2nd NEW PLAYER

Because the opposition knew the tactics that Karl would use, so if they had quality defenders, MK Dons didn't get any scoring chances.

When faced with this, at the moment Karl has nothing different to fling on and change the game. So possession creeps up but scoring chnaces still stay low.

With a big target guy who can pull defenders around, would give the faster players some room to run at or a target to aim for.

We already have one in Jabo, the trouble is that the ball mainly goes backwards or gets hold up while defenders re-group, while there is always another bigger and stronger defender. Although I wouldn't say no to a Lambert or a Holt.

The players who make this grade have a bit of speed and are able to create space, like Bradley Wright-Phillips and Jordan Rhodes. They make it difficult for the big players to mark them and can hit the back of the net.

Smithy will be an able foil for a striker like that and if we could find one, it would be priceless. We are also missing a bit of speed which does make us predictable.

Don't think we have a prayer at getting him back but we do need a Baldock type player!
Not Jabo's biggest fan, the guy really needs to start working on getting the ball forward, and maybe gain some confidence in the box to score goals. All well 'being good at holding the ball' which I often hear spouted about in the Cowshed, but he needs to get it forward more.

Baldock was the solution to our problems. Just as good as Rhodes and Wright Philips. We lost our man, our promotion rivals kept theirs.

That episode has come and gone. There's nothing we can do about it. We're not going to fork out £2m to find another of these players. We're not going to buy another target man 'cos you won't get much better than Jabo on our budget.

What we have is what we have. What we have can get us promoted. We need to switch things up with our current players. For example it's disappointing that it took Karl until the last match of the season to realise O'Shea could play in the pocket and create chances.

Perhaps they have brought in Wrighty to teach Jabo how to get into the box and be a target man, andgive him to January to make the place his own, otherwise Karl can bring someone in then.

Does it worry anyone that Pete/Karl have brought in 5 people in the close season and the youngest is 29.

You don't win anything with Dads, is that what you mean Bill?

It seems players are going on longer now days and we lacked a bit of experience in the back last season so I don't think it is a problem. I also thought we had only bought two players or are you referring to the back room staff as well?

Yeah, and I was counting the guy that is on trial too.

Must say, I have been impressed that Pete has been willing to fund the slight expansion without getting rid of anyone meanigful.

Since John Gorman left we must have reduced our average age overall. I have been impressed too and with the players who have stayed as well.

No it doesn't actually, don't see why people think that being around 30 is a veteran age, a lot of players, especially defenders and goalkeepers enter their peak between 30-35.

McMaccer, I don't think 30 is a veteran age, just surprised that Karl isn't building for the future and gambling on a 2, 3 or 4 of L2 / Blue Square kids with already have a bit of 1st team experience who could grow with the team for the challenge of keeping in the Championship next year.