Shortcomings

[Maesknoll Red]

I’ll start off by readily admitting I don’t see as many games as I used to, so my perception may well be different than someone who has seen all, or at least most of the games.

Earlier in the season, we looked disjointed, some of the performances could have been by 11 blokes plucked from 11 different clubs and no time to gel or learn each other’s play and with no management/coaching input.

The performances have turned round, the run since November has been a credit to the Manager, coaches and players, that said, every game I have seen, we seem to have a a team that is missing a touch of quality, initiative and guile in the final third.  Maybe that’s even a bit harsh, the final ball and the finishing not being of consistent quality might be more accurate.

20 goal a season strikers are undoubtedly expensive and in demand, but I feel that with a genuine goal scorer and a back up who played off them (maybe an existing player could do just that) we’d be looking a lot more comfortable and confident.

Even when you win games week on week, it does no harm to look with a critical eye at how that was achieved and on the back of today’s game I wonder what others thoughts are on what would change us from a decent, likely playoff contending team, to one pushing for autos?

[Redsi2]

Not getting a top striker in the January transfer window will cost us again in my opinion. Not saying any were available but that top striker could make the difference. We rely on too many goals from midfield. 

[Spoons]

I just dream about Dwight Gayle or Tammy playing upfront in this team. 

[hoxton casual]

Dirdhou out in a shift and his link up hold up play was good today. Never looked like scoring.

[Talk Of The Town]

We’ve had 20 goal  goalscorers before. Kodjia, Tammy, Bobby and still didn’t get promoted.  This team scores goals from all parts. This is our best defence for as long as I can remember. 

[stephenkibby.]

I know Palmer seems to have gone from hero to zero in a couple of games but I hope he gets a start Tuesday.

Alongside Pisano starting. Shortcoming for me would be playing Wright at fullback again, no doubt a totally committed player and if we lost one of the center backs Baily replacing either wouldn't worry me. But he ain't a fullback in a side that want's to make the top 6.

I don't know how far Hunt is from fitness but he was starting to look the part.

Anyway would love to see us really go for it at home. Ala Sheff Utd.

[ChippenhamRed]

10 minutes ago, Bobby Bollax said:

We’ve had 20 goal  goalscorers before. Kodjia, Tammy, Bobby and still didn’t get promoted.  This team scores goals from all parts. This is our best defence for as long as I can remember. 

Not getting promoted might have had something to do with the other 10 players.  Just a hunch.  This team has a solid defence, a good balance and the ability to create chances.  Although I've defended Dhiedhou on here recently, Tammy-level quality up front is probably the biggest weakness in this side.  In fact I would go as far as saying that, if we had Tammy in this side, it would all but guarantee top six and possibly even top 2.

[downendcity]

7 minutes ago, JonDolman said:

We tried to sign Assambolonga and Hogan. Not sure what else the club can do. Who else is there?

With all his money, and the ideal Channel Island climate, I would have thought that SL would have had his gardner breeding, grafting, fertilising and pruning a Tammy tree in his Guernsey greenhouse, so that there would be a crop of ripe, championship standard , 20 goal a season strikers ripe and ready for the picking in January of every year.

[Talk Of The Town]

11 minutes ago, ChippenhamRed said:

Not getting promoted might have had something to do with the other 10 players.  Just a hunch.  This team has a solid defence, a good balance and the ability to create chances.  Although I've defended Dhiedhou on here recently, Tammy-level quality up front is probably the biggest weakness in this side.  In fact I would go as far as saying that, if we had Tammy in this side, it would all but guarantee top six and possibly even top 2.

Indeed. You can pick the bones out of every possible Sanario. We punch above our weight. The squad doesn’t contain any journeymen players which my villa mate is jealous of.  

[BS4 on Tour...]

2 hours ago, Bobby Bollax said:

We’ve had 20 goal  goalscorers before. Kodjia, Tammy, Bobby and still didn’t get promoted.  This team scores goals from all parts. This is our best defence for as long as I can remember. 

Bobby has never scored 20 league goals in a season...

[BS4 on Tour...]

