http://www.thesecretfootballer.com/...wcastle-united-do-not-paint-the-full-picture/ A counter argument for our injury problems? Though the article isn't about us, still a few good points.
A guy on Twitter quite rightly pointed out that not only do the opposition know that Pope is suspect to the low shot (so do we) so why don't we have a defender ready to clear any errors rather than them just standing there watching.
Why not just get a goalkeeper who doesn't constantly spill the ball on the ground. We have made a big ricket by not getting an experienced goalkeeper in on loan when Henderson got injured. I thought we played ok today and had good chances with Mc Aleny, Watt and Ba through one on one with the keeper. But our finishing was profligate. It was great to see Jackson come off the bench and inspire a comeback. But the harsh fact is that the difference between a win and a draw was Pope's mistake. Who would be a goalkeeper?
Wonder they're freezing out Jackson, as they really don't want to get "I ****ing told you so" mail from the fans. It's just proof that their European scouting network really is not Championship material. Looking back over the last few seasons I can name three players that have been a big plus to us: 1. Gudmundson 2. Bauer 3. Ajdarevic Not sure of any others, but there is a damn sight more crap than we got in.
35 signings to date under Duchatelet including quality loans like Tudgay. Of those, how many have been an undoubted success ? 2 or 3. Less than 10% in other words. At any other serious football club, the scouts would have walked the plank for such a dire success ratio. Of the 3 players you mention, I agree that Bauer looks the best of the 7 summer signings, although that's a bit like admiring a dandelion for its asthetic appeal in a field of weeds. As for JBG, said to now be earning 16 grand a week at Charlton, but how many games this season has he grabbed by the scruff of the neck and dominated ? Finally that old puffer Astrid - I assume you were joking ? The guy could barely last one half of a football match.
Fitness aside, he hadn't had much game time before coming to us, but he put in decent crosses and tested the keeper. QPR and Yeovil matches spring to mind
Some signings have been OK, but for me Bauer is the only real success, in the way that Curbs' signings would come straight in and improve the team and stay there. Diarra isn't a euro signing.
When asked why the vast majority of signings came from abroad, Katrien replied "It's a coincidence" She just can't stop telling whoppers.
I thought we were over budget? Anyone that comes in in January will plug the gap that stops us going down, and then we'll start the routine again come the summer.
Echo the thoughts of everyone on here- Pope has a real problem with shots along the floor from outside the box, brilliant impact for by JJ in turning the game around, and Bauer is easily the best of the summer signings Ba and Bergdich are very poor Also want to highlight- when an opposition team comes down, the gulf in class between their full backs and Fox is huge- their two yesterday was very good whilst Fox is clueless
Tal- Absolutely spot on about the comparison in full backs yesterday I made the identical comment to my son during the match - the two Fulham boys were mobile, fluid and confident on the ball. Fox on the other hand .....
The squad in general is laughable. Only Solly, Cousins, JJ and Bauer are worth a place in the side. And I've never really understood all the fuss about JBG; he's no Johnny Robinson, that's for sure. Ba, Bergdich, Watt et al are all duds and do not deserve to wear the hallowed shirt. My ST money for 2016/17 is edging closer to John Lewis and a new coffee machine.
One thing that no one has commented on from yesterday: Jamie O'Hara He's been touted over the past 24 months on here as a potentially good addition to our team; I personally think he's rather average but he was made to look like Pirlo yesterday by our midfield I liked someone on here's observation that our deep defence is causing a problem that our midfield can't counter
I made that point Kish. He's certainly no world beater but Jamie O'Hara possesses several qualities that the vast majority of our midfield players do not... composure when in possession, an awareness of what's going on around him and the ability to find a pass being the three main ones for me. Give him time and space and he will hurt you with these qualities. Which he did on Sunday. We are in desperate need of a player like him in the heart of our midfield. Kashi, Ba & Cousins are all capable of doing the donkey work that will afford a player with the aforementioned qualities to play. It's no coincidence that it all went to pot for Fulham when Symons took off O'Hara and Dembele. The threat of the latter's pace was frightening the life out of Diarra and Bayer, forcing them to drop deeper and deeper and O'Hara pretty much did as he wanted from the first whistle to when he went off. Taking Dembele off and putting another body in midfield effectively handed us the initiative. I'd be absolutely livid if I were a Fulham supporter...!!
