(That long since we've had any, couldn't find the thread)

Alan Nixon: "Top Liverpool starlet Cameron Branagan will Ben allowed out on loan in Jan.

Bolton lead the race for the 20 year old midfielder"

Edited December 11, 20169 yr by Ratwhite

8 minutes ago, ianofcleveleys said:

Indeed. I recall many of us on here discussing how much overhaul was needed but how restricted SS might be initially due to so many of our underachievers being tied up in contracts with time to run. 

SS has done well to manoeuvre out and in those he has so far, has put some money in the coffers, still some scope for 2-3 more in if one or two more of the remaining deadwood can be eased out, but another go in Jan may be needed to help us be strong finishers.

Short-term the job is to be in the mix and be showing decent, solid signs of all round improvement.

Bang on this.

If we're not in top 3 at Xmas I couldn't care less as long as we're having a go and not being bullied.

Need to keep patient. This mon will take us up.

We were 'weak' last year because of how we were set up. Too slow and ponderous to break teams down but wide open on the break.

We'll be a totally different beast this year.

I know it's only pre-season and we're still short in a few positions, but already seeing really positive signs for me.

I think we're on for a belter this season.

1 hour ago, gonzo said:

I'd like to think the same, he's running out of road though.

Nobody wants him to be rubbish. Nobody thinks he’s too old. Folk just notice he isn’t very good. We can pretend he’s decent all we like but he has shown very little. I’d love him to rip it up and score for fun. I would also like to not have a tiny cock. Sadly life’s a bitch 

My reaction to some fans talking about Dalby  

2 hours ago, Cheese said:

Am I missing something? He's only 26.

Some players peak early.

I'll be overjoyed if he repeats the goalscoring he showed at Morecambe, but I havent seen any evidence of it in the two years he's been here.

Luton certainly didnt, and bar a six week spell at Fleetwood, I'm not sure they would say they did either.

4 Seasons, 15 goals, and 6 of them in a 6 week spell.

13 minutes ago, ZiggyStardust said:

Some players peak early.

I'll be overjoyed if he repeats the goalscoring he showed at Morecambe, but I havent seen any evidence of it in the two years he's been here.

Luton certainly didnt, and bar a six week spell at Fleetwood, I'm not sure they would say they did either.

4 Seasons, 15 goals, and 6 of them in a 6 week spell.

Some players peak late. He's looked very good in pre-season, and he's clearly still in our plans seeing as he's played every game.

36 minutes ago, ZiggyStardust said:

Some players peak early.

I'll be overjoyed if he repeats the goalscoring he showed at Morecambe, but I havent seen any evidence of it in the two years he's been here.

Luton certainly didnt, and bar a six week spell at Fleetwood, I'm not sure they would say they did either.

4 Seasons, 15 goals, and 6 of them in a 6 week spell.

I've not got strong feelings either way on CMG and no doubt he's more injury prone than most.  But should he be judged on goals?  I've seen him play well - eg Brum at home - and he's not scored, so all he gets there is another appearance notched up with a zero in the goals column.  We don't judge other midfielders/ wingers/no.10's like that.  

And before judging goals records, I'd want to know how many games they've started not just appearances.  Plenty of times he's come on as sub after the 70th minute for eg, as its rare he gets to start league games.

2 hours ago, Johnnyrotten said:

I've no opinion on whether he should start, I've never seen him play, but presumably he's looking nailed on because he's an old fashioned centre forward with height, strength and aerial ability and so has no current competition for that role.  His stats are irrelevant in that respect, if he doesn't score a goal it doesn't mean he hasn't contributed.

I like CMG (when fit) and he can do a job in a few positions but he has plenty of competition for each of those positions, he'll hopefully get some games but it would take injuries for him to start I'd guess. 

 

Of course he's nailed on to start - his competition is non-league standard unless you count McAtee as a striker (which SS might even if I don't think that'd be a popular view).

The question wasn't whether he's shit or brilliant, I have no idea. It was whether we should not bother giving him any serious competition for his place.

42 minutes ago, Cheese said:

Some players peak late. He's looked very good in pre-season, and he's clearly still in our plans seeing as he's played every game.