2 hours ago, JonDolman said:

We tried to sign Assambolonga and Hogan. Not sure what else the club can do. Who else is there?

Did we really try to sign Hogan? I saw a few rumours and unsubstantiated ‘links’ to the player - but nothing concrete...

[AshtonGreat]

3 hours ago, Bobby Bollax said:

We’ve had 20 goal  goalscorers before. Kodjia, Tammy, Bobby and still didn’t get promoted.  This team scores goals from all parts. This is our best defence for as long as I can remember. 

Although it sounds like they weren't at the races today

[mozo]

6 hours ago, Bobby Bollax said:

We’ve had 20 goal  goalscorers before. Kodjia, Tammy, Bobby and still didn’t get promoted.  This team scores goals from all parts. This is our best defence for as long as I can remember. 

Isn't the point that we didn't have a lethal goalscorer with a defence this good? Or vice versa...

[Alex_BCFC]

You need goals but a 20 goal striker isn’t essential. What is essential is a great team  all round. 

I think our issue is no back up for Fammy. He will have to play 3 games on his own up top this week - and the role he plays doesn’t lend itself well to that. That isn’t a criticism of the club btw just where we are. 

9 hours ago, AshtonGreat said:

Although it sounds like they weren't at the races today

Not true at all - Norwich are a very good side and at times we did well to stop th scoring more. 

[Robbored]

13 hours ago, Redsi2 said:

Not getting a top striker in the January transfer window will cost us again in my opinion. Not saying any were available but that top striker could make the difference. We rely on too many goals from midfield. 

It wasn’t as if LJ and MA didn’t look to sign a decent striker in the winter window. They did but there were non available at the right price as January is never the best time to sign any player because the asking price is always higher.

Add to that the strategy that LJ is adhering to.....City don’t pay top Championship wages which is another stumbling block.

 

[Major Isewater]

5 minutes ago, Robbored said:

It wasn’t as if LJ and MA didn’t look to sign a decent striker in the winter window. They did but there were non available at the right price as January is never the best time to sign any player because the asking price is always higher.

Add to that the strategy that LJ is adhering to.....City don’t pay top Championship wages which is another stumbling block.

 

The club have got many things right this season but they know how much Championship strikers cost and it is a failure on their part not to have bought a striker in given that it was announced that was what LJ wanted ( I don’t buy this ‘ Taylor came back from injury sooner than expected smoke screen ) .

We need a top class striker, an upgrade , Matty , Weimann and Diedhiou should now have serious competition for their places helping us assure our play off place but they haven’t.

If you can’t shop in Harrod’s you go elsewhere.

There must be strikers good enough out there , Europe or otherwise , to have done the job I just hope we don’t miss out through lack of goals.

 

[Robbored]

6 minutes ago, Major Isewater said:

The club have got many things right this season but they know how much Championship strikers cost and it is a failure on their part not to have bought a striker in given that it was announced that was what LJ wanted ( I don’t buy this ‘ Taylor came back from injury sooner than expected smoke screen ) .

We need a top class striker, an upgrade , Matty , Weimann and Diedhiou should now have serious competition for their places helping us assure our play off place but they haven’t.

If you can’t shop in Harrod’s you go elsewhere.

There must be strikers good enough out there , Europe or otherwise , to have done the job I just hope we don’t miss out through lack of goals.

 

Of all the different playing positions strikers are top of the list followed by attacking midfielders. All clubs both here and abroad know that so wherever you look you’ll have the same problem.

When you buy from abroad you can never tell just how quickly the player will adapt, not just to the Championship but to a new country and new language. City were fortune with Kodjia but Dionsy was a flop. Famara is a good striker in the Championship but not an out and out goal scorer.

So.....it’s not as simple as “shopping elsewhere”.

[maxjak]

11 hours ago, BS4 on Tour... said:

Bobby has never scored 20 league goals in a season...

Pedant.........19 isn't good enough?

[JoeAman08]

Would you rather a Diony or no one? I think we tried to get strikers who would be better than Fam but could not do it. So instead of getting in a risky foreign signing or risky young player we stuck with what we had. Not signing a striker will undoubetly cost us down the line but if we couldn’t sign one better than Fam we’d just have spent money to not progress. Can’t beat the club up on this one imo. 

