clint van damme
Well-Known Member
without question!
Robins' comments (15 Viewers)
- Thread starter Greggs
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Hobo
Well-Known Member
Okay lets say you are right he didn't expect McNuly to go...so he has only had 3 weeks to react. You could not block McNulty''s move for these reasons;
1. Going up two leagues on last year. Career progression.
2. 1.2 million fee of which McNulty gets a percentage.
3. His monthly wage turns into a weekly wage if not more.
4. Block that and you have a very unmotivated player. Plus it can disrupt the squad.
Difficulties:
1. Landing your target rather than just a body.
2. For Chaplin it is just a sideways move, with the hope of first team football, is he bothered whether it is Coventry or Portsmouth?
3. Every team is looking for a prolific striker and want to keep the ones they have.
4 How many are actually out there? Who have we missed out on?
5. You don't know how many people we have tried to sign? If a club publicised all there failed attempts to sign players you risk, "hang I was your 5th choice?"
6. One reason we are becoming attractive is players get a chance to play if they are good enough and if a decent offer comes in we don't stand in their way.
This year needs to be a year of consolidation. Stay in League 1 but with steady progress throughout the season.
There is a shirt up for grabs at the moment. We haven't fielded our best side yet. The transfer window hasn't closed yet...so Mark Robbins hasn't "failed" to replace anybody. It's a long season and the first 4-6 games are a lottery anyway while all teams settle down.
Pre season friendlies are about getting match fit and sharpness. You know as a player you won't get 90 minutes. So go out and bust a gut for 60 minutes. Show how much you want to be involved and want a shirt.
Robins hasn't named players. But he is right to criticise attitudes regardless of one team being a higher level than the other. 5-2 is irrelevant, it is how players have applied themselves to the task. How goals were conceded, out classed or basic errors?
He has given them a week to redeem themselves in training. Who wants the shirts? Last season has gone, players have to earn their reputations all over again. That is football folks.
It will require players to develop and adjust. It won't happen over night. Last season showed how knee jerk our fans can be and how wrong they can be over the course of a whole season.
Earlsdon_Skyblue1
Well-Known Member
Okay lets say you are right he didn't expect McNuly to go...so he has only had 3 weeks to react. You could not block McNulty''s move for these reasons;
1. Going up two leagues on last year. Career progression.
2. 1.2 million fee of which McNulty gets a percentage.
3. His monthly wage turns into a weekly wage if not more.
4. Block that and you have a very unmotivated player. Plus it can disrupt the squad.
I never said we were wrong to sell him. I accepted that for the reasons you mentioned.
Difficulties:
1. Landing your target rather than just a body. Agree, which is why you don't rush it, but equally are not complacent. Leave it too late and you get Wright, Agyei etc.
2. For Chaplin it is just a sideways move, with the hope of first team football, is he bothered whether it is Coventry or Portsmouth? Probably not, but perhaps we should be thinking seriously whether we replace our top scorer so loosely in that case.
3. Every team is looking for a prolific striker and want to keep the ones they have. Yes that's right, but we have gotten promotion and now have a much weaker strike force. How does that maths work?
4 How many are actually out there? Who have we missed out on? Just one so far by the looks of it.
5. You don't know how many people we have tried to sign? If a club publicised all there failed attempts to sign players you risk, "hang I was your 5th choice?" Considering Robins has said he has 'a target' and we have signed many other players in other positions, I would argue Chaplin has not been his 5th choice.
6. One reason we are becoming attractive is players get a chance to play if they are good enough and if a decent offer comes in we don't stand in their way.
This year needs to be a year of consolidation. Stay in League 1 but with steady progress throughout the season. I think we need to carry momentum to be honest. The rest of the squad is good enough to challenge at the top, why mess that all up because we haven't sorted just one position on the pitch?
There is a shirt up for grabs at the moment. We haven't fielded our best side yet. The transfer window hasn't closed yet...so Mark Robbins hasn't "failed" to replace anybody. It's a long season and the first 4-6 games are a lottery anyway while all teams settle down. Disagree, every game is important. We got in the playoffs by 3 points. The first 6 games has 18 points up for grabs. That's a lot! There are no excuses for being unprepared.
Pre season friendlies are about getting match fit and sharpness. You know as a player you won't get 90 minutes. So go out and bust a gut for 60 minutes. Show how much you want to be involved and want a shirt.
