Basham at CB

[Liaminho9]

I think Basham played well at CB last season, and i think he could partner Edgar well. Could Basham moving back to CB free up space for a new CM?

 

[Barney]

What about Basham in the reserves, a new CB and a new CM? We'd have been able to do that if it wasn't for the signing of the garbage in the summer. Or better still we'd have actually covered those positions with quality then and wouldn't need to think about strengthening now.

 

[Wards]

The main problem being he's not really good enough to be a regular starter in either position for me. For a big bloke he's incredibly weak and technically he's limited. I really couldn't tell you what his best position is to be honest.

 

[pommpey]

Or better still we'd have actually covered those positions with quality then and wouldn't need to think about strengthening now.

What - exactly - do you want?

You seem set on Adkins going public, self-flagellating and resigning.

Answer me this: What benefit would this do the club, save deplete moral and standing further?

Next question: Which, sat-at-home-doing-nowt manager is ready to eagerly drive into the Cherry St car park tomorrow and take up the reins of a footballing bereft Div One outfit with angry fans, an uninspiring board and a litany of sacked managers?

We didn't strengthen. Live with it, for fuck's sake. We can't turn back the clock, and no doubt Adkins would have done, but odds on his brief was 'make do with what you have. Expire the existing lot's contracts and lets talk about augmenting next season.'

As said, you seem intent driving the fucking nail down below the surface until the surrounding wood is fucked. We hear what you say, many (like me) disagree with the point made that Adkins is the root cause of our enduring shitness. I'll give you one reason why: we are still in Div One and not chasing the autos/six points clear at the top. That hasn't changed much from last season, or the season before, or many seasons since. If we were rock bottom, youd have a point. That's got nowt to do with Adkins. We have critical weaknesses in the team which he can do nowt about without reinvestment.

Change the record, eh?

pommpey

 

[Barney]

What - exactly - do you want?

You seem set on Adkins going public, self-flagellating and resigning.

Answer me this: What benefit would this do the club, save deplete moral and standing further?

Next question: Which, sat-at-home-doing-nowt manager is ready to eagerly drive into the Cherry St car park tomorrow and take up the reins of a footballing bereft Div One outfit with angry fans, an uninspiring board and a litany of sacked managers?

We didn't strengthen. Live with it, for fuck's sake. We can't turn back the clock, and no doubt Adkins would have done, but odds on his brief was 'make do with what you have. Expire the existing lot's contracts and lets talk about augmenting next season.'

As said, you seem intent driving the fucking nail down below the surface until the surrounding wood is fucked. We hear what you say, many (like me) disagree with the point made that Adkins is the root cause of our enduring shitness. I'll give you one reason why: we are still in Div One and not chasing the autos/six points clear at the top. That hasn't changed much from last season, or the season before, or many seasons since. That's got nowt to do with Adkins. We have critical weaknesses in the team which he can do nowt about without reinvestment.

Change the record, eh?

pommpey

All of his signings were poor when you take into account the silly outlay for Sharp. The other four are just poor players and thus poor signings. If he'd have got that right, as opposed to getting it as wrong as he has, we'd be much closer to the automatic positions than we are now. It's just stupid to claim it hasn't got anything to do with Adkins. He was given the money for the five players, he utilised it appalingly.

 

[Slim Man]

All of his signings were poor when you take into account the silly outlay for Sharp. The other four are just poor players and thus poor signings. If he'd have got that right, as opposed to getting it as wrong as he has, we'd be much closer to the automatic positions than we are now. It's just stupid to claim it hasn't got anything to do with Adkins. He was given the money for the five players, he utilised it appalingly.

Bollocks
Sharp was well worth his money, you'd have to have a silly agenda to say otherwise.

 

[Hunkerby]

All of his signings were poor when you take into account the silly outlay for Sharp. The other four are just poor players and thus poor signings. If he'd have got that right, as opposed to getting it as wrong as he has, we'd be much closer to the automatic positions than we are now. It's just stupid to claim it hasn't got anything to do with Adkins. He was given the money for the five players, he utilised it appalingly.

