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Post by mrrine on Nov 13, 2023 0:19:55 GMT
I really like the look of Mmaee tbh. He just needs to stay fit. We need a quick player though. There’s still a massive lack of pace throughout the team. Mmaee looks a bit of a fanny to me. Doesn't look like he's going to handle the physicality of the league. Frustrates me massively with his whining to the ref about getting shoved over too much. I'd like to see him given a run of games before I conclude he's a fanny, but it pongs of fanny massively atm.
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Post by LGH87 on Nov 13, 2023 8:56:28 GMT
The key to us this season, will be when he finally lets the shackles off and play Haks or Junho as a 10 behind Mmaee, with Vidigal on the left and Campbell/Leris on the right.
If he ever has the balls to do it, we shall see.
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Post by robstokie on Nov 13, 2023 9:09:21 GMT
So far we've only scored 16 goals in 16 games- and 4 of them were in one game against Rotherham. We've conceded 18, which is actually the 6th or 7th best in the league. Thankfully, our defence, after a rather porous start, has tightened up considerably as the players have got used to each other. A big part of that is Stevens coming back and a CB pairing getting a run of games together. I'm still not convinced by Hoever's defending on the right, but considering how toothless our attack looks, picking him is probably the right call on balance. The worry is the front 4. Vidigal on the left is literally the only goal threat we have. He started the season well, but teams know all about him now- he likes to cut in onto his right and also drifts into the centre to finish off crosses from the right. Opposing teams are all going to be aware of that now. He's not really looked like scoring since he came back from injury. Leris on the right lacks quality on the ball. He'll run all day and is good in the air, but he's not creative enough. He's a poor man's Jacob Brown, which is not exactly a ringing endorsement. Johnson is another runner, but isn't going to put a through-ball on a plate for a striker, and doesn't seem to be much of a goal threat himself either. I've covered the strikers in another thread. I'm not convinced any of them are the answer. This isn't just a reaction to two 0-0 draws on the bounce, looking at the team as it stands, I don't know where a goal is coming from. It's wonderful that the backline has tightened up, but it's still got mistakes in it. Five games unbeaten is a positive, but I can see plenty of 0-1 defeats on the cards with what we're doing at the moment. The problem for me is that we seem to lack a mobile focal point that can retain possession high up the pitch - theres Wesley that AN sees purely as a plan B, and I guess at a push Mmaee, though he's been injured more often than not. And, considering the amount of pacey wide options that we bought in through the summer, we still play reasonably narrow and slow with the 'wide players' playing more as inverted strikers, with the one player who can play as an actual winger, DJ, being played as either a 10 or as the most advanced of a midfield 3. Add to that we chop and change the front 3 (some of it enforced admittedly) then it's difficult for players to build up relationships and establish effective patterns of play that compliment what we have. Furthermore, we don't seem to regain possession high up the pitch often enough, the strikers press well enough but the midfield doesnt follow, allowing space between the lines for the other team to break the press and when we do turn it over our midfield runners are so far away, we then kill the tempo having to wait for supporting runners allowing the opposition chance to set behind the ball, close down spaces between the lines and either win the ball or force us backwards, conceding the territory. We also miss having a midfielder who can run from deep - Pearson shows it in flashes but is predominantly playing a Whelan type role and Burger is ok at popping up and recycling the ball, but yet to be convinced by him running from deep with the ball at feet. It's concerning that we did not address it more thoroughly in the summer as we had this same problem breaking down teams, particularly at home, last season - and if Gayle is the answer, fuck knows what the question is? With what we have, would it be worth either playing Leris through the middle as a potential focal point with Vidi and one of Haksa/Mmaee playing either side with Johnson/Bae playing just off Leris with the instruction to run at the opposition to win free kicks and pen them in. Or playing Bae as a false 9 with a fluid 3 behind him looking to run on behind.
