Squad

As I saw in another thread, the first half today was a Holloway team, and the second half a Hurst team.

I would be very pleased if we came out of January looking like (similar to) this:
                  McKeown
Hendrie-Nsiala-Pollock-Preston
               Hewitt-Rose
     Morais - Williams - Scannell
                   Amond

Rose has gone backwards at an alarming rate and those two pens he's given away this season are absolutely cardinal for an experienced pro. For me he's behind Hewitt, Clifton and Spokes, who are all more mobile and aggressive.

Williams again decent in the past but what is up with him is he scared of getting tackled or something, he's done nothing to warrant inclusion. Maybe Hurst can get to the bottom of what's up with him.

We also need to swap out Preston. Sorry to be so negative.

i would be highly suprised if Toto would come back here....unless on a visiting team ....which i also dont imagine happening anytime soon.

Quoted from Swansea_Mariner

Rose has gone backwards at an alarming rate and those two pens he's given away this season are absolutely cardinal for an experienced pro. For me he's behind Hewitt, Clifton and Spokes, who are all more mobile and aggressive.

Williams again decent in the past but what is up with him is he scared of getting tackled or something, he's done nothing to warrant inclusion. Maybe Hurst can get to the bottom of what's up with him.

We also need to swap out Preston. Sorry to be so negative.

Swap him out for who ??

He started really well for us but under the revolving door on the formation and personnel in front of him has suffered terribly. Constantly exposed 2 v 1 under Holloway , Tilley didnt exactly help him out today either which is why i would guess he got the hook at half time. Hurst likes a defensive winger..ala....Monkhouse and we dont have one in the building.
Preston hardly gets forward now as he cant trust anyone to cover him which would make him look even worse if a move breaks down.

I think he would soon regain his early season form if he got a disciplined left sided player in front of him for a few games.

Quoted from moosey_club

Swap him out for who ??

He started really well for us but under the revolving door on the formation and personnel in front of him has suffered terribly. Constantly exposed 2 v 1 under Holloway , Tilley didnt exactly help him out today either which is why i would guess he got the hook at half time. Hurst likes a defensive winger..ala....Monkhouse and we dont have one in the building.
Preston hardly gets forward now as he cant trust anyone to cover him which would make him look even worse if a move breaks down.

I think he would soon regain his early season form if he got a disciplined left sided player in front of him for a few games.

Get another left back in for competition and like you say, we need a grafting left winger too.

How the intercourse are we going to get Toto? He’s playing and occasionally captaining Ipswich.

Quoted from davmariner

How the intercourse are we going to get Toto? He’s playing and occasionally captaining Ipswich.

Chloroform?

Have we not got two sleeper agents in Suffolk?

Quoted from davmariner

How the intercourse are we going to get Toto? He’s playing and occasionally captaining Ipswich.

Ipswin is our mole. He said he was going to Portman Road but didn’t say he was going in a Toto mask. Meanwhile, Hursty has smuggled Toto out of Tier 4 into Tier 3. And I’ve probably had a glass of Malbec too many.

Fire power is an apparent problem, and a good striker is as rare as rocking horse poo. I think the common consensus is Podge, at his age, he would be a great role model for our rough diamonds. Whether this comes into fruition, I guess the next few days will tell. All I know is Green isn’t the man to lead the line for us.

But of course it matters not who plays up front because the final ball to him/them isn’t good enough. Creativity in midfield is another must, I feel in some respects our current bunch of centre midfielders are very similar.

Losing Morton was for me, no sad loss but and If I’m honest, nor was Edwards. For me he hasn’t learnt to pass the ball, nor mastered that final ball or any sort of end product really. I suppose that comes with experience. Tilley for me has been very hit and miss, and the biggest disappointment for me has been Williams. Two years ago he was in the Wales squad for the Euros and since then he’s been on a downward trajectory because of injuries. Is he on a one year deal or 2

Centre half is another problem area for us. In a way, not having the best of games in front of scouts may have done us a favour, but we potentially need to brace ourselves for a bed from a team higher of the pyramid and of course will leave us light. Idehen has a mistake in him but again that comes with experience.

Finally, left full back is another area that desperately needs sorting. Some experience.

