Compared to last season... (4 Viewers)

[YorkSB]

We all know we need a new striker but aren't we starting this season with the same lot that we began with last year?

The defenders are all still there, including the improving Clarke, Cameron & Turner (who genuinely thought we'd start with those two against Portsmouth?). Westwood's been replaced by Murphy. True we've lost Gunna, Carsley, Doyle & McIndoe but I'm not that bothered about any of them and Deegan/Thomas etc could take their chance.

I'm not stupid enough to be optimistic, I know this squad plus King nearly got us relegated last season (and many of them might still be sold), but I'm far more confident in Thorn's ability to get them playing than AB's.

 

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[Paxman II]

Yes Westwood has gone and that is a bit of a blow tbf. However Murphy is better than some say and was at a lower profile club so perhaps with good defenders in front of him we will be strong at the back.
Gunnarrsson has gone but that is no great loss I think Deagan will prove better and judging by his comments this week fully expects to be better than Gunna was! he certainly has a better game than Gunna in most departments and from what we have seen of him can make a big impact.
Up front the 'talisman' has departed so we are weaker there. AT and others truly think the Juke can step it up this year and I believe so too. With a possible loan coming in to supplement that position (and not dismissing Clive Platt either) I think we will be starting from at least the strength we started last season and under AT the way we play will be a whole lot different and fully expect Clingan to stamp his class on plenty of games in this league under the stewardship of Thorn.

 

[Dan Griffin]

You could say Westwood and murphy are the same but every city fan should rate westy higher, cause we've seen him play week in week out, looking forward to seeing if Joe can live up to his rep and I have full faith he will. Yes defenders are the same. I'm 100% sure gunna missed the Portsmouth game through back injury from a throw against Albion. I think the mid was clingan and carsley or carsley and doyle. Bell and sheffers on wings, juke and eastwood upfront. So really nothings changed bar king gunna carso.

From when we was in play offs it was only king added in and he had only just got his first goal so why can't we be optimistic apart from being the only club without an outfield signing... Pusb

 

[bamalamafizzfazz]

Despite a lot of the 'big' (rich) teams spending a lot of money already in this transfer window I have to agree that I have confidence in Thorn's ability to get results. I think the crucial position we had to address was in goal and Andy has covered that one before preseason even got underway.

In an ideal world I would like another striker to come in as well as an attacking midfielder but with the club in the financial condition it is in this appears to be unlikely. I do believe however that Thorn would not have tied down a number of youngsters to new contracts if he did not think the players were good enough to make the squad and support the starting eleven if necessary.

I may be way off the mark and the money might talk leaving us chasing the tails of the big spenders like Leicester, Ipswich and West Ham but there are no guarantees in football and at least with Thorn in charge I am confident that we have the right man to lead us in what is shaping up to look like a difficult season ahead.

 

[dazzled2u]

I have confidence in Thorn's ability as a manager and he definitely had the team playing better football at the end of last season. The noises coming form the squad are that he's an excellent man manager and he will get the best out of players.

The starting first 11 are also a half decent team - but - What I don't have any confidence in is the depth of our squad - we had more players last year and ended up with Cranie in midfield for a couple of matches. There's quite a few players that have come back from injury some long term injuries and whether the will be the same player or even last the season is also a concern.

We're short of striking options and short of quality midfiled cover. Sheffers might be playing up front - that doesn't leave a huge amount of midfield options.

 

[SkyBlueMania]

From what i saw of Juke last season i didn't rate him too highly. I only managed to see a few games, but i definitely didn't think he was in the same class as King. He puts effort in, which immediately puts him above Eastwood in my books, but he was a bit clumsy at times. Up front is an area we definitely need to improve upon, really don't see how though. Again, I'm judging him on a few games here. Am i being harsh?

