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Classof85

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Looking to get everyones thoughts now we have had a few months to see the players settle

EEL - Immense Quality one of best loan signings we have ever made IMO, one that came from left field.
Lafferty - Not convinced as an out and out lb but as a lwb not many better in league 1
Moore - Another quality signing and improvement on position
Chapman - Not seen enough, but from what we've seen has ability to turn a game on its head
Clarke - Cant play alongside Sharp but could be a good impact player
Wright - Biggest surprise, expected to be a bench warmer not the lynch pin of our defence
O'Connell - Shaky start but settled in a rock solid back 3
Fleck - Signing of the season end of
Wilson - Bench warmer
Duffy - Much needed quality in middle of park behind front 2
Brown - not good enough imo shouldn't have signed him in first place
Lavery - need to see more before judgement
 



Hussey as well who so far hasn't been a very good signing at all but luckily Wilder's head is not up his own arse like Clough's and Adkins' were so when he realised he put it right.
 
For me, EEL and Moore are the standout signings (or loanings in EEL's case). The difference they've made to the overall defence is there for all to see.

Still not convinced by Lavery. A lot of Wendy mates have told me that he'll do a job in L1, but I've yet to see him stand out. Maybe more game time is the key, but replacing Sharp or potentially Done when he's back is a big ask given their current form.
 
Wilder's overall recruitment has been the difference between another season of mediocrity and what we're now witnessing, a team committed and dedicated, talent and skill throughout the squad, and what I've most enjoyed is the willingness to learn and improve. Most important, our defence has improved beyond the expectations I had, bringing in a brand new group, proper centre-halves who attack and command their area, something we've moaned about for at least two seasons. Wright has been a revelation, perhaps this opportunity has presented him with a new lease of life, a chance to work with better players than he's been used to...whatever the reasons for his consistently good performances it's wonderful to see a player who knows how to defend as well as lead those around him. The arrival of Moore is as significant I feel, simply because a goalkeeper who doesn't instil confidence feeds anxiety throughout the defence, and Wilder spotted this early on and made the signing we were crying out for.

Fleck, Coutts, and Duffy have been excellent and are the engine room we've needed. I think an enforcer will still be needed (someone far more assertive than Basham), but at the moment the guys are doing a great job. Must admit to feeling pleased for Coutts, he's been like a new born player, his command of the ball, his vision, and his awareness of where other players are throughout a game are a class above anyone else in this division. Fleck is growing game by game, his influence and quality marks him out as a superb signing, and probably the envy of every other team in this division and the one above. Duffy is busy, has good skill, and is available when needed, his contribution is not to be minimised and he'll prove to be vital as the season continues.

As for the likes of EEL, JOC, Freeman, Chapman, Sharpo (couldn't resist that) etc, we look a good unit, and even when we appear off our game we still manage to find solutions to problems, always a sign of a quality team. I know talk of promotion isn't encouraged in some quarters, and yes, we need to get to the end of January to sense whether we're serious contenders for promotion, but it must be clear to the players that they have the qualities to be in the promotion pack as the season comes to an end......whether we can hold onto Chapman for the remainder of the season, well let's wait and see, but the boy is making a claim to be included as a first team choice. Great skills, and adds something different which the fans love to watch.
 
EEL- Fantastic to finally have someone with a backbone in defence, scores a bit too.

Lafferty- Improving game by game.

Moore- Best shot-stopper since Alan Kelly. An assuring presence in goal and a commanding one.

Chapman- Very very impressive, we need to see him more.

Clarke- Either he'll feature more by Christmas or be loaned out soon.

Wright- Best defender and best natural leader, he should be made captain. Strikers don't need that added burden

O'Connell- Initially looked like a potential disaster but much more solid now.

Fleck- Brilliant and able to excel both defensively and on the attack.

Wilson- Probably the square peg in the round hole unfortunately. Too many better players in the same area.

Duffy- Excellent winger, strong work ethic, always looks like making something happen but please stop blasting the ball from outside the area. Wimbledon aside, they always end up in row ZZ.

Brown- Nah

Lavery- Can't see him featuring much.

Hussey- Nah
 
Moore - 8/10 - he's not perfect but is a great age, a decent all round keeper and makes the defence much more confident. Good investment.

EEL - 9/10 - better than anything else we were linked with or could have hoped for at CB, at least in a back three. Proper committed CB. Potential for a permanent deal.

Wright - 10/10 - cheap free transfer, expected to be back up, yet instrumental so far and has already contributed more than we all expected him to. Leader.

O'Connell - 9/10 - looked like a good signing from the start, had a wobble but has since been assured. Young, good character, potential captain, will only improve. Great investment.

Wilson - 6/10 - good squad player.

Brown - 4/10 - stop gap who will probably barely play.

Lafferty - 7.5/10 - necessary loan signing in the LB/LWB position, decent all rounder, good football brain, seems to be improving.

Hussey - 5/10 - has looked a defensive liability but clearly has something to offer going forward with his deliveries.

Fleck - 10/10 - absolute diamond. Best free agent we could have signed.

Duffy - 9/10 - another great free transfer. Undoubted quality at this level and he's a key player for us.

Chapman - 8/10 - only a loan but he could be the icing on the cake recruitment wise if he develops and has the impact I think he can.

Lavery - 8/10 - slow start but I'm confident he'll be a very good investment.

Clarke - 6/10 - proven L1 striker, a different option for us but the 3 year contract isn't ideal.



Great effort from Wilder in the circumstances, it really is.
 
I almost forgot we signed this many. Looking at the list it's surprising it all "clicked" so soon. Very very good business from Wilder, I'd say.
 
Wilson is a good player, just won't get past EEL, Jake Wright senior and JOC, which is a shame for the lad, but a great sub for us to have, no doubt about it.

