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Post by West Acton on Aug 3, 2024 18:22:19 GMT
Smyth is shit nuff said. Going nowhere if he’s getting game time. League 1 player at best and I’m being polite saying that. Moved on Armstrong now time get this geezer off books too and replace both with players that can actually impact games. Longer term yes. But got now, he’s got to be an impact player from the bench. I’m still hopeful of a left back, Varane and a forward player before West Brom. but he rarely impacts. I’m not sure where this impact player tag has come from. |
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Post by James1979 on Aug 3, 2024 18:35:54 GMT
Longer term yes. But got now, he’s got to be an impact player from the bench. I’m still hopeful of a left back, Varane and a forward player before West Brom. but he rarely impacts. I’m not sure where this impact player tag has come from. More hope than expectation. I don’t rate him at all. But not sure we can shift him now. |
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Post by Deleted on Aug 3, 2024 18:52:09 GMT
Seen a few people applying hindsight to the fixtures against Spurs and Brighton and ask what did we achieve by the 2 games.
If anyone was in any doubt that the plan for next season is to keep things very, very tight at the back and hopefully grab a win here and there they shouldn't be anymore.
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Post by itsonlyagame on Aug 3, 2024 20:05:04 GMT
Seen a few people applying hindsight to the fixtures against Spurs and Brighton and ask what did we achieve by the 2 games. If anyone was in any doubt that the plan for next season is to keep things very, very tight at the back and hopefully grab a win here and there they shouldn't be anymore. Think we’ll be grabbing a win more often than just here or there imo. We’ll most likely have a stronger squad on paper by the time the season gets in full swing but just as importantly Marti will have had a pre season with the team. I think we were top 6 on form second half of last season?? Factor that all in and in the words of the late great Ian Dury, there’s reasons to be cheerful. |
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Post by Rangers77 on Aug 3, 2024 20:20:07 GMT
Seen a few people applying hindsight to the fixtures against Spurs and Brighton and ask what did we achieve by the 2 games. If anyone was in any doubt that the plan for next season is to keep things very, very tight at the back and hopefully grab a win here and there they shouldn't be anymore. Think we’ll be grabbing a win more often than just here or there imo. We’ll most likely have a stronger squad on paper by the time the season gets in full swing but just as importantly Marti will have had a pre season with the team. I think we were top 6 on form second half of last season?? Factor that all in and in the words of the late great Ian Dury, there’s reasons to be cheerful. More likely they're Spasticus Autisticus..... |
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Post by stainrodisalegend on Aug 3, 2024 22:15:08 GMT
Acton: got to defend Smyth just a tiny bit. Yes his final ball was shit. It’s always shit. But on this particular match he was the only player who took Brighton on. Celar? Was he actually there? Koli? Two nice touches first half but don’t think touched the ball second half before being hooked? Smyth is a League One player but Chair aside so are all our other attacking options. At least he tries.
Stanley: now you have seen the Brighton game I hope you see more my point from the Reading shit show about the sheer scale of our problem in attack. Does anyone seriously think this team is capable of scoring a goal - or even creating a few chances - against WBA? We have failed to score a single goal in any of our competitive pre season friendlies - the problem is structural.
Harry: don’t understand why anyone would criticise us playing better teams. Good to test yourself. The problem has been these matches have exposed how bereft we are going forward. Championship defences are no mugs and I can’t see this attack getting much change out of most of those either.
Am not attacking the current management as they have a hugely difficult job - but hope these friendlies have been a reality check. God knows with our budgets whether we can bring in anyone even half way decent. At least these matches might silence the criticism of Chair, because despite our very solid defence, without him offensively we are barely League 1 let alone bottom half Championship.
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Post by Rangers77 on Aug 3, 2024 23:20:23 GMT
4 friendlies now. 0-2, 0-4, 0-1, 0-1.
Our failure to score goals continues to haunt us. And will be a major problem going into this season.
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Post by 1qprdk on Aug 3, 2024 23:26:10 GMT
Luckily Lyndon Dykes will be back soon 🤣
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Post by acricketer on Aug 4, 2024 0:43:16 GMT
Luckily Lyndon Dykes will be back soon 🤣 Take the pressure off the other donkeys. |
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901rsfandan
Bronze Seat
Repping the R's from Memphis, TN
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Post by 901rsfandan on Aug 4, 2024 0:58:36 GMT
I know it’s about 2 AM over there, but I’m watching my local team currently (901fc). They are a USL team and generally feed into MLS teams. We have a couple of guys who I think would absolutely elevate our level of play. Aggressive, creative, occasional nasty footwork, but also prone to mistakes, which is why they are in the USL. That being said, they look to move forward. Always. They move the ball, make runs off the ball, and generally put chances on frame (which is more than we have seen the last handful of games. Our scouting team would be smart to see what talent is there. And I’m not just talking about my home team either. There are some young guys looking to get that opportunity.