 

[sky_blue_up_north]

Overall I don't think we are as bad off of as lot of fans are making out. I agree with a lot of comment about a striker, that is one area where we do need to get someone in. We have good set of defenders, Turner, McPake, Hussey, Keogh, Clarke, Crannie, Wood, Cameron. Pretty good group there. Midfield, Clingan, Deegan, Baker , Bell, Thomas , good mixture of youth and experience, maybe the additional of decent wide man. Up front, Eastwood, Sheffers, Juxy, Platt, we can see need to get someone in there, maybe the likes of Jeffers will come good. Compared to last season, we start with pretty much the same squad, minus Gunnar (I don't think we will miss him) and Westy sorry to see him go but Murphy is a really good keeper, and will become a real Sky Blue favourite. So, calm down, everything is going to fine. I don't expect us to be in the play off's but and steady season, with some highs and lows

 

[dazzled2u]

Juke is far from the finsihed article he has huge potential I think but the concern is he had an experienced striker next to him last season and he definitely benefitted from that! Without an experienced striker next to him he'll either flourish or go back to the headless chicken. He's not a 20 a year stiker yet but hopefully he will develop into one!

 

[covcity4life]

o donovan is gonna score 40 goals.

 

[bamalamafizzfazz]

o donovan is gonna score 40 goals.

Get your ass the bookies and back it!

 

[Sky Blue Sheepy]

Would still take O'Donovan over Eastwood. When a team is struggling the biggest sin I feel is to not put a shift in and Eastwood is extremely lazy.
We need 1 striker to compliment Juke who, although not the finished article, improved plenty with King under Thorn and hopefully will improve further on what he's learnt. I'm please with our midfield and back 4 (I expect big things of Hussey)

My ideal team would be (at present):
L.Jukiewicz - G.McSheffrey
C.Baker - G.Deegan - J.Clarke
S.Clingan
C.Hussey - J.McPake - B.Turner - R.Keogh
J.Murphy

If we get another striker I'd probably swap Baker and Clarke, then drop Clarke for McSheffrey.
​

 

[bamalamafizzfazz]

Would still take O'Donovan over Eastwood. When a team is struggling the biggest sin I feel is to not put a shift in and Eastwood is extremely lazy.
We need 1 striker to compliment Juke who, although not the finished article, improved plenty with King under Thorn and hopefully will improve further on what he's learnt. I'm please with our midfield and back 4 (I expect big things of Hussey)

My ideal team would be (at present):
L.Jukiewicz - G.McSheffrey
C.Baker - G.Deegan - J.Clarke
S.Clingan
C.Hussey - J.McPake - B.Turner - R.Keogh
J.Murphy

If we get another striker I'd probably swap Baker and Clarke, then drop Clarke for McSheffrey.
​

Not a bad effort sheepy but you have missed out Bell!

 

[CovScott88]

Would still take O'Donovan over Eastwood. When a team is struggling the biggest sin I feel is to not put a shift in and Eastwood is extremely lazy.
We need 1 striker to compliment Juke who, although not the finished article, improved plenty with King under Thorn and hopefully will improve further on what he's learnt. I'm please with our midfield and back 4 (I expect big things of Hussey)

My ideal team would be (at present):
L.Jukiewicz - G.McSheffrey
C.Baker - G.Deegan - J.Clarke
S.Clingan
C.Hussey - J.McPake - B.Turner - R.Keogh
J.Murphy

If we get another striker I'd probably swap Baker and Clarke, then drop Clarke for McSheffrey.
​

No Cranie? Clarke in midfield?

 

[Sky Blue Sheepy]

Not a bad effort sheepy but you have missed out Bell!

Good point...
My Revised ideal team would be (at present):
L.Jukiewicz - G.McSheffrey
C.Baker - G.Deegan - D.Bell
S.Clingan
C.Hussey - J.McPake - B.Turner - R.Keogh
J.Murphy​

Keep Bell and Baker fairly central (Bell can hold up well in the middle, whilst Baker can run at/take on players) and let Keogh and Hussey overlap ​

Subs: Dunn, Cranie, Wood, Eastwood (regrettably), Clarke, Cameron, Thomas​

 

[dazzled2u]

I'm hoping the Eastwood might be the big surprise of the season, with Thorn's management skills and work ethics he might bring out the striker that use to exist!!

Then I'll wake up from dream state

 

[bamalamafizzfazz]

Good point...
My Revised ideal team would be (at present):
L.Jukiewicz - G.McSheffrey
C.Baker - G.Deegan - D.Bell
S.Clingan
C.Hussey - J.McPake - B.Turner - R.Keogh
J.Murphy


Keep Bell and Baker fairly central (Bell can hold up well in the middle, whilst Baker can run at/take on players) and let Keogh and Hussey overlap

Subs: Dunn, Wood, Eastwood (regrettably), Clarke, Cameron, Thomas and A.N.Other​

OK, second dilemma...

