Oli

[Houston_Blade]

Realistically, a promoted side needs to score at least 75 goals. Moore getting 15 leaves 60 for the rest of the squad. That would need to split down as follows in a 4-2-3-1
10-15 backup strikers
20-25 attacking midfielders
10-15 wingbacks
5-10 DMs
5-10 central defenders

...and a lot would have to be at the top end of those ranges. That said, we were promoted in 2006 with Neil Shipperley top scoring with 11 of our 76 league goals.

I’d agree with the 10-15 needed from backup strikers but say that’s the bare minimum, you look at the previous 2 promotions and we had:

2018/19 - Sharp 24 goals, Didzy 15 but then only Clarke with 3 behind those 2 from the forwards

2022/23 - Ndiaye 14 goals, McB 13 goals, Sharp 2 goals, Jebbo and Brewster 1 each

Then the 5th place season under Hecky in 2021/22 - Sharp 14 goals, MGW 11 goals, Ndiaye 7 goals

We historically rely on 2 players getting the bulk of the forwards goals so we need another 10-15 goal forward for me.

The backups aren’t exactly prolific in first team league football so 5-10 would be optimistic from them.

O’Hare and Hamer need to score 15-20 between them as well really then the rest of the goals can be dotted around.

Probably worth mentioning that if Grbic is in goal then we need to double all of the goal requirements above!

 

[Derek1889]

It's a shame would have loved for him to stay. Would have scored a fair few goals for us this season. Seems to have matured and seems to be good to have around. However I wish him the best of luck. Nice offer to play against the likes of real Madrid barca ect

 

[Balham]

I’d agree with the 10-15 needed from backup strikers but say that’s the bare minimum, you look at the previous 2 promotions and we had:

2018/19 - Sharp 24 goals, Didzy 15 but then only Clarke with 3 behind those 2 from the forwards

2022/23 - Ndiaye 14 goals, McB 13 goals, Sharp 2 goals, Jebbo and Brewster 1 each

Then the 5th place season under Hecky in 2021/22 - Sharp 14 goals, MGW 11 goals, Ndiaye 7 goals

We historically rely on 2 players getting the bulk of the forwards goals so we need another 10-15 goal forward for me.

The backups aren’t exactly prolific in first team league football so 5-10 would be optimistic from them.

O’Hare and Hamer need to score 15-20 between them as well really then the rest of the goals can be dotted around.

Probably worth mentioning that if Grbic is in goal then we need to double all of the goal requirements above!

We played both those seasons almost exclusively with two strikers though. The indications for this season are that we will be playing with one.

 

[Houston_Blade]

We played both those seasons almost exclusively with two strikers though. The indications for this season are that we will be playing with one.

All that does is move the goal requirement elsewhere, we still need the goals.

At the moment there’s a lot riding on Moore, Hamer and O’Hare getting a decent chunk of goals.

Last time round we had 6 from Anel and 6 from Berge, it’s these kind of things we need to happen again.

 

[Balham]

All that does is move the goal requirement elsewhere, we still need the goals.

At the moment there’s a lot riding on Moore, Hamer and O’Hare getting a decent chunk of goals.

Last time round we had 6 from Anel and 6 from Berge, it’s these kind of things we need to happen again.

I agree - what I'm saying is that the onus moves from the second striker (McBurnie in 22/23, Clarke in 18/19) to the attacking midfield three. We can accept 5-10 from the backup strikers if the AMs pick up the other 10-15.

 

[AWetFlannel]

GLTTL. Had a rollercoaster of a time as a blade, I really liked him as a player and think he's improved as a person.

 

[Geordie Blade]

GLTTL. Had a rollercoaster of a time as a blade

 

[AWetFlannel]

Equalising in the last minute against Man U not considered a high?

Being laughed onto the pitch is certainly a low.

 

[Geordie Blade]

Equalising in the last minute against Man U not considered a high?

Being laughed onto the pitch is certainly a low.

That's fair! I was being facetious - I quite like Oli McB at times, and I think he would've done well in the Championship again.

 

[gavtheblade]

Glttl, not my favourite when he arrived, but the last 18 months I think he's put a shift in.
More disappointing how the club let his contract go so we get bugger all for him.

 

[Bladesman]

Looks like he was the Shirecliffe sniper all along!

