Match Thread Cheltenham Town (A) (10 Viewers)

[Blake]

If it makes anyone feel better, Man U lost 4-2 to QPR today. Didn’t do much against Derby either.

Just another reminder to everyone not to worry too much about preseason and we don’t need two XIs as good as one another.

That makes me feel worse, as we have to play QPR!

 

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[Hobo]

Robins doesnt sound that impressed with the trialist.

And long term target should be in 10 days time....just 4 days before the season starts.

Sent from my SM-G965F using Tapatalk

Yes targets dont always land in your lap for a full pre season. Some of our fans live in la la land.

 

[procdoc]

Christ there are some drama queens on here

 

[mark_ccfc]

 

[Liquid Gold]

Robins doesnt sound that impressed with the trialist.

And long term target should be in 10 days time....just 4 days before the season starts.

Sent from my SM-G965F using Tapatalk

But I already love him.

 

[Liquid Gold]

Christ there are some drama queens on here

You new?

 

[GaryMabbuttsLeftKnee]

Wilson looks much more assured than Moore.

Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

 

[better days]

Sky Blues boss set to address areas of "concern" in his squad

The Sky Blues boss spoke to CoventryLive about the finishing touches to his summer recruitment

www.coventrytelegraph.net

2 LB, CB and CM wanted

Robins sounds pretty sanguine about things
Knowing the way he works I suspect he has a plan and maybe deals are closer than we think
Covid is a real problem for us
Although some who test positive are asymptomatic or have mild symptoms they have to self isolate along with any room mates if we have stayed overnight
Defenders have been particularly affected
Hopefully the situation will Improve soon but I wouldn't be surprised if one or two of the pre season games are cancelled through lack of numbers

 

[Tea & Busquets]

Robins sounds pretty sanguine about things
Knowing the way he works I suspect he has a plan and maybe deals are closer than we think
Covid is a real problem for us
Although some who test positive are asymptomatic or have mild symptoms they have to self isolate along with any room mates if we have stayed overnight
Defenders have been particularly affected
Hopefully the situation will Improve soon but I wouldn't be surprised if we lost one or two of the pre season games through lack of numbers

wouldn’t be surprised if MR loans out Wilson signs Walton and plays Moore second fiddle.

 

[Sky Blue Pete]

wouldn’t be surprised if MR loans out Wilson signs Walton and plays Moore second fiddle.

Wishful thinking

 

[Tea & Busquets]

Wishful thinking

one can only dream

 

[Covkid1968#]

Just read the match report…awful.. who writes these masterpieces of sports journalism.

“The home side would be the home side that would break the deadlock”

 

[SkyblueDad]

Moore should change his first name to ‘Fishy’.

Memories of a proper fish & chip shop

 

[SkyblueDad]

True, but its concerning that with 2 weeks to go, some very key players arnt getting enough minutes.

There was a game at either Ryton or the Higgs yesterday between a mixed group of 16s, U/18s, U/23s & first team, one of the goalkeepers is an U16 they are getting games.

 

[AFCCOVENTRY]

Robins has given a Bright update. He is working on his fitness levels but is working hard. Apparently needs to put weight on but hopefully involved in some game next week. Says he’s happy with the signings up top.

 

[SkyblueDad]

TBF I was there today, though missed the first 20 minutes. Standing close to the dug out and conversations, though nothing was really said. Robins no looking worried by any stretch. It was a much needed work out to get some minutes into legs. Jones looked very positive when he came on. O'Hare looking to get into his game. Hamer picked up the pace second half and looked much more impressive then. Gyokeries came on and I think he is very direct and think he will be good for us this year. Waghorn did his thing and looked to have a bit of quality about him, bring good saves from their keeper. DeCosta looks very decent and enthusiastic. McFaz at the back directing everything. Wilson looks much more assured than Moore. We passed it around a lot and had the majority possession even with half the first teamers missing and young lads coming on at 54 minutes and 80 minutes. Sheaf looks quality on the ball. If there is a criticism, then we need to learn to get the ball in the box more and stop letting the playmaker be McFaz!? Guess we are missing key players that would make things tick. Drysdale actually did well and looks very competent. But you know we lack Ostigard. Dabo had a brief spell to get his legs working. Jones will keep someone else out the side. Shipley, as ever not at the races.
just got to see what we do when most of the first team are together. It looked like we were just in first gear and not worried about any result. A bad back pass from Allen I think it was saw them through for the second. Until then we had decided to have a go for 10 minutes and the goal looked inevitable but for their goalkeeper.
Nah no worries, lots more to do but the philosophy is there, even in the young kids who played.

