Corey Blackett-Taylor - Signed on Loan/Permanent in Summer

[Ghost of Clough]

3 hours ago, FlyBritishMidland said:

I’ve got a theory about PW signings.  He’s obviously big on fitness, being able to press and keep it going for close to 90mins.  I think for new signings this takes a bit of getting used to and Ritchie Barker alluded to this when talking about CBT.  I think that’s why we’re now seeing more of his summer signings come into the team and why some picked up niggles early on and we used more of the current players.  I think we’ll see the best of CBT next season.

Sign players who are used to playing in the sytem we're trying to implements and stick to that system. We'll then have a higher success rate with signings. Signing wingers, wing-backs, or full backs, then not playing with wingers, wing-backs, or full backs, is a recipe for failure. So too is signing slower defenders to play in a high line, orleavijg them exposed by pushing the other CBs high up the pitch.

Flip flopping between formations and having a mish-mash of players who prefer different formations (including the ones signed by Warne) were probably bigger reasons. We're looking better now because this formation suits the majority of our fit squad members.

We had Mendez-Laing and Barkhuizen contracted for the season, but Warne wanted to play a system which didn't use them so didn't sign anyone to play out wide. Except, a few weeks into the season we decided we now did want to play with wingers, but only had 2 players who were comfortable playing there. On to January, we finally sign a winger, only to change to a system which doesn't use wingers the very next day. With him back from injury and getting opportunities off the bench in a more settled system, he's starting to look better.

We signed Elder to play a fairly unfamiliar LWB role and he struggled early on. He then picked up an injury which kept him out for a while. He returned when we were playing a back 4 and looked settled after a couple of games. Picked up another injury and we've gone back to wing backs. Where will he fit in long term?

Wilson and Ward were signed for the RWB role but had niggles. Nyambe came in and we shifted away from a setup which used RWBs. Upon their return, we stuck with 4 at the back, which meant Ward/Wilson had to either play at RB where they have at times struggled defensively, or further forward where Ward doesn't have to pace to beat a man, and Wilson lacks consistent end product.

Which brings us back to Nyambe. Where will he fit in? He's good 3rd choice cover at RWB (behind Ward and Wilson), but you don't want him playing there too often due to his poor end product. He doesn't get in at RCB over Nelson, so would we drop one of our highest earners (Bradley) to put him in? Or do we go back to a back 4, drop Bradley and waste Ward/Wilson?

 

We're then onto the truly bad buys...

Fornah was always a bad buy who will cost us a few hundred thousand eventually. When we already had Bird, Hourihane, Smith, Thompson, and Sibley, with DRobinson coming through, Fornah wasn't the right type of player to sign. We needed either an out and out DM (such as Adams), or an AM with end product.

Embleton and John-Jules were high risk signings we should never have taken. With a number of other injury risks in the squad (Forsyth, Elder, Wilson, Waghorn, Washington) we couldn't afford to take on more. Embleton had only just returned to training after being out since December, and John-Jules was signed injured, having been out since the previous October.

[Gee SCREAMER !!]

53 minutes ago, Ghost of Clough said:

Sign players who are used to playing in the sytem we're trying to implements and stick to that system. We'll then have a higher success rate with signings. Signing wingers, wing-backs, or full backs, then not playing with wingers, wing-backs, or full backs, is a recipe for failure. So too is signing slower defenders to play in a high line, orleavijg them exposed by pushing the other CBs high up the pitch.

Flip flopping between formations and having a mish-mash of players who prefer different formations (including the ones signed by Warne) were probably bigger reasons. We're looking better now because this formation suits the majority of our fit squad members.

We had Mendez-Laing and Barkhuizen contracted for the season, but Warne wanted to play a system which didn't use them so didn't sign anyone to play out wide. Except, a few weeks into the season we decided we now did want to play with wingers, but only had 2 players who were comfortable playing there. On to January, we finally sign a winger, only to change to a system which doesn't use wingers the very next day. With him back from injury and getting opportunities off the bench in a more settled system, he's starting to look better.

We signed Elder to play a fairly unfamiliar LWB role and he struggled early on. He then picked up an injury which kept him out for a while. He returned when we were playing a back 4 and looked settled after a couple of games. Picked up another injury and we've gone back to wing backs. Where will he fit in long term?

Wilson and Ward were signed for the RWB role but had niggles. Nyambe came in and we shifted away from a setup which used RWBs. Upon their return, we stuck with 4 at the back, which meant Ward/Wilson had to either play at RB where they have at times struggled defensively, or further forward where Ward doesn't have to pace to beat a man, and Wilson lacks consistent end product.

Which brings us back to Nyambe. Where will he fit in? He's good 3rd choice cover at RWB (behind Ward and Wilson), but you don't want him playing there too often due to his poor end product. He doesn't get in at RCB over Nelson, so would we drop one of our highest earners (Bradley) to put him in? Or do we go back to a back 4, drop Bradley and waste Ward/Wilson?

