A summary of the season thus far

[colbo68]

Having seen most of the pre-season games and the two league fixtures I am posting a summary of my views on the new squad and how we are playing:

1. I am pleased with the signings - Morrison and Hobbs look very solid at centre back - they both have good aerial ability and, unlike last season, can bring the ball out of defence with composure. Dickov will be useful, whether he starts or is brought on to win a game. Tunchev looks class, though not at left back - his passing at Stockport was woeful

2. The injuries to Mattock and Ashley Chambers are a blow - Mattock is natural on the left side and we don't have other options now he is injured, Chambers has got real pace, was looking sharp in pre-season and I think will flourish if he steers clear of injury

3. I'm unsure regarding the reliance on the long-ball game - I said it last season and still believe that Howard is not mobile enough, or strong enough aerially to be considered a proficient target man - without a doubt he has not scored enough goals - Ollie signed him to score goals with his head which, so far, he has not done. On the plus side, I must concede he looks better at this level than he did in the Championship

4. We should be careful of over-reliance on the young lads - it is the nature of young players, particuarly temperamental players like Max Gradel, to ebb and flow in terms of their confidence and performance - whilst I applaud Pearson for giving them a chance, I think it's a shame we couldn't keep hold of one or two of the older guys from last season to keep the young uns on their toes and keep them keen (eg. Clapham, Bell)

5. Matt Oakley continues to frustrate me - whilst their are signs of real quality in terms of winning the ball, slowing the play down and picking a pass, he gives the ball away too easily and lacks pace - for me, he is the key to success this year - if he plays well, so do the team, if he is off the pace, we seem to struggle

6. Generally, I am optimistic - though I still feel that we might not score enough goals to make automatic promotion - I hope Fryatt can continue in his current vein because, without him, the team very much lack a natural finisher

Comments please

[Daggers]

Comments please

I wish you'd used a Thracian-like points system.

Will you be producing a new summary every two league matches?

[Stig the Lawnmower]

I remain optomistic. Remember its early days, the team are still getting used to how the others play.

Oakley will come good and we ned the young players to build for the future.

mind you, players don't stay long with clubs nowdays, they'll all bugger off sooner or later

[Raj]

Having seen most of the pre-season games and the two league fixtures I am posting a summary of my views on the new squad and how we are playing:

1. I am pleased with the signings - Morrison and Hobbs look very solid at centre back - they both have good aerial ability and, unlike last season, can bring the ball out of defence with composure. Dickov will be useful, whether he starts or is brought on to win a game. Tunchev looks class, though not at left back - his passing at Stockport was woeful

2. The injuries to Mattock and Ashley Chambers are a blow - Mattock is natural on the left side and we don't have other options now he is injured, Chambers has got real pace, was looking sharp in pre-season and I think will flourish if he steers clear of injury

3. I'm unsure regarding the reliance on the long-ball game - I said it last season and still believe that Howard is not mobile enough, or strong enough aerially to be considered a proficient target man - without a doubt he has not scored enough goals - Ollie signed him to score goals with his head which, so far, he has not done. On the plus side, I must concede he looks better at this level than he did in the Championship

4. We should be careful of over-reliance on the young lads - it is the nature of young players, particuarly temperamental players like Max Gradel, to ebb and flow in terms of their confidence and performance - whilst I applaud Pearson for giving them a chance, I think it's a shame we couldn't keep hold of one or two of the older guys from last season to keep the young uns on their toes and keep them keen (eg. Clapham, Bell)

5. Matt Oakley continues to frustrate me - whilst their are signs of real quality in terms of winning the ball, slowing the play down and picking a pass, he gives the ball away too easily and lacks pace - for me, he is the key to success this year - if he plays well, so do the team, if he is off the pace, we seem to struggle

6. Generally, I am optimistic - though I still feel that we might not score enough goals to make automatic promotion - I hope Fryatt can continue in his current vein because, without him, the team very much lack a natural finisher

Comments please

Dont think you mentioned how crap Steve Howard has been.

Boy is he shite.....

[Bert]

Berts summary of the season so far.

4 points

3 goals scored.

0 conceded

2nd round of the cup.