Robins Summer Signings (4 Viewers)

Londonccfcfan

Well-Known Member
As we have now played over a third of the season and we have seen the majority of the new signings play a decent amount of games. I thought it would be interesting to rate the summer signings.

Who's impressed you and who's dissapointed.

Liam Obrian - 6 ....Hasn't really had a proper run apart from two howlers I think he's been really good other than the mistakes. Good in cup games. Very good shot stopper and good distributer. Step up from RCC.

Grimmer 7.5 - Good signing, gets up and down the pitch,all energy and is strong in tackle and decent in air good solid league 2 right back. Slightly suspect defensively and positionally.

R. Ma Donald 9 - Very consistent, strong and man mountain at the back. Decent distribution too. Best summer signing. Player of the season so far.

Tom Davies 8 - judging him on a few appearances only, been very impressed. Good young age, wins good headers and again a good dominant centre back no nonsense.

D Hyam 7- Filled in admirably when Willis was unavailable so again on first few appearances, definately one for the future and great back up.

Doyle 9 - What we been missing for years. Enough said.

Kelly 7 - Good signing, started off a bit slowly but has got better and better forged an excellent partnership and understanding with Doyle. Must improve his contribution with an assist and goal or two.

Vincenti 5 - For me he has had a disappointing first third maybe because my expectations of him were high and that I expect him to win everything in the air. He has had a lot games now and I remain unconvinced how he fits into this team. He's not suited out on the wing so it's not all his fault. Decent player there but I'm not sure we get the best out of him. Had a couple of very good games but has since dropped off the pace. Subsequently his place taken by Devon Kelly Evans, who's place has since has been taken by Shipley.

McNulty 5 - Tempted to rate him lower, but I feel because of a couple niggly injuries will give him the benefit of the doubt. Been hugely disappointed, he has missed some very good chances and you can see there is a good player there but his confidence seems to be lacking. Probably on a very decent wage so would be tempted to let him go in January so we can maybe buy a different striker.

Biamou 6- Mixed feelings about Biamou, first time he was thrown in you could see he was no way ready and out his depth. But the lad has improved considerably game on game, given us some much needed physicality this season up front. Obviously goal wise in the league yet to contribute, but in my eyes has made more contributions to the team compared to McNulty. He has still a lot of improving to do and is a raw talent.

Nazon 8.5 - Good loan signing, Has skill, pace and strength. Leading goal scorer. Can frustrate and can be greedy. Definitely compliments Jones and provides that X factor.

Apologies about my grammar.

Overall Summary of Mark Robbins recruitment in the Summer, 8/10. With the budget we have I feel that's excellent.

Really hoping for our definately first top 7 finish in years. Hopefully Automatic.
 

Otis

Well-Known Member
O'Brien 6.5
Grimmer 7
Davies 7
McDonald 9
Hyam 6.5
Doyle 7.5
Kelly 8
Vincenti 5
Biamou 6
McNulty 6
Nazon 7.5
 

singers_pore

Well-Known Member
O'Brien 7 - decent back up - hope he cuts out the silly errors
Grimmer 7.5 - better than a lot of fans give him credit for
Davies 7 - looks solid
McDonald 9 - best signing for a long time
Hyam 7 - looks solid
Doyle 7 - ok, has his limitations but his effort and leadership cannot be faulted
Kelly 8 - very good
Vincenti 5.5 - not good enough
Biamou 5 - should be playing for the U23s along with Ponticelli
McNulty 4 - utterly dreadful
Nazon 8.5 - excellent - wish he belonged to CCFC rather than Wolves. I recall Robins originally signed him to play in the U23s rather than the first team. This makes me doubt that Robins knows how to judge a striker. At long last Robins seems to be getting the message that Le Duck is a much better player than McNumpty.
 

steve82

Well-Known Member
O'Brien 7 - decent back up - hope he cuts out the silly errors
Grimmer 7.5 - better than a lot of fans give him credit for
Davies 7 - looks solid
McDonald 9 - best signing for a long time
Hyam 7 - looks solid
Doyle 7 - ok, has his limitations but his effort and leadership cannot be faulted
Kelly 8 - very good
Vincenti 5.5 - not good enough
Biamou 5 - should be playing for the U23s along with Ponticelli
McNulty 4 - utterly dreadful
Nazon 8.5 - excellent - wish he belonged to CCFC rather than Wolves. I recall Robins originally signed him to play in the U23s rather than the first team. This makes me doubt that Robins knows how to judge a striker. At long last Robins seems to be getting the message that Le Duck is a much better player than McNumpty.

