed negatively? Is it possible for Paul Cook to make a composed, fluid substitution?

Cook rolled the dice today and got it right, I said in the first half that our midfield two was getting outnumbered and we should have switched to a 3 at the back and matched them fortunately he did it and it was a brave 4 man switch, I genuinely don?t see how we can get through this season without a powerful striker up front we are toothless

[TJ Blue]

We scored 2 goals

That?s 7 goals in 3 games, not exactly toothless.

[dim view]

Bonnyman, on 05 October 2024 - 09:25 PM, said:

Cook rolled the dice today and got it right, I said in the first half that our midfield two was getting outnumbered and we should have switched to a 3 at the back and matched them fortunately he did it and it was a brave 4 man switch, I genuinely don?t see how we can get through this season without a powerful striker up front we are toothless

First priority is clean sheets although, I agree, we were toothless. Highlights show only 1 shot other than the goals, and the corner count must have been a world record low.

I'm ashamed to admit that I'm finding myself whinging at the moment about everything that Banks does defensively. He's getting caught in possession and being bypassed by powerful runners so it's elementary to see what mistakes they capitalised on. On top of that, they could have scored more than once from corners.
I may be in a minority but I thought our goalie did really well considering the pressures he faced.

This post has been edited by dim view: 06 October 2024 - 12:20 AM

[Bonnyman]

TJ Blue, on 05 October 2024 - 10:40 PM, said:

We scored 2 goals

That?s 7 goals in 3 games, not exactly toothless.

What has our two goals got to do with our centre forwards in our usual formation , we can?t rely on Griggs tap in , it?s another game where he had zero shots, the denial on this board about how short we are up top is like watching lemmings jump off a cliff, we are desperate for a powerful target man up top who can actually move with the ball , madden is not a last man striker, we have less than last year

[The Earl of Chesterfield]

Cum on u blues, on 05 October 2024 - 07:22 PM, said:

Fortunately I?ve got hard skin as most of the comments have been personal rather than aimed at where they should, nor being very constructive either. Better to answer the comments made rather than looking to join the hyenas and grab a bit of flesh when the chance arises methinks.

Having trawled through today?s Walsall thread it?s the usual over optimistic nod to the boss prematch after the Saviour?s 5 changes. That changed of course as the match progresses and only when crisis point arrives at 60m (a bit earlier than usual which is progress) PC makes 4 desperate changes at which point we were more effective for a while going forward and changed a lost game into a relatively undeserved point.

At the same time let?s not overrate the opposition today: Walsall aren?t as good as Grimsby nor Donny, for instance. Can?t comment on Port Vale as it?s the only game I haven?t seen. The difference today is their manager did his homework. They were as busy as Bromley off the ball, pressed high, always seemed to be first to a loose ball and stifled any attempt to open up the game. Plus they had a decent outlet in their striker, Lowe, on loan from Stoke who they used to good effect by threading him balls on the deck through the heart of our back line which we just couldn?t handle and which is our big problem as I?ve pointed out elsewhere. We could and should have been punished much more but got out of jail regularly. Other than their LB Gordon they were no great shakes in my opinion. They were simply set up better tactically which regrettably we were too late in recognising, playing our usual laborious passing sideways and backwards with little urgency to go forward until the subs came on.

About time the management team did a bit of homework too if we?re going to progress in this league

Asking you to tell us of a better pound-for-pound manager than Cook isn't personal.

So....?

[Westbars Spireite]

Bonnyman, on 06 October 2024 - 05:22 AM, said:

What has our two goals got to do with our centre forwards in our usual formation , we can?t rely on Griggs tap in , it?s another game where he had zero shots, the denial on this board about how short we are up top is like watching lemmings jump off a cliff, we are desperate for a powerful target man up top who can actually move with the ball , madden is not a last man striker, we have less than last year

It's not a revelation to accept that we would be a better side and more likely to score goals if our centre forward was taller, stronger and could kick the ball harder.