 

We're then onto the truly bad buys...

Fornah was always a bad buy who will cost us a few hundred thousand eventually. When we already had Bird, Hourihane, Smith, Thompson, and Sibley, with DRobinson coming through, Fornah wasn't the right type of player to sign. We needed either an out and out DM (such as Adams), or an AM with end product.

Embleton and John-Jules were high risk signings we should never have taken. With a number of other injury risks in the squad (Forsyth, Elder, Wilson, Waghorn, Washington) we couldn't afford to take on more. Embleton had only just returned to training after being out since December, and John-Jules was signed injured, having been out since the previous October.

Nyambe is like a limpet and the best full back in the division for me.  Ward can't defend and Wilson dances a lot but seems to do little, especially defending.  Both should start out wide with Ward being first choice and Wilson coming on against a tired player where he offers more.  Keep them away from defending as much as possible.

[FlyBritishMidland]

7 hours ago, Ghost of Clough said:

Sign players who are used to playing in the sytem we're trying to implements and stick to that system. We'll then have a higher success rate with signings. Signing wingers, wing-backs, or full backs, then not playing with wingers, wing-backs, or full backs, is a recipe for failure. So too is signing slower defenders to play in a high line, orleavijg them exposed by pushing the other CBs high up the pitch.

Flip flopping between formations and having a mish-mash of players who prefer different formations (including the ones signed by Warne) were probably bigger reasons. We're looking better now because this formation suits the majority of our fit squad members.

We had Mendez-Laing and Barkhuizen contracted for the season, but Warne wanted to play a system which didn't use them so didn't sign anyone to play out wide. Except, a few weeks into the season we decided we now did want to play with wingers, but only had 2 players who were comfortable playing there. On to January, we finally sign a winger, only to change to a system which doesn't use wingers the very next day. With him back from injury and getting opportunities off the bench in a more settled system, he's starting to look better.

We signed Elder to play a fairly unfamiliar LWB role and he struggled early on. He then picked up an injury which kept him out for a while. He returned when we were playing a back 4 and looked settled after a couple of games. Picked up another injury and we've gone back to wing backs. Where will he fit in long term?

Wilson and Ward were signed for the RWB role but had niggles. Nyambe came in and we shifted away from a setup which used RWBs. Upon their return, we stuck with 4 at the back, which meant Ward/Wilson had to either play at RB where they have at times struggled defensively, or further forward where Ward doesn't have to pace to beat a man, and Wilson lacks consistent end product.

Which brings us back to Nyambe. Where will he fit in? He's good 3rd choice cover at RWB (behind Ward and Wilson), but you don't want him playing there too often due to his poor end product. He doesn't get in at RCB over Nelson, so would we drop one of our highest earners (Bradley) to put him in? Or do we go back to a back 4, drop Bradley and waste Ward/Wilson?

 

We're then onto the truly bad buys...

Fornah was always a bad buy who will cost us a few hundred thousand eventually. When we already had Bird, Hourihane, Smith, Thompson, and Sibley, with DRobinson coming through, Fornah wasn't the right type of player to sign. We needed either an out and out DM (such as Adams), or an AM with end product.

Embleton and John-Jules were high risk signings we should never have taken. With a number of other injury risks in the squad (Forsyth, Elder, Wilson, Waghorn, Washington) we couldn't afford to take on more. Embleton had only just returned to training after being out since December, and John-Jules was signed injured, having been out since the previous October.

Good points.  I don’t think it’s a bad thing having options to switch from 3 to 4 at the back, either during a game or for different games.  Often a manager has been accused of no Plan B, now we seem to have one.  I also think that the number of signings made in the summer and them taking time to adjust meant a lot of the players here were used.  If it was evolution of the squad, signings may not have been questioned as much.  At the start of the season Oxford were used as an example of a lot of signings making an impact, yet look at the comparative positions now.

Agree that Embleton and John-Jules were high risk signings, not necessarily bad signings.  They were definite gambles, and our BP probably meant they were worth taking.  The jury’s out on Fornah and we’ll find out if he has a future in the summer as to whether he’s still here or not.  If we can sign Adams, it would suggest his time is up.

[FKANorwichExile]

CBT has all the hallmarks of being a summer signing that we were given the option of bringing in a bit early. We knew he wouldn't come in and instantly be up to Warnes idea of match fit, but if you're given the option to have one of the leagues most dangerous players as an impact sub while you prepare him for next season, you take it. We've laid it into Warne and staff for not having the options to change games from the bench, and now we do. He hasn't done it yet, but he'll come good. Barks hitting form just as he gets fit doesn't help either.

What's stood out to me is how he's got an eye for a pass that very few of our forwards have. There's been a couple of times that he's picked out NML in dangerous positions that caught me off guard and I genuinely believe next season him and Nate could be scary together.

