how many games do we give bojan then?

[jefferson]

Sept 19, 2016 9:12:25 GMT alster said:

Its not a case of how many games do we give him its more a case of how many he's already had. Its a very longtime since he looked anything like able to cope with Premier League football.

ACL tears can take yards off players.

[Staffsoatcake]

Give him the next 6 games, if he ain't anywhere near what he was before the injury, get rid.
That goes for a few others too, we are in a dog fight, we can't afford to carry players.

[dirtygary69]

I've said on another thread that it looks as though his form at Ajax, Roma and AC Milan has now followed him to Stoke. He's so lethargic and ponderous it's frightening. That said, expecting him to do anything from the edge of his own box is madness. Is this system we're playing an attacking or a defensive one? If it's attacking he needs to be deployed in the oppositions half and if it's defensive he shouldn't be in the team.

I don't like saying it but I do think he's let his standards slip massively.

[sheikhmomo]

I personally think Bojan although a worry, is so far down the list of worries it wouldn't even be on page three.

[pez75]

The least of our problems. If and when the attacking side of our game clicks (like when we fuck Walters off), he will be back to normal. I am much more concerned about Hughes retreating back in to his Pulis shell, thinking he can rely on the old guard to batten down the hatches and get him out of this mess. Not going to happen as they are all wank - even Shawcross is a shadow of his former self.

Everyone will think I am crazy, but I think we should go for balls out attack - we just do not have the players to defend as a unit at the moment. We are trying to be solid while expecting Arnie to unlock defences on his own and it is simply not working at either end. Go down in a blaze of glory. I would rather lose 4-3 than 4-0 every week.

[cheeesfreeex]

It's another 'project' and perhaps having so many of them is at the heart of the issue at hand.

Again, unfortunately fingers should be pointed at the training ground.

Does Hughes and co still commute from London every day?
He needs to be breathing more Potteries air.

[stokebloke]

For as long as needs...class is permanent

[pez75]

London? I thought he lived in Cheshire?

[jimmygscfc]

Sept 18, 2016 18:04:00 GMT davejohnno1 said:

Whilst there are no words to describe how shit Messrs given, Walters, Cameron and Whelan were, bojan once again looked so far off the pace and contributed absolutely nothing positive to the game.

Exactly how long can we give him before we conclude that his pre injury form was a mere blip and the norm is the crap that came before it and now after it?

I said it during the window and I'll say it again now, we should have sold him whilst we had the chance.

Christ Dave, when you've got it in for someone you don't give up. Why pick on Bojan from yesterday? He needs to be played further upfield closer to Bony but we don't know if he's following orders. We have little alternative but to play him at no. 10 unless Shaq gets a run out but that leaves a right wing slot to fill and Sobhi is a long way from starting week in week out. Chucking Diouf into a front two might be a tactic against West Brom but we still lack someone on the right hand side of midfield if we went 4-4-2. Walters was beyond awful yesterday and we just cannot persevere with him.

What worries me looking ahead is the prospect of losing Diouf and Bony (and Sobhi) for ACON. We'll obviously need to go into the market for a striker and that would signal the departure of either Crouch or Walters. Whoever this new striker was would need to hit the ground running and Bojan should still have a part to play. Let's hope we're still in touch with the pack come January or else another manager may well be spending the money. Imbula, for all of his qualities, looks to be a fish out of water with no sign of really being a solution rather than part of the problem. We'll need to get to the New Year with Whelan at the helm too unless we go gung ho with Allen and Imbula as a two. A new defensive midfielder is crucial but a decent one won't join a team in the bottom three. Let's pray we can somehow get ourselves sufficiently out of the brown stuff to give ourselves a chance in 2017, but losing two strikes isn't a great prospect.

[maliciousdamage]

Sept 18, 2016 18:21:09 GMT Trouserdog said:

He was crap and has been for some time.

I'd drop him and try a 4-4-2 with Bony parnering Diouf. Bojan doesn't look arsed, keeps losing the ball and gets knocked about too easily.

Thank god im not the only one who thinks Bony and Diouf up top in a 4-4-2 might actually pressure the opposition more and lead to goals and slightly less pressure on our own defence !!!

[alster]

Sept 19, 2016 9:26:33 GMT pez75 said:

The least of our problems. If and when the attacking side of our game clicks (like when we fuck Walters off), he will be back to normal. I am much more concerned about Hughes retreating back in to his Pulis shell, thinking he can rely on the old guard to batten down the hatches and get him out of this mess. Not going to happen as they are all wank - even Shawcross is a shadow of his former self.