Fully agree with the above, first friendly I’ve been to for years and it went almost exactly as I thought it might, very experimental especially first half with Walker up top backed by O’Hare not ideal so let’s not criticise Walker too much big improvement after half-time and what I liked apart from switching Dabo with Decosta the same team came out and perhaps with a bit of half-time gee-up and to a man were much better but lacked potency up top. Once the subs came on and we went two up top and O’Hare deeper we on well on top.
Their goals: thought the first was an own goal second looking from the other end of the ground it was a poor pass from Allen allowing Cheltenham a free shot which Moore saved but they got the rebound can’t say if keeper should have caught it or just block it as he did. Thought young Reid got better as the game went on, needs a bit of time though and Jodi Jones got in the mix competitively bit ring rusty perhaps needs a full game imo.
Rocky Bushiri: Decent player need another look and would like to see him at centre half with Rose and Hyam either side of him. Only 21 so even if we take him on imo need another, Ostigard would be ideal, not sure what funds we have but if we need to bid and buy him that’s what I think we should do.

 

[skyblu3sk]

Those writing off Walker need to give their head a wobble and remember last year. He looked better in a top 2 and with a few games under his belt.

 

[mark82]

He was 19 ffs

Yeah, said he was young. Still seems more of a developmental prospect than someone like Ostigard who was more ready for first team at this level. All I'm saying is that it would concern me, not that I'd write him off.

 

[Sky Blue Pete]

Yeah, said he was young. Still seems more of a developmental prospect than someone like Ostigard who was more ready for first team at this level. All I'm saying is that it would concern me, not that I'd write him off.

Sorry yep massive potential to improve from 2 years ago. Top top players would be breaking into mans football at cb in first team league football as teens

 

[fernandopartridge]

Robins sounds pretty sanguine about things
Knowing the way he works I suspect he has a plan and maybe deals are closer than we think
Covid is a real problem for us
Although some who test positive are asymptomatic or have mild symptoms they have to self isolate along with any room mates if we have stayed overnight
Defenders have been particularly affected
Hopefully the situation will Improve soon but I wouldn't be surprised if one or two of the pre season games are cancelled through lack of numbers

You think they might adopt only rooming with somebody in a different position like they do with goalies, in order to guard against missing multiple players in the same position

 

[better days]

You think they might adopt only rooming with somebody in a different position like they do with goalies, in order to guard against missing multiple players in the same position

Pretty good idea

 

[shmmeee]

Two things massively worry me this preseason:

1) the defence and goalkeeper were poor last season and seem to have got worse. Robins doesn’t even seem to think this is an issue looking at backup LWBs and CMs ahead of first choice CBs.

2) the insistence on trying the box with Walker up front on his own. It’s never worked, no matter the opposition but he keeps banging his head against that wall and it gives me serious doubts about his ability. I don’t think the box has worked for us once since promotion and when it did in L1 it was when we dominated games and Godden was linking up with the midfield. Walker is a poacher and I’ve never seen him play that role well. He needs a partner and he’ll score goals. I worry we’re going to ruin Walker by never using him properly.

At the moment the only hope I see for us is if we attack teams because we are so weak at the back d the CBs and GK all have a mistake in them. If we go in with just a 19 yr old LWB and one CB I think we’re going to get ripped apart next season and out pretty good forward signings won’t even get a sniff of the ball.

The signings this preseason seem less thought through and more random in terms of style, ability and position than any summer under Robins I can remember.

 

[Londonccfcfan]

Pretty good idea

But then you can't travel together in a coach.

 

[COV]

I see we’ve changed from “concern” to “worry”- nice touch

 

[shmmeee]

I see we’ve changed from “concern” to “worry”- nice touch

I see we’re still policing what other posters are allowed to think. Nice

 

[COV]

I see we’re still policing what other posters are allowed to think. Nice

You can think & say what you want, I can respond, not sure who is ‘policing’ anything tbh, touch overdramatic there

 

[Marty]

Two things massively worry me this preseason:

1) the defence and goalkeeper were poor last season and seem to have got worse. Robins doesn’t even seem to think this is an issue looking at backup LWBs and CMs ahead of first choice CBs.

2) the insistence on trying the box with Walker up front on his own. It’s never worked, no matter the opposition but he keeps banging his head against that wall and it gives me serious doubts about his ability. I don’t think the box has worked for us once since promotion and when it did in L1 it was when we dominated games and Godden was linking up with the midfield. Walker is a poacher and I’ve never seen him play that role well. He needs a partner and he’ll score goals. I worry we’re going to ruin Walker by never using him properly.

At the moment the only hope I see for us is if we attack teams because we are so weak at the back d the CBs and GK all have a mistake in them. If we go in with just a 19 yr old LWB and one CB I think we’re going to get ripped apart next season and out pretty good forward signings won’t even get a sniff of the ball.