 

[angieram]

17 minutes ago, NorwichExile said:

CBT has all the hallmarks of being a summer signing that we were given the option of bringing in a bit early. We knew he wouldn't come in and instantly be up to Warnes idea of match fit, but if you're given the option to have one of the leagues most dangerous players as an impact sub while you prepare him for next season, you take it. We've laid it into Warne and staff for not having the options to change games from the bench, and now we do. He hasn't done it yet, but he'll come good. Barks hitting form just as he gets fit doesn't help either.

What's stood out to me is how he's got an eye for a pass that very few of our forwards have. There's been a couple of times that he's picked out NML in! 

dangerous positions that caught me off guard and I genuinely believe next season him and Nate could be scary together.

 

Barks hitting form just as CBT gets match fit might be no co-incidence! 

An extra benefit of the increased competition. 

[sage]

I'm getting Abdoul Camara vibes. Hopefully misplaced. 

[Caerphilly Ram]

2 hours ago, angieram said:

Barks hitting form just as CBT gets match fit might be no co-incidence! 

An extra benefit of the increased competition. 

Was thinking similar, there’s now genuine competition for places in some positions which in theory is going to drive performance levels from those “at risk”, I see it that CBT being here has helped spur Barkhuizen and NML’s form along.

[richinspain]

2 hours ago, sage said:

I'm getting Abdoul Camara vibes. Hopefully misplaced. 

Camara came with high hopes but not so much of a pedigree. Hopefully it's not another FloJo case.

[GangwayD]

Arrived carrying injuries when it’s already very difficult coming in to a new squad getting used to how players and the team like to play.

I agree, underwhelmed so far but has showed glimpses of what he could be about. 

He will need to work harder in a PW team, but add that to his ability and I think he will prove to be a good signing. 

Gangway D from the Terrace
 

 

 

[DCFC1388]

I think a fresh & fit CBT could play a huge part in these final 7 games, will give us a chance to hopefuloy rest Barkhuizen & NML.

Good to see in the videos after the match that he seemed well involved with the players & seems to have settled into the team so hopefully we start to see what he can offer ob the pitch

[Crewton]

On 15/03/2024 at 18:00, richinspain said:

Camara came with high hopes but not so much of a pedigree. Hopefully it's not another FloJo case.

He's cost us a fraction of what even Camara cost, let alone FloJo. He's also played barely 180 minutes so far, so I don't know how anyone can really judge him yet.

[Boycie]

Well he looked happy with his new mates celebrating at full time.  I’m giving him time me.

[BatRam]

To go from playing no football due to injuries to playing our style which is literally running like a mad man for 90+ its obviously gonna take time. and every time hes had a bit of time hes gone off with niggles.i think all the players we've got in are decent. Fornah has not had a chance so hes not gonna set the world alight , everyone that was getting called rubbish and stuff has now come good now that theyre fit/getting game time/got used to the system. 

[Ambitious]

With the injuries, we really could do with him stepping up now. Leyton Orient, Blackpool, Wycombe, Carlisle & Cambridge are all teams he's had goals/assists against this season, so we could do with him reproducing that going forward. 

[BatRam]

He showed some signs of life last game , hoping we can see some goals from him

[Crewton]

On 17/03/2024 at 20:14, Crewton said:

He's cost us a fraction of what even Camara cost, let alone FloJo. He's also played barely 180 minutes so far, so I don't know how anyone can really judge him yet.

See what I mean?

[VulcanRam]

He was great last night with the ball first half, but needs to do a lot more without it in this team, where at the very least everyone puts a shift in. Defensively very timid and half hearted at best. Even Smith was giving him a right talking to when he just stood off from getting involved at one point.

[jimbobram]

1 hour ago, VulcanRam said:

He was great last night with the ball first half, but needs to do a lot more without it in this team, where at the very least everyone puts a shift in. Defensively very timid and half hearted at best. Even Smith was giving him a right talking to when he just stood off from getting involved at one point.

That takes time and fitness. Wingers arent used to having to do defensive work. He's been unfit for most of the time with us and then having to learn another way to play with different team mates. He will get fitter and you'll see more of his defensive side. For now, Im more than happy to see scaring the oppositions defenders

[Wolfie20]

Not a huge fan of Eric Steele (at least not todays' version) but he made an interesting point on RD after the Blackpool match. Wingers like CBT who can just as easily go inside or out when attacking the defender, doesn't need a supporting player behind him to take a pass, otherwise it nullifies his threat if the ball then goes backwards. This would mean that a midfielder can take a somewhat more defensive position should the attacking move breaks down.

Might be some merit in his point of view.

[Magicman]

His best showing so far and his run for our first goal was brilliant. I agree he needs to up his all round game but at least progress is happening.