last season the first 6 games prevented us getting top 2 at the end of the season (al be it a bit of a feak of a season). That was down to bedding in a new squad, new manager and new league. Lesson learnt? I think not. No promise of norwood being replaced is there. We should have held on until we did have one unless he was never going to start the season anyway. Simply poor management imho. Definitely weakened the squad days before the season starts. And to not have a replacement for Mads when they knew he was going the moment the final whistle went at Wembley (and probably the whole of last season) is again poor. Typical BFC
It's something we never a do as a club, we're always hand to mouth unfortunately and much more reactive than proactive. The statement Nareev and the board the other week stated "we always knew we were losing Mads" you'd think ideally we would have identified XYZ along time ago as a replacement. Lots of clubs some with smaller budgets than us get there players in before letting others go, we do seem to be down the back of the sofa more often than not.
There's no requirement to replace him as we already have 5 strikers. You could argue that Watters is an upgrade
Could also make a strong argument that our strike force as a whole has been downgraded. End of last season we had 4 senior strikers (Norwood, Cole, Tedic and Watters) Now we only have 3 to pick from. Cole, Watters and Dallas.
It's not just about striker numbers. It's the type of player and different options they provide. Norwood had that physical presence, knew how to play the dark arts as well ! All of our options are similar now, he 100% needs to be replaced.
I do worry where our leadership will come from, whilst Kitchin comes across as a natural to wear the armband, I just fear we've gambled too much on youth and got the balance wrong for a serious push. I don't think we'll be in any danger but I can't see us troubling the top 6 unless of course we've got a plan to bring in that bit of extra experience I feel you need in this division
A direct quote from Jon Stead from today's Chronicle supplement. "I will spend a lot of time with the forwards. We have a young group, so I am getting the dark arts into them early in their career. "
If you're counting Tedic as a 'senior striker', then you must include ALI and Shaw. So we have 5 senior strikers.
Tedic player over 20 games for us and was a starting striker under the last manager for the majority of the second half of last season. I don't rate him particularly highly either but Duff did and started him in many bigs games. Shaw didn't even make the bench most of last season under Duff so clearly he thought he was miles behind Tedic. ALI hasn't kicked a ball for us all pre season and the club are trying to shift him on again. He doesn't want to be here clearly and the club don't want him either. We can't rely on him at all. I'd be shocked if he even makes the bench tomorrow.
Agree on ALI but regarding Shaw, Duff has gone and Shaw has featured in pre-season under Collins and is clearly part of the plans for this season so can be considered a senior striker. Obviously he still needs to go out there and perform.
If you count him then we have 4 still yes. But it's undoubtedly weaker without Norwood. Shaw has played in pre season and managed to not score. Somehow missing from a yard out. Norwood was regularly scoring and has a proven record at L1 level.
Where’s the 5? Cole, Watters, Shaw and Dallas. Please don’t include Jalo and Marsh, they aren’t ready for men’s football at L1 level. Unless you’re including Iseka but there’s more chance of me getting a game…..
Another lesson we never seem to learn. Lost count of the number of seasons where we have a bunch of kids at the back the get murdered week in week out giving sill goals away until we get to Jan window and bring an old experienced pro in to help at the back and it changes the trajectory of the season. Long with Mawson and Roberts and Solbauer with Mads and kitchen etc that's 2 examples.
As we fish in a certain pond on the playing field, it is apparent we also consistently recruit from the same deficient level of ability in our higher management structure. I guess its down to paying peanuts (comparatively), equates to a lesser level of expertise/ knowledge/ experience?
