I think there is undoubted promise in the Juke - MaccyDs combination up front. Juke probably holds the ball up better than Best ever did and is consistently looking like a real handful to play against. If he has got a willing and intelligent runner (which we are lead to believe Cody is), I think there is great promise there. Leicester away when he set up King, anyone? I've seen YouTube and, whilst in my default pessimistic City fan guise (which incidentally changes to ridiculous optimism at about 14:50 on the majority of match days), I think he looks the part in terms of the range of goals and pace shown. The bloke he played up with looked about 15 stone, but he responded sharply to flick ons. Which brings me to Platt...
When we signed him, we were all underwhelmed. He was actually bought for £25k with add ons bringing it up to £50k, depending on appearances and goals. That's nothing. Ranson didn't really like the look of him and made the offer almost as a joke... the Colchester chairman had originally tried asking for £300k and the banter apparently went back and forth until the deal for the player Aidy wanted was struck. When he started well, it looked like a snip. It was apparent that he was going to alienate people as a player... when he doesn't have a good game, he offers nothing. There is no pace or movement, he's not a goalscorer and, when his headers are off, he doesn't bring anyone else into play. However, he's on hardly any wages and cost hardly any money. If he recaptures his early last season form at any stage this season and his headers are directed suitably and bring others into play, he can be an impact substitute. I would prefer someone else, of course. I think, typically, he will be off form more than he is on form. I'm still dreading an injury to one of what looks like will be our first choice strike force. ROD and Platt are worse case scenarios, Eastwood has flattered to deceive for too long. If Platt gets any game time and makes any assists at all, I will be relatively content. He's not great, a 33 year old journeyman playing at his highest ever level. but, given our current situation, beggars can't be choosers. I get more frustrated by the likes of Sheffers and Baker; Platt is what he is.