Think most of the players have played in all pre season games

4 minutes ago, 1969 said:

Think most of the players have played in all pre season games

Lolos and Nlundulu haven't, because they're not in our plans.

Edited July 20, 2025Jul 20 by Cheese

9 minutes ago, Tombwfc said:

 

Of course he's nailed on to start - his competition is non-league standard unless you count McAtee as a striker (which SS might even if I don't think that'd be a popular view).

The question wasn't whether he's shit or brilliant, I have no idea. It was whether we should not bother giving him any serious competition for his place.

I agree with you, no question he needs competition/back up, like everyone.  As you say he's currently got no competition, and that has to change.  I just wouldn't bring CMG into the conversation, or stats, because the reason Dalby will start isn't because he scores goals or that he's better than x or y player, its because there's no alternative in his role/position.  CMG could score in every game for the next month but Dalby will start as soon as he's fit, unless we sign another similar type player (as opposed to a Charles or Collins type).

Isn't CMG a winger? Why the fuck are folk judging him on his goals tally?

There's been glimpses of talent when he's been fit, but that hasn't been often enough. Perhaps with 4 other wingers in the squad as well he can rest when needed and see if he can stay fit.

Even calling them glimpses is being kind

1 hour ago, Cheese said:

Some players peak late. He's looked very good in pre-season, and he's clearly still in our plans seeing as he's played every game.

He didn't look very good yesterday mate.

38 minutes ago, Cheese said:

Lolos and Nlundulu haven't, because they're not in our plans.

That's why I said most

38 minutes ago, Cheese said:

Lolos and Nlundulu haven't, because they're not in our plans.

To play devil’s advocate - GT did, until this weekend

Anyway ... has anyone got any transfer gossip ?

6 minutes ago, gonzo said:

He didn't look very good yesterday mate.

He only played 20 mins and looked fine to me. He's looked good in the previous friendlies too. Suppose we should just pay his contract up and get rid though because we're so loaded? We're in League one mate.

Just now, Cheese said:

He only played 20 mins and looked fine to me. He's looked good in the previous friendlies too. Suppose we should just pay his contract up and get rid though because we're so loaded? We're in League one mate.

Good at putting words in people's mouths aren't you.

 

Squad at present I think ,add Broome as a GK

Long Term injured -Adeboyejo & Dempsey

Confirmed not in Schumachers plans -Lolos  & Ndlundu

GT about to leave

3 minutes ago, gonzo said:

Good at putting words in people's mouths aren't you.

No? What was your point then?

5 minutes ago, Cheese said:

He only played 20 mins and looked fine to me. He's looked good in the previous friendlies too. Suppose we should just pay his contract up and get rid though because we're so loaded? We're in League one mate.

Well Schu’s been true to his word so far in that he said he’d give CMG every chance to prove himself before deciding if he fitted in so maybe that’s why he’s featured in every game? I like Carlos and I’m not sure if he’s done enough so far to convince anybody but if I’m honest he’s done no less than Schon and Tutu have and I’d probably prefer to lose one of them first as CMG is more flexible and does have the ability to change games which I don’t think the other two really do.

1 hour ago, Johnnyrotten said:

I've not got strong feelings either way on CMG and no doubt he's more injury prone than most.  But should he be judged on goals?  I've seen him play well - eg Brum at home - and he's not scored, so all he gets there is another appearance notched up with a zero in the goals column.  We don't judge other midfielders/ wingers/no.10's like that.  

And before judging goals records, I'd want to know how many games they've started not just appearances.  Plenty of times he's come on as sub after the 70th minute for eg, as its rare he gets to start league games.

Problem is we live in a stats filled world 

Everything is judged by goals, assists or XG or whatever 

CGM could do all the hard work in the build up to a goal, pass it to McAtee who passes to Dalby who taps it in 

Nowhere in stats does CMG get any credit for that 

 

10 minutes ago, Cheese said:

No? What was your point then?

I've said in 3 posts on him today.

I want him to do well but he's shown not one glimmer of hope.

And I don't think he played very well yesterday. 

I didn't say rip up his contract.

Is that OK?

Edited July 20, 2025Jul 20 by gonzo

It will be decided by SS what happens with CMG if he stays or goes .