Well now we are 10 league games into the season I think it's about time we reviewed the signings that came in the summer. Apologies if I miss anyone but here's my opinions on the signings: Bywater: Excellent loan signing to replace Nels, apart from the own goal I can't think of any other time he's let us down. G.Morris: Thought he looked a more than competent no.2 and was probably a bit hard done by to be replaced so quickly. Egan: Fantastic young defender, looks so composed over the ball and is the defender we were crying our for last season. Got a very good future ahead of him. Hause: Had a shaky start and has had to play out of position at LB a few times but has kicked on after scoring a good goal and has formed a decent partnership with Egan. To top those performances off he got called up to the England U20s side today too. Morris: Think he looks an excellent signing. Shows how a defensive midfielder should play and has shown to be a massive improvement on Gregory so well done PT there. Pritchard: He was the player I was most looking forward to at the beginning of the season but has spent a long time out with injury. His passing looks to be a very good trait but is still lacking in match fitness I would say. McGlashan: A lively and skillful winger which we desperately needed. Probably needs a run of games to get his confidence up though. Loft: A player of absolute quality at this level, his vision is sublime and has a great work ethic. A natural leader to shore up the young midfield I think was vital. ****enson: An exciting player on paper but has yet to impress me just yet. No doubt he has some blistering pace but he needs to work on his crossing ability, I personally don't see him being able to play as an out and out striker. Norris: Took a while to find his feet but now starting to look a real talent. I would like to see him start regularly now to show his potential as he could become an excellent striker considering his age, his pace and his shooting ability already. All in all I'm fairly happy with the signings, it's understandable that it is a work in progress and the tactics need improving but things are looking up I would say.
Not enough defenders !.......................sorry Pegleg After last week's marathon back to the wall effort, I have already set my alarm for stupid o'clock for tomorrows feast. ps - agree with your assessment of our signings. Here's a question - if each team was allowed to bring on an extra player - for one session of play ( until the ball goes off again ) - do you think Taylor would use an EXTRA defender when facing a corner ?
I don't think you can knock the new signings, they are an improvement on what we had and are beginning to gel now. However I don't think the tactics are bringing the best out of the attacking players
I don't think PT is really risking for anything other than an upper mid table finish this season. The players against poor teams have retained the ball and controlled the game, even though that sometimes lacked the forward attacking attitude we look for. Our performances against the better teams (other than Peterborough) have been pretty awful, although we have managed to smash and grab. People say we played well against Coventry but I'm a tad unsure of that, it was encouraging though. I think by the end of the season we will have a group of players that understand each other and passing fluidity will improve. The signings are decent, good value and have a lot of potential; good things to come!
I think that's the best part. None of them cost any transfer fees (that I'm aware of) and other than Lofty, are probably not on top earnings. Yet they all seem to be at least pulling their weight, and in the case of John Egan way more than that.
