Callum Doyle (14 Viewers)
- Thread starter Ccfcisparks
- Start date
Lamps
Well-Known Member
If one played nearly every game and the other didn't yes. But you're making up a scenario to suit yet again. Just like last night when you knew Rushworth never got anywhere near the ball until screenshot were put up.
Lamps
Well-Known Member
Best run of form was with Dovin in goal. The time we were not leaking goals.
We saw with last night's game the difference with a good GK. We would have lost with Wilson or Collins in goal. But for the stats Simms and BTA played and we got a draw against a very good side.
During the game we made lots of subs. The only time we seemed to weaken our side was swapping Simms for BTA. The rest of the time we competed with a side who's last competitive game was a European final against Chelsea. They were no mugs.
Of course we wouldn't be the same if Rudoni got injured. We would have to replace his goals, assists and energy. We're lucky to have such a great player. Simms has a role to play but isn't a prolific striker. BTA has the pace but lack of awareness. He will shoot when we have an unmarked player, pass when a shot would be better and runs around like a headless chicken. Look at his shot last night that was closer to the corner flag than goal. He just isn't good enough.
Top priority has to be a striker otherwise we go into the season with Simms and BTA. We don't know how long we will be without Wright for.
Balli001
Well-Known Member
Wright is back training. Lampard said last night
Lamps
Well-Known Member
Yes back in training but nowhere near fit enough. And if he has a setback like he did last time?
We're just over a week before we go again. Our weakest position is up front. The young lads last night gave us a right boost. If they're good enough they're old enough. They didn't look out of place at all against a quality side.
skyblue_55
Well-Known Member
An enjoyable evening, but as people watching it saw , our rather toothless attack , hold up play or aimless crosses into the box , have to be addressed
TomRad85
Well-Known Member
Who was good off the bench last night? I turned off at about 65 mins.
Lamps
Well-Known Member
Nobody was out of place other than BTA. Andrews and Perry surprised me. We should keep them this season and slowly bring them in but if injuries/suspensions come along they look like they could play their part.
Looks like we've done some good work on the training pitch.
TomRad85
Well-Known Member
Yeh Andrews especially could have an interesting season. Not ideal that a striker that cost £3.5 million is the one looking out of place though is it.
Lamps
Well-Known Member
We must all have thought the same when his shot was closer to the corner flag than goal.
You can't fault his effort. But if we're going to challenge this season we need better.
Terry_dactyl
Well-Known Member
And for Cardiff.
Mucca Mad Boys
Well-Known Member
Dovin was in fine form between Jan and Feb and a big contributor. However, goals win matches and in that same period, BTA and Simms scored 7 goals v Bristol, Blackburn, Swansea and Sheff W.
Without those goals and results, we don’t get a look in at the playoffs and people have forgotten that.
With Haji back in training and 2 capable Championship strikers, that position is not a ‘top priority’. For example, If we had an injury to Rudoni or Sakamoto, we don’t have proven cover. We’d all be pleasantly surprised if Rapha has a breakout year but what’s the likelihood?
The clue is also with who we’re linked with, we’ve been linked with a lot more winger than strikers and the only vague linked to a forward is Bertaccini who’s played slightly more games at ST than at RW/LW.
rob9872
Well-Known Member
Why do people keep regurgitating the goals we scored against conceded? We can all see the numbers, but we're set up to attack, not defend like many in this league. A number of those using the stat also gave Wilson no credit when we kept 23 clean sheets because of the 5 at the back system. You can't have it both ways. We missed more xG than almost the entire league and if anyone thinks Ellis did enough last season, let alone the woeful goals to games ratio, then I watch a different game to you.
mmttww
Well-Known Member
Torp seemed to be organising more than anyone, a lot of talking to Perry and orchestrating the press.
Perry seemed composed and assertive. Made some decent interceptions, carried it well, won his headers.
fatso
Well-Known Member
Torp and Dasilva impressed, Perry did well and Allen slotted straight in as he always does.
We still have some work to do upfront.
Simms/BTA we’re serviceable in a front 2 but can’t play as a lone striker - using their stint when they played in a 2 isn’t helpful as we’re going to play 1 up top… which they struggle with
Having said that if we can’t shift them then I agree a RW is the priority. I like Sakamoto but it’s the only position where we could improve, as he is inconsistent away from home, and we lack depth
Lamps
Well-Known Member
As our players would say yes 100%
Yes goals win games. GK mistakes lose games. Yes they scored them goals in them games. But how did the rest of the season go for them. It's also easy to pick a run of games where they didn't score.
Simms is a confidence player who is lacking confidence. You will not find anywhere that I have said we need to sell him like many others have. BTA is a different matter. His performance yesterday wasn't unusual. It just isn't good enough if we're going to have a serious go at promotion. If we got an offer of our money back for BTA I'd drive him there myself.
Major Tom
Well-Known Member
A high percentage of chances including last season are crosses coming from the wings which I think isn't the best solution for Simms. he needs balls through the defensive line or a change to run at defenders. It's no surprise that we scored the most headers in the leagues but it cannot be our only source of goal changes.
