It was pretty clear from the moment that Todorov was ruled out, that a 'senior' striker was coming in. Iwelumo, Varney, McLeod and Dickson were not going to fire us back up. Not a chance.
If Gray does the business (I've no reason to doubt him atm) and we go back up, the move will have paid for itself 40 times over. If we miss out this year, we've got an improved group of strikers (from the start!) of next seasons assault.
I really doubt this is the only move that'll be made. Even if it means shipping one or two out (JT, maybe McClown, Marcus Bent's loan made permanent?).
Lets see how the squad shapes up on February 1st, before passing sentence.
[cite]Posted By: Paddy Powell[/cite]It was pretty clear from the moment that Todorov was ruled out, that a 'senior' striker was coming in. Iwelumo, Varney, McLeod and Dickson were not going to fire us back up. Not a chance.
If Gray does the business (I've no reason to doubt him atm) and we go back up, the move will have paid for itself 40 times over. If we miss out this year, we've got an improved group of strikers (from the start!) of next seasons assault.
I really doubt this is the only move that'll be made. Even if it means shipping one or two out (JT, maybe McClown, Marcus Bent's loan made permanent?).
Agree with all of this.
Lets see how the squad shapes up on February 1st, before passing sentence.
[cite]Posted By: Rothko[/cite]and defensively we've shipped as many as West Brom and Bristol City. The problem is at the other end
Since we've changed formation, we've scored 7 in 3, or 6 in 2. The last time we didn't score in a game was back at the Sheff U game in November.
On the other hand, we have kept one clean sheet in the last 12 games.
I've got nothing against the signing at all, i'm just saying if the pot is small my priority would of been elsewhere.
I understand the point your making but its a double edged thing; the less your team looks like scoring, the more vulnerable they look defensively. That has been the case more than once this season. We have just come through three games with Magic and Paddy in the heart of defence. I don't think they're our best pairing especially if Sodje stays but both of them have played well against teams who can do any defence some damage.
On the other hand, with a more effective strike force we would be in the 4th round now. If we had more offensive options perhaps we would not have drawn or lost so many home games. On balance, given the emergence of Magic and Paddy , the discovery of Youga and the return of Moo2, I think that our priority is no longer defensive. Maybe I wouldn't have said that before Christmas, but priorities change. Hence I think this is good news.
I remember when we signed Sir Clive, the club trumpeted that they had a major signing in the offing and when he was unveiled, a lot of fans were luke warm, because he wasn't a "star" name. I just remember watching him play for Grimsby against us in earlier games and thinking what a quality player he was technically and as a finisher. I was impressed with Gray when he played against us recently and I hope he has a similar effect to Sir Clive.
Bear in mind that his record is pretty good at this level, Pards has watched him for some time, and he will be playing with better players.
Leicester did the same thing on Jan 1st so their new player could play in their New Year's Day match.
I forget who he is, but he's a permanent signing now.
[cite]Posted By: Oggy Red[/cite]Leicester did the same thing on Jan 1st so their new player could play in their New Year's Day match.
I forget who he is, but he's a permanent signing now.
[cite]Posted By: Rothko[/cite]and defensively we've shipped as many as West Brom and Bristol City. The problem is at the other end
Since we've changed formation, we've scored 7 in 3, or 6 in 2. The last time we didn't score in a game was back at the Sheff U game in November.
On the other hand, we have kept one clean sheet in the last 12 games.
I've got nothing against the signing at all, i'm just saying if the pot is small my priority would of been elsewhere.
I understand the point your making but its a double edged thing; the less your team looks like scoring, the more vulnerable they look defensively. That has been the case more than once this season. We have just come through three games with Magic and Paddy in the heart of defence. I don't think they're our best pairing especially if Sodje stays but both of them have played well against teams who can do any defence some damage.
On the other hand, with a more effective strike force we would be in the 4th round now. If we had more offensive options perhaps we would not have drawn or lost so many home games. On balance, given the emergence of Magic and Paddy , the discovery of Youga and the return of Moo2, I think that our priority is no longer defensive. Maybe I wouldn't have said that before Christmas, but priorities change. Hence I think this is good news.
I remember when we signed Sir Clive, the club trumpeted that they had a major signing in the offing and when he was unveiled, a lot of fans were luke warm, because he wasn't a "star" name. I just remember watching him play for Grimsby against us in earlier games and thinking what a quality player he was technically and as a finisher. I was impressed with Gray when he played against us recently and I hope he has a similar effect to Sir Clive.
Bear in mind that his record is pretty good at this level, Pards has watched him for some time, and he will be playing with better players.
An excellent signing in my view.
Well said, and let's keep up the Sir bit before that magical name.
Comments
If Gray does the business (I've no reason to doubt him atm) and we go back up, the move will have paid for itself 40 times over. If we miss out this year, we've got an improved group of strikers (from the start!) of next seasons assault.
I really doubt this is the only move that'll be made. Even if it means shipping one or two out (JT, maybe McClown, Marcus Bent's loan made permanent?).
Lets see how the squad shapes up on February 1st, before passing sentence.
He'll play. No doubt about it.
If he gets damaged, can we send him back? That'd please the dingles wouldn't it..
I understand the point your making but its a double edged thing; the less your team looks like scoring, the more vulnerable they look defensively. That has been the case more than once this season. We have just come through three games with Magic and Paddy in the heart of defence. I don't think they're our best pairing especially if Sodje stays but both of them have played well against teams who can do any defence some damage.
On the other hand, with a more effective strike force we would be in the 4th round now. If we had more offensive options perhaps we would not have drawn or lost so many home games. On balance, given the emergence of Magic and Paddy , the discovery of Youga and the return of Moo2, I think that our priority is no longer defensive. Maybe I wouldn't have said that before Christmas, but priorities change. Hence I think this is good news.
I remember when we signed Sir Clive, the club trumpeted that they had a major signing in the offing and when he was unveiled, a lot of fans were luke warm, because he wasn't a "star" name. I just remember watching him play for Grimsby against us in earlier games and thinking what a quality player he was technically and as a finisher. I was impressed with Gray when he played against us recently and I hope he has a similar effect to Sir Clive.
Bear in mind that his record is pretty good at this level, Pards has watched him for some time, and he will be playing with better players.
An excellent signing in my view.
i think you will find niff niff and nuff nuff were in agreement over it so just as bad -
I assume this is in advance of the permanent deal being done next week? Seems odd to me.
This was the only way he could play against Watford.
If that is right then its a bit of clever dealing by Pards/the club.
I forget who he is, but he's a permanent signing now.
steve howard
Well said, and let's keep up the Sir bit before that magical name.
Not guilty, Jimmy.
My published work was plagiarised (sp) & corrupted by a devious OoAah because he had nothing to moan about..... ;o)