For me we need

LB
CB
CM a creative one
LW
CF  

I have no idea where these new faces are going to come from but Now really isn’t the time to portion blame. All that matters is that the club have set things in motion to put things right as much as right can be.

Quoted from moosey_club

Swap him out for who ??

He started really well for us but under the revolving door on the formation and personnel in front of him has suffered terribly. Constantly exposed 2 v 1 under Holloway , Tilley didnt exactly help him out today either which is why i would guess he got the hook at half time. Hurst likes a defensive winger..ala....Monkhouse and we dont have one in the building.
Preston hardly gets forward now as he cant trust anyone to cover him which would make him look even worse if a move breaks down.

I think he would soon regain his early season form if he got a disciplined left sided player in front of him for a few games.

The way the original poster has slammed Toto in the team, then why not Ben Chilwell both equally as unrealistic

In defence of some of the players, the chaotic and lucky dip approach under Holloway can’t have helped. Nobody had the chance to keep going.

We’ll never know the reason for such a large squad filled with players that aren’t probably up to it.

Hurst will want some relative stability and players like Preston may benefit from that. I think it’s also very clear that hurst will trim the squad and sees no reason for one so large, Covid or not.

I think it’s also safe to say that in truth we need a player in almost every position, or at least an improvement on the current crop.

We lack any real firepower and we seem devoid at times of any real ideas attacking wise.

We perhaps don’t need any defensive players but maybe they need coaching to play to their strengths, Pollock for instance not ending up in a running race, that will only end one way.

Im hugely concerned, Hurst is the right man for the job but the mess our board and Ian Hollowords have left us in is almost an impossible situation
I posted on twitter last night if Hurst somehow keeps this shower of shite up it’ll be a greater achievement than getting us back into the EFL

Fit Hanson, Wright and Scannell will make a difference.

Quoted from 140067

Fit Hanson, Wright and Scannell will make a difference.

We shouldn't be basing our plans on that happening on a consistent basis though should we, that would be very silly.

We need new players; we know it, Hurst knows it and the players themselves know it. We may have one or two already at the club who are currently injured/out of form that can help, but we are in the bottom two for a reason. Our two senior strikers have I think, one goal between them. Yesterday Cambridge had two in double figures. Our defence is letting in too many goals and needs two additions at least. We have the goalkeeper coach in the starting eleven and our No1 keeper is ill and out of sorts this season. The midfield is neither creating, nor scoring goals. I don't think we can rely too heavily on players already at the club. We will not get out of trouble without additions.

The question now is, who can we get, and how soon can we get them?

Has anyone signed Ched Evans yet?

Moralis and Wright supplying him and Hanson would be a pretty potent combination at this point.

How would this look for Saturday:-

Macca

Hendrie, Waterfall, Hewitt, Preston.

Moralis, Scannel, Rose, Wright

Gibson, Hanson.

Quoted from RonMariner

Has anyone signed Ched Evans yet?

Moralis and Wright supplying him and Hanson would be a pretty potent combination at this point.

Ched Evans going to Preston.

Quoted from 140067

Fit Hanson, Wright and Scannell will make a difference.

Surely the issue is, is that they can’t stay fit? So we can’t really rely on them

Quoted from RonMariner

How would this look for Saturday:-

Macca

Hendrie, Waterfall, Hewitt, Preston.

Moralis, Scannel, Rose, Wright

Gibson, Hanson.

Unlikely, I would say. When did Hanson last play never mind train? I don't think we should be pinning our hopes on him. I doubt whether he will play another 10 games this season TBH.

Scannell won't be ready either, and I doubt Wright will have 90 mins in him.

Quoted from davmariner

How the intercourse are we going to get Toto? He’s playing and occasionally captaining Ipswich.

That's not even mentioning all the stuff he's said about the fans during his last spell and the stick he got for it when he visited BP.  

I think he'd rather play for anybody else but us and he's far beyond our level anyway.

Amond I could believe would come back for the right deal as I don't think he really wanted to leave in the first place but felt disrespected by the offer he got. Knows he'd get a hero's welcome if he came back but it'd have to be for the right reasons.

