Most liked posts in thread: Richard Smallwood

Since when did he ever answer a question?

 

Surely Hughes could hijack that

 

Dear Fordy, you are not alone in aspiring to high ideals..but be reasonable, we have to exercise a degree of financial restraint.As a successful businessman, surely you have to be prudent at times?

 

Just Odusina left now of the ones they mentioned. Will that one come to fruition as well? I hope it does for Adam's sake, he's so proud of the song he made up for him, it would be a shame if he doesn't get to use it!

 

Not forgetting the players age... this is a hungry professional probably around the peak of his game, not a jaded senior pro looking for a final oay day.

 

I've got it...

'Oh great, another ex-Scunny player, did we really need another one?'

 

Nobody was a fan of his. Speaking to the guy in question paints a different picture of what actually happened that day, he's a genuinely nice guy who unfortunately had to see his lad play at the club at a time when the club was a complete clusterfuck. If he was signing for us now you'd see a completely different player.

 

I agree. Not one single player looked like they knew what they were doing. A good majority of fans were turning up thinking it can’t get worse surely and they were wrong. We couldn’t win a match and worse still we had no idea how to win. Adams was clueless, he wanted to play a certain way without the players that could. That was down to recruitment.
The difference this season is we have a plan the MH plan on how he wants to shape the team, and is bringing in players who can play the way he wants to play. Plus other considerations, like experience at a higher level, youth and balance of the team and squad. The added ingredient of character.

 

Circumstance can dictate how successful a player is with a club keV. Imagine Gary Jones signing for us in the last four year shitshow. Would probably have been remembered as yet another one of those journeymen we sign that does nothing.

 

Completely agree, his confidence looked completely shot under Adams. Which is why I don't see him ending up at Morecambe, even if the rumour they are interested is true.

 

We are much better organised than last year that I do know…….

 

They may of been our best 2-3 players but they were all inconsistent an you didn’t truly rate any of them in the first place. Of the 2-3 players, 2 of them have been significantly upgraded upon. A Championship team captain and a League One quality winger.

The defence has been bolstered. Platt was highly rated by Barrow. Crichlow was Swindon’s best defender until he was recalled.

Cook an Angol were a highly effective duo up front at the beginning of last season when they were playing alongside one another. Young was backup to the most prolific striker duo in League Two last year an was still rated by FGR fans within his limited minutes.

Vale fans were left disappointed when Harratt was not returned to them on loan. Vale went up. Surely they wouldn’t want a player back if they assumed he wouldn’t be able to cut it in a league above ours, right?

The team has been bolstered in almost every area. We work on a limited budget. For the first time in years, it seems to of been utilised effectively.

So do tell me Fordy, who exactly should we have signed as a League Two club with a limited budget that would of met your expectations for how this summer window should of panned out?

 

I think realistically Hughes has tried to sign a team that can get promoted this season, and improve, and compete in L1.

But whether he's achieved that remains to be seen!

 

Fordy your making it out like League Two is the pinnacle of english football. You really don’t need much to get out of this league. Simply a decent manager who can structure his team effectively. And a few players of real quality that can take the games ahead by the scruff of the neck.

Port vale were nothing special. Neither were any of the other teams that we played last season. But the ones that went up had a game plan an the players to exercise it

Mansfield an Salford are terrible examples. Salford have richer owners than us. Owners who actually know about football. More than Rupp an Sparks combined. And theyve done feck all in all the time they’ve been in this league. They’ve just wasted money, same as us

As for Mansfield, Their promotion push was off the backs of very good loan signings, who aren’t likely to come back. As someone previously mentioned, a fair chunk of their remaining players are out of contract as well.

We have the right manager in place. We have 85% of our team already in the door in time for the beginning of pre season. From here, I want to see Periera back so he can cover the right flank. Id like to see an upgrade on Hendrie but he’s a capable League Two RB so if we go into the season with him then im not fussed. And another CB. We are rumoured to be interested in a few players in that regard so im not worried

 

A guy who has played at championship level for so many games doesn't suddenly become a player not up to league 2 standard. I guess it depends on how he was used elsewhere because at Bradford we tend to be using him as the player to dictate the middle of the park and be dominant on set plays, something he currently looks uncomfortable with. Gilliead looks more and more not the right partner to get the ball moving quicker and i don't think Hughes sees enough in East to be that player. But right now without Critchlow and with the struggling midfield the pass out from the back tactics look likely to be a problem

 

Exactly my thoughts. I've cut him slack because of the level he's played at and have thought that eventually it would shine through. Have now run out of patience though and reluctantly accept he will probably go down as one of our most disappointing signings ever.

 

Here for retirement and to top up his pension fund!

He’s done! Such a shame but boy a poor signing.

 

Nice to have kept this one quiet and under the radar. GET IN!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

 

The plan is now coming together with astute signings.Great news!