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Post by spitthedog on Nov 13, 2023 9:50:40 GMT
Interesting question, my opinion the management expected alot more from the large amount of midfield players they have brought in,I think they expected and probably we all thought that BURGER would be the key player scoring around the 10 mark unfortunately another box standard player who can't really make a impact in this league Burger has scored 6 goals in his whole career. How would he suddenly start being a prolific goalscorer? I really don't understand where the goals are meant to come from tbh Leris, Burger and Pearson have no goals in them for a start. I'd be amazed if any of these scored more than 5 goals in a season, they would be breaking all their own records
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Post by crouchpotato1 on Nov 13, 2023 10:00:10 GMT
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Post by jesusmcmuffin on Nov 13, 2023 11:27:12 GMT
The key to us this season, will be when he finally lets the shackles off and play Haks or Junho as a 10 behind Mmaee, with Vidigal on the left and Campbell/Leris on the right. If he ever has the balls to do it, we shall see. Yep, turning a bit dull and the last 2 games have been as bad as seen in a long time. Is ok keeping clean sheets but we've created bugger all at the other end v 2 sides who are hardly quality. We're still a bottom half side despite all the talk and signings and nothing has changed
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Post by baconburger on Nov 13, 2023 13:51:10 GMT
The key to us this season, will be when he finally lets the shackles off and play Haks or Junho as a 10 behind Mmaee, with Vidigal on the left and Campbell/Leris on the right. If he ever has the balls to do it, we shall see. Yep, turning a bit dull and the last 2 games have been as bad as seen in a long time. Is ok keeping clean sheets but we've created bugger all at the other end v 2 sides who are hardly quality. We're still a bottom half side despite all the talk and signings and nothing has changed What can you expect we’re a club that routinely recruits dour conservative managers.
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Post by jesusmcmuffin on Nov 13, 2023 13:54:39 GMT
Yep, turning a bit dull and the last 2 games have been as bad as seen in a long time. Is ok keeping clean sheets but we've created bugger all at the other end v 2 sides who are hardly quality. We're still a bottom half side despite all the talk and signings and nothing has changed What can you expect we’re a club that routinely recruits dour conservative managers. Some are getting carried away with the unbeaten run. Bottom line is that were no better off than a year ago. Coventry were desperate and a great chance to push to the top half, we hardly laid a finger on them. I predicted 0-0 pre game and he served up exactly what I expected
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Post by biddulphchav on Nov 13, 2023 14:21:30 GMT
What can you expect we’re a club that routinely recruits dour conservative managers. Some are getting carried away with the unbeaten run. Bottom line is that were no better off than a year ago. Coventry were desperate and a great chance to push to the top half, we hardly laid a finger on them. I predicted 0-0 pre game and he served up exactly what I expected I don’t want to be negative but we have been a little fortunate to get some of the points we’ve gained on this run. The Bamford penalty miss being the most obvious, but there has been others. We look more solid defensively (not convinced by Rose still), and that’s encouraging as i can’t really remember the last time I’ve felt that way about Stoke. I hope this is the beginning of the manager realising we’ve got to be solid first and foremost, be a side that is hard to beat. If we can nail that down, it’s something to build from. Hoping the next 5-10 games we continue to be hard to break down, and hard to beat, and from there AN should be able to start to figure out a system that can give us more of a threat going forward. Would like to see Campbell back in the team, good competition for the other wingers and offers something different. He’ll be playing for a contract too which can only be a good thing
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Post by jesusmcmuffin on Nov 13, 2023 15:01:09 GMT
Some are getting carried away with the unbeaten run. Bottom line is that were no better off than a year ago. Coventry were desperate and a great chance to push to the top half, we hardly laid a finger on them. I predicted 0-0 pre game and he served up exactly what I expected I don’t want to be negative but we have been a little fortunate to get some of the points we’ve gained on this run. The Bamford penalty miss being the most obvious, but there has been others. We look more solid defensively (not convinced by Rose still), and that’s encouraging as i can’t really remember the last time I’ve felt that way about Stoke. I hope this is the beginning of the manager realising we’ve got to be solid first and foremost, be a side that is hard to beat. If we can nail that down, it’s something to build from. Hoping the next 5-10 games we continue to be hard to break down, and hard to beat, and from there AN should be able to start to figure out a system that can give us more of a threat going forward. Would like to see Campbell back in the team, good competition for the other wingers and offers something different. He’ll be playing for a contract too which can only be a good thing Agree with that You need luck in games and we've certainly had a lot of late. We haven't bothered the opposition in the last 2 games
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Post by CBUFAWKIPWH on Nov 13, 2023 15:25:56 GMT
The key to us this season, will be when he finally lets the shackles off and play Haks or Junho as a 10 behind Mmaee, with Vidigal on the left and Campbell/Leris on the right. If he ever has the balls to do it, we shall see. Yep, turning a bit dull and the last 2 games have been as bad as seen in a long time. Is ok keeping clean sheets but we've created bugger all at the other end v 2 sides who are hardly quality. We're still a bottom half side despite all the talk and signings and nothing has changed We beat 3 form teams and ground out draws against 2 teams with very good defensive records - that's one of the best sequence of results we've had since relegation. If we maintain that form we will easily make the playoffs. Whether we will is a different matter but drawing negative conclusions from the last 5 games is just a bit desperate.
