January 2024 Transfer Window

Stubbs’s peak has long gone. He doesn’t have the mobility imho?
I get what you mean but Stubbs isn’t the answer.

 

Walsall fans told us what we were getting with Osadebe, a 1 in 6/7 decent performance type and the ball control of Bambi. I wish him well like I would any player leaving, but I end up questioning, like a lot of players, what does he actually do well?

 

It was 2 with an option according to the article. Options shouldnt be seen as for certain extended years I suppose, otherwise they'd be 3 years deals rather than 2 with options. Again, not someone I'd at all expect to leave but if a longer option on similar money comes in, he might think it's a better guarantee going past 35.

 

This, with knobs on.

 

Even if he was statuesque he would be better than Taylor

 

Stubbs has had an extremely poor season, all in all.

It's not just the last 4 games.

He started really badly, and the assumption for a long time was he'd just find his form - but he never did.

I think Lewis got a lot of flack for errors, but there are at least a few goals we've given away where it was a Stubbs-Lewis combo, and take your pick who should get most of the blame.

I think Stubbs could be useful for us again in the future, but he's not a Graham Alexander type of defender, and the only way getting shut of him would be a mistake is if Ryan does another Sparks special with his next managerial appointment. Which I firmly expect and anticipate, by the way...

I was speaking to a mate of mine and said Stubbs was playing badly earlier in the season, and he was stunned, said he was one of our best players. He hadn't been much this season, coincidentally, and was mostly using last season's performances, which were generally good...

 

Really don't get the hate of Ash Taylor, and Alexander seems to rate him. It's obsessive against a seasoned pro who may have made a couple of mistakes but no more than the rest of the team at that point.

 

There's no hate, he's just simply the worst centre half I've seen since Zesh Rehman.

 

I disagree wholeheartedly. You're entitled to your opinion though.

 

That’s not the debate Park , whilst I agree with you.

 

That there's no hate or that Taylor isn't good enough?

 

Both are poor , one no better than the other.
As i said in another message Stubbs at 25, should be in his prime, but 85 games is a poor return for his career so far
Taylor who is 33 and has over 460 appearances to his name and was probably a better player at a comparable age.
Both are replaceable, i would rather have Odisina as cover, if that is their role in the squad.

 

Stubbs’ issue is a lack of pace, probably from a few crippling injuries early in his career. But ability wise he’s head a shoulders above Taylor who’s positioning is appalling and lead to his red card which tbh did us a favour, he probably was a solid lower league player at one stage hence his appearances but that stage has long gone. I feel like he was literally recruited for his throwings, something we gave up on after about two games.

 

That he isn't good enough.

He's a standard League 2 defender. I think he will be useful in some games.

I get there's no personal hate

 

Have to agree. Albeit poor this season, on the contrary last season Stubbs was one of the better, consistent performers of the whole squad.

I hope I’m wrong, but I just don’t see a promotion team using the current back 3. I feel we are missing that standout leader back there and I’d hoped that was Stubbs.

Based on GA’s use of him, it looks inevitable he will leave and probably is the right thing for both player and club. But with the current back 3 and Taylor been the back up, I’m afraid we look really exposed in this area.

One would hope with their experience GA and CL know what they are doing and I’m proven mightily wrong.

 

I think it can’t be someone we’ve played twice, otherwise they’d have seen what a terrible footballer he is. Is there anyone we haven’t played at all yet? Like Shamrock Rovers or Bohemians. I think he’s that standard.

 

Oh.

 

TBH, I can’t see much wrong with the current back three. Our goals against record has improved significantly in recent weeks.
Platt is excellent in the air and has been steady as a rock since being moved into the centre of a three. Kelly has done nothing much wrong and has got us out of a few holes at times. Tomkinson is young and inexperienced but, penalty against Crewe aside, has looked decent. He has pace, looks the best ball player of the three and I’m sure he’ll get better with more games under his belt.
To me, if we’re going to play three CBs then we need two as cover. I find it hard to believe that Stubbs has suddenly become a bad player. He’s been in poor form, certainly, but we’ve seen he is capable of superb displays and I’d keep him ahead of Taylor any day.

 

Southampton have recalled left wing back Thierry Small from his loan spell at St Mirren. He is expected to leave on loan again with a small number of unknown L2 clubs already made contact, according to F635 forum.

Wonder if we are one? Fair to say Ridehalgh doesn't impress much anymore. Richards has been hit and miss with form and fitness, although he's never played wing back before until joining City, so he's still learning the role.

 

I don’t disagree with the current back 3’s form and goals against prove we have been much improved in this area. My comments are harsh based on this but they just don’t fill me with confidence that they can own the back line to extent we need to push for playoff’s.

As I say, I’ll be ecstatic to be left with egg on my face and proven wrong.