[dtp]

Bonnyman, on 06 October 2024 - 05:22 AM, said:

What has our two goals got to do with our centre forwards in our usual formation , we can?t rely on Griggs tap in , it?s another game where he had zero shots, the denial on this board about how short we are up top is like watching lemmings jump off a cliff, we are desperate for a powerful target man up top who can actually move with the ball , madden is not a last man striker, we have less than last year

It is very difficult to have a shot when the supply chain is not functioning.

It was a game of very few shots from anybody in our team because we struggled to create any chances.

I could say that we do not score many goals from distance because, as a team, we are reluctant to shoot from distance.

However, it is the way we play, the way we set up, and the way we won promotion last season after trying numerous other systems during our stay in the NL.

[Bonnyman]

dtp, on 06 October 2024 - 08:14 AM, said:

It is very difficult to have a shot when the supply chain is not functioning.

It was a game of very few shots from anybody in our team because we struggled to create any chances.

I could say that we do not score many goals from distance because, as a team, we are reluctant to shoot from distance.

However, it is the way we play, the way we set up, and the way we won promotion last season after trying numerous other systems during our stay in the NL.

You would get so much more with a better centre forward more suited to playing the lone man, their no7 Lowe although not playing as we do is exactly what we need his hold up play was superb he had the size to hold people off he could turn and beat a man and run at players we would be so much better if we had that statue of player, instead we have one outright no 9 who is aged and can?t run with the ball, yes he is the finest sniffer in the league but we need so much more, the Kirk?s should bust a gut in January to get one

[HaslandBlue58]

Bonnyman, on 06 October 2024 - 09:35 AM, said:

You would get so much more with a better centre forward more suited to playing the lone man, their no7 Lowe although not playing as we do is exactly what we need his hold up play was superb he had the size to hold people off he could turn and beat a man and run at players we would be so much better if we had that statue of player, instead we have one outright no 9 who is aged and can?t run with the ball, yes he is the finest sniffer in the league but we need so much more, the Kirk?s should bust a gut in January to get one

Regardless of who does or doesn't agree with your campaign to recruit the perfect striker,I am sure there are many reasons to consider like who,where are they, would they come,are they available, could we afford them,will they be the right character in the dressing room.If these strikers were so easy to get I think every team would have one,or two.Seems Walsall have dropped lucky getting Lowe from Stoke,but we know the odds in football of how often gems turn up.

[Bonnyman]

HaslandBlue58, on 06 October 2024 - 10:22 AM, said:

Regardless of who does or doesn't agree with your campaign to recruit the perfect striker,I am sure there are many reasons to consider like who,where are they, would they come,are they available, could we afford them,will they be the right character in the dressing room.If these strikers were so easy to get I think every team would have one,or two.Seems Walsall have dropped lucky getting Lowe from Stoke,but we know the odds in football of how often gems turn up.

It?s not a campaign grigg needs help he needs someone closer to him, I want him to score believe me, I don?t actually want to see him come off a frustrated figure regardless of whether I see him as the man for that role

[Doughnut]

Bonnyman, on 06 October 2024 - 09:35 AM, said:

You would get so much more with a better centre forward more suited to playing the lone man, their no7 Lowe although not playing as we do is exactly what we need his hold up play was superb he had the size to hold people off he could turn and beat a man and run at players we would be so much better if we had that statue of player, instead we have one outright no 9 who is aged and can?t run with the ball, yes he is the finest sniffer in the league but we need so much more, the Kirk?s should bust a gut in January to get one

I think your downer on Grigg has led you to continually focus on what he can't do as opposed to what he can do. Despite his limitations he is effective but, like any other forward, he needs the supply from the other outfield players. Cook has his style and does a good job of recruiting players to play to it. Grigg fits.

