Rob
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Post by Rob on Dec 1, 2019 17:54:26 GMT
Davis doesn’t fit into my category of gnarled pro in the way Asa Hall does, but he’s a cracking player at this level. A few are on the mend, thankfully. A corner will have been turned with this latest defeat and some minutes under the belt for a few returners.
It’s a dreadful run which does coincide reasonably squarely with a horrendous injury crisis. A home humiliation like this can alter a course much more dramatically than a single goal defeat. I wasn’t there, (Worcester v Sale at Sixways) but am quietly confident our Manager and these players can get back on track.
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rjdgull
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Post by rjdgull on Dec 14, 2019 14:05:57 GMT
New signing! - left Man City in the summer, month’s initial contract, not sure if eligible for today’s squad, will know in half an hour or so.....
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rjdgull
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Post by rjdgull on Dec 15, 2019 10:58:13 GMT
We seem to have a sizeable squad at present;
GK: MacDonald, Covolan
Defenders: Davis, Niate, Wynter, Lewis (L), Cameron, Medford Smith, Slough, Cundy (L).
Midfielders: Keating, Hall, Little, Andrews, Edwards (L), Vincent (L), Buse, Dickson(out on loan), Lemonheigh-Evans (L), Kalala, Bansal-McNulty (L), Whitfield, James (L), Nemane.
Strikers: Reid, Janneh, Koszela, Lewington.
Putting players in positions they are most likely to play in under Johnson then it is midfield likely to see the most change where we have a whopping 14 players although Dickson is out on loan. Injury saw off Hall, Little, Andrews, Edwards, Vincent and Lemonheigh-Evans on Saturday just gone and of the seven available only Kalala was left unused on the bench so in the immediate term those 2 signings were much needed. But come the New Year, who goes?
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rjdgull
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Post by rjdgull on Dec 16, 2019 22:45:56 GMT
New signing! - left Man City in the summer, month’s initial contract, not sure if eligible for today’s squad, will know in half an hour or so..... After setting up that Reid goal Nemane gives his first interview - link |
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Rob
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Post by Rob on Dec 16, 2019 22:54:46 GMT
We seem to have a sizeable squad at present; GK: MacDonald, Covolan Defenders: Davis, Niate, Wynter, Lewis (L), Cameron, Medford Smith, Slough, Cundy (L). Midfielders: Keating, Hall, Little, Andrews, Edwards (L), Vincent (L), Buse, Dickson(out on loan), Lemonheigh-Evans (L), Kalala, Bansal-McNulty (L), Whitfield, James (L), Nemane. Strikers: Reid, Janneh, Koszela, Lewington. Putting players in positions they are most likely to play in under Johnson then it is midfield likely to see the most change where we have a whopping 14 players although Dickson is out on loan. Injury saw off Hall, Little, Andrews, Edwards, Vincent and Lemonheigh-Evans on Saturday just gone and of the seven available only Kalala was left unused on the bench so in the immediate term those 2 signings were much needed. But come the New Year, who goes? Edwards, Bansal-Mcnulty, Medford-Smith, Dickson to depart. Koszela and Slough loaned out. Possibly - but not probably - Hall and Keating loaned out/hooking up elsewhere. Hall may see out time here and probably being seen as potential cover for James, who GJ will sign up for 18 months. If he can get another centre back he wants, then Cundy will likely go back rather than him dispensing of Niate’s services is my hunch, but I put that at nearly 50:50 should a centre back arrive. One of him or Cundy would go if that happened, though. Those are my guesses. |
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rjdgull
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Post by rjdgull on Dec 17, 2019 7:59:00 GMT
Which are normally pretty good. They are! Obviously, easier to move on loanees. Looking at Janneh, joined us at the end of October but has taken us until now to look really match sharp after a long lay off and typically potentially only 3 matches left unless his loan period includes the first of the month. With Whitfield, Andrews, Nemane, Keating and Kalala available on the wing, probably puts paid to Edwards extending his loan as we do not have time for him to regain his match sharpness assuming he stays fit for long enough to do just that. If Janneh goes I can see Whitfield playing in the hole to support Reidy. CLE and when fit again, Little can provide cover in this position. Not sure Vincent or Little will be fit until towards the end of January so Buse and James have a bit to go yet with CLE in the process of coming back and I can see his loan being extended. Not too sure where that leaves Hall other than as cover for James. Do not know what has happened to Cundy. Has gone from looking competent to making lots of mistakes. Is he a confidence player? |
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Rob
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Post by Rob on Dec 17, 2019 21:15:50 GMT
Which are normally pretty good. Kind of you to say. They are sort of what I would do, which possibly means they are way off. Re Cundy. It just isn’t working here. His parent club might want to get him somewhere else for that reason alone. He might need another stint at Bath before being ready for the next level. That also might knock his confidence further. It’s a tough call. He looked really good when we played them last season earning his Bristol City contract, so it’s a bit of a surprise and a shame it isn’t working out presently. |
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Post by rjdgull on Dec 29, 2019 11:01:41 GMT
The dreaded injury situation is not getting any better after taking a battering at Yeovil but we have had some of our better players return in the last week or two with Evans, Hall and Reid now back in the side and they will get better with more match time. Unfortunately both Vincent and Buse who were covering in midfield are now out. So updated situation is as follows;
Edwards - groin - Loan about to run out, will it be extended?
