whiteroseram

If he's got a tennis ball he must have joined Reading 

It's a pearler, that rule! 

Brown has hardly played and hasn't scored for Gateshead. Is he ready for Division one ? No.

Not entirely relevant now but I've just realised that Dwight Gayle is another player that got picked up by Peterborough from the lower leagues then sold on for a fat profit a short time later. They manage to get one every season....another being Jack Marriott of course. 
Could we maybe try and buy someone cheap and sell them for lots of money? I'll put a note in Dave Clowes' suggestion box.

My understanding of that, which I could be wrong and happily be corrected, was that this was very sloppy wording and what he meant was this was the final transfer window with restrictions 
In theory as you'd only be doing deals in the window, that would be the end of that... Apart from we've signed a free agent after both windows this season 

The U18s finished in a respectable 7th position last season, only 2 points off 4th spot. As far as I'm aware, we haven't recruited from other clubs for our U18 side this season, all progressing from our U16 side. The small improvement this season is from a combination of having a very talented group of 1st year scholars, as well as not needing to fast track too many into the U21 side.
The U21s certainly had a season to forget last year. Results have improved, but even the games we are losing are typically by just 1 goal (we've only lost by 2 or more 3 times, the last was in September). There are a few reasons for the improvement. The 3 main one being:
1. More high potential U18s progressing into the U21s. Last year's 1st year pros were all released in the summer, with only 1 2nd year pro retained (Bardell). This to me highlights the low potential of the U21 squad last season.
2. Solid recruitment - Weston, Gibson-Hammond, Bartley, etc. These signings have helped us maintain a healthier flow of U18s into the U21 side. Jeffcott and Lindsay helped plug gaps too.
3. Perhaps the most important- having good CBs playing at CB. For most of last season and early this one, we had players filling in. Bartley returned from injury in October and gave us a good platform to build from. Bardell is back now too. Early this season we had DRobinson, Radcliffe, and Bradley Johnson filling in. Last season Grewal-Pollard and Clarke were often played there too.

I don't know much about our academy but it's seems as if results have improved a lot since last year. Obviously there were struggles last season as we were starting from scratch, but has our improvement been a result of our much maligned recruitment team? Whilst we are lamenting the potential purchase of another 30+ year old striker, is it that our recruitment focus has been on stocking the academy up with future talent and getting it back to where it was pre administration? 

My understanding of that, which I could be wrong and happily be corrected, was that this was very sloppy wording and what he meant was this was the final transfer window with restrictions 
In theory as you'd only be doing deals in the window, that would be the end of that... Apart from we've signed a free agent after both windows this season 

My understanding of that, which I could be wrong and happily be corrected, was that this was very sloppy wording and what he meant was this was the final transfer window with restrictions 
In theory as you'd only be doing deals in the window, that would be the end of that... Apart from we've signed a free agent after both windows this season 

My understanding of that, which I could be wrong and happily be corrected, was that this was very sloppy wording and what he meant was this was the final transfer window with restrictions 
In theory as you'd only be doing deals in the window, that would be the end of that... Apart from we've signed a free agent after both windows this season 

CBT will have to improve a lot to be in the mix.