There is no point in blaming Adkins for stuff which is beyond his control.
The club policy is transfer by committee - and funds are limited.
It's not his fault if the club can't come up with the 2 million needed to get us promoted this season.

 

[pommpey]

All of his signings were poor when you take into account the silly outlay for Sharp. The other four are just poor players and thus poor signings. If he'd have got that right, as opposed to getting it as wrong as he has, we'd be much closer to the automatic positions than we are now. It's just stupid to claim it hasn't got anything to do with Adkins. He was given the money for the five players, he utilised it appalingly.

To say 'all' his signings have been poor is a tad ridiculous, in my opinion.

Without Sharp's goals, we'd be several points - and league places - lower. He's on for high double figures, if not twenty odd this season. I'd back Adkins bringing him in.

The rest, yeah. They've not exactly torn any trees up.

Now point out to me one poster who says they are good players. Hammond is hot and cold (mainly cold), Edgar we could do better, Sammon is shit on toast. Given we sold Murphy after one game and brought bobbins in (having spunked over a mill on a new pitch) would you say that's Adkins fault too?

Seems to me you have tunnel vision. Especially as we are no better off than last season.

pommpey

 

[Barney]

To say 'all' his signings have been poor is a tad ridiculous, in my opinion.

Without Sharp's goals, we'd be several points - and league places - lower. He's on for high double figures, if not twenty odd this season. I'd back Adkins bringing him in.

The rest, yeah. They've not exactly torn any trees up.

Now point out to me one poster who says they are good players. Hammond is hot and cold (mainly cold), Edgar we could do better, Sammon is shit on toast. Given we sold Murphy after one game and brought bobbins in (having spunked over a mill on a new pitch) would you say that's Adkins fault too?

Seems to me you have tunnel vision. Especially as we are no better off than last season.

pommpey

We'll have to disagree on Sharp. But you're agreeing that four out of his five signings were poor? Presumably you'd also agree that the manager has to take the vast majority of if not all the responsibility for such things? And yet I've got tunnel vision. Bizarre.

 

[Patrick Suffaux]

Neither. I like Bash, gives his all and has a great game every now and then but largely he's average and at best steady. He's a squad player at this level and we should perhaps look for better. The same can be said for most of the squad.

 

[pommpey]

We'll have to disagree on Sharp. But you're agreeing that four out of his five signings were poor? Presumably you'd also agree that the manager has to take the vast majority of if not all the responsibility for such things? And yet I've got tunnel vision. Bizarre.

No. It's not like you to misinterpret, is it?

I'm saying that as this season evolves, given Adkins came out with the piss weak excuse that he was 'evaluating' pre-season just after his appointment, we then sold our best player just after the season started (is that his fault as well) and have failed miserably to cover the areas needed to stop the rot, this spells out to me that Adkins has been given a sackful of promises and fuck all substance to back them up. Plus ca change. As long as us supporters are blaming Wilson, Weir, Clough and Adkins whilst the playing staff is depleted and the input is worse, the real villains in this play - the board and in particular one or two key individuals and their cheerleaders - get away scott free. You are doing exactly what they want, namely attempting to start some rabble rousing against a largely blameless entity, one of several, including Weir who was apponted way, way out of his depth and paid off handsomely. Adkins has a brief, and he is so far sticking to it, drawing the fire away from the main targets. You, doing what you do so well, are taking pot shots at the wrong target.

pommpey

 

[Barney]

I'm saying that as this season evolves, given Adkins came out with the piss weak excuse that he was 'evaluating' pre-season just after his appointment,

You've got one thing right, at least. I voiced this opinion as it happened. I was ridiculed.

No. It's not like you to misinterpret, is it?

