I’ll run true to form. Substitute Sadlier and McCleary for big Sam and I’m in complete agreement with you.
Great as it is to see Brandon Hanlan back on the pitch, he has a lot to prove before he becomes a regular starter or finisher. He could even be a candidate for a loan out.
With Ravizzoli looking secure and Shamal George a permanent signing, I wouldn’t be surprised to see Nathan Bishop return to Sunderland in January, if not sooner.
Do you remember in seasons gone by where if we were missing Sadlier, Taff, Vokes, Grimmer, Hanlan and McCleary for a single game - it was the end of the world??? We were writing the team off before we even kicked a ball.
Yesterday - Sadlier, Taff, Vokes, McCleary, Hartridge, Kodua, Bakinson, Skura and McCarthy didn't even make the matchday squad. Not to mention Bishop, Leahy and Wheeler.
In the past we couldn't even name a full bench and relied on the like of Tjay de Barr and Alex Samuel to come off the bench and simply "put themselves about".
Yep, every single game thread has had a long list of omissions.
The best news is it means we can get the likes of Vokes and Taf properly fit beyond doubt, a few will scoff at that, but it's pretty clear they've played quite some way off full fitness before because we simply needed them to.
That Southend final play off season when for long periods we in effect had a 15 man squad, they certainly did too.
Absolutely. But Hanlan has to be given a chance to prove himself within a much improved squad playing an attacking style of football as good and as entertaining as you will see anywhere..
I’ll bore you all by saying for the umpteenth time that only links in blue work on my iPhone. It can be extremely frustrating but, as far as I know, it’s incurable.
Fortuitously, google presented me with the Coventry Telegraph report and I hope the link will appear below.
Think the idea of Butcher and others going out on loan has been misread by some. As we are now, and with others returning from injury you'd probably say we would be happy "as is" but there are more elements, for one we have no idea if there is a fixed budget, or if ML will agree more funding if we are in a good place.
JMac seems obvious to go out and loan or permanent isn't really the clubs call unless they want to pay him off, it will depend on receiving any offers, loan with a view to permanent probably most likely.
Butcher hasn't been first choice in the starting eleven but is racking up regular appearances and is a very valuable squad player, however he didn't leave Plymouth to warm the bench, really depends how he sees it and on his fitness and that of all the other squad options. Then you also probably have agents offering other players and people who have been on radars for a while who may have become available as we become a more attractive proposal or due to their own circumstances. If Blooms was to add another young midfielder he may want out or we might want the wages, same probably goes for Sadlier and then there's discussion on Lubala and a barely fit again Hanlan, who we turned down a bid for then renewed whilst injured so is clearly valued. Vokesy on the other hand could also fancy a spell somewhere.
I do think we would be fine “as is” as you mention but I am also a strong believer that bringing in the right player or two in January can give the squad some added impetuous.
If I were being ultra critical, I would say defence is the one place we are lighter (not light, just lighter) than midfield and upfront interms of strength and if we were to bring in a player or two, this is where I would look.
You would be mad to think you wouldn’t getting a player in that is better than someone already in the building if there’s space, we can afford to and/or some players would want to look for first team action elsewhere.
while I think RB is one of our weaker spots in Terms of strength, (LB and CB arguably too in terms of depth and strength) I also think Jmac is one that I think could do with getting a run in a team. Just maybe not this one. He’s been out so long he needs that confidence and sharpness back
No way would I let Butcher go anywhere. An outstanding player that hasn't quite reached the levels of last season but with a relentless schedule ahead the role he players is priceless. We will no doubt have bans and injuries among the current midfield first choices and with the likelihood of losing Morley (unless Bolton are mad) in January why would you not want Butcher in your squad? If he is happy, if we have the money he 100% stays. As we learned last season in the Stevenage game a squad tickling along quite nicely but it can change in the space of 90 minutes when key players suddenly become long term unavailable.
