Whatever the reasons are for James not extending

Honest answer no. However, I don't think we'd lose every game 6-0 and not win another sequence of games if that makes sense. I think it would definitely scupper any play-off push.

Probably another finish like 2017.

 

I agree, but I feel he’s more of a long term influencer than a short term impact on a game type.

 

Happy to admit Ive not seen much of James this season and stats dont always tell the full story but just for interests sake....

Looking at them here, he's been pretty average in many respects and he's not completed a single game he's started, (not completing more than 78 mins in his 10 appearances). And coincidence or not he's often not been on the pitch when we've scored late goals. Im not convinced that in pure football terms he's a big loss - the younger players might miss his experience and organisation, if he was helping in those regards.

Question is, is the squad replacement any better? Possibly not unless you move Styles in there and fill the LB slot, which to me is the better option.

 

I`d be amazed if our preferred CM option at the end of January was Styles and Kane.

 

I never creamed myself when he returned and watching him he looked to be carrying more timber than his last stay with us.

 

You keep mentioning Christie-Davies but do you think he's ready for 1st team action? He hasn't kicked a ball in anger for the first team yet, so that would suggest he's not

 

He's been on the bench. That would indicate he is. Unless he was just keeping his bum cheeks warm.

 

been on the bench twice I think. Never got on the pitch. I think he's way down the pecking order in our options tbh mate. Even if Mowatt leaves

 

Maybe so. I think this window could be unsettling because the owners won't want to lose a potential fee for Mowatt and also want shut of some of the fringe players they've accumulated to free up transfer funds. Then you've got to factor in it's Valerie's first window and he'll no doubt have ideas.

 

The strategy seems to have been wholesale changes mid second half to put completely fresh legs on. Mowatt has been replaced a few times too, so it seems more a case of trying to overrun teams at the end of the game.

I must say, I like James as a player but his better skills are in his passing. I don't think he's been utilised as well as he could have been. Its a very unJameslike trait to hook the ball over his head blind into space.

I suspect a combination of hoofball not suiting his game and the club probably wanting younger legs at cheaper cost are the main drivers for him being sent to coventry ;-)

 

Yes, his passing seems to have been pretty good, one other benefit is he's fairly handy in the air, something that we as a team are pretty poor at, and to be fair my suggestion of Styles in CM doesnt help that!



Edit the above shows why we need someone up top who can make it stick or win a few flick ons. It's no wonder one of our main weaknesses is giving the ball away so often.