Bakayoko/Chaplin (10 Viewers)

Skyblueol

Well-Known Member
I think we all would agree who we thought was going to be the success out the two but personally i think baka is more influential to the team. I think we play better as a team with Baka and i think Jordy benefits from playing with baka. Chaplin snatches at shots and baka is a threat in the air. I hope chaplin comes good but i know who i would rather have now.
 

Liquid Gold

Well-Known Member
I'm feeling good about it at the moment. Chaplin has missed too many chances this season but was still getting in the positions to miss them so hopefully can be coached to improve. Baka has come on leaps and bounds. They both offer something different and Hiwula has really taken to the left forward role after some dodgy performances.
 

torchomatic

Well-Known Member
I'm going to wait to see what another teams fans say before passing judgement.

I'm going to wait to see what you say on what those fans from other teams are saying before passing judgement. #AnnounceChaplin
 

GaryMabbuttsLeftKnee

Well-Known Member
I'm feeling good about it at the moment. Chaplin has missed too many chances this season but was still getting in the positions to miss them so hopefully can be coached to improve. Baka has come on leaps and bounds. They both offer something different and Hiwula has really taken to the left forward role after some dodgy performances.
Couldn't agree more on the Hiwula point. There was a point where Jodi re-did his ACL that I was concerned that we were going to have to play the season with Shipley on the left. That isn't necessarily a criticism of Shipley, just he doesn't suit that formation, style of player, (or in my opinion) being a wide left player. Hiwula's ability to adapt to left wing and the introduciton or Bright and Kelly has turned our season around, not necessarily entirely results based but in terms of how we manage to control a game. Added to that, Shipley has come in and done well when required or when we've needed to adapt. People have seemed to suggest that Thomas and Sterling have gone off the boil recently, but what I think has actually happened is that we now have two sides to attack from and are much more balanced. Up until around Christmas time (Scunthorpe away was probably the most telling) absolutely everything had to come down our right hand side, and we were unbelievably reliant on them, now they are less involved as we have a more dynamic left-hand side.
 

hill83

Well-Known Member
I'm going to wait to see what you say on what those fans from other teams are saying before passing judgement. #AnnounceChaplin

Walsall fans are absolutely clueless buffoons like all other fans of other clubs but if they say a player we are about to sign is shit then he's shit
 

Liquid Gold

Well-Known Member
Someone else made this point the other day but I completely agree. I can see why Baka didn't score in the thankless task of a lone front man for Walsall last season seeing their style of play at the Ricoh. It was reported at £300k but I think that's with all add-ons, I've heard £70k initial. Could end up as a massive bargain.
 
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Deleted member 5849

Guest
Couldn't agree more on the Hiwula point. There was a point where Jodi re-did his ACL that I was concerned that we were going to have to play the season with Shipley on the left. That isn't necessarily a criticism of Shipley, just he doesn't suit that formation, style of player, (or in my opinion) being a wide left player. Hiwula's ability to adapt to left wing and the introduciton or Bright and Kelly has turned our season around, not necessarily entirely results based but in terms of how we manage to control a game. Added to that, Shipley has come in and done well when required or when we've needed to adapt. People have seemed to suggest that Thomas and Sterling have gone off the boil recently, but what I think has actually happened is that we now have two sides to attack from and are much more balanced. Up until around Christmas time (Scunthorpe away was probably the most telling) absolutely everything had to come down our right hand side, and we were unbelievably reliant on them, now they are less involved as we have a more dynamic left-hand side.
Hmmm.

Personally I really don't think Hiwula suits the left side in the slightest. He goes missing, does little, offers no support in defence.

What he has done is chip in with a goal or two and, in a side where nobody scores, that's been welcome. He's a centre forward or nothing however, in my view.
 

Liquid Gold

Well-Known Member
Hmmm.

Personally I really don't think Hiwula suits the left side in the slightest. He goes missing, does little, offers no support in defence.

What he has done is chip in with a goal or two and, in a side where nobody scores, that's been welcome. He's a centre forward or nothing however, in my view.
He’s not a winger which is what he was being asked to play earlier in the season. Since Bright has come in as a proper number 10 though we can play the 4-2-3-1 that Robins favours and he’s done much better as a wide forward.
 
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Deleted member 5849

Guest
He’s not a winger which is what he was being asked to play earlier in the season. Since Bright has come in as a proper number 10 though we can play the 4-2-3-1 that Robins favours and he’s done much better as a wide forward.
tbh, he still seems to go missing in my view.

