Summer transfer priorities

Midfield, midfield, midfield. It's been the problem for years and will continue to be a problem if either Smallwood or Gilliead are starters next year.

We need energy in there as well as an ability to dictate play. You're not getting that in one player at this level so assuming Pattison is a starter then we need a Watt type player next to him. Smallwood doesn't fall into either category and I've seen one too many aimless lumps forward under no pressure to offer him a new deal.

 

I think we’ve finally found a system that works and would prefer to strengthen players within that system. We failed this season because we went away from what worked. Let’s not make the same mistakes again and start playing 1 up front at home.

 

Pattison was brought in to sort thag out. Looked like he was doing just that. Unfortunate. But back next season like a new signing plus one more.

 

GA talked about choosing a system that suits a system, to me it means although he found a system that worked it may change depending on the summer recruitment.

 

Watt has left Salford, seeking a new challenge. Good player but does not score any goals.

 

He also said he had to find a system to fit the players at his disposal. I have to confess I like our formation at the moment, we just need a back three that can pass reasonably accurately and we have cracked it

 

Passing ability excellent, heading ability nil, random temperament always a liability. Not agile enough for me . You watch he’ll turn up at VP

 

Id take him back - he adds creatvity if anything. Did he leave on good terms? I cant remember.

 

Platt is accurate Kev, he hit a lad plumb in the crowd multiple times in one match, impressive!

 

Totally agree. Smallwood should not be offered a new deal - his distribution is woeful, as is his decision making. He is slow and ponderous and we can do so so much better with a younger, quicker, fitter more creative and dynamic player who knows how to deliver a consistent set piece

 

Had a drop off season, similar to Smallwood. Statistically he was the 2nd best midfielder in the league last season and got in the team of the year, Smallwood was 3rd.... this season both were around the mid 30s in the stat rank.

We offered him a deal when he left, so can't have burnt the bridge too badly? There was a Jan rumour that Carlisle wanted him back but obviously went nowhere. His words were he wants a "fresh challenge" but I reckon he'd get in some lower end L1 clubs.

Speaking of old Midfielders, Jordan Gibson was released today too.

 

Giggle.

 

I get the sentiment here with some wanting ball playing defenders , but in my opinion I'd rather have a back three who can actually defend rather than being able to hit a man from 30 yards.

We are talking league two, we tried that tippy happy nonsense with Hughes and got ourselves into all kinds of trouble.

You shouldn't need a Jon stones at this level, head it away and kick it away is suffice. Simple stuff like finding your full back or finding your deep laying midfielder to do all string pulling is all that is necessary. Like you say pass reasonably accurate and your good.

Anything else just over complicates things

 

Apparently Stockport keen on Watt.

 

Dear God Nooooooo

 

I don’t understand the criticism of Platt. Solid, aerially dominant L2 CB who rarely lets us down. He needs more mobile players around him though. When we played a settled back three of Tomkinson, Platt and Kelly we kept five clean sheets in a row. A replacement for Tomkinson’s pace at the back is the much bigger priority.

Other than that, we need a left WB, a dominant CM - either box to box or a passing playmaker and another target man striker as competition for Cook. All our signings need to improve the squad quality; we’ve had far too many makeweight benchwarmers in recent seasons.

 

Keeping Pattison, Pointon and Walker doesn’t work for me either. One needs to leave.

No matter what though we need better all our midfield.

Smallwood and Gilly are not the answer! We will go nowhere with them in the team. Maybe, one of them but not both.

 

Did you attend the protest you have been advocating for seasons? Yes or no?

 

Pattison is a CM and plays deeper than Walker/Pointon. Strange comparison. Maybe you mixed Pattison up with Oduor. An easy mistake to make.

id be keeping the better players like Pattison, Walker and Pointon. Its Oduor, Wilson, Chapman and McDonald that need to go before anyone else.

 

I didn’t say ball playing and didn’t mean it as such, rather being able to pass a ball 20-30 yards 6/10 not 1/10 thus finding the main stand row E the remainder of the time. Without that basic skill wingbacks are nullified somewhat. Likewise a simple 20 yard pass into midfield without shinning it to the opponent. Platt and Kelly’s weakest link , Platt the biggest culprit of all.