Oh…. And most importantly…. They would be cheap! Don’t see how it would hurt. Worst case, they light a fire under our current crops’s ass. Just a thought….
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Post by West Acton on Aug 4, 2024 6:04:31 GMT
My comment on Smyth Stanis is not based on yesterday (never saw game) it’s an overall period from watching him in both spells at club. Aside from bringing pace he offers nothing reminds me very much of Tony Scully quick but nothing else to his game.
I don’t doubt his effort but you could pull 8k fans out the stands who would offer effort but also deliver next to nothing. He’s a professional footballer probably getting 4k a week effort is not enough if we have ambitions to move forward. Unless he’s nicking 4 goals and maybe 7/8 assists a season then it’s not good enough.
We’re worried we’re not scoring goals but if your creative players fail to create are we surprised.
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Post by gtleighsr3 on Aug 4, 2024 7:11:00 GMT
I’d take a punt on that young releases striker by Stoke, just to give some pace up front. There’s deff some half decent creativity players out there on a free or cheap. I mean u don’t need a pacey feeder. Just as long as can hit a player from all over pitch 9 out of 10 times
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Post by itsonlyagame on Aug 4, 2024 7:26:22 GMT
Think we’ll be grabbing a win more often than just here or there imo. We’ll most likely have a stronger squad on paper by the time the season gets in full swing but just as importantly Marti will have had a pre season with the team. I think we were top 6 on form second half of last season?? Factor that all in and in the words of the late great Ian Dury, there’s reasons to be cheerful. More likely they're Spasticus Autisticus..... Imagine the outcry from the self righteous if that song was released today. The bbc banned it at the time, whilst some of their own household names were doing their own “fiddling” |
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Post by alanwycombe on Aug 4, 2024 7:39:47 GMT
My comment on Smyth Stanis is not based on yesterday (never saw game) it’s an overall period from watching him in both spells at club. Aside from bringing pace he offers nothing reminds me very much of Tony Scully quick but nothing else to his game. I don’t doubt his effort but you could pull 8k fans out the stands who would offer effort but also deliver next to nothing. He’s a professional footballer probably getting 4k a week effort is not enough if we have ambitions to move forward. Unless he’s nicking 4 goals and maybe 7/8 assists a season then it’s not good enough. We’re worried we’re not scoring goals but if your creative players fail to create are we surprised. Tony Scully comparison is spot on |
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Post by Stanley75 on Aug 4, 2024 8:30:22 GMT
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Post by Hertfordshire Ranger on Aug 4, 2024 8:36:38 GMT
With three out injured, we looked pretty threadbare yesterday.
Of course Cannon could have been injured, but his absence from the squad could mark another departure. He fell out with his last club, and all the signs are that Marti does not rate him. He is now 3rd choice right back.
Brighton played a good high press, but watching our play out from the back was a pretty nervy watch. Obviously, what we have been working on in training, but with Field and Colback both selected, we could not play out.
Still plenty of time left in the window, but our friendlies suggest that our problems are pretty much the same ones:
1) We can't score goals
2) Field and Colback cannot play together - Colback for me is an accident waiting to happen. Without Hayden, the balance of the midfield is lost.
3) We depend on Chair for our creativity
4) We have no pace, and Smyth is not the answer. Armstrong was popular just because he had pace.
On the positive side though...Nardi for Begovic.
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Deleted
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Post by Deleted on Aug 4, 2024 8:39:46 GMT
Quick thoughts after watching the whole game courtesy of the Brighton feed.
1. The "first team" starting the game really seemed to be playing at half pace either to avoid injury or just practice routines. Brighton not much better. The pace picked up a bit after the mass substitutions and at least Frey got stuck in even though he was having to drop back to the half way line or deeper to get involved.
2. No problem with the defence passing the ball back and forth waiting for an opening to appear but please do it further forward and not in our own penalty area. We got away with a couple of errors back there but finally paid the price with the penalty.
