Notts County in for Paul Benson

Agree. The last half dozen games or so I thought his contribution was better than BWP's.

 

The money isn't awful, however he is a consistent and goalscorer at every level, stepped up last year and continued to score when asked. Thats his job title, that's what he does. Somebody mentioned he's an intelligent player, he was clearly more footballing minded than some of our players last season with his runs and timing not getting picked up. His link up in the hole was decent.

People say will he start, won't he start? Will our starting pair be fit and not suspended for 46 games straight this season? No, do we need a proven goalscorer to step into that mantle when needed........yes.

This argument is just as ridiculous to me as the people last season that said Jacko is rubbish, all he does is score goals. What a problem to have eh! Goalscoring midfielders and strikers playing around a poor squad.

This would be the mistake we're waiting on

 

understand Paul Benson watching Notts County from the directors box today.

 

Welcome to not606, GMR - nice monicker.

This is not good news IMO, especially in view of the fact that we failed to register against Woking today.

We can only hope someone very special is being lined up.

 

A midfielders job isn't to score goals!!! He was playing on the wing, yet has none of the quality's a winger needs - he can't cross, he has no pace, he never takes on the full back! You wouldn't choose Gary Doherty over Michael Morrison because Doherty can do more step-overs, or choose Sullivan over Elliot because he's a more lethal finisher, so the fact that Jackson was our top scorer says more about our strikers than it does about him.

 

Thanks for the welcome TA...I hope someone is being lined up,otherwise seems a strange move to me....bit worried about Scott Wagstaffs lack of confidence at the moment......anyone any thoughts on that?.

 

Waggy trailed off last year after a good start. He desperately needs to find his form again. That said, if Benson's gone and we don't get a replacement he's our 3rd choice striker!
Very worried about our lack of ability to score, especially in the 1st half.

 

Wagstaff had a good start to last season and was getting a few goals...mainly form Reid crosses. Once they dried up his confidence went. Has no real skill and relies on pace. Always seemed to play better attacking towards the North stand.
At Welling a few weeks ago he just ran toward sthe corner flag and his crossing was appalling. Could be a make or break season for him.

 

Waggy was poor today and Hayes is not the answer on todays showing.I`d sign jason Euell and put him up front with BWP.

 

Bit rash to judge Hayes on one pre season friendly- guy has more than proved himself at league one level.

I'm still optimistic re next season. Think only Stephens and Hayes will be in the starting eleven come b'mouth, so wouldn't read too much in to today's result.

 

So who will stephens start instead of Jackson,is a bit harsh yes and as I said he needs games but can only speak on what i`ve seen.
He needs games if he`s going to start.
I`m opTimistic too today was a pre season friendly in which we played basically our JPT team.

 

JJ will play wide left, Stephens and Hollands in the middle. Alonso pushing come end aug when he has caught up fitness wise.

 

Managers constantly talk of needing goals from the midfield. If it wasn't for jacksons contributions last season then we would have been looking precariously poised for bottom 6. He all but single handedly floated the team. He crossing ability is very good. Why must every wide man be pacy? We breed fast small wingers who run and then don't cross score or stay on their feet. Waggy beat nobody last season, or crossed. Getting goals out of a wide man is huge! Nani, giggs, ronaldo, silva, young etc etc. Robbo wasn't the pace man was he?

We had a few players last season who's football brains were ahead and on a level above their team mates. Benson and jacko are two of those.

 

I believe its a good thing having midfielders who can score, as long as they can do their own job aswell - Jackson can't cross, which is the job of a winger (or wide-midfielder), and therefore, whilst he is scoring goals, he isn't providing them and is thus making the team inbalanced. Without the right service to them, strikers will start tracking back trying to gain possession - no good for players like Benno or BWP whose sole quality is their finishing. Even with all this being said, the vast majority of Jackson's goals came from penalties, meaning that in open play, his contribution is even less than he is being given credit for. If we want to get out of this league, I feel Jackson has to be backup rather than a starting 11 player.

 

If he goes there no major Loss im sure sir Powell has someone better lined up to take his place

 

Well, we want, simple case of differing opinion. I think Jacko is a key player, his contributions from his less favoured positions last season was clear. You don't think that. Fair enough.

Benson, I fear some fans think we have endless funds now and can sign big names. I'm not sure it's as simple as that. Benson is a proven goalscorer with experience, a sought after member of personel in any side. I don't know that someone like euell would actually live up to that replacement anymore

 

I'm confused by this "Jackson" can't cross- am I the only one that thinks he has a good enough ball on him? Not quick, granted... But always thought he put a good cross in the box.

 

For me Jacko getting injured at Notts County really was the final nail in our coffin for last season. And talking of quick speedy wingers I dont think Danny Green is exactly that fast is he?

i.e. Going on about speedy wingers you could have Walcott in your side but I think I'd rather have Royal Mail delivering the crosses rather than him!!

(From Left to Right) - Jackson | Stephens | Holland | Green will be our Midfield this season with Alonso and Waggy pushing from the bench (dont think I've missed anyone out there have I?)

 

I was one who dobted jackson but too much of a coincidence that he got injured and we went to pot.

 

I think that will be our midfield quartet A4L. However, I don't think it will be rigid and they will all have licence to roam. One of the things I noticed about the team towards the end of last season was an attempt at more fluidity, more interchanging of the top 6 positions. Expect Green and Jackson to find themselves central and Hayes/Benson adn BWP to drop back into midfield at times. We need Hollands and Stephens to contribute three times the number of goals Semedo and Racon did. Jackson will probably not score as many as last year as Green will be contributing his fair share.