If the answer is Matt...

Then what's the question?

He doesn't jump, his first touch is dreadful, smaller players beat him in the air etc etc. Will he ever score for us? At least Ben Tomlinson looked like he was trying  

He was a desperation signing like most of of the players Slade brought in this summer

You would assume that after watching some of our signings Fenty would be asking Slade WHY!!!!

Is it possible to terminate the loan or is he here for the season no matter what?

The reason I ask is perhaps we can find something better in the January window.

Quoted from Swansea_Mariner

Is it possible to terminate the loan or is he here for the season no matter what?

The reason I ask is perhaps we can find something better in the January window.

Do you trust Slade to find something better?
After watching his post match comments, he doesnt understand why the fans are not happy! He cant understand why they are not entertained

Maybe the question is ....

Who will score goals if you put a decent cross into the box ?
Who will score goals if you get behind the opposition on a regular basis ?
Who can create chaos in the opposition box if you can get the ball in there ?

None of our strikers pose a goal threat largely because they get zero service...its unfair to single Matt out.  Vernon got 70 mins today and i dont think he even faced the goal once never mind attempted to direct a ball at it.

Matt has a reasonable enough goalscoring record for Fleetwood, and was well-regarded by Plymouth fans following his loan spell there the other season which would tend to indicate he's more than capable of playing decently at this level. Let's not do the usual Fishy knee-jerk and write him off just yet, shall we?

Quoted from Maringer

Matt has a reasonable enough goalscoring record for Fleetwood, and was well-regarded by Plymouth fans following his loan spell there the other season which would tend to indicate he's more than capable of playing decently at this level. Let's not do the usual Fishy knee-jerk and write him off just yet, shall we?

It's alright being 'more than capable' but, on the evidence of what he's achieved so far, it hardly looks like he was worth stalking for most of pre-season, does it?

Strikers need service.

Quoted from Maringer

Matt has a reasonable enough goalscoring record for Fleetwood, and was well-regarded by Plymouth fans following his loan spell there the other season which would tend to indicate he's more than capable of playing decently at this level. Let's not do the usual Fishy knee-jerk and write him off just yet, shall we?

It probably is a case of getting the wrong sort of service like Dembele does and Vernon does, just because they are big target men doesn't mean they like the ball hoofed up to them, they probably do much better wth ball to foot in Vernons case and to foot or into space on the deck in Dembele and Matts case.

I have to say that I did think we passed it around a bit more today than in some games I've seen this season, including passes into the feet of the forwards. Problem there was that we didn't exactly have players bombing forward in support so it was generally a case of holding onto the ball and laying it back into midfield as opposed to moving it on quickly in attack.

I think our full-backs were very much aware that their counterparts were a lot faster than ours and so naturally sat back a lot deeper rather than pushing forward into attacking positions. All of the Crawley full-backs and wide men were quicker than ours. Two distinctly average teams today but a bit more pace might have made the difference for us. We're a slow squad once again this season.

What p1ssed me off today was on a number of occasions we got ourselves in decent positions in and around the 18 yard box with our heads down and took pointless shots. Example being Jones made a good run from the left towards the Ponny, Vernon dropped off into space, did Jones square it? Did he fornicators. The players need to just look up and see what's on in front of them rather than punting it long or taking pot shots.

Then again is that what they are being told to do I wonder?

Quoted from HertsGTFC

What p1ssed me off today was on a number of occasions we got ourselves in decent positions in and around the 18 yard box with our heads down and took pointless shots. Example being Jones made a good run from the left towards the Ponny, Vernon dropped off into space, did Jones square it? Did he fornicators. The players need to just look up and see what's on in front of them rather than punting it long or taking pot shots.

Then again is that what they are being told to do I wonder?

I hate to see our players having shots

Whilst there has been a lack of service, I'd have sooner seen the combined wages of Matt, Hooper and Cardwell being spent on a decent striker who can score at this level. A decent striker has to create his own opportunities/ chance's, after all James Collins managed to score 20 goals in a poor Crawley side last season....I don't think the three I've mentioned will score that many between them this season.

Quoted from Grimbiggs

Whilst there has been a lack of service, I'd have sooner seen the combined wages of Matt, Hooper and Cardwell being spent on a decent striker who can score at this level. A decent striker has to create his own opportunities/ chance's, after all James Collins managed to score 20 goals in a poor Crawley side last season....I don't think the three I've mentioned will score that many between them this season.

Well its hard for Cardwell to contribute goals at the moment isnt it ?

I think it may be time for Cardwell to get a few starts, from what I've seen briefly I like, bit of pace bit of skill and can't be any worse to who we've already tried

Quoted from moosey_club

Well its hard for Cardwell to contribute goals at the moment isn't it?

From what I've seen of the three of them, I don't think any of them are likely to be the answer to our goalscoring problems, no matter how good the service is. In regard to Cardwell, Slade obviously see's him as a squad player at best, but he probably deserves more opportunities, based on his pace alone.

