Not Good Enough

[JohnDenver]

I don't have a problem with Lafferty at all.

Good player, neat and tidy on the ball, nippy, and just lacks consistency in his crossing.

For all the stick he gets, he's got a goal or two, come close to more, got assists....he's better than Jay Mac so by that alone we should be happy.

Will he be good enough to see us up....most certainly. And that'll do me thanks.


Maybe a quality winger to allow us to mix up formation better....maybe another creative spark for when Duffy is off it....maybe another striker to push Sharp/replace others.

Whatever we do, I'm very confident Wilder will improve the squad at least.

Lafferty is a good player. Unquestionably to my eye.

But wingback is a position few players can excel in because you need so much in your armoury. Dribbling, passing, crossing, defending and immense fitness.

Freeman outshines Lafferty in a lot of people's eyes because he's more creative. But when we switch to a back four, Lafferty will be the stronger fullback.

So we don't need to replace Lafferty, we just need another option, especially since Chapman is no longer available.

 

[sheffielder]

We've been good enough for the first half of the season so we can be good enough for the second part of it.

Don't get me wrong, a few additions would be great, very welcome and i'm pretty sure we'll get them but they have to be an improvement and not a bench or squad filler, someone ready for the Championship otherwise there will be no point really. CW will no doubt have this sorted.

At a push, an upgrade on Lafferty is the one i'd plump for because he seems to be getting in his comfort zone and not doing what he was 3 or 4 weeks ago. Not bad but he's the one I think we can most improve upon.

He's a good defender and I don't think we have conceded much down his side. I think I would be looking for a winger who can play LWB for when we are at home or chasing games. That being said I am hesitant on changing too much, because when all is said and done, what we are doing is working.

 

[BalancedBlade]

If we don't address the few,but glaring weaknesses we will be back in the play offs come season end,and we all know what that means. A small,but sensible investment over the next few weeks would ensure promotion. We are a few tweeks from the finished article at this , admittedly poor level.

Not sure I agree that we'll be back in the play offs as it's got us to where we are today. but it definitely needs addressing. From what I've seen of CW and AK this season I'm confident (as much as I can be) that they've got this covered .

 

[seanbeenstattoo]

Not sure I agree that we'll be back in the play offs as it's got us to where we are today. but it definitely needs addressing. From what I've seen of CW and AK this season I'm confident (as much as I can be) that they've got this covered .

I very much hope they have,but if they do and it is made apparent then there's not a lot of point in us discussing and giving our opinions is there?

IMO we ned to do what I've suggested,I've put it there for discussion as per the point of the forum.
Happy New Year mate and thanks for engaging.

 

[wizadry]

He's a good defender and I don't think we have conceded much down his side. I think I would be looking for a winger who can play LWB for when we are at home or chasing games. That being said I am hesitant on changing too much, because when all is said and done, what we are doing is working.

That's why i said at a push mate.

 

[Snowman]

Eyup SBT yet miserable git. Am out with family on the expensive lash. Give it a rest till tomorrow and tell me if me and Pinchy owe you for the bet. Incidentally you possibly have a point. But tonight just live a little.

 

[seanbeenstattoo]

Eyup SBT yet miserable git. Am out with family on the expensive lash. Give it a rest till tomorrow and tell me if me and Pinchy owe you for the bet. Incidentally you possibly have a point. But tonight just live a little. Xxx

The bet is on the next home game I believe.
I'll be the voice of reason and omnipotence till you aren't expensively batfaced tomorrow. Now go and drink an excellent single malt. xxx

 

[South Bucks]

SBT makes a good OP as we have many good players but a few where clearly with some good work in the transfer market we potentailly might do better.

Once again the fan base seems to be split into two factions, either those who :

a) think we should be happy as we are doing better that last year and are top of the league so all is wonderful despite having never beaten any of the top 6 in our league. If we lose against Scunny and/or Bolton in Feb and end up 3rd will those same people say we should have changed out one or two in January ?.

or

b) think we are doing quite well but have weakness we ought to fix with one eye on increasing the chance of a top two finish and the other on a the basis of a team that might survive in the championship.

Personally I will always be a b) i.e to look for constant gradual improvements, no matter how small, to see how high we can go over a time scale of years if needs be. Maybe recent years have lowered our standards and it would appear this has numbed some of our fans to the point where just doing better than last year is seen as the new end game.

