Fuck this 

Still can't believe Xavier Simons is only 22 years old. Almost feels like we've struck gold. Knowing us, we'll probably sell him for 500k in January.

Do really want to give Randall a chance and I know this game with 10 men is hardly ideal for his type.

But even as a no10 from what I've seen so far it's just so underwhelming. The best way to describe him is just weak.

He tries, but he's just so lightweight. Even the occasions I've seen him shoot in and around the box, there's just no substance to it. Don't think I've seen the ball come off the ground yet after one of his shots.

When he drives forward, there's no real pace about him and can't really beat a man. He's got an odd good pass on him but that's about it.

We've invested in him and I'm happy for him to prove otherwise. But right now, we need more from our no10. With Dempsey hopefully coming back soon I would be tempted to say that position is yours to win, providing he can finally get fit.

Just now, Cheese said:

Still can't believe Xavier Simons is only 22 years old. Almost feels like we've struck gold. Knowing us, we'll probably sell him for 500k in January.

He'll leave on a free when his contract expires and we're still stuck in L1

4 minutes ago, Cheese said:

Still can't believe Xavier Simons is only 22 years old. Almost feels like we've struck gold. Knowing us, we'll probably sell him for 500k in January.

Nah

3 minutes ago, Zico said:

He'll leave on a free when his contract expires and we're still stuck in L1

if he stays around for all four years of his contract bar bad injuries we wont be in lge1l 

18 minutes ago, Cheese said:

Still can't believe Xavier Simons is only 22 years old. Almost feels like we've struck gold. Knowing us, we'll probably sell him for 500k in January.

A few things he did second half, when under pressure, in tight areas, with no obvious outlet, were real class, as was the run that ought to have ended in a goal

50 minutes ago, Cheese said:

Still can't believe Xavier Simons is only 22 years old. Almost feels like we've struck gold. Knowing us, he’ll get injured.

 

6 hours ago, only1swanny said:

Hopefully...

 

With SS declining a loan offer for McAtee, that will build his confidence and help him improve on the pitch. 

Had that flick on worked in second half, it would have been an amazing goal, and he shows so much more threat going forward than Randall.

 

First half especially, he played like I'd expect him to play in the 10. Busy and making runs beyond the striker, linking play up. He's never gonna be overly creative but he was getting in good positions. 

The problem in the league is when we concede early,teams drop in deep, and there is no space. It makes everyone's job harder but specifically him and ACD need space to operate. He needs to get his confidence back. 

I thought we looked better balanced last night particularly impressed with Taylor, Christy will be great signing been there done that, he going to be that experienced pro that all teams need, Forss has great technique can score goals so as soon as he’s match fit he’ll be great signing…. Feeling more confident after that display. 

40 minutes ago, Arrested development said:

First half especially, he played like I'd expect him to play in the 10. Busy and making runs beyond the striker, linking play up. He's never gonna be overly creative but he was getting in good positions. 

The problem in the league is when we concede early,teams drop in deep, and there is no space. It makes everyone's job harder but specifically him and ACD need space to operate. He needs to get his confidence back. 

Did not see last nights game, but the McAtee you describe above is the player that always seemed to turn up against us but has rarely been seen since he signed.

I think the reason there is so much frustration with JM is that the were pretty high expectations based on how we had seen him play. Hopefully we see more of the good days from him now. 

Simons performance was worth the VPN charge, £10 for Wanderers TV and “additional” £5 for Premier Inn jizztastic wi-fi alone. 

McAtee could easily have come away with three assists last night, Dalby should have done better with two in the first half and the ball into Simons was brilliant and whilst he still had a lot to do the ball created the opportunity.

I wont say he could have also had a goal, as the chipped effort was pretty bad, although he was knackered by that point. 

Just watched highlights and whilst diving in was daft, I'm not even certain he made contact - definitely not the obvious red it was being called last night unless the game's gone even softer still

10 hours ago, masi 51 said:

I can 100% guarantee Mcatee wont Happen though first half he played well tonight.

What makes you certain Dalby and Burstow wont play 9 and 10 out of interest?

I think Schumacher views them as two heads of the same coin, they do the same job he wants his 9 to do but in slightly different styles, they'll play together at times when we're chasing the game or if we're struggling to get the ball to stick, but unless we change formation to a 3-5-2 again I can't see them ever starting together. 