[Davefevs]

I obviously don’t want us the miss out, but previously I’ve said that progress isn’t all about league position, and i’ll reiterate that now, because I’ve seen progress in recruitment, style / identity of play, and in the main consistency of selection.  Those were areas I thought needed improvement and LJ has done that.

It is no shame if we finish below 6th, assuming we are in the mix between now and May.  I’m not expecting a dramatic fall away like last season.  I would be disappointed if that did happen. Of course it would feel like we’ve wasted an opportunity, but I'm realistic to know how tough a league this is.

For me, yesterday was about us not defending as a team.  I thought we got a bit carried away in the second half, and didn’t run as hard going towards our own goal as we did towards theirs.  That has been the foundation of our run, and yesterday (against a good side) we didn’t do the basics after h-t.

I hope this was a one-off.  We will see on Tuesday.

[Major Isewater]

1 hour ago, Robbored said:

Of all the different playing positions strikers are top of the list followed by attacking midfielders. All clubs both here and abroad know that so wherever you look you’ll have the same problem.

When you buy from abroad you can never tell just how quickly the player will adapt, not just to the Championship but to a new country and new language. City were fortune with Kodjia but Dionsy was a flop. Famara is a good striker in the Championship but not an out and out goal scorer.

So.....it’s not as simple as “shopping elsewhere”.

I didn’t say it was simple but certain people at the club are paid small fortunes to deliver and in this window they didn’t.

You write as though I never thought about those things ! 

So you need a goalscorer ? Do you suddenly wake up on the 1st of January and start looking ? 

There are analysts, scouts and a whole team of recruitment specialists doing the research non stop so we would have had a list of that type of player .

We didn’t land a single goal scorer , for whatever reason , and that may just go down as a reason why we miss out on promotion this season.

It may not but no one can hand on heart say that we are over endowed with natural finishers at the club . 

Had we had one on the pitch yesterday we may well be talking about automatic promotion after beating or drawing with Norwich as it is we are still well placed for the lottery of a play off spot.

Fine margins.

 I respect Steve Lansdown but sometimes feel that he is over prudent in his approach to the footballing side of things.

For those who cry ‘ FFP ‘ well , we could have sold on two or three players to make the wages available for one quality finisher .

 

[Robbored]

6 minutes ago, Major Isewater said:

I didn’t say it was simple but certain people at the club are paid small fortunes to deliver and in this window they didn’t.

You write as though I never thought about those things ! 

So you need a goalscorer ? Do you suddenly wake up on the 1st of January and start looking ? 

There are analysts, scouts and a whole team of recruitment specialists doing the research non stop so we would have had a list of that type of player .

We didn’t land a single goal scorer , for whatever reason , and that may just go down as a reason why we miss out on promotion this season.

Of course there are analysts, scouts  and recruitment specialists at City, every Championship club has them and are all fishing from the same pond. Fact is that many of them have better bait than we do.

I posted awhile back that LJ is doing a tremendous  job and all with one hand tied behind his back because of the sustainability strategy from SL and that factor almost certainly played a significant part in why City didn’t sign a striker in January - assuming there were some available. 

[Davefevs]

1 hour ago, Major Isewater said:

I didn’t say it was simple but certain people at the club are paid small fortunes to deliver and in this window they didn’t.

You write as though I never thought about those things ! 

So you need a goalscorer ? Do you suddenly wake up on the 1st of January and start looking ? 

There are analysts, scouts and a whole team of recruitment specialists doing the research non stop so we would have had a list of that type of player .

We didn’t land a single goal scorer , for whatever reason , and that may just go down as a reason why we miss out on promotion this season.

It may not but no one can hand on heart say that we are over endowed with natural finishers at the club . 

Had we had one on the pitch yesterday we may well be talking about automatic promotion after beating or drawing with Norwich as it is we are still well placed for the lottery of a play off spot.

Fine margins.

