No statement to be made about Jimmy at this time. No deal for Ayala yet, talks ongoing. Mclean will not be fit for Blackpool.
Annoying, but hardly surprising. Disappointing, but encouraging. Hmm... Not sure what to think about this.
Beat me to it. Having McLean out doesn't really affect the selection issue, but we'll lack an option off the bench. Simpson is ok (injury wise) so my money's on him starting. Encouraging news on Ayala, really hope we can pull it off. McShane's injury a blessing in disguise?
Hmmm... in that case Simpson or Adebola? I wonder why he's revealed this in public? It just gives Ollie more time to think about the other 3 strikers.
They're both goalscorers rather than target men. But I don't think they're all that similar. Simpson is very technical and likes to beat men, but knows exactly when to get in the box and wait for the pull back. Fryatt gets in behind and scores 1-on-1s. I think it could work together, but I wouldn't complain if Dele starts either.
I can't see Adebola starting many games at all. From the friendlies I think it's pretty clear he's going to be used to effect as a substitute, plus Fryatt and Simpson played together very well at the back end of last season, so why change a working partnership?
Adebola's appearances in pre-season: Ferriby - started. Liverpool - played second half. Bradford - started Chesterfield - started. You could argue the Liverpool one counts as a sub appearance but as we played almost 2 full XIs it'd be hard to. I don't understand how that suggests he would be used as an impact sub.
Ok, my post was misleading - it isn't clear at all from the friendlies. But seeing the pre-season games, it's obvious he can't last more than 70 minutes in a match. His qualities should be used for coming on and scaring the life out of defenders in the final 10-30 minutes of a game. The sort of football we've been playing in the friendlies suggests he might not be that much of an asset as a starter. Simpson and Fryatt first choice
You might be right about him not suiting our new style of play, but I'm not convinced that because he has looked slow, he should automatically be considered unfit. Either way NP will know what's best and pick the most suitable partnership.
I want to see Fryatt and Simpson, we've been playing a neat passing game in pre-season (including against Liverpool) and one of the strikers has been coming a bit deep then setting the other one up. Simpson and Fryatt are both capable of this so it will be harder for Blackpools defenders to manage, if we play Dele they more or less know what's coming.
It has to be Simpson and Fryatt, if NP had brought in a new player to partner Fryatt in the starting XI, he wouldn't have gone for a 36 year old.
Aren't we talking 2 halves of a game - different team each half? (Forgive me if I'm wrong, as I don't have the match facts to hand).
Good point well made, the only reason i think we're discussing this is because of the pre-season fixtures where Dele has played well and proven a good foil for both Fryatt and Simpson (though nobody would suggest we drop Matty). But surely it will be Simpson.
Dele looks f**ked after 20 minutes !! Useful at what he does, but will never do it for 90 minutes. When to use him for those 20 minutes could prove a tough call. Fryatt and Simpson to start for me.
He's started the last few matches, playing at least 45 minutes. Appears to be f**cked after 20 minutes to me, but NP doesn't seem to think so. As for playing him for the last 20 minutes, I'm not sure I'd have given a contract to someone who looks like they'll only be able to be effective for 20 minutes a week !?!
Fryatt and Simpson. Dele to come on if were struggling, or even to hold a lead. He'll play a role, just not a 90 minute one. Jay has looked good pre season, he likes to play deep, which should compliment Fryatt who plays on the heels of the back 4.
Hmmm...this is a strange one. That reads like I don't really like or rate Dele. This isn't the case, and I've found myself admiring his hold-up play and the odd deft touch. Maybe I was just hoping for a better striker signing to play up alongside Matty. If we aren't paying him much, and if Simpson starts living up to his pre-Tigers reputation then maybe this isn't going to be an issue...