Wright is a Hurst-style winger.. hard working, and a certain degree of unpredictability - he'll be up and down the right wing, tracking back and bombing up - that Is what we need in a game - mixed in with Morais and Scannell's intelligence:

It might be a 4-2-3-1 with Scannell-Morais-Wright?

Haven't seen much of Morais, but surely would suit the number 10 role?

Hendrie has gone under the radar really, but he has been an exceptionally reliable right-back for us.

I would love a Gregor Robertson-esque LB, as Luke is essentially the RB version of Gregor.

As I said in the first post, a defender LIKE Toto, with some pace and power would be ideal.

We can't rely on Hanson to be a reliable starter so, as many have said, a striker is crucial.

I have no doubt that Hurst is the man to keep us up.

UTM

Hurst will bring new faces in for sure. Whether it’s his first choices remain to be seen and if I’m honest he’ll be lucky to get all his first picks for numerous reasons. He’ll then need them to click which will no doubt need a lot of luck.

Let’s not get sucked into thinking that half a dozen super heroes are coming into the club to save the day Hurst will bring in players that can integrate and work alongside the players we have now that are capable of performing better, there are quite a few of these still I believe.

I’m hopeful that we’ll see a lift in performance from the existing squad not only because better players are coming in but also Hurst will build an environment where people are on the same page, unified and start to trust each other, something that was missing under Holloway as I firmly believe the players didn’t trust him.

Like us all I’d prefer that we move people on rather than paying the wages of a shadow squad if he has to split them but if he does knowing that there is a pool or reserves might just push the first team squad harder, plus it might get the duffers to push their agents to get them a move anyway.  

The big question and challenge is can all this be done to save us from the drop, let’s see.

His appointment may divide opinion but it’s clear he knows what he wants to do and unlike Holloway improving the team and winning games will be the foremost priority.

Quoted from Nutsy

Wright is a Hurst-style winger.. hard working, and a certain degree of unpredictability - he'll be up and down the right wing, tracking back and bombing up - that Is what we need in a game - mixed in with Morais and Scannell's intelligence:

Agreed, I like Max and really want to succeed, but getting a bit concerned about his injury issues...seems to barely be able to string more than a couple of games together this season, and think he had a pretty lengthy layoff last season too didn’t he?

Hopefully he can kick on

Quoted from Nutsy

Wright is a Hurst-style winger.. hard working, and a certain degree of unpredictability - he'll be up and down the right wing, tracking back and bombing up - that Is what we need in a game - mixed in with Morais and Scannell's intelligence:

It might be a 4-2-3-1 with Scannell-Morais-Wright?

Haven't seen much of Morais, but surely would suit the number 10 role?

Hendrie has gone under the radar really, but he has been an exceptionally reliable right-back for us.

I would love a Gregor Robertson-esque LB, as Luke is essentially the RB version of Gregor.

As I said in the first post, a defender LIKE Toto, with some pace and power would be ideal.

We can't rely on Hanson to be a reliable starter so, as many have said, a striker is crucial.

I have no doubt that Hurst is the man to keep us up.

UTM

Wright I think, most importantly, is a winger - his challenge since breaking through is that we’ve never played that formation. I agree he looks a Hurst-style player, and a shift to 442 should suit him.

Morais for me is the only quality crosser of a ball we have so needs to be kept largely out wide though perhaps a bit of a Scott Neilson-esque free role might work. I say that, quality crosses are worth nothing if there’s no one with the movement or aerial ability to get on the end of them. Clearly James Hanson would fit that bill, but there remain huge question marks as to whether we’ll see him again in any meaningful way.

I’ve felt Preston’s done ok, if perhaps a little green at times. The more I’ve thought about it though, I do think some more experienced solidity on the left would do us no harm.

I still think that a standout signing in central midfield is a key ingredient. For all the players we have who can play there, I don’t see anyone capable of taking a game by the scruff of the neck and dictating play, much less do anything creative. George Williams came here with good pedigree but has looked anonymous and powderpuff for me.

My gut feel tells me that getting that piece of the jigsaw right will make a real difference at both ends. Absolutely no doubting we need to become more robust at the back and more threatening up top, but if the core isn’t right the impact of any reinforcements there will be diluted.

Quoted from Kris2

That's not even mentioning all the stuff he's said about the fans during his last spell and the stick he got for it when he visited BP.  