 I respect Steve Lansdown but sometimes feel that he is over prudent in his approach to the footballing side of things.

For those who cry ‘ FFP ‘ well , we could have sold on two or three players to make the wages available for one quality finisher .

 

1st bold - we will indeed have a list, but they gave to be available and willing to come here all at a justifiable fee and wage, plus all the other bits and bobs too.

2nd bold - we could indeed, but by the same token, you’ve got to have clubs after them and willing to pay their fees and wages too...and the player has got to want to go too.  Most of our players who’d command a fee and would free up wages are getting gametime, or are / were injured, so I’m not sure who we could’ve lost.

If we don’t go up, I do agree that LJ needs to go with a trimmer squad (for next season), to accommodate a couple of “better” players to lift the levels.

[BS4 on Tour...]

3 hours ago, maxjak said:

Pedant.........19 isn't good enough?

Didn’t say 19 wasn’t good enough.....just pointed out that Bobby Reid wasn’t a ‘20 goal a season’ striker, which is what you called him when quoting him, Tammy and JK....

[Redsi2]

We were told the lad coming back from Newport  was for the first team. That would have kept to the plan of promoting youth. I would be happy if we need a goal to chuck him on but he not even making the bench. Why didn't we leave him to develop at Newport. He must be disgruntled. 

[Andy082005]

18 hours ago, JonDolman said:

We tried to sign Assambolonga and Hogan. Not sure what else the club can do. Who else is there?

You really believe that?

Don't be so gullible 

[Robbored]

3 minutes ago, Redsi2 said:

We were told the lad coming back from Newport  was for the first team. That would have kept to the plan of promoting youth. I would be happy if we need a goal to chuck him on but he not even making the bench. Why didn't we leave him to develop at Newport. He must be disgruntled. 

Where did you hear that Semenyo was recalled for the first team?   

There was wild speculation on here that that was the reason but I don’t recall seeing anything official via an interview or in the media.

[Vincent Vega]

7 minutes ago, Robbored said:

Where did you hear that Semenyo was recalled for the first team?   

There was wild speculation on here that that was the reason but I don’t recall seeing anything official via an interview or in the media.

Maybe he worked it out for himself , probably helped by the fact he was actually on the bench for the first team a couple of weeks back .

[Ashtonboy]

18 hours ago, downendcity said:

With all his money, and the ideal Channel Island climate, I would have thought that SL would have had his gardner breeding, grafting, fertilising and pruning a Tammy tree in his Guernsey greenhouse, so that there would be a crop of ripe, championship standard , 20 goal a season strikers ripe and ready for the picking in January of every year.

He has this facility,  it's called the academy,  and it costs a fortune!

[KentRed]

9 minutes ago, Robbored said:

Where did you hear that Semenyo was recalled for the first team?   

There was wild speculation on here that that was the reason but I don’t recall seeing anything official via an interview or in the media.

So why else would he have been recalled? He was getting regular games and positive reviews in league 2. Cant see any reason in bringing him back if it isn't to be involved in the first team.

[Robbored]

8 minutes ago, KentRed said:

So why else would he have been recalled? He was getting regular games and positive reviews in league 2. Cant see any reason in bringing him back if it isn't to be involved in the first team.

This was pretty much what the wild speculation was about.... but as I said, nothing official from the club.

[ZiderEyed]

Chief WUM strikes again

[Major Isewater]

4 hours ago, Robbored said:

Of course there are analysts, scouts  and recruitment specialists at City, every Championship club has them and are all fishing from the same pond. Fact is that many of them have better bait than we do.

I posted awhile back that LJ is doing a tremendous  job and all with one hand tied behind his back because of the sustainability strategy from SL and that factor almost certainly played a significant part in why City didn’t sign a striker in January - assuming there were some available. 

So , you read my post and then take absolutely no notice of what I write , a reply that adds absolutely nothing to the debate . 

 

[Major Isewater]

3 hours ago, Davefevs said:

1st bold - we will indeed have a list, but they gave to be available and willing to come here all at a justifiable fee and wage, plus all the other bits and bobs too.

