Summer 2022 - Transfer Talk

He has scored more goals in the last two years than Cook and in a higher division

 

I'm convinced MH was looking to move on Cook, he didn't do particularly well under him when MH arrived. This was the thought about bringing in another first choice centre forward in Oliver.

Pretty much like Jacobs used to do though, I think Cook is going to force MH's hand and see off Oliver's challenge and be first choice.

I didn't have a problem with Cook being 'rested' last night after his tremendous efforts in the Hull and Newport games. I think Cook will start at Hartlepool.

The 3 year contract for Oliver is looking a bit of a concern though.

 

Worth remembering he scored those playing hoof ball in a 442 with a partner. We aren't doing that and it doesn't look like we will be doing that for a while. Gillingham played to his strengths, we are trying to play more on the deck. I didn't get the Oliver signing when it happened for that reason, and i still dont get it as he just doesn't look like he's going to be a useful tool in this setup. Never know, we might switch to 2 up top as the season goes but for now, not looking like a smart one.

 

Roll up, roll up. Ladies and gentlemen, we have a winner. This year's boo-boy will be ... Lee Angol (with Oliver as 1st reserve). Get your expert opinions ready on his lack of positional sense, hamstring limitations, and, of course his laziness. And prepare to explain how you knew all of this all along and could've told Mark Hughes as much if only he'd asked you. And commiserations to Alex Gilead, who came so close to being the target of the bile and bitterness before 'actually doing ok, actually, but it's all thanks to Smallwood anyway'. There's still time Alex. It's going to be another long season.

 

Stop being silly.

Angol and Oliver have started the season poorly.

Gilly played well yesterday.

People are just saying it how it is. Angol doesn't fit into the system currently and Oliver so far can't get a grip of how the team is playing but he is new. No boo boys. Just facts.

 

It's only taken 4 games!!
Hope he gets a couple on Saturday and sticks it to 'em.

 

Has anyone seen fordy these past few days?

 

Think hes with a midget somewhere.

 

One thing people seem to forget…..He’s not getting any service. Last night he made several runs and the ball didn’t arrive. One can’t see what he did wrong there tbh. Players of course are ineffective without the round thing. Service was poor last night, let’s not duck the fact.

 

I did say in an earlier post that the lack of crosses that are meat and drink to him was noticeable, However if we cannot get those crosses in it is pointless playing him because unlike Cook he seems unable to create his own chances

 

Agree about the lack of service, Kevin. However I see that whenever he does get crosses etc he seems to be lackadaisical, doesn't make much effort or desire to actually get to the ball or at the very least let the defenders know he's about.
He just seems to hang around, waiting for the ball to come to him instead of the other way around.
He needs to "get in there man!!!!" type of thing!

 

I don’t want to be smarty pants but does Cook cross his own balls ? Like the header against Newport?. If service is poor to either then they are BOTH ineffective as is any centre forward in L1/2.

 

Partly yes, but the instances last night where that opportunity arose were zero. No shots from distance by anyone I can think of , that forced Hornby into a scrambled save. Only the Harratt chance that went for a corner after the save from memory ?

 

No but he is constantly closing down with good movement, He gets between defenders and lets them know he is there, He even gave their keeper a good nudge and again got between defenders to get a shot away and was unlucky not to score, All this in the limited time played. He makes runs but then pulls back to give room for himself, I see nothing of that in Oliver, I forgive you for been a smarty pants

 

Posted in another thread that we are short of a direct winger and a tall strong centre back in my opinion. We look soft at the back on crosses and are been made to pay as clubs realise the weakness

 

He scored 20, 2 years ago. Besides that he's struggled to get into double figures most seasons with a second best tally of 11.

It's far too early to write anyone off just yet but it's fair to say that he's not really a goalscorer and if he plays we'll need the 3 behind him to really step up.

 

Oliver played in a 2 for many matches at Gillingham so it will take time for him adapt to the Mark Hughes system.

 

Why not just sign a player who fits the system you play rather than trying to mould someone into something they potentially couldn't be?

 

Out for the day yesterday after getting back at 3am Tuesday night so first chance to comment.
Oliver being called out a bit here.
Watching it live, a few times he made runs off the last defenders shoulder and could’ve been put in behind but we persisted in playing another needless short pass.
We did this time and again, slowing the game down with an extra pass or touch instead of getting an early ball or cross in.
The same as Donny first day, we let teams regroup far too often.
The only quick pass played on Tuesday was Cook in to Harratt feet to put him through straight after they came on.
We have to start playing more aggressive attacking football instead of just strolling through games patiently thinking it will come.
Another observation - Smallwood seemed to be playing box to box on Tuesday but tracking back very very slowly - often there was a huge gap in midfield with only Gilliead up against their three.
Ref was appalling second half but we have only ourselves to blame for not winning that match.
Hughes has to start Cook and Harratt on Saturday

 

A good observation regarding Oliver. He's made runs across the line every game but not once have they found him. It's something Park correctly alluded to that they have to hit the runners or they eventually stop running. Hard to keep running when your mind tells you the ball ain't gonna come. And to be fair when Angol ran those lines at the end of last season the ball was coming from the likes of Periara and Vernam