That does sound a lot like a Nathan project in fairness and presumably a relatively cheap one. It's really hard to judge from a couple of cameos in friendlies - Nathan has been watching him in training for a week or two and, presumably, sees something he likes
That does sound a lot like a Nathan project in fairness and presumably a relatively cheap one. It's really hard to judge from a couple of cameos in friendlies - Nathan has been watching him in training for a week or two and, presumably, sees something he likes
I thought he did alright on Saturday. Lower level of opposition, of course, but got forward well. Many seem to forget that Small had deficiencies as a defender, which is why we play 3 at the back.
That does sound a lot like a Nathan project in fairness and presumably a relatively cheap one. It's really hard to judge from a couple of cameos in friendlies - Nathan has been watching him in training for a week or two and, presumably, sees something he likes
I thought he did alright on Saturday. Lower level of opposition, of course, but got forward well. Many seem to forget that Small had deficiencies as a defender, which is why we play 3 at the back.
That reads like you're saying we play three at the back because of Thierry Small...? Probably not how you meant it because he's gone and we're still playing a back three.
Doubt it’s us but Jamie Donley is having a medical at a championship club today.
I know people are keen on him but with Knibbs, Carey and Berry here already I can’t see us going for him and also think spurs would probably rather he went somewhere else
I still read this and think "well not us then". Wonder when I'll become used to being a championship club again.
Those possession stats don’t really show it (I think due to style of play issues) but I think Coventry is better on the ball than Adams too. A lot of his work goes under the radar but I can see Coventry being up there in the POTY vote come the end of the season. You just have to see the way the other players in the squad talk about him to see how important he is to the team.
Couldn't agree more. Which is why I'm worried about the lack of cover. Doc can do it but is better as a partner for him. Currently I think a 3 month injury to Cov relegates us. That's how important I think he is to the way we play
Time will tell if what we have is good enough, but Id; be surprised to see more midfielders come in unless someone has picked up a serious injury or someone really exceptional becomes available to us. We lack a bit of depth in other areas, notable wing back, that I would expect is being focused on addressing right now. We've also got enough going into the first few games, would be the dumbest thing in the world to hold back any last bits of the transfer kitty and see if we get any key injuries that need replacing before the end of the window. If Lloyd Jones destroys his knee on Saturday, for example, that might shift our priorities
Numbers are probably a bit wonky, but according to our mates at Transfermarkt we spent €21m that summer under Dowie, including over €5 on Diawara, over €4m on Reid, and a combined €9m on Bougherra, Faye and Traore.
Numbers are probably a bit wonky, but according to our mates at Transfermarkt we spent €21m that summer under Dowie, including over €5 on Diawara, over €4m on Reid, and a combined €9m on Bougherra, Faye and Traore.
I remembered that transfer window as a disaster for obvious reasons but Diawara, Reid and even Bougherra were good signings. It’s Faye and Traore where it went wrong
I remembered that transfer window as a disaster for obvious reasons but Diawara, Reid and even Bougherra were good signings. It’s Faye and Traore where it went wrong
Even Song and Zheng Zhi in the January with Pardew, almost turned out to be inspired signings for the Premier League.
I remembered that transfer window as a disaster for obvious reasons but Diawara, Reid and even Bougherra were good signings. It’s Faye and Traore where it went wrong
Don't leave Puso out of that list, not sure he cost us a fee but probably the most confused looking footballer I've ever seen.
Those possession stats don’t really show it (I think due to style of play issues) but I think Coventry is better on the ball than Adams too. A lot of his work goes under the radar but I can see Coventry being up there in the POTY vote come the end of the season. You just have to see the way the other players in the squad talk about him to see how important he is to the team.
Couldn't agree more. Which is why I'm worried about the lack of cover. Doc can do it but is better as a partner for him. Currently I think a 3 month injury to Cov relegates us. That's how important I think he is to the way we play
While recognising his importance, that seems a bit of an extreme reaction and I don’t think a prolonged absence would relegate us. We do hopefully have others who could do a job. We have to be based on a collective and not a team of individuals.
Those possession stats don’t really show it (I think due to style of play issues) but I think Coventry is better on the ball than Adams too. A lot of his work goes under the radar but I can see Coventry being up there in the POTY vote come the end of the season. You just have to see the way the other players in the squad talk about him to see how important he is to the team.
Couldn't agree more. Which is why I'm worried about the lack of cover. Doc can do it but is better as a partner for him. Currently I think a 3 month injury to Cov relegates us. That's how important I think he is to the way we play
While recognising his importance, that seems a bit of an extreme reaction and I don’t think a prolonged absence would relegate us. We do hopefully have others who could do a job. We have to be based on a collective and not a team of individuals.
But it does highlight the importance of depth.
If Edwards gets injured, Bell can cover, ditto Macca. If Kelman or Tanto get injured, we have other forward options. If Kaminski gets injured, Mannion should provide adequate back up.
If players like Lloydy, Coventry, Ramsay, or Knibbs get injured, it drastically weakens us. We don't have anyone that could really fill their boots with the exception of Lloyd if a fit and ready Burke is available.