Robins hasn't named players. But he is right to criticise attitudes regardless of one team being a higher level than the other. 5-2 is irrelevant, it is how players have applied themselves to the task. How goals were conceded, out classed or basic errors? Agree, they need to give 100%. They shouldn't be scapegoats though and the more the season goes on and if we struggle to score goals, the more we will see players start giving up, and the more we will see the manager criticise them.
He has given them a week to redeem themselves in training. Who wants the shirts? Last season has gone, players have to earn their reputations all over again. That is football folks.
It will require players to develop and adjust. It won't happen over night. Last season showed how knee jerk our fans can be and how wrong they can be over the course of a whole season. It's not knee jerk to be worried about the striker situation. It is a real problem and so many people are closing their ears and refusing to acknowledge it.
Esoterica
Well-Known Member
Everybody is concerned about the striker situation and I don't think anyone is refusing to acknowledge it. People just recognise it's been challenging because of McNulty's forced move, is therefore not ideal, but not writing it off til the transfer window is over and we've played someone our level.
Ponticelli lacks an all round game, Biamou is in unknown territory, needs to improve by similar margins again this season and can't start the season with a 10 game goal-less streak, JCH needs to show that he's the striker vs Brighton, not the one who spent the last 6 weeks of the season on his arse, and everyone believes we need to replace McNulty with someone to play off Biamou and JCH. For me though I don't think a 4-2-3-1 of Ogogo/Kelly/Doyle behind Jones/Andreu/Allassani/Bayliss/Shipley behind JCH or Biamou is as disastrous as you're making out. It might not be promotion levels but I think it will still be solid L1. I would definitely want at least 1 more striker though and on a permanent too - one of the best parts of last season was not shitting myself that our key player would be going back in January.
If we finish the season challenging for play offs it's as good as we have been as a team since we were relegated from the Championship which is 7 seasons already.
fernandopartridge
Well-Known Member
For the millionth time I've not seen one poster say that McNulty doesn't need replacing.
The difference is there your camp believing he needs replacing or we'll finish with a negative points tally or the other camp believing he needs replacing but only with the right player. You mention Agyei and Wright yet your kind of mentality is what led to those signings! The get somebody in quick or we're doomed, forget scouting just take a chance.
You've already written Biamou off before a ball has been kicked, yet you're supposed to be the rational one!
Hobo
Well-Known Member
Consolidation can carry momentum, we are in a higher league so finishing say 10th would be progress. Especially if we finished stronger than we started.
Yes every game is important, but a bad start does not necessarily mean a bad season. McNulty had a poor start last year but had a successful season. As a team we finished stronger than we started. Too many fans focus on every game rather than blocks of games. They over react to set backs.
Nobody has been made a scapegoat? Who was named? Robins said he hasnt been able yet to pick a team to win a game, but he expects those picked to at least run around and try. Application was questioned and players have been told to prepare better for next week. If they can't step up he will look for replacements. That is a fact at every football club. The players need to know what the expected standards are; they can't be reached without hard work by everyone.
Of course replacing McNulty is a problem. But not necessarily an easy one, so give MR time, the window hasn't closed yet. The knee jerk comment referred to fans judging McNulty to be crap last year for at least half a season and not recognising what a class player we had. Also I lost count of how many times across the season when we lost a game or drew a game, fans were saying we had blown promotion? Again too much focus on individual results rather than a bigger picture.
clint van damme
Well-Known Member
pretty much echos my thoughts but what I would add is that I am really surprised Ponticelli hasn't gone on loan.
I wonder if Robins is waiting until the striker situation is resolved. The lad needs to be playing regularly in order to progress IMHO.
Irish Sky Blue
Well-Known Member
I agree that we need the out and out goalscorer type that McNulty was/is. However, in the second half yestetday with Andreu, Allassani, Bayliss and Mason running at the Albion defence, we looked likely to score. Biamou, I felt, wasn’t quite on his game (cue guffaws from some on here) while still being far more effective than JCH. He wasn’t far away and you could see an understanding there in the making with Andreu. Some very clever flicks and lay offs which didn’t quite come off yesterday but which will in the future.Add Jones and a goalscorer to that mixture and I think we look a potent force.