I don't disagree though that we need an alternative option up front and releasing Quigley has hopefully provided some funds. Assuming Cook is going to continue playing a lone striker I see a potential rotation of Madden and Grigg, unless the longer term plan is to play Madden as a 10. If that is the case then we need competition for the starting spot as striker. If not, I suspect we need someone comfortable being 3rd in the pecking order. I can't imagine Grigg/Madden signed to be 3rd choice.

As a division 2 team we're unlikely to sign a forward with Grigg's movement and ability to tap in from as couple of feet away, who is also a muscular powerhouse capable of dominating in the air and effectively holding up the ball, who is also able to skilfully run with the ball, and has pace and is lethal from anywhere within 25 yards etc. You've mentioned Lowe and I appreciate you don't have the details of availability etc of every player but if Cook asked you scout the new lone striker, who would you be looking at?

[danblue]

Doughnut, on 06 October 2024 - 11:06 AM, said:

I think your downer on Grigg has led you to continually focus on what he can't do as opposed to what he can do. Despite his limitations he is effective but, like any other forward, he needs the supply from the other outfield players. Cook has his style and does a good job of recruiting players to play to it. Grigg fits.

I don't disagree though that we need an alternative option up front and releasing Quigley has hopefully provided some funds. Assuming Cook is going to continue playing a lone striker I see a potential rotation of Madden and Grigg, unless the longer term plan is to play Madden as a 10. If that is the case then we need competition for the starting spot as striker. If not, I suspect we need someone comfortable being 3rd in the pecking order. I can't imagine Grigg/Madden signed to be 3rd choice.

As a division 2 team we're unlikely to sign a forward with Grigg's movement and ability to tap in from as couple of feet away, who is also a muscular powerhouse capable of dominating in the air and effectively holding up the ball, who is also able to skilfully run with the ball, and has pace and is lethal from anywhere within 25 yards etc. You've mentioned Lowe and I appreciate you don't have the details of availability etc of every player but if Cook asked you scout the new lone striker, who would you be looking at?

Liked the look of Nathen Lowe.
19 years old, big and strong, can actually play football for a big un, good touch.
He's on a season long loan from Stoke at Walsall atm, so he's spoken for this campaign but possible one to keep eyes on

[Spireiteranger]

I think if we were to sign a striker in jan I?d go for kabamba at Barnet. Fit again now and banging goals in. Think we looked at him 18 months ago too so cookie obviously likes him

[danblue]

Spireiteranger, on 06 October 2024 - 12:53 PM, said:

I think if we were to sign a striker in jan I?d go for kabamba at Barnet. Fit again now and banging goals in. Think we looked at him 18 months ago too so cookie obviously likes him

31yrs old
I'd be looking more of a younger signing for long-term or with an improve and sell on value

[Spireiteranger]

danblue, on 06 October 2024 - 01:16 PM, said:

31yrs old
I'd be looking more of a younger signing for long-term or with an improve and sell on value

Probably get a good 2/3 years out of him at 31.
Short term project to get promoted, not looking any further than that?.

[Toddhopper.]

Blue5, on 05 October 2024 - 09:16 PM, said:

Can you point me in the direction of a post on this thread that gets remotely as personal as this one here: https://www.thecfss....dpost&p=1660656

My God the state of the posts on that thread. Shameful, faithless morons the lot of 'em. Best manager we've ever had & yet a bad run got him stick like that. Appalling.

[lindave]

danblue, on 06 October 2024 - 12:44 PM, said:

Liked the look of Nathen Lowe.
19 years old, big and strong, can actually play football for a big un, good touch.
He's on a season long loan from Stoke at Walsall atm, so he's spoken for this campaign but possible one to keep eyes on

He was my motm yesterday.

[Spireiteranger]

Toddhopper., on 06 October 2024 - 02:30 PM, said:

My God the state of the posts on that thread. Shameful, faithless morons the lot of 'em. Best manager we've ever had & yet a bad run got him stick like that. Appalling.

Just had a quick read. A lot of posters come across badly but it?s no surprise as regular readers will know how that?s how they always come across (sad and coyb to name 2 obvious ones)