Gayle has 5 letters Barkhuizen has 10 letters ...😁

1Wildsmith  7.5 Not faultless, but made a critical save at a critical time. Is it true that he's refused a new contract? Shame if so. I think most fans love him, so that'd disappoint me if I'm honest.
35Nelson.  7.5 This lad's some player. Folk knock our recent recruitment but adding Ryan, Curtis and Sonny to the squad makes us a very hard team to beat, even when the lads up top are not 100% on it. Either him or Ryan got clattered earlydoors. 
5Bradley.  8.0 Warne's patience is now being rewarded. He's backed up a first strong performance, with two even better ones and he was colossal today. Seemed to win most of everything in the air.
6Cashin. 8.0 Love Cash to bits and he would have been comfortably MOTM were it not for Ebou's performance. £10 mill player if we get promoted, which of course, we will.
24Nyambe.  7.0 A slight dip in admittedly high standards, but I think Ryan excels in a back 4 and when we set up that way, he'd start every game for me. Man's an absolute monster in defence, but is not a natural at RWB the way he is at RB.
11Smith.  7.0 Haven't really known what to make of Korey, but I thought he and Sibs provided much of the impetus for the late pressure that brought the goal. Surely a worthwhile squad player at very least, especially with Max leaving.
8Bird.  7.0 Set a stiff task earlydoors with Ebou in a chaotic midfield, his influence increased markedly with more bodies deployed and I'm already pining a bit over his decision to leave, not that I begrudge him one iota.
32Adams. 8.5 Sorry I suggested you'd get booked. I was only joking. Have another MOTM award from me pal, but just for the record, I did lose £20 quid on you today!I'm backing you score next week to recoup those monies, so don't let me down please! 😋
20Elder.  7.0 Solid enough I thought though I'm not convinced he's 100% healthy right now. With so many out though I guess it's all hands to the pump and he was very secure in his work without looking threatening at the other end.
2Wilson.  7.5.  Back in his more natural environment and once the Stevenage orks started to slow, he started to give them serious headaches. Love this lad, he was an excellent signing and he's a player you really don't mind paying to watch.
11Méndez-Laing. 6.5 Looked a tad leggy to me today, but in his defence, he was getting plenty of 'attention'. Still produced a sweetly timed assist for the winning goal then. Other players may be more consistent, but I think this lad's the likely season's MVP. He's been absolutely critical to our success to date.
7Barkhuizen. 6.5 Tough brief today, but gave of his best. He seems a little happier now and that's a good thing as I'd thought he might be wanting away at one point.
17Sibley. 7.5 Nice cameo from Sibbo today and a sweetly taken goal to boot. Has to string some performances together though he does at least still seem up for that fight despite a stop / start season. You certainly can't fault his attitude and I'll not give up on him just yet.
WarneWatch - well you could argue that he took 60 minutes to change things up, or just as easily that this was a smart gameplan well, executed and timed to perfection. He gets the benefit of the doubt from me today and I'm impressed that he's managed to get us winning games like this where for years now, we've just been bullied by the likes of these. Despite my bluster, this was a game I was pretty concerned about, soi I'm delighted to see 3 more points secured. Cheers lads!

Unfortunate as he was the star man and my POTS, hopefully he can do as well for us next season

Gutted for him. I think if we avoid the play-offs, then that’s probably his last game for us gone.
It’s a real shame. I think he would’ve had a real shout at POTS if we got automatic promotion. Being the only fit striker for a vast majority of the season, and still put in endless effort with a positive outcome, he would have been a worthy winner.

Purely my opinion of course but I don't think Brown is anywhere near ready for our first team.

He certainly would if he tried to do Warne's running 

"Evans..... has been dismayed by some of the decisions that have gone against Stevenage in games against Port Vale, Reading and Bristol Rovers."
What happened? Did the fat convict forget the brown envelopes for those games?
 

I'm looking forwards to the difference Adams will make until the ref sets out to book him for daring to bring a bit of steel into our midfield, whilst allowing Stevenage to wander around whacking us with lead pipes. 
I am expecting this to be really ugly, but look to a touch of class here or there to swing the match in our favour. Decent match officials would be nice, but we've had one set this season already, so that's that then. 

Quite a physical side so wouldn't surprise me if Bradley plays. Is Nyambe okay?