Everyone will think I am crazy, but I think we should go for balls out attack - we just do not have the players to defend as a unit at the moment. We are trying to be solid while expecting Arnie to unlock defences on his own and it is simply not working at either end. Go down in a blaze of glory. I would rather lose 4-3 than 4-0 every week.

Well I think the manager certainly needs to grow a pair, he was right in dropping Pieters but should have given Taylor a crack instead of Martins Indi who clearly hadn't a clue how to play as a full back. He should be playing Sobhi when fit not Walters. He should drop Whelan and partner Allen with Imbula or Adam. He should get N'Goy and other youngsters on the bench (at least 2 of them). The teams too old the bench is too old and they play old lacking in pace and energy, unable to create any tempo or impetus in a game. Bojan to the bench for me try 2 up at least until Shaq is fit then if 2 up is not working play him No10. This has been creeping up on us for sometime and is a result of giving new contracts to past it players instead of letting them go and bringing in replacements.

[itsmorethanagame]

Until he has a run of games under a new manager.

It's clear that individually and collectively, the players aren't performing for Hughes.i wouldn't make any long lasting conclusions on current form of any of the players because something clearly isn't right in the camp.

That isn't to absolve Bojan of any blame. But I would like to see him get a run in an organised team which has some sort of game plan before I write him off. He's the type who needs to be loved and thrives off confidence. Obviously that's not he case at the moment and he's in shocking form. But he's a player with the genuine ability to unlock a defence and score goals and as such he's worth keeping onside for now.

[davejohnno1]

Sept 19, 2016 9:50:35 GMT jimmygscfc said:

Sept 18, 2016 18:04:00 GMT davejohnno1 said:

Whilst there are no words to describe how shit Messrs given, Walters, Cameron and Whelan were, bojan once again looked so far off the pace and contributed absolutely nothing positive to the game.

Exactly how long can we give him before we conclude that his pre injury form was a mere blip and the norm is the crap that came before it and now after it?

I said it during the window and I'll say it again now, we should have sold him whilst we had the chance.

Christ Dave, when you've got it in for someone you don't give up. Why pick on Bojan from yesterday? He needs to be played further upfield closer to Bony but we don't know if he's following orders. We have little alternative but to play him at no. 10 unless Shaq gets a run out but that leaves a right wing slot to fill and Sobhi is a long way from starting week in week out. Chucking Diouf into a front two might be a tactic against West Brom but we still lack someone on the right hand side of midfield if we went 4-4-2. Walters was beyond awful yesterday and we just cannot persevere with him.

What worries me looking ahead is the prospect of losing Diouf and Bony (and Sobhi) for ACON. We'll obviously need to go into the market for a striker and that would signal the departure of either Crouch or Walters. Whoever this new striker was would need to hit the ground running and Bojan should still have a part to play. Let's hope we're still in touch with the pack come January or else another manager may well be spending the money. Imbula, for all of his qualities, looks to be a fish out of water with no sign of really being a solution rather than part of the problem. We'll need to get to the New Year with Whelan at the helm too unless we go gung ho with Allen and Imbula as a two. A new defensive midfielder is crucial but a decent one won't join a team in the bottom three. Let's pray we can somehow get ourselves sufficiently out of the brown stuff to give ourselves a chance in 2017, but losing two strikes isn't a great prospect.

As I was rolling around on the floor laughing at how bad Cameron was, I actually thought of you

Re bojan...people say he played too deep but whose fault is that? I would say its his fault. The manager was urging him up the pitch.

For me he's hiding. The smile, the nimble footwork, the touch..its all missing

[jimmygscfc]

Sept 19, 2016 11:10:21 GMT davejohnno1 said:

Sept 19, 2016 9:50:35 GMT jimmygscfc said:

Christ Dave, when you've got it in for someone you don't give up. Why pick on Bojan from yesterday? He needs to be played further upfield closer to Bony but we don't know if he's following orders. We have little alternative but to play him at no. 10 unless Shaq gets a run out but that leaves a right wing slot to fill and Sobhi is a long way from starting week in week out. Chucking Diouf into a front two might be a tactic against West Brom but we still lack someone on the right hand side of midfield if we went 4-4-2. Walters was beyond awful yesterday and we just cannot persevere with him.

What worries me looking ahead is the prospect of losing Diouf and Bony (and Sobhi) for ACON. We'll obviously need to go into the market for a striker and that would signal the departure of either Crouch or Walters. Whoever this new striker was would need to hit the ground running and Bojan should still have a part to play. Let's hope we're still in touch with the pack come January or else another manager may well be spending the money. Imbula, for all of his qualities, looks to be a fish out of water with no sign of really being a solution rather than part of the problem. We'll need to get to the New Year with Whelan at the helm too unless we go gung ho with Allen and Imbula as a two. A new defensive midfielder is crucial but a decent one won't join a team in the bottom three. Let's pray we can somehow get ourselves sufficiently out of the brown stuff to give ourselves a chance in 2017, but losing two strikes isn't a great prospect.

