Elliott Whitehouse

I keep saying this but I never expected to see him until late October.

Cannot get my head around the way he’s started the season. Shows an enormous amount of character. Long may it continue.

He has really impressed me, looks like the sort of player that never leaves anything on the pitch as they say.

Quoted from promotion plaice

He has really impressed me, looks like the sort of player that never leaves anything on the pitch as they say.

Yep me too. Great having players like this at the club.

He's definitely lost abit of pace which is understanding considering the injury.

Quoted from promotion plaice

He has really impressed me, looks like the sort of player that never leaves anything on the pitch as they say.

First time I'd seen Town this season yesterday and though overall the attitude was good last season it seemed even better yesterday and players like Whitehouse are great examples of that..

Think he optimises the type of player we've missed for so long. His attitude, commitment and passion on the pitch for me is disley esque.
He's constantly talking to everyone round him, he leads and helps others. I know it's really early days but I'm really liking him so far.
If he gets to Xmas and shows consistent form I'd give him another 2 years. Even be tempted to reward his commitment during his injury by giving him an extra year now. He was signed to play for 2 years so let him have the chance.

I guess when you’ve got him and Hess in midfield and the crop like Clifton who grew up in the club you can understand why MJ was happy to give Macca (who deserves it) the armband.

Think a lot of teams might have midfields with more guile and creativity than us but I doubt any will battle harder or cover  more ground than our 3.

Quoted from Rodley Mariner

Think a lot of teams might have midfields with more guile and creativity than us but I doubt any will battle harder or cover  more ground than our 3.

Bradford are one of the favourites and have a midfield up there with any in terms of style and creativity , yet our  team of grafters played the ball around them for a good chunk of yesterday.

I don't think they are getting the credit they deserve.

I have two slight concerns with the squad as it is. Firstly, our midfield, although all work horses and overflowing with energy legs, maybe lacks that bit of je ne sais crois, a bit of creativity and guile. We’ll never get overrun or out worked in there and against better sides we may thrive given I see few sides being as fit, quick and enthusiastic as us. It was noticeable how we didn’t tire or drop deep yesterday. However, when sides eventually work us out, which they will I think we need some more variation in our attack. We’ll score oodles of goals from set plays and crosses in for Hanson and Green to feed on I think though. The other area is the lack of depth, if Ludwig’s concussed, and he doesn’t sign anyone, it’s Matty Pollock on Tuesday and if one of our midfielders gets injured, you’re looking at playing Ring as Hewitt will move into midfield I guess. The squad needs another centre half (begging for Luke Waterfall) and another creative central midfielder. Jolley’s clearly identified that if you’re quicker, fitter and bigger than the opposition in this league (because of a lack of quality) you can cause all sorts of problems with set pieces and balls into the box. Waterfall would add further to this because he’d add to aerial dominance in both boxes and that’s where it counts. Last season we were often very pretty and got into decent positions but never had the quality to fashion opportunities or finish them. This season we seem to have a different style which suits the players better.

Quoted from Mariner_09

I have two slight concerns with the squad as it is. Firstly, our midfield, although all work horses and overflowing with energy legs, maybe lacks that bit of je ne sais crois

Alright del boy

Quoted from WHYWONTYOULETMESIGNUP

Alright del boy

Mange tout Rodney. Mange tout.

I'd agree with that to be honest. I think the central 3 work well together, but we've got to be careful we don't have 3 players who are too similar. Last year we saw the change in the team thanks to Embo and his ability to turn a game on its head with one piece of quality. I do think if we can keep Vernam fit, his pace and skill will give us some added quality. I really so rate him and think he's going to be a big player for us this year if given a run of games  Hanson leading the attack and Ogbu on the other side, that gives us some real quality. Obviously Rose and Wright  have their part to play who none of us would be unhappy If they were in the starting 11.