I think he'd rather play for anybody else but us and he's far beyond our level anyway.

Amond I could believe would come back for the right deal as I don't think he really wanted to leave in the first place but felt disrespected by the offer he got. Knows he'd get a hero's welcome if he came back but it'd have to be for the right reasons.

The only way Amond would come back is if Newport get promoted and he can’t get a place in the side so with the Windows that’s 12 months away. He may not be starting now but I’ll guarantee you he’ll start when they play Brighton next Sunday.

Also with no supporters at the game the hero worship would be confined to social media, which is there already.

Toto? In reality it’s nothing to do with a supposed minority of the support its just that he’s too good to play in the lower half of league 2 in all reality.

I know it’s a forum for people to express their views but some of the suggestions are somewhat pie in the sky!!!

Quoted from Poojah

Wright I think, most importantly, is a winger - his challenge since breaking through is that we’ve never played that formation. I agree he looks a Hurst-style player, and a shift to 442 should suit him.

Morais for me is the only quality crosser of a ball we have so needs to be kept largely out wide though perhaps a bit of a Scott Neilson-esque free role might work. I say that, quality crosses are worth nothing if there’s no one with the movement or aerial ability to get on the end of them. Clearly James Hanson would fit that bill, but there remain huge question marks as to whether we’ll see him again in any meaningful way.

I’ve felt Preston’s done ok, if perhaps a little green at times. The more I’ve thought about it though, I do think some more experienced solidity on the left would do us no harm.

I still think that a standout signing in central midfield is a key ingredient. For all the players we have who can play there, I don’t see anyone capable of taking a game by the scruff of the neck and dictating play, much less do anything creative. George Williams came here with good pedigree but has looked anonymous and powderpuff for me.

My gut feel tells me that getting that piece of the jigsaw right will make a real difference at both ends. Absolutely no doubting we need to become more robust at the back and more threatening up top, but if the core isn’t right the impact of any reinforcements there will be diluted.

I think we could really do with someone like Embelton who always wanted the ball and went looking for it making himself available for the CB’s and players trying to build stuff down the flanks and if that wasn’t on when he had the ball he’d try and move forward with it whilst others ran off him.

It’s unlikely we’ll attract a senior player who can do this so I hope Paul and his network have some good connections in the a academy system.

Quoted from HertsGTFC

I think we could really do with someone like Embelton who always wanted the ball and went looking for it making himself available for the CB’s and players trying to build stuff down the flanks and if that wasn’t on when he had the ball he’d try and move forward with it whilst others ran off him.

It’s unlikely we’ll attract a senior player who can do this so I hope Paul and his network have some good connections in the a academy system.

Embleton, frustratingly, has hardly kicked a first team ball since he left us - he’s made two Papa John’s Trophy (who even knew it was called that?) appearances this season and that’s it.

Not the worst shout in the world.

My PNE supporting Step daughters ex partner has said that Ched Evans is excrement

Could we also take the captains armband off Macca and use it as an incentive to recruit a midfield or central defender who would be the leader on the pitch, a Paul Groves type player please. We have not had a decent leader on the pitch for far too long. I think Macca's game will improve if goalkeeping is all he has to concentrate on. I would make him the club's off field ambassador.

Quoted from cod_head_doug

Could we also take the captains armband off Macca and use it as an incentive to recruit a midfield or central defender who would be the leader on the pitch, a Paul Groves type player please. We have not had a decent leader on the pitch for far too long. I think Macca's game will improve if goalkeeping is all he has to concentrate on. I would make him the club's off field ambassador.

from what i could see on Saturday Morais has assumed the position as on field leader.Several times i could see him talking,pointing, and giving instructions

Quoted from forza ivano

from what i could see on Saturday Morais has assumed the position as on field leader.Several times i could see him talking,pointing, and giving instructions

Spot on. I noticed that. Great call on offering the arm band to 'a midfield general' to entice them here. Hopefully, Macca wouldn't throw his toys out.

Any plans that include the likes of Wright or Hanson are unfortunately too ambitious.

