Following our inevitable relegation from the Championship where 3 seasons of steep decline had followed 4 seasons of stagnation it was always going to be a difficult task to hot the ground running this season. A third of the way through finds us in 12th place which reflects both our inconsistency and our ability. Danny's appointment was always likely to be polarising and the two camps seem entrenched in their views without much link to reality. On the one hand the against camp ignores the fact that Danny has been tasked with reinvigorating a depressed and depressing club where the stain of defeatism had seeped into our DNA. On the other Danny's advocates bypass the fact that we are one of the divisions biggest spenders. Balanced views are rare and particularly given the lateness of our recruitment and the inexperience of our team it's difficult to know what constitutes success. The comments of fans before the season started and talk of the 'ale house league' ignored the massive strides In terms of ability that have been made. Anyone doubting the quality of the League obviously missed the displays of MK Dons, Swindon and Peterborough or the talents on display by Bristol City. The league has moved on and If we are to progress we need to understand this. There has been some progress on the pitch for the first time in ages we look capable of scoring from all over the pitch and in Hourihane and Cole we have two of the divisions brightest attacking talents. However this has been undermined by the porous nature of our defending with both full back positions looking vulnerable throughout the season. Disappointingly given that the defence contains our most experienced players we have lacked any form of leadership in this area. Goalkeepers: 7. Turnbull Perhaps a little generous. Ross still looks rusty and affected by his back injury. He seems to be wary of over extending himself and does not command his area well. On a more positive note his reflexes looked sharp against **** U so let's hope the future is bright. 6.5 Davies. Showed both potential and inexperience when deputising for Turnbull. Mixing acrobatic saves with routine mistakes. One for the future not the present. Defenders: 6.5. Cranie Another disappointing season for Martin thus far. . Given his natural ability he should be one of the best defenders in the division but again has been found wanting. I really think we can expect more from Martin at this level than he has delivered. On the plus side he has played pretty excellently at right back in the last 2 games. 7. Nyatanga. Not the most elegant of players and certainly no full back but perhaps the most consistent of our defenders thus season. Needs to carry on progressing. 7. Ramage In his second loan spell which is thus far a replay of the first one mixing strong solid performances with poor average ones. Needs to provide the leadership in the team that we have lacked. Danny has always favoured this type of player and Ramage needs to start delivering consistently which I am sure he is capable of. 4. Brown Hard to be overly critical of a player played out of his normal position but Reece seems singularly unsuited to the role of modern full back lacking both positional sense and attacking intent. Also his unwillingness to tackle is a bit perplexing surely wherever you play in defence tackling is a prerequisite. 6. Dudgeon A big season for Joe started off reasonably then had 3/4 woeful games where he lacked confidence in himself and was targeted by the opposition and wilted. Since returning has been solid. Difficult to return from long term serious injury and play regularly again. At this stage it is difficult to judge whether he will manage it or not. 8. Bree. Talent that outweighs his years. A mixed bag of performances but a true joy to watch him develop. Hopefully he will stick with us for another couple of seasons before the inevitable big money move. Midfielders: 7. Bailey. Good work us often unnoticed but a lovely passer of the ball often creating space by making the simplest passes. Needs to stay fit and on the pitch. 7.5. Berry. Made the biggest step up of any of our summer recruits and has had his difficult moments but starting to play with consistency. Will probably take a more prominent role when Hourihane is inevitably sold. 9. Hourihane. Star man. Not a poor mans Neil Redfearn but his own man. At the centre of our best attacking play and even when not at his best in the last 3 games has scored 2 and assisted 2. 3. Jennings A dreadful season so far for Dale who looks to be carrying too much muscle/weight. He has a manafer who believes in him and needs to apply himself quickly or the inevitable transfer to Bury awaits. 2. Treacy I guess alarm bells should gave rung when he couldn't be arsed to get himself fit to get a contract at Premiershit Burnley. I struggle to think of anything positive he has done thus far and don't expect improvement. 8. Williams. Great loan signing. Wholehearted and passionate. Needs to work on the final pass/idea/finish and he will be some player. Forrads: 8. Cole A joy to watch a young player with all the potential in the world playing for us. Needs to get his dad to show him how to finish as should be I. Double figures for us. 8. Winnall Can't say I was a great fan at first but work rate and attitude have been outstanding in recent weeks and the goals are coming. 4. Lita Not sure about this signing. Mixed record at other clubs and lacks fitness. Still In Danny we trust. 6. Hemmings Looked raw but impressive when coming job as a sub. Pretty anonymous when starting. A work in progress. The rest: Time for RNL and big ******* Jean to move on I think. Digby needs a loan move. George Smith will probably a big impact when fit. Abbott has filled in admirably on occasions. Trotta looks an excellent signing to me but full back still seems a vulnerable position. Manager: 7 Wilson Some astute signings mixed with some higher profile poorer ones. We are playing vibrant attacking football but need to work on defensive organisation. Like the team more to come from Danny. 8 Off the Pitch Massive improvements from Ben and the team. Maximising advertising revenue and connecting with the fans off the pitch. Need to take on board constructive criticism and take on the franchise system. Also be careful with pre season commitments around spending. Sent from my iPad using Tapatalk HD
I was thinking more from his point of view than ours. He's probably at the point in his career when he needs regular first team football.
Fair point, but aint Ramage only here while January at the moment or have I missed the loan being extended.
It seems to me that BFJ is Danny's last choice and I don't see that changing whether we agree or not.
I'd be inclined to keep him, as he does a job when we call on him. He's certainly one to have in reserve for when we come up against battering ram type strikers. Your ratings are pretty near the mark though, although maybe a tad generous to Cranie, who I think has been pretty woeful thus far. Having said that, he hasn't done too bad as a stopgap right back. I still think there's more to come from Hemmings. And I'd be thinking of moving Lita on in January.
I think his days are numbered. Then again I can't see Cranie, Nyatanga or Brown here next season. I'd hope we can get Ramage permanently and keep hold of Bree though so eventually our defence is...... LB: Smith RB: Bree CB: Ramage CB: New signing.
Cranie got half a point extra for his right back performances and yes if anyone would take him off our hands I'd get shut of Lita. Doesn't really fit in with the game plan regardless of his form or lack of it.