I was actually impressed with Clifton and his ability to get forward. He looks like if he's got more freedom to push forward he could create us something through sheer engine. I know Jolley does see that attacking element to his game and wants to encourage it

I said before the game that our squad aside from Gibson and Cardwell were in the match day squad on Saturday. Think a few injuries and suspensions we're too light in numbers.

Think we need a centre half and potentially a utility defender. A creative midfielder/winger and another target man type striker. We don't want to stick to plan A of direct to Hanson every game, but let's be honest, if he goes out injured our forward line loses that height and presence. Be good to have someone to push him and have cover.

Quoted from Mariner_09

I have two slight concerns with the squad as it is. Firstly, our midfield, although all work horses and overflowing with energy legs, maybe lacks that bit of je ne sais crois, a bit of creativity and guile. We’ll never get overrun or out worked in there and against better sides we may thrive given I see few sides being as fit, quick and enthusiastic as us. It was noticeable how we didn’t tire or drop deep yesterday. However, when sides eventually work us out, which they will I think we need some more variation in our attack. We’ll score oodles of goals from set plays and crosses in for Hanson and Green to feed on I think though. The other area is the lack of depth, if Ludwig’s concussed, and he doesn’t sign anyone, it’s Matty Pollock on Tuesday and if one of our midfielders gets injured, you’re looking at playing Ring as Hewitt will move into midfield I guess. The squad needs another centre half (begging for Luke Waterfall) and another creative central midfielder. Jolley’s clearly identified that if you’re quicker, fitter and bigger than the opposition in this league (because of a lack of quality) you can cause all sorts of problems with set pieces and balls into the box. Waterfall would add further to this because he’d add to aerial dominance in both boxes and that’s where it counts. Last season we were often very pretty and got into decent positions but never had the quality to fashion opportunities or finish them. This season we seem to have a different style which suits the players better.

No argument on needing another centre-back.  Ohman will pick up as many suspensions as injuries, just because of how he plays.   Pollock, who I think has a massive future ahead of him, showed when he came on that we have to ease him in.  He looked like a rabbit in headlights, although to his credit he didn't shy away after a couple of errors.   I guess Hendrie showed last year he can do a job at centre-back if needed.

The problem with a creative midfielder is that they don't tend to exist at this level.  From memory the two most creative players I saw last season were Nicky Law and Danny Mayor, both of whom operated from out wide.  I rate both of those players, but I'm not sure I would trust either in a central role.  For all the talk of how we lack an Embleton figure, his return of assists and goals was quite poor last season which begs the question of what's the point?  Is it worth having a truly creative player in the middle if the return isn't that great.

Three battling headstrong engines running amok in the centre to create opportunities through all their hard work and graft instead of the more fancy looking business? It's not as if any of them can't pass.

Good to have different options though I guess.

Like diehard says hard to find a Pirlo at this level, especially one that does the essential graft too. If they did, they'd play higher.

Quoted from diehardmariner

No argument on needing another centre-back.  Ohman will pick up as many suspensions as injuries, just because of how he plays.   Pollock, who I think has a massive future ahead of him, showed when he came on that we have to ease him in.  He looked like a rabbit in headlights, although to his credit he didn't shy away after a couple of errors.   I guess Hendrie showed last year he can do a job at centre-back if needed.

The problem with a creative midfielder is that they don't tend to exist at this level.  From memory the two most creative players I saw last season were Nicky Law and Danny Mayor, both of whom operated from out wide.  I rate both of those players, but I'm not sure I would trust either in a central role.  For all the talk of how we lack an Embleton figure, his return of assists and goals was quite poor last season which begs the question of what's the point?  Is it worth having a truly creative player in the middle if the return isn't that great.

See, I thought Mayor played out wide for Bury but I've since been corrected by a Bury season ticket holder. He was playing at CM all season, which seems bonkers if you saw them destroy us at Gigg Lane as Mayor was practically hugging the left flank for large portions of that match. He had more of a free role by all accounts but was technically starting at CM every game.

Fair enough, I based my assumptions on the two games he played against us.