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Post by jesusmcmuffin on Nov 13, 2023 15:39:35 GMT
Yep, turning a bit dull and the last 2 games have been as bad as seen in a long time. Is ok keeping clean sheets but we've created bugger all at the other end v 2 sides who are hardly quality. We're still a bottom half side despite all the talk and signings and nothing has changed We beat 3 form teams and ground out draws against 2 teams with very good defensive records - that's one of the best sequence of results we've had since relegation. If we maintain that form we will easily make the playoffs. Whether we will is a different matter but drawing negative conclusions from the last 5 games is just a bit desperate. Am drawing conclusions from 50 odd games You're doing it from 5 games Great to be on an unbeaten run but kidding yourself everything is suddenly all good after we had a similar run last season and we are in no better condition than when he took the job over a year ago That's a bit desperate
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Post by CBUFAWKIPWH on Nov 13, 2023 17:20:35 GMT
We beat 3 form teams and ground out draws against 2 teams with very good defensive records - that's one of the best sequence of results we've had since relegation. If we maintain that form we will easily make the playoffs. Whether we will is a different matter but drawing negative conclusions from the last 5 games is just a bit desperate. Am drawing conclusions from 50 odd games You're doing it from 5 games Great to be on an unbeaten run but kidding yourself everything is suddenly all good after we had a similar run last season and we are in no better condition than when he took the job over a year ago That's a bit desperate I explicitly said that I couldn't predict whether the current good run in form would continue. What I did say was that your claim that the last two games were indicative of us being a bottom half team was nonsense. It is you who is making unfounded conclusions from recent games, not me. If anything the recent run of games undermines your negative view of the manager and what the team is capable of isn't backed up by the facts.
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Post by peterthornesboots on Nov 13, 2023 17:22:54 GMT
One of my biggest complaints about AN's tenure so far has been how soft we have been defensively. So the last few games has come as a pleasant surprise!
A more settled back line has definitely helped and the Rose/Mcnally partnership looks to have real potential.
As others have pointed out, we seem to be very short of goal scorers at the club. Apart from Mmaee, I am not sure if anyone looks even remotely likely to get anywhere near double figures.
However, I cannot blame the manager for being a little pragmatic. It was only a few weeks ago that he was seemingly heading for the chop.
Hopefully we can maintain our defensively solidarity and then add a couple of new attacking faces in January to make us more potent up the other end of the pitch.
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Post by scfcno1fan on Nov 13, 2023 22:36:14 GMT
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Post by Gods on Nov 14, 2023 7:44:26 GMT
We're going to finish the season with our leading scorer of league goals on about 6 or 7 maximum.
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Post by MilanStokie on Nov 14, 2023 10:15:16 GMT
I think a lot of the criticism here is a bit harsh in fairness.
In particular on Leris who I think has been pretty decent. IMO he is a big upgrade on Brown and it is very difficult to compare the goals to make that judgment. Brown played a lot of games upfront and even as a wide forward, clearly had instruction to get into the box. Leris is working in tandem with Hoever but already and more of a supplier than a finisher, to me, looks a far more accomplished footballer than Jacob Brown will ever be.
This unbeaten run is much needed. We can look at the individual games if you want and single out games where we should have won, but it doesn't matter. Our defence for half of our games so far this season have been making goal scoring errors and if they are now consistently stopping that, its only going to be better for us moving forward.
I still think the personnel is wrong. Pearson and Burger are must starts but DJ should absolutely not be the 3rd if they do. It needs to be a more attacking player and I think Bae is now ready for a run of starts.
I want Junior to become our mainstay RB but for now, I am happy with Hoever. LB is the only real big weakness I feel (Striker and Keeper need looking at as well), Stevens can be OK, but OK at best. A new LB, GK and Striker in January.
Still sceptical of AN and I hope he can continue this run and start scoring some goals running into December.