Even with any improvement of the backroom set up in the next few weeks to a month, the problems are deep rooted.  We're not suddenly going to see a miraculous recovery from injury in these players.  I've seen suggestions that Hanson simply didn't want to play for Holloway, if there's any truth in that suggestion I can't see Hurst really want that type of attitude in his dressing room.  

Wright hopefully can overcome his injury problems.  He's an explosive type player, one where effective S&C work will really pay dividends.  I believe we had something in the building under Holloway but it wouldn't surprise me if it was a cheapo option, nothing this season suggests we've done anything to cut out or improve on strains, niggles etc.  Of course the decision to furlough the groundsman can't have helped either. Taking into account the bad weather, the pitch is looking terrible at the minute and evidence of the lack of work done on it over the summer months.  Dread to think what condition the pitches at Cheapside are like...

To be honest then if Hanson has not been playing for Holloway for reasons other than injury, then as bad as that is, where we are in the table would put in the camp of not caring in the short term. If he can play and contribute at anywhere near the level he was when he first joined the club and before, then he could be exactly what we need to stay up.

If we were mid table I would probably have a different attitude, but to be honest, whatever we need to do to stay up is far and away above any other issues in the short term.

Let principles come into play in the summer when we have secured our league status.

UTFM

Whoever is signed I don't think there would be any room for thoughts of "oh we didn't need someone to play there." No-one has played so well that they have made their position their own.

I'd probably say the back four aren't bad but could use a bit of coaching in how to defend as a collective unit. And some competition, particularly at left back but also centre-back too.

In midfield, we either have quality with no mobility or mobility but no quality. Hewitt seems to get picked out by many for having good games but I don't think he's good enough personally. Great header the other day (awful miskick for their 1st goal though) and has had a good impact in some games where we've needed someone to battle in the middle, but I think he's very limited and we can do much better. Maybe keep him as an understudy to Hendrie?

Morais has looked to have real quality but has to be kept out wide on the right. He's a good old fashioned winger who hugs the touchline and wants to make half a yard of space and put a cross in every time he gets the ball. That obviously falls down when the forwards in the box are on their heels or not doing enough to make sure it's them getting first contact on the cross.

I think as someone else has said, M.Wright would benefit from playing 442 and having a partnership with a fullback, but sadly I just can't see him completing more than a couple of games before getting injured again, so can't plan for him being in the first XI.

With Hanson - I keep thining, at his age and stage of his career, it's probably his last chance playing league football. Yes he's been having injuries and in all honesty I don't know how serious they are, but I wonder if it just reaches a point where, at his age, he might just choose to play through the pain barrier for the sake of playing some games. I don't know if pain-killing injections are still a thing?

Quoted from Tommy

Whoever is signed I don't think there would be any room for thoughts of "oh we didn't need someone to play there." No-one has played so well that they have made their position their own.

I'd probably say the back four aren't bad but could use a bit of coaching in how to defend as a collective unit. And some competition, particularly at left back but also centre-back too.

In midfield, we either have quality with no mobility or mobility but no quality. Hewitt seems to get picked out by many for having good games but I don't think he's good enough personally. Great header the other day (awful miskick for their 1st goal though) and has had a good impact in some games where we've needed someone to battle in the middle, but I think he's very limited and we can do much better. Maybe keep him as an understudy to Hendrie?

Morais has looked to have real quality but has to be kept out wide on the right. He's a good old fashioned winger who hugs the touchline and wants to make half a yard of space and put a cross in every time he gets the ball. That obviously falls down when the forwards in the box are on their heels or not doing enough to make sure it's them getting first contact on the cross.

I think as someone else has said, M.Wright would benefit from playing 442 and having a partnership with a fullback, but sadly I just can't see him completing more than a couple of games before getting injured again, so can't plan for him being in the first XI.

With Hanson - I keep thining, at his age and stage of his career, it's probably his last chance playing league football. Yes he's been having injuries and in all honesty I don't know how serious they are, but I wonder if it just reaches a point where, at his age, he might just choose to play through the pain barrier for the sake of playing some games. I don't know if pain-killing injections are still a thing?

I am not having a go at you mate but I am laughing at "the back four aren't bad but could do with a bit of coaching in how to defend as a collective unit". I read that as the back four aren't bad except at the thing they're paid to do  

If it's true that Hanson didn't want to play for Hollowords he needs to get on the pitch and bust a b*llock for the rest of the season.