 

[Zero dark thirty]

Fucking las palmas...how's he pulled that off.must have a great agent

 

[Ndiayewillalwaysloveyou]

He'll be playing upfront with Sory Kaba.

 

[chesblade]

Fucking las palmas...how's he pulled that off.must have a great agent

It's matt killgallon

 

[mattbianco1]

Fucking las palmas...how's he pulled that off.must have a great agent

It's basically the Spanish equivalent to signing for someone like Burnley

 

[blades95]

 

[Kozzy_is_my_Dad]

I thought he was a bit of an idiot when he first arrived, a young, daft lad but fresh off the back of a fantastic season, and I thought "here we go". In a good way.

Then, over time, his infectious enthusiasm grew and grew. I think we're genuinely losing quite an important part of the social glue of the group. Someone who could really bond the new group too.

He's also developed into a leader who absolutely had his team mates' backs.

Frustratingly, I don't think we ever fully played to his strengths and I also don't think we say enough of a solid, settled 'golden period' where he was routinely available, fit, and in form, scoring.

I'll be sorry to see him go, the Lane won't be the same without him around. Modern football has very few characters, most players are soulless academy products. Oli is one of the true characters of the game, and the game is better for having him around.

 

[Zero dark thirty]

It's basically the Spanish equivalent to signing for someone like Burnley

True but a lot better place to live

 

[Ricardo Mantelban]

True but a lot better place to live

You can’t even drink water from the tap.

 

[Shadota]

GLTTL. I wasn't particularly enthusiastic on the prospect of him signing a new deal with us anyway, but I'm still grateful for his contribution while here. That partnership with Ndiaye in particular was glorious to watch at times.

 

[ISZA ⚔️]

Surely puts Sunjihi back at top spot in the ITK standings

 

[Nick Jansky]

True but a lot better place to live

If you’re in Grimsby most places are, to be fair. Probably apart from Immingham.

 

[wizadry]

I thought he was a bit of an idiot when he first arrived, a young, daft lad but fresh off the back of a fantastic season, and I thought "here we go". In a good way.

Then, over time, his infectious enthusiasm grew and grew. I think we're genuinely losing quite an important part of the social glue of the group. Someone who could really bond the new group too.

He's also developed into a leader who absolutely had his team mates' backs.

Frustratingly, I don't think we ever fully played to his strengths and I also don't think we say enough of a solid, settled 'golden period' where he was routinely available, fit, and in form, scoring.

I'll be sorry to see him go, the Lane won't be the same without him around. Modern football has very few characters, most players are soulless academy products. Oli is one of the true characters of the game, and the game is better for having him around.

My thoughts entirely, he grew to love the club but I still don’t think we’ve seen the best of him for one reason or another but we and him move on and I’m sure he’ll be watching out for our results from afar and he’ll make it to the Lane from time to time, glttl!

 

[SwissBlade]

Sad to see him go when it seemed that this week he was signing a new deal this week, it felt like a big statement from the club, weirdly.

As many have said, he’s turned from idiot off the field to a genuine big part of the side. He’s learnt the target man role and managed through experience to avoid the battles in the air which centre halves love and find himself space by being smarter.

Better on the deck than many give him credit for, not as good in the air up top as many think. Often plays a role up top which sacrifices himself for others, his contributions at both ends have been excellent over the last few years and he’s scored or been involved in some key goals

The McBurnie shuffle will be gracing La Liga

 

[Bugboyblade]

At least he can top his tan up while he's sat on the bench either suspended or injured.

 

[Nedski]

 

[Zero dark thirty]

If you’re in Grimsby most places are, to be fair. Probably apart from Immingham.

A fucking tent on haven site in cleethorpes is better than here

 

[s20Blade]

Wait until they find out they've got a striker that only particular strength is heading away corners!

That paella will taste of salty tears.

 

[ThroughThinAndThinner]

I hope we hear plenty of interviews with McBurnie trying to speak Spanish, it'll be the Espana version of 'ello 'ello (or 'Oli 'Oli).

"Doss Servezas Por Fave-or"

And then we have his return to look forward to, speaking like the Sco-nish Steve McClaren.

 

[Danetheblade]

Gutted he’s gone to be honest. Likeable chap who were decent in both boxes.