Where's the quality we keep hearing about maybe were starting to panic buy being so close to the start of the season .
I do not believe we are panic buying, however, in regards to quality, I am struggling to understand some of the signings, whether free or otherwise. I was impressed with the performance on Saturday and missed the performance last night (Tuesday), so I've probably seen the better side of the set up through luck. Nelson did enough for me on Saturday, to maintain his place in goal, have not seen Forecast but do I really need too! Strevens - jury out on this one for me. It was interesting to note that I read some where that Deon Burton appeared isolated last night. Is this the same isolated that I felt Strevens was on Saturday with 'Keds in the box'. Is there any tacticians that can help me out with this one? I thought Flanagan did ok Saturday and with Nelson should maintain himself in the starting line up (if I was picking the team). As for Charlie Allen can not remember his time on the pitch, so can not make a judgement but however short it was, he did not gain my attention. Impressed by what I watched on Saturday, seriously worried on hearing Tuesday's first half performance. Edit to add my team selection: Nelson Evans but will probably be Fish Essam Frampton/Flanagan (see below) Flanagan (can he play as a left back?)/otherwise Martin and Framps loses his place Payne Jackman Lee Whelpdale (he was my MOM on Saturday) Birchall Kedwell Subs Forecast Martin/Frampton Fish (but will probably be Evans) Montrose Strevens Miller Burton
I must say I was extremely surprised by the team selection last night. Ordinarily (and I think we're working out that Allen is no `ordinary` manager) the gaffer will tend to pick his strongest line-up to start these kind of games, especially the final one before the season begins. It's difficult to know what sort of team he will start with when we go to Bristol. Given the nature of that cup tie, it's even possible that we'll see a different setup when Bradford come to town. From a tactical point of view, I believe Martin will play the following:- Nelson Fish Essam Frampton Martin Payne Jackman Lee Whelpdale Strevens Kedwell SUBS Forecast Flanagan Evans Montrose Allen Birchall/Dack Burton Expect to see Fish and Martin bomb forward frequently during the match. Payne and Jackman will primarily sit back and anchor whilst Strevens will float around and try and receive the ball to feet. Kedwell did exactly that last season, so in a way it's like having the same player. It's different, but it worries me that yet again our midfield will become too congested. The personnel on the bench is a little too similar and again doesn't offer a lot of width. Of course this is merely guesswork and it could all change in the next week or so, but it's all a bit inconclusive at the moment.
Quality was already there in players like Jackman, Whelpdale, Lee, Essam and Payne. Players like Nelson, Burton and Strevens have it as well. Our problem last year was not a lack of quality, it was a lack of fitness, tactics and awareness. All things Allen seems to be rectifying. My starting 11 would be - Nelson Fish Essam Frampton Evans Payne Jackman Lee Whelpdale Burton Kedwell Birchall to go on loan for a few months to get back to 100% and then come back into the team gradually, his first proper season will be 13/14 once Burton has retired.
http://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/0/football/19180206 think we could be in for a busy week, looks like we might get some try good players in!
i think last night clearly showed a lack of depth at the back in terms of defenders for the bench/injury cover. midfield wise we have some good young players and burton looks good and will prob push for a starting place. forecast looked more compitent than the rumour suggested and will be a fine number 2/3 depending on how flitney come back from injury. as for new signings as i said defensive cover mainy, ideally 2 players who can play multiple positions and maybe another out and out winger bar that we have the makings of a solid team imo
I see that MA has given some excuses for the performance ( v WATFORD ) - including ' sitting around for 5.5 hours on the day.' Well, I don't know if he realises that sitting around for 5.5 hours ( in a cramped coach) will be fairly normal - for many of our away fixtures ! ( I would love to disagree with the OP ) ....hhhm
When it comes to recruiting quality it is a fact that money talks louder than anything else. There is a big but though so far as the Gills are concerned. The MacCammon case must be quite unhelpful especially for the coloured lads we want and the possibilty of some FA sanction is an extra drawback. Then there is the Allen factor and although I can imagine him to be an engaging personality in a negotiation, any player must be unsettled by the knowledge that the guy's track record suggests he will have moved on long before any contract matures. Against this, there must be an attraction because of Gills strong showing in the league over the last two years but the balance remains tilted agaist being able to attract the best talent.
In regards to signing black players, I don't think we will have a problem, on twitter yesterday Chris Dickson tweeted that Deon Burton told him that he had signed for Gillingham and Chris said 'Seriously, you'll love it there', doesn't really imply it was a racial hellhole for him! Anyway thats off topic. We will see some quality come in over the next few days, don't think they will be the panic buys people expect but good signings at the last minute. With under a week to go till the season starts in Bristol, I think Allen, Hessy and Mr. Scally will all be putting in even more hours than they do already with focus turning away from setting stuff up behind the scenes and on to player recruitment. Also at this stage of the season with under a week to go, players that may have turned us down with a month to go till the new season may suddenly become more receptive now that they know nobody else is going to offer them something as good as we can.
Throwoff is spot on. brb your negative posts are becoming tiresome, the season hasn't even started yet give the man a chance.
No I'm a new man now. Only positive comments from me until Allen leaves in January and we get Hessy back...