3. Clear that without Chair and Varane we do not have a link out of defence . Celar missed his one offside chance - looked like he heard the whistle had already gone although I think it was a 50/50 decision. He seemed to time his run perfectly into space which is encouraging. Otherwise unable to comment on him as we hardly got the ball out of our own half so nothing to judge him on.
4. Smyth has to be replaced. He is not a championship player and never will be. All the throwing his arms around etc to show his frustration is maybe to keep fans on his side but he is his own worst enemy. His is a clear spot that we need to strengthen.
5. Paal had a good game. Despite my comments about his on/off transfer, I posted at the start that I like him and would prefer him to stay and others have not agreed with my criticism of letting Lakarche go too soon- I am not upset as someone suggested yesterday just critical of the timing. The point was clear from Marti on WLS yesterday - we cannot let players like Paal run down his contract but that is exactly where we are. First preference is for him to sign a new contract. If he is not prepared to do that we have no control so tell him he will train with the youth team and not kick a ball for any of our teams this season and will not be released for free in January. Then ask him who will want him and how much will they pay him in a year's time if he has not kicked a ball for year. Does not save us any money unless that makes him change his mind but reverses the roles and takes it out of his hands.
The issue we have now is that Fox is injured with the same back injury that kept him out for a lengthy period last season and sounds likely to do the same now and Lakarche has gone which leaves us with Paal.
6. Chair is injured and will almost certainly miss the WBA game at least so we had better hope Varane can fit in quick and help transition from defence to attack and get to feed Celar. Dykes is also out but is likely to be the first of the 3 injuries to come back. Meanwhile while he may not add too much we are down to. the bones on strikers with Kolli and Frey both not lasting 90 minutes Dykes as a sub or part of the game would at least give us some legs.
In summary while the results and lack of attacking options have been disappointing there are another 4 weeks of the window plus I think we will see a more committed approach in the league. My only concern is will the team have the same level of confidence that they showed at the end of last season after losing the friendlies and missing 2 or 3 key players.
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Post by Stanley75 on Aug 4, 2024 8:46:15 GMT
Without Hayden, the balance of the midfield is lost. Add Willock to that too. So far neither have been replaced. Four weeks left of the window to do so. We've managed to get some of our business done early, which is great, but we're just not in a financial position to get it all done with plenty time to spare; therefore no one should be surprised that business will probably go down to the final day of the window. Does that mean we should panic now about it? IMO, no. Some fans clearly are panicking, which is of course their prerogative. |
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Post by Shania on Aug 4, 2024 9:04:09 GMT
I hope Daniel Bennie will be given a chance contribute at lest from the bench.
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Post by stainrodisalegend on Aug 4, 2024 9:34:44 GMT
My comment on Smyth Stanis is not based on yesterday (never saw game) it’s an overall period from watching him in both spells at club. Aside from bringing pace he offers nothing reminds me very much of Tony Scully quick but nothing else to his game. I don’t doubt his effort but you could pull 8k fans out the stands who would offer effort but also deliver next to nothing. He’s a professional footballer probably getting 4k a week effort is not enough if we have ambitions to move forward. Unless he’s nicking 4 goals and maybe 7/8 assists a season then it’s not good enough. We’re worried we’re not scoring goals but if your creative players fail to create are we surprised. Yes mate I don’t disagree with your overall assessment of him and if he is a starter next season it’s a big worry. I was referring specifically to the match yesterday when he was our brightest spark going forward by a distance. Which as I said is very worrying! |
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Post by The General on Aug 4, 2024 9:45:05 GMT
On a positive note
We have a great defence and midfield
Attack needs work agreed
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Post by stainrodisalegend on Aug 4, 2024 9:45:50 GMT
Fair enough was not interrogating or accusing you mate! As you say elsewhere not time to panic yet, we still have a month to go. And like you I think the club are now doing their best. But just being honest my optimism about the coming season has decreased. Think Chair and Hayden were massively important for us and without them we just look crap. Hopefully Chair will be back soon and Hayden is still a possibility end of the window. I don’t think we should put all our expectations in Varane who probably has less first team experience than EDB (good as I hope both turn out to be). We desperately need at least one more attacking player - either a right winger or a number 10. The club were right to get rid of a lot of peripheral players who either weren’t good enough or weren’t committed but looking at our bench yesterday they were basically all kids. As fans we often say we want to develop our own players so maybe this is the season when we actually risk it. |
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Post by Stanley75 on Aug 4, 2024 10:11:33 GMT
