Ghost of Clough

9 minutes ago, Ram@Lincoln said:

Was he actually any good/stand out for us, or did Brighton essentially just take a gamble on a cheap pick up due to our admin status? Then from there, like you say, it just hasn't worked out due to the skill level of the player.

Based on the very limited number of times I had seen him play , I thought he was the most promising CB to have come through our academy since the early/mid 00's. I thought he was a 'complete CB' - good on the ball, decent pace, and strong in the air.

9 minutes ago, Ram@Lincoln said:

Just seen that Coventry have signed one of the boys that Brighton nicked off us during admin. Could've been nice to reunite with hum.

https://www.ccfc.co.uk/news/2024/march/transfer-kain-ryan-signs-for-coventry-city/

A really odd move in the end. Hardly played for their U18s in the season he joined them. A regular the following season (19 league apps out of 24). Then nothing for their U23s this season, but was given a 45 minute trial by Stoke in August (a game they lost 10-1).

From what I understand, Brighton released him in January.

36 minutes ago, duncanjwitham said:

If you think back to that Chorley FA cup game, where we had to put out the academy lads against non-league defenders, the big issue was our lack of physicality.  We just got out-muscled and couldn't let out superior technical skills shine.  When you watch Brown play against teams at this level, you see none of that, he looks big and strong and his better movement and technique is shining though.   Obviously that doesn't guarantee he'd be good enough at higher levels, but it's certainly a good start.

It was also a decimated U23 side, with several of them regularly training with the first team so became unavailable due to the Covid group thingy.

Yates was possibly 5th choice GK, behind Ravas, Idem, Sykes-Kenworthy, and Foster.

Outfield, we were missing: Archie Brown, JBrown, Cashin, McDonald, Watson, Dixon, Shonibare, Wilson, Mitchell-Lawson, Hector-Ingram and Stretton.

Festy had only just returned from injury and was only fit enough for a spot on the bench.

10 minutes ago, BodminRam said:

Loads of areas have become available??

500 more since midday?

Just now, Caerphilly Ram said:

Foz on for NML so is that Sibley moving forward or back to 3 cbs? 

Looks like Fozzy LB and Sibley CM

Fozzy being back is a big boost

And he gets one

Playing 424 now

Best ref we've had for years

Their keeper doing a Wildsmith

Big call. Surprised it took so long to book him

1 minute ago, Black ('n' White) Sheep said:

Ducks sake... ever get the feeling it's just one of those days! Hit the post, hit the bar, deflections galore, goalkeeper making class saves... so frustrating!

No!!! 🐏 

Cracking header and very unlucky not to ripple thr net

1 minute ago, jcidaho said:

Random drinks break

Brown has earned a start in the league tonight. It would probably take a goal to keep his starting spot at the weekend.

1 minute ago, jcidaho said:

What occurred with the goalie?

Shoulder into the post when he saved Ward's freekick 

Should have been red. Gayle would have been clean through there

Wildsmith
Nelson   Bradley   Cashin
Ward   Adams   Smith   Sibley
Barkhuizen   Mendez-Laing
Gayle

Subs: Evans, Wilson, Elder, Hourihane, Thompson, Blackett-Taylor, Waghorn

13 hours ago, Van der MoodHoover said:

What's happened to the young lad we got from rangers last summer?

Still in u21s?

 

On loan to Glentoran. Struggled to get into the U21s earlier in the season and chances seemed limited int he 2nd half. He's scored 2 goals in 6 apps (219 mins) since joining them.

2 minutes ago, RoyMac5 said:

 

Had one ruled out for offside a few minutes earlier too.

Trialist - Alex Stepien-Iwumene from Southampton. I can't see us making it a permanent move based on other players we have in that position.

2 minutes ago, Eoghan1884 said:

Fotmob says the trialist is someone called Brendan Kiernan 

A 31 year old who joined Palace to have the same role as we've given Bradley Johnson?

1 hour ago, therealhantsram said:

Delighted for the lad. It will give him bags of confidence to move forward .

 

That said having watched four of his goals for Gateshead now, I think he still has a way to go before he's ready for our first team. I reckon a season long loan would be good for him next season, possibly with a League 2 side. 

I thinknit would be 6 months in L2 followed by 6 months in L1, or a L1 side to taking a punt on him for the full season.

Bardell missing at RB, having picked up a head injury last time out vs Man Utd.

Fornah not included either, which means he'll be on the bench instead of DRobinson tomorrow.

Wheeldon still out.

Other than that, it's about as strong as we field.

Highest in 23/24 = 29,957

Higheet in 22/23 = 31,744

Highest since 2016 = 32,211 current capacity 

Highest since 2008 = 33,087, with next best 33,011, then 33,010 (9 times) capacity with away fans in the south stand