| Have to say a bit concerned with how the end of the window is looking..... 15:37 - Aug 31 with 15144 views | itfcjoe |
....after chasing George Hirst for months, there's been a fair bit of talk about how Macauley Bonne would be a big downgrade, but now seems serious interest judging from both Phil and the EADT guys in a player with 74 minutes of league football under his belt.
Hopefully by 11pm on Thursday all will have fallen into place - but think it would be hugely risky putting all eggs in the Freddie Ladapo basket as the only number 9 with any proven ability to lead the line in such a pivotal season |  |
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| Have to say a bit concerned with how the end of the window is looking..... on 16:07 - Aug 31 with 1628 views | pointofblue |
| Have to say a bit concerned with how the end of the window is looking..... on 15:51 - Aug 31 by jayessess |
Shambolic is a stretch I think. We had Ball, Leigh, Ladapo, TJJ, all in before pre-season. Harness and Davis in before the first match.
That's a lot of problems solved very early on in the Summer. Leaving yourself one player short after all that isn't a shambles.
I think Crooks and Hirst are similar situations, so maybe we do need to get better at knowing when to quite with targets that aren't happening. However, we were signing Crooks as a 10 rather than as a centre midfielder so we ended up signing 6 players for that position anyway! |
The chasing of a striker has seemingly been shambolic - and Celina for that matter. Otherwise we have had a good window. |  |
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| Have to say a bit concerned with how the end of the window is looking..... on 16:08 - Aug 31 with 1616 views | Kieran_Knows |
| Have to say a bit concerned with how the end of the window is looking..... on 16:04 - Aug 31 by FrimleyBlue |
But it's being treated like it's the only thing we're trying to do.
It could be Bonne plus this loanee. It could be Bonne, Loanee, Mata and Matete.
Or it could be no one and we trust those in the squad at present, which has seen as joint top unbeaten going into september. Least we haven't sold walton and brought in holy as a replacement. |
It’s not going to be Juan fecking Mata.
Jesus Christ. |  |
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| Have to say a bit concerned with how the end of the window is looking..... on 16:08 - Aug 31 with 1627 views | itfcjoe |
| Have to say a bit concerned with how the end of the window is looking..... on 15:44 - Aug 31 by pointofblue |
It looks shambolic, but was very similar last year when we seemed to chase Crooks for a long period and then ended up with Carroll instead. Getting another player similar to Ladapo is key so let’s hope we manage it. |
Shambolic overstates things, the start to the window was excellent and the squad is very nicely balanced - but just feel we are a couple short to move us from a top 6 side to a top 2 side.
We play 6 forward players in every game, and really have only 6 here, possibly Edwards as well but he tends to play where Burns is. ALuko and Chaplin have knocks last night and without additions we can't make the full substitutions that have been really helping us finish strongly | |
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| Have to say a bit concerned with how the end of the window is looking..... on 16:12 - Aug 31 with 1552 views | FrimleyBlue |
| Have to say a bit concerned with how the end of the window is looking..... on 16:08 - Aug 31 by Kieran_Knows |
It’s not going to be Juan fecking Mata.
Jesus Christ. |
You're one of those that tell kids santa aint real aren't you. |  |
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| Have to say a bit concerned with how the end of the window is looking..... on 16:13 - Aug 31 with 1539 views | chicoazul |
| Have to say a bit concerned with how the end of the window is looking..... on 16:01 - Aug 31 by Dubtractor |
"Just a…….feeling."
You sure it's not just indigestion? |
I am rather bilious. |  |
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| Have to say a bit concerned with how the end of the window is looking..... on 16:14 - Aug 31 with 1525 views | pointofblue |
| Have to say a bit concerned with how the end of the window is looking..... on 16:08 - Aug 31 by itfcjoe |
Shambolic overstates things, the start to the window was excellent and the squad is very nicely balanced - but just feel we are a couple short to move us from a top 6 side to a top 2 side.
We play 6 forward players in every game, and really have only 6 here, possibly Edwards as well but he tends to play where Burns is. ALuko and Chaplin have knocks last night and without additions we can't make the full substitutions that have been really helping us finish strongly |
Yeah, just clarified I mean the chase for a striker (and Celina) seems shambolic. Other than those two issues, the window has been good. | |
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| Have to say a bit concerned with how the end of the window is looking..... on 16:15 - Aug 31 with 1516 views | The_Flashing_Smile |
| Have to say a bit concerned with how the end of the window is looking..... on 15:46 - Aug 31 by Wallingford_Boy |
Judge at the end of the window, not now.