I'd let him go if he wasn't playing, wanted to go and we could get a good replacement. I don't think we are at that stage now but two months is a long time, he could just as easily have become vital.
I think the argument about Butcher going out on loan is of course dependent on whether or not all the loanees are retained in January. If they are, Butcher's playing time is dependent on others getting injured or suspended. Will a player of his standard be happy with just occasional time from the bench?
Assuming Vokes is out long term, a similar experienced target man could be useful in a Billy Sharp mould in case plan B is needed during a game.
Just a thought and I’d be grateful for input from our various stattos. Aside from the Robins sacking it feels like there have been fewer hair trigger sackings in response to poor starts this year. Are clubs actually learning to have a bit of patience?
Butcher is such a dependable player and solid character that no way indeed should he be let go.
I’m not sure we were “tickling along quite nicely” when we played Stevenage at home last November and, crushing as it felt at the time to see Brandon Hanlan so obviously badly injured, to describe him as a key player (if indeed it was him you were referring to) seems very generous in retrospect. But, fair enough, in the context of the size and depth of the squad at the time, I suppose he was. Wrexham must have seen him that way.
Comments
I’ll run true to form. Substitute Sadlier and McCleary for big Sam and I’m in complete agreement with you.
Great as it is to see Brandon Hanlan back on the pitch, he has a lot to prove before he becomes a regular starter or finisher. He could even be a candidate for a loan out.
With Ravizzoli looking secure and Shamal George a permanent signing, I wouldn’t be surprised to see Nathan Bishop return to Sunderland in January, if not sooner.
What about Hanlan going out on loan ? Getting some game time and getting back up to fitness
Funny you should say that. Wunderbar. We agree ! 😊
It's mad to think.
Do you remember in seasons gone by where if we were missing Sadlier, Taff, Vokes, Grimmer, Hanlan and McCleary for a single game - it was the end of the world??? We were writing the team off before we even kicked a ball.
Yesterday - Sadlier, Taff, Vokes, McCleary, Hartridge, Kodua, Bakinson, Skura and McCarthy didn't even make the matchday squad. Not to mention Bishop, Leahy and Wheeler.
In the past we couldn't even name a full bench and relied on the like of Tjay de Barr and Alex Samuel to come off the bench and simply "put themselves about".
Yep, every single game thread has had a long list of omissions.
The best news is it means we can get the likes of Vokes and Taf properly fit beyond doubt, a few will scoff at that, but it's pretty clear they've played quite some way off full fitness before because we simply needed them to.
That Southend final play off season when for long periods we in effect had a 15 man squad, they certainly did too.
Jeeeez and then you remember Sadlier isn’t fit! He was playing so well when he got injured. Ditto GMac
Our cup it runneth over
It truly doth.
The panic we'd have had last season with Sadlier and McCleary out at the same time!
From one card to another, so do I. Somewhere like Crawley or Orient.
I’d love to have seen Nick Freeman playing in this squad with our current tactics.
Absolutely. But Hanlan has to be given a chance to prove himself within a much improved squad playing an attacking style of football as good and as entertaining as you will see anywhere..
So blooms responded to the rumours
https://www.coventrytelegraph.net/sport/football/football-news/coventry-next-manager-matt-bloomfield-30337698.amp
I’ll bore you all by saying for the umpteenth time that only links in blue work on my iPhone. It can be extremely frustrating but, as far as I know, it’s incurable.
Fortuitously, google presented me with the Coventry Telegraph report and I hope the link will appear below.
https://www.coventrytelegraph.net/sport/football/football-news/coventry-next-manager-matt-bloomfield-30337698.amp
”My only focus is this football club. This club means a lot to me, the fans mean a lot to me and the players have my sole focus.”
If you put your thumb on a link for a couple of seconds it should bring up options to open or copy, whatever smart phone you're using.
Whether it's in blue or not.
Then pick open.
Think the idea of Butcher and others going out on loan has been misread by some. As we are now, and with others returning from injury you'd probably say we would be happy "as is" but there are more elements, for one we have no idea if there is a fixed budget, or if ML will agree more funding if we are in a good place.