Not one for picking holes but if I'm reading things right you comment on Nazon who as you say is on loan from Wolves. I'm sure part of the agreement with Wolves would be he played 1st team games in L2.... not u23's football for us in the lower development league where he could do the same at Wolves his parent club in the higher PL2 league
 

better days

Well-Known Member
Not one for picking holes but if I'm reading things right you comment on Nazon who as you say is on loan from Wolves. I'm sure part of the agreement with Wolves would be he played 1st team games in L2.... not u23's football for us in the lower development league where he could do the same at Wolves his parent club in the higher PL2 league
I think it was Hyam who was signed on those terms wasn't it"
 

steve82

Well-Known Member
I think it was Hyam who was signed on those terms wasn't it"

That's who I thought of yes, that's who Robins quoted in the summer. Then he was thrust into the 1st due to Willis being injured and did a outstanding job. Was unlucky to be dropped tho it was done for tactical reasons to give a balance of attributes to the back 4.
 

stevefloyd

Well-Known Member
I think most of the scores are right, seriously disappointed in McNulty and would be happy for him to leave along with Vincenti, its not a bad return for all the players Robins has signed, real pity about Andreu but I do feel sorry for Vincenti, he is obviously not a wide player I would be tempted to try him in the Andreu role because he is an awkward cumbersome player who may just surprise us but wouldn't be too upset if he was binned come January for someone who was more agile, wouldn't worry me too much about Biamou going but he is getting more involved and if he managed a few goals would be inclined to persevere with him but again wouldn't miss him IF we could replace him with more quality
 

harvey098

Well-Known Member
Agree with the OP almost word for word. I’m also so gutted about Andreu, he was the most excited I’ve been about a signing for a long time.
 

dongonzalos

Well-Known Member
He has done well with his recruitment drive.
Much better than last time round.
McNulty was a big error, however he has got us so strong defensively that we can ride that till January.
 
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Esoterica

Well-Known Member
As we have now played over a third of the season and we have seen the majority of the new signings play a decent amount of games. I thought it would be interesting to rate the summer signings.

Who's impressed you and who's dissapointed.

Liam Obrian - 6 ....Hasn't really had a proper run apart from two howlers I think he's been really good other than the mistakes. Good in cup games. Very good shot stopper and good distributer. Step up from RCC.

Grimmer 7.5 - Good signing, gets up and down the pitch,all energy and is strong in tackle and decent in air good solid league 2 right back. Slightly suspect defensively and positionally.

R. Ma Donald 9 - Very consistent, strong and man mountain at the back. Decent distribution too. Best summer signing. Player of the season so far.

Tom Davies 8 - judging him on a few appearances only, been very impressed. Good young age, wins good headers and again a good dominant centre back no nonsense.

D Hyam 7- Filled in admirably when Willis was unavailable so again on first few appearances, definately one for the future and great back up.

Doyle 9 - What we been missing for years. Enough said.

Kelly 7 - Good signing, started off a bit slowly but has got better and better forged an excellent partnership and understanding with Doyle. Must improve his contribution with an assist and goal or two.

Vincenti 5 - For me he has had a disappointing first third maybe because my expectations of him were high and that I expect him to win everything in the air. He has had a lot games now and I remain unconvinced how he fits into this team. He's not suited out on the wing so it's not all his fault. Decent player there but I'm not sure we get the best out of him. Had a couple of very good games but has since dropped off the pace. Subsequently his place taken by Devon Kelly Evans, who's place has since has been taken by Shipley.

McNulty 5 - Tempted to rate him lower, but I feel because of a couple niggly injuries will give him the benefit of the doubt. Been hugely disappointed, he has missed some very good chances and you can see there is a good player there but his confidence seems to be lacking. Probably on a very decent wage so would be tempted to let him go in January so we can maybe buy a different striker.

Biamou 6- Mixed feelings about Biamou, first time he was thrown in you could see he was no way ready and out his depth. But the lad has improved considerably game on game, given us some much needed physicality this season up front. Obviously goal wise in the league yet to contribute, but in my eyes has made more contributions to the team compared to McNulty. He has still a lot of improving to do and is a raw talent.

Nazon 8.5 - Good loan signing, Has skill, pace and strength. Leading goal scorer. Can frustrate and can be greedy. Definitely compliments Jones and provides that X factor.

Apologies about my grammar.

Overall Summary of Mark Robbins recruitment in the Summer, 8/10. With the budget we have I feel that's excellent.