I’m guessing. |
Joe mentions the end of the window is tomorrow, and states at the moment he's a bit concerned. Can't say I blame him really. |  |
| Trust the process. Trust Phil. |
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| Have to say a bit concerned with how the end of the window is looking..... on 16:15 - Aug 31 with 1522 views | portmanking |
| Have to say a bit concerned with how the end of the window is looking..... on 16:08 - Aug 31 by itfcjoe |
Shambolic overstates things, the start to the window was excellent and the squad is very nicely balanced - but just feel we are a couple short to move us from a top 6 side to a top 2 side.
We play 6 forward players in every game, and really have only 6 here, possibly Edwards as well but he tends to play where Burns is. ALuko and Chaplin have knocks last night and without additions we can't make the full substitutions that have been really helping us finish strongly |
I was lambasted last night for saying that risking our key forward line players in the Pizza Trophy was madness given that our squad is much more compact this year. As you say, we need that rotation in the front 4 each week to maintain that high press and intensity. If we don't add to the squad in the next 24hrs it has to be League One at all costs, feck the cups IMO. | | | |
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| Have to say a bit concerned with how the end of the window is looking..... on 16:15 - Aug 31 with 1514 views | Ftnfwest |
loan window is longer isn't it? |  | | |
| Have to say a bit concerned with how the end of the window is looking..... on 16:19 - Aug 31 with 1485 views | itfcjoe |
| Have to say a bit concerned with how the end of the window is looking..... on 16:15 - Aug 31 by portmanking |
I was lambasted last night for saying that risking our key forward line players in the Pizza Trophy was madness given that our squad is much more compact this year. As you say, we need that rotation in the front 4 each week to maintain that high press and intensity. If we don't add to the squad in the next 24hrs it has to be League One at all costs, feck the cups IMO. |
You have to play those who aren't starting - they need games for freshness as well so it's a tightrope to walk and sometimes you just have to hope it works ok.
They also want chance to put pressure on first team to earn place in the XI so don't think McK did anything wrong and those most involved in first team (Ladapo, Jackson, Harness and TJJ) just had 45 minutes as it is anyway
But if using 6 players every game in those roles, we effectively have a starting team of 14 players so that needs a bit of cover | |
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| Have to say a bit concerned with how the end of the window is looking..... on 16:20 - Aug 31 with 1463 views | hoppy |
| Have to say a bit concerned with how the end of the window is looking..... on 16:08 - Aug 31 by Kieran_Knows |
It’s not going to be Juan fecking Mata.
Jesus Christ. |
I don't think it will be either of them, to be honest. |  |
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| Have to say a bit concerned with how the end of the window is looking..... on 16:22 - Aug 31 with 1442 views | Metal_Hacker |
| Have to say a bit concerned with how the end of the window is looking..... on 16:20 - Aug 31 by hoppy |
I don't think it will be either of them, to be honest. |
I read that as Jesus Chris and Mary  |  |
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| Have to say a bit concerned with how the end of the window is looking..... on 16:23 - Aug 31 with 1437 views | clive_baker |
| Have to say a bit concerned with how the end of the window is looking..... on 16:08 - Aug 31 by itfcjoe |
Shambolic overstates things, the start to the window was excellent and the squad is very nicely balanced - but just feel we are a couple short to move us from a top 6 side to a top 2 side.
We play 6 forward players in every game, and really have only 6 here, possibly Edwards as well but he tends to play where Burns is. ALuko and Chaplin have knocks last night and without additions we can't make the full substitutions that have been really helping us finish strongly |
If we settle on a 'first choice' of Ladapo, Chaplin, Harness, Morsy, Evans, Burns, Davis that is a lovely looking 7 for me. KVY is OK cover for Burns (maybe even Edwards too), Leigh for Davis, Ball for Evans. Humphries in the mix too. Morsy is nigh on irreplaceable.
