In the summer after finding out we were not going to offer Deon burton a contract I wanted a player who could do a similar job , and when we announced we had yet again signed Bayo Akinfenwa from Northampton I was slightly concerned . This was illustrated further more as he only scored 2 goals before mid December and was not really having an impact in games , this all changed away at Tranmere on a Friday night though , that day he got a double and won us the match and since then he has been probably our most influential player besides cody . We are a much better team with him on the pitch, and the link up play between him and McDonald is really good , with 9 goals this year and plenty of assists(having really only played half a season) he has really impressed me and really gives us something different , keep it up Bayo. I would happily have you at the club next year P.S he changed the game away at bradford
I agree with all this but it overlooks one huge issue. He can only last about 35 mins, maybe 50 if he is less involved after which he becomes a stranded whale. Really he can only be considered next season as an impact sub in which role he is great. Taylor managed him really well this week to get him on the pitch three times.
Although his limited fitness availability would havemade him compatible with MA's rotation policy, it seemed Mad Dog was never going to give him a fare crack of the whip. This week Bayo talks of a black cloud of 'behind the scenes' strife over Priestfield, that was lifted by PT's arrival. MA publicly agonised over his? decision to take Bayo over Burton. I wonder if he was pressured in to the signing by PS based on past glories. I supported his signing at the time, and would offer him another year, at the right price of course.
I don't necessarily believe the argument that Bayo can't last a full game. To me, he looks exactly the same when he comes off as when he comes on. He's not that mobile when he's fresh,and his game isn't about running all over the show,it's holding up the ball and laying it off. His strength is the same all through the game. I hope we keep him next season.
Akinfinwa has really done well since Taylor took over and with Kedwell being injured has really made a HUGE difference especially his partnership with Cody, which has been impressive to both players. I would certainly give him another year as there are not many players who can change a game in the lower divisions. There has been many games when he has come off and the player replacing him has been no match. Obviously when he replaces someone he makes an even BIGGER impression.
Certainly proved me wrong, I was one of the doubters especially as Burton played so well last season and probably could have looked even better in League One but fair play to Bayo. Hope we keep him.
I would offer Akinfenwa another contract in the summer, since The Tranmere Rovers Game at Prenton Park Akinfenwa has been in incredible form scoring seven goals but he has also assisted quite a few goals as well, like Charlie Lee's goal away to Bristol City and Cody McDonald's goal away at Bradford City on Saturday as well. Akinfenwa is very good at holding the ball up and bringing other's into the game with his one touch lay offs but recently Akinfenwa has shown that he can thread through defence splitting passes and his first touch is remarkable, but his combination play with Cody McDonald is another reason why we should offer Adebayo Akinfenwa another contract, Cody had a spell around the new year where he was scoring a goal a game and that spell coincided with Danny Kedwell's hernia operation meaning that Akinfenwa and McDonald could rediscover there partnership from the 2010 / 2011 season. I know Akinfenwa struggles to play for the full ninety minutes but this is where you can rotate Danny Kedwell and Adebayo Akinfenwa because Cody McDonald has to start alongside either of these two, the only time Akinfenwa and Kedwell worked as a partnership was away to Swindon at The County Ground because there defenders were uncomfortable with anything in the air.
This would only be a surprise for any person who knows nothing about football and only takes a player for how he looks. Look back at my comments from wehen he signed him, particularly the ones aimed at Hoadie who voiced his displeasure at us signing him, that's proved quite frankly ridiculous, he has been an overrding success. As for him only being able to play for 35 minutes, well that's complete rubbish for a start, I would say he lasts longer then Kedwell does, and has infinitely more quality, as well as the fact that he brings out the best in our main goal threat, which is reason enough to always play him. Therefore between our 2 out of contract stikers this summer, there is only 1 clear winner for a new contract.
Im sorry but I can't agree on the fitness front. Kedwell is far more fitter than him as A. He never stops runnining. B. Will last the whole match, C. He is considerably lighter than Bayo and D. Eill run 5x the amount that Bayo does and will still keep going whereas once Bayo is knackered, thats it he has had enough.
Answer me this then, how much of Kedwell's running do you deem useful? He's hardly quick (which i appreciate not is Bayo) but just beacuse you run all day, it doesn't mean anything you do is useful. He still very much starts to slow towards the end of any game he plays, when he hasn't made a telling contribution other thatn maybe scoring a penalty. I'm probably being unfair on Keds, i think he's ok and i missed him on saturday considering Piggot makes him look like Ronaldo, however there cannot be any doubt that Bayo brings more to the team than Keds, he's practically set up all of Cody's goals.
I prefer Bayo to Keds, but as a three they make an awesome attacking proposition: Nelson Hewitt Legge Barrett Martin Hessenthaler Lee/Whelpdale Dack Kedwell Bayo Cody GOOOOOOAALS!
As an attacking threat yes clearly that would create chances, however our ever leaky defence needs more protection than just Hess! We all know that Dack and Lee are far from the most deisciplined of players from a positional point of view.