The signings this preseason seem less thought through and more random in terms of style, ability and position than any summer under Robins I can remember.

Agree about the defence, we had big concerns about Rose & Hyam before last season, Hyam was largely poor to average and Rose was injured. We lack pace at the back anyway and going into the season with those 2 as part of the 3 gives me massive concerns, would love Osti back who was excellent last season, and if we can get another at that level, replace Fadz next season, and we have the basis for a solid Championship outfit.

Walker is a very good finisher but you're right, he does need a partner,

 

[Frostie]

Two things massively worry me this preseason:

1) the defence and goalkeeper were poor last season and seem to have got worse. Robins doesn’t even seem to think this is an issue looking at backup LWBs and CMs ahead of first choice CBs.

2) the insistence on trying the box with Walker up front on his own. It’s never worked, no matter the opposition but he keeps banging his head against that wall and it gives me serious doubts about his ability. I don’t think the box has worked for us once since promotion and when it did in L1 it was when we dominated games and Godden was linking up with the midfield. Walker is a poacher and I’ve never seen him play that role well. He needs a partner and he’ll score goals. I worry we’re going to ruin Walker by never using him properly.

At the moment the only hope I see for us is if we attack teams because we are so weak at the back d the CBs and GK all have a mistake in them. If we go in with just a 19 yr old LWB and one CB I think we’re going to get ripped apart next season and out pretty good forward signings won’t even get a sniff of the ball.

The signings this preseason seem less thought through and more random in terms of style, ability and position than any summer under Robins I can remember.

Understand your concerns but I wouldn't worry too much yet.

1) Where has he said that? Maatsen & a new CB are imminent & will almost certainly be first choice.

2) Wouldn't read too much into that. We only have the 3 fit forwards currently & understandably he wants to rotate & get minutes into all 3. Always meant 1 would have to play up top by himself.

 

[Mucca Mad Boys]

Two things massively worry me this preseason:

1) the defence and goalkeeper were poor last season and seem to have got worse. Robins doesn’t even seem to think this is an issue looking at backup LWBs and CMs ahead of first choice CBs.

2) the insistence on trying the box with Walker up front on his own. It’s never worked, no matter the opposition but he keeps banging his head against that wall and it gives me serious doubts about his ability. I don’t think the box has worked for us once since promotion and when it did in L1 it was when we dominated games and Godden was linking up with the midfield. Walker is a poacher and I’ve never seen him play that role well. He needs a partner and he’ll score goals. I worry we’re going to ruin Walker by never using him properly.

At the moment the only hope I see for us is if we attack teams because we are so weak at the back d the CBs and GK all have a mistake in them. If we go in with just a 19 yr old LWB and one CB I think we’re going to get ripped apart next season and out pretty good forward signings won’t even get a sniff of the ball.

The signings this preseason seem less thought through and more random in terms of style, ability and position than any summer under Robins I can remember.

You're panicking, have a little patience!

GK hasn't got worse as Wilson was generally our first choice last season, and if Moore disappoints, it's back to square 1. As for the defence, we've yet to finish our recruitment yet so we don't really know what the outlook is like there. I don't think our defensive options are as bad as a lot of people make out. We certainly need improvement.

As for point two, the box almost definitely will not be our first choice of system next season. We have 4 good quality strikers next season, but in preseason we have to field 2 sides, and we had 3 first team strikers available and a lot more midfielders. Preseason is about getting the squad match fit. We played 2 strikers against Sevilla, and judging from comments made, Waghorn has been brought in to press high up the pitch and likewise with Gyo.

It's worth noting that teams around us last season aren't doing much better with their recruitment. Derby, Blackburn are yet to make a signing and Forest have made one signing. Bristol have released 11 players and replaced them with 3. The likes of Reading, Sheff U, Barnsley and Bournemouth have either signed no one or only one player. Generally, the league will be weaker this year than last and ironically, the newly promoted teams are some of the highest recruiters this offseason. In short, it's undoubtedly a tough transfer window for everyone.

The impact of COVID breakouts in our preseason very much puts the results to secondary importance.

 

[Sky_Blue_Dreamer]

Two things massively worry me this preseason:

1) the defence and goalkeeper were poor last season and seem to have got worse. Robins doesn’t even seem to think this is an issue looking at backup LWBs and CMs ahead of first choice CBs.

2) the insistence on trying the box with Walker up front on his own. It’s never worked, no matter the opposition but he keeps banging his head against that wall and it gives me serious doubts about his ability. I don’t think the box has worked for us once since promotion and when it did in L1 it was when we dominated games and Godden was linking up with the midfield. Walker is a poacher and I’ve never seen him play that role well. He needs a partner and he’ll score goals. I worry we’re going to ruin Walker by never using him properly.