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Post by jesusmcmuffin on Nov 14, 2023 12:03:46 GMT
We're going to finish the season with our leading scorer of league goals on about 6 or 7 maximum. It's bound to happen in a team that creates bugger all
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Post by GreaterGlasgowstokie on Nov 14, 2023 12:10:41 GMT
Some are getting carried away with the unbeaten run. Bottom line is that were no better off than a year ago. Coventry were desperate and a great chance to push to the top half, we hardly laid a finger on them. I predicted 0-0 pre game and he served up exactly what I expected I don’t want to be negative but we have been a little fortunate to get some of the points we’ve gained on this run. The Bamford penalty miss being the most obvious, but there has been others. We look more solid defensively (not convinced by Rose still), and that’s encouraging as i can’t really remember the last time I’ve felt that way about Stoke. I hope this is the beginning of the manager realising we’ve got to be solid first and foremost, be a side that is hard to beat. If we can nail that down, it’s something to build from. Hoping the next 5-10 games we continue to be hard to break down, and hard to beat, and from there AN should be able to start to figure out a system that can give us more of a threat going forward. Would like to see Campbell back in the team, good competition for the other wingers and offers something different. He’ll be playing for a contract too which can only be a good thing I don't think we've been fortunate. Against boro and Sunderland I thought we were very good and deserved the wins. Against Leeds we were the better than first half and unlucky not to be ahead. We were lucky with the penalty incident, but deserved not to lose at least and that against a team that will be promoted this season. The last two 0-0's have been tough games but granted, we have looked a a bit ropey. But it's very encouraging we showed resilience and didn't lose. We have a busy period of very winnable games coming up that will determine how our season will go. I have high hopes the next ten games will put us right in the mix
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Post by Veritas on Nov 14, 2023 12:23:49 GMT
Some are getting carried away with the unbeaten run. Bottom line is that were no better off than a year ago. Coventry were desperate and a great chance to push to the top half, we hardly laid a finger on them. I predicted 0-0 pre game and he served up exactly what I expected I don’t want to be negative but we have been a little fortunate to get some of the points we’ve gained on this run. The Bamford penalty miss being the most obvious, but there has been others. We look more solid defensively (not convinced by Rose still), and that’s encouraging as i can’t really remember the last time I’ve felt that way about Stoke. I hope this is the beginning of the manager realising we’ve got to be solid first and foremost, be a side that is hard to beat. If we can nail that down, it’s something to build from. Hoping the next 5-10 games we continue to be hard to break down, and hard to beat, and from there AN should be able to start to figure out a system that can give us more of a threat going forward. Would like to see Campbell back in the team, good competition for the other wingers and offers something different. He’ll be playing for a contract too which can only be a good thing You say we have been fortunate not sure that lines up with 6, or is it 7, penalties not given!
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Post by jesusmcmuffin on Nov 14, 2023 12:53:24 GMT
I don’t want to be negative but we have been a little fortunate to get some of the points we’ve gained on this run. The Bamford penalty miss being the most obvious, but there has been others. We look more solid defensively (not convinced by Rose still), and that’s encouraging as i can’t really remember the last time I’ve felt that way about Stoke. I hope this is the beginning of the manager realising we’ve got to be solid first and foremost, be a side that is hard to beat. If we can nail that down, it’s something to build from. Hoping the next 5-10 games we continue to be hard to break down, and hard to beat, and from there AN should be able to start to figure out a system that can give us more of a threat going forward. Would like to see Campbell back in the team, good competition for the other wingers and offers something different. He’ll be playing for a contract too which can only be a good thing You say we have been fortunate not sure that lines up with 6, or is it 7, penalties not given! Lines yo with a lot to be fair. We've had plenty of good fortune also
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Post by senojbor on Nov 14, 2023 16:08:38 GMT
Without trawling through the replies.
No, it's not the same as the binary season, nothing like it.
Nothing wrong with not conceding goals. We would have lost at least 3 of the last 5 games last season.
When Campbell is fit alongside Vidigal I can see plenty of goals
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Post by dirtclod on Nov 14, 2023 17:04:28 GMT
11111100111
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Post by Pugsley on Nov 14, 2023 17:10:51 GMT
Without trawling through the replies. No, it's not the same as the binary season, nothing like it. Nothing wrong with not conceding goals. We would have lost at least 3 of the last 5 games last season. When Campbell is fit alongside Vidigal I can see plenty of goals This team has goals in it, we've seen it. Concern is over the manager - he's afraid of his own shadow.
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Post by jesusmcmuffin on Nov 14, 2023 17:43:16 GMT
Without trawling through the replies. No, it's not the same as the binary season, nothing like it. Nothing wrong with not conceding goals. We would have lost at least 3 of the last 5 games last season. When Campbell is fit alongside Vidigal I can see plenty of goals Campbell isn't a regular scorer when fit. He's barely hit 30 in his career for us. Rather have him available though
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Post by baconburger on Nov 15, 2023 9:53:05 GMT
Us and Bristol City stand out like a sore thumb outside the bottom 4 as two teams that imo just don’t score enough goals to be expecting to do any better than they are. Until we address this I don’t expect any serious challenge towards to top 6.Again imo our management and much of our fan base are obsessed by not conceding goals and seem to scrape the barrel to come up with occasions where low scoring teams have been successful (minimal) instead of addressing the issue and trying to produce a high scoring team which would exponentially increase our chances of being successful. Ipswich are in the top two yet have conceded more than us. They’re right up there because they score goals. Generally speaking top teams are free scoring, of course there are odd exceptions but why try to be an exception rather than the most likely route to success.
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