(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

Remember being linked with Eoin Jess on teletext clubcall.

27 minutes ago, Zico said:

Imagine if after all this we go and sign devante cole in a swap deal with Dion Charles 

I could see IE going for that sort of transfer 😂

12 minutes ago, gonzo said:

Remember being linked with Eoin Jess on teletext clubcall.

At the risk of turning this into a 90s transfer rumour nostalgia thread I think there was a point where we were linked with pretty much all of Aberdeen's forwards at the time; Eoin Jess, Scott Booth, Duncan Shearer and Dean Windass. 

Charlton first to make a move for Alfie May

11 minutes ago, desperado said:

Charlton first to make a move for Alfie May

He comes from Gravesend, so it's not beyond possible all else being equal.

Deffo sounds like the name of a singer on a cruiseship.

Edited June 1, 20233 yr by gonzo

Cole Stockton sounds like a Western baddie, probably an associate of the Gatlin Boys or the Clanton brothers.

I think the thing is that Evatt has a very specific style of play in mind and Markham et al have a very data driven recruitment model so it wouldn't surprise me if we get more players who can run for miles, have strong physical attributes but can't score goals for toffee. Dan for example is a specimen but he has the touch of a rapist. Victor is a decent midfielder who was pushed up front at Burton out of necessity and as he wasn't required to track back and press got all the chances they created - but in our system he doesn't get them.

I bet JDB's running stats are pants - but I'd back him more than anyone in the squad to put away a chance in the box. If we want players who have both workrate AND goals we need a bigger chequebook IMO.

The system Evatt wants us to play requires better quality players to work efficiently.

4 hours ago, Wanderlust said:

I think the thing is that Evatt has a very specific style of play in mind and Markham et al have a very data driven recruitment model so it wouldn't surprise me if we get more players who can run for miles, have strong physical attributes but can't score goals for toffee. Dan for example is a specimen but he has the touch of a rapist. Victor is a decent midfielder who was pushed up front at Burton out of necessity and as he wasn't required to track back and press got all the chances they created - but in our system he doesn't get them.

I bet JDB's running stats are pants - but I'd back him more than anyone in the squad to put away a chance in the box. If we want players who have both workrate AND goals we need a bigger chequebook IMO.

The system Evatt wants us to play requires better quality players to work efficiently.

Cameron Jerome?

16 minutes ago, tomski said:

Cameron Jerome?

Robbie Blake.

There for the bantz.

16 minutes ago, gonzo said:

Robbie Blake.

There for the bantz.

Data driven bants? If so all good.

1 hour ago, tomski said:

Cameron Jerome?

Said many times bizarre signing this especially the length of the deal 18 months for a 36year old journeyman!

 

4 minutes ago, radcliffe white said:

Said many times bizarre signing this especially the length of the deal 18 months for a 36year old journeyman!

 

Shrewd business, trust the process etc etc 

 

7 minutes ago, radcliffe white said:

Said many times bizarre signing this especially the length of the deal 18 months for a 36year old journeyman!

 

Experience in the camp.

11 hours ago, Zico said:

Imagine if after all this we go and sign devante cole in a swap deal with Dion Charles 

Hopefully not Zico but if rumours of Rico being sold come to pass then I wouldn’t mind their centre half Andersen who looked a real battler and saved their bacon several times with blocks against both us and the Wendies.

1 hour ago, tomski said:

Data driven bants? If so all good.

Yeah man. 86.% of his attempted jokes are funny.

He does a full routine like that bloke who does the noises off police academy, led zeppelin the lot.

6 hours ago, Wanderlust said:

I think the thing is that Evatt has a very specific style of play in mind and Markham et al have a very data driven recruitment model so it wouldn't surprise me if we get more players who can run for miles, have strong physical attributes but can't score goals for toffee. Dan for example is a specimen but he has the touch of a rapist. Victor is a decent midfielder who was pushed up front at Burton out of necessity and as he wasn't required to track back and press got all the chances they created - but in our system he doesn't get them.

I bet JDB's running stats are pants - but I'd back him more than anyone in the squad to put away a chance in the box. If we want players who have both workrate AND goals we need a bigger chequebook IMO.