Please lets not settle for league one top half standards and to rubbish fans that offer suggestions for how the team might improve, knowing that ultimately others better qualified than fans make the calls.

Bring on the jackals.

 

[seanbeenstattoo]

SBT makes a good OP as we have many good players but a few where clearly with some good work in the transfer market we potentailly might do better.

Once again the fan base seems to be split into two factions, either those who :

a) think we should be happy as we are doing better that last year and are top of the league so all is wonderful despite having never beaten any of the top 6 in our league. If we lose against Scunny and/or Bolton in Feb and end up 3rd will those same people say we should have changed out one or two in January ?.

or

b) think we are doing quite well but have weakness we ought to fix with one eye on increasing the chance of a top two finish and the other on a the basis of a team that might survive in the championship.

Personally I will always be a b) i.e to look for constant gradual improvements, no matter how small, to see how high we can go over a time scale of years if needs be. Maybe recent years have lowered our standards and it would appear this has numbed some of our fans to the point where just doing better than last year is seen as the new end game.

Please lets not settle for league one top half standards and to rubbish fans that offer suggestions for how the team might improve, knowing that ultimately others better qualified than fans make the calls.

Bring on the jackals.

Excellent post. Bizarre how some take even constructive criticism as sacrilege. We are approaching the real deal but no way good enough and with enough depth of quality to win the league which shoud be our aim.
We don't need too much but there are flaws.
I've nailed mine to the mast and stand by them. The point of my OP was and is to encourage others to voice thirs.
A voice of no weaknnesses is a voice for play offs at best.

 

[Barnette]

January is the time when desperate clubs make short term overpriced decisions ...........better value available in the summer.
Would be happy for us to wait if no decent deals out there - our squad is good enough to get us out of this division.

 

[seanbeenstattoo]

January is the time when desperate clubs make short term overpriced decisions ...........better value available in the summer.
Would be happy for us to wait if no decent deals out there - our squad is good enough to get us out of this division.

I disagree. Because our rivals who are equal to us will strengthen.

 

[wizadry]

SBT makes a good OP as we have many good players but a few where clearly with some good work in the transfer market we potentailly might do better.

Once again the fan base seems to be split into two factions, either those who :

a) think we should be happy as we are doing better that last year and are top of the league so all is wonderful despite having never beaten any of the top 6 in our league. If we lose against Scunny and/or Bolton in Feb and end up 3rd will those same people say we should have changed out one or two in January ?.

or

b) think we are doing quite well but have weakness we ought to fix with one eye on increasing the chance of a top two finish and the other on a the basis of a team that might survive in the championship.

Personally I will always be a b) i.e to look for constant gradual improvements, no matter how small, to see how high we can go over a time scale of years if needs be. Maybe recent years have lowered our standards and it would appear this has numbed some of our fans to the point where just doing better than last year is seen as the new end game.

Please lets not settle for league one top half standards and to rubbish fans that offer suggestions for how the team might improve, knowing that ultimately others better qualified than fans make the calls.

Bring on the jackals.

Over the years we have brought squad fillers in, at this point now and i'm not been too hasty when I say this we need players who will be able to make the step up to the Championship. We will do that, i'm sure of it but this is where the hesitancy of some will come from.

 

[seanbeenstattoo]

Over the years we have brought squad fillers in, at this point now and i'm not been too hasty when I say this we need players who will be able to make the step up to the Championship. We will do that, i'm sure of it but this is where the hesitancy of some will come from.

I've posted I'd rather we just loaned a few to get us up rather than sign a few to get us up but won't cut it at a higher standard.
I'm sure Wilder will do his January business that way.

 

[SouthEssexBlade]

Excellent post. Bizarre how some take even constructive criticism as sacrilege. We are approaching the real deal but no way good enough and with enough depth of quality to win the league which shoud be our aim.
We don't need too much but there are flaws.
I've nailed mine to the mast and stand by them. The point of my OP was and is to encourage others to voice thirs.
A voice of no weaknnesses is a voice for play offs at best.

Take some of the strident comment out and you may get a few more in agreement. "No way good enough" is frankly looking to court controversy and attack, rather than constructive comment when aimed at a team with 50 points and sitting top of the league and making a mockery of your excess. Can things be improved? Of course. How? Big call ultimately made by Wilder who is privy to budgets, contracts, availability and suitability to how he wants the squad to play. I've a feeling he may surprise in this window, doing the unexpected.

