What do we need in January

We definitely need a forward who can put the ball in the net on a more regular basis than we currently have
Swan Humphrey’s and kav just done appear to be up to it and I think Cook is coming to the end of his time here, the injury and age will
dictate that and we should have brought a direct replacement in during the summer
It’s a pitty, as he could have become second highest goal scorer of all time for us.
I just don’t see him recapturing past form

 

That’s fair enough Olly , there wouldn’t be a forum without opinions . To get quality we are going to have to spend wisely , or very big?

 

One one way you could be right but imho he’s not good enough to get a run . His ball control badly lets him down and I struggle to remember him scoring a goal from outside the 6 yard box, ie he can’t shoot either?

 

Alexander likes his grafters
Players in his own mould
Kav runs all day, but there is very little football ability there
He is still fairly young, so could improve, I just don’t see him staying at this level for long and a drop down is on the cards in my eyes

 

His attributes are not the ones that catch the eye I agree. Without wanting to sound like a broken record though his goal scoring does not interest me in the slightest. If he's affecting our attacking play and has a material contribution in the goals we score I couldn't care less whether he's scoring or whether someone else is from one of his rebounds or assists.

 

I’m not sure , and to me its the big picture of his overall play , I don’t see him good enough for L1 , certainly not yet , sufficient to make a difference.

 

If we intend to play Kav as a striker, either do so or loan him out to a team who will give him a run to see if he's worth keeping on the books. For me his hold up play is nowhere near good enough for top end L1, so I don't see why he'd get a game at the moment, but GA seems to like him - and it's not like our other striking options are banging them in.

If we've decided that he's an attacking midfielder, move him on permanently. He's a million miles from being worth a starting spot in the AM role.

Oh, and Powell will have his contract cancelled, surely?

 

Halliday dropped from squad. Unless it was injury related, he’s surplus to requirements.

It was another game that passed Cooky by today - through no fault of his own. We’ve evolved the way we play and he’s just less effective than Humph and Swan in a team leading a press from the front.

he loves the club but if he gets fed up and wants game time they would be easy players to shift on loan to free up slots.

i hope both stay, personally, as they’re top lads and can contribute.

hopefully we can move on Kelly, Byrne, Kavanagh instead. Before any of them, though, release Powell!

 

I'm not so sure GA likes Kav that much. He's had very little game time since recovering from injury. As you say, he can't keep hold of the ball therefore attacks breakdown easily. He's too small to play the striker role and if you compared him to Wareham yesterday, he never wins a header. I can see him leaving in the summer, could even be January. It won't be to a league one club but certainly someone in league two.

 

Seen pretty much every game this season and my biggest take away is GA is a great manager to get us where we are with such limited technical players is a miracle.

It’s down to man management and organisation that we are where we are. Skill levels are so limited it’s going to get found out sooner or later am sure. But surely everyone connected with the club can see this not bashing anyone but bar - Sarc and possibly Bobby the skill levels with the actual ball is so poor. Simple things look hard and it’s clear they don’t feel comfortable in possession bar those two players.

Quality needed in each outfield position (which will take time) for Jan more needed in the forward areas and creativity as that’s where we lacking so badly.

 

When is Tilt back? What about Richards?
Kav should go out on loan. Possibly Leigh and Laps too.
Halliday we could get money for.
Powell released.
Should free up some money and squad space to bring in one or two. A striker and a midfielder.

 

I’d like a midfielder similar to Pattison with more quality , I rate Metcalfe but I don’t like the pairing of him and power to similar so happy for him to gain experience from power, and we’re crying out for a good league 1 striker now

 

We need two quality and mobile midfielders (L1 or above experience and not in their 30's) and a L1 quality striker with pace. Not easy to get but if we can we could have a really good season. Can we move on the squad players? Kelly, Leigh, Lapslie, Kavanagh, perhaps Cook? Chances are we get 1 or 2 in. What a season though

 

Largely agree, Recruitment team have so far mainly found the type of experienced characters GA likes but the massive challenge in Jan and next summer is can they tempt the type of quality and creativity we need to join us

 

I think Alexander does like Kavanagh, we saw last season how he was happy for Kavanagh to be the main striker from January onwards. The problem for Kavanagh was by the time he came back from injury we had 3 strikers who were up to speed or getting up to speed in the case of Cook. I think is a bit of a victim of the formation we play, with only 1 striker starting we need a maximum of 2 strikers on the bench. With the balance of the squad at the moment I think Cook and Humphrys are the certainty in the squad then it's a choice between Swan and Kavanagh.
Alexander did try Kavanagh in his 5 starts after returning but other than the game against Everton u21s he didn't look great.
I do think Kavanagh's age gets forgotten especially that is is only 4 months older than Pointon. For me if Kavanagh has an extension clause in his contract I would trigger it, if there's not a clause then I'd offer another year then send him out on loan to get regular minutes to get some confidence back as I do think there is potential in him and we shouldn't give up on him yet.

 

Halliday, Kelly, Byrne, Lapslie, Powell, Kavanagh can all go now for me.

Hang on until the summer but Richards, Pattison, Sarcevic and Cook will all be gone too IMO. Injuries or age has caught up with them.

 

Doubt we will find that person in January. Unless we get lucky with a Wyke or Cook type signing.

 

His competition was Leigh and Mellor. He was there by default.

 

Jan is massive for us now. Tough decisions on some fans favourites need to happen.

We need 2-3 players of quality in and then we might stand a chance getting in the playoffs

 

Yes definitely no longer time for sentiment. If we do end up falling away quite badly then fans will see it as a failure after the start. So a proven goalscorer, fit attacking midfielder and a CB are a must for me