Well, a couple of good games as friendlies, we certainly look fitter and better prepared than last season. Timothee worries the life out of me, but as mentioned he is still young, so hopefully in time his mistakes can be ironed out. Greaves in both games looked very assured, on these showings I would have him ahead of Macca. Smith looks a good prospect, did really well in the game until he was caught out for their goal. Wood's has had 2 very good games, neat and tidy. Leake looked better than Fleming, as OLM said Fleming has gone backwards, which is worrying for him. Jarvis looked better than both Allahyar and Longman, we definitely need a couple of good wingers. The trip certainly has done nothing negative and only enhanced City's profile in Turkey.
The "Wally from Wollumboola Base" hath spoke too much! ...from an ancient BBC radio (later ITV series) show only some older forum members might possibly remember. No prizes given for naming the show(s) and their theme... other than admiration for superior memory recall. A.A.T. (myself being just "another annoying twat" who can't translate the "high" Oz language ) Here's a clue...
Might seem strange to say after his mistake started the move that led to their goal, but I was hugely impressed by Smith's passing. It was a step up from Alfie Jones in two respects, first he passes with pace on the ball. Alfie Jones will knock it out to Christie, but by the time the ball gets there he's usually got a man blocking his way forward. Second, Smith threaded a number of good long passes though the lines to forward players, something Alfie Jones rarely seems confident to do. Don't think we've seen enough of his defending at this level to know if he could be the back up RCB, but does look one for the future.
He's really not far away and he always impressed me when I saw him for Grimsby. I'd still like to see him play regularly though so a year in L1 would be just the ticket but it needs to be for a ball-playing side. I know Lincoln has been mentioned and that would be a solid fit on paper
Greaves went a way for a year at a similar time in his career to Cheltenham did him the power of good.
Greaves went on loan to Cheltenham when he was 18, Smith is close to turning 22. If he’s going to get brought into the team he needs to be in and around it and doing it this season IMO. He’s got the season and regular football under his belt he will learn a lot training and possibly playing at this level.
That’s going to be the case every season. That’s the case for all young players. If he’s good enough he’ll get his place in the side.
I agree with this. Honestly he didnt look out of place these last two games. If he started against Norwich I personally wouldn't have any worries. As said earlier in the thread his passing looked far better than Jones especially the line breakers.
Not really as he's put the hard yards in. He's had a tough loan at Salford, and then 18 months playing regularly in the NL and L2 for Grimsby. He's played a good amount of games and has really improved (as you'd expect). He's going to become a decent championship centre half at the very least. It's also where acquiring Shelbourne is key as he's probably have had another 12 months playing experience before going to play in England and he'd probably be a little bit further on
I remember my Dad, when he wanted to do an Aussie accent used to say “this is Flying Doctor calling Wollumboola Base”, I always wondered where it came from!
na the ceiling on Greaves is far higher, was quality getting back and stopping a chance last night then when the shoe was on the other foot Macca was towing a caravan and we conceded. It’s a myth that he’s better then Greaves at LCB.
They're both good centre-halves but Greaves is better imo and younger too. Greaves has been exceptional ever since he displaced Jordy de Wijs in League 1. If we are to sell him, we should demand no less than £10 million plus add-ons.
The way he passes the ball in to our CM's is far tidier then any other CB we have. I'm also a big fan of McLoughlin, however, I do suspect Greaves would have managed to get a challenge in for their goal yesterday.
i always thought the blunts would come in for Greaves, and we'd get Enda Stevens and some dough....not going to happen. Stevens has either gone to Stoke or going.
He's a very versatile player as well. He's very comfortable on the ball and is a good passer. I wonder if he could play as a defensive midfielder like his old man used to as well.