Really hoping for our definately first top 7 finish in years. Hopefully Automatic.
I'm surprised you rate Doyle 2 points higher than Kelly. They are very similar style players but for me Kelly is better in every technical aspect and 9(!!) years younger. From the non technical side if you watch the flash points back from Saturday for example, who is first in the faces of the opposition when Mansfield catch Burge late or use their elbows? It's Kelly. Doyle's work rate and commitment can never be questionned and he has played well for the most part but he's got limitations I don't think Kelly has.
I also wish Doyle would stop running over to every free kick and then playing a short pass. If the plan is to keep the tempo going then anyone can do that job and he can be in the middle showing for a pass forward through the middle instead of turning our back 4 into a back 5. Happens so often from free kicks: Someone gets fouled, Doyle tears over and plays a quick short pass to a defender, our already limited options in midfield are even more so... so defender goes long - possession lost.
 

Liquid Gold

Well-Known Member
I don’t know why McDonald hasn’t got a 10. Managed to pick him up for nothing and he’s been an absolute warrior at the back, wins everything and stays committed for 90 minutes. Without him I suspect we’d have conceded a lot more goals. I think you’d be hard pressed to find any better signings in league 2.
 

Otis

Well-Known Member
I don’t know why McDonald hasn’t got a 10. Managed to pick him up for nothing and he’s been an absolute warrior at the back, wins everything and stays committed for 90 minutes. Without him I suspect we’d have conceded a lot more goals. I think you’d be hard pressed to find any better signings in league 2.
Cos 10's a perfect and no-one's perfect except for Tom Brady.
 

Esoterica

Well-Known Member
I still think McNulty will come good
Robins hasn't been wrong about much so far
Me too. He'd barely played for a year and was just starting to look sharp when he got that hamstring injury. Now he's just starting to look sharp again. Played well and scored at Luton before being brought down clean through on goal (should get an assist for Shipley's goal). Played well and should have had an assist for his defense splitting pass at Mansfield if Ponticelli hadn't fluffed his one on one and then got stifled in a defensive first half at Lincoln. To describe him as utterly dreadful is a disgrace.
 

steve82

Well-Known Member
I don’t know why McDonald hasn’t got a 10. Managed to pick him up for nothing and he’s been an absolute warrior at the back, wins everything and stays committed for 90 minutes. Without him I suspect we’d have conceded a lot more goals. I think you’d be hard pressed to find any better signings in league 2.

Super Rod was a undisclosed fee, but worth every penny! Class act he is
 

steve82

Well-Known Member
This is how I score the summer signings based on impact and performances in the 1st team.
Rod Mcdonald 9
Micky Doyle 8.5
Duckens Nazon 8.5
Tom Davies 8.5
Jack Grimmer 8
Liam Kelly 8
Dominic Hyam 7.5
Maxime Biamou 6.5
Liam O'Brien 6.5
Marc McNulty 5.5
Peter Vincenti 5

James Pearson and Tony Andreu I cannot score as they had little time to impact tho from the little we did see I suspect Andreu would of been a massive hit

Tom Davies has been excellent in the few games he's played. Never misses a header and as solid as Rod Mcdonald, I think he will be as dependable as him.
I honestly think he's gonna become a mainstay in the side as the pitches cut up and the opposition go route one over the winter months.

MR has a big decision once Grimmer is fit
 
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Londonccfcfan

Well-Known Member
I'm surprised you rate Doyle 2 points higher than Kelly. They are very similar style players but for me Kelly is better in every technical aspect and 9(!!) years younger. From the non technical side if you watch the flash points back from Saturday for example, who is first in the faces of the opposition when Mansfield catch Burge late or use their elbows? It's Kelly. Doyle's work rate and commitment can never be questionned and he has played well for the most part but he's got limitations I don't think Kelly has.
I also wish Doyle would stop running over to every free kick and then playing a short pass. If the plan is to keep the tempo going then anyone can do that job and he can be in the middle showing for a pass forward through the middle instead of turning our back 4 into a back 5. Happens so often from free kicks: Someone gets fouled, Doyle tears over and plays a quick short pass to a defender, our already limited options in midfield are even more so... so defender goes long - possession lost.

Theres not alot in it.

Doyle signing gave the club a huge lift after relegation. He captained portsmouth to the title. (more psychological) early sign of intent huge stateement.

His game management has been superb, hes in the refs ear. His contribution is immense.

Kelly looks more elegant and is a good player but i would not say i entirely he is more technically gifted than Doyle. Theres a reason Doyle has played consistently at higher level than Kelly.

Doyle is much more consistant level of performance.

Ie Doyle would never have the stinker of a game Kelly had against Newport. He gave the ball away 50 times. And tgese were 5 to 10 yard passes.

Im not trying to be critical of Kelly overall a very good signing at this level. But he doesnt attempt the range of passes Doyle does. But that is maybe a positive, they both keep it simple. He definately can and should be creating and scoring more goals. Hence a 7.
 