And weaknesses are part and parcel of the game. Perfection has never been achieved at any level and never will be, there are too many variables in the game, which is what makes it so compelling. Wilder up to now has shown a good ability at recognising issues and addressing them, you can't really ask for more. I've seen the Blades promoted a few times and every one of those teams had problems along the way, weaknesses that proved to be not enough to prevent success. Wilder might do as you suggest, but I'd wager he does it differently.

 

[HillmortonBlade]

I am enjoying the fucking day mate. Hope you fucking are too. That said we need to sort a few fucking bits out or trust me we won't get auto and you know what that fucking means.
Seriously.

The current team seem to have done OK so far this season.

What changes to require significant recruitment?

 

[alcoblade]

Excellent post. Bizarre how some take even constructive criticism as sacrilege. We are approaching the real deal but no way good enough and with enough depth of quality to win the league which shoud be our aim.
We don't need too much but there are flaws.
I've nailed mine to the mast and stand by them. The point of my OP was and is to encourage others to voice thirs.
A voice of no weaknnesses is a voice for play offs at best.

There's a whole load of difference between the tone of this OP and last week's, and it's stumulated good debate - unlike last week.

I still think this squad can win the league, but I think you've pinpointed the areas we might strengthen to make it more probable.

Of course, actually buying better is probably expensive, and definitely difficult.

 

[Tyler Durden]

Basham is the consistent weak link. More of you will see that in the fullness of time, and you'll thank me.

 

[Barnette]

I disagree. Because our rivals who are equal to us will strengthen.

You seriously reckon Bolton will strengthen - they're skint

 

[HillmortonBlade]

You seriously reckon Bolton will strengthen - they're skint

Assuming we have identified who are equal to us, the league table suggests something different.

 

[Cyprus Blade]

Injuries and suspensions will happen - we need better cover for Duffy, Sharp and Coutts/Fleck - long term injuries to any of them will hurt us as it stands.

 

[seanbeenstattoo]

You seriously reckon Bolton will strengthen - they're skint

No they aren't theyll kick on as will Scunthorpe. They wont sell their assetts in January like we ALWAYS have.

 

[HillmortonBlade]

No they aren't theyll kick on as will Scunthorpe. They wont sell their assetts in January like we ALWAYS have.

Bolton aren't skint?

Is the premise of your point of view that we need to replace the players we haven't got rid of yet?

 

[seanbeenstattoo]

Stating the bleeding obvious, all managers are looking to replace a player with a better one. Player 'A' may appear to be an improvement on the present incumbant , but not in all respects and not in every game. Should we be looking for someone with individual flair that can turn a game round in a single move,
Or a team player who is not as profficient

No idea what your post actually means mate. Sorry.

 

[BigBed]

I can feel it coming in the air tonight!!!!!!!!

 

[Pinchy]

SBT makes a good OP as we have many good players but a few where clearly with some good work in the transfer market we potentailly might do better.

Once again the fan base seems to be split into two factions, either those who :

a) think we should be happy as we are doing better that last year and are top of the league so all is wonderful despite having never beaten any of the top 6 in our league. If we lose against Scunny and/or Bolton in Feb and end up 3rd will those same people say we should have changed out one or two in January ?.

or

b) think we are doing quite well but have weakness we ought to fix with one eye on increasing the chance of a top two finish and the other on a the basis of a team that might survive in the championship.

Personally I will always be a b) i.e to look for constant gradual improvements, no matter how small, to see how high we can go over a time scale of years if needs be. Maybe recent years have lowered our standards and it would appear this has numbed some of our fans to the point where just doing better than last year is seen as the new end game.

Please lets not settle for league one top half standards and to rubbish fans that offer suggestions for how the team might improve, knowing that ultimately others better qualified than fans make the calls.

Bring on the jackals.

No jackals but some of what you say is nonsense.

Nobody is settling for league one "top half" standards. They are pointing out that we are top of the league, all the more emphatically after a one point from 12 start. So quite where that remark might make any sense is a mystery.

Between you and SBT, you are manufacturing a near crisis that simply doesn't exist. Our points return (even after a false start) is easily that needed for automatic promotion.

