Summer of 2022

Lewis
Halliday
Oliver (will come good now he's in the team)

 

Lewis is head and shoulders the best player we have signed
Haliday has been consistent
Platt solid

by far and away the most disappointing is Smallwood so much expected so little delivered (yet)

 

Completely agree with all of that.

I said to family a few weeks ago that Halliday reminds me so much of Darby.

 

I'll have to admit that Halliday has turned out much better than I expected. I thought he was quite poor to begin with but he has improved and quite rightly will now be one of the first names on the team sheet. But myself, and its just my opinion, I don't see the comparisons with Darby. For me Halliday is better in the opposition half than he is is defending. He is adequate, but quite weak in the air and not the quickest. Darby much better defender, Halliday much better going forward. Only my opinion of course.

 

Behave. Darbs used to get a nose bleed when he crossed the halfway line. As a defender though he was imperious.

 

I was thinking more of how he approaches every game giving 100% and been so consistent every week. Nothing flashy, but rarely makes a mistake.

 

Finally! A bit of support for our unsung hero of the season. OK, hero might be abit strong but he has been better than a lot give him credit for.

 

As I said, Halliday deserves to be one of the first names on the teamsheet, but mainly due to his contribution going forwards and his commitment. He is a distinctly average defender and we have conceded too many goals from far post headers at "his side"

 

Think this is why everyone bashes smallwood so much people want far to much from him he’s never been a box to box midfielder he sits in front of the back 4 dictates play and breaks up attacks which he’s been very good at in his best position the last couple of games, Carlisle manager even said they put a player on smallwood to stop him dictating play, a tactic am guessing most managers in this league will probably do

 

Smallwood is another Scapegoat he has been far better than some make out

 

I think Smallwoods issue has been he’s used to better players.

 

Why do people defend a player with a big reputation who simply has failed to live up to it. If his performance does not improve in the second half of the season, then he will have been a massive disappointment

 

Because some players seem immune from criticism whilst some some get somewhat of a freeride. I remember Nicky Law getting dogs abuse at times yet an football fan with half a brain will understand how important his contributions were.

 

The sort of player every team needs. probably four or five of them. You then need the 'box office' players to stand up and be counted, its why we've signed the likes of Walker, Chapman and Smallwood. Walker has been injured but the other two are capable of better.

 

I'd add Chapman to that. It says something when your best signing by some distance is the keeper. Of our front players Wright has been the best signing, Banks has looked promising at times.

 

Quite right, Gilliead has taken more than his fair share of criticism , but if you took the names and numbers of their shirts, most fans would not know who was who, based on performance

 

I'd have him as second name on it everytime, just behind Lewis. By far the two most consistent players of the season. As @Idlebantam says, Halliday is 100% consistent, not flashy and does exactly what it says on the tin. A very good signing and a massive upgrade on Threlkeld & Hendrie.

 

For me, Lewis is number 1. The lad is the best keeper we've had for a long time, never been so confident in a keeper to always show his best. The self confidence is amazing in him to say he's barely had a career until this season.

Then for me we have a few all around the same level. I thought Halliday was poor up until about October time, then since then has been so consistent every game. He didn't play for a year until he signed for us, so think he was just working through the steps again but is a great addition. Level pegging with Platt for me. The lad rarely missing something in the air, keeps the line well, is very vocal if you sit anywhere near the pitch he is usually commanding the rest. To say he feels like an old school centre back, he is comfy on the ball too. Great signing.

Crichlow had one or two wobble games but looks very classy on the ball, will certainly have a career above if he gets game time next season. Smallwood too, from probably November until Christmas he was really off the boil after a tidy start. I remember looking at the opta stats for our league in October and Smallwood was statistically the third best CM in the division but unfortunately for us, him and gilly seemed to just drop form at the same time, but both seem to be pulling through now after some good lively outings.

 

Crichlow is a class above apart from Lewis he is comfortably our best signing