There's an argument to be made that combine Thomas's work ethic, with Hiwula's scoring and you have a player we couldn't afford, but he's currently showing himself as a player who needs to score to justify his existence and, if that carries on, then great! He does!

But he just doesn't seem to show for the ball as much as some. Half the time you can't say he does anything wrong, as he goes AWOL. It's easier to get away from that if your role is solely to finish off the chances, but he's being asked to play a position where more's needed.
 

Warwickhunt

Well-Known Member
Walsall fans are absolutely clueless buffoons like all other fans of other clubs but if they say a player we are about to sign is shit then he's shit
Its the same as us telling Bristol Rovers fans that JCH was crap! See what i mean the striker needs to fit into a system and Bristol Rovers suits JCH and i think that Baka is getting used to ours now
 

lordy_87

Well-Known Member
I think Baka has massive potential, has all the attributes, speed, size, hardworking and seems to just effortlessley glide into goal scoring positions. He still needs work with his finishing, touch and making the most of his size, but give him time and I honestly think he can be 20 goals bakayoko
 

covcity4life

Well-Known Member
think with baka what i want to see is consistent 90 min performances

vs burton he was v poor bar assisting the goal
 

CCFC88

Well-Known Member
I think also the level of service has improved since Bright came in, not just with his play but his positioning creates more space for Thomas & Hiwula to get into positions where a chance can be created or for Bright to slot the ball through to them in on goal.

Defenders look lost when he has the ball in between their back four and midfield, happened a few times on Saturday especially when Pboro were chasing and pushing forward, Kelly would win the ball, give it straight to Bright beyond their midfield and we were effectively 4 on 4 with Thomas and Hiwula pushing forward.

Im sure this was the style of attacking play Robins planed on introducing at the start of the season with Andreu but it just wouldn't click.
 

Sky_Blue_Dreamer

Well-Known Member
As I've said elsewhere I think we've come across this system that's working reasonably well (though still needs to be more prolific in front of goal) and Baka/Hiwula (along with Bright and Thomas, and to a lesser extent Bayliss) is the best combo we've come across this season.

Maybe Chaplin has been feeling the effects of the transfer, both mentally with the price tag and physically with the disruption during pre-season. I really hope that as of next season he can show us more of what he's capable of as he's more settled and we also should have Max back who I think would be a good foil for him. I've found his slight lack of pace surprising given the Pompey said he was quick and for a poacher he does spend a lot of time dropping deep rather than on the shoulder of the last man (possibly due to instruction)

I'm just not sure MR will be the manager to get the best from him though. I think he's a player that needs to just be left to score goals whereas MR has a more cautious approach and his preferred system doesn't help with that. On the other hand, I think his approach suits Baka and Hiwula who I feel need the occasional arse-kicking to prevent complacency.

But from what I've seen of Chaplin I can't help feel we had a player of the same mould already with us in Ponti who's looked good at younger levels and scored a few goals despite limited time off the bench. To have both options pushing each other next season would be a fantastic problem to have, with the other on the bench if the other isn't having a good day.
 

Sky_Blue_Dreamer

Well-Known Member
Baka is quite big, Chaplin is quite small. It's easier for someone quite big to play up top on their own. In my own very technical opinion.

I agree to an extent and given the choice instinct would make me play the big guy over the small one as a lone front man, but I guess it also depends on how you provide for them.

If you want to have the ball held up and wait for the midfield to support - big man no question. But if you can find space behind full backs or big less-agile defenders to run into a short quick striker can be effective, or at the very least make the opposition drop back a bit allowing more space in the midfield.
 

Londonccfcfan

Well-Known Member
Baka is quite big, Chaplin is quite small. It's easier for someone quite big to play up top on their own. In my own very technical opinion.

Chaplins lack pf pace is a worry not to mention finishing. He should have been well into double figures.
He has age on his side, confidence is probably his big issue afyer missing so many chances.

His time willcome. Robins will manage him.
 

Sky_Blue_Dreamer

Well-Known Member
I think also the level of service has improved since Bright came in, not just with his play but his positioning creates more space for Thomas & Hiwula to get into positions where a chance can be created or for Bright to slot the ball through to them in on goal.