Londonccfcfan

Well-Known Member
Me too. He'd barely played for a year and was just starting to look sharp when he got that hamstring injury. Now he's just starting to look sharp again. Played well and scored at Luton before being brought down clean through on goal (should get an assist for Shipley's goal). Played well and should have had an assist for his defense splitting pass at Mansfield if Ponticelli hadn't fluffed his one on one and then got stifled in a defensive first half at Lincoln. To describe him as utterly dreadful is a disgrace.
Im your camp here, been saying he will comme good. But been saying it all season so far, thought Luton goal would give him the boost. But still mot yet materialised. Should have done better in cup game too.
 

Nick

Administrator
Doyle has also had a stinker in fairness, there was a home game where near enough every pass went out of play.

Also, see first goal against Luton ;)
 

Covstu

Well-Known Member
Mine:

O'Brien 6
Grimmer 8
Davies 7
McDonald 8.5
Hyam 6
Doyle 7.5
Kelly 7.5
Vincenti 5.5
Biamou 5.5
McNulty 5
Nazon 9
 

Captain Dart

Well-Known Member
Even better then, identifying he was available and actually spending the money. Don't forget our Tone spent money on Jordan bloody Turnbull.
Good grief yes, currently 'starring' in team lying 11th of 12 in SPL.
 

sw88

Chief Commentator!
O'Brien 6 - unlucky with his errors but still looks a good keeper
Grimmer 8 - really like this kid! Still needs to work on his end product mind
Davies 7 - good cover. Can’t see him getting in the way of Willis / McDonald bromance
McDonald 9 - what a find!
Hyam 7 - like the look of him! Looks a very good find. And Atleast he was signed as a ‘potential’ so he couldn’t be too downhearted when his first team spell was so short!
Doyle -1 ;) (8 really. Yes, really :D) - he’s done well and there are parts of his game I have grown to like. And I’m told his attitude off the pitch is much better than his first time
Kelly 7.5 - all too often we seem to want to play the ball trough him of Doyle, but they do seem to have a good partnership going, albeit offering us more a defensive set up than attacking
Vincenti 6 - I do think he offers us something and don’t think our down turn in results was coincidently at the same time as him being out, but I’m not sure we know his best position?
Biamou 6 - think he wins a lot but needs someone upntop to make use of that! Until then it will just look like he’s losing us possession.
McNulty 6 - very disapppinting given that he almost came in as the answer to all our prayers when it came to getting goals. Bar penalties, a bit of luck (Grimsby) and the one good header, he’s not really been an answer to much!
Nazon 9 - another great find. Bit like Armstrong, did we really know how effective he was going to be until he was actually here? I’m not sure! But either way it’s paying off
 

fernandopartridge

Well-Known Member
All pretty decent so far, I definitely think there is more to come from McNulty. Vincenti has been a bit disappointing, perhaps the injuries he has had have caught up on him, he looked better than this against us for Rochdale.
 

steve82

Well-Known Member
O'Brien 6 - unlucky with his errors but still looks a good keeper
Grimmer 8 - really like this kid! Still needs to work on his end product mind
Davies 7 - good cover. Can’t see him getting in the way of Willis / McDonald bromance
McDonald 9 - what a find!
Hyam 7 - like the look of him! Looks a very good find. And Atleast he was signed as a ‘potential’ so he couldn’t be too downhearted when his first team spell was so short!
Doyle -1 (8 really. Yes, really ) - he’s done well and there are parts of his game I have grown to like. And I’m told his attitude off the pitch is much better than his first time
Kelly 7.5 - all too often we seem to want to play the ball trough him of Doyle, but they do seem to have a good partnership going, albeit offering us more a defensive set up than attacking
Vincenti 6 - I do think he offers us something and don’t think our down turn in results was coincidently at the same time as him being out, but I’m not sure we know his best position?
Biamou 6 - think he wins a lot but needs someone upntop to make use of that! Until then it will just look like he’s losing us possession.
McNulty 6 - very disapppinting given that he almost came in as the answer to all our prayers when it came to getting goals. Bar penalties, a bit of luck (Grimsby) and the one good header, he’s not really been an answer to much!
Nazon 9 - another great find. Bit like Armstrong, did we really know how effective he was going to be until he was actually here? I’m not sure! But either way it’s paying off

I can honestly see Tom Davies stealing the centre pairing spot with Rod Mcdonald very soon.

He's not as quick as Willis but as the pitches change I don't see the need for Willis pace as I've not seen many quick strikers that Mcdonald couldn't cope with especially as we're generally quite deep as a side so the physical commanding threat of Davies in the air will be of better use as he's better in that type of role than Willis.

Also Davies is very good threat in the opposition box at set pieces, also has a sweet shot on him.
 

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