Rich3478

6 minutes ago, sage said:

Last season he had a bad game at Barnsley and never looked quite the same again. I hope the Oxford error doesn't set him off on a bad run again.

Second goal is a weird one, almost in slow motion. Think he maybe dived too early, perhaps had time to take a step and then dive.

4 minutes ago, Barney1991 said:

We desperately need to find a midfielder who can chip in with goals. I’d have a serious look at Owen moxon from Carlisle. 

Brannagan at Oxford also a good option. 

1 minute ago, BucksRam said:

So glad we've still got Cashin. He's stopping everything. Our midfield need to get into the game. The ball is passing them by. Wilson playing very well. 

Yeah not been impressed with bird or hourihane so far. 

1 minute ago, Ramarena said:

Great work from NML gets us into a great position, but lack of conviction from several players leads the chance to go begging 

Lack of conviction sums it up well, even out first touches seem hesitant or initially backwards.

Been better last ten though.

4 minutes ago, DCFC1388 said:

I like the lad but 4m is alot of money for a league 1 player, especially if we can keep him on loan for the reat of the season. That 4m could be the difference in us going up autos or making playoffs if we spent it wisely.

Yeah £4m is more than I expected. Again would hope for at least that in the summer if promoted.

53 minutes ago, MadAmster said:

Here's a few thoughts on points raised, thus far...

We do need a striker, agreed. Fans, pundits, staff all seem to agree on that. However, the stats show that only 2 sides have scored more than us so far this season. Scoring doesn't seem to be a problem.

DM. They are part of a defence that has seen us concede less than any club except Pompey. Are we really that bad defensively? My only real issue at DM is that we, all too often, allow opposition players to make 40 or 50 yards without a challenge. Having said that, we are defensively sound.

Rooney. Considering the extent of his injury, I don't expect to see him play again this season. I sincerely hope I'm wrong but don't think I am. 

I guess the stats show that scoring goals isn’t all about the striker. We have too many games where striker is not involved. Collins didn’t achieve much at Wigan or Oxford, still puts a good shift in though. Washington has been ok at best. Again we need at least another option or a better option than Washington.

defensive mix wise we have smith, but don’t think he complements our other midfielders at all. An upgrade in this position be a big help. 

And we’re trying to win the league, scoring the most and conceding the least should be the target. Along with winning games.

It’s not that difficult a league, we feel close at the minute. Is the ideal time to strengthen.

1 hour ago, sage said:

Could you give some examples. I'd be amazed if you found more than 2 people on here.

Yeah, think if the last eight/ nine games shown anything it’s that we all want derby to succeed. I’m so happy to be proved wrong on my opinion of warne, long may it continue. 

6 minutes ago, Foreveram said:

Yes, lots of times.

What’s the answer then?

4 hours ago, MackworthRamIsGod said:

Just my opinion, we need quality over quantity. We don't need 2 or 3 players who will sit on the bench waiting for minutes, we need a number 9 who can score goals.

If there is a budget, blow the lot on a decent striker, that will be the difference between top 2 and not.

Agree on this, we need people to come into the eleven and improve it. Not in case of injury. 
A striker is the obvious one that we need, I think a wide option too. 

Someone above lists the six options we have in midfield, I wouldn’t be against changing a couple of these. Moving smith on if found a better option? Or if bird leaves a bid for Brannigan at Oxford, rumoured to have £1m release clause.

Has it ever been established whether the attendance is tickets sold or people actually attending?

I’m not sure about that, last night for example we had 19 corners and barely won a header from them. Don’t think we get the striker involved in the game enough either.
 

Wigan first half is how I want us to play football, was moving the ball quickly, movement off the ball and creating chances.

Is a great run but don’t think we’ve cracked it by any means, was a similar vibe around the club this time last year and that unravelled.

5 minutes ago, Eddie said:

Having made an arse of yourself all thread, wouldn't it be wiser to leave aside the rash statements?

It’s a forum, it’s an opinion. Think a pretty reasonable one? We’re allowed to discuss players and selection.

Just now, Leeds Ram said:

I was firmly in the warne out camp, and since my move to york a month ago I've barely been on here. But my god, I'm so happy we didn't pull the trigger and I'm so happy the league 1 Guardiola (yes, I've said it) has proven me and every other doubter wrong. Jumped off my sofa twice and scared the cat when we scored in the final 10. Sounds like we absolutely dominated them after the first 25 mins which were ropey. Atmosphere sounded class and in the past 6 weeks this club has turned from a mutinous ship ready to throw its captain overboard to full on master and commander 'lucky jack' as we're downing rum and heading towards the championship

Similar, really didn’t see where we were headed. Just all seems to have clicked hasn’t it. Looking forward to every game now. Long may it continue.

What a win!! Hard not getting carried away at the minute.

Totally bossed it after a crazy start! Cashin was immense again.

Still think we were quite wasteful tonight, didn’t create loads in open play and could’ve done more with corners!