Defenders look lost when he has the ball in between their back four and midfield, happened a few times on Saturday especially when Pboro were chasing and pushing forward, Kelly would win the ball, give it straight to Bright beyond their midfield and we were effectively 4 on 4 with Thomas and Hiwula pushing forward.

Im sure this was the style of attacking play Robins planed on introducing at the start of the season with Andreu but it just wouldn't click.

I'm not sure the level of service has improved necessarily. Bright can be infuriating at times in slowing play down and holding onto the ball (but can look amazing at times as well), Bayliss has been similar all season in moments of brilliance interspersed with running down cul-de-sacs and Thomas has also been very similar in terms of wasting chances and making the odd bad decision.

What I do think is true is that we've got more prongs to our attack now giving the opposition more to think about and maybe giving just that extra yard of space.

You may be right about Andreu but he wasn't likely to go at them with the ball at his feet like Bright - he was more continental-style in trying to just pass it through and the opposition knew they could drop off to prevent the pass without much fear of Andreu coming onto them with the ball.
 
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Skyblueol

Well-Known Member
I feel sorry for Chaplin at times because he has too much expectation on him this season (myself included) its frustrating with him not scoring but i think the team currently and chaplin are going to be refreshed with a break and i think we will see a better chaplin when he is back fit.
 

CCFC88

Well-Known Member
Bright may come across as infuriating but sometimes you need to slow things down and let the strikers runs develop and space open up instead of just forcing things at 100 mile an hour. I think he's a really clever player, I can understand how it can be seen as him slowing play down but sometimes that is what is required, to be able to slow things down whilst keeping the ball and then pick a pass is a rarity at this level.
 

Skyblueol

Well-Known Member
Bright may come across as infuriating but sometimes you need to slow things down and let the strikers runs develop and space open up instead of just forcing things at 100 mile an hour. I think he's a really clever player, I can understand how it can be seen as him slowing play down but sometimes that is what is required, to be able to slow things down whilst keeping the ball and then pick a pass is a rarity at this level.
I have seen stuff saying Bright is out of contract this summer and he is clearly enjoying football here. I think we stand a strong chance of re signing him permanent.
 

Briles

Well-Known Member
I think we all would agree who we thought was going to be the success out the two but personally i think baka is more influential to the team. I think we play better as a team with Baka and i think Jordy benefits from playing with baka. Chaplin snatches at shots and baka is a threat in the air. I hope chaplin comes good but i know who i would rather have now.

I still rate Chaplin, I think he links up play well and is elusive with a good footballing brain. I think he would be better suited as a False 9 but it just doesn't fit our system at the moment. The competition for a places has obviously spurred on Baka.
 
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Warwickhunt

Well-Known Member
Bright may come across as infuriating but sometimes you need to slow things down and let the strikers runs develop and space open up instead of just forcing things at 100 mile an hour. I think he's a really clever player, I can understand how it can be seen as him slowing play down but sometimes that is what is required, to be able to slow things down whilst keeping the ball and then pick a pass is a rarity at this level.
Just watch Man City play David & Bernard Silva when they have the ball the sometimes hold it up quite a while until one of their colleagues move into favourable positions so they can play a wall pass or a quick one two pass to open up the back line. Hairy Back has that ability in him and it will help produce more chances as the team get used to his play all be it a bit fustrating at times.
 

Sky_Blue_Dreamer

Well-Known Member
Bright may come across as infuriating but sometimes you need to slow things down and let the strikers runs develop and space open up instead of just forcing things at 100 mile an hour. I think he's a really clever player, I can understand how it can be seen as him slowing play down but sometimes that is what is required, to be able to slow things down whilst keeping the ball and then pick a pass is a rarity at this level.

I agree entirely. Getting the ball and just instantly running with it is mindless. Exciting, but mindless.

I don't mind slowing play down when there's no support, but at times it feels like the quick attack is on and he slows it down for the sake of it or to do some 'tekkers'/showboating nonsense. I can understand the decision making to be slower (that's why he's playing L1 with us) and it will probably improve over time but I'm not sure that's always the reason - sometimes it feels like he does it because he can.

Man City were mentioned and obviously that's the epitome of what you'd like to see - they look to break quickly and if they can't slow it down and go sideways or even back to force a better opening. But those players are much better than ours and know a teammate will be showing movement or creating space for others. They just have to identify it and that's what they work on in training so it becomes almost muscle memory rather than decision making, meaning they can do it quicker.

I know it's splitting hairs and for this level we're unlikely to find much better.
 

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