Thoughts after 10 games ? I know we are not playing to his strengths, but no way on God’s Earth is this a player worth remotely close to the £3,500,000 we paid QPR for him. They have had our pants down. I’d be pleasantly surprised if he scores 6 goals this season. At Orient last season in L1 Richie Wellens geared their style of play to getting fast slick balls to Kelman’s feet, particularly in the six yard box. We play the exact opposite way Our scouting and player recruitment has been pretty good since Gallen left, but this one is looking increasingly like a turkey.
We have so many strikers now we need to try different pairings. However they do say don't change a winning team so I don't mind keeping it as it is for now.
I would drop Campbell, make him an impact sub and bring whoever else in and see if that can bring a change in Kelman's fortunes. However, he had one good season with Orient and before that he scored more times than Kojak in a brothel.
Looking at the other forums & Twitter on the way home, the majority of fans want changes up front for Ipswich (A) on Tuesday night.
As said in the match thread, we looked worse when Kelman and TC went off. Why would it be better if Leaburn and Olafe started? Godden is definitely our best striker, but not fit, I can't see a viable option currently. I want the forwards to score, but we've lost 3 from 10 this season, 2 away from home and we probably shouldn't have lost vs Leicester. Most people would have been happy with 15 points from the first 10 games. We aren't struggling, in fact we are probably over achieving having only bought league 1 players... Staying in the league is the minimum requirement this season and currently we are on course do that. I want us to do more, but the change from 12 months ago is huge. I'd love us to be back in the Premier League, but Championship consolidation is the most important thing by May
I do not disagree with the above, BUT our scoring record atm is shocking, should our defence start to leak goals I am doubtful that we have enough upfront to get goals.
Fair points @PuttersCAFC but we are facing a run of games against better sides now, where chances are at a premium & you need to take them when you can. Leaburn, Kelman & Campbell have scored 0, 0 and 0 between them this season. It can’t continue, regardless of where we are in the table.
I agree re the strikers scoring, they need to step up if we really want to push on. Scoring goals is the hardest part of football, and why players at the top end of the pitch cost the most. We may have overspent on Kelman, but I think you've got to take that risk. We paid money for Knibbs and got Carey on a free, I think we all agree that Carey has been the much better signing. Most people don't pay much attention to the table before 10 games, the teams we've dropped points to are all around or above us in the league. All the teams we've beaten are below us. The league says we are a mid-table Championship team as it stands. Ipswich and Hull are also close to us and we play both away. If we avoid defeat in one of those games, 4 points from these 3 games is a good return in my books
Come this time next Saturday we would have played 5 aways out of 7, hopefully we are in the same position as we are now. However, we could easily lose the next two and be 8 places down from where we are now.
I’m not sure what his status is now , but I can see us going back in for Fofana on loan in January if things don’t improve up front. It was widely reported that only late paperwork stopped us getting him on deadline day, and it’s becoming increasingly apparent that he is going to be needed. Surely NJ will make some changes at Ipswich on Tuesday night ? Apter is another who can feel very hard done by.
We are really missing Godden. It is a good job that Carey and the defenders are chipping in with goals.
It’s certainly going to be a while until he is firing. I notice Fofana who we were going to bring in on loan, has got three goals in three games.
Quality over quantity comes to mind although I get what you are saying. I'd pair Kelman with Olaofe and stick with it for six games and see what happens. Olaofe does seem to have a bit of oomph and hopefully Ajose mk2 can pull his finger out.
A good many of us felt Kelman was going to fire us to success and Carey left a few scratching their heads. Thus far the opposite has happened . Unfortunately in my view Kelman is showing the form of every season he’s played except for last season. Over the long haul quality players will have a good track record over many seasons with an occasional duffer in there. Kelman sadly is the opposite. On a good note we’re doing well with him in the first team,just not as a striker so I’m not bothered about his goal scoring atm.
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Nicky_Ajose Players and managers need time, however I endorse your concerns.
