Planning for League One

Two things....there are players we need to release/replace and try to move on wayyyyyyy before Kav.

Ripping up a core group, and not even considering the lesser talented players as squad players is sheer lunacy.

 

There’s just something about the way he carries himself on the pitch, I really can’t work out what position he could play, he just looks awkward!

 

I'd be ok with Tayo coming back, but I agree that on what we've seen I'd rather have a fit Richards. Some might disagree but Richards, in my opinion, is not only a better defender but more effective going forwards. He never shirks the opportunity to take a man on and get into the box. Sometimes Tayo just seems a bit hesitant.

 

We do need to be ruthless, but I think Kav’s age gives us enough room to not have to ship him out. Maybe a loan wouldn’t be too bad but he’s steadily improving and given his age (only same as Bobby by the way) I think he’s worth keeping on the books as an asset at the very least, even if that means shipping him away on loan and see how he’s done by Jan. Worth trying to develop further imo.

 

I'm always reluctant to judge a player who hasn't had a pre-season with us / or meandered around at the start of the season.

I think it's purely a fitness thing and he's likely to be better in L1, playing in a team that has a more pragmatic approach and where the attrition is slightly less.

 

He's a CAM and we don't play them at present - so he has the same problem as J.Walker. However, if GA decides to got back to 3-5-2 (which I think will be needed as 3-4-3 will leave us too open - especially away from home) then he might be playing.

If you watch Saturday's match back, he kind of played that role and was easily our most effective creator in that last twenty as he launched two or three effective medium length balls, that caused havoc in Fleetwood's defence, i.e. the one Sarc missed just before the end.

He seems to have good all round skills, tackling, passing, shooting - certainly shouldn't be given up on.

 

I don't get the criticism of Kav, who has improved steadily over each 3 month period.

I'm not saying he wlll definitely make it in L1, but then again we surely should have the same question mark over Pointon (as opposed to so many fans seeing him in rose tinted glasses, when he still has a major physicality weakness)

My point is, it's bonkers to write off youngsters who did OK at a lower level as they are always improving.

 

I agree, but think Kavs first touch is poorer than what you'd expect from a pro footballer. He coughs up posession far too often and for me, that the area that needs most improvement.

 

For once I have to totally agree with you haha.

He has had to lead the line at the ripe old age of 21 the second half of the season and has helped us to our first promotion in 12 years. I saw a stat the other day that he had been involved in the most goal involvements as well (not sure if it was accurate though). His first touch needs to improve, but he can score a goal and if his first touch was superb he'd only have come to us as a loanee at best. People are very quick to write young players off, even those who haven't done badly, if they aren't the finished article. Not every youngster improves, but plenty do. I could see Kav having a Marc McNulty season and someone cashing in on him for 7 figures, I'd rather that be us.

 

Not wanting to sound too pedantic but it's more of a 3-4-2-1. In our best run it was the change from 3-5-2 to 3-4-2-1that determined our season, Sarcevic and Pointon filling the gap between Kavanagh and Smallwood/Pattison.

 

He was very very fortunate to get mom last Saturday

 

Yes - I didn't see that coming either. His first couple of games he really went at defenders. He seems almost reluctant to take them on lately.

 

For a left wing back, he certainly doesnt like using his left foot thats for sure. He gets beyond someone then cuts back to his right and plays an easy ball or a poor cross. He's a good lad but i just dont understand that part of his game.

 

I saw that Tayo had a photo with Jesse Debrah last night, one of the Port Vale lads when they were all in the same club. He's one CB i wouldn't mind, thought he looked really good in the away game towards the end of the season. I think we were linked to him 2 years back when he signed for Vale? He used to be at Fax and is out of contract this summer, Vale fans seem certain he's going to get another contract offered.

 

Kav has earned his shot
21 year old leading the line in a promotion battle in his first full season
Certainly done more up front the Leigh, who looked lost and Mellon, who was a long way of
to say he has come from an academy similar to Kavanagh

 

Disagree I think the opposition have cottoned on to him and double teamed him. That’s taking players out of position for other players. Prefer Shepherd alongside him though him and Chrichlow are to weak

 

Im keeping the below....

GK Walker, Hilton, Doyle (P/C)
WB Halliday, Richards, Wright
CB Baldwin, Kelly, Crichlow
CM Smallwood, Pattison
AM Sarcevic, Lapslie, Pointon, Leigh
FW Cook, Kavanagh

Available - Bryne, Oduor, Wilson, Smith

Release - Johnson, Stubbs, Huntington, Walker, Oliver

 

Yep, the modern footballer eh....its sickening how the game has gone for wideman, majority had it coached out of them. A safe little pass backwards seems the way to go rather than getting at a man and in behind.

 

I think that's pretty close to what most would do, though I'd release Crichlow as well sadly.

 

I hope you’re right - don’t want see anybody struggle . As the previous message, maybe a pre-season will help .