Liam Roberts

Interesting how everyone is saying it highlights out defences inefficiencies, yet after almost every game it is a Midfielder being criticised usually Phillips or Kane almost never a Defender.
Just an obsversation….

 

Not convinced by this TBH.
He’s played well for us no doubt, but like the lad now sat on the bench at Charlton and the lad sat on the bench at Coventry, this is the highest level both have played, he won’t be as in demand at Championship level as we seem to think.
There may be interest but certainly not fighting for his signature.
The best thing he could do for his career is sign for a team like us, establish himself for a couple of seasons and then get his big move.

 

Goalkeepers are ten a penny. Most professional keepers make easy saves look difficult. Roberts is no different. There are lots of good goalkeepers not getting a game, most clubs have two decent keepers. We've lost Davies Walton, Collins and Isted in the past few years and not missed any of them.

 

Don’t know where to start with this.

All season and before it started plenty have raised concerns as to the quality and experience of the centre backs. So what you’ve said isn’t even completely true - though is in part.

The centre backs have improved in general and we’ve looked better in that area for the last few games. Mael looks more than a decent find, albeit a little slow.

However it is a pretty linear view that it is defenders who defend and so if we are poor defensively and give away chances it’s the defence causing it.

We are continuously walked through in the central midfield areas by teams that are any good, they are able to play round and through us at will - which inevitably leads to chance after chance.

Some of the chances and goals we’ve conceded have been caused by defensive lapses or poor passes from the centre backs or once or twice the keeper - but in the main it is that we have no control of the middle of the park against these teams.

It isn’t just the better teams. We even concede chance after chance to the so called poorer teams - but they aren’t all good enough to capitalise.

Being defensively questionable, which we still are, isn’t just about the defenders themselves. It’s the team as a whole. Criticisms of all the midfield players has been justified at times this season.

 

Absolutely, often players are misguided by agents, who are looking at their interests over the players.
I often think when a player as an agent who is his Dad is a much better option.
Jordan Rhodes Devante Cole for eg.

 

Our recent record at finding decent keepers wouldn't have me worrying if we didn't manage to sign him.

 

That’s exactly my point

 

You may be right. I hope we manage to get him but the past few years have taught us there's plenty of decent keepers out there.

 

They can't, can they?

 

buy him 500k january and offer him 5 year contract job done

 

Yes. Season long loans can be terminated in the winter window. Teams can’t recall loan players at any time like they could many years ago - but can cancel loan arrangements in the transfer window if it suits them. It has happened to us before.

Danny Drinkwater was here on a full season loan (it was extended to full season after he signed), but Man Utd recalled him to sell him to Leicester in the January.

 

Not sure it would even cost as much as 500k.

And three years would do the job. If he’d take what we will pay.

 

best keeper since Luke Steele and he could be the next one

28 year old for a gk is like 22 for an outfielder

He could be here for another 7-8 seasons

 

I remember the Drinkwater debacle but for some reason I had it in my head that was no longer possible. In that case we should definitely be looking to tie it up asap. We're far from skint.

 

Depends if a call back clause was issued in the deal. If not no. They can't just decide they want him back if nothing was in place before he joined us.

 

Defend as a team, although in that midfield without connell only Russell is capable of breaking up play. Phillips hasn't been the same player as last season, kane has been good in parts, and styles not fulfilled the hype as yet.

 

Unfortunately we're not proactive enough, we'll try next summer when we've a bidding war with Championship clubs...

 

This with bells on.

 

Not sure why you're saying this. New board have done well in regards to contracts. Particularly Connell and Phillips. We're assuming the board havent already tried. For all we know Roberts doesn't even want to join, he just wanted a season playing regular for the chance to impress other teams. Let's not jump to conclusions bud - although I fear you may be correct on this one. Hope not!

 

What gives you that idea? Do you honestly think we've not at least set the wheels in motion to try and sign him permanently?