I will admit to being very naughty and being sat in the Exeter end (free ticket is a free ticket, can't afford nice things), front row right by the pitch, with some Exeter supporting mates, so had a slightly different view. Some interesting points that jumped out 
KW is super talented with magic moments, but 1st half when he was on my side of the pitch he didn't seem to have any idea what his role was. CN and NML constantly telling him to move forwards or backwards. No ones fault really, but he's a wing-back playing RN's role really 
CN is such a leader, partly jumped out because I noticed him talking KW through a lot 
CE is looking better every game, finally some depth there
Everyone around commented on EA, nothing we don't already know, what a guy 
When I told Exeter mates that MB had left and loaned back they assumed he was off to a far bigger team than Bristol.. Just worth reminding ourselves how much he stands out to those seeing us for the 1st time 
The quality of subs, Exeter subs are league 2 quality, ours aren't a massive drop off and can offer slightly different roles
Chicken curry pie was excellent/ pint was poor 
Game management, most of ours biggest critisim recently, was excellent this time around 
Did I miss anything? 

I will admit to being very naughty and being sat in the Exeter end (free ticket is a free ticket, can't afford nice things), front row right by the pitch, with some Exeter supporting mates, so had a slightly different view. Some interesting points that jumped out 
KW is super talented with magic moments, but 1st half when he was on my side of the pitch he didn't seem to have any idea what his role was. CN and NML constantly telling him to move forwards or backwards. No ones fault really, but he's a wing-back playing RN's role really 
CN is such a leader, partly jumped out because I noticed him talking KW through a lot 
CE is looking better every game, finally some depth there
Everyone around commented on EA, nothing we don't already know, what a guy 
When I told Exeter mates that MB had left and loaned back they assumed he was off to a far bigger team than Bristol.. Just worth reminding ourselves how much he stands out to those seeing us for the 1st time 
The quality of subs, Exeter subs are league 2 quality, ours aren't a massive drop off and can offer slightly different roles
Chicken curry pie was excellent/ pint was poor 
Game management, most of ours biggest critisim recently, was excellent this time around 
Did I miss anything? 

I will admit to being very naughty and being sat in the Exeter end (free ticket is a free ticket, can't afford nice things), front row right by the pitch, with some Exeter supporting mates, so had a slightly different view. Some interesting points that jumped out 
KW is super talented with magic moments, but 1st half when he was on my side of the pitch he didn't seem to have any idea what his role was. CN and NML constantly telling him to move forwards or backwards. No ones fault really, but he's a wing-back playing RN's role really 
CN is such a leader, partly jumped out because I noticed him talking KW through a lot 
CE is looking better every game, finally some depth there
Everyone around commented on EA, nothing we don't already know, what a guy 
When I told Exeter mates that MB had left and loaned back they assumed he was off to a far bigger team than Bristol.. Just worth reminding ourselves how much he stands out to those seeing us for the 1st time 
The quality of subs, Exeter subs are league 2 quality, ours aren't a massive drop off and can offer slightly different roles
Chicken curry pie was excellent/ pint was poor 
Game management, most of ours biggest critisim recently, was excellent this time around 
Did I miss anything? 

I will admit to being very naughty and being sat in the Exeter end (free ticket is a free ticket, can't afford nice things), front row right by the pitch, with some Exeter supporting mates, so had a slightly different view. Some interesting points that jumped out 
KW is super talented with magic moments, but 1st half when he was on my side of the pitch he didn't seem to have any idea what his role was. CN and NML constantly telling him to move forwards or backwards. No ones fault really, but he's a wing-back playing RN's role really 
CN is such a leader, partly jumped out because I noticed him talking KW through a lot 
CE is looking better every game, finally some depth there
Everyone around commented on EA, nothing we don't already know, what a guy 
When I told Exeter mates that MB had left and loaned back they assumed he was off to a far bigger team than Bristol.. Just worth reminding ourselves how much he stands out to those seeing us for the 1st time 
The quality of subs, Exeter subs are league 2 quality, ours aren't a massive drop off and can offer slightly different roles
Chicken curry pie was excellent/ pint was poor 
Game management, most of ours biggest critisim recently, was excellent this time around 
Did I miss anything?