Summer 2023 Transfer Rumours

He’ll be heading back to the Blades!

 

That'll be the season ticket seller...

 

While we are shite..........you were way off the mark with your predictions. Its our crappy defense and keeper that is the problem.

Smith = 6
Walker = 4
Pattison = 3
Gilliead = 3
Odour = 2
Tulloch = 1

 

We really counting BS cup goals?

 

Bottom 4 for goals scored in the league!!!

 

I think he’ll be comfortably out with the predictions but I think it’s a stretch to say the problem lies solely with the defence and keeper, if we kept the ball better up field for a starter we’d have them less exposed every 30 seconds. And Alexander has come in himself and said it’s a major issue our lack of goals.

 

Why not? You never excluded them in your predictions? They are competitive matches and if we were to win the competition would we say 'well it doesn't count as a trophy'.

 

As a team and the way we play - yes I agree. But as individuals, we have players capable of scoring. And that is my point.

Hopefully GA finds a way to maximise that.

 

We have individuals that can score yes but can they do it with 2 k plus fans supporting them and against wily old pros like McGoldrick playing against them....

 

Agreed, goals against u19 and reserve teams are stretching it.

The league table doesn't lie and the goals for column is horrendous so up to press, I think you're right with the call.

Hopefully, that's about to change as I think GA will get us more on the front foot. Even if that means being more porous at the back.

 

But what if we get to the area final and final against someone like Bolton and Peterborough? Do the goals only count at that stage because its against someone decent?

What about EFL Cup goals FA Cup goals - do they not count either? Or is it just depending on the opposition?

What we could do is look at league opposition as well - if they have a few injuries at the back we can discount them too.

 

We're 19th in League 2, shall we discount that because Cookie missed a few sitters and Lewis dropped a few clangers?
Can we pretend we're 5th again?

Our summer recruitment was cr@p again. Surely that's worth some points to us?

 

I do get it and I'm not taking sides but as we stand at the moment, I do think we've been chronically short of firepower.

I'm hoping GA's preference for two up front and a willingness to get the ball forward quicker helps but we potentially then lose width so it'll be a case of wait and see.

Obviously I'm hoping you're right and we continue banging them in but I do understand the worry in terms of firepower and how it's played out so far.

 

Last sentence 100% agree bar Pattinson.

 

I do find it funny with Smith, he just looks an unnatural goalscorer , if that makes sense.

From his six goals, I think only last night's goal was one that was cleanly struck. I know they all count the same, but his hatrick against man city had three really scruffy finishes and his goal against barrow he seemed to miss hit from three yards out.

Suppose can't knock him for getting the ball in the box, but just don't think he is going to suit us. He always seems to make runs towards the channels for passes he is never going to get from our midfield (again not necessarily his fault) but when he does get them he is invariably bumped off rather easily

 

I don't think Smith has been 'crap'. Decent enough for the 18 IMO. Richards and Wilson probably have more to offer.

Rest look babba.

 

I agree with Smith. I think, with a run in a pair, he has the attributes to do well at this level.

If we ended up recalling Young, playing 2 of Cook, Oliver, Smith and Young with either Walker,/Pointon/Chapman behind is surely enough at this level to get goals.

 

That’s fair .

 

I agree, Smith is looking more and more useful. He was getting pelters after the Notts County game, but I bit my tongue (for once) and just let people whinge.

I think he's got potential to be a solid player for us this season.

Wilson is as good an impact sub as we've had in... well, when was the last time we had an impact sub? Alan freakin' Connell? Serious question, am I missing anyone?

Richards is a terrible athlete, incredibly slow for such a young player, but on the ball has some ability. I worry he'll get caught out a lot, but if we can put him in as an attacking wing back, at least he will naturally have cover from the left-sided centre back (Ciaran Kelly?).

All season long people have used the cheap loan players as evidence recruitment was particularly poor, but I don't agree.

Add in Pattison, and that's 4 reasonably good additions to the squad, and at least 2 who should be playing regularly (Smith/Pattison).

We seem to forget that even players like Kelly were signed for their potential, and some of the 23/24 year olds were going to need time.

Poor signings:

Clark Oduor (1 good game every 6 or 7 games isn't good enough)
Ash Taylor (though there's actually a chance he becomes established after his abysmal start)
Kevin McDonald (well passed it, unfortunately, but has ability at least)

That's it?

3 poor permanent signings?

 

Not convinced your argument that recruitment wasn't that bad because we have signed 4 reasonably good players is going to cut it with many Jon, myself included, when what we really needed was 4 or 5 quality players.