2nd bold - we could indeed, but by the same token, you’ve got to have clubs after them and willing to pay their fees and wages too...and the player has got to want to go too.  Most of our players who’d command a fee and would free up wages are getting gametime, or are / were injured, so I’m not sure who we could’ve lost.

If we don’t go up, I do agree that LJ needs to go with a trimmer squad (for next season), to accommodate a couple of “better” players to lift the levels.

If we don’t pay the going rate then we’ll never have the quality to go forward. 

If we had targeted a ‘ Championship ‘ experienced striker that LJ spoke about it shouldn’t then have come as a surprise that these guys want top bucks for their talent.

We could have sold one or two players without changing too much , don’t tell me that even our squad players couldn’t have been moved on if we wanted them to . 

We get our youngsters out on loan , why couldn’t we have moved on others ?

There was a rumour that Sunderland wanted Taylor for example.

[Robbored]

6 minutes ago, Major Isewater said:

So , you read my post and then take absolutely no notice of what I write , a reply that adds absolutely nothing to the debate . 

 

I took plenty of notice Major and got impression that you were pointing that finger of failure at the club for not bringing in a striker during the notoriously difficult winter window. Sentences that include  “shopping elsewhere”...

I took the time to explain why no striker was brought in.

[Super]

1 hour ago, KentRed said:

So why else would he have been recalled? He was getting regular games and positive reviews in league 2. Cant see any reason in bringing him back if it isn't to be involved in the first team.

Have to agree pointless bringing him back.

[Robbored]

2 minutes ago, Super said:

Have to agree pointless bringing him back.

None of us know the actual reason for Semenyo getting recalled so all we can do speculate as to why.

The obvious reason was to add options up top but so far he’s made one bench appearance. 

Maybe he’s going out on loan again but to a higher league?   

[Ivorguy]

4 minutes ago, Super said:

Have to agree pointless bringing him back.

 

4 minutes ago, Super said:

Have to agree pointless bringing him back.

Didn't LJ say they needed him to work on physical fitness for this level and that was one of the reasons of bringing him back.  Wasn't it also said that to be around the squad would help him improve fitness and skill levels.

Personally, I am far more concerned by the older and not loaned out Eisa

[Lanterne Rouge]

3 minutes ago, Robbored said:

None of us know the actual reason for Semenyo getting recalled so all we can do speculate as to why.

The obvious reason was to add options up top but so far he’s made one bench appearance. 

Maybe he’s going out on loan again but to a higher league?   

He can`t now the window`s closed.

[Lanterne Rouge]

7 minutes ago, Ivorguy said:

 

Didn't LJ say they needed him to work on physical fitness for this level and that was one of the reasons of bringing him back.  Wasn't it also said that to be around the squad would help him improve fitness and skill levels.

Personally, I am far more concerned by the older and not loaned out Eisa

That is an odd one for sure. I can only imagine we were set to loan him out (Lincoln was one rumour I heard) but ended up keeping him as cover for the injury Taylor had together with the fact we were unable to sign another striker for whatever reason.

It may be both these lads will have an important part to play before the season is out, we`ll have to wait and see I guess.

[Davefevs]

10 minutes ago, Major Isewater said:

If we don’t pay the going rate then we’ll never have the quality to go forward. 

I don’t disagree, but I think we may have to unearth that player rather than buy ready made, that is the reality for me.

If we had targeted a ‘ Championship ‘ experienced striker that LJ spoke about it shouldn’t then have come as a surprise that these guys want top bucks for their talent.

We could have sold one or two players without changing too much , don’t tell me that even our squad players couldn’t have been moved on if we wanted them to . 

But for what price?  If we are trying to move on, we aren’t likely to get full value. It’s a bit catch 22.

We get our youngsters out on loan , why couldn’t we have moved on others ?

There was a rumour that Sunderland wanted Taylor for example.

Maybe?  Although he was out injured, so I do think this was a 2 n 2 situation, Sunderland losing Maja, papers / internet looking at a Champ striker who could be tempted.

Who else do you think we could’ve moved on that would’ve generated a portion of what was needed to pay (allegedly) £3.5m to LOAN Assombolonga?