I'm saying that as this season evolves, given Adkins came out with the piss weak excuse that he was 'evaluating' pre-season just after his appointment, we then sold our best player just after the season started (is that his fault as well) and have failed miserably to cover the areas needed to stop the rot, this spells out to me that Adkins has been given a sackful of promises and fuck all substance to back them up. Plus ca change. As long as us supporters are blaming Wilson, Weir, Clough and Adkins whilst the playing staff is depleted and the input is worse, the real villains in this play - the board and in particular one or two key individuals and their cheerleaders - get away scott free. You are doing exactly what they want, namely attempting to start some rabble rousing against a largely blameless entity, one of several, including Weir who was apponted way, way out of his depth and paid off handsomely. Adkins has a brief, and he is so far sticking to it, drawing the fire away from the main targets. You, doing what you do so well, are taking pot shots at the wrong target.

pommpey

So, to clarify, you're saying the board didn't give him enough money?

 

[LoughboroBlade]

Ah, another thread that innocently starts with one question and is pushed yet again towards a completely different agenda as early as post two.

For what it's worth Liaminho9, I'd be happy to move Basham back if we had a new and better option to replace him in midfield. That said, did Basham and Edgar not have a few communications issues at Bradford, albeit not as a defensive pairing?

 

[pommpey]

You've got one thing right, at least. I voiced this opinion as it happened. I was ridiculed.

What is it with you? Is the mission here some sort of vindication of your absolute wisdom 'at the time'? I seem to remeber 'at the time' almost everyone (save for some clappers) were saying much the same. Adkins didn't strengthen or sign because (seemingly) McCabe has put the preset condition in that this season would be a clear out exercise. What do you want from those who 'ridiculed' you? Some sort of fucking apology? That, along with the instantaneous resignation and parading in stocks for the pelting of fruit thereof of one N Adkins esq in front of Sheffield Town Hall steps in Pinstone Street is pretty unlikely, y'reckon? Didums if you were ridiculed. A mere bagatelle compared to some of the stuff ranged against me in (ooh ... twenty years, now!) all the time I've been in and around these people. Its a fucking internet forum.

So, to clarify, you're saying the board didn't give him enough money?

Aye. Penny's dropping now, yeah?

pommpey

 

[Large Mendonca]

All of his signings were poor when you take into account the silly outlay for Sharp. The other four are just poor players and thus poor signings. If he'd have got that right, as opposed to getting it as wrong as he has, we'd be much closer to the automatic positions than we are now. It's just stupid to claim it hasn't got anything to do with Adkins. He was given the money for the five players, he utilised it appalingly.

Agree with everything you've said on this thread Barney....with the exception of saying Sharp was a poor signing.

He's single-handedly carrying us at the moment, and i would hate to see where we'd be without him. A good and solid signing for me.

The rest are gash

 

[Barney]

What is it with you? Is the mission here some sort of vindication of your absolute wisdom 'at the time'? I seem to remeber 'at the time' almost everyone (save for some clappers) were saying much the same. Adkins didn't strengthen or sign because (seemingly) McCabe has put the preset condition in that this season would be a clear out exercise. What do you want from those who 'ridiculed' you? Some sort of fucking apology? That, along with the instantaneous resignation and parading in stocks for the pelting of fruit thereof of one N Adkins esq in front of Sheffield Town Hall steps in Pinstone Street is pretty unlikely, y'reckon? Didums if you were ridiculed. A mere bagatelle compared to some of the stuff ranged against me in (ooh ... twenty years, now!) all the time I've been in and around these people. Its a fucking internet forum.

An apology certainly wouldn't go amiss.

Aye. Penny's dropping now, yeah?

pommpey

That's just ridiculous. The money was there. It's now being spent on the high wages of poor signings on a more than comfortable journey down the football pyramid. We even sanctioned nigh on £1.75m for a player this time last summer. It's a shame it was as appallingly put to use as Adkins signings have been this season round. Something like £600k for Done. The money's being spent. Unfortunately for us it's been in the hands of a succession of two clueless managers.

 

[Barney]

Agree with everything you've said on this thread Barney....with the exception of saying Sharp was a poor signing.

He's single-handedly carrying us at the moment, and i would hate to see where we'd be without him. A good and solid signing for me.

