Most liked posts in thread: Caolan Lavery

I don’t understand the negativity some have come out with here. Ok, on paper he’s not a stop the bus signing however he has a decent amount of experience at a decent level, at a good age. Given recent seasons I ’d 100% much rather welcome Lavery rather than a untried and tested U’21 from Wolves etc etc as competition/back up to Cook.

Cook is probably one of the first names on the team sheet at the moment. We definitely need a player of similar stature who can push him but also be there as a back in case of injury. For me, a decent signing.

 

I don't either, but I haven't felt as confident going into a season for many years. Probably since 87/88 which was driven by the form at the end of the season before.

Off the field we have a CEO who walks the walk and talks the talk rather than the invisible man and his bouncer sidekick, commercial deals being done left right and centre, improvements to the ground that the previous owners would never have dreamed of and real positive attitude to developing into a club that listens and reacts. A man who brings in specialists to do specialist jobs and somehow sees things in others (like Trueman) that will stand us in good stead.

I was really doubtful about Sparks at the back end of last season, but he's won me over (as Stuart would say) one million percent.

We also have an owner, who despite being effectively a silent partner, is enabling the young CEO to get on with the job his way and funding him to do it. Much better than the owner spouting off in the press, threatening to remove seats and move to Odsal or being a total megalomaniac who wants to play Fifa 17/18 in the flesh.

On the field, we have a manager who is successful, has a reputation for being a proper football manager rather than the players mates and a squad that has coverage all over the park full of hungry players who have been given a second chance, seasoned pros who know how to work with a proper gaffer and a good smattering of youngsters with a bit of experience and a lot of potential. The make up of the squad reminds me of the one Cherry built.

Oh and every player on the books actually belongs to us.

None of the teams that came down worry me in the slightest, with Bolton gone we are (by a country mile) the biggest club in this league, our pre-season couldn't have been better with only 45 minutes of 7 games being a disappointment and I genuinely believe this is our year. Far from being meaningless, this pre-season has been one of building a squad, settling in that squad, getting fitter than we have been for ages, working hard on formations and the gaffer learning very very early exactly who is best 11 is.

Gentlemen (and ladies or those who are both on a weekend - who can tell on a gender neutral chat room) we are going up as Champions.

 

Lavery is a trademark Adam’s signing, good pedigree, good age, career stagnating if not going backwards, hopefully has a point to prove and a career to salvage.
Adam’s will be confident in his ability to get the best out of him.
Could be a very astute signing.

 

5 ft 11 according to Wikipedia. Plenty of experience in the lower leagues, Adams will know him and what he brings to the club.

Looks a solid footballer to back up our striking options. I would rather have that than some callow youth player with negligible experience from an under 23 squad.

We've certainly changed our approach this season.

Good luck to Caolan Lavery.

Is he our first Canadian born player?

 

Yes, as far as I know (I don't have birthplaces for all our players).

I much prefer this type of signing to fill out a squad -- experienced, perhaps with a point to prove -- to the Burrell/Samuels type of raw rookie.

RCB

 

City are saving it for the return of Billy Clarke.

 

We've scored 17 in pre season, 4 against. I don't care who gets them but if we continue with that sort of ratio, I'll be well happy!

 

Think we're in for an exciting ride with Adams. He's nobody's fool and wants to be here to stay. Think this is the job he's been after since first becoming a manager - a big, hugely under-achieving club that he can get back up the leagues and create a new dynasty with. This guy has some vision. Time will tell, let's see. But tbh, I could never have claimed that of Hopkins, Bowyer or even McCall. Macca always wanted to do his best for City, but I never felt he had a vision to move us forward as a manager. Hence, he's coach at Blackpool - and I'm sure he'll be a real boon to them in that role.

 

Decent squad addition I suppose. Doesnt get the pulse racing but looks like Cook is our main man this term.

Its a competent body and we have hit that magic 24. Probably 1 or 2 more changes though.

 

They posted it as a teaser before they announced his name.

 

Decent league experience and it’s a squad game. League two and you cut your cloth accordingly. It’s great to have these signings who really want to be at the club and have a point to prove.

 

I don't know the player but looks to me like a similar style to Cook, with numbers that might not be as strong. But if that's the system we're building then I trust the club's management more than in recent years to know what they're doing. Certainly seems to fit the masterplan.

Worth pointing out that whilst his stats aren't exceptional from last year, his conversion rates are about right on average so he isn't wasteful.



We must have been looking for someone who's willing to come in as backup and injury cover but that's a tough sell to someone who could be a starter at another club.

Looking forward to seeing the lad get some minutes, just hope it's not because Cook is injured!

 

I don't think anyone is expecting a world beater but if he can make a contribution off the bench or the odd start I think that's all DA is looking for at present.

I suppose it's all about competition for places and if those in front of him are worried sufficiently to perform a bit more consistently then in a weird way the lads behind them are doing their jobs even when not selected.

 

This is spot on.
Unless things turn out really disastrously, in a way that seems very unlikely, it's vital that we get some consistency. Chopping and changing managers, players and tactics every five minutes has got us nowhere but down the toilet.
Of course we all want automatic promotion, or playoffs as a minimum. But if we fall slightly short we have to have the patience to let Adams build momentum and rectify any areas that prove to be deficient. Kicking him out and starting again would be madness

 

Decent addition to squad. He will give us something different up front to Cook and Angol.

I seem to recall us being linked a few years ago?

 

It was intentional - they did the same on Twitter.

 

I’m glad we’re continuing to sign players with unpronounceable names.

 

He hasn't been stuck waiting in the Cedar Court for the last decade, has he?

 

new club , different players around him, who knows . We need goals from all departments. Midfield and defence goal return poor last few years, putting too much pressure on a striker to hit the 20 goal+target.
I would rather spread around than depend too much on one guy.

 

He was poor in a first half, poor 11.
Even Cook and Eisa looked poor.
As has been said collectively they were all poor as a unit, individually he’d come in and do a sound job in a sound 11 I believe.