I agree it seemed that an experienced guy with Jack would be ideal, but it turned out Tommy Wright's advice was on a par with Guy Branston's. I agree recruitment is/was the key. I was amazed that we were still with the pack when the January window arrived. And yes Morsy and Ryan were just the type of players we needed and have lacked in our relegation years. A bit of size helps but it isn't a necessity - Kante doesn't win the ball by physique. In Spain's midfield even Iniesta and Silva are prepared to win the ball back if they can ...... But we lacked physique and physical presence and commitment everywhere. A big centre back going up for corners can get you 5 or 6 goals in a season himself. A robust wing back can sow confusion. A powerful guy in midfield does add presence. (Loftus-Cheek would so be in my England team!)
I notice in the last couple of days Dover have allowed a goalscoring forward to go and a strong defender who scored 5 last season and played almost every game. I wonder if that might mean someone can nab Gallifuoco or Brundle from them ...... or even the legendary Nortey Nortey?
I agree that both Caldwell and Lester seemed to neglect that important aspect of football - actually winning matches. As I've kept saying you have to have ways both to score goals and to avoid conceding them. Our last two managers seemed more concerned how we looked and how we played than whether we won. Certainly determination both gets you in on goal and defends desperate situations. You need players who want to win MORE THAN pleasing their coaches. (And doing what the coach says is unfortunately more important than winning in many of our academies and that's why youngsters struggle to break through to competitive first team football.)
I don't think we need worry about playing three at the back if Nelson is in line for a game, unless we've signed a couple of greyhounds to play with him.
Pooch, I do think you should just admit Dancing got it right and HOPE HOPE HOPE that he isn't going for three in succession this season. Failure to make the play-offs this season should be a monumental failure for us, never mind a third relegation. But this is a tough league. Boreham Wood may only have gates of 600, but their manager has a new three year contract and has already taken steps to strengthen their defence. Sutton and Maidenhead are signing players, so whilst the EFL is raiding some of non-league's brightest stars, successful teams are quickly re-shaping. To do ourselves justice we'll need MA to be on his game, stay for the season and to have recruited well. The teams who failed in the play-offs all look dangerous, at least two promoted teams could pose a threat, a couple from mid-table are definitely trying and then there's Barnet. What's that, about ten serious rivals even if we get a decent team? And if we lose our manager, or end up with a team no better than last time more Chexit or a visit to Dignitas could be on the cards.
I notice in the last couple of days Dover have allowed a goalscoring forward to go and a strong defender who scored 5 last season and played almost every game. I wonder if that might mean someone can nab Gallifuoco or Brundle from them ...... or even the legendary Nortey Nortey?
I agree that both Caldwell and Lester seemed to neglect that important aspect of football - actually winning matches. As I've kept saying you have to have ways both to score goals and to avoid conceding them. Our last two managers seemed more concerned how we looked and how we played than whether we won. Certainly determination both gets you in on goal and defends desperate situations. You need players who want to win MORE THAN pleasing their coaches. (And doing what the coach says is unfortunately more important than winning in many of our academies and that's why youngsters struggle to break through to competitive first team football.)
I don't think we need worry about playing three at the back if Nelson is in line for a game, unless we've signed a couple of greyhounds to play with him.
Pooch, I do think you should just admit Dancing got it right and HOPE HOPE HOPE that he isn't going for three in succession this season. Failure to make the play-offs this season should be a monumental failure for us, never mind a third relegation. But this is a tough league. Boreham Wood may only have gates of 600, but their manager has a new three year contract and has already taken steps to strengthen their defence. Sutton and Maidenhead are signing players, so whilst the EFL is raiding some of non-league's brightest stars, successful teams are quickly re-shaping. To do ourselves justice we'll need MA to be on his game, stay for the season and to have recruited well. The teams who failed in the play-offs all look dangerous, at least two promoted teams could pose a threat, a couple from mid-table are definitely trying and then there's Barnet. What's that, about ten serious rivals even if we get a decent team? And if we lose our manager, or end up with a team no better than last time more Chexit or a visit to Dignitas could be on the cards.