Caolan Lavery

Fair enough. Kelleher has a slightly better pedigree than French.
Based on Wikipedia stats only, Angol appears to be better than Guthrie!
Time, as always, will tell.

 

we've yet to play a league match so whilst I accept he's looked great in pre-season, the jurys out until he does it when it actually counts for me

 

Agree on Novak. However age and injuries were likely deemed a risk, especially if a deal couldn’t be negotiated to suit the club.

Also have to consider that Adam’s deal was 99% confirmed and sounds as though Cook was, who was probably signed with the intention the lead role up top was his unless form/injury forced otherwise. Would Novak have wanted to play second fiddle at this stage in his career? Who knows.....

 

??

 

I don't normally make predictions but I expect Andy Cook to get 20+ goals this season. We know he knows where the back of the net is, plus he doesn't tend to get injured. I have also noticed that he has lost that gut that he had when he joined us last season so he is looking ready and fired up for the start of the season.
I also like the fact that he is a bit selfish when going for goal, rather than set someone else up he will back himself, the sign of a proven goalscorer.

 

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.

 

I do know we haven’t played a league game as yet.

 

I never said you didn't?

 

Another reason to not worry overmuch about Andy Cook's presence is that he's rarely got injured throughout his career.

With you on this totally. Although we all want plenty more goals from other positions, you do get the feel that Adams has said to Cook - you're our No 9. Score goals. Off your foot, your head, your backside - don't care. Just make sure you're always in the position to score. He's certainly done that in the friendlies.

 

General, it will be a long and exhausting series of battles. But I concur - we will win this war.

 

I get the feeling he had a bit of a miserable time at Mansfield, hence being loaned out. We got him. Then have signed him. Think most strikers are the same - they love to be loved and valued for their goal threat. If the friendlies are anything to go by, he's in a good place right now, knowing that Adams clearly rate him. Wouldn't want to be a player Adams doesn't rate!

 

Hopefully that's Evans.

 

There's still time, Keefly! Transfer market and loan business still open. Currently, I'd play our midfield youngsters before Evans if there were injuries.

 

Waste of what I guess is one of our biggest wages Keefly.

 

Pretty good , have to agree. Now it’s time for the lads on the field to prove it.

 

Squad number 29. That number 10 still up for grabs then.

 

I would name Evans as a sub!

 

Interesting………..!

 

Saw Ryan replying to someone on Twitter telling them the window closes on 31 August.

Whether in jest or not or whether anything can be read into, who knows!

 

True, but his wage demands might put him in the bracket of a starter/main player, but you think after seeing him hes only a first choice back up. If he dropped his demands you may be more inclined to sign him.