We are certainly in a clique, along with thousands of others who are happy we've had our best start for 40 years. I just can't see what's not to like.
I think its worth noting that there have been a few examples now for opponents to create tactics, not only to nullify us, but now to counter. I think at first we'll have been a bit of an unknown. So it will be interesting to see if teams can take advantage of our obvious achilles heel, or if we're still too strong for the vast majority. Personally, I suspect we mightn't be too far away from a system shift to 3-5-2 to help mitigate the gaping hole that pace and a long ball can take advantage of.
Conner Chaplin was a miss. Nowhere near as big as McBurnie - but still a miss. The club knows it needs that skill but still didn’t fill that position. As far as I understand it - the scouts identify potentials for the manager then to choose. So why wasn’t there a plan B if the Chaplin bid failed ? Maybe Plan B in January??? Stendel will know more about the squad come January.
Oh shush with yer fortnight. ;-) I reckon he'll play in the pointless cup games. Looking forward to seeing what he can add.
Do yer know - I thought should I mention Woodrow here, and then I thought narrr - no one is going to think that Woodrow was brought in because we didn’t get Chaplin. But they have. Nope - Woodrow is the straight replacement for Bradshaw. Chaplin was on the radar when Bradshaw was still here.
Oh I see. There’s probably a joke in there somewhere - but jokes are better used when coupled with timing. And this isn’t it. But keeping to the speed theme and Chaplin. I would guess at - when the club didn’t get Chaplin a decision was made to see how Victor and Brown performed. Stendel and Winkler have mentioned the speed of Brown on a few occasions - so I would guess again at, that they are happy with the speed ability within the squad. But we will see what happens in January.
Well seeing as it went over your head, obviously. Lot of guesswork from you as per the norm. We currently have 4 strikers. Plus Thiam if need be. And we've been playing one up top mostly anyway. If they'd signed Chaplin, I doubt they'd have looked for another. They knew Bradshaw was going, so for me, Chaplin was to replace him when he eventually went. I prefer movement to pace. We've looked good when players have shown good intent and moved from constant positions. We''ve been at our worst when static (same as last season). So i'd rather have tricky movement than raw pace.
Confused by this "lack of pace" thread . I am sure I have seen us score quite a few from fast breaks and I've seen Brad Potts driving forward as well as Jacob Brown (and Williams did not seem to shabby in the pace dept. recalling 'THAT tackle'). Is the OP not confusing lack of pace with the fact that the pressing game we play means fitness and stamina have to be at the highest level otherwise it is tiredness that prevents players tracking back rather than being outpaced. I may be completely wrong here but I can't say watching the games I have particularly picked up on the lack of pace, rather the lack of reading the game and being caught out of position due to young inexperienced players still learning. Many great defenders seem to anticipate and can be in the right place at the right time rather than having to react and so blistering pace becomes less critical. Besides our goals against record thus far is not that shabby is it?
You can understand not tracking back as hard late in the game. I'm not sure you can excuse not tracking back in the 8th minute though. Agree though, I don't see pace as an issue, nor technical ability. Decision making is the area to improve upon, but i'd fully expect that in a team with such a young average age.
I’m assuming the initial thread refers to the absence in the squad of a small nippy striker. Hence my comments about Chaplin. Other than that - I think we have strong quick players throughout the squad.
I'd say Chaplin was Bradshaws direct replacement. Runs around a lot and currently averaging 1 goal in 4.
Agree, we have had a decent enough start considering the change of manager and style. What surprises me more is the start that some other teams have made and are keeping the momentum up at the moment. Portsmouth and Accrington to name a couple. I predicted Sunderland top 2 with us and they seem to be starting to shape up and we are keeping pace with them.
Yes, there are a lot of decent teams. Injuries may put paid to one or two teams, as few, other than Portsmouth, Sunderland & Peterbro' have strength in depth as far as I see it. I still think one experienced player in the mix would help in games like Charlton away. Shame we couldn't have worked something with Adam. It's clearly not on the agenda by the looks though. We are having a great season, so happy to see how high we can finish. I think we'll be top 6, but would be surprised if we make top 2. Hope I'm wrong.