Cardwell is young and was brought in to develop. When he did start earlier in the season, the game passed him by and i don't think he is ready to lead the line in the first team yet.

When Cardwell played earlier in the season he was the lone striker.

I think he'd have something to offer playing up front in a 2. He's probably the only striker we've got with a turn of pace.

Quoted from Swansea_Mariner

Is it possible to terminate the loan or is he here for the season no matter what?

The reason I ask is perhaps we can find something better in the January window.

Are you suggesting we show him the door.....see what I did there.


























Taxi

Matt was no better or worse than several others yesterday. He also did win a good header in their box whilst challenged by two or three defenders, unfortunately nobody reacted and their keeper smothered it.

Not saying he is the answer but he certainly had an impressive game at Accrington and linked very well with Jones that night too

Quoted from ginnywings

Strikers need service.

Exactly , Dembele hit and miss and should not be a guaranteed starter far too much expected of him. As for Woolford , creates nothing. Any striker would struggle as yesterday no chances were created. Give Tom B  and DJ a chance , I think both deserve a go as we create nothing at home

Do we really need to have threads about how specific players are shite?

He's played a handful of games and was really decent away at Accrington. He had 20 minutes yesterday. It's pathetic to hammer new players like this.

Surely any issue lies with those who've set the budget and chosen the players.

Quoted from headingly_mariner

Do we really need to have threads about how specific players are shite?

He's played a handful of games and was really decent away at Accrington. He had 20 minutes yesterday. It's pathetic to hammer new players like this.

Surely any issue lies with those who've set the budget and chosen the players.

Which is exactly the point I'm making - Slade made a big deal of signing a player who wasn't getting a start for a team that was in the same league as us last season. We look almost immobile up front. Professional strikers should know their roles which include closing defenders down but on several occasions yesterday our midfielders were shouting at Sam Jones in particular to do so.

Are you really having a go at Matt? Get back in your box. He was exceptional leading the line against Accrington and instrumental in us winning in what I'd probably class as our best win of the season. Against Colchester he was about to tap in the equaliser before he was hacked down for a penalty. Since then he's been in and out of the team and by no means any worse than Vernon. Give him an actual chance before spouting this rubbish.

Quoted from MuddyWaters

Which is exactly the point I'm making - Slade made a big deal of signing a player who wasn't getting a start for a team that was in the same league as us last season. We look almost immobile up front. Professional strikers should know their roles which include closing defenders down but on several occasions yesterday our midfielders were shouting at Sam Jones in particular to do so.

No it's not, you've done a complete assassination on Matt as a player.

"He doesn't jump, his first touch is dreadful, smaller players beat him in the air etc etc. Will he ever score for us? At least Ben Tomlinson looked like he was trying"

Quoted from heppy88

Do you trust Slade to find something better?
After watching his post match comments, he doesnt understand why the fans are not happy! He cant understand why they are not entertained

problem is, we've been spoiled........

M. o. t  M. at Accrington i.m.o.
but the other half of the answer is Tees.

UTM - (dinosaurs included)  

Strange thread to start TOC when you've previously had a pop at posters for singling out Berrett for criticism.

Quoted from Tommy

Strange thread to start TOC when you've previously had a pop at posters for singling out Berrett for criticism.

Yep - and in a way I regret doing so but Slade rattled on for so long about trying to get him and then getting him and, as I wasn't at Accrington, I haven't seen any evidence as to his capabilities. For Matt to thrive, we surely need to a. play him and b. get some service to him. Maybe I was being unfair but it's borne out of frustration at seeing us sign another player who doesn't seem to fit whatever the manager is trying to do - clearly, I'm not alone in struggling to work that bit out either.

Matt looked ok and led the front line well a few games ago? Now he looks disenchanted with football at the moment seems Slade is having the same effect on players as he is on the fans.

I remember Matt coming here with another side and looking a right handful. I also thought he looked quite good when he first got into the side. Like a lot of players, maybe he is just taking time getting his mojo back at a new club, after not appearing much for his last club. If he's still not doing it later on in the season, then yeah, have a chunter.

Matt's a decent player as is Vernon as is Jones. It's the not the fault of the players that the manager is playing a style of football that negates skill and ability.

Quoted from MuddyWaters

Then what's the question?

He doesn't jump, his first touch is dreadful, smaller players beat him in the air etc etc. Will he ever score for us? At least Ben Tomlinson looked like he was trying  

Are you 100% sure you don`t have him mixed up with Hooper?

Quoted from 1mickylyons

Are you 100% sure you don`t have him mixed up with Hooper?

100% - Hooper has scored, although I see where you're coming from!

There’s definitely a player in Matt. Did well for Fleetwood initially and was apparently unplayable at Plymouth. Sticking him up front on his own like we did at Port Vale is never going to work. He’s a very big lad but you could never describe him as a target man really, he runs the channels well and he’s strong but he can’t play up there on his own.