Hussey can deliver good balls in, but not great defensively at times. Lafferty not as good at delivering balls, but probably a slightly better all round game.
 
In my Opinion.

The signings of EEL, O'Connell and Moore have made us much better at the back. And Fleck has really blossomed the last few weeks into the player we thought we were getting when he signed. They are all the right ages and can only get better imo - i'd say these are the biggest successes of the season. O'Connell gets marks for overcoming a shakey start too

Duffy has been good. Seems to be improving once he's settled. Hope he keeps the improvement up hhe is a top player in this division on his day, Nagging feeling we haven't seen top form yet tho - i'd like to see a really dominant performance from him.

Wright has been biggest surprise - Biggest bargain and I think is actively improving the likes of O'Connell. Turned out to be very astute signing so far and not just signed as a favour from wilder.

Wilson has looked decent enough and is certainly a good option to have - He'll still play his fair share with injuries and suspensions. Along with Lafferty a fairly positive signing.

The unknowns are Clarke and Lavery - goal scoring records suggests they have something to offer us and will contribute. Need to step up when they get back to form and fitness.

Chapman fits this category too - flashes in parts but needs a real run to establish himself. Only saw the highlights of the weekend but the driving runs and finishes suggest there is a real talent there - hope he gets a run in the side at some point. The fact wilder seems to be trying to get him to play centrally suggests he realises there's not really a place for a winger in the side atm. Hopefully he starts pressuring duffy and the forwards for a start.

Only ones which haven't looked upto it so far are Brown who's only on a short term deal and in fairness was well short of first team football and Hussey who's struggled. Said when he played at stocksbridge he didn't look like he could defend but decent crosser of the ball - Think he might suit a 352 more than the 442 we played at the start of the season however.
 
Duffy top signing for me, very closely followed by Fleck. Moore & O'Connell not too far behind.

But it's the "unexpected" signings that have really warmed the cockles. Can't say I was enthused by EEL at all - now the old tender regions become enflamed just thinking of his return this weekend. Wright? Seemed a bit of a jobs-for-the-boys signing. Nothing of the sort - he's been magnificently consistent, disciplined and influential. Lafferty - another that hardly got the pulses racing. But, again, it's his consistency that's impressed. Now he's into his groove, he's a solid 6 or 7 out of ten a week, with no dips.

Yeah, Hussey hasn't come off so far, but I suspect it was confidence & expectations as much as anything with him - I still think he'll come good. And Brown's a stopgap, so can't really judge him harshly (not that I've seen enough to judge him anyway). Clarke and Lavery have missed too much injured so far to tell - I'm sure Clarke'll be useful though & am hopeful about Lavery with his pace. Chappers is starting to blossom. Wilson was unlucky to lose his place (not that I'm complaining about it).

Get a big physical midfielder in & sign the EEL permanently in January (& don't sell anyone key) and ... well, general James-Brown-I-Feel-Good sort of thing. Hell of a season so far, much more progress in a short time than expected.
 
Tyler Durden said:
Wilson- Probably the square peg in the round hole unfortunately. Too many better players in the same area
Click to expand...

That's not what that means, he's a round peg that could be very useful if we get an injury or Wolves take away the superior right peg that replaced him in the round hole. He's exactly the type of defensive squad player we've needed for the past few seasons.
 
Classof85 said:
Looking to get everyones thoughts now we have had a few months to see the players settle

EEL - Immense Quality one of best loan signings we have ever made IMO, one that came from left field.
Lafferty - Not convinced as an out and out lb but as a lwb not many better in league 1
Moore - Another quality signing and improvement on position
Chapman - Not seen enough, but from what we've seen has ability to turn a game on its head
Clarke - Cant play alongside Sharp but could be a good impact player
Wright - Biggest surprise, expected to be a bench warmer not the lynch pin of our defence
O'Connell - Shaky start but settled in a rock solid back 3
Fleck - Signing of the season end of
Wilson - Bench warmer
Duffy - Much needed quality in middle of park behind front 2
Brown - not good enough imo shouldn't have signed him in first place
Lavery - need to see more before judgement
Click to expand...

Two things spring to mind seeing that list:-

1) Wilder and the scouting team had a fantastic summer - usually managers get 60% of signings right. Wilder has done way better than that.

2) We've had cracking support from the board again. Just need to push on in January. Suspect with Wolves requesting EEL isn't involved at the weekend he may be in the new manager's plans in Jan. If that occurs I trust Wilder and the board are looking at alternatives.

Transfers on the whole have been superb this season. Not a great deal of rumours and leaks, just a heck of a lot of delivery. Well done all.
 



Barney said:
Hussey as well who so far hasn't been a very good signing at all but luckily Wilder's head is not up his own arse like Clough's and Adkins' were so when he realised he put it right.
Click to expand...

Agree to a point. His early games were at left back in a back 4 where he didn't do too well. We play a back 3 now with wing backs to go forward. He is much better suited to this role. He makes strong forward runs and makes good crosses, unlike Lafferty who loses possession through week tackling and poor distribution.
 
ShefRedandWhite said:
Looking at the list it's surprising it all "clicked" so soon.
Click to expand...

This was not the opinion around the evening of the 16th Aug as the 3rd Southend goal went in. There was still 2 weeks of the transfer still to go at that point but "clicked" was not a word widely used that night.
 
drinksmat said:
This was not the opinion around the evening of the 16th Aug as the 3rd Southend goal went in. There was still 2 weeks of the transfer still to go at that point but "clicked" was not a word widely used that night.
Click to expand...


Exactly the point, who would have though 5 games of shit then suddenly turn into a decent side out of nowhere? I was fully expecting half a season of sub par performance before seeing any level of players starting to click
 
Does Bramall Lane become a pop-up shop in January though? Hope not.
 
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