Feels a good spirit about the squad too, is all coming together. Like to see John Jules have a start Monday, Collins looked tired the last couple of games.

Sibley for barkhuizen seems an obvious sub

4 minutes ago, Srg said:

It’s 2-0, they’re sitting back and letting it happen. They wouldn’t be playing like this otherwise. They know we aren’t dangerous despite our 74 corners. 

Yeah they have zero need to chase the game. Be very content with this.

think I’d bring John Jules on for barkhuizen and go two up top.

we’re giving some really lazy fouls away too.

That’s the most blatant penalty I’ve ever seen! No way you’re getting away with that, so brain dead 

13 minutes ago, ram59 said:

Is tonight's game a 'do or die game' for JJ?

We have to make a decision on him and his fitness, he's never played anywhere near a full league game for us. How can we take a risk on his fitness for the rest of the season? Surely, we need to give him some proper game time tonight, unless a decision to return him has already been made.

Was hoping would have played a bit more in the last month. Coming on out wide not really telling us much either!

did think wigan was an ideal chance to give him half hour, manage Collins minutes too. Perhaps suggests warne sees him as a level below Collins? 

31 minutes ago, Chester40 said:

Agreed. It sounds harsh but he doesn't 'create something from nothing',  beat his man or shoot from distance and catch the keeper out. He's definitely not explosive or mercurial. He's very 'workmanlike'.

Not being awful about him, he's decent enough... but he's not amazing in the air, isn't pacy, or tricky, or a great fox in the box, I don't think he sees a pass that well to assist a lot.

If he's leading the line you will get effort and energy and freekicks and he will take maybe 1 in 3 of his chances. Puts a lot of onus on the creative players to give him chances, to beat their man and find him. He's no 'joker card' where he suddenly finds you a goal from nothing in a drab match.

Would love to have something a bit 'different' up top to take the game to teams, keep them worried or just win a game for us with a moment of something special that's heading to a draw.

I know....probably unrealistic but I can dream!!

 

Someone a bit like bamford was at the time, I know is unpopular now around here. But genuinely offered a goal threat from nothing on his loan spell. Had that bit of extra quality too. 
 

was a great option.

36 minutes ago, Jimbo Ram said:

Maybe the Dobster fella getting some game time at Everton 😊

Would definitely have dobbin back! Liked him last season, really carried us up the pitch well. Just finishing that was an issue. Be a great signing in jan but think would want championship if going on loan again.

26 minutes ago, Chester40 said:

Agreed. It sounds harsh but he doesn't 'create something from nothing',  beat his man or shoot from distance and catch the keeper out. He's definitely not explosive or mercurial. He's very 'workmanlike'.

Not being awful about him, he's decent enough... but he's not amazing in the air, isn't pacy, or tricky, or a great fox in the box, I don't think he sees a pass that well to assist a lot.

If he's leading the line you will get effort and energy and freekicks and he will take maybe 1 in 3 of his chances. Puts a lot of onus on the creative players to give him chances, to beat their man and find him. He's no 'joker card' where he suddenly finds you a goal from nothing in a drab match.

Would love to have something a bit 'different' up top to take the game to teams, keep them worried or just win a game for us with a moment of something special that's heading to a draw.

I know....probably unrealistic but I can dream!!

 

Yeah feels like we need someone who can make a goal from nothing if struggling, am guessing everyone needs this though!

Fair play to Collins though, having a decent season. I’d like us to be a bit more proactive with subs up front too, at Wigan Collins was obviously knackered. Seemed perfect to bring John Jules on to have some legs pressing and stretching the game.

I think another wide player too. Who is a goal threat. Again easier said than done

7 minutes ago, Nuwtfly said:

Despite the change in form since the post you're quoting (2nd of November) I still haven't changed my mind. We've done well to climb up the table but I think that not bringing in a properly quality No.9 will cost us.

I’d agree with this, wanted to see more of John Jules by now too. Is hard to have much of an opinion on him currently. Collins improved a lot on last season but want at least another option. Pace to run in behind being the ideal. 

Never going to get a big feee because of his age, selling wouldn’t make much sense unless player was adamant he wanted to leave. Which doesn’t seem likely!

Would say Nelson the most consistent, cashin had some excellent games but possibly dipped a bit more than Nelson.

2 minutes ago, rammieib said:

Extend his one year deal which appears to be in OUR control - he will be worth £3m in the summer if we are in League One still.

He will be worth £4m if we are in the Championship.

I see zero point in letting him go in January, absolutely zero point.

Someone tell me why we should? 

The only way I can think we have not activated it yet is because we are discussing longer terms with him. He could be countering this with a get out clause and more money etc

I guess cashin wanting to leave is a reason we would consider it? Really isn’t playing that way though, has been excellent the last few weeks. Yesterday especially. 
 

Hope we are offering him something longer term, hopefully us being in the championship next season could match his ambition.