It's Not Exciting & It's Not Ambitious

[Bristol Boy]

I've nothing against signing a player like Andy Smith and I say give the lad a chance, although what does it say for the opportunities afforded to a younger, quicker player with a better football league scoring record in JMW.

He says he can play as a target man and GJ says he can play wide (left hopefully) and if so, that'll mean he can stand in for Brooker or Showunmi when, not if, they're injured.We need a player that can do that and score goals (not so sure on that one) and anyone that didn't think it a month or so ago, must now be convinced with Showunmis absence.......again.

Brooker & Showunmi have been available 13 times together this season and we've played 43 games.Nuff said and I wonder if ES is up to even 35 games a season physically & mentally.

Let's see.

My point is that signing Smith won't put bums on seats or excite fans who are jaded after nine years in this division.Fans who have seen a major outgoing transfer, a new VP and two cup runs, generate enough new cash to fund a major move into the transfer market to boost our best chance of automatic promotion in a while.That didn't happen, although moves for Holt & Pospisil provided hope and some evidence of ambition if the right player can be found.

The expected EE demolition and devt hasn't happened and the club are left in a catch 22 situation.Build it and lose out on larger attendances if we are promoted.Don't build it and stay as we are.I would go for option two and stay as we are until promotion is guaranteed and, in all honesty, for a season or so after that until we are at least established in The Championship. I will never agree with spending £8m to build a stand to house 5,000 people in place of a stand that can do just that.8,000 or 10,000 yes, 5,000, no.Additional Conferencing facilities won't generate an additional £8m quid or the interest on borrowings of that amount.

A major signing-loan with a view to-would have generated some real interest and given fans a real lift for the run in, particularly those who don't travel away, because our home results and moreover performances, have been poor in contrast to those at Oldham, Boro & Blackpool and the ninety minutes at Boro was better than the ninety minutes at AG.

Betsy & Wilson are important signings, even moreso in light of the onset of injury problems to McAllister, Showunmi, McCombe,Murray, Russell & Weale.However they have the feel of squad strengthening as opposed to automatic first teamer about them.Leon Best & Lloyd Sam were touted and would have had a more exciting feel about them-One would have felt they would have made a difference.

We are back to the point where an injury to Brooker will leave the cupboard looking bare.We'll need better luck with injuries over the next three months to see us promoted and when you add Betsy & Wilson to the absentees against Rovers on Tuesday, the squad will have a thin look about it unless at least two of the above recover in time, preferably McAllister & Showunmi.

In terms of facilities, our pitch is also starting to cause concern and serious investment in that would also be of help.I've mentioned Wycombes before and no apologies if I do again.A pitch that you can play on without damaging in 3-4 times a week has to be a major advantage to a passing team and one looking to sweat it's assets by inviting the regions Premier Rugby Clubs to play on it, even irregularly.

[Chappers]

Spot on as always BB.

[Rudolf Hucker]

Where to start BB? You've covered so many points ...

Regarding Andy Smith, we need to give the guy a chance to pull on the shirt before we judge him. I agree that, from what others have posted (I admit I'd never even heard of him before today) it doesn't sound as though he's a signing to set the world on fire but you never know. I think that GJ is adding depth to his ever-more depleted squad and this was probably an opportune way to achieve this given that we're now outside of the transfer window.

I don't see it as an either/or decision - just because we've signed Smith doesn't mean that we can't or won't make further loan signings. In fact I take it as a positive sign that GJ recognises the need to add some cover to the squad in case of further injuries during the run-in.

Let's wait and see, cheer Smith while he wears the shirt and hope that it proves to be a shrewd signing. Ironic in a way that we'll include a striker in our squad vs BHA tomorrow who hasn't yet scored a league goal while they line-up with last year's model of the same who has now turned into a veritable goal machine!

As has been raised on other threads, I feel that GJ may be losing patience with Enoch and that there may more than mere injury that's keeping him off the field.

Regarding the development of the East End, I'm with you. I wouldn't look to build a new stand until the business case can be proven to close - if a return on investment can be proven within an acceptable period (which will require more than use just at football matches, rugby matches and occasional concerts) then I would hold off development until we've finally reached and become established in the Championship.

The pitch is the worst I've seen it for several years. When we played against Cheltenham the other week it seemed as though the teams were playing with a square ball as it bumped and jumped all over the surface. It only seems to have taken a turn for the worse since the rugby was staged there. It can't really be blamed onto the weather which must have given us one of the mildest winters on record. I recognise the need for the club to generate more revenue and therefore sharing facilities with the egg-chasers will no doubt be front of mind for Mr Sexton. However, if we are to go down this track then we must invest in laying the right surface because we must not compromise the quality of the playing surface which we have grown to expect at AG.

