Having watched the Preston game l am concerned. Basically, beyond our first choice team, together with one or two others (Green, Pritchard, Evina), we have nothing to offer on the evidence of last night. Certainly this is true of the forwards, beyond Hayes and BWP. there is absolutely nothing. What happens when injuries and/or suspensions happen? Quality, not numbers will get us promoted. Lack of good quality personnel will possibly mean we fall short. We may be top of the league now; but l would much prefer to be in the same position come April/May. At the moment l cannot see that happening.
Rufus. Well CP has signed another forward. But what is very clear certain players are just not up to standard. Defence concerns me more than offence at the moment.
Rufus we have plenty of decent players on the bench and reserves. All that last night showed is that if every single player from our first 11 gets injured/suspended at the same time we will struggle. The likes of Green, Cort, Hughes and Evina could easily fit into our starting 11 without fear. What other club in this league can say they have 2 players who have played in the Premier League in the past 2 years (I.e Euell and Cort) but can't get into the first team squad due to its strength.
I think the important thing to remember is that last nights 'second string' team would be unlikely to play in a league game all at the same time. I would have no problem for example fitting Cort or Evina into our back 4. I think the strength of our squad particularly in relation to the other teams in league 1 is good especially now CP has bought in another striker. I also think with the 5 sub rule and no regular reserve team football (I know we will play friendlies, the Kent cup and JPT) It would be difficult to maintain a bigger squad and to keep them all match fit and happy.
Rufus did you go to the Reading game pretty much the same team looked great on that night ... but yes they were poor last night.
I'm sure every other League One team thinks the same. In fact, I reckon we have a better squad than most.
Players who did really well against Reading were poor against PNE. The same midfield which had dominated could scarcely win a ball. Preston were very comfortable until Waggy came on in the second half and started to run at their central defenders, although Bover had a couple of good shots. We couldn't move the ball down the left or down the right where Green was having a dreadful time with crosses and Francis was being given a very hard game by Mayor. For such an experienced player Euell was caught offside at least 3 times when looking right across their backline. For me he doesn't add anything as a sub and I'd rather have Benson or one of Smith, Popo or Kermorgant (none of whom I've seen) on the bench. We're all waiting to see Alonso but till then Pritchard or for me Bover will have to cover the midfield. Evina will be fine at LB, Francis (despite yesterday) is experienced RB and Cort, Mambo or even Doherty will do at CB. Sullivan for Hamer. Things aren't that bad!
There was an interesting moment when Popo came on and Waggy seemed to show his displeasure at having to go back to right-wing. I've been saying that he should be in the middle and not the wing and he seems to agree. I wonder how many of last night's team will see first-team action this season?
ah! one bad performance and rufus98 crawls back out from under his rock. do you ever have anything positive to say!?
That's the problem ForestHillBilly "As long as BWP doesn't get injured we've got enough depth." How many strikers go a whole season playing every game uninjured, we got away with it once, if he's out for a longish spell we may be in trouble. Start converting Waggy to a striker we need more cover, was very disappointed in Benson, he had his chance & failed to make an impact, while Euell is quite frankly yesterdays man. I hate to say that & hope to be proved wrong.
I think we have great depth, we played fantastic with a similar team vs Reading, they had a bad game vs preston. It happens, we must remember not all 11 players will come in at once.
Let's be honest we have plenty of depth, were not going to have our whole first 11 getting injured so the following replacements should be more than good enough: Hamer - Sullivan Solly - Hughes Taylor - Cort Morrison - Cort Wiggins - Evina (IMO the better left back) Wagstaff - Green (" ") Stephens - Pritchard Hollands - Alonso (if fit) JJ - Evina/Harriot/switch Waggy to the left Hayes - Benson/Euell/Kermorgant BWP - Benson/Euell/Kermorgant
