Thracian Posted 5 July 2008 Posted 5 July 2008 You may be right!!I hope pearson gives him a chance as i think he will be a very clever player at this level, a bit slow for a higher level but not this! Again i think Howard and DJ were crap last year but surely between the 3 plus hopefully a bit of help from Chambers and Sapleton we should get goals galore this year!! Not much faith in Billy McKay then? Cos I'd probably have McKay at number three out of that lot, about level with Dodds, on last half of the season form and that includes consideration of Fryatt. But it is all hypothesis for the time being because I wouldn't be surprised to see at least two out of Campbell, Howard and Fryatt on the move, plus quite possibly Dodds as well. I cannot imagine Pearson would let more than two go before replacements are sorted but Campbell's moving house (to the Watford area), Fryatt's contract will be winding down, Howard will be a big wage in Division One while Dodds hasn't sounded too keen on staying at City anyway. My own thoughts on our current strikers are thus: Howard. Undoubtedly the main man in that he will all but guarantee goals in Division One having scored six while generally playing badly for us even last season. He's so ugly - just a slight upgrade on Horsfield really - and not my type of player cos I like pace and bussle. But there's little doubt he would be an goalscoring asset if utilised sensibly. Value to me out of 10 in Division One: 7.75. Campbell: He is much more my type. Very quick, nimble, difficult to mark and perfectly capable of a decent goals return in Division One if he turns out fit. He gets into the six yard box too given chance. I'm just not quite sure he blends into a team particularly well but he's yet to have a consistent run in City's team and we well not have seen the best of him. Value to me: 7.5. McKay: Runs on Duracell and is a real team player. McKay is not the biggest, nor the strongest but he sees the play, links things together, chases lost causes, makes intelligent runs and has an accurate shot which he's not afraid to use. Perhaps still short of the robustness needed for League football and his inclusion might mean too inexperienced a team. But one final surge of improvement and he'll be pushing everyone. Never seems to let anyone down. Value to me: 6.5. Dodds: Had a decent first full season by finishing among the leading scorers at Lincoln despite playing in midfield and he also had the joint distinction of playing most games. Good free-kick taker, decent eye for goal from all sorts of positions, links play well and always sems fairly consistent. Seems comfortable wherever he is in attack. Steady, reliable footballer in the main but perhaps a bit understated. Value to me: 6.5. Fryatt: So frustrating and a big disappointment in his time here so far. Has good dribbling skills and has historically shown an eye for goal at Division One level but, while I've seen him cog well with the young players of the reserves, he too often ignores team-mates runs and tends to fade from a game too. If fit I do think he'd get some goals for us playing one division down but his contract will be running down and I don't see him as a long term investment. Value to me: 6. Chambers: So explosive in some games but seems to disappear from the scene at times. Injury set him back but there's no doubt his speed and ability to take people on can cause chaos even in good defences. There are few games he doesn't get into good scoring positions but he hasn't imposed himself as much as I expected after such a positive showing in the past. Winger or striker? I like to see him in the middle with licence to roam. Value to me: 5.75 (but might surprise everyone). Sappleton: I don't know what Pearson will think of him. There's no question he's got a blistering shot and is always keen to use it. His strike rate per games played is excellent but he can be a clumsy player and I'm not sure he's got the pace for a League football striker. People see him as strong but I've never seen him use that strength particularly well and, for a biggish bloke, he's one of the worst headers of a ball I've ever seen up front. That goals ratio nags away though and the record books don't say you have to look pretty. Value to me: 5. However you look at it we'll need one, perhaps two new strikers because someone needs to register a 9 or 10 value if we're going to get promoted. Mind you, the service should be better this season with Gradel and co.
Legend_in_blue Posted 5 July 2008 Posted 5 July 2008 It's like reading a novel! I won't disagree with you though. There's not a lot to disagree with.
Daggers Posted 5 July 2008 Posted 5 July 2008 [long post] Huzzah! A new season - a new grading system.
Thracian Posted 5 July 2008 Posted 5 July 2008 Huzzah! A new season - a new grading system. Probably as much to clarify my own thoughts on the subject as anything.
Daggers Posted 5 July 2008 Posted 5 July 2008 Probably as much to clarify my own thoughts on the subject as anything. My grading system is better - especially as I remembered to include the greatest striker in the history of ever. Howard. Value to me: HAYL Campbell: Value to me: HAY McKay: Value to me: HA Dodds: Value to me: HA Fryatt: Value to me: H Chambers: Value to me: HA Sappleton: Value to me: HAYLE Barry: Value to me: HAYLES
Thracian Posted 5 July 2008 Posted 5 July 2008 My grading system is better - especially as I remembered to include the greatest striker in the history of ever.Howard. Value to me: HAYL Campbell: Value to me: HAY McKay: Value to me: HA Dodds: Value to me: HA Fryatt: Value to me: H Chambers: Value to me: HA Sappleton: Value to me: HAYLE Barry: Value to me: HAYLES I'd forgotten all about Hayles. I suppose mentally he must have disappeared from my mind with Holloway. Anyway, interesting approach yours. I like the kids bit which goes Hahaha!
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