callum cooke

I can't see us reaching the playoffs now, big blow for us is that and there is nobody that will step into his shoes and be as good.

 

Massive loss. Despite me thinking he could replace him in that position, Rowe isn't the replacement. Clarke possibly?

 

As we are at home then a 4-1-3-2 formation might help leaving Watt as the defensive player and pushing Sutton in to the forward midfield 3 with Scales and Clarke and with both Rowe and Cook up top

 

Huge loss, all of our attacking play goes through him. Evans and Clarke are the natural replacements but Clarke has been poor all season and Evans looks better out wide. Big test to see if either can step up.

I also see Staunton and Hosannah have had setbacks which is also not good news. If I were Sparks I'd be having a thorough look at the medical and fitness departments this summer because, whilst this has been a unusually tough season, the amount of muscle injuries we've had is absurd.

 

Without Cooke I'd seriously be considering a change of shape to get Cook and Rowe up top and possibly go a little more direct.

 

Totally agree. The only other option would be Clarke, but I'd much rather change things up a bit. I'd actually like to see what Burrell's got. A bit of pace next to the physical presence of Cook or Rowe.

 

I don't think Cook and Rowe make a good partnership. Cook isn't the foil to allow Rowe the freedom to get into good scoring positions. I think Trueman said they were both number nines.

 

Why isn't Cook a good foil for Rowe?

They're both quite different and both bring goals to the team so why can't they work together?

The "number 9" quote was that Trueman sees Rowe as a striker, not playing just behind one so let's get them both upfront and see what happens.

 

Not sparks job. That will be down to T & S .

Loads of clubs have had injuries.

 

Probably seen the last of Hosannah,he has been out a long time now,never seems to get any further forward fitness wise.

 

Losing Cooke is a big blow he was on top form and orchestrating most of our attacking play.
Shame he played with pride a passion something seldom displayed in seasons past by many of our players.
I wish him a speedy recovery.

 

I don't think Cook and Rowe are mobile enough to play together personally, especially given the fact we play on the counter for the most part. We'd probably have to play both Crankshaw and Vernam to compensate for the lack of mobility and pace in the front two which would then mean Sutton and Watt are more exposed.

 

Not sparks job. That will be down to T & S .

Loads of clubs have had injuries.

 

That's why I suggested changing shape and going longer though. Perhaps play a narrow player on one side of the midfield, like Law used to under McCall and that would leave room for a Crankshaw or Vernam to inject some pace.

Either way, we've no Cooke who is integral to the system so why not try and tweak it rather than the playing Evans there (who was a disaster) just to try and keep the shape?

 

If it was up to me I'd keep the system and give Scales a run in place of Cooke. Clarke won't be here next year so its pointless playing him when we can see if Scales is good enough to play a part next season. Evans is probably needed in a wider position.

 

That’s curtains to the season best we can do is finish in the top half.

 

Not for me. Scales needs to do far more in the little cameos he's had to be trusted with a start. I'd probably just play Clarke if we're keeping the system but for me playing that way without Cooke won't be enough to propel us further up the table.

 

Could Vernam be trusted to play the Cooke role in the T & S favourite formation?

 

Damn shame this. Wonder how much the amount of football he plays contributed to this? I’d be shocked if it didn’t. He was subbed a few times but only late in games and the way he was playing, it was almost impossible to rest him.

Clarke is capable of the role and in turn it keeps Evans out wide where I agree with others, he looks more effective. We brought players in the Jan window to manage scenarios such as this. Cookes a big loss, but now it’s over to those who have been waiting for a chance to step up a step in.

 

Clarke is solid defensively but creates chuff all. Evans was poor in the centre against Carlisle. Both lack pace. The only player I can see taking over the attacking role is Vernam but he is no way the box to box player Cooke is.