Of course we should gradually improve. I've been one of the first to say that in relation to the manifestly inadequate Done. I think we will. What is not justified is this "we won't go up unless we strengthen" stance. Why not? The way we are dominating teams home and away (check the stats for the last four games; "not playing well" is rebutted and some) and much more importantly our results, cry out "top two". Supporters of other teams in this league seem, if Roy's blogs are to be believed, pretty convinced we are the best team in the league. I haven't the slightest doubt we are. I perceive a little S2 subservient cap-doffing here. It's the Bladesfans' Way.

As I've said to you elsewhere, we won't know our results against the "top six" until history tells us who they are. At present the league is an illusion in that respect. In any event the league table, like a golf scorecard, describes not "how" but "how many" so your point is barely worth the first mention, let alone the repetition.

So, yes, let's improve by all means. We should be constantly looking so to do and indeed, Tufty will do exactly that but a slight reduction in the "not good enough" melodrama and a slightly greater appreciation of just how good this team is at this level would be both justified and welcome.

 

[seanbeenstattoo]

The current team seem to have done OK so far this season.

What changes to require significant recruitment?

No cover for Fleck,Duffy,Sharp,just to name a few.
We have no strength in depth,our bench warmers like Clarke,Lavery et al gan't be relied upon although I feel Lavery is worth a start. Scougall I like but would you trust him to do a Duffy for 3 or so games if injuries kicked in?
We are close to the real deal. Three reasonable signings in Jan will seal it.

 

[seanbeenstattoo]

No jackals but some of what you say is nonsense.

Nobody is settling for league one "top half" standards. They are pointing out that we are top of the league, all the more emphatically after a one point from 12 start. So quite where that remark might make any sense is a mystery.

Between you and SBT, you are manufacturing a near crisis that simply doesn't exist. Our points return (even after a false start) is easily that needed for automatic promotion.

Of course we should gradually improve. I've been one of the first to say that in relation to the manifestly inadequate Done. I think we will. What is not justified is this "we won't go up unless we strengthen" stance. Why not? The way we are dominating teams home and away (check the stats for the last four games; "not playing well" is rebutted and some) and much more importantly our results, cry out "top two". Supporters of other teams in this league seem, if Roy's blogs are to be believed, pretty convinced we are the best team in the league. I haven't the slightest doubt we are. I perceive a little S2 subservient cap-doffing here. It's the Bladesfans' Way.

As I've said to you elsewhere, we won't know our results against the "top six" until history tells us who they are. At present the league is an illusion in that respect.

So, yes, let's improve by all means. We should be constantly looking so to do and indeed, Tufty will do exactly that but a slight reduction in the "not good enough" melodrama and a slightly greater appreciation of just how good this team is at this level would be both justified and welcome.

You are wrong. We are struggling at home due to a complete lack of pace.
No Done no pace.
We are not yet good enough and you are banging the wrong Done/Drum.
I am not manufacturing anything,I am reflecting the current reality.
Just doing enough at home,and when that just enough dosent work we will drop points.
A few prudent signings will sort it.
And by the way.
Clarke is not the answer. He dosent even runaround.

 

[Grizzly blade]

So you are advocating leaving the side alone mostly and strengthening our cover for those players who have fired us to 49 points from 20 games?

We shall see......personally I think we work on making sure we can best every team in the league by suiting our game plan to suit what is needed. As it is, this side is good enough to dominate every team and create chances. What we maybe lack is that something different....that bit of magic and skill....maybe pace....but something different is needed when a side sits deep, organises well and invites us on and says go on then...see if you can score.

But I also think we have depth and it's more important we learn to get those results when the squad players are needed to do the job they get paid for. I have faith Wilder can do that. He's actually a very good manager.

 

[seanbeenstattoo]

Bolton aren't skint?

Is the premise of your point of view that we need to replace the players we haven't got rid of yet?

Stupid post.

 

[seanbeenstattoo]

So you are advocating leaving the side alone mostly and strengthening our cover for those players who have fired us to 49 points from 20 games?

We shall see......personally I think we work on making sure we can best every team in the league by suiting our game plan to suit what is needed. As it is, this side is good enough to dominate every team and create chances. What we maybe lack is that something different....that bit of magic and skill....maybe pace....but something different is needed when a side sits deep, organises well and invites us on and says go on then...see if you can score.

But I also think we have depth and it's more important we learn to get those results when the squad players are needed to do the job they get paid for. I have faith Wilder can do that. He's actually a very good manager.

We are slow as fuck in the final third.
What depth.
A very good manager. (Done very well so far in the lower legues)

Please elaborate.