January 2023 - Transfer Talk - Stick or Twist

We'll be fine. Just need to give the new players time to gel..............should get there by the time their loans are up

 

If fit, I can see Cook coming back against his former team who he loves scoring against.

Your point makes sense. But in fairness to Oliver it would be interesting to see what he played like if paired with, say, Derbyshire.

He did score at the rate of a goal every two and a half matches for Gillingham. And of course that was in L1. Significantly, that ratio was at its highest when Evans was in charge, i.e. not convinced Hughes is getting the best out of him.

Could be he's a player dwarfed by the expectation of a big crowd though.

The one in three games looks poor. But, at Wimbledon, we did create five on target including that last minute cracker from Smallwood.

But yes, the one match where we should have been scoring four or five - we scored one and looked lost for the last 30 mins.

 

Sadly Bronco I don't think there is a lot that is as convincing about Hughes right now - muddled recruitment, stodgy playing style, average results, fans starting to lose a bit of the initial hope, MH getting more prickly etc etc
Just need to put a couple of back to back wins together, and hopefully a performance of intent to go with it, to restore the belief

 

He returned and let us down with a rash and disappointing display at Wimbledon - lets hope Jamie finally adds something positive to this season

 

I understand he was starting to make inroads, i.e. just before he got sent off?

But, I did write elsewhere that once he's back in the team, we won't see his best for four or five matches.

However, at home, I have liked what I've seen so far.

Anyway and you can breathe a sigh of relief - I need to take a breather and do a bit of work!!

 

We do. Problem is when you bring a left back in who hasn't kicked a ball since September, a new winger/striker who hasn't kicked a ball since September and they instantly have to start and make a difference, they not only have to get to grips with the new team and tactic, but also build match fitness. Unfortunately for us we aren't on great form and all our new lads have to go without sharpness into our biggest games of the season so far with the next 4 or 5 games being against teams within 3 or 4 places in the table against us.

Hopefully we manage a few wins and no more than 2 defeats from our next 6 to not drop too much pace. We've only one two of our last 8 in L2. If feb goes sideways because we are trying to bed too many new faces into a new tactic, we might leave ourselves with a lot to chase.

 

It so frustrating having what looks like one of the best squads in the league and seeing us flounder against teams like Rochdale, although over the years we've got used to poor teams ending their losing run at Valley Parade.
We lose Wright to Plymouth bringing Nevers in who I thought had a very positive 10 + minutes against Wimbledon, I'd have though his pace would have given us the better option rather than Costelloe, but hey just a fan opinion.
As our next game isn't till a week on Saturday so we should know how our squad stands and if Cook will be available.

 

I found he team against Stockport puzzling. I would have had Nevers in for Costello. Played him behind Oliver and had Eisa wide left with the three midfielders fairly flat behind, i.e. 4-3-3.

However, in fairness to Hughes we got a deserved point so let's see what the future brings.

Let's be honest Dave, it is great to be coming into February, firmly in a promotion race!!!!

 

Songo is no real loss. Over the hill, a bit part and an Adams signing.

I bet he was on a decent wedge as well. Opted to leave L1 Morecombe for us. He didnt come for the take aways and phone shops.

 

Agree not too much to ask is it.

 

Agree either Eisa or Nevers partnering Oliver and the other playing the Costelloe role, yes we're still very much in the mix, once again by the time we play Mansfield at home on the 4th February we'll have both Walker and Banks available and have a better idea when Osadebe will be back firing on all cylinders.

 

It was a poor performance with regards attacking but a very good defensive effort against a good forward line

 

It was and if asked prior to the game would I have been happy with the point my answer would have been yes a point at Edgeley Park is not easy the way Stockport are playing, but sadly we created little attacking wise and as I've read it didn't go down too well with the traveling 1400 City fans who had spent good money for as you say a poor performance with regards attacking.

 

Whoever it is we will need a win we could be well down the table by then

 

That's the worrying thing, as fans we do tend to look at to the league table and see what's required to get into an auto or play off place (well apart from a few) but fail to see a couple of poor results could have us as far down as Tranmere 15th in the table.

 

Not just poor results. We could be down to 12th a week on Saturday without even kicking a ball.

 

I know we aren't replacing the whole team but this just feels to me a bit like starting over. I'm really confused in my own mind. How long could we continue waiting for the existing team to "click". It was beginning to feel like it would never happen, but in my opinion it was more down to the system than the players. So now we have several new faces, how long will we be waiting again for this new lot to click.

 

That’s a non statement….We have “no plans” to ……..A favourite line of Government for the lady 10 years.

 

Not a surprise. He wouldn’t be retained at season end so get him off the wage bill, freeing up space.

 

I'm confused too I have to say. It seems like one of our historical, seat of the pants January windows rather than a thought out planned window....get the pizzas ready for transfer deadline day!!