At the moment the only hope I see for us is if we attack teams because we are so weak at the back d the CBs and GK all have a mistake in them. If we go in with just a 19 yr old LWB and one CB I think we’re going to get ripped apart next season and out pretty good forward signings won’t even get a sniff of the ball.

The signings this preseason seem less thought through and more random in terms of style, ability and position than any summer under Robins I can remember.

I think O'Hare and Bright could be good foils for each other, with the potential of Jodi on the bench, but if we play this there's no way Walker can be the loan front man. He's a striker who needs a centre forward next to him. Gyokeres or Waghorn possibly might work as lone front men, but I think I'd prefer the two up top option. Just not sure how well Bright would take to being a sub though, because he's not going to be getting in ahead of O'hare because of the work he does.

I would hope we'll see some movement regarding a CB, but there is that slight fear that MR will be thinking Hyam and Rose will be enough once they're back and that them not being able to feature in pre-season is holding us back in seeing how much we need to improve in these areas even with first choices available, especially as if they've had a disrupted pre-season they'll take longer to catch up. Dabo and Rose really struggled to get going last season for that reason and always seemed to be that bit behind everyone fitness-wise..

 

[Sky_Blue_Dreamer]

Understand your concerns but I wouldn't worry too much yet.

1) Where has he said that? Maatsen & a new CB are imminent & will almost certainly be first choice.

2) Wouldn't read too much into that. We only have the 3 fit forwards currently & understandably he wants to rotate & get minutes into all 3. Always meant 1 would have to play up top by himself.

Unclear whether a new CB is imminent. They might be but this 'long-term target' hasn't been identified specifically as a CB.

Weird thing with the forwards is he's chosen the one least suited to play the lone role to do so.

 

[shmmeee]

You can think & say what you want, I can respond, not sure who is ‘policing’ anything tbh, touch overdramatic there

Just gets boring mate. We get it you won’t hear a bad word said.

Understand your concerns but I wouldn't worry too much yet.

1) Where has he said that? Maatsen & a new CB are imminent & will almost certainly be first choice.

2) Wouldn't read too much into that. We only have the 3 fit forwards currently & understandably he wants to rotate & get minutes into all 3. Always meant 1 would have to play up top by himself.

My main concern is that if we’re going one up surely is Györkeres not Walker. We’d have been better off playing Nee or Bapaga up with Walker if we’re short of strikers. We haven’t gone four at the back because we’ve got no CBs so not sure it’s born out of necessity.

The first one I’m talking about more than one CB. We’re after two LWBs but seemingly think we only need one CB when we’re playing kids out of position and trialisys just to get a team out at the moment. We need two or even three CBs far more than a reserve LWB and another CM. We have three first team CBs, two have been ill all preseason and one is in his mid 30s. Even if you count Pask he’s just gone off with a seemingly serious injury.

One CB puts us back where we were last season but with an older McFadzean.

 

[larry_david]

Pask a cut knee. Back on tues

 

[shmmeee]

Pask a cut knee. Back on tues

Missed that, thanks. Still not convinced he’s up to the standard mind.

 

[Barnsley]

You're panicking, have a little patience!

GK hasn't got worse as Wilson was generally our first choice last season, and if Moore disappoints, it's back to square 1. As for the defence, we've yet to finish our recruitment yet so we don't really know what the outlook is like there. I don't think our defensive options are as bad as a lot of people make out. We certainly need improvement.

As for point two, the box almost definitely will not be our first choice of system next season. We have 4 good quality strikers next season, but in preseason we have to field 2 sides, and we had 3 first team strikers available and a lot more midfielders. Preseason is about getting the squad match fit. We played 2 strikers against Sevilla, and judging from comments made, Waghorn has been brought in to press high up the pitch and likewise with Gyo.

It's worth noting that teams around us last season aren't doing much better with their recruitment. Derby, Blackburn are yet to make a signing and Forest have made one signing. Bristol have released 11 players and replaced them with 3. The likes of Reading, Sheff U, Barnsley and Bournemouth have either signed no one or only one player. Generally, the league will be weaker this year than last and ironically, the newly promoted teams are some of the highest recruiters this offseason. In short, it's undoubtedly a tough transfer window for everyone.

The impact of COVID breakouts in our preseason very much puts the results to secondary importance.

With us we’ve only signed one first team player, but signed 3 or 4 for the under 23s, and we tend to do this most summers, we’ve just sent 5 players out on loan to the same club and a couple to other clubs, next summer they’ll probably be ready for a crack at championship football, as they turn 19/20/21 years of age, and we’ve got a couple of players that did the same last season, and will be given a go in the up coming season, so although we’ve only signed one first team player we’ll have a few new faces in the first team fold.