It's that forward 3 though, we have replacements but for me they all kind of bring the same without Sone. Edwards, TJJ, Jackson are direct, fast, versatile, and will certainly kill tiring defences. But Aluko is a technican, he's class. We're light on that side of things in his absence IMO. His vision and execution is lovely, might not have the legs but you can already count 4 or 5 excellent opportunities he's created this season in relatively limited appearances. Drops the shoulder, those perfectly weighted threaded through balls are delicious. Such a level head, more experienced, and ideal to come on (or start) and trust to look after the ball. Hopefully TJJ has that in his locker, but he's certainly a little more scatty. Aluko injury is a blow, I'm hoping it's weeks rather than months. |  |
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| Have to say a bit concerned with how the end of the window is looking..... on 16:24 - Aug 31 with 1429 views | Big_Jase |
| Have to say a bit concerned with how the end of the window is looking..... on 16:15 - Aug 31 by Ftnfwest |
loan window is longer isn't it? |
There hasn’t been a loan window for a number of years now. |  |
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| Have to say a bit concerned with how the end of the window is looking..... on 16:26 - Aug 31 with 1399 views | The_Flashing_Smile |
| Have to say a bit concerned with how the end of the window is looking..... on 16:15 - Aug 31 by portmanking |
I was lambasted last night for saying that risking our key forward line players in the Pizza Trophy was madness given that our squad is much more compact this year. As you say, we need that rotation in the front 4 each week to maintain that high press and intensity. If we don't add to the squad in the next 24hrs it has to be League One at all costs, feck the cups IMO. |
Aluko isn't a starter so needed more minutes to stay match fit. Chaplin wasn't playing and got injured in the warm up, which is way less intensive than training. It's just one (or two) of those things, and not something to get upset/have a pop at McKenna about. Which is why you (rightly) got lambasted.
And no, I don't care about the pizza cup either. | |
| Trust the process. Trust Phil. |
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| Have to say a bit concerned with how the end of the window is looking..... on 16:27 - Aug 31 with 1394 views | ITFC_Forever |
Daryl Murphy leaving all over again.
Everyone said we'd replace in August - we didn't. And in January - we didn't. |  |
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| Have to say a bit concerned with how the end of the window is looking..... on 16:27 - Aug 31 with 1388 views | Darth_Koont |
| Have to say a bit concerned with how the end of the window is looking..... on 15:51 - Aug 31 by jayessess |
Shambolic is a stretch I think. We had Ball, Leigh, Ladapo, TJJ, all in before pre-season. Harness and Davis in before the first match.
That's a lot of problems solved very early on in the Summer. Leaving yourself one player short after all that isn't a shambles.
I think Crooks and Hirst are similar situations, so maybe we do need to get better at knowing when to quite with targets that aren't happening. However, we were signing Crooks as a 10 rather than as a centre midfielder so we ended up signing 6 players for that position anyway! |
Indeed.
Solving the left side and the shape of the attack (and getting players higher up the pitch) were the big areas.
Even so, after last season where Bonne initially and Jackson then looked the best choices, we still have Jackson but with Ladapo and John-Jules now ahead of him for the striker role. So without bringing in another player as cover and/or promoting a youngster or two, we’ll still be a lot better off for strikers now.
Getting in another good player to genuinely compete for a starting place will always be tricky. At least, dropping our sights to getting some decent cover would give us a little extra insurance but I’m not really too bothered about having extra bodies for the sake of it. Seems to me we’d be just as well off pushing up the match-fit and ultra-sharp Chaplin and Harness and letting them take on the CBs. We don’t play balls up to a target man or really use Jackson through the middle anyway so there’s not some template to fit. |  |
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| Have to say a bit concerned with how the end of the window is looking..... on 16:30 - Aug 31 with 1344 views | FrimleyBlue |
| Have to say a bit concerned with how the end of the window is looking..... on 16:27 - Aug 31 by ITFC_Forever |
Daryl Murphy leaving all over again.
Everyone said we'd replace in August - we didn't. And in January - we didn't. |
Yes, it's terrible we haven't replaced, erm Norwood | |
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| Have to say a bit concerned with how the end of the window is looking..... on 16:31 - Aug 31 with 1338 views | The_Flashing_Smile |
| Have to say a bit concerned with how the end of the window is looking..... on 16:27 - Aug 31 by Darth_Koont |
Indeed.
Solving the left side and the shape of the attack (and getting players higher up the pitch) were the big areas.
Even so, after last season where Bonne initially and Jackson then looked the best choices, we still have Jackson but with Ladapo and John-Jules now ahead of him for the striker role. So without bringing in another player as cover and/or promoting a youngster or two, we’ll still be a lot better off for strikers now.