Mason looks a cross between Bigi and Danny Thomas, the looks of the former and the athleticism of the latter. I was impressed with him.
JHC brought one ball down superbly on his chest, a Kingesque movement, from a drop kick by O’Brien promptly passed to an Albion player. He did well to muscle his way into the penalty area but really should have scored or at least made the keeper save. That, as far as I could see, was his only positive contributions. Apart from odd flashes of strength, speed and skill I don’t see what he offers. He has got to do better than yesterday. At the moment, if we play with the big man option it has to be Max.
clint van damme
Well-Known Member
Good point.
Hobo
Well-Known Member
I think the above. Also I think in pre season it is an opportunity to give him a chance. He scored a couple of goals at the end of last season and deserves a chance especially with McNulty moving.
I think coming off the bench regularly should be Ponticelli's target before a loan this season. The opportunity is there for him. Ultimately I think Robins will know what is best for his development
shmmeee
Well-Known Member
It's a straw man, the point isn't "quick get anyone" it's "we should've done the scouting required by now".
clint van damme
Well-Known Member
but not if you thought McNulty was staying.
The situation isn't ideal to say the least but in my opinion we've generally gone about our business far more professionally than in recent years but we can't expect everything to be plain sailing.
Let's see what Robins has up his sleeve.
SlowerThanPlatt
Well-Known Member
How much longer can we actually wait for Chaplin and Pompey? The window closes on the 9th. If we haven’t been given the green light by Tuesday we need to move on IMO and pursue our second or third choice target as ideally we want someone in for the opening game
Gibbo
Well-Known Member
How do you know we haven't already?
clint van damme
Well-Known Member
to be honest, my biggest concern is how many of our players seem to be obsessed with Love Island.
junglej13
Well-Known Member
A lot of panic on here, admittedly preseason has been a bit of a mess with the late start due to the playoffs, a number of players returning from long term injuries and Bayliss and Sterling being away. Every club in the country is probably behind with their recruitment due to the World Cup and the next ten days will see players become available all across the football league. At least it seems like we have a deal in place provisionally for Chaplin and he it sounds like he wants the move.
SlowerThanPlatt
Well-Known Member
I don’t but he said after the WBA game he’s still waiting for the right ones so with how long he’s already waited I think he’s holding out hoping the Chaplin deal will come about
By the ‘right ones’ I’m taking it as an example if Chaplin is one of the ‘right ones’ securing him might dictate who the others might be. If Robins has to look elsewhere his shopping list might change altogether. We have nearly 2 weeks until the permanent transfer window closes and just over a month until the loan window shuts. Going to be a lot of coming and goings all over the country in the next few weeks,
Also it’s right what jungle says Robins didn’t know until after Wembley what division he was shopping for 1or 2 I suspect he had two very different lists, let’s just be patient.
Also it’s right what jungle says Robins didn’t know until after Wembley what division he was shopping for 1or 2 I suspect he had two very different lists, let’s just be patient.
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Deleted member 5849
Guest
Shouldn't we expect any of our players to leave?
Anyway, not sure what the fuss on this thread is - Earlsdon's not gone as extreme as his Sterling chat, he's saying it's have been nice to get our striker in by now. He's not wrong, is he?
Pete in Portugal
Well-Known Member
Having listened to Robins post match interview, it's not just about signing new players. He said something like: after today, some players will not be coming with us, they won't be making the journey with us, (unless they pull their finger out). I've got a lot of work to do before Saturday.
This is just speculation, but my interpretation of that statement is that he will try to offload McDonald, and possibly O'Brien too, this week. In addition, when Kelly and Westbrooke return to match fitness, I wouldn't be surprised to see Maycock go out on loan. And once he's signed a striker, I suspect Ponticelli will be loaned out too.
If that's correct, Thompson has already effectively replaced McDonald in the squad and Robins will try to sign a keeper, as well as at least one striker this week.
This is just speculation, but my interpretation of that statement is that he will try to offload McDonald, and possibly O'Brien too, this week. In addition, when Kelly and Westbrooke return to match fitness, I wouldn't be surprised to see Maycock go out on loan. And once he's signed a striker, I suspect Ponticelli will be loaned out too.