Vincent - ankle, due back in January.
Davis - out until end of February/ Early March
Little- back around late January, good to see him warming up out on the pitch.
Buse- was carrying a groin injury, time out to be assessed
Wynter- injured at Yeovil, not short term
MacDonald- leg injury from Yeovil, time out to be assessed
Kalala- possible chest injury, time out unspecified,
Janneh - suspended until after the Yeovil game.
Medford-Smith and Bansel-McNulty likely to have left the building. Dickson on loan. With 28 listed in the programme, that is now likely 25, less 8 injured and 1 suspended is 16 available including development players Koszela and Slough, hence the former’s appearance on the sub bench yesterday with Collings another development player covering the keeper’s position. Looking at the injury list, would like to see Davis, Wynter and Little start when fit so there is a full back issue with all our four centre backs now playing in defence.
First up, Johnson needs to sort out the loan situation, Lewis and Vincent have season long loans. I think the four Bristol lads all expire on the 1st January. Decisions need to be made by both sides but think CLE is the most likely to stay. Suspect Cundy will too unless Johnson feels a full back is a better bet at this moment in time. Finally James was on a month’s loan but his signing or extension is in doubt unless CLE leaves.
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Post by rjdgull on Dec 31, 2019 15:27:02 GMT
Link - bit more on players movements with Devon Live confirming that Janneh has left the building and is not coming back. No offers for Reid so far but early days yet. Lots of decisions to be made so will be quite a bit of news starting from this week!
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petef
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Post by petef on Jan 1, 2020 21:46:33 GMT
Means absolutely nothing and just my personal view but who do we think needs to go and be replaced - not just now but in the near future?
If we genuinely have ambition to get back into the football league some players will have to find new pastures.
Obvious we need a pretty major clear out at some point.
Most will survive the mid season cull there's simply no other choice with our limited resources.
My "hard nosed"list to go:
1. Rob Cundy simply not up to it and taking up a loan spot.
2. Lloyd James: Brought nothing of substance to the table.
3 Shaun Macdonald. love the guy but a new aerially aware keeper reqd. Covalan is looking the better keeper.
4. Thanks for your efforts Joe Lewis but we need more quality ad experience than you can offer at this moment in time
5. Koue Niate. Against my better judgement but he's built up a fan hate club and will suffer for it.
6 Asa Hall of course we cant release him can we and hes sure not to be but I guarantee this will be his last season at this level - his legs have gone and looked pitiful at times today against younger fitter and quicker men Yes we need know how but they also have to able to get around the pitch, compete and track back.
7. Ryan Dickson and Opi Edwards as good as gone. Janneh sadly more quality gone - when you look at what were left with.....
My keepers:
Covalan
Wynter.
Davis.
Cameron.
Buse squad player for the time being - no more. Would be lost at Football league level.
Whitfield.
Kalala.
Reid.
Evans.(loan not our player)
Little.
Vincent.(loan not our player)
Andrews. Slightly reluctantly didn't think he looked interested today and gave the ball away in the last minutes but we know he has qualities that should be enough for this level..
On the brink:
Ruari Keating. When you see him up against decent opposition like today its pretty obvious why GJ doesn't fancy him.
Namane. On trial. Has he done enough? A bit lightweight and Opi Edwards looks a better player. Maybe to earn a prove yourself contract till the end of the season.
Jared Lewington. Not going anywhere its a massive step up from where he was and needs to make some sort of impact pretty quickly or he will soon become a target for abuse.. Surely brought in in case Jamie Reid goes God forbid!