The rest are gash

I've only got Sharp down as a poor signing on the money we shelled out. I don't think we should ever be sanctioning that much for a 29 year old in the third division. I'd take a confident guess in saying that most of the top scorers in this division in recent history won't have been purchased for that sort of money. Not least because most of the clubs in this division won't be able to afford such an amount for any one individual player. It's clear there's players out there, it's just a case of finding them.

 

[1danewhitehouse]

Our midfield gets completely overrun every time Basham is not in it. He made loads of good tackles Saturday before he went off. He is, at present, indispensable in our midfield, regardless of his limitations on the ball.

 

[metalblade]

An apology certainly wouldn't go amiss.


That's just ridiculous. The money was there. It's now being spent on the high wages of poor signings on a more than comfortable journey down the football pyramid. We even sanctioned nigh on £1.75m for a player this time last summer. It's a shame it was as appallingly put to use as Adkins signings have been this season round. Something like £600k for Done. The money's being spent. Unfortunately for us it's been in the hands of a succession of two clueless managers.

Take a minute and think before you post two clueless managers ........... don't talk rubbish both have managed above this level and been fairly successful in Clough's case and Adkins CV reads even better. More like a long succession of managers since Robson have been used by McCabe as the fall guys to be sacrificed after every failure

 

[pommpey]

An apology certainly wouldn't go amiss.

Actually laughing at this.

That's just ridiculous. The money was there. It's now being spent on the high wages of poor signings on a more than comfortable journey down the football pyramid. We even sanctioned nigh on £1.75m for a player this time last summer. It's a shame it was as appallingly put to use as Adkins signings have been this season round. Something like £600k for Done. The money's being spent. Unfortunately for us it's been in the hands of a succession of two clueless managers.

Brayford was put to use as a CB under Clough. I doubt Adkins would do the same. FWIW, I had doubts about bringing Brayford back - we still don't know the amount spent on him so speculation is simply just that. The £600k on Done I believe was well spent, but as we have had holes appear in other areas, he's been either not played or played out wide. Him and Sharp are our only answer to getting goals. Forget McNulty. He's happy at his basement club smacking them in when he can be arsed. Next season if Pompey are promoted he'll be back to getting out fought and out muscled and mardy-arsing his way through matches. Then you'll hear that he's playing for Havant and Waterlooville or Bashley.

Clough and Adkins 'clueless'? Nah. I think you are wrong.

pommpey

 

[Barney]

Take a minute and think before you post two clueless managers ........... don't talk rubbish both have managed above this level and been fairly successful in Clough's case and Adkins CV reads even better. More like a long succession of managers since Robson have been used by McCabe as the fall guys to be sacrificed after every failure

You have a point about the long line of managers. We could talk about Robson, Mickey Adams, Weir all day long - all were just as poor managers. Just as I think Warnock and Wilson were exceptions to the rule and actually had a bit of something about them. But on the basis of all evidence of performance, clueless is most definitely the right adjective for both Adkins and Clough. Both have been given the funds for numerous signings, both have failed miserably.

 

[Rodley]

Ah, another thread that innocently starts with one question and is pushed yet again towards a completely different agenda as early as post two.

For what it's worth Liaminho9, I'd be happy to move Basham back if we had a new and better option to replace him in midfield. That said, did Basham and Edgar not have a few communications issues at Bradford, albeit not as a defensive pairing?

Same owd, same owd.

 

[Ricky]

We need both a new centre half and a new central midfielder.

Basham should only be moved to centre half next to the right partner, and neither Collins or Edgar are that.

We need someone in midfield with more technical ability and goalscoring ability than Basham.

Burn and Morsy please.

 

[pommpey]

You have a point about the long line of managers. We could talk about Robson, Mickey Adams, Weir all day long - all were just as poor managers. Just as I think Warnock and Wilson were exceptions to the rule and actually had a bit of something about them. But on the basis of all evidence of performance, clueless is most definitely the right adjective for both Adkins and Clough. Both have been given the funds for numerous signings, both have failed miserably.

So, Clough getting us to two cup semis is 'clueless'?