If that's correct, Thompson has already effectively replaced McDonald in the squad and Robins will try to sign a keeper, as well as at least one striker this week.
better days
Well-Known Member
I suspect Rod is looking for a way out
He certainly didn't live up to his concrete label
SkyBlueCRJ
Well-Known Member
Is Thompson good enough to be included in the first team picture yet? Plus, if McDonald departs, surely we'll need a player of his ilk to replace him. Isn't Thompson a like for like to Willis in regards to how he plays in the athletic CB mould.
capel & collindridge
Well-Known Member
Well, doesn't concrete tend to crumble, unless reinforced?
Perhaps being reinforced with just one shaky Rod proved insufficient.
fernandopartridge
Well-Known Member
What's McDonald's ilk? He isn't one thing nor another really, can certainly see why he was released from Northampton.
Grendel
Well-Known Member
I’d say he’s easily replaceable
SkyBlueCRJ
Well-Known Member
A unit of a CB.
Nick
Administrator
A unit in what way? He isn't overly big and strong or quick.
SkyBlueCRJ
Well-Known Member
McDonald is 6"3 and hardly weak? His decision making (at times) and ability on the ball however is what lets him down, his strength and aggressiveness is what made him stand out in the first half of the season?
Mucca Mad Boys
Well-Known Member
Davies is a unit, McDonald was bullied by bigger strikers. The best examples being v Cambridge and Luton.
Earlsdon_Skyblue1
Well-Known Member
No, you seem to have had too much shandy with your Sunday lunch and failed to read my post properly again.
The reason signings like Ageyi and Wright were made was because Mowbray put all his eggs in one basket and was happy to wait until the end of the transfer window. He then panicked and signed these players as he had no time to bring in others. I've never said we need to rush replacing McNulty, I have just said we need to avoid being complacent, and avoid doing exactly what Mowbray did!
As it stands the season starts this week, so I would argue that we are heading in that direction. It's dangerous territory and no doubt many of our fans who are getting on the backs of people concerned will be the ones wondering what on earth went wrong if we finish in the bottom half.
I haven't written off Biamou, it's just clear as day based on 40+ games last season that he is no where near the level of McNulty, or ready to lead the line in League One on his own. He will make a really positive contribution I'm sure, but to accept him as McNulty's adequate replacement in a league above is ridiculous.
Liquid Gold
Well-Known Member
Rod has just been a completely different player since Nov/Dec I don't know if that's because of his new baby and lack of sleep or other rumours but I wouldn't lose any sleep if he left. We may as well develop Thompson as 4th choice over having a more experienced pro not up to the job.
SkyBlueCRJ
Well-Known Member
Davies isn't the biggest though as he stands at around 6"1.
Admittedly McDonald didn't fair well against Cambridge or Luton but in all fairness to him both Cambridge and Luton have some of the strongest strikers in the league. In fact Uche Ikpeazu was probably one of the strongest strikers in the FL before his recent move to Hearts this summer so lets be honest most defenders would probably find some difficulty in not being bullied by such a striker.
His drop in form during the second half of the season shocked me and if I'm honest I can't point to a direct reason but the lack of size and strength was never his issue IMO. He's not the strongest out there, which was proven by his vulnerability when faced with a stronger striker as you've pointed out, but that doesn't necessarily qualify him as weak. He wasn't labeled as Iron Rod for no reason!
Nick
Administrator
He wasn't strong or aggressive unless I am missing something.
His style was meant to be the footballing brain rather than the brute, he was good because he read the game well.
Mucca Mad Boys
Well-Known Member
Height isn’t the be all and end all, there’s a host of world class defenders under 6”. It’s about being able to outjump and outmuscle your opposite man. Davies is our most aggressive player by a distance in the way he attacks the ball from set pieces and so on.
SkyBlueCRJ
Well-Known Member
Here's Robins' quote upon signing him last summer:
"I’m really looking forward to working with Rod. He is a quick, strong and aggressive centre half, who can also read the game well."
Not sure what player you were watching, especially during the first half of last season, but he was definitely strong and athletic, that was never his issue and the basis on why he was brought in as we lacked a player of his type during the 2016-17 season.
If anything it was his inconsistency in reading the game well that contributed to his drop in form last season. Case and point was the Yeovil game.
He didn't show any of these attributes during the latter half of the season though so I understand your point. He looked sluggish and as Mucca said, he was exposed when he came up against big strikers.