I feel we look a bit predictable.. close Saka and EMC down and we struggle.
I feel we look a bit predictable.. close Saka and EMC down and we struggle.
Sai
Said this before - the person I thought was him and did bear a striking likeness I think was more likely Isaac Moore from the u21s based on hair and neck and build etc.
Skyblue Bangkok
Well-Known Member
Because Man City do what they think is right for their club not ours or anyone else.
Offhegoes
Well-Known Member
Simms scored all his goals in the 23/24 season as the lone striker, with Haji on the left. I thought he did OK last night. Little service. All our crosses were poor, and Betis played a deep line so there was no space behind. BTA was worse when he came on
Gibbo
Well-Known Member
sounds about the right price - maybe a million more
KenilworthSkyBlue
Well-Known Member
We need to be mindful that a) they're very young, and b) they've only been playing in friendlies. They're not likely to get much in terms of game time this season here and the Championship is a huge jump from what they're used to.
But it's still important that they get that experience somewhere so they can develop and mature as players. So, I think a loan is probably the best option for both this season.
Gibbo
Well-Known Member
You could not see the physical feature that would tell you whether it was Doyle or not - he has pro rata one of the biggest arses in football. In late middle age he's going to be enormous
Ian1779
Well-Known Member
No I get that, but I think that’s a deal that works for them too. Gets him off the wage bill, they get some cash that helps with PSR, and potentially some more if they think he’s as good as their valuation indicates.
Mucca Mad Boys
Well-Known Member
In 23/24, both Simms and BTA hit double figures playing predominantly upfront on their own in a 4-2-3-1. This narrative they can only play in a front 2 is false. They both had bad seasons last year and the coaching staff need to understand how to get 2 players back to their form previously. If there's no improvement, then next season you'd think they'll be offloaded. Either way, neither of them are first choice so putting more investment into a 2nd/3rd string player doesn't make sense.
There's a lot to like about Sakamoto, but there are just far too many games where he is a complete non-factor as an attacker. He has the hallmarks to be a great role player but not a top player in his position. Again, Thomas had significantly more shots and and xG than a winger.
You're right, looking at the starting 11, Sakamoto and CB is where you'd look to improve right off the bat. In ideal world, I'd like to have 4 quality wingers who can spread the workload and chip in with 6-8 goal contributions each as a minimum and the starters hitting 12-15. EMC's suggest he's capable of hitting 12-15 goal contributions, the numbers suggest Sakamoto couldn't.
Lamps
Well-Known Member
But you need to put this against continuing to work with Lampard and his staff. Lampard said about how much they'd come on in the last 4 weeks with them. The quality of the training staff in a lower down club wouldn't be anywhere near what we have.
It's Lampard's choice and it wouldn't surprise me if we kept them for this season. They both played well last night especially with the quality of our opponents.
Mucca Mad Boys
Well-Known Member
When you define 'top priority' and positional needs, you're looking at starting players, right? Hence why we signed a highly rated GK because starting Wilson/Collins for 2-4 months on the season was a significant risk.
10 goals from sub strikers isn't a terrible return. The top 3 who play 1 striker upfront didn't have a sub striker who scored more than 5 goals, Simms scored 6 and BTA scored 4.
Ultimately, the people who believe striker is a 'top priority' are the people who believe Wright should be playing LW. Which makes sense until someone looks at the numbers and finds Haji's best position has been striker minus a 2 month period between Nov-Jan in 23/24. Before and after that period, it's not even close. In fact, last season EMC's limited numbers were stronger at LW than Haji.
Right now, the forward line is Saka-Haji-EMC and the clear weak link is Sakamoto. The issue we have is that we don't have viable alternatives for Sakamoto nor EMC without changing formation of playing people out of position unless Rapha turns out to be ringer.
KenilworthSkyBlue
Well-Known Member
Lampard isn't a fairy godmother than can suddenly turn youth players into stars overnight.
Fundamentally young players learn by playing games and gaining experience. The fine tuning, which is where Lampard and his coaching staff can build on the experiences and lessons which said players have learned while out on loan, comes later.
But they need a foundation to work off first.
Lamps
Well-Known Member
I have stated several times that Wright should start in the middle. There were several on here trying to prove yourself and I wrong on the matter.
My problem is Wright hasn't been properly fit since he got injured. He will have to get his match fitness back before he will be at his best. If he has another setback we would be down to what you have called sub strikers. I'd go as far as substandard for BTA. All effort no end product. The problem with Simms seems to be his confidence is shot. We've had to replace a GK for the same reason.
None of those top 3 were missing their starting striker for 4 months. Can you call Simms a sub striker if he played more minutes than Wright? Both him and BTA were around the 360 mins per goal mark last season. If they were actually sub strikers over the course of the season and got on for 20 mins a game, that works out at 2.5 goals over the season. We need better than that.
JimmyHillsbeard
Well-Known Member
Isaac Moore’s at FGR for the season isn’t he?