Will Devante Cole ever be given a pass he can score from

Or have I missed something and he keeps fluffing all these great chances he keeps getting set up for him

 

This is a valid question. It's the midfield I worry about. It barely creates chances, somehow goes missing entirely and exposes the defence at the other end of the pitch with unexpected loses of possession.

I thought Jack Aitchison had a good game at Plymouth, running his nuts off despite getting mostly mis-hit hoofballs. Cole always looks like he needs someone to rile him up, he's a frustration for sure, but I don't see him getting any service. At one point he turned and had his shot blocked where he could have laid it off to Aitchison for an easier shot but I could see why he'd want to have a go himself. It's Cole's apparent lack of combative play that frustrates me rather than missed chances.

In Cole's defence, I do think he was originally signed as a backup players that could be developed. But now Morris, Woodrow and Victor have left and Iseka and Oulare haven't been the answer Cole has suddenly found himself carrying the weight of expectation on his shoulders. We've been warned that the new loanee striker is a development player so Cole needs to step up.

 

Got to say Cole, is'nt the attacking answer, but there's more than him that needs to step up, i reckon playing him out on a wing would be more beneficial, he's definately got summat and its gunner bloom this season, Hopefully,

 

If Cole showed the effort a little bit more, I am sure he wouldn't come in for the criticism he receives.
Big Vic never came in for much stick because he always put in the effort.
You couldn't knock him for effort.
I think Cole as some great attributes as a striker, he's just got to show it more.
Especially at this level.

 

Cole isn't a central main striker, he needs to be playing off Norwood or Tedic. Aitchison is good but needs to be playing behind the front 2.

Drop Styles and play Aitchison behind 2 of either Cole iseka Norwood or Slobby.

 

Big Vic got dogs abuse on here, repeatedly.

 

Whilst I don't think Devante Cole is particularly great, the service to him needs to be improved.

As stated elsewhere, Aitchison could play that role behind the strikers, like he did at Forest Green. I think we're missing someone who did the job Domingos Quina did last season. We've a very capable DM in Connell, which should free the other two central midfielders up to get forward more.

That being said, the lack of supply doesn't excuse the lack of effort he often showed last season.

And Duff has made no secret about wanting 2 more strikers, even after Tedic came in.

 

He was 5hite. I think people should get behind Cole and the team instead of bleating all the time. I have my moments but come 3pm on a Saturday I even want Jasper Moon to succeed.

Cole's all we've got right now. Offer him some encouragement ffs.

 

Spot on. I just wish it wasn't him that was dispossessed v Stoke. I feel he's being judged on one moment. He hardly got a look in last season so I don't get why his work rate keeps being brought into question.

I could say the same thing about Iseka too. They hardly played.

 

The main problem is the supply and service from midfield.
Last season's record breaking low was a result of a weak ineffectual midfield.
Woodrow for all his ineffectiveness was a good striker but only when his circumstances were right. That meant relying on good supply, which he didn't get.

 

Could That be something to do with what's not being applied on the training field.
We don't know the full story unfortunately.

 

I think Schopp said something along the lines of he's "not giving me anything in training". However, I think the player was Hondermarck. Then again he picked the team out of a cornflake packet.

 

His communication with the players wasn't the best.

 

Totally agree. We're judging strikers on attributes they shouldn't have to use. If the engine room and set up was correct strikers would score goals. In league 1 simple 4-4-2 should suffice. Ball out from the back simple pass out wide to the wingers. Cross into bodies in the middle, goals. Simple.

I think 3-5-2 and 4-3-3 just complicates things. Especially when as eluded to you don't have a functioning midfield.

 

Duff says in this article that On Iseka, Duff told the Chronicle: “Aaron is fit now and available for selection. If you train well enough, you get in the team. I won’t judge Aaron on last year, I judge people on what I see in training now. I won’t comment on how people are training. You will see the squad on Saturday.”

I assume by that statement that it applies to all players, put the effort in and you will get rewarded come match day

 

I like the cut of Duff's jibe. No favourites.

 

Think the 1 or 2 strikers needed depends on what happens this month with Iseka. Really wish he'd get his head right and buckle down as I think he has the potential to score plenty at L1 level.

 

Me too. I'm repeating myself but if we get him firing the debt will be paid come January.