If we do go to a 4-4-2 to start it'll be Forss and one of Dalby or Burstow, as they clearly think Forss is more capable of doing the dropping off and graft to create his own chances, Richie Kyle has already said he can play in the 10. That's never been suggested by the staff about Burstow. 

35 minutes ago, maaarsh said:

Just watched highlights and whilst diving in was daft, I'm not even certain he made contact - definitely not the obvious red it was being called last night unless the game's gone even softer still

Yeh, while I don’t think anyone is saying it wasn’t daft and he didn’t deserve it, like SS said on his interview, the guy isn’t hurt (I’m not convinced he gets much of him at all!) and he really made the most it, to ensure he got sent off. 

5 minutes ago, meanderson93 said:

I think Schumacher views them as two heads of the same coin, they do the same job he wants his 9 to do but in slightly different styles, they'll play together at times when we're chasing the game or if we're struggling to get the ball to stick, but unless we change formation to a 3-5-2 again I can't see them ever starting together. 

If we do go to a 4-4-2 to start it'll be Forss and one of Dalby or Burstow, as they clearly think Forss is more capable of doing the dropping off and graft to create his own chances, Richie Kyle has already said he can play in the 10. That's never been suggested by the staff about Burstow. 

I an not sure they are alike Burstow comes short. Saturday he picked the ball up and ran at defenders twice in the second half. I am not sure Dalby has that in his locker. Burstow can and does win a lot of headers and would be a perfect foil for Dalby

Forss i think will play a more wide role on the left.

Great options to have for a change.

They're definitely a bit different, Burstow's technically better with ball at feet and quicker turning and running, Dalby's a simpler, more throwback centre forward, will head it on or down, simply lay off then go into the box and wait for it to come his way. Won't score many nice looking goals but will be there to poke on or nod one in, the one last night that was ruled out an example.

Edited September 3, 2025Sep 3 by ianofcleveleys

9 hours ago, Cheese said:

Still can't believe Xavier Simons is only 22 years old. Almost feels like we've struck gold. Knowing us, we'll probably sell him for 500k in January.

He needs to be starting at places like Blackpool.

Granted I'm not sure if he still had a bit of a knock.

Just now, gonzo said:

He needs to be starting at places like Blackpool.

Granted I'm not sure if he still had a bit of a knock.

He starts every game for me, should be first name on the team sheet.

Simons was the standout player last night and would be the first name on my teamsheet for Saturday.

Winning (even in this poxy competition) just like losing can be a disease that spreads and hopefully this is the start of our turnaround.

3 minutes ago, noxid said:

Winning (even in this poxy competition) just like losing can be a disease that spreads and hopefully this is the start of our turnaround.

Don’t we all! We have the squad capable of it, we just need the results now.

4 hours ago, masi 51 said:

I an not sure they are alike Burstow comes short. Saturday he picked the ball up and ran at defenders twice in the second half. I am not sure Dalby has that in his locker. Burstow can and does win a lot of headers and would be a perfect foil for Dalby

Forss i think will play a more wide role on the left.

Great options to have for a change.

Great options until 1 or 2 get injured, we know the script 😀

4 hours ago, noxid said:

Simons was the standout player last night and would be the first name on my teamsheet for Saturday.

Winning (even in this poxy competition) just like losing can be a disease that spreads and hopefully this is the start of our turnaround.

 

5 hours ago, Whitesince63 said:

He starts every game for me, should be first name on the team sheet.

 

5 hours ago, gonzo said:

He needs to be starting at places like Blackpool.

Granted I'm not sure if he still had a bit of a knock.

Was subbed at half time v Lincoln and after a pretty useless 64 minutes v Forest.

 

I think we need to remember he is only 22, I thought he was an experienced pro. I have been impressed generally with him but still inexperienced with only 60 appearances before this season. 
 

 

56 minutes ago, Ani said:

 

 

Was subbed at half time v Lincoln and after a pretty useless 64 minutes v Forest.

 

I think we need to remember he is only 22, I thought he was an experienced pro. I have been impressed generally with him but still inexperienced with only 60 appearances before this season. 
 

 

I'm sure he'd taken a knock just before half time v Lincoln tbf, him and EE were both useless in that system v a low block set of cunt houses.

I must have missed the Forest match.

32 minutes ago, gonzo said:

I'm sure he'd taken a knock just before half time v Lincoln tbf, him and EE were both useless in that system v a low block set of cunt houses.

I must have missed the Forest match.

I obviously meant Barnsley how could you not realise that ?? 🤷‍♂️🤷‍♂️😂😂🤔