Goalie-
Whilst having experience at this level, the man between the sticks is not what most would call a like for like switch with Casper. Having said that though he has got a season to show us his stuff so maybe he will come good.
Connolley- Average pace, average ability. Whilst we cannot be blessed with the likes of Bosingwa et al. At this level there is so much pace and craft flying down the wings. Add to that the fact that the man in front of him is a carthorse (by wingers standards), we have a clear weak spot.
Left back....Dnt even go there, we have NOBODY of our own who commands that position, its between glass legs Parker and Aiden (winger not defender) White.
Paddy- Once a great warrior, but has been out the game for so so long! Not slating him just saying as i see. Achilles injuries are no joke and do not completely go away, running is an achilles`s worst enemy and when the season gets to crunch time we may see another layoff!
Obrien - Between him an Paddy the average age is 63!!!! Having one old slow but Wiley and "streetwise" operator is an asset, as long as he is next to an athletic player who has the physical ability to compliment him. Paddy is no slouch BUT, he is injury prone! Bruce....had one good game against Arsenal at the Emirates.
Howson - Has prem quality, but not prem consistency, goes missing to often and is too lightweight for the modern game, if his flair was better this would make up for it but he gets bullied too many times.
Gradel - Prem quality all over, HOWEVER. He is so very greedy and although this will often result in goals, the team may begin to freeze him out of attack plays. Extreme but could happen.
Snodds - Brilliant technician but slow! Has the skill to beat his man but when players double up on him he lacks the acceleration to get past them. However, still a formidable player for us!
Beccs - top scorer last season cant argue with that, great work ethic...but can run out of ideas when playing against aerially strong dc`s
Somma - Pure quality at finishing...everything else sucks!
Ross - Will see this season, potential is there but potential means toffee!
Billy - One good season in division 3......
Sam - Awesome start to the season last term but got injured, a credible player who has what it takes to play 4 us!
3 trialists -
Left Back - experienced and physical, however if at 30 u are not nailing down a place in the prem (his home for many years) then questions will be asked
DM - Looks strong and ATHLETIC, and intimidating, better prospect than brown (who i omitted because his arrival is a non entity to me..hope i eat my words) a genuine good signing in my eyes! Remember Becchio and Snodds were relatively unknown b4 they joined us
Winger - Opposite of snoddy so gives us more options when teams get comfortable with Roberts style!
I haven't gone through the whole squad, just the regulars, the team is better than mid table, however with the injuries and possible defections, we may struggle.
Squad analysis brutal honesty!
posted on 22/7/11
Fantastic article and good summary of our main players, but 'Obrien - Between him an Paddy the average age is 63!!!!'. Surely you mean the combined age is 63 not average age.
posted on 22/7/11
Are you Lloyd Sam?
posted on 22/7/11
hahaha no
posted on 22/7/11
Nice article, i find it worrying that our strikers are gone and that best winger seemingly wants away!
posted on 22/7/11
Good article overall. But disagree 100% with what youve said about Connolly. Last season he was the only member of the back four who could look at his performances and feel some satifaction. As SG said himself, a real 7/10 performer every week, nothing special but nothing stupid, plays the game simply. What he lacks in pace he makes up for in positional sense (barring the cardiff (H) game). Also, Snoddy and Connolly work very well together. My opinion, thats all.
Oh and i hope we dont sign J L Samuel, looked unfit and looked like he didnt want it at rochdale. Osbourne in the middle looked solid and a calm presence. Would be a good squad player.
posted on 22/7/11
good post but instead of honest,think a tad harsh
gradel got 17 goals,think we is alouded to be a tad greedy,prob had to be to get 17 goals.
billy paynter only played 15 games and thats not 15 full games!
connolloy is mr consistent, links up well with snoddy and someone to rely on.
other players could do well,nunez,clayton and lees for example. Plus we will be bringing in about 4 more signings. Im happy so far aslong as more signings are made by norway.
posted on 22/7/11
2 be fair connely`s was a tad harsh, but my aim was to show folk what other managers may see when playing us. Clayton has had gud reviews from folk, but remains on Graysons periphery. Interestingly enough our best players were cheap as chips, yet folk complain that we dont spend!