As I was rolling around on the floor laughing at how bad Cameron was, I actually thought of you

Re bojan...people say he played too deep but whose fault is that? I would say its his fault. The manager was urging him up the pitch.

For me he's hiding. The smile, the nimble footwork, the touch..its all missing

Thanks for thinking of me!!!

I'd have kept Martins Indi next to Ryan yesterday and gone for Bardsley at left back...he can do a job there. I thought Johnson was excellent considering the games he's missed. The whole side looks clueless and devoid of any idea or confidence. I'm not normally one to overreact but I'm very worried. We have no options in defensive midfield and probably should have brought in the much debated Whelan replacement before we brought in Imbula. How do we get through until January with Glenn as our lynchpin? We can't seriously play Allen and Imbula in a two can we? I've mentioned the temporary loss of Bony and Diouf in the New year and this could be damaging (Sobhi too). If Hughes is still in charge will he go back in for Berahino who by then will be so devoid of any real match fitness as to be useless? Bony may not be with us next season and Diouf has fallen out of favour so I'd go in for a striker of repute if possible. If we lose at home on Saturday even I would think Peter might need to reassess. A win and we've got one foot out of the brown stuff for a while.

[senojbor]

He's a nice lad and does try. He has skill and can be good to watch but he's out of his depth in the premier league.

[Kjones9]

Is there anyone left that I can start a thread on?

[miltonstokienew]

Bojan like Shaqiri had been all fart and no shit

[Staffsoatcake]

Sept 19, 2016 11:29:49 GMT Kjones9 said:

Is there anyone left that I can start a thread on?

It's a 25 man squad, take your pick.

[drjeffsdiscobarge]

To be fair he was preoccupied defending with Arnie for large chunks of the game yesterday.

He has the same look as the rest of the team, completely lacking in any confidence, frustrated, down right miserable... just not as down right miserable as us lot!

[Kjones9]

Sept 19, 2016 11:32:34 GMT Staffsoatcake said:

Sept 19, 2016 11:29:49 GMT Kjones9 said:

Is there anyone left that I can start a thread on?

It's a 25 man squad, take your pick.

I know but a quick scan of the first 2 pages suggest there's no one left.

Missed out again.

[pez75]

Sept 19, 2016 9:50:35 GMT jimmygscfc said:

Sept 18, 2016 18:04:00 GMT davejohnno1 said:

Whilst there are no words to describe how shit Messrs given, Walters, Cameron and Whelan were, bojan once again looked so far off the pace and contributed absolutely nothing positive to the game.

Exactly how long can we give him before we conclude that his pre injury form was a mere blip and the norm is the crap that came before it and now after it?

I said it during the window and I'll say it again now, we should have sold him whilst we had the chance.

Christ Dave, when you've got it in for someone you don't give up. Why pick on Bojan from yesterday? He needs to be played further upfield closer to Bony but we don't know if he's following orders. We have little alternative but to play him at no. 10 unless Shaq gets a run out but that leaves a right wing slot to fill and Sobhi is a long way from starting week in week out. Chucking Diouf into a front two might be a tactic against West Brom but we still lack someone on the right hand side of midfield if we went 4-4-2. Walters was beyond awful yesterday and we just cannot persevere with him.

What worries me looking ahead is the prospect of losing Diouf and Bony (and Sobhi) for ACON. We'll obviously need to go into the market for a striker and that would signal the departure of either Crouch or Walters. Whoever this new striker was would need to hit the ground running and Bojan should still have a part to play. Let's hope we're still in touch with the pack come January or else another manager may well be spending the money. Imbula, for all of his qualities, looks to be a fish out of water with no sign of really being a solution rather than part of the problem. We'll need to get to the New Year with Whelan at the helm too unless we go gung ho with Allen and Imbula as a two. A new defensive midfielder is crucial but a decent one won't join a team in the bottom three. Let's pray we can somehow get ourselves sufficiently out of the brown stuff to give ourselves a chance in 2017, but losing two strikes isn't a great prospect.

Hi Jimmy,

Can't agree that dropping Whelan for any other midfield combo could be classed as 'gung-ho'. How can a player who gives the ball away with virtually every touch and is 'covering' a back four who are conceding goals for fun being dropped possibly have any worse effect on the team?

