Sam Vokes
I mentioned the other day that I thought Sam Vokes’ performance on Saturday was absolutely fantastic and that he was really key to keep a hold of for next season.
As Bayo is close to retirement, I think it’s gone a bit under the radar that we’ve found his seem to have found his replacement going forward. Excellent in the air, and really very good on the ground - his all round play has improved as the season has gone on, unsurprising given how little football he had played in recent years. Hopefully we can mix our play up a bit more to really take advantage of all of his strengths. If we can improve our crossing as well I think he’ll score a lot more goals. Additionally, he seems to have a really good attitude and works hard for the team with closing down etc.
I’ve heard Sam and his family are very happy living in Marlow. He is a very wealthy chap having had a really successful career so hopefully money isn’t too much of a factor. I really hope, first and foremost, we can keep hold of Vokes for next season, but perhaps for a few seasons after that too as I feel he could be key to what the club wants to achieve over the next 3 or 4 years.
Comments
Sam Vokes has been excellent this season, even when we haven’t been playing to his strengths. The amount of headers he wins is phenomenal and he is extremely accurate with his flick ons.
Whichever league we are in next season we will surely be a stronger team with Vokes in it.
Yeah, would be great if he became our next Bayo in terms of longevity as well as what he brings to the team
Sam Vokes - our best goalscoring no.9 in one season (excluding penalties) since Jermaine Easter in 06/07 (information gained from a reliable friend)
The ball for his 1st goal on Saturday I believe is what he thrives upon, and we havnt really done it as much as we should've, whip the ball into the box so he can get onto the end of it.
With the consistency of the JJ/ Bayo goal machine from a few seasons ago, it is remarkable we haven't made more of Obita getting a start on the winger and whipping it in quickly for Vokes.
The only worry I have of Vokes staying is to prove to others that he can do it at a higher level, if it doesn't get to be with us next season. He had an awful time at Stoke, and wouldn't surprise me if he uses a season of goals here to try and get a move to the Championship.
He was absolutely outstanding on Saturday. If we play to his strengths then he is unstoppable at that level
Totally agree. He has been class for us this season. Also with Hanlon when he is through on goal, he never looks like he is going to score to me...until he does. Pleased to have both at the club.
Lewis Wing is a midfielder (unintended irony) who can pick a pass (as well as scoring goals from distance). I’d like to see him, Mehmeti, Scowen and Stewart in the starting lineup tomorrow. Vokes and HanlAn have to stay of course but who steps aside?
Hanlan is a real curious player to watch, as he seems so ungainly, the ball bounces off him at times, but then he'll run through with a lovely finish. A real joy to have here.
It gets more difficult! I overlooked the important contribution made by KaiKai. He’d probably take precedence over Wing.
Vokes has been sensational this season, hopefully, he is enjoying playing and may just want to stay because he can play week in week out. Hopefully his family are settled in one of the best places to live in the UK.
Kaikai, for me, holds the key going forwards for the next few games. He needs to be starting and if that means Wing or Mehmeti don't start then I'm ok with that. His drive into the box and cross for Obita was sensational. His 2nd assist on Saturday was equally as good skill to create the space before a slide rule pass to Hanlan, who finished with aplomb.
Kaikai now has an assist every 118 minutes played. He's only completed 590 minutes and has 5 assists.
@Commoner said:
So, on xassist (or whatever), we could reasonably expect one tomorrow, possibly for the critical winning goal.
I hope so, he's also a very good dead ball specialist. Maybe he's one of those players who just comes alive on the pitch in a match but doesn't quite do the same on the training pitch.
I think he deserves a run in the side.
His other assist was a corner against Wigan
Yeah, that wasn't much more than a general observation!
Kaikai played 36 times last season for Blackpool, who won the play-offs. 7 goals and 8 assists.
If Thompson and Scowen start tomorrow, then I'm sure he can do enough defensively to merit a place in the starting XI.
We've won 3, drawn 2 and lost 1 of the six games he's started.
Kaikai deserves a start tomorrow.
My team would be - 4.3.3
Stockdale
McCarthy, Tafazolli, Stewart Obita
Thompson, Kaikai, Scowen
McCleary, Vokes, Hanlan.
This five at the back doesn’t work for me.
Whatever team we put out will be fine by me if we win. If we lose however...
We certainly can’t go with that same weak back five against Wigan can we?
Pretty sure going into the Cheltenham game Gaz was thinking play Kaikai in this easier game (!) as well need Wing in a battle with Wigan, which I would have concured with. Well that went well…..
Can we just play our 10 tallest outfield players and have Stocko gently throw the ball for them to head back to him for 90 minutes?
Thats the team I would go with, except Mehmeti in place of Kaikai.
I’d have Forino in place of Tafazolli. Or would I? Strength and experience might just trump pace and inexperience. My dithering is partly based on unpredictability of Tafazolli’s availability.
I dithered on this as well but went for Taff on the basis that Forino's confidence may be partially shot after Saturday. I still think Forino is the future though.
Impression from commentary and one or two posters seemed to be that Forino’s performance after the gaff (responsibility for which must surely be put partly at JJ’s door) seemed unaffected.