McSheffrey's best position is clearly at the top of the diamond. Baker is not the same player confidence wise as when Coleman signed him, when Sheff was injured under Thorn the team lost its spark for me and Baker did't carry the team in his absence. I don't see Deegan as the player at the top of the diamond either so for me drop Baker, bring Sheff back and play Eastwood.

 

[The Reverend Skyblue]

I would just like to say that i have full confidence that Freddy will at last come good.
The pressure is on him big time this season and i know he will react with improved performances.I feel he has a wonderful first touch,probably the best in the team and with Thorny beefing him up and telling him he's the best thing since sliced bread,then Freddy will do the business.
I've always liked Freddy,I know he can be a bit lazy but he can create and score the goals we need this season.Just wait and see, Freddy will be player of the season this year,have faith in him and encourage him and he will repay us.

The Rev

 

[Sky Blue Sheepy]

No Cranie? Clarke in midfield?

Hurts me to leave out Cranie, but I'm a huge fan of McPake and Hussey and no chance of leaving Turner out. He'll have to take the bench I'm afraid.

I don't see why Clarke's a defender. He's supposed to be good at running at people so why not. Worked with Gareth Bale!

 

[bamalamafizzfazz]

I'm hoping the Eastwood might be the big surprise of the season, with Thorn's management skills and work ethics he might bring out the striker that use to exist!!

Then I'll wake up from dream state

If this became true all of our problems will be over...

Now, no injuries or suspensions and we're laughing

 

[dazzled2u]

I hope your right Rev!

I do believe that he has the talent to succeed and he is a big confidence player. His touch is definitly the best in the team now and has the vision to pick a pass. I would play him alongside Juke and drop Sheffers back to midfield.

 

[bamalamafizzfazz]

I would just like to say that i have full confidence that Freddy will at last come good.
The pressure is on him big time this season and i know he will react with improved performances.I feel he has a wonderful first touch,probably the best in the team and with Thorny beefing him up and telling him he's the best thing since sliced bread,then Freddy will do the business.
I've always liked Freddy,I know he can be a bit lazy but he can create and score the goals we need this season.Just wait and see, Freddy will be player of the season this year,have faith in him and encourage him and he will repay us.

The Rev

WOW! I love your confidence Rev. This is the most optimistic thread we have seen in here since this...
http://www.skybluestalk.co.uk/threa...nt-on-King-(from-CCFC-website)?highlight=king

 

[shmmeee]

If we're going with loans only I'd say to Freddy "right, that number 10 shirt is yours to lose. You're my first choice striker until September, then if you're not up to it we'll bring in a loanee. If he can't motivate himself for the first month based on that, get rid.

I don't think we're a million miles away as a first 11, and if anyone can create the siege mentality we need at the moment, it's an ex-Wimbledon player. The worry is that injuries to say two of Clingan, Bell and Deegan (which let's face it aren't exactly unlikely) and suddenly the most important part of our team contains teenagers with no experience.

 

[BurbageSkyBlues]

I think people are sometimes a bit harsh on Freddie.

Yes, he has lost his way at times, but it's fair to say that he has been messed around a bit, which hasn't helped his confidence. He has scored some important goals and won vital points.

For me, the loss of king was a blow, as much for his all round contribution (rather than just his scoring). his first touch was top drawer, and the ability to read the game, hold it up, pick a pass or bring others into play- all will be sadly missed, yet Freddie can do many of these things, and score !

Let's break the habit of a sky-blue lifetime, get off the players back, and encourage him to play well for us!!

 

[keef]

Im reasonably optimistic for the season.....from a point of expecting very little.
We need the YA players to step up and make their mark. By all accounts we have some talented teenagers coming through its whether they are as good as we are told they are and if AT can get the best out of them that will have a big impact on this season.
And of course assuming that half way through the season we dont sell off anyone of value to keep the club afloat

 

[Macca]

If we can stay out of relegation trouble until ownership issues sorted then push on with new investment i ll be delighted. Much depends on whether the gaffer turns out to be a flash in the pan or the real deal