Baker and Taylor are the only two in my mind.  You wonder whether Baker’s future is dependent on Kalas’s future.

 

[Major Isewater]

11 minutes ago, Davefevs said:

 

Thanks for your reply ;

Sometimes you just have to pay the going rate for what you need . You can’t always rely on having exactly what you are looking for ready to step up from the academy.

Moving on fringe players is more about freeing up wages than bringing in a fee . Perhaps we could have sacrificed one of our first teamers ? 

 

[Davefevs]

11 minutes ago, Major Isewater said:

Thanks for your reply ;

Sometimes you just have to pay the going rate for what you need . You can’t always rely on having exactly what you are looking for ready to step up from the academy.

Moving on fringe players is more about freeing up wages than bringing in a fee . Perhaps we could have sacrificed one of our first teamers ? 

 

No needs for thanks....

As I said don’t disagree, I would rather we have a trimmer squad, maybe Baker alone would free up best part of £20k pw, and somewhere between £1.0-2.5m defending on his keen we were to move him on.

Whatever his name is at Soton...Ralf The Hoff, wants 18 senior squad members and the rest u23s.  Those u23s need to be ready to step-up though...and he might find the brutality of the Prem and fixtures means he might want to revise that 18 to 20/21.

[Super]

49 minutes ago, Robbored said:

None of us know the actual reason for Semenyo getting recalled so all we can do speculate as to why.

The obvious reason was to add options up top but so far he’s made one bench appearance. 

Maybe he’s going out on loan again but to a higher league?   

He cant go out until next season. For me at that age they need game time which he was getting at Newport.

[Curr Avon]

The time to have signed a new striker was before the end of the August window. The club knew Djuric was leaving, but didn't recruit an adequate replacement for this level.

As long as Fammy stays fit we should still have enough to grind out the results to secure a play-off berth.

Mind you, yesterday's shortcomings owed as much to poor defending, especially from our full-backs. That needs addressing before Tuesday. 

[Major Isewater]

39 minutes ago, Curr Avon said:

The time to have signed a new striker was before the end of the August window. The club knew Djuric was leaving, but didn't recruit an adequate replacement for this level.

As long as Fammy stays fit we should still have enough to grind out the results to secure a play-off berth.

Mind you, yesterday's shortcomings owed as much to poor defending, especially from our full-backs. That needs addressing before Tuesday. 

The idea was that Weimann was going to come in and get 10/15 goals to aid the projected 20 scored by Diedhiou and in fairness he started out well . 

The club couldn’t have known that for all his efforts he was going to suffer a goal drought .

Equally , I’m convinced that for all SL’s big talk of improving on last season he didn’t really believe that we’d trouble the top six this season and we are ahead of schedule and ahead of the business plan .

The club couldn’t have known in August what the situation in January would be however they have known for some weeks that a tilt at the top six was very much on and decided not to take the risk .

 

[Curr Avon]

7 minutes ago, Major Isewater said:

The idea was that Weimann was going to come in and get 10/15 goals to aid the projected 20 scored by Diedhiou and in fairness he started out well . 

The club couldn’t have known that for all his efforts he was going to suffer a goal drought .

Equally , I’m convinced that for all SL’s big talk of improving on last season he didn’t really believe that we’d trouble the top six this season and we are ahead of schedule and ahead of the business plan .

The club couldn’t have known in August what the situation in January would be however they have known for some weeks that a tilt at the top six was very much on and decided not to take the risk .

 

Fair points Major, but Weimann doesn't possess the physical strength to be compared a like for like with Diedhiou, or Djuric. 

Weimann is at best a number 10, who is currently favoured in right midfield by Johnson.

[Davefevs]

I guess overall we are light of goals all over the pitch, not just strikers.  The pic below doesn’t include Pato or COD’s goals yesterday.

Three goal from our full-backs....Pisano two, plus Kelly v West Brom, although Hunt 4 assists.  

Only one goal from our centre-backs....Webster v Rotherham, Dasilva one assist.  I don’t think anyone was expecting 6-7 like Flint (19 league goals in 3 seasons - 8 was his best), but I think the return is disappointing.

