Just back

A loan striker/target man has to be clever with his runs, hard working and have the ability to win balls lofted to him.
The only person we have now who does a half decent job is Vernon who had he played alongside Jones last night we may easily have scored a couple, sadly it wasn`t possible.

IMO on the discipline side experienced older and slower defending players get frustrated more at how they used to perform and no longer have the speed of youth to do it anymore so, resulting in fouls and cards.

If the Derby defenders could have nobbled Dembele last night for making them look fools they would have done, fact is they could not catch twinkle toes, too quick, too clever.

What's worrying me and I'm sure plenty of you, is where are the goals going to come from this season.

Although we played okay last night it was a damning indictment on the match, that the closest we came to a goal was McKeown's header at the death.

I'm sure that Dembele's close-range shot which their keeper did well to save was closer to a goal than McKeown's header!

Don't disagree that the one up top formation isn't working out at the moment. It doesn't help that Hooper doesn't appear to have the necessary attributes to play as a lone striker and I'm not convinced Cardwell is quick enough or experienced enough to play the role either. Might be different if we had a dominant midfield but, with the best will in the world, you can't really see us getting well on top in the middle with our current set of players.

Dembele aside we have nothing going forward. Bolarinwa ran his bloody heart out but never really troubled them, especially when he spent most his time chasing lost causes. Tactically we're set up completely wrong. The fact we're down to the bare bones up top doesn't help but I don't see goals coming from midfield either.

The lad from Norwich showed a few brief moments when he came on. I would like to see him and Bolarinwa wide with Dembele playing off the frontman.  No long balls either. Utilise the quick movement we have rather than expect them to win it in the air.  I know he's derided by some but we miss Vernon, he was key at Chesterfield in linking it altogether. We also miss his experience in an otherwise un-experienced attack.

Quoted from diehardmariner

Dembele aside we have nothing going forward. Bolarinwa ran his bloody heart out but never really troubled them, especially when he spent most his time chasing lost causes. Tactically we're set up completely wrong. The fact we're down to the bare bones up top doesn't help but I don't see goals coming from midfield either.

The lad from Norwich showed a few brief moments when he came on. I would like to see him and Bolarinwa wide with Dembele playing off the frontman.  No long balls either. Utilise the quick movement we have rather than expect them to win it in the air.  I know he's derided by some but we miss Vernon, he was key at Chesterfield in linking it altogether. We also miss his experience in an otherwise un-experienced attack.

i thought Slade was spot on tactically last night. We were set up to counter and not allow them to play in our half. Had he gone for that much pace against Coventry we might have seen a different result. We were the better side against a top championship outfit.

To be honest, I was referring to the season overall (especially since losing Vernon to injury).

Quoted from headingly_mariner

i thought Slade was spot on tactically last night. We were set up to counter and not allow them to play in our half. Had he gone for that much pace against Coventry we might have seen a different result. We were the better side against a top championship outfit.

I'd love some of what you have been smoking.

Quoted from denni266

Like i said in another thread. all the main targets turned us down , and we waited that long on them, others got snapped up too  leaving the ,,, no one else wants  up for grabs .  I for one am beginning to fear for this season already.

I dont fear for this season yet as I still have faith in Slade but granted he can only work with whats in front of him and after the Coventry game I wasnt that impressed apart from Dembele. Having said that I can forgive lack of talent as long as the effort is forthcoming.  

Like you have alluded to players didnt want to come here possibly due to money/location and other teams offering better.Having said that least we have the history of our proud little club .Further to that on matchdays it feels like a traditional small professional club with the stadium and good fan support.That has to be a plus in our signing of players

Quoted from Rick12

I dont fear for this season yet as I still have faith in Slade but granted he can only work with whats in front of him and after the Coventry game I wasnt that impressed apart from Dembele

Like you have alluded to players didnt want to come here possibly due to money/location and other teams offering better.Having said that least we have the history of our proud little club .Further to that on matchdays it feels like a traditional small professional club with the stadium and good fan support.That has to be a plus in our signing of players

Players couldn't give two hoots about history. They no more care for our history than you or I care for the history of Newport for example.

Quoted from mariner91

Players couldn't give two hoots about history. They no more care for our history than you or I care for the history of Newport for example.

Some do though Mariner.Ive spoken to them and can testify to this