A word for the management

I know we're very early into the new season but I think what we're seeing is that the management have changed the team in two major ways.

First, in terms of recruitment, they have made us more of a threat and less soft-centred. In the past, we would have certainly lost on Tuesday and possibly yesterday too. We also have members of the squad that can cover various positions and, whilst I don't agree with square pegs in round holes per se, players like Hendrie, Cook and Hewitt are vital in small squads.

Secondly, we seem more adaptable. There were clearly changes at half-time yesterday as there were on Tuesday night. Let's hope they can use our current form to attract the couple of players they're still looking to recruit.

Spot on except Cook is playing in a far more natural role in the centre in my opinion he looked more of a threat yesterday than up front or when he was on the wing. Similarly with Hewitt and Hendrie, both are first team RBs. But Hendrie is a better LB than Ring.

Quoted from MuddyWaters

I know we're very early into the new season but I think what we're seeing is that the management have changed the team in two major ways.

First, in terms of recruitment, they have made us more of a threat and less soft-centred. In the past, we would have certainly lost on Tuesday and possibly yesterday too. We also have members of the squad that can cover various positions and, whilst I don't agree with square pegs in round holes per se, players like Hendrie, Cook and Hewitt are vital in small squads.

Secondly, we seem more adaptable. There were clearly changes at half-time yesterday as there were on Tuesday night. Let's hope they can use our current form to attract the couple of players they're still looking to recruit.

MJ is learning all the time ( as I'm sure any decent young manager should ) and last season gave him a complete insight into what is required to produce a successful Div 2 team. He has learnt from this and along with AL is putting this knowledge to practical use. We may not be the finished article yet but all the signs are that we will progress under his management.
Also, as has been pointed out, we have  a more adaptable squad. There are many combinations of style/format within the squad and indeed the modern game is very much a " squad game ".  

Quoted from Nutsy

Spot on except Cook is playing in a far more natural role in the centre in my opinion he looked more of a threat yesterday than up front or when he was on the wing. Similarly with Hewitt and Hendrie, both are first team RBs. But Hendrie is a better LB than Ring.

My point being that Cook probably prefers yesterday's role but could also play Green or Ogbu's role. Having a small squad means that instead of having two for every position, we have second choices who play other positions. If Hendrie, for example, played any position across the defence or as a holding central midfielder I wouldn't have a problem.

I'm glad we stuck by the management team when some of the less patient were getting a bit tetchy. Great to see they learning on the job too in such a technical manner and addressing issues that need sorting.

Also a mention for Jordan Cook, also nice to see he does indeed have an important role to play in the squad and another option for doing things a bit differently - but not weaker/less effective.

As for the versatile members of the squad, vital for a team with a budget that stretched; say we spunked big money (wages wise) on Hanson and Green, that might leave us lacking elsewhere somewhat and the utility players can fill in the gaps.

Or perhaps we just couldn't get all the players we wanted over the line so these guys can help plug the gaps till such a time we got two strong options in each position.

Extremely handy in times of a spate of injuries or suspensions too, or simply to help give tired first teamers a little break here and there.

The manager has now understood that success in this league means you have to win the physical battles first. His signings at the back and the front have been strong and good in the air and hard to bully off the ball. The second requirement is pace and he has signed that on the field with Ogbu for instance plus he has Wright on the bench. I think putting Cook in midfield may be the extra edge the side needed though.

Quoted from MuddyWaters

I know we're very early into the new season but I think what we're seeing is that the management have changed the team in two major ways.

First, in terms of recruitment, they have made us more of a threat and less soft-centred. In the past, we would have certainly lost on Tuesday and possibly yesterday too. We also have members of the squad that can cover various positions and, whilst I don't agree with square pegs in round holes per se, players like Hendrie, Cook and Hewitt are vital in small squads.

Secondly, we seem more adaptable. There were clearly changes at half-time yesterday as there were on Tuesday night. Let's hope they can use our current form to attract the couple of players they're still looking to recruit.

The final bit about attracting new players is spot on, our decent early season start would surely make us more attractive to quality players who for whatever reason find themselves surplus to requirements at their current clubs? Surely such players would rather sign for a club who seems to be on the up rather than a club who is looking over their shoulders at this stage.

You would think so, and let's hope so. Yes Cook slotting into that creative attacking player slot we been crying out for well. I'd still add to the squad there if possible though.

For once the summer signings have actually worked, made sense and improved upon what was already there. It's no coincidence that we actually kept most of last season's team and have built on it. Having to start from scratch every year squad wise is a big ask for anyone. One really good signing could really make us competitive in this division. The P-word is maybe a couple of years off but we're definitely heading in the right direction.

Quoted from MuddyWaters

I know we're very early into the new season but I think what we're seeing is that the management have changed the team in two major ways.

First, in terms of recruitment, they have made us more of a threat and less soft-centred. In the past, we would have certainly lost on Tuesday and possibly yesterday too. We also have members of the squad that can cover various positions and, whilst I don't agree with square pegs in round holes per se, players like Hendrie, Cook and Hewitt are vital in small squads.

Secondly, we seem more adaptable. There were clearly changes at half-time yesterday as there were on Tuesday night. Let's hope they can use our current form to attract the couple of players they're still looking to recruit.

Old Codger-I can't believe you are actually giving J.S.F. some praise for allowing the new players to be signed. Well done Codger.