Our strikers have 18 between them, which is probably not quite good enough.  If they were sat there with 2 more each, Fam 11, Weimann 8, Taylor 5, it would look at lot better.  We don’t get many pens which can typically boost a striker’s return.

It is what it is though.  Would take a 1-0 v Brum on Tuesday from an og from Harlee Dean.

[Maesknoll Red]

45 minutes ago, Major Isewater said:

 

Equally , I’m convinced that for all SL’s big talk of improving on last season he didn’t really believe that we’d trouble the top six this season and we are ahead of schedule and ahead of the business plan .

 

 

I nearly added a similar thought to the first post, what I can’t decide is where are we at in the business plan and when it says we should be genuine promotion contenders, hopefully automatic.  Also, if the academy and the wheeling and dealing in bargain basement (for top level championship) players doesn’t unearth the additions we need to get to that position, will the purse strings be loosened at some point, although to do so, I assume we’ll need a genuine injection of money that falls within the financial rules.

[bcfc01]

5 hours ago, Redsi2 said:

We were told the lad coming back from Newport  was for the first team. That would have kept to the plan of promoting youth. I would be happy if we need a goal to chuck him on but he not even making the bench. Why didn't we leave him to develop at Newport. He must be disgruntled. 

I couldn't give a toss if he is disgruntled or not.

He's been brought back to assimilate into the way the team plays - not the way Newport play in the bottom division.

[Allwaysred]

On 23/02/2019 at 21:22, Maesknoll Red said:

I’ll start off by readily admitting I don’t see as many games as I used to, so my perception may well be different than someone who has seen all, or at least most of the games.

Earlier in the season, we looked disjointed, some of the performances could have been by 11 blokes plucked from 11 different clubs and no time to gel or learn each other’s play and with no management/coaching input.

The performances have turned round, the run since November has been a credit to the Manager, coaches and players, that said, every game I have seen, we seem to have a a team that is missing a touch of quality, initiative and guile in the final third.  Maybe that’s even a bit harsh, the final ball and the finishing not being of consistent quality might be more accurate.

20 goal a season strikers are undoubtedly expensive and in demand, but I feel that with a genuine goal scorer and a back up who played off them (maybe an existing player could do just that) we’d be looking a lot more comfortable and confident.

Even when you win games week on week, it does no harm to look with a critical eye at how that was achieved and on the back of today’s game I wonder what others thoughts are on what would change us from a decent, likely playoff contending team, to one pushing for autos?

A striker who scores goals and changes games.

[Allwaysred]

On 23/02/2019 at 21:53, Bobby Bollax said:

We’ve had 20 goal  goalscorers before. Kodjia, Tammy, Bobby and still didn’t get promoted.  This team scores goals from all parts. This is our best defence for as long as I can remember. 

And all the clubs above us have more than 1 quality striker who scores goals we have none.

[Allwaysred]

On 23/02/2019 at 22:01, JonDolman said:

We tried to sign Assambolonga and Hogan. Not sure what else the club can do. Who else is there?

We never even considered those two complete rubbish all paper talk. 

[Son of Fred]

18 hours ago, Robbored said:

It wasn’t as if LJ and MA didn’t look to sign a decent striker in the winter window. They did but there were non available at the right price as January is never the best time to sign any player because the asking price is always higher.

Add to that the strategy that LJ is adhering to.....City don’t pay top Championship wages which is another stumbling block.

 

And that's where you have it.

The 'money being asked was too rich for our pocket...and as we know if we're ever to get promoted sustainability is the name of our game..

The other way to look is that another great opportunity is about to go to the wall as our awesome c/half pairing,the backbone of our form will be 50% lighter come may 5th...'so,back to the drawing board we shall have to go...

Chicken? Egg? Hamstrung?

[Mr Popodopolous]

On 23/02/2019 at 21:27, Spoons said:

I just dream about Dwight Gayle or Tammy playing upfront in this team. 

Gayle yeah- Tammy I question daft though it sounds given how prolific he has been at this level, to what extent would his all-round game (or arguably limitations therein) mesh with the team at this time?