Its all pie in the sky of course and I doubt if anyone will agree, they all have assets but GJ is at the point where has to make some tough decisions to try and increase the quality of the squad.
How much wriggle room does he have left?
Not a great deal I would suggest.
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rjdgull
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Post by rjdgull on Jan 2, 2020 7:29:13 GMT
Funny enough, our best results this season have come when we have had the Vincent and Buse combination in the middle, Wynter and Davis at full back with either Whitfield or Little playing in behind Reid. I understand Buse has been carrying an injury for a while before his absence so his level probably diminished after getting the October National League player of the month . So with a fully fit squad we probably have most of the answers in the building but that isn’t happening anytime soon so we need a left back, experienced central defender and possibly a right back if Wynter is out long term.
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petef
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Post by petef on Jan 2, 2020 11:58:23 GMT
Funny enough, our best results this season have come when we have had the Vincent and Buse combination in the middle, Wynter and Davis at full back with either Whitfield or Little playing in behind Reid. I understand Buse has been carrying an injury for a while before his absence so his level probably diminished after getting the October National League player of the month . So with a fully fit squad we probably have most of the answers in the building but that isn’t happening anytime soon so we need a left back, experienced central defender and possibly a right back if Wynter is out long term. Agreed Rob sadly we are also having to play players who are carrying injuries as well as the long term one. Matt Bsuse and Frankie Vincent get up and down the pitch well and we are missing that drive and energy in the engine room. Vincent additionally has very good technical ability and gets into the danger areas. We need those technical player who can attack defenders thats what our game has been based on. Must also persevere with Kalvin Kalala. Yes frustrating at times but genuine quality and its up to the back room staff to get the best out of him. You can't just discard that sort of ability and I believe he may well have made an impact yesterday if fit. Feel sorry for Ben Wynter. It was inevitable he would pick up an injury sooner or later on these heavy pitches he has to cover a lot of ground and is then the scapegoat when were countered and look bare. Its a far tougher and more physical league. We looked big fit and strong in the one below not in this one though and were paying the price. |
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Post by rjdgull on Jan 3, 2020 15:21:51 GMT
link - As expected and reported in Devon Live, Medford-Smith and Bansal-McNulty have gone back to their clubs together with Janneh. James still has 2 games remaining which leaves question marks over the 3 Bristol City boys of CLE, Cundy and Edwards, the January date is not specific although Janneh has gone straight back.
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hector
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Post by hector on Jan 4, 2020 11:29:18 GMT
link - As expected and reported in Devon Live, Medford-Smith and Bansal-McNulty have gone back to their clubs together with Janneh. James still has 2 games remaining which leaves question marks over the 3 Bristol City boys of CLE, Cundy and Edwards, the January date is not specific although Janneh has gone straight back. I had assumed that the lads from Reading and QPR had gone back ages ago. As good as Opi Edwards is, he has pretty much been with us for well over a year and for most of it he has been injured. I’m not sure how beneficial the arrangement is to any party when he can’t play. Cundy and CLE certainly have been regulars so one might imagine they will stay longer if it can be arranged whereas James has not especially offered much yet so who knows with him. The squad is starting to look thin and lightweight. It’s not a coincidence that our poor run has coincided with a much weakened team so things may not improve for a while unless GJ gets in players he wants rather than the numbers. |
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Post by Deleted on Jan 4, 2020 13:07:55 GMT
Hector All valid points made by our esteemed, if rebellious, guest writer  I can't offer any opinion on Lloyd James ability as I haven't seen him play, but think we were all under the impression that he was some way off proper match fitness when we signed him. If just a few of our currently injured midfielders were available, I'm sure Lloyd wouldn't be asked to figure at all, or would have been given the last 20-30 minutes of games had it been earlier in the season when we were scoring 4 and cruising to victories. Having Lloyd James on loan while he's not fit, only to release him when his fitness is starting to be much improved, would be counter productive, so perhaps it'll be towards the end of this season and next season when we see the best of him. Then again he's 32 next month, so would he be fit, agile, and robust enough for a full season of National League combat ? As pete adds (on the matchday thread), Gary Johnson is probably trying his hardest to get the right players in. And they certainly will need to be the right players. Even if it's only one or two, to shore things up and stave off any fears of relegation. A few of those recent loan signings were immediately shown to be unsuited for what was needed in our current battle. I doubt there's too much in the way of funds available, but the January recruitment needs to be spot on. |
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