It's Friday evening BB. Don't be depressed - have a couple of drinks and chill. Look forward to tomorrow, to Smith leaping like a salmon to score the winner, to second place in the table! Keep the Faith ... Believe!

[Richy P]

Agreed to a certain extent, but who do you really think is or was available, in a 'loan' capacity, to get the punters coming back? Arguably Leon Best should have been in with a shout this week, but after a enjoyable time at Yeovil, hes hardly going to agree to signing for one of their local, and promotion rivals is he?

And looking back on January, we were in a very good vein of form until we started signing new players, so at the time maybe we didn't need them, and as you said if Posposil and Holt transfers hadn't fallen through it would have been a different story. I dunno, just playin devils advocate. If we get promoted, which we still have a very good chance, the transfer kitty will be used then, it will have to if we got any chance of staying up, and with a potential pot of both lita and Coterills transfer funds, we should be able to compete. No use spending out now, and regret it if we dnt get promoted. Thats what ultimately happened under Danny Wilson.

We've tried the big name signing before, eg. Bridges and Stewart, can be argued they weren't given a chance, for me Stewart definately was given a chance and simply didn't perform well enough for us, but please god dnt get into another debate about that, just my opinion.

Yes with hindsight everyone can say, oh well hes injured now, why didn't we percieve that to happen. At the moment I see we have 5 fit or nearly fit strikers available. Brooker, Andrews, Jevons, Myrie - Williams and now Smith. lets see how this month goes as it really is make or break for promotion.

[Redhyde]

Wow a BB post i agree with wholeheartedly. Even if you are more harsh on Enoch than Steve in the fitness stakes as ever.

We have the pretty much maximum senior squad you can get away with without Chelsea's money or sucess but a better version of Andy Smith would have been appreciated. But we've tried for Holt and Pospisil and it's not happened as no doubt others too haven't so i'm ok with the signing. It's short term, it may ignite our season, he can't be worse than Jevons...

It's unfortunate that the next cup game has significance but in reality that and the potential final are the only times our squad will be potentially as decimated with the cup tied players, so it's not really a concern long term.

Wycombes pitch didn't get used under the hoofball that Sanchez used in the years he was there so no wonder it's in such a good state. The Desso Pitch seems to work and i wonder why we haven't installed it before?

http://www.sports-turf.net/

[bransonmo]

Smith's signing is a two edged sword for GJ. Its a psychological ploy to motivate the current strikers, and it gives GJ another allrounder to add to the selection process.

Showumni with his tweak and twinge situation, Jevons and Williams who are quite frankly not affecting games, Andrews who is also playing for a contract, has more competition, and finally Brooker who is probably the only automatic selection when fit.

Yes indeed, Smiths signing should have some of our strike force looking over their shoulders, or as GJ said " certain personnel will be looked at", following the Rovers performance.

[Bristol Boy]

Agreed to a certain extent, but who do you really think is or was available, in a 'loan' capacity, to get the punters coming back? Arguably Leon Best should have been in with a shout this week, but after a enjoyable time at Yeovil, hes hardly going to agree to signing for one of their local, and promotion rivals is he?

Why not, the rest of them did. It wouldn't be a real loan, would it? It would be a pretend one "with a view to" the view being that it'll be signed sealed and the only issue will be when, not if, the permanent transfer goes through and the money changes hands.Jarvis at Gillingham would be another major signing

And looking back on January, we were in a very good vein of form until we started signing new players, so at the time maybe we didn't need them, and as you said if Posposil and Holt transfers hadn't fallen through it would have been a different story. I dunno, just playin devils advocate. If we get promoted, which we still have a very good chance, the transfer kitty will be used then, it will have to if we got any chance of staying up, and with a potential pot of both lita and Coterills transfer funds, we should be able to compete. No use spending out now, and regret it if we dnt get promoted. Thats what ultimately happened under Danny Wilson.

SL has already decided that the kitty is for the Championship-Problem is, if we don't get there, then what? More of the same? I fully understand that it will be far,m far easier yo attract better players when we are in The Championship.My concern is us getting there in the first place.Also bear in mind that GJ has never managed at that level before

We've tried the big name signing before, eg. Bridges and Stewart, can be argued they weren't given a chance, for me Stewart definately was given a chance and simply didn't perform well enough for us, but please god dnt get into another debate about that, just my opinion.

I wouldn't want a big name in the sense of someone who was on the way down.Someone like Best, Sharp or Jarvis with a point to prove would be my idea of a big name and they are obvious targets if we are promoted.

Yes with hindsight everyone can say, oh well hes injured now, why didn't we percieve that to happen.