Some on here seem to have a huge amount of faith in him and he has delivered nothing for this football club. He has collected his cash and gone home laughing.

Quoted from BobbyCummingsTackle

I am not having a go at you mate but I am laughing at "the back four aren't bad but could do with a bit of coaching in how to defend as a collective unit". I read that as the back four aren't bad except at the thing they're paid to do  

Ha, yeah, I get that probably sounds daft. I just mean I don't think they're that bad as individual players, and if they worked together as a solid unit we might be able to become a bit more robust. That said, I still think PH will bring in a left back and probably a centre-back too.

Interesting people point out the inexperience of Preston down our left side that other teams may target. Our left sided centre back is Pollock, so as promising as Pollock might be, that's two young and inexperienced players on the same half of our defence.

Quoted from Tommy

Ha, yeah, I get that probably sounds daft. I just mean I don't think they're that bad as individual players, and if they worked together as a solid unit we might be able to become a bit more robust. That said, I still think PH will bring in a left back and probably a centre-back too.

Interesting people point out the inexperience of Preston down our left side that other teams may target. Our left sided centre back is Pollock, so as promising as Pollock might be, that's two young and inexperienced players on the same half of our defence.

You're probably right, a craggy old centre half barking instructions at the kids would make such a difference - a Futcher or a John Stone or a Dave Moore.

Not sure if it's already been mentioned, and I've not watched masses of us this year so can't comment on overall performances, but Rose for me shouldn't be in our midfield, and will be surprised if Hurst keeps playing him unless he can give him a kick up the bottom.

The first goal we conceded on Saturday, if you watch it back, as the ball rolled out to the edge of our box, Rose half stuck out a leg and bottled the challenge. If he'd have thrown himself in the way of the shot, it gets blocked and stays 0-0. It's just not forgivable, not good enough, and not acceptable.

You can forgive players sometimes for being abit rubbish, but I'll never forgive a player for not being committed, backing out of challenges and not giving 100%. What we'd give for a Bradley Wood blood and thunder full back, a Shaun Pearson or Diz throwing themselves in front of everything, a Justin Whittle sticking his 50p head in the way of the ball and someone's boot. Macca, Hendrie, Hewitt, Clifton, Wright, Pollock and maybe Morais are the only ones who come close, and for me who we should be building the spine of the the squad around.

There are too many players not up for the fight, or not experienced enough for the challenge. We somehow need to bring in 5 or 6 players quickly who have that fire in their bellies and will to run through brick walls for the team. Maybe he can bring hte best out of the likes of Jackson and Gibson as can't help but feel there's something about them both.

Quoted from bigdavemariner

Not sure if it's already been mentioned, and I've not watched masses of us this year so can't comment on overall performances, but Rose for me shouldn't be in our midfield, and will be surprised if Hurst keeps playing him unless he can give him a kick up the bottom.

The first goal we conceded on Saturday, if you watch it back, as the ball rolled out to the edge of our box, Rose half stuck out a leg and bottled the challenge. If he'd have thrown himself in the way of the shot, it gets blocked and stays 0-0. It's just not forgivable, not good enough, and not acceptable.

You can forgive players sometimes for being abit rubbish, but I'll never forgive a player for not being committed, backing out of challenges and not giving 100%. What we'd give for a Bradley Wood blood and thunder full back, a Shaun Pearson or Diz throwing themselves in front of everything, a Justin Whittle sticking his 50p head in the way of the ball and someone's boot. Macca, Hendrie, Hewitt, Clifton, Wright, Pollock and maybe Morais are the only ones who come close, and for me who we should be building the spine of the the squad around.

There are too many players not up for the fight, or not experienced enough for the challenge. We somehow need to bring in 5 or 6 players quickly who have that fire in their bellies and will to run through brick walls for the team. Maybe he can bring hte best out of the likes of Jackson and Gibson as can't help but feel there's something about them both.

I haven't seen it but you make a great point; in the Man U v Villa game a Man U defender threw himself in front of a goal bound shot in the last couple of minutes and probably saved 2 points for them. I don't recall who it was.