JMac seems obvious to go out and loan or permanent isn't really the clubs call unless they want to pay him off, it will depend on receiving any offers, loan with a view to permanent probably most likely.
Butcher hasn't been first choice in the starting eleven but is racking up regular appearances and is a very valuable squad player, however he didn't leave Plymouth to warm the bench, really depends how he sees it and on his fitness and that of all the other squad options. Then you also probably have agents offering other players and people who have been on radars for a while who may have become available as we become a more attractive proposal or due to their own circumstances. If Blooms was to add another young midfielder he may want out or we might want the wages, same probably goes for Sadlier and then there's discussion on Lubala and a barely fit again Hanlan, who we turned down a bid for then renewed whilst injured so is clearly valued. Vokesy on the other hand could also fancy a spell somewhere.
*tin foil hat on*
but but but, he doesn’t say anything about being backed by the new owners. Therefore there must be something going on
”chilling”
I do think we would be fine “as is” as you mention but I am also a strong believer that bringing in the right player or two in January can give the squad some added impetuous.
If I were being ultra critical, I would say defence is the one place we are lighter (not light, just lighter) than midfield and upfront interms of strength and if we were to bring in a player or two, this is where I would look.
You would be mad to think you wouldn’t getting a player in that is better than someone already in the building if there’s space, we can afford to and/or some players would want to look for first team action elsewhere.
while I think RB is one of our weaker spots in Terms of strength, (LB and CB arguably too in terms of depth and strength) I also think Jmac is one that I think could do with getting a run in a team. Just maybe not this one. He’s been out so long he needs that confidence and sharpness back
No way would I let Butcher go anywhere. An outstanding player that hasn't quite reached the levels of last season but with a relentless schedule ahead the role he players is priceless. We will no doubt have bans and injuries among the current midfield first choices and with the likelihood of losing Morley (unless Bolton are mad) in January why would you not want Butcher in your squad? If he is happy, if we have the money he 100% stays. As we learned last season in the Stevenage game a squad tickling along quite nicely but it can change in the space of 90 minutes when key players suddenly become long term unavailable.
I'd let him go if he wasn't playing, wanted to go and we could get a good replacement. I don't think we are at that stage now but two months is a long time, he could just as easily have become vital.
Slightly sorry to be that person but the difference between impetuous and impetus is fairly fundamental
I’m blaming buttery crumpets and autocorrect on that one 👀
JMac is very close to Alex Samuel, I could see him doing a job up at Ross County.
Wish the lad well, he has a good heart.
Why does seeing the word "impetuous" immediately bring the name Tommy Doherty to my mind?
I think the argument about Butcher going out on loan is of course dependent on whether or not all the loanees are retained in January. If they are, Butcher's playing time is dependent on others getting injured or suspended. Will a player of his standard be happy with just occasional time from the bench?
Assuming Vokes is out long term, a similar experienced target man could be useful in a Billy Sharp mould in case plan B is needed during a game.
Just a thought and I’d be grateful for input from our various stattos. Aside from the Robins sacking it feels like there have been fewer hair trigger sackings in response to poor starts this year. Are clubs actually learning to have a bit of patience?
More likely running out of money for compo.
Doubt he would even consider leaving. He is doing great but hasn't achieved anything yet.... we won't have won the league until March
Never mind impetus. That third paragraph made me think I might be going slightly mad myself.
Butcher is such a dependable player and solid character that no way indeed should he be let go.
I’m not sure we were “tickling along quite nicely” when we played Stevenage at home last November and, crushing as it felt at the time to see Brandon Hanlan so obviously badly injured, to describe him as a key player (if indeed it was him you were referring to) seems very generous in retrospect. But, fair enough, in the context of the size and depth of the squad at the time, I suppose he was. Wrexham must have seen him that way.
I enjoyed this (aside from the capitalized B in Chairboys).