dazed&confused
Well-Known Member
My concerns about Allassani weren't just about his height, but also his lack of physical presence. If it was just him, I wouldn't have a problem with it: I'm sure he brings a lot of other positives to a game. However, I just wasn't keen on all three small front men being on the pitch together. Shipley, brings something different to the party; something else for opposing teams to think about. And today he made the difference. His physicality allowed him to 'take one for the team'. Would Allassani have be able to do that? Shipley's not afraid to shoot, and he was brave when winning the penalty. And surely nobody can say he was to blame for the Oxford goal. On another day, Allassani might have been the right choice, but today was Shipley's day. Robins got it right.
These are League One players; none of them perfect; all with their own faults. Thomas needs to really improve his end product, but if he was already an accomplised goalscorer, he wouldn't be on loan here, he'd be in the Derby first team. Chaplin has enough shortcomings that Portsmouth didn't want to play him every week and felt they could do without him. And they're a League One side like us. He's a prospect, not the finished article. I think we are going to be experimenting with players and formations, and keeping our fingers-crossed for most of the season.
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