Quoted from Tommy

Ha, yeah, I get that probably sounds daft. I just mean I don't think they're that bad as individual players, and if they worked together as a solid unit we might be able to become a bit more robust. That said, I still think PH will bring in a left back and probably a centre-back too.

Interesting people point out the inexperience of Preston down our left side that other teams may target. Our left sided centre back is Pollock, so as promising as Pollock might be, that's two young and inexperienced players on the same half of our defence.

don't forget they've also had to deal with the defensively useless bennett in front of them. No wonder all teams are attacking us down their rhs!

Quoted from BobbyCummingsTackle

I haven't seen it but you make a great point; in the Man U v Villa game a Man U defender threw himself in front of a goal bound shot in the last couple of minutes and probably saved 2 points for them. I don't recall who it was.

Eric Baily, could see just what that block meant to his team mates too....

Quoted from Tommy

Whoever is signed I don't think there would be any room for thoughts of "oh we didn't need someone to play there." No-one has played so well that they have made their position their own.

I'd probably say the back four aren't bad but could use a bit of coaching in how to defend as a collective unit. And some competition, particularly at left back but also centre-back too.

In midfield, we either have quality with no mobility or mobility but no quality. Hewitt seems to get picked out by many for having good games but I don't think he's good enough personally. Great header the other day (awful miskick for their 1st goal though) and has had a good impact in some games where we've needed someone to battle in the middle, but I think he's very limited and we can do much better. Maybe keep him as an understudy to Hendrie?

Morais has looked to have real quality but has to be kept out wide on the right. He's a good old fashioned winger who hugs the touchline and wants to make half a yard of space and put a cross in every time he gets the ball. That obviously falls down when the forwards in the box are on their heels or not doing enough to make sure it's them getting first contact on the cross.

I think as someone else has said, M.Wright would benefit from playing 442 and having a partnership with a fullback, but sadly I just can't see him completing more than a couple of games before getting injured again, so can't plan for him being in the first XI.

With Hanson - I keep thining, at his age and stage of his career, it's probably his last chance playing league football. Yes he's been having injuries and in all honesty I don't know how serious they are, but I wonder if it just reaches a point where, at his age, he might just choose to play through the pain barrier for the sake of playing some games. I don't know if pain-killing injections are still a thing?

I'd agree with the bit about nobody has nailed down a place. I might think that areas are lower priority than others. But from goalkeeper to full backs to strikers we haven't played well enough. They are all vulnerable to being thought of as replaceable by Hurst.

Quoted from Nutsy

As I saw in another thread, the first half today was a Holloway team, and the second half a Hurst team.

I would be very pleased if we came out of January looking like (similar to) this:
                  McKeown
Hendrie-Nsiala-Pollock-Preston
               Hewitt-Rose
     Morais - Williams - Scannell
                   Amond

Another fan with an obsession with a ex-players!

Quoted from bigdavemariner

The first goal we conceded on Saturday, if you watch it back, as the ball rolled out to the edge of our box, Rose half stuck out a leg and bottled the challenge. If he'd have thrown himself in the way of the shot, it gets blocked and stays 0-0. It's just not forgivable, not good enough, and not acceptable..

Glad I’m not the only one. I thought he could have got there too, and couldn’t decide whether his legs had gone and he couldn’t accelerate, or whether he just didn’t have the drive to get there. I suspect it was the former rather than the latter. Either way, I’m convinced that a more mobile player eg Clifton would have got there.

I feel like Rose would be good in a 3 but he doesn't have the legs for a two, I noticed a few times where Hewitt had pushed to win the ball and we was played through too easily because he was so deep and we got exposed. I like what I see on the ball from him and he's a proper little pitbull, he's like Scott Kerr but doesn't have a Craig Disley next to him.

Quoted from blundellpork

Glad I’m not the only one. I thought he could have got there too, and couldn’t decide whether his legs had gone and he couldn’t accelerate, or whether he just didn’t have the drive to get there. I suspect it was the former rather than the latter. Either way, I’m convinced that a more mobile player eg Clifton would have got there.

Yeah I noticed it, Hewitt made a half hit poor clearance and as it rolled out to the Cambridge player Rose ambled towards it and never busted a gut to block the shot, after that I made a point of watching him a lot and he was generally far too slow.