A crossroads....

[Grecian Max]

Id also like to say that the much maligned Parkes could look a lot better with a more mobile CB (Stubbs!) next to him. He does a job and is good enough for the top third of the league imo.

 

[Egg]

Id also like to say that the much maligned Parkes could look a lot better with a more mobile CB (Stubbs!) next to him. He does a job and is good enough for the top third of the league imo.

I'm not sure Parkes is much-maligned. FWIW I have nothing against him or Sweenz and IMO they're of comparable ability, but it always seems to be the latter who gets the pelters [from manager and fans].

 

[Grecian Max]

I'm not sure Parkes is much-maligned. FWIW I have nothing against him or Sweenz and IMO they're of comparable ability, but it always seems to be the latter who gets the pelters [from manager and fans].

Personally think people have praised Sweeney more this year than any time before for standing in and doing a good job? He’s surprised me at how well he’s coped. But it’s also fair to want a proper CB rather than a converted RB that wasn’t fit enough to get up and down the wings.

 

[Worcester Grecian]

We have a smaller squad this year, possibly due to Covid. Usually when we pick up a few injuries we can call up a couple of youngsters who have been on the fringe. This year those players are already first team regulars.

 

[milts]

I think I agree he’s been average at recruitment overall, I just don’t think it’s been bad as some claim.

Regarding Ajose, it wasn’t a bad signing to make - you can only do so much prep before going for a player and he had a name and a decent record. I don’t blame him at all for going for it. What has followed and the reluctance to give him a proper go is definitely on the manager.

I saw also that “only” jokull and dara have been any good from the loans. He hasn’t done many for one and also Abrahams wasn’t a bad shout just too raw at the time, Jayden Richardson did a decent job also.

Obviously we were extremely limited in the summer and he’s openly said the decision was to play more academy lads instead so I don’t see why it’s seen as a negative that these lads have displaced his signings? Isn’t that what people ultimately want??

I think that is definitely the way forward. I would much rather we had 6/7 senior players on decent contracts and the rest of the squad made up of academy players, a couple of loans and players given a chance from non-league etc. Signings such as Fisher and McArdle seem a complete waste of money. McArdle has been very poor and Hartridge or Dean could have provided adequate cover.

Very similar to the model which has served Wycombe so well.

However, with this model the 6/7 senior players need to be of real quality and have a good record with injuries etc. We all appreciate not every signing will work, but I certainly feel Matt needs to be better - or get back to signing the type of players signed in his first couple of windows. Without knowing what players are paid, it does feel like there is a chunk of money wasted within the current squad.

Our most successful players have arguably been the academy players this season. Now Law has left (and his performance levels have dropped off this season) I'd say Page is the only signing that Matt has made where I'd now be disappointed he left. Williams maybe, but he flatters to deceive.

 

[JCWhoosh]

Personally think people have praised Sweeney more this year than any time before for standing in and doing a good job? He’s surprised me at how well he’s coped. But it’s also fair to want a proper CB rather than a converted RB that wasn’t fit enough to get up and down the wings.

Correct me if I'm wrong but I actually thought Sweeney was originally a CB when we signed him but we converted him to a RB so I see him being equally comfortable squad player to cover both positions but not necessarily a starter when Stubbs gets fit.

 

[milts]

Correct me if I'm wrong but I actually thought Sweeney was originally a CB when we signed him but we converted him to a RB so I see him being equally comfortable squad player to cover both positions but not necessarily a starter when Stubbs gets fit.

Yes he was. Tisdale converted him to right back. Sweeny is a better CB than RB but should be cover at best.

 

[The Proper Chap]

Sweeney is a centre back, Tisdale played him at right back.

He is more suited to centre back, he just lets himself down by switching off too often and he obviously lacks pace.

He doesn't do himself any favours at times with those whipped passes he tries in dangerous areas, they often create havoc in our back line !

 

[ExmouthMart]

I think I agree he’s been average at recruitment overall, I just don’t think it’s been bad as some claim.

Regarding Ajose, it wasn’t a bad signing to make - you can only do so much prep before going for a player and he had a name and a decent record. I don’t blame him at all for going for it. What has followed and the reluctance to give him a proper go is definitely on the manager.

I saw also that “only” jokull and dara have been any good from the loans. He hasn’t done many for one and also Abrahams wasn’t a bad shout just too raw at the time, Jayden Richardson did a decent job also.

Obviously we were extremely limited in the summer and he’s openly said the decision was to play more academy lads instead so I don’t see why it’s seen as a negative that these lads have displaced his signings? Isn’t that what people ultimately want??

I’d imagine if we hadn’t been in a ‘Transitional’ phase Kane Wilson would have been top of the signing list. Good character and seemed to fit in well.

 

[Grecian Max]

RE: Sweeney - fair enough I didn't realise that! Well, now judging him as CB specialist...