Your maths doesn't add up.

pommpey

 

[pommpey]

We need both a new centre half and a new central midfielder.

Basham should only be moved to centre half next to the right partner, and neither Collins or Edgar are that.

We need someone in midfield with more technical ability and goalscoring ability than Basham.

Burn and Morsy please.

Basham isn't good enough IMHO.

He's one of many who characteristically are struggling at Division One levels of football. We can't afford to lug people like him on an upward mission into the Championship. And yes, the build starts in the next seven days to me. We are fucked this season. People like Basham, despite the odd game where he shows some ability, are why we are still where we are, and if we are indeed getting all lumpy in the trousers about a rangy midfielder who has one good half in five games then tell me why no one has tendered an offer for him? I mean, it's not like we play hardball with transfer requests from other clubs, is it?

pommpey

 

[Barney]

So, Clough getting us to two cup semis is 'clueless'?

Your maths doesn't add up.

pommpey

No, but signing a boat load of players nowhere near good enough for a promotion chasing team is. Which carries far more weight behind it with the importance of promotion being infinitely more superior to priorities than a cup competition.

 

[Large Mendonca]

I've only got Sharp down as a poor signing on the money we shelled out. I don't think we should ever be sanctioning that much for a 29 year old in the third division. I'd take a confident guess in saying that most of the top scorers in this division in recent history won't have been purchased for that sort of money. Not least because most of the clubs in this division won't be able to afford such an amount for any one individual player. It's clear there's players out there, it's just a case of finding them.

I think we can only pay less if we unearth these strikers before they get recognised ala Che. Once they are then we have to pay the going rate ala Sharp. I think for us to progress out of this league we need to start hooving up the talent from this division and the one below it, as has been said on here a few times. Unfortunately this will come at a price, as clubs know we have a bit of wonga (for the division we're in).

I honestly don't know what money Sharp is on, although i imagine he will be on a fair whack........

 

[pommpey]

No, but signing a boat load of players nowhere near good enough for a promotion chasing team is. Which carries far more weight behind it with the importance of promotion being infinitely more superior to priorities than a cup competition.

Okay - we've done the 'didn't sign good players' schtick to death.

No one is apologising, by the way.

And note: I haven't depleted the importance of promotion. Picking up stray midfielders up at corners and not closing down long range shots is the mark of a cack team, especially if it means us losing at home in a key playoff game.

But we made the FA Cup semis against Hull and the LC semis against Spurs, both events showing a supposed shit team working and playing bloody well, considering they are well ... shit. I was pleased and somewhat proud, anyway. For you it seems the thing was merely a distraction and marks Clough out as some sort of footballing Philistine.

We all agree that transfer mistakes have been fatal to our mission to get ourselves out of this mess. But what has had the most impact, players going out ... or players coming in?

pommpey

 

[Liaminho9]

Our midfield gets completely overrun every time Basham is not in it. He made loads of good tackles Saturday before he went off. He is, at present, indispensable in our midfield, regardless of his limitations on the ball.

This is pretty much the point i'm alluding to - replace Basham with somebody better in the centre of the midfield, and move him into the 'vacant' centre back position.

 

[Barney]

Okay - we've done the 'didn't sign good players' schtick to death.

No one is apologising, by the way.

And note: I haven't depleted the importance of promotion. Picking up stray midfielders up at corners and not closing down long range shots is the mark of a cack team, especially if it means us losing at home in a key playoff game.

But we made the FA Cup semis against Hull and the LC semis against Spurs, both events showing a supposed shit team working and playing bloody well, considering they are well ... shit. I was pleased and somewhat proud, anyway. For you it seems the thing was merely a distraction and marks Clough out as some sort of footballing Philistine.

We all agree that transfer mistakes have been fatal to our mission to get ourselves out of this mess. But what has had the most impact, players going out ... or players coming in?

pommpey

Players in mainly. Because there's been a lot more of them, which is why the squad is so overrun with such little talent. But it's never going to help to consistently sell your best players every season either.