The system Evatt wants us to play requires better quality players to work efficiently.

I think Evatt still has much to learn about systems and despite his desire to play his way through teams, which I do admire, he needs to accept that you can’t always do that and sometimes you do need a plan B. At the moment all our changes in games are like for like because all our players are much the same and it rarely affects the outcome. Despite the size of our squad we don’t have one player who is an aerial threat from crosses or corners and I’d like to see someone brought in who can provide that when a bit more route one is needed.

29 minutes ago, radcliffe white said:

Said many times bizarre signing this especially the length of the deal 18 months for a 36year old journeyman!

 

Difference for me over “What was the plan signing him?” and “Has the plan worked?” 

Clearly the plan hasn’t worked 

But In my eyes the plan was very clear.

We desperately needed forwards after JDB and Dapo became unavailable for different reasons. Furthermore, at the time he ticked lots of boxes; big target man, a striker who would compliment Charles, a forward who brings a wealth of experience, a striker who was valued and appreciated at the championship club he was at, an impact sub to give us a different option and a respected professional within the game who the younger players can learn from.

And being a January transfer he was probably only going to move for an 18 month contract. 

Don’t think picking up niggly injuries has helped. But after that first game against Charlton it seemed those plans for signing him would prove fruitful.

But I agree, he certainly hasn’t kicked on from this, there’s been cameos, like the Wembley game, when his hold up play and movement created a couple of late chances.

But it’s not enough.

 

 

23 minutes ago, gonzo said:

Yeah man. 86.% of his attempted jokes are funny.

He does a full routine like that bloke who does the noises off police academy, led zeppelin the lot.

Hard to argue any of that.

If he was at 95%+ he’d be at Real Madrid. Bargain really.

 

29 minutes ago, gonzo said:

Yeah man. 86.% of his attempted jokes are funny.

He does a full routine like that bloke who does the noises off police academy, led zeppelin the lot.

Expected Laughs 1.85

1 hour ago, desperado said:

Difference for me over “What was the plan signing him?” and “Has the plan worked?” 

Clearly the plan hasn’t worked 

But In my eyes the plan was very clear.

We desperately needed forwards after JDB and Dapo became unavailable for different reasons. Furthermore, at the time he ticked lots of boxes; big target man, a striker who would compliment Charles, a forward who brings a wealth of experience, a striker who was valued and appreciated at the championship club he was at, an impact sub to give us a different option and a respected professional within the game who the younger players can learn from.

And being a January transfer he was probably only going to move for an 18 month contract. 

Don’t think picking up niggly injuries has helped. But after that first game against Charlton it seemed those plans for signing him would prove fruitful.

But I agree, he certainly hasn’t kicked on from this, there’s been cameos, like the Wembley game, when his hold up play and movement created a couple of late chances.

But it’s not enough.

 

 

I get the idea we’ve seen in the past it’s worked with Taylor, marshal, bobic etc on this occasion it hasn’t (well last season)

nobody was expecting him to rip it up but you’d be looking at him at say barnsley away 2nd leg to bring his expertise to the table he wasn’t brought on until 85 mins

 

42 minutes ago, radcliffe white said:

barnsley away 2nd leg to bring his expertise to the table he wasn’t brought on until 85 mins

With added time & extra time that could have meant 50 minutes play.

It didn’t, but it could have.

Think it is clear thar Evatt had no faith in either his fitness or style, or both.

Maybe he just wasn't quite fit enough when he arrived, and suffered injuries as a consequence.

Whatever the case, he was a disappointment.

2 hours ago, Tonge moor green jacket said:

Think it is clear thar Evatt had no faith in either his fitness or style, or both.

Maybe he just wasn't quite fit enough when he arrived, and suffered injuries as a consequence.

Whatever the case, he was a disappointment.

Experience and dressing room presence aside, it seems unlikely that CJ was an out and out gamble given the data stuff, but when you lose a guy like JDB who can hold the ball up, bring in other players and finish like a good 'un, finding a replacement ain't easy - as Dan, Victor and CJ found out.

Given the size, prominence and deep line of the Barnsley back line we'd have drawn as much success from lumping it long as we did trying it as we did.

Absolute meat and drink for those Center backs.