Getting in another good player to genuinely compete for a starting place will always be tricky. At least, dropping our sights to getting some decent cover would give us a little extra insurance but I’m not really too bothered about having extra bodies for the sake of it. Seems to me we’d be just as well off pushing up the match-fit and ultra-sharp Chaplin and Harness and letting them take on the CBs. We don’t play balls up to a target man or really use Jackson through the middle anyway so there’s not some template to fit. |
To be honest we have an embarrassment of riches already and people are bemoaning not having icing on their cake. I'd like icing too, but it's a perfectly nice sponge as it is. | |
| Trust the process. Trust Phil. |
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| Have to say a bit concerned with how the end of the window is looking..... on 16:31 - Aug 31 with 1352 views | itfcjoe |
| Have to say a bit concerned with how the end of the window is looking..... on 16:23 - Aug 31 by clive_baker |
If we settle on a 'first choice' of Ladapo, Chaplin, Harness, Morsy, Evans, Burns, Davis that is a lovely looking 7 for me. KVY is OK cover for Burns (maybe even Edwards too), Leigh for Davis, Ball for Evans. Humphries in the mix too. Morsy is nigh on irreplaceable.
It's that forward 3 though, we have replacements but for me they all kind of bring the same without Sone. Edwards, TJJ, Jackson are direct, fast, versatile, and will certainly kill tiring defences. But Aluko is a technican, he's class. We're light on that side of things in his absence IMO. His vision and execution is lovely, might not have the legs but you can already count 4 or 5 excellent opportunities he's created this season in relatively limited appearances. Drops the shoulder, those perfectly weighted threaded through balls are delicious. Such a level head, more experienced, and ideal to come on (or start) and trust to look after the ball. Hopefully TJJ has that in his locker, but he's certainly a little more scatty. Aluko injury is a blow, I'm hoping it's weeks rather than months. |
I think Humphreys may be the best bet to cover that Aluko role, but it's a big step down in experience and nous and in those games against big teams when we need to slow it down and put a foot on the ball we are a bit lacking
The starting team is good, there are obviously players who when they are missing will see a big downgrade, I just worry that someone like Ladapo doesn't need to see a big downgrade if he is out as isn't of the same class as a Morsy or Walton, but as things stand he looks just as important | |
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| Have to say a bit concerned with how the end of the window is looking..... on 16:37 - Aug 31 with 1280 views | Darth_Koont |
| Have to say a bit concerned with how the end of the window is looking..... on 16:31 - Aug 31 by The_Flashing_Smile |
To be honest we have an embarrassment of riches already and people are bemoaning not having icing on their cake. I'd like icing too, but it's a perfectly nice sponge as it is. |
Agreed.
Although I want to go on record by saying that cakes are really pretty rank and icing is an abomination. They’re the Norwich of food. | |
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| Have to say a bit concerned with how the end of the window is looking..... on 16:41 - Aug 31 with 1257 views | hoppy |
| Have to say a bit concerned with how the end of the window is looking..... on 16:37 - Aug 31 by Darth_Koont |
Agreed.
Although I want to go on record by saying that cakes are really pretty rank and icing is an abomination. They’re the Norwich of food. |
Are they yellow and pink at all? | |
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| Have to say a bit concerned with how the end of the window is looking..... on 16:50 - Aug 31 with 1184 views | Darth_Koont |
| Have to say a bit concerned with how the end of the window is looking..... on 16:41 - Aug 31 by hoppy |
Are they yellow and pink at all? |
Whatever kit they’re wearing, both Norwich and cakes are revolting. | |
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| Have to say a bit concerned with how the end of the window is looking..... on 16:50 - Aug 31 with 1170 views | The_Flashing_Smile |
| Have to say a bit concerned with how the end of the window is looking..... on 16:37 - Aug 31 by Darth_Koont |
Agreed.
Although I want to go on record by saying that cakes are really pretty rank and icing is an abomination. They’re the Norwich of food. |
Saying "cakes are really pretty rank" is like saying "I'm not really a fan of music". I mean, there are soooo many different types of cake.
Have to say, I'm not much of a fan of icing myself. Bit too sickly. | |
| Trust the process. Trust Phil. |
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| Have to say a bit concerned with how the end of the window is looking..... on 16:52 - Aug 31 with 1151 views | tractordownsouth |
I don't think we need a striker. We only play 1 up front and both Ladapo and TJJ seem capable, plus we have Jackson. If Aluko is out long-term I think we need to be looking at an attacking midfielder instead, otherwise we're all set. |  |
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