Well yesterday was a bit of an anti climax as far as Town supporters are concerned. I was hoping that PJ would be pulling another rabbit out of the hat but I guess we will have to settle for loan players. I was at least hoping that Portsmouth would be crazy enough to come in for Leadboots and even that didn't happen. As we have kept saying all summer we desperately need a recognised Right Back, Centre Back to partner Sonko and a decent back up keeper. Why we haven't signed old Jug ears when he is on a free is slightly baffling! Now that we have brought in 11 players and hopefully another 3 to follow in the loan market, do you think PJ has done the business with the players he's brought in? The Good Sonko - Very decent no nonsense defender Chopra - His goal output speaks for its self Bullard - Again it goes without saying everything he does on the pitch is pure class Murphy - Good strong attacker and a perfect foil for Chopra and cover on the wing Cressy - Started off realy well at left back and can only get better Andrews - 3 goals in 3 games and a solid midfielder definately a big improvement on Norris The Bad Stockdale - Yes he is a very good keeper but I question the wisdom of a loan with emergency clause The Ugly Ellington - What the hell do we need him for when we have a leaner and meaner Scotland Leadboots - Should never have been given the captain's armband and judging on his performances so far this season should not even be in the starting 11. Ingimarsson - Injury prone will be lucky if we get a dozen games out of him. Would be fantastic if we can get him and Sonko playing regularly together but I can't see it happening. Bowyer - His best days are behind him I'm afraid. Always dubious about his injury record and again not sure he will get enough games this year. Thats my asessment for what its worth!
I think Stockdale was a great move. If we can get one or two defenders in the emergency window we start to have a good backline. Come on - Fulop and ALB aren't up to it. Aside from that, bang on with your assessment sir.
"Bullard - Again it goes without saying everything he does on the pitch is pure class" Apart from the two conversions sorry,free kicks, he took on Saturday
Yeah I agree with his free kicks on Saturday bigal but I am sure you will agree that when he came on the game changed. We stopped looking nervous and he gave the whole team and indeed crowd a huge lift. I will forgive him for those 2 free kicks but just look at what Leadboots did with his!
Sorry Jwm . I shouldn't leave my pc on when i have a visiting Weighty Crimsom Plum (with a beard). I think Mr PJ's signings on the whole look very good so far . Should get Wrighty as back up keeper.
Good Cresswell - looks best bit of business this summer Bullard - drives our midfield and provides the creativity we have been lacking Andrews - Keeps the standard up will make up one of the best midfield we've had for a while Sonko - Probably not the defender we imagined we'd be signing but a no nonsense player is what we needed and what we got OK Stockdale - Excellent signing, but on a loan that could leave us very short at any minute. Although looking at it from a positive angle in a round about way Jewell showing faith in ALB. Bowyer - If nothing else it was a landmark signing that signaled our intent and for free it cant be sniffed at at all JET - Not seen enough yet from him,could go either way we've seen that he can play well if hes given the incentive to. Basically i think if the team has forward momentum, his bit of ego wont let him not be the best attacker on the field. But from reports ive read, he just hasn't turned it on yet. Bad Ellington - simply because hes done nothing of note but saying that, maybe its been his arrival thats inspired Scotland to put the effort in Ivar - good player, but the injuries, i still think it was a risk worth taking though, again for free its not an ugly signing
Good assessment Mike I forgot all about JET! I would put him in a category all on his own "Hot and Cold!"
I think overall he has made some very good signings and who would have thought that this time last year we would have Bowyer, Bullard, Chopra and an England goalkeeper in our team. And this squad has been assembled in total at about £3million, comparing what we've had to put up with in the Evan's era so far when Magilton and Keane spent a combined £20 million I think we can be pleased. When you compare the quality in our squad now compared to the signings made especially by Keane it looks like he's done very good business. Every manager no matter how good can make bad signings. For me the one I am in a way most dissapointed with is that of Bowyer. He may turn out to be good but I don't really believe unless we are going to have a 5 man midfield(which I hope we won't for the majority of the time) him and Bullard won't be able to play together in the centre. I'd like to see Bullard and Andrews given the chance to form a partnership with Leadbitter and Drury as cover. The problem with Bowyer is he is a big name player and this could infact see Jewell try to incorparate him in the team whatever.
Do you not know the legendary song "Any old iron?" "You look a dapper from your napper to your feet!"
I have to agree with you itfcptc about Bowyer, I still think he could be a handy player for us but I truly believe that had PJ been aware that we'd end up with Bullard he wouldn't have bothered with Bowyer but that is the glory of hindsight. Like you say because of who he is PJ may try to adapt the team to incorporate him but like you think Bullard and Andrews would be great but I fancy Bowyer will be in there too on a regular basis
Yeah thats what I thought. Jewell most probably got Bowyer because he didn't think we were going to get Bullard and who can blame him tbf when a player of Bowyers caliber is available and its clear a deal can be done. I just hope like so many managers Jewell doesn't try to pick players before picking a team for example like England when they try to incorporate Lampard, Gerrard and Barry all in one team.