[jimmygscfc]

Sept 19, 2016 11:38:52 GMT pez75 said:

Sept 19, 2016 9:50:35 GMT jimmygscfc said:

Christ Dave, when you've got it in for someone you don't give up. Why pick on Bojan from yesterday? He needs to be played further upfield closer to Bony but we don't know if he's following orders. We have little alternative but to play him at no. 10 unless Shaq gets a run out but that leaves a right wing slot to fill and Sobhi is a long way from starting week in week out. Chucking Diouf into a front two might be a tactic against West Brom but we still lack someone on the right hand side of midfield if we went 4-4-2. Walters was beyond awful yesterday and we just cannot persevere with him.

What worries me looking ahead is the prospect of losing Diouf and Bony (and Sobhi) for ACON. We'll obviously need to go into the market for a striker and that would signal the departure of either Crouch or Walters. Whoever this new striker was would need to hit the ground running and Bojan should still have a part to play. Let's hope we're still in touch with the pack come January or else another manager may well be spending the money. Imbula, for all of his qualities, looks to be a fish out of water with no sign of really being a solution rather than part of the problem. We'll need to get to the New Year with Whelan at the helm too unless we go gung ho with Allen and Imbula as a two. A new defensive midfielder is crucial but a decent one won't join a team in the bottom three. Let's pray we can somehow get ourselves sufficiently out of the brown stuff to give ourselves a chance in 2017, but losing two strikes isn't a great prospect.

Hi Jimmy,

Can't agree that dropping Whelan for any other midfield combo could be classed as 'gung-ho'. How can a player who gives the ball away with virtually every touch and is 'covering' a back four who are conceding goals for fun being dropped possibly have any worse effect on the team?

I know what you mean Pez, but Allen would be the one charged with playing the deeper role in Whelan's absence and I'm not sure if he's suited. However, Whelan has been so bad and so pedestrian that we might have to give it a go. We've dropped a bollock by not bringing in a new defensive midfield minder and we knew it was going to cause us problems.

[SamB_SCFC]

If Hughes is still here no more games because clearly he either isn't able to motivate him or he has no idea where to play him. If we get a new manager then it'll be down to him to decide based on how the players react on the training ground. About 3 quarters of this squad haven't been earning their wages for months.

[bayernoatcake]

Sept 19, 2016 9:26:20 GMT sheikhmomo said:

I personally think Bojan although a worry, is so far down the list of worries it wouldn't even be on page three.

This

[Kjones9]

Maybe you are right, it seems like a lot of players are just playing off perceived strengths of thier game and not actually delivering on the pitch.

[cheshirepotter]

This isn't a case of specific, individual players not performing, it's much much deeper than that. It is a case of the way we are playing and our overall approach. That, is down to the work and organisation (or lack of it) that is going on between games.

[Deleted]

Sept 18, 2016 18:21:20 GMT toppercorner said:

unaware of how many who've posted were actually at the game, however, what 'might' not have been see on screen were his runs, small passes to others in space, and running back to defend

i counted at least 4 times he was the only one back in the corner near us defending with blocks or creating time for others to get in position (more than the actual fucking defence)

if there are agendas to be had, lets not start with someone who clearly cares and does try

Nobody has started with Bojan.  In fact, he's one of the last to get it!

Wolly gone coz he was slow and shit;
Eric dropped;
Imbula dropped;
Whelan still not dropped;
Walters still flogging about;
Bardsley finally put aside for the returning Johnson;
Given playing far too often have tried the Hauguaard experiment;
Shaqiri not fitting in;
Arnie not putting in enough effort.


Virtually the whole team have had a shit load of criticism over the last number of months and Bojan is starting, quite fairly, to be looked at in terms of how much influence he is having up top in terms of what he is meant to do.  So....'starting' with Bojan??  Not at all

[pez75]

Sept 19, 2016 11:42:58 GMT jimmygscfc said:

Sept 19, 2016 11:38:52 GMT pez75 said:

Hi Jimmy,

Can't agree that dropping Whelan for any other midfield combo could be classed as 'gung-ho'. How can a player who gives the ball away with virtually every touch and is 'covering' a back four who are conceding goals for fun being dropped possibly have any worse effect on the team?

I know what you mean Pez, but Allen would be the one charged with playing the deeper role in Whelan's absence and I'm not sure if he's suited. However, Whelan has been so bad and so pedestrian that we might have to give it a go. We've dropped a bollock by not bringing in a new defensive midfield minder and we knew it was going to cause us problems.

Whelan offers nothing, absolutely nothing. Zilch. Nada.

What is the worst that could happen - concede 4 goals?

[ryan4england]

He was shite on saturday time to bring adam in.

[Dallas Cowboy]

Sept 19, 2016 9:26:20 GMT sheikhmomo said:

I personally think Bojan although a worry, is so far down the list of worries it wouldn't even be on page three.

Page Three is normally reserved for tits -- W-cups Whelan and Walters.