Away vs Stevenage

Akpan is finished.

He is the boxer who got KO'ed (relegated) three times in a row, lost every round for as long as he can remember.

If he had any attributes, they're gone now. He can't even use his physique to win a physical challenge, despite the immensity of his frame. He crumples under the weight of pressure, and doesn't dare exert himself because he's so used to failing.

Unfortunately, Devine is now a much better player than Hope Akpan, and it's unlikely anything will change that. Akpan is fit only for retirement.

 

But in reality that’s not really an option so if you’re going to replace Devine later in the game if he tires then the option is Akpan. There is no youth team option, there is no better option in the squad. Akpan could still have a part to play this season, I can’t believe that he is as bad as we saw last season. He’s had a decent career and played at a decent level so he must bring something to the table. Hopefully GB can get it out of him.

In fairness my original post was referring to Akpan coming on as a sub if Devine started to tire. I agree that Devine currently is ahead of Akpan, but as said above, I still think Akpan could do something useful for us.

 

I'd rather play Goldthorp mate don't see how whackpan offers anything more he's that crap. Can you tell me one thing Akpan is good at seeing as you ignored that question in my earlier post. He's been relegated in 3 successive seasons which screams serial failure to me whichever way you look at it and is hardly the marker of a talented winner. He had a good career etc is the identical defence for Doyle who was also a pile of cack for us. At least he had the excuse of being played slightly out of position for being shit. He's shown 0 improvement so far this season, the fact he cant get in ahead of Devine or Anderson speaks volumes in itself given his alleged pedigree.

I'd honestly rather rotate between devine/Anderson/Goldthorp until we find someone better or one of those somehow morphs into a world beater.

 

Aye, it's a bit bereft, there's a harvester in the roaring Meg retail park which is past pizza hut and debenhams diagonally opposite the ground/over the roundabout. They have a separate bar area.

Behind the south stand, down the road past range/KFC where that terrible crash happened a few weeks ago that was all over the tv then past dunelm and Tesco there's a Toby carvery and a pub a bit further on but it's a bit of a walk.

They usually open somewhere at the ground from 5.30/6ish.

At least people won't starve! There's pizza hut, McDonalds, even Asda within a walk.

 

If be with you on this after last season but a bit like Doyle I think we all just expect him to suddenly get better because he’s played at a higher level and surely he can’t be this bad. However I’ve pretty much given up now and even lost any blind faith in Akpan to turn his performances around

 

Hard to believe, I know but, from what I've seen of him, he's actually been noticeably worse. Although he always looked lackadaisical he did at least make the occasional tackle, clever pass or forward run last season. All I've seen him do so far is saunter around in our half, avoiding the action as much as possible. With his higher league experience, physique and undoubted skill he should be a leader. All he's shown so far is that he's a shirker who really doesn't look like he wants to be here. He actually makes Tommy Doherty look motivated.

 

Aye, like feck off---pronto

 

There is no better option in the squad??? ? I've said it before and I'll say it again, if we don't bring in a new defensive midfielder, I'd be tempted to move AOC into that role and stick Paudie in at the back. He's a better option than Akpan, no question.

 

For all the stick Josh Wright got Akpan is 10 x worse. One of the most embarrassing player I've seen in Claret and Amber.

AOC, Anderson, Colville and even an unfit Jake Reeves are all better options than him.

 

Agree. I have come to the conclusion that he is simply lazy and unmotivated. We clearly saw in the away match against Burton what he can do if he puts the effort in. Clearly at that match he was motivated to do well against a former club. He scored one, nearly got another, virtually ran the show. That performance is what he should be turning out every week. I have no time for him now but can't see any other team or manager wanting him unless they have a mad chairman in charge of recruitment.

 

Where's Abbott these days?

 

Offer him to Oldham!

They're a basket case!

 

Might be useful for pie and a pint.
https://www.stevenagefc.com/news/2019/august/whats-on-stevenage-fc-vs-bradford-city-sky-bet-league-two-efl-english-football-league-tuesday-20th-august-2019/

 

What chance is there in % of us managing to offload Akpam on a loan/swap before 2nd Sep?

 

Someone took Wright off us so every chance. Akpan as performed overall a little better I think than Wright? I am talking a nano nats testicle here.

 

I thought Wright's pointing was better than Akpan's.

 

About as much chance of me turning up and playing in midfield lol

 

Haha not a lot of love for Akpan on here! Hadn’t realised quite how loathed he is! To be honest I watched him all last season and couldn’t tell you what his strengths are or what kind of CM he is. He was poor all season. Sadly though most of the team were poor and having seen some of last season’s players start this season looking far better than last there is no reason Akpan couldn’t also do that is there?

You (and the rest of the board it seems) may be right and he might continue the way he started but with Devine, Anderson, Colville and Goldthorpe there is hardly a huge amount of talent to choose from so I don’t see it as too much of a big call to play Akpan over one of those guys and see if he has something more to offer this season.