Fair enough was not interrogating or accusing you mate! As you say elsewhere not time to panic yet, we still have a month to go. And like you I think the club are now doing their best. But just being honest my optimism about the coming season has decreased. Think Chair and Hayden were massively important for us and without them we just look crap. Hopefully Chair will be back soon and Hayden is still a possibility end of the window. I don’t think we should put all our expectations in Varane who probably has less first team experience than EDB (good as I hope both turn out to be). We desperately need at least one more attacking player - either a right winger or a number 10. The club were right to get rid of a lot of peripheral players who either weren’t good enough or weren’t committed but looking at our bench yesterday they were basically all kids. As fans we often say we want to develop our own players so maybe this is the season when we actually risk it. I've been impressed with Alfie Lloyd, Kollie and Frey this pre-season. All attacking players so, like you, I'm certainly not panicking yet, especially with four weeks still left to do more business. Yes, we need a 10, and hopefully Varane can fill Hayden's boots. Bottom line is I trust Nourry, Marti and the board to do their utmost this window to further improve the squad, and I've not been able say anything remotely like that about the club for the past 15 years, so that's really saying something. |
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Post by The General on Aug 4, 2024 10:19:11 GMT
We have a month to sign more attackers
Our manager realised this is a problem
He will fix it it’s what he does
More worried about playing out the back
This never works at championship level
Keeper kick the ball out to the sides please
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Post by acricketer on Aug 4, 2024 10:25:43 GMT
Even though we haven't scored in the homeland friendlies we do look better organized and I have no doubt we will hold our own this coming season.
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Post by 1qprdk on Aug 4, 2024 10:32:31 GMT
Even though we haven't scored in the homeland friendlies we do look better organized and I have no doubt we will hold our own this coming season. Are you sick mate? What happened to another season ruined? |
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Post by croydoncaptainjack on Aug 4, 2024 10:34:16 GMT
We have a month to sign more attackers Our manager realised this is a problem He will fix it it’s what he does More worried about playing out the back This never works at championship level Keeper kick the ball out to the sides please Southampton last season ? |
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Post by acricketer on Aug 4, 2024 10:34:46 GMT
Even though we haven't scored in the homeland friendlies we do look better organized and I have no doubt we will hold our own this coming season. Are you sick mate? What happened to another season ruined? Wait till Saturday! |
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Post by shepherdsmush on Aug 4, 2024 11:34:34 GMT
Nardi looks a good keeper BUT we don't have the players to piss around passing at the back. Why we persist with that I don't know.
Decent defence...won't leak too many goals if we don't force errors on ourselves.
Midfield needs time to gel. Andersen and Chair the main outlets going forward.
Celar needs time but I've got a good feeling about him doing the business.
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Deleted
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Post by Deleted on Aug 4, 2024 11:41:09 GMT
Interesting comments all round but with 4 weeks of the window left I am not panicking and cannot see many others in a panic - just people stating their concerns about where we are weak or need to strengthen.
My big disappointment is having to start the season without Chair. We have new and young players in the squad and no doubt they will take time to gel but the games come thick and fast up to the first international break so they do not have much time. Varane and Celar I am sure can do what is needed but with a short pre-season they will have to adapt to the pace of the Championship before we see the best of them. I see negative comments being passed about Celar after only playing 60 minutes for us yesterday - give the guy a chance and a bit of support.
I would prefer to lose to Brighton then beat WBA rather than the other way round so we will see.
There seems to be a consensus on certain things that are a worry but I can see 2 maybe mutually related trains of thought being put forward. Certainly a big concern is the lack of goals (although we did hit 11 in Spain). But the 2 trains of thought seem to be firstly that we do not have strikers who can score regular goals, the second is that we do not have the creative players to get the ball forward in the right areas for the strikers to score. Personally At the moment I think it is a bit of both but hope that Celar and one of the younger players like Kolli plus Frey will start hitting the net if they get the right service.
Obviously Hayden is a big loss but facing facts compared to what else we had he was a class act - which is why he has been playing in the PL and on 35k a week wages. Unless something strange happens I cannot see us having any chance of getting him back and finding someone equivalent we can afford on a free or low transfer fee is grasping at straws. Willock left a big gap (on the days he was up for it) so I think we have learnt a lesson there but again finding a cheap equal is not easy.
So that brings me again to my pet hate. The season starts next week and the window closes on September 1st after the usual last minute scramble and some panic transfers. How can supporters feel really positive or negative either way in that situation. A couple of good signings and we will dreaming of top 6 or 8. A couple of late sales such as JCS and Chair with no time to replace and we probably will be thinking bottom half
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