[Mr Popodopolous]

3 hours ago, Robert the bruce said:

And that's where you have it.

The 'money being asked was too rich for our pocket...and as we know if we're ever to get promoted sustainability is the name of our game..

The other way to look is that another great opportunity is about to go to the wall as our awesome c/half pairing,the backbone of our form will be 50% lighter come may 5th...'so,back to the drawing board we shall have to go...

 Chicken? Egg? Hamstrung?

Define sustainability- we the typical Championship clubs can lose £13m per season x 3, rolling 3 year period- that's £39m losses. Plus FFP deductions and allowances.

Sustainability and trying to play at the top end of this division is in general terms a misnomer.

[Guest]

On 23/02/2019 at 22:27, Redsi2 said:

Not getting a top striker in the January transfer window will cost us again in my opinion. Not saying any were available but that top striker could make the difference. We rely on too many goals from midfield. 

Annoying that Hogan was available. Honestly I think there was not much we could do in the situation. We have a good team other than that. Fammy isn't bad and I actually think hes a really good team player but we need to strengthen if/when we get prem football. Someone like Tammy or Domonic Calvert Lewin 

[Robbored]

23 minutes ago, Mr Popodopolous said:

Define sustainability- we the typical Championship clubs can lose £13m per season x 3, rolling 3 year period- that's £39m losses. Plus FFP deductions and allowances.

Sustainability and trying to play at the top end of this division is in general terms a misnomer.

But....well worth doing everything possible to keep expenditure to a minimum and the main reason SL won’t pay big wages.

Im no accountant but I’d assume that wages, across the entire structure at AG are the far biggest drain on the income.

[Mr Popodopolous]

2 minutes ago, Robbored said:

But....well worth doing everything possible to keep expenditure to a minimum and the main reason SL won’t pay big wages.

Im no accountant but I’d assume that wages, across the entire structure at AG are the far biggest drain on the income.

Of course- don't splash cash for the hell of it, but if we can get sufficient leeway via surplus or wriggle-room to loan an Assombalonga for half a season say- maybe we aren't there yet but on current trajectories we will reach such a stage where we can, if we're in the right part of the table then go for it.

Football finances and especially this level are a funny thing...in Championship 2016/17 or 2015/16- unsure which- for each Championship club when total wages spl;t by all 24 clubs, wages averaged 99% of turnover. Before overheads, running costs, or even other football costs...absolutely crazy in the cold light of day but that's football!

[mozo]

Weimann is a good player and hopefully Eisa will fulfill his potential, but neither offer the goals we need so it has to go down as a recruitment lapse.

[Mr Popodopolous]

24 minutes ago, mozo said:

Weimann is a good player and hopefully Eisa will fulfill his potential, but neither offer the goals we need so it has to go down as a recruitment lapse.

Weimann for months now though has been played as a sort of defensive wide player type role- goals alone are far from his sole requirement. His versatility across the frontline is both a strength and a weakness for him (and us?),

Throw in assists too, the great runs he makes which we will hopefully find increasingly more readily and I don't think it is the be all and end all in his case- if he was up front in a 4-4-1-1/4-1-4-1 switch Paterson getting up to support him as per Paterson Reid combination of last late Autumn/early winter, then things may change for him in terms of goal output.

[The Chaplain]

23 hours ago, Andy082005 said:

You really believe that?

Don't be so gullible 

Wasn't it confirmed, Hogan at least, by Lee Bowyer.  Cited as the reason he couldn't get Eisa on loan.

[Davefevs]

10 hours ago, Kevin Brady said:

Semenyo was brought back to the squad for no other reason than to keep the wolves from the door. Bids come in during January and the Club is in a very weak position to decline those offers if the lad is playing at Newport. There was no way that he was going to get thrown into the match day 18. Whether you give a toss or not, the reality is that this very talented baller has now been prevented from playing week in and week out. You can bet he would much rather be playing competitive football than to 'assimilate into the way the team (City) plays' - by the way, what on earth do you mean by that?

Agree.