I don't think it took a genius to predict SB & ES's problems.Just look at their career records

At the moment I see we have 5 fit or nearly fit strikers available. Brooker, Andrews, Jevons, Myrie - Williams and now Smith. lets see how this month goes as it really is make or break for promotion.

I've made this point before but it's not about quantity it's about type and we have one fit recognised target man in Brooker.You forgot to mention Betsy as a striker so, with Smith we'll have:

Target Man ES, SB & (So he says) AS

Strikers:JMW, Jevo, Andrews, Betsy

That looks plenty-It is plenty but we haven't seen Smith yet and if he falls into the strikers as opposed to target men with his scoring record in England and in recent years, we could be struggling and I wouldn't be surprised to see McCombe up front when he comes back even in short spells as we've plenty of cover (touch wood) back there.

Wow a BB post i agree with wholeheartedly. Even if you are more harsh on Enoch than Steve in the fitness stakes as ever.

They've both had some this season

We have the pretty much maximum senior squad you can get away with without Chelsea's money or sucess but a better version of Andy Smith would have been appreciated. But we've tried for Holt and Pospisil and it's not happened as no doubt others too haven't so i'm ok with the signing. It's short term, it may ignite our season, he can't be worse than Jevons...

That's Phil Jevons our top scorer The problem with Jevo is that he lacks strength, pace & height.So, if someone can sit me down and explain to me why we insist on playing him with his back to goal and pass it to him three feet over his head, I'm listening.I'm not a great fan but you need to utilise a players strengths and, as per these daft tactical departures from reality-Skuse wide left, Skuse wide right, Woodman left wing, Murray in the hole, can we please think about how we get the best out of Jevo and utilise what he can do-shoot, finish, hit free kicks and see a pass.He was born to play in the hole so why not him instead of Murray if we try it again??

It's unfortunate that the next cup game has significance but in reality that and the potential final are the only times our squad will be potentially as decimated with the cup tied players, so it's not really a concern long term.

You're right and I hope some of the injured players are back next week.

http://www.sports-turf.net/

[reddoh]

I've nothing against signing a player like Andy Smith and I say give the lad a chance, although what does it say for the opportunities afforded to a younger, quicker player with a better football league scoring record in JMW.

He says he can play as a target man and GJ says he can play wide (left hopefully) and if so, that'll mean he can stand in for Brooker or Showunmi when, not if, they're injured.We need a player that can do that and score goals (not so sure on that one) and anyone that didn't think it a month or so ago, must now be convinced with Showunmis absence.......again.

Brooker & Showunmi have been available 13 times together this season and we've played 43 games.Nuff said and I wonder if ES is up to even 35 games a season physically & mentally.

Let's see.

My point is that signing Smith won't put bums on seats or excite fans who are jaded after nine years in this division.Fans who have seen a major outgoing transfer, a new VP and two cup runs, generate enough new cash to fund a major move into the transfer market to boost our best chance of automatic promotion in a while.That didn't happen, although moves for Holt & Pospisil provided hope and some evidence of ambition if the right player can be found.

The expected EE demolition and devt hasn't happened and the club are left in a catch 22 situation.Build it and lose out on larger attendances if we are promoted.Don't build it and stay as we are.I would go for option two and stay as we are until promotion is guaranteed and, in all honesty, for a season or so after that until we are at least established in The Championship. I will never agree with spending £8m to build a stand to house 5,000 people in place of a stand that can do just that.8,000 or 10,000 yes, 5,000, no.Additional Conferencing facilities won't generate an additional £8m quid or the interest on borrowings of that amount.

A major signing-loan with a view to-would have generated some real interest and given fans a real lift for the run in, particularly those who don't travel away, because our home results and moreover performances, have been poor in contrast to those at Oldham, Boro & Blackpool and the ninety minutes at Boro was better than the ninety minutes at AG.

Betsy & Wilson are important signings, even moreso in light of the onset of injury problems to McAllister, Showunmi, McCombe,Murray, Russell & Weale.However they have the feel of squad strengthening as opposed to automatic first teamer about them.Leon Best & Lloyd Sam were touted and would have had a more exciting feel about them-One would have felt they would have made a difference.

We are back to the point where an injury to Brooker will leave the cupboard looking bare.We'll need better luck with injuries over the next three months to see us promoted and when you add Betsy & Wilson to the absentees against Rovers on Tuesday, the squad will have a thin look about it unless at least two of the above recover in time, preferably McAllister & Showunmi.

In terms of facilities, our pitch is also starting to cause concern and serious investment in that would also be of help.I've mentioned Wycombes before and no apologies if I do again.A pitch that you can play on without damaging in 3-4 times a week has to be a major advantage to a passing team and one looking to sweat it's assets by inviting the regions Premier Rugby Clubs to play on it, even irregularly.

but you have been around long enough to know thats us