It's why it always surprises me when someone will say for example "we don't need another player for x position, we have x number of options there" when the options are usually bang average compared to the starter. Iron sharpens iron. The more competition for spots, the more drive the players should have, and if they can't be motivated by quality teammates around them or after their spot, it's unlikely they're the type of player we would want anyway imo.
You say it's an extreme reaction, but look how much different we looked without Lloyd, one player can massively influence a team.
Those possession stats don’t really show it (I think due to style of play issues) but I think Coventry is better on the ball than Adams too. A lot of his work goes under the radar but I can see Coventry being up there in the POTY vote come the end of the season. You just have to see the way the other players in the squad talk about him to see how important he is to the team.
Couldn't agree more. Which is why I'm worried about the lack of cover. Doc can do it but is better as a partner for him. Currently I think a 3 month injury to Cov relegates us. That's how important I think he is to the way we play
While recognising his importance, that seems a bit of an extreme reaction and I don’t think a prolonged absence would relegate us. We do hopefully have others who could do a job. We have to be based on a collective and not a team of individuals.
But it does highlight the importance of depth.
If Edwards gets injured, Bell can cover, ditto Macca. If Kelman or Tanto get injured, we have other forward options. If Kaminski gets injured, Mannion should provide adequate back up.
If players like Lloydy, Coventry, Ramsay, or Knibbs get injured, it drastically weakens us. We don't have anyone that could really fill their boots with the exception of Lloyd if a fit and ready Burke is available.
It's why it always surprises me when someone will say for example "we don't need another player for x position, we have x number of options there" when the options are usually bang average compared to the starter. Iron sharpens iron. The more competition for spots, the more drive the players should have, and if they can't be motivated by quality teammates around them or after their spot, it's unlikely they're the type of player we would want anyway imo.
You say it's an extreme reaction, but look how much different we looked without Lloyd, one player can massively influence a team.
Unfortunately that kind of turnover just ruins a club. As much as it’s easy to go we can upgrade x y and z those players all cost money, wages, signing fees and then players you have to force out will probably be on less wages, and get less money for them so your basically replacing a replacement for double the money which is just not worth it. If you are also unable to move on ur other backups that’s 5/6 players collecting a wage at this level that can be an additional 30k a week as well. If this method was a realistic visible option every club would be doing it every summer but no one does because you have to be really grounded in football
Those possession stats don’t really show it (I think due to style of play issues) but I think Coventry is better on the ball than Adams too. A lot of his work goes under the radar but I can see Coventry being up there in the POTY vote come the end of the season. You just have to see the way the other players in the squad talk about him to see how important he is to the team.
Couldn't agree more. Which is why I'm worried about the lack of cover. Doc can do it but is better as a partner for him. Currently I think a 3 month injury to Cov relegates us. That's how important I think he is to the way we play
While recognising his importance, that seems a bit of an extreme reaction and I don’t think a prolonged absence would relegate us. We do hopefully have others who could do a job. We have to be based on a collective and not a team of individuals.
But it does highlight the importance of depth.
If Edwards gets injured, Bell can cover, ditto Macca. If Kelman or Tanto get injured, we have other forward options. If Kaminski gets injured, Mannion should provide adequate back up.
If players like Lloydy, Coventry, Ramsay, or Knibbs get injured, it drastically weakens us. We don't have anyone that could really fill their boots with the exception of Lloyd if a fit and ready Burke is available.
It's why it always surprises me when someone will say for example "we don't need another player for x position, we have x number of options there" when the options are usually bang average compared to the starter. Iron sharpens iron. The more competition for spots, the more drive the players should have, and if they can't be motivated by quality teammates around them or after their spot, it's unlikely they're the type of player we would want anyway imo.
You say it's an extreme reaction, but look how much different we looked without Lloyd, one player can massively influence a team.
The trouble with looking to bring in direct replacements for Coventry and Edwards is that you almost have to sign someone to come in purely to provide cover which begs the question are they any better than say Docherty or Bell filling in for example. If they aren't then there's no point burning extra money in doing so for a bench warmer.
Or you go the opposite way and see about bringing in someone better than Coventry or Edwards when we still probably want to bring in a RWB so unless there's an unlimited budget available it then eats into what can be spent on a RWB and also is there anybody who can improve on both Edwards and Coventry we can afford so they both can then become the back ups?
Which is probably why we end up in a situation of looking at a free agent LWB cover and probably Docherty backing up for Coventry unless the scouting team can pull a bit of an unlikely rabbit out of a hat somewhere for an affordable fee.
Ramsay or Jones get injured, Burke will be ok cover.
Tbh no club in the world is going to have a full XI of starters and a full XI of starter worthy back-ups, it's always a compromise, and ours is that we can cover Ramsay or Jones with Burke, but not both at the same time.
Same as Coventry, if he's injured at the moment we're filling that gap with Docherty, and playing Rankin-Costello, Anderson or Knibbs in the "8" role. Another defensive midfielder as good as Coventry would be lovely, but what does he do for 80% of the season?
Those possession stats don’t really show it (I think due to style of play issues) but I think Coventry is better on the ball than Adams too. A lot of his work goes under the radar but I can see Coventry being up there in the POTY vote come the end of the season. You just have to see the way the other players in the squad talk about him to see how important he is to the team.
Couldn't agree more. Which is why I'm worried about the lack of cover. Doc can do it but is better as a partner for him. Currently I think a 3 month injury to Cov relegates us. That's how important I think he is to the way we play
While recognising his importance, that seems a bit of an extreme reaction and I don’t think a prolonged absence would relegate us. We do hopefully have others who could do a job. We have to be based on a collective and not a team of individuals.
But it does highlight the importance of depth.
If Edwards gets injured, Bell can cover, ditto Macca. If Kelman or Tanto get injured, we have other forward options. If Kaminski gets injured, Mannion should provide adequate back up.
If players like Lloydy, Coventry, Ramsay, or Knibbs get injured, it drastically weakens us. We don't have anyone that could really fill their boots with the exception of Lloyd if a fit and ready Burke is available.
It's why it always surprises me when someone will say for example "we don't need another player for x position, we have x number of options there" when the options are usually bang average compared to the starter. Iron sharpens iron. The more competition for spots, the more drive the players should have, and if they can't be motivated by quality teammates around them or after their spot, it's unlikely they're the type of player we would want anyway imo.
You say it's an extreme reaction, but look how much different we looked without Lloyd, one player can massively influence a team.
Yes but your top players are your top players and nearly always hard to replace if they are unavailable for an extended period. Arsenal don’t have an adequate replacement for Saka, Liverpool don’t have a substitute Salah etc etc. If we had another midfielder as good as Coventry, he wouldn’t be on the bench he’d be starting and we’d be worried about who we have for cover for him as well. Ultimately, part of having a successful season of keeping your best players fit and available.
I wasn't suggesting we need someone as good as Cov, I reckon thay would take a hell of a chunkbof budget to get. But we do need someone who can play in the same way. Doc can operate in the same spaces as a DM but has different strengths, namely his workrate and being a bit of an allrounder in midfield. Cov specialises in interceptions and breaking up play thanks to his reading of the game, he is also so good at the transition out of defence, keeping the ball moving and positional he is excellent.
He keeps the entire system ticking over. Doc is so much better as the box to box player in our system. I think we are taking a huge gamble on Cov not having any significant period of injury this season. I hope it doesn't come to it but if the worst does happen and he's out for a period of months I can see Ramsay as the best option in his role. But that only works of Burke is fit and Apter has taken to the hybrid RWB/RM role. Which demonstrates the problem of having one player as cover for multiple positions and having first choice players in one role as cover for a 2nd or 3rd role.
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https://en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/2001–02_Charlton_Athletic_F.C._season
Dowie’s with in 2006 was another big one.
If Edwards gets injured, Bell can cover, ditto Macca. If Kelman or Tanto get injured, we have other forward options. If Kaminski gets injured, Mannion should provide adequate back up.
If players like Lloydy, Coventry, Ramsay, or Knibbs get injured, it drastically weakens us. We don't have anyone that could really fill their boots with the exception of Lloyd if a fit and ready Burke is available.
It's why it always surprises me when someone will say for example "we don't need another player for x position, we have x number of options there" when the options are usually bang average compared to the starter. Iron sharpens iron. The more competition for spots, the more drive the players should have, and if they can't be motivated by quality teammates around them or after their spot, it's unlikely they're the type of player we would want anyway imo.
You say it's an extreme reaction, but look how much different we looked without Lloyd, one player can massively influence a team.
Or you go the opposite way and see about bringing in someone better than Coventry or Edwards when we still probably want to bring in a RWB so unless there's an unlimited budget available it then eats into what can be spent on a RWB and also is there anybody who can improve on both Edwards and Coventry we can afford so they both can then become the back ups?
Which is probably why we end up in a situation of looking at a free agent LWB cover and probably Docherty backing up for Coventry unless the scouting team can pull a bit of an unlikely rabbit out of a hat somewhere for an affordable fee.
Tbh no club in the world is going to have a full XI of starters and a full XI of starter worthy back-ups, it's always a compromise, and ours is that we can cover Ramsay or Jones with Burke, but not both at the same time.
Same as Coventry, if he's injured at the moment we're filling that gap with Docherty, and playing Rankin-Costello, Anderson or Knibbs in the "8" role. Another defensive midfielder as good as Coventry would be lovely, but what does he do for 80% of the season?
He keeps the entire system ticking over. Doc is so much better as the box to box player in our system. I think we are taking a huge gamble on Cov not having any significant period of injury this season. I hope it doesn't come to it but if the worst does happen and he's out for a period of months I can see Ramsay as the best option in his role. But that only works of Burke is fit and Apter has taken to the hybrid RWB/RM role. Which demonstrates the problem of having one player as cover for multiple positions and having first choice players in one role as cover for a 2nd or 3rd role.