Nicko reckons there’s behind closed doors friendlies today and said ‘see if he plays’ in regards to lichaj wonder if that’s a hint that he’s still on trial? Purely me speculating that though
The biggest issue I had with Johnson was his refusal to try a couple of the u23 when we were really struggling defensively and unable to score at times. Our patched up defence got found out, which was inevitable, yet we had 2 centre halves in the u23 getting rave reviews. The only time he gave one of them a chance was out of position on the right. The same goes for Hawkes, who isn’t exactly a kid either. Just hope he gets off to a decent start that we can build on.
U23s had a couple of trialists the other day... Nee idea if it was him. Probably not for the u23s like.
Couldn't agree more. If you don't use your Premier League Standard, Category 1 Academy when you have an injury crisis in League One.....when DO you use it? Might as well shut the thing down as it serves no purpose otherwise
I am hoping we see the u23s this year much more involved, of course they need to earn their place in the squad. I know there were arguments for them playing last year but to be fair to Johnson he is on record as saying why Hawkes and Younger and Patterson were held back. Younger made the bench a couple of times I think. Neil is the one I thought would play more as he looked ready in his checkatrade games. Johnson had him on the bench for a couple of league games but didnt get much game time. I am interested to see what they do with Patterson this season as Johnson has said he thinks he has massive potential so will they loan him out or challenge him to get in the team. All of them trained a lot with the first team as well according to Speakman so they are getting the chance to develop and to impress. Here is hoping they all make a massive impact this season.
It's really starting to wind me up how many people are wetting their knickers over the lack of signings. I know we won't be signing anyone that is playing at the Euros but it will still have a knock on effect further down the pyramid. The higher up the pyramid we are looking the longer things will take, for example if we are trying to sign players from a championship club they may not release him till they find a replacement who may be at a premier league club. A lot of people are complaining about signings other clubs are making, but if they were to look at who those players are they are either league 1 out of contract players or players that have played all their careers in the lower leagues. Like you mate I am very happy at the way things are going, the press haven't got a clue who we are after, by the first signing we have made shows the calibre of players we are after, then I'm very excited I'm not actually bothered if it takes till the last minute of the transfer window to bring in the players they actually want. It's going to be a lot harder for us to secure the players we want if we are after top end players that some championship clubs are after.
The patter on Twitter is lifting ATM. People pissing their pants all over the place. People need to calm down and let them do their jobs, I'm sure it's all in hand.
Twitter needs ending like. It gives too many ****ehawks a platform from which they can share their silly views. As ever, its the idiots that shout loudest. I think AP could prove to be a very astute signing. A lad with a point to prove who has in the past stood out a level above, and in his interview says hes at his best in a team who see a lot of the ball, which more often than not we do in League One.
Was trying to find his injury record online. Found something on transfermarkt, but his injury record wasn't bad at all according to that. Is some of his not playing just down to not being selected/suiting the managers playing style? Has anyone actually seen a list of the durations he's been out injured?
Some interesting comments from Pritchard about playing for a team that sees plenty of the ball to help get his mojo back. I think his kind of player struggles when lower in league or not in possession. May explain his struggles to step up. Could end up being a great move for him and us if he can get us up and then we can deal with next season as we need to. Will be a nice problem to have.
These people want to get their whinging in before things go right and they miss their chance ... ... it was exactly the same with the takeover. People were claiming it was just a share shuffle, that Donald would still be pulling the strings and that nothing would change. Some people are just desperate to be miserable and are always recruiting.
Seen one tweet from a bloke saying the club was 'stagnating'. Apart from a new owner, new fellas in the boardroom, new sporting director, new commercial director, new head of recruitment, new head of data and analytics and literally ripping walls down at the academy to rebuild the place I can see his point......NOT! Some people are ****ing clueless tbh. They want putting down. I'm more than happy with the clearout and who has been released so far, the rebuilding job is massive on and off the pitch (we need to write off the 2 yr under Donald because that set us and the academy back a good few years). They have a plan, KLD is no fool, roll on Wigan at home 1st game.....or the Hull friendly if tickets are available. Get me back to the SoL with the bairn.
