Most liked posts in thread: Clarke Oduor Signs

I thought it was the combined age of our possible forward line.

 

We can hope Park. Doesn't look good being kicked out at Hartlepool but a few years ago, we took on a lad of a similar age and inferior record who had been kicked out of Carlisle who were then very low down in the division. He had achieved nothing but was a bit quick. Our manager who came in recognised how to get the best out of him.

 

Reading the T & A this morning and the Barnsley reporters take on the lad, it might be some time before we see the best of him. The lad sees himself as a “10” so playing him at left back won’t necessarily bring out the best in him. The reporter also said he’d like to see his stats after a run of games when he’s settled in a position, but will / can Hughes give him that time? We can’t afford another slow start next season where we end up playing catch up all season. We have to hit the ground running and put down a marker. For that reason I can’t see him being a starter initially. Knowing the City home fans, if he frustrates and fails to deliver he’s going to be under immense pressure from the off. We loved Pierera in the first season (and this lad seems to have a similar skill set), but the second season he was a shadow of himself. Let’s hope Hughes can polish this rough diamond and use him, rather than throw him in the drawer never to be seen again after a couple of underwhelming performances.

 

Challenge is we also need to fill the big void left by Banks as well now @Kevin1954

As @ahar964 mentioned though, there is at least Chapman to come back.

 

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Yes I appreciate your point, I would say that I never personally questioned Wright as he was the last one to arrive during a very busy transfer window. As I said earlier, I sincerely hope he proves me wrong but I cannot help feeling underwhelmed with this signing

 

I'm sure they can but "can play" and "excels in" are two very different things and if we have too many "can plays" next season the whole team will look very, very average imo.

 

This is not as strange as you think. We are all still suffering disappointment from last season. It is hard to see where we are going with just one signing. I am not jumping for joy either, but I will not comment on his ability until he has played a few games. Let the trainers and our manager spread their influence. The helped, Banks, Wright, Cookie, Halliday, Gilleard, Lewis. Obviously others were beyond help, but we have to be patient, and I know we have been very patient.

 

I'm not even sure this lad is seen as a left back from everything I've read. I think he's looked at as someone who might be able to fill in but we see him more as an attacking midfielder. Maybe even on the right so he can cut in like Banks used to.

 

If we are going to go 3-5-2 I think that Ridehalgh will potentially play LCB? Odour at LWB with the potential to change system mid game. Could easily push Odour forward and change to a back 4.

I understand why some are not exactly over the moon with this signing, I’m feeling a bit meh about it to be honest but we have to trust the professionals that are in the recruitment team and Hughes. They’ve not just pulled his name out of a hat and signed him, they’ve watched him. They’ve compared him to other players and decided that he is a player they want in the team. Let’s trust the build and judge at the end of the transfer window.

 

No it didn't. That year we switched between Darby and McMahon at full back and Marshall/Law were the wide men.

 

Who was it we had that had a penchant for beating em twice……Beags?

 

I loved watching Beags! Two footed and full back never knew which way to go. I remember playing Wolves at home and I've never seen a full back so totally outclassed. He barely touched the ball all game

 

Oh the league was weaker. You only need to look at the teams that went up to understand it was.

Plus Cook scoring 30 goals helped us. Without them goals we would have been bottom half for sure.

We improved last season but it was clear we lacked quality.

 

Although not a like for like player, I bet he's costing us no more and possibly less than Foulds monthly pay packet. Cook's wages will have increased overall but because they are spread over 3 years not by that much, so hopefully plenty still in the war chest to bring in some quality additions.

 

As fans we're not privileged to know what the situation was at the time, Matty was quite happy to fight for his place along with Ridehalgh, but once Hughes brought in Bola he made it clear Foulds would be 3rd choice.
The lad is 25 and I would assume he wanted regular football which he got at Harrigate making 21 apperances I don't blame him for not hanging around, Harrogate must have been happy with what they saw as they have offered him a permanent deal, I posted at the time I thought if was a poor call by Hughes and nothing has changed my opinion, even Ridehalgh playing with an injury (were told) Bola couldn't command a starting place.

 

I was a little disappointed with Jamie once he came back from injury, maybe he didn't want to push himself too hard and get injured again, hopefully we'll see a different Jamie Walker after a good pre season.

 

He's had 27 starts in the championship. Looks like about half were as a wing back, half were as a winger on either side. I think he's mainly a LWB. Must admit, I'm seeing Hughes interviews on changing tactics as a bit of a red herring, trying to keep teams guessing but if everyone's fit, I think this wing back tactic is his main one.

I think Odour is nailed on to be this seasons scapegoat, we always have one every season who is never that bad but every mistake will get picked at more than every other player. Anyone with two eyes who watched the Bury game could see that Stubbs was by far our worst performer, a fair few times he gave the ball away or had to foul a lad in the second half. Halliday too lost the ball a fair bit and committed a few fouls in needless spots, but neither were dragged out by the fans as much as Odour did.

 

So this seasons Gilliead i expect. I know our fans can be dumb at times but getting stuck in after one game in what was just a mid tempo run around is pretty dumb even for our lot.

 

Don't worry, I'll balance the books if Gillead gets enough minutes!