Finn Cousin-Dawson

I think Foulds should feel hard done by for being dropped. If he is comfortable on the right, I would play him right back.

 

If we dissected the side we could replace every player in every position but as it stands we are probably like most of the teams in the division where we are 2 or possibly three players away from being a very good side. If everyone is fit to pick from I'd say we have the basis of a potentially half decent side, it's just fitting those 2 or 3 unknown players into what we have to make that decent side. And that means building around the players that do contribute regularly and replace the ones that don't. Just sticking a new striker upfront ain't gonna stop us conceding virtually every game, a new right winger/midfielder isn't going to suddenly make our strikers take their chances. Its about the right players for the right fit, and as I expect us to only change two or three at most in Jaunaury they have to be in pivotal positions. And for me that is a central midfielder, a right sided attacking midfielder and a striker. And with Angol and Eisa now coning back into the fold our greatest need is that pivotal central midfield. Sutton has probably done enough to warrant a regular place, as has Cooke for his chance creation and Cook for his goals. Vernam can be hit and miss but also warrants a start. The likes of Gilliead, Watt and possibly Songo'o as a midfielder haven't and we need better in these positions.

 

That is bang on Idle. Had Boyeson got it right yesterday FCD would have walked and nobody would be mentioning anything about a good performance. His passing is erratic at times, but then no one in our back line is any good with the football at their feet. Both he and Staunton both have potential but at the moment that's what it is, potential. In 12 months time the experience they gain may seem them ready.

 

Foulds played very well when he came on at that side the other night

 

He's slightly better than Threlkeld, so deserves his place at the moment.

However, neither of them are good enough and we need a RB in January.

 

It gets said a lot - when everyone is fit or when we have a full squad to pick from - but how often does that happen in a season? Probably half a dozen games, maybe 10?

What is more important is that there is someone who can come in and do a job while the first teamer gets back fit or that the manager can switch around tactics, formation to cater for the missing player.

Our problem is not enough of our players have played well enough. Only really Vernam and Sutton have had a highish level of impact on a number of ganes. Angol has shown he can but hasn't played enough games and Lavery perhaps might. Even Cook really, he's played a lot and scored a few but relies on others or the team hasn't played to his strengths.

January is a bit of a way away - 7 league games and so we'll be half way through the season by then. I can't see us winning all 7 so I expect us to be maybe a place or two higher than now. We'll have to see how attractive a proposition that is for potential signings and won't some have to leave to be able to bring others in? Aren't we close to the squad size limit?

 

He did well at Port Vale there tbf. His cross for Angol, after cutting in, was superb.

my only issue is that he’s left footed and wouldn’t offer natural width and any sort of outlet going forward in the long run. We need width from our full backs given the narrow formation.

 

He was very good in his run. I’m not sure Adams will want a left footer on the right long term as its not natural width and will reduce crosses, but given our CBs are so slow maybe there’s a chance for him in the back three at some point?

its unfortunate for him really that Ridehalgh has been so consistent since arriving

 

Not the best delivery but the ball came back out to our player who had a strike at goal, their goal had a fair element of luck about it FCD slipping leaving a 3 on 1 situation, but can't deny the finish from Pinnock was first class he never looked up to lay the ball off. Maybe our front men need to take a leaf out of his book rather than getting a nose bleed when they get to the oppositions box and looking to get rid of the ball.

 

That is an issue we need to address, all the current back four are capable of is lumping it.

Last year we had Anthony O'Connor, Connor wood and even Staunton at times, all totally comfortable on the ball, carrying it out effortlessly, or spray a good longish pass rather than an hoof.

Until we change that (not sure how with all under contract) then we will continue having to bypass the midfielders

 

To me FCD feels out of position at RB, he just looks like a CB to me. He’s not fast or agile enough for a modern full back and can’t cross or pass. He may improve but he should have been sent off yesterday, Threlkeld also has played a lot of his career in midfield and now people are clamouring for Foulds to play out of position there on 45 minutes of football. Crazy idea I know but probably time to bring in an actual specialist RB?

 

Football is very position specific. I laughed last week when people wanted to give Foulds a run at right back because he'd deputised for part of a game even when he's predominantly left footed. I'm not sure what position would suit FCD, he doesn't look a natural right back.

 

He did, I suppose its a matter of round pegs in round holes, we have FCD who in the past hasn't let us down and I thought was unlucky to lose his place when Threlkeld returned from his injury but I wasn't impressed with FCD yesterday maybe it was on instructions from Adams but everything went down the left whereas at times the space on the right was embarrassing.

 

Songo'o as an actual footballer it's shocking at times. He gives us a bit of solidity but on the ball he seriously needs to up the pass completion rate and with Watt having similar issues it's no wonder we're constantly turning the ball over after just a couple of touches.

 

You're a student Broncs, answer me this. How many times last season and this have you noticed FCD fall over / slip, call it whatever? I've counted at least 8 and all in the same circumstances, ball and man coming towards him, eye on man not ball, ball travels FCD has to re-focus on ball, needs to move feet and slips. It seems a common flaw which out of those 8 I've counted has cost at least 3, possibly 4 goals.

 

I was an advocate for FCD after the first couple of games but yes he slipped twice to my knowledge yesterday unfortunatly the second was at a crucial time, but all round we were average and although Northamptons position in the league suggested they were a good side yesterdays performance said otherwise IMO.

 

Wow. Just seen his tackle again. Off the floor, reckless and dangerous. How was that not a red ?

 

Disagree on Anthony O'Connor. He was good to a point but panicked when closed down or when he went too far up towards the halfway line and looked to get rid of it quickly either with a long kick or shoving it to someone else nearby to sort out.

 

Funny

Just can’t do that in modern football. Ref didn’t even give a foul.Very fortunate.

 

Tbf we stopped them playing and did the negative side of